Em's Hen Do!

A few weeks ago it was my lovely friend Em's hen weekend which she had no idea about apart from the date, time she was being picked up and a kit list with several erroneous items on it (shower cap and head torch anyone?) so that she wouldn't guess the activities we were doing.  I really wanted to contribute to the big day that was being organised by her chief bridesmaid and as we live close together it was pretty easy to come up with some secret plans.

I spent some time sewing up 10 sashes for the hens and a special white one for the bride then using freezer paper stencils to write Em's hen on the back.  Most of us are heavily involved with the guiding movement so there was a guiding element to the hen hence why the writing on the sashes is on the back so that the bride-to-be and the hens could earn badges that we made over the weekend for different activities  they participated in.

Sash!

On the Friday night I used a recipe from my Milkshake Bar Cookbook and added a shot of Bailey's to make a special cocktail named after the bride herself.  The chocolate lego men were made by the chief bridesmaid from an ice tray as Legoland in Denmark had been the place of the proposal (with a lego ring no less!)

'Dirty Dean'

The Saturday involved a little bit of this....

Water zorbing

...a scary amount of this...

Hill Zorbing, two people strapped in a ball and pushed down a big hill SO MUCH FUN!

...a beach picnic (it was cold, damn you Welsh weather!)...

Bride-to-be with her pineapple Paul she had to care for the whole weekend

...some Baywatch style running...

The lifeguards weren't impressed

...the highlight may have been this...

Rescuing the lifeguards!

...which we thought made us honorary lifeguards for the day...

Jazz hands!

...some silly games and family quizzes before the obligatory big night out...

The Kenyan plate drying wiggle dance, don't you know!  (plus my paper doily bunting and pink cupcakes)

....and at the end of it all we each got one of these!

Featuring the groom!

It was such a fab weekend and everyone had a really good time.  It was great to do something a bit different and I have always wanted to try zorbing.  My favourite part of it was getting to know all of Em's close friends, some of which I hadn't met before, which guarantees the wedding is going to be a blast!

Pattern Pyramid Giveaway WINNER!

Wow I have never had so many comments on my blog!  Thank you to all the lovely people that took the time to look at my blog pages and a special thanks to those who have become new followers! 

So without further ado...I had 44 entries and the random number generator picked.....number 13!  Unlucky for some but not for...... 

Rachel-Lou!!

of the blog Made with Whimsy

Congratulations! 

 I hope you enjoy picking your pattern and hosting your own giveaway as much as I did!

For full information on this giveaway see the initial post at Didyoumakethat?

Burda Style July 2012 Review

Burda 07/2012

On to July and 'Sexy Summer,' I wish it felt like summer here in the UK but today felt like winter with rain and grey clouds everywhere!

Dress 101

I am not a fan of the colour blocking of this dress but I really love the buttoned closure down the front and the pleated skirt.  There are a lot of a dropped waists in this issu which is not always flattering but I think it could be if fitted properly.  I think the model could have done with a size smaller too as it does look a little big all over.

Dress 111

This is actually a dress rather than a shirt and skirt which is pretty cool and I think it is a really casual way to wear a pleated skirt too, the pale blue shirt looks pretty with the pleats.

Dress 109

Another dress where I don't love the colours but this could make a really pretty little black evening dress.  I like that the bow can be tied or left open and the chiffon fabric version in the magazine is sweet as well.  I couldn't bring myself to post a photo of it though as the hem looked like it had been torn and was unravelling, yikes!

There are several really sweet little shirts too but my scanner just would not scan a pic of them!  I don't know why but it wouldn't work, I think what I liked best was that they used the same fabric for each so the different designs really stood out.

Dress 133

The dress everyone is talking about!  I am so glad Burda chose to revisit the vintage pattern like they did in a previous issue and this sweet cross-my-heart dress is so lovely!  I really  want to make one of these (once I have used up some of my stash pile!)  I have already seen two lovely versions on the interwebs by Sewingadicta,with contrast bands and Sewing Your Style over on We Sew Retro who used the cutest flip flop fabric. Also is it just me or is the model Rachel Barry from Glee?  haha!

Dress 131

Ignore the random beach setting for a little black dress, not sure what is going on there, but this dress would be totally office appropriate.  I don't work in an office but I still crave office wear.  I don't know why but that is most likely why I am drawn to this one.  The pleated front would help hide lumps and bumps too and the sleeves are adorable.

Dress 135

I normally really dislike anything in the plus size portion of this magazine as it all tends to be shapeless but this issue has me drooling.  Not that the patterns would fit me but I really really love the vintage twist they have given them.  Polka dots and a wiggle dress (and a sailor) yes please!

Top 136B

I really like this wrap top too it is flattering and I really like the three-quarter sleeves.

Dress 139

Another sailor!  This dress is really stunning.  I love the minty colour and the cowl style neck and again with the sweet little sleeves.

Trousers 128

I can't decide what to make of these trousers, I get the idea but all I can think of is if the drawstring worked loose you could end up with a gaping hole in totally the wrong place!  What do you think?

Burda Style June 2012 Review

Oh gosh I didn't realise I had forgotten to post June's issue, so you get a double whammy now!

Burda 6/2012

Dress 126

 I am not normally a fan of the sun-cover-up-tunic type dress but I quite like this one.  I think it is because the of the fitted long sleeves plus I could see it with the waist cinched in tighter and it would make a cute day dress.

Dress 136

I really love this dress, it is the designer pattern from Luisa Beccaria, who I must confess I had not heard of but she makes the most fabulous light and airy evening dresses with lots of lace and ruffles so she is right up my street.  I love the chiffon fabric used here and I think the halter style would be very flattering and the cute little ruffle round the hem is so sweet!

Skirt 123

I know bubble skirts are a Marmite item of clothing (I am in the hate it camp) and technically this is a bubble skirt.  However I really like it.  It is not that pronounced and I like the fact it twists to the side creating an interesting detail.  Also the blue stripe they have made it with makes it look really casual, I think it would be great in a similar shirting fabric.

DIY

The DIY section of the magazine involves the gem stone trend that has been seen on the runways.  In this section they have used craft foam which I don't think would survive the washing machine but I think it would work well with felt or fabric too.  Quite a cool way to jazz up a plain outfit.

Skirt 111B

I quite like this romantic floaty skirt though I don't think I would pair it with a sweatshirt, it could look great for a summer wedding.

Dress 141B

This is quite a simple wrap dress though I would be a bit annoyed if it kept blowing open as the picture shows.  I am thinking this could be made reversible or lined in case it does.

Dress 112

This is my pick for my least favourite.  It might not be obvious why, it is pretty much a simple halter neck but there are two versions in this mag and neither of them seem to fit properly.  The problem seems to be at the bust and shoulders where is is gaping on the model which leads me to think I would have no chance getting it to fit me properly!

Pattern Pyramid Giveaway!

 Giveaway now closed!

I was one of the very lucky winners of the first round of the Pattern Pyramid giveaway hosted my the lovely Karen of Did you make that? 

My parcel!

THE RULES

• Anyone, anywhere can enter the giveaway by posting a comment below by midnight GMT Wednesday 18 July BUT you must have an active blog. (Reasons to become obvious.)
• I will randomly select one winner.
• I will post on a selection of approximately 5-6 patterns and/or Burda magazines to the winner, along with the Pattern Pyramid hand woven labels to be sewn into anything made from one of these patterns.
• The winner will pick one pattern to keep for themselves, then host their own giveaway. They will randomly select a winner, post the remaining patterns to that Person C. Person C will pick a pattern for themselves, host their own giveaway and post the remaining patterns to the winner, Person D. Person D will…

THE SMALL PRINT

• The patterns have not been checked so pieces may be missing, it is pot luck!
• If you’re a winner, I would love it if you could make a small contribution to The Brooke. This is a charity close to the heart of Catherine, who so generously provided these patterns.

 So go ahead, enter the giveaway and you get to choose your pattern from the lovely goodies provided.  Below is a little sneak peek of what will be arriving in your package.

Finally, this is the pattern I chose.  I cannot actually believe my package contained this pattern, as it was the one I was lusting over on Karen's original sneak peek post and I just cannot wait to make it up!  (Apologies to anyone else who was hoping to receive this one!)

How pretty!!