tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45675768651957036372024-03-12T20:16:04.253-07:00BabettopolisTo work, re-work and alter...that is our creed.Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-5995043885208495032014-02-16T05:59:00.000-08:002014-02-16T05:59:56.225-08:00All things purple and lush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This round up post, another long catching-up type of post, brings together several projects I've worked on in the past months. I must admit it's been a trying period and yet, somehow, when I'm at my lowest I manage to create better than ever before. Perhaps, it's because it feels, more than ever before, that your life/livelihood really depends on it. Perhaps because when only very little joy remains in the pursuit of other things, the safest option is to stick to that one thing that troubles you least. And so I sew and make things because it is easier than breathing, easier than sorting out my bank balance, so much easier than socializing and a bit more socially acceptable than staying in bed all day eating pie/cake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Other than the obvious 'list of things I made' purpose, I hope that the next couple of photos manage to channel something a bit more substantial with regards to the responsibilities of consumption. No pressure, it's just something I really care about, the driving force behind what I do, if you will. I wish I had more time on my hands to rant on a bit more constructively about it - instead, I derive consolation from the fact that I kind of lead by example. So the idea is to buy less and invest a little bit more and by more I mean attention and thought rather than money. True, money makes it easier to acquire quality, however, this late in history (because from where I'm standing it feels as if it's quite late) it is easier to come across valuables that cost next to nothing. Value is ultimately the result of the amount of time, thought and energy you're prepared to invest in an object or experience - and there goes my 2c worth of algebra for the day.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I start off with this. A custom purple dress I made for another Maria</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jO5kQ-_2Dr0/UsRG7uWwYXI/AAAAAAAACo4/eItoX7x-A1I/s1600/purple+chiffon+pleating+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jO5kQ-_2Dr0/UsRG7uWwYXI/AAAAAAAACo4/eItoX7x-A1I/s400/purple+chiffon+pleating+babettopolis.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">every panel that made up this strapless princess-line dress was <br />individually covered in pleated chiffon </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A sea of pins and hours of steaming later, and the dress started taking <br />the desired shape. We're talking about days of work here - I'm lucky I<br />managed to stop and take some pictures of the long process and working on <br />your own doesn't make it any easier. Documenting a process is work in itself<br />and when you work alone there's only so much you can do.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a picture taken at the very last moment, a lovely in-between<br /> moment when you're about to put the finishing touches on an item.<br />It's a triumphant moment and yet you feel like delaying it a bit more because<br /> the moment the label goes on you know that you're parting ways <br />with something you've come to know so well.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6biTWQoT3n8/UsRHbfrhu2I/AAAAAAAACpc/WW1x6l3p6Hc/s1600/pleated+purple+chiffon+dress+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6biTWQoT3n8/UsRHbfrhu2I/AAAAAAAACpc/WW1x6l3p6Hc/s400/pleated+purple+chiffon+dress+2+babettopolis.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Individually cut and layered guipure motifs frame the bodice of the dress <br />and cascade down the sides. Possibly one of the most time consuming <br />projects of 2013 but thoroughly enjoyable. It is an absolute joy to<br /> work with and for someone so appreciative of all that is <br />custom/hand made - there's no greater joy for an artisan than <br />a trusting and respectful client. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfeVL19V764/UsRHcdPElLI/AAAAAAAACpk/PKQHZbaaaPc/s1600/purple+tweed+cape+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfeVL19V764/UsRHcdPElLI/AAAAAAAACpk/PKQHZbaaaPc/s400/purple+tweed+cape+babettopolis.jpg" height="400" width="330" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWxpdlo40pE/UsRIQnEQAvI/AAAAAAAACp4/pQZlcUodbQw/s1600/06_12_13+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWxpdlo40pE/UsRIQnEQAvI/AAAAAAAACp4/pQZlcUodbQw/s400/06_12_13+babettopolis.jpg" height="400" width="272" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the same months dedicated to Maria's purple dress, <br />I was entrusted Donnah's purple coat, <br />an old purchase which needed re-fitting, <br />shaping and some embellishing. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HFWR-Ws0N-I/UsRH4jZJ5lI/AAAAAAAACpw/6VphmK1ODKw/s1600/Donnah+coat+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HFWR-Ws0N-I/UsRH4jZJ5lI/AAAAAAAACpw/6VphmK1ODKw/s400/Donnah+coat+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" height="215" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some alterations take longer than predicted, and this is a case in point.<br />Sometimes, whilst working, you realize that stopping half way simply <br />isn't an option. The reward for giving your all is a very personal <br />and untranslatable thing, in fact, I often find it difficult to explain <br />the amount of pleasure one can find in snipping away at delicate lace, <br />pinning it in place and carefully stitching it on by hand. <br />Oh well, here it is.. I managed to watch all three seasons of <i>The Borgias</i> <br />whilst finishing off this coat and I have a feeling that<br />that's somewhat evident in the finished product.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7cLYFGbvNc/Uu9bLUp2U9I/AAAAAAAACr4/SFi5LjP1E_o/s1600/turquoise+lace+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7cLYFGbvNc/Uu9bLUp2U9I/AAAAAAAACr4/SFi5LjP1E_o/s1600/turquoise+lace+dress+babettopolis.jpg" height="400" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This may not be purple, but it certainly is lush.<br />A lacy 60s inspired mini-shift dress with matching under dress <br />constructed out of a considerably larger dress worn for special occasions <br />by Luisa's mother a couple of decades back. I carefully cut up the <br />original dress; raised the hem-line by applique-ing a border of lace, <br />stitching it on by hand and re-shaped the original full and gathered mutton <br />sleeves into shorter bell shaped sleeves. <br />Always a sucker for dresses with sentimental value <br />Always happy to be working on reviving old clothes.</span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-0A_Xs76F8/UvD9I4uxAvI/AAAAAAAACsk/ycPAqetsnvU/s1600/gold+dress+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-0A_Xs76F8/UvD9I4uxAvI/AAAAAAAACsk/ycPAqetsnvU/s1600/gold+dress+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In fact, here's another one of two similar projects I carried out for Elaine <br />- that is, transforming prized pieces from the wardrobes of older relatives, <br />updating styles and helping out with giving a second lease on life to items <br />of clothing that have been relegated to the dark recess of overflowing wardrobes. <br />The material on this piece was a joy to work with - only rarely do I come<br /> across such decadent metallics nowadays, so working on it was <br />educational in more ways than immediately evident.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTsk3gfTce8/UvD9Iz19CaI/AAAAAAAACsg/PMRMCEQ80GE/s1600/purple+dress+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTsk3gfTce8/UvD9Iz19CaI/AAAAAAAACsg/PMRMCEQ80GE/s1600/purple+dress+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It pains me to know that most dresses I've worked on have <br />probably been to more and better parties than I ever will!<br />But I rarely allow the envy colour my work .. only rarely</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now on to something completely different ...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tMUfYcA9GwY/Uu9bNBj7sKI/AAAAAAAACsA/uZsjQhweko8/s1600/Lara+head-piece+1+Babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tMUfYcA9GwY/Uu9bNBj7sKI/AAAAAAAACsA/uZsjQhweko8/s1600/Lara+head-piece+1+Babettopolis.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whilst working on this piece, the hours ticked by and <br />overshadowing all concerns for the finished product ...<br /><br />(example: <br />'Hope I've understood what Lara wanted'<br />'And if I did understand, hope that what I'm making is it'<br />'Oh god, hope this isn't too flowery'<br />'Goddamit, I need some wine if I plan to hand stitch all of this by hand'<br />'But wait, wine slows me down and gives me wobbly fingers'<br />'Aaa i'm loving how it's turning out, but will Lara like it?'<br />'Ok, this is too much, I over did it'<br />'Sue me, I love it, I love over-the-top, Lara knows I'm over-the-top'<br />'aaa more wine yes please thank you very much'<br />'midnight? MIDNIGHT? but it was 7pm a minute ago'<br />'eh so pretty, so much prettiness')<br /><br />So, overshadowing all of these concerns was the thought, or hope if you will, <br />that this piece would set the tone and standard for the year/s to come: <br />one-off pieces, couture-hours, painstaking work that few others are willing <br />to put into this kind of work/recognise in mine/and ultimately purchase for themselves. <br />Call it crazy business-sense .. but this is what I LOVE <br />and hope to do for the rest of my life.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PByRZqa-9J8/Uu9bNxSl6vI/AAAAAAAACsI/zKsUg-DWbhE/s1600/Lara+head-piece+2+Babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PByRZqa-9J8/Uu9bNxSl6vI/AAAAAAAACsI/zKsUg-DWbhE/s1600/Lara+head-piece+2+Babettopolis.jpg" height="395" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Must admit I couldn't be prouder </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">a) to have been entrusted this in the first place</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">&</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">b) to have, after months of deliberation, made this of it</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">A renovated headpiece that</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> started out as an already pretty good-looking, <br />albeit slightly unloved, object; (following Lara's orders) <br />went on to become something quite unique intended to hug articulately <br />set curls just like she likes to sport them!</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">So one saturday night, I stayed in with a movie, some wine, <br />a load of pins, and a steaming iron. I disassembled the whole piece and <br />constructed the dome like structure from scratch, hand stitched the lace motifs <br />which I had individually cut from a mesh-like off-cut .. <br />and then .. <br />suddenly .. <br />2am happened and I couldn't stop smiling as I stumbled into bed.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NOW, I must get back to my sewing pile, but before I leave .. here are a couple of favourite snapshots (some purple and mostly lush) from my last visit to Brighton and London. I recall the sprawling greenery and steamy fragrance of the Kew Gardens greenhouses as well as 'the frozen-over toes' effect on Brighton pier with fondness. It was a wonderful week or so .. but now I must get back to some serious work and not let the wonderful prospect that is visiting Japan distract me! (*YAAAY JAPAN I'M COMING ermahgerd!!!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">See more, Love more and Keep more and for longer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and now, I'll definitely up, up and away x</span></div>
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<br />Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-11102566625830259992014-01-07T15:18:00.001-08:002014-01-07T15:18:44.770-08:00A bridal round-up and some residue fever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A fair warning: this is a long post and most definitely not for the faint hearted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Proceed only if white organza and ivory guipure have the power to set your heart aflutter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Best avoid if .. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you know what, I take that back</span></div>
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why avoid? </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I too have no intention of getting married any time soon, but love a nice dress and a party as much as the next 'dress and party lover'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here goes.. some words and photos from weddings I was lucky enough to work on in the past year but found little or no time to discuss in full once the dresses left the building .. ah! the joys of retrospective blogging!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anne-Marie's crisp white and lavender scented December wedding </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRIweP4Ek-0/UsQ4lXeuSSI/AAAAAAAACmQ/kk_MHSKCNBE/s1600/valentina+lupo+photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRIweP4Ek-0/UsQ4lXeuSSI/AAAAAAAACmQ/kk_MHSKCNBE/s400/valentina+lupo+photography.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/valentinalupophotography?fref=ts">valentina lupo photography</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is, I admit, a favourite. This dress is everything I dreamt it would be from top to bottom, bringing together some recurring obsessions and more current design interests such as the spartan and monastic cuts of 1950s Balenciaga married with the detailed floral motifs of vintage Lanvin, Poiret's theatrical peplums and Vionnet's bias flow. I had made dresses for Anne Marie before and we'd come to realise that we did appreciate very similar traits and qualities in dresses (that kind of context and prep is always a plus) but a gown as special as a wedding gown, presents an exciting blank slate and so over the course of one year and following several sketching sessions, the initial idea for a cocktail length puff-ball bridal dress turned into a longer, slender and somewhat sleeker silhouette. At this point, I dreamt up around ten options (yeah I was on a roll, sketching-fever if you will) and lo and behold Anne Marie chose my absolute favourite from the lot. We then shopped for the right shade of crisp white satin and matching organza (fast becoming my favourite material) .. we discussed and sketched every little detail in advance: from the head-dress and veil combo to the size of the floral wreath and the size/shape/colour of the beading. Thankfully we seemed to be on the same style-page from the outset even though the first source of inspiration (ie. Luhrmann's <i>The Great Gatsby </i>which I still hate :p) behind the design-process remained a bone of contention till the very end. In any case, I remain most grateful for the opportunity to create a personal and humble interpretation of a DECO bridal gown just as it appeared in my dreams .. I now know that such opportunities are extremely hard to come by.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">some sketches, the organza over-dress sitting patiently on its dummy before <br />the first fitting and a matching ring-cushion </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FYdzngpWO8/UsQ4isU4QvI/AAAAAAAAClo/XvAJN4N0S8A/s1600/bridal+dress+detail+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FYdzngpWO8/UsQ4isU4QvI/AAAAAAAAClo/XvAJN4N0S8A/s400/bridal+dress+detail+babettopolis.jpg" height="400" width="246" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">one last shot of the bridal veil and beading on the sleeves during the last fitting.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a spray of pearl and glass beads .. looks like lemonade fizz, takes much much longer to pour;<br />sewing by hand gives you the control to create and adapt as you go along but it is<br />back-breaking work which truly tests your love for the craft.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MI-SnpKIs4g/UsQ4jM5pDwI/AAAAAAAACl4/m9qP-CkW_go/s1600/bridal+party+fabric+flowers+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MI-SnpKIs4g/UsQ4jM5pDwI/AAAAAAAACl4/m9qP-CkW_go/s400/bridal+party+fabric+flowers+babettopolis.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every flower created individually, by hand, with circle upon circle of crisp organza, satin, crepe-satin and chiffon.<br />The green ones were created for the bridesmaids' dresses, thus bringing the floral leitmotif<br />full circle (closeups to follow).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... hours and hours ...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDh4T_q4Kj4/UsQ4l_eiM6I/AAAAAAAACmU/OrtKa2OTeAo/s1600/bridesmaid+fabric+flowers+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDh4T_q4Kj4/UsQ4l_eiM6I/AAAAAAAACmU/OrtKa2OTeAo/s400/bridesmaid+fabric+flowers+2+babettopolis.jpg" height="211" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... upon hours of careful hand-stitching and beading + several cups of coffee later!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UfqRbZ9vojo/UsQ6oY3IG5I/AAAAAAAACmo/yR85nPoXAcs/s1600/beaded+head+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UfqRbZ9vojo/UsQ6oY3IG5I/AAAAAAAACmo/yR85nPoXAcs/s400/beaded+head+dress+babettopolis.jpg" height="400" width="303" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the decidedly marine-inspired fan head-piece with pearl and crystal spray beading to match the sleeves -<br />similarly time-consuming work and equally as satisfying a result.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are two shots of all the dresses in action .. <br />can't wait for more detailed snaps from the big day!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lal's balmy June wedding and a dress re-visited </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: justify;">Back in June 2012 I replied to a facebook message from a person I had never met before asking me whether I could possibly have a look at a beaded and embroidered 60s wedding dress which needed some tlc before it made it down the aisle the following year. So I said yes (because 'yes' is the only answer to such a propsal) and I drove with driving instructor in tow (didn't have my license back then) to said person's house, walked up a steep hill on a typical August mid-day and finally I made it to the breezy and shady front garden of the house at the top of the hill and the person behind the message turned out to be Caroline or rather 'Lal' - Lal of the two dresses/countries not one, Lal whose circle of friends in Malta overlapped with mine and yet somehow we had never met, Lal who ultimately went for the most precious and sentimentally-charged gown I ever laid eyes on. Because you see, when I entered the room where the said 60s dress (a stunning and absolutely precious dress in its own right) was laid out on a bed, I couldn't help being distracted by the other dress Lal had brought out for me to see. Her mother's wedding dress, a long vintage guipure shift dress with detachable train (satin bows and all) by a local and much revered </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">(yet sadly now defunct) couture house Mme Manfre. This was to be her wedding dress. Months later, following the unfortunate passing of the bride's mother, the choice of dress started to resonate on so many other levels and the pressure to do the dress justice sky-rocketed. I was to cut open the 3/4 length sleeves and use the individual guipure motifs to lengthen the dress by a couple of inches, create a new neckline with a V-dip at the back, replace the old zippers and permanently attach the stately oval train to the dress. The dress was to then travel across the continent to qualified dry-cleaners and fly back to Malta for it's second wedding ceremony. Some people don't live and travel half as much as this dress has! In conclusion, I admit I have very fond thoughts attached to this dress-saga .. and to this day I consider myself very grateful for being allowed to participate in such a wonderful tale!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIZyON8f1K4/UsRCdl-qQ3I/AAAAAAAACno/JOFLSabILHY/s1600/credit+Suzey+Ingold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIZyON8f1K4/UsRCdl-qQ3I/AAAAAAAACno/JOFLSabILHY/s400/credit+Suzey+Ingold.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j-Rh23qh5hw/UsRCyJc89uI/AAAAAAAACn0/qqU-OBwdRTM/s1600/altered+vintage+wedding+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j-Rh23qh5hw/UsRCyJc89uI/AAAAAAAACn0/qqU-OBwdRTM/s400/altered+vintage+wedding+dress+babettopolis.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As low at the back as one's allowed to go without raising a priest's eyebrow or two<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoJ_uItIymM/Usx1Eca-ncI/AAAAAAAACrc/lnwjyR9PyoY/s1600/843807_474862232560796_422330333_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoJ_uItIymM/Usx1Eca-ncI/AAAAAAAACrc/lnwjyR9PyoY/s1600/843807_474862232560796_422330333_o.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*dreamy (and slightly panic-inducing) label* ... anxiety of influence much?!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W0NzFkGA1Yo/UsRC1exdhEI/AAAAAAAACoQ/Cq7usoMWQms/s400/lace+trimming+babettopolis.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a shot of my after-hours working table - cutting and trimming down of the individual guipure leaves in preparation for the morrow's list of alterations - with time, only the fondest of memories remain.<br />Somehow thankless tasks like these take on a magical aura of bliss!<br />#time_is_indeed_a_healer</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Following all the alterations executed entirely by hand, we were both crossing fingers that<br />the maverick chemists/drycleaners would deliver the goods as promised.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDFtqdDiaRM/UsRDtSptL1I/AAAAAAAACok/1_U426ou--0/s1600/credit+tamsin+valentino+and+sophie+von+trapp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDFtqdDiaRM/UsRDtSptL1I/AAAAAAAACok/1_U426ou--0/s400/credit+tamsin+valentino+and+sophie+von+trapp.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">credit: Tamsin Valentino and Sophie von Trapp<br />... on the day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was also entrusted both the flower girls' dresses - simple, summery and full skirted raw-silk dresses with a bow at the back and the two bridesmaids' haircombs in matching raw silk, organza and pearls. The zesty and floral colour scheme was just perfect for the season!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cfGt83dFG00/UsxgXLVJReI/AAAAAAAACq8/zumZAsZlgJc/s1600/unnamed+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cfGt83dFG00/UsxgXLVJReI/AAAAAAAACq8/zumZAsZlgJc/s1600/unnamed+1.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And some beautiful shots of the bride seen here in front of a framed photo of her mother in the same dress .. x<br />credit: Matthew Mirabelli</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... with the cutest two ...<br /> credit: Matthew Mirabelli</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... and ultimately, with the chosen one<br />credit: Matthew Mirabelli</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Becky's classy October wedding troupe and party dress</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Stephenlynchfotography?fref=ts">Stephen Lynch photography</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I couldn't help wondering, as I sat down to hem all three of these matching bridesmaid dresses in ivory chiffon - how can one village spew forth so much beauty! ;)</span></div>
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This Siggiewi wedding troupe made up of sisters, cousins and the best of childhood friends opted for the right degree of Hollywood glam and decided to keep it classy from beginning to end - I respect that you see, so I couldn't help mentioning it. It would have been dreadful to have to work, for so long, on something that is overdone or god-forbid on the gaudy side of glam - so, yes, I'm basically of the opinion that we should applaud 'good glam' because it'll save humanity a lot of pain in the long run! The young and effervescent (yes, after deliberation, that is the perfect adjective) bride wanted classic one-shoulder and off-shoulder dresses in breezy ivory to match her own wedding dress for her glamorously tanned and polished entourage - no fuss, no excessive bling, just slender and classy. So I took a leaf from Madame Gres' goddess-worthy draping and kept it simple. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a retrospective sketch<br />following a wedding it usually takes me a couple of days to get it out of my system and start <br />creating anew so I sometimes sit down and sketch the dresses afresh. <br />It gives me something practical to do as well as an excuse for some much-needed introspection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride also wanted a second surprise dress for the wedding reception .. a figure hugging, bias-cut and backless crepe-satin dress in icy white with a beaded trim all around the neckline.<br />Ever so typical of me, before handing the dresses over to the bride I forgot to take a photo of the finished piece so I guess you'll just have to take my words for it..<br />it fit her like a glove, attracted the expected level of surprise from the groom, and allowed Becky enough freedom to dance the night away as per plan!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">last words: love them or hate them <span style="font-size: x-small;">(and secretly still love them)</span> weddings are powerful rituals.. they present the perfect backdrop for happy memories between families and friends, have the power to make or break existing social ties whilst cementing newer and stronger ones .. but overall, taken in one's stride and with the required pinch of salt, even the most stressful of run-ups to the big day will, in time, turn into the fondest of memories. </span></div>
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That said, I still insist I do not want the experience for myself. Having the ability to sew the dress of my dreams has only turned me into the pest-friend who keeps dropping hints to close friends (and some random and very surprised acquaintances) to get married and throw a damn party .. because love is good and parties are just GREAT!</div>
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so here endeth the bridal-saga post<br />x</div>
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Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-11381072217170048982014-01-01T07:04:00.000-08:002014-01-01T07:04:06.709-08:00Hello 2014 ..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtxoSysw2aY/UsQtiKODyHI/AAAAAAAAClM/q6y3X588F6A/s1600/dec2013+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtxoSysw2aY/UsQtiKODyHI/AAAAAAAAClM/q6y3X588F6A/s400/dec2013+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've promised myself change for the coming year. </span></div>
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Because change is essential to a well-rounded and varied life, I think.</div>
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On the brink of 26, I find myself in a better position than ever before to start taking some much needed and postponed decisions. I don't mind what I've done so far, in fact I'd like to do more of it, but better; and better requires a different setting, format and route.</div>
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But for now, I'll only be sharing some pictures of my last biggish project. Because, fuck chronology ..</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/theareolatreat">Areola Treat</a>'s Lisa commissioned a snazzy and glittery cape to wear on stage and practically gave me carte-blanche to turn a bag-full of tinsel curtains in gold and hot pink into a NYE-stage-worthy piece. Cue 70s glam rock, Ziggy Stardust costumes in the V&A archives, Liz Taylor's painted and powdered Cleopatra etc etc. I basically wanted to create a cape that would as easily jump the queue at Studio54, make it on to Bowie's nostalgic rail of personal craft favourites as well as into Noel Fielding's wardrobe for the second series of Luxury Comedy.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The collar I moulded out of glued and threaded layers of gold leather strengthened by recycled prints of Mdina watercolours I had lying about the house in gold wooden frames that deserved to frame better things! The first gold tinsel layer was laid on one strand at a time to ensure an even and flat spread that doubles over the shoulder area for volume. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The collar I cut out of leather scraps using tiny scissors and whatever was left of my waning eyesight after the second double layer of hot pink tinsel went on - again, one strand at a time, whilst listening to some inspiring music to urge the process on. Tip 1: dancing and gluing can be hazardous to eyes/hair/cat. Tip 2: place cats in a safe place before trimming tinsel to size - cats love tinsel-rain too much for their own good.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... and now we wait for photos of the cape as worn on stage for last nights NYE concert celebrations.</span></td></tr>
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Some last words: welcome 2014 and bring on more fancy capes, travel opportunities to far-away lands, more time consuming projects, time for reading more books about great people's work, welcome all that and more. 2013 lessons were enough to last me a couple of years so I feel absolutely good to go. But first, some more rest and much needed detox.</div>
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Later on in the week I'll hopefully be posting more detailed posts about the sewing projects that have shaped my second half of 2013. Time permitting I'll even share some photos from my last holiday - the first holiday to teach me what relaxation is all about. In the meantime I'll be off to tackle the rest of my festive reading material ie. <i>Balenciaga: The Couturier's Couturier</i>, <i>Pattern Magic, King of Fashion: The Autobiography of Paul Poiret </i>and some more texts along those lines.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For the moment, I'll just dream some more until it really hits me that it's already the 1st of January. </td></tr>
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Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-21317726671430891022013-10-30T03:04:00.000-07:002013-10-30T03:04:08.030-07:00Dia de los Muertos cocktail cup trio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so it all started when Carla (<span style="font-size: x-small;">a friend and fellow appreciator of beautiful things</span>) and I decided we wanted to host an imaginary radio show called 'TIKI BAR'.<br />Ok, rewind a bit.<br />I was sewing away as per usual and going through every episode of 'NO RESERVATIONS' I could find on Youtube. When you work from home, you pick up such wonderful habits!<br />I came across an episode in which Anthony Bourdain discovers the Das Racist crew in his fridge (<span style="font-size: x-small;">fun times!</span>) and so I felt duty bound to forward said episode to Carla.<br />Later on in the episode, the wonderful/surreal/all-encompassing experience that is 'spending an afternoon in a Tiki Bar' was revealed to us for the first time. We felt like TIKI virgins, parched, in awe, jealous of all of those within walking distance of such a plastic-flower-and-fairy-light-bedecked temple of joy. Every hour is cocktail hour at the 'TIKI BAR' .. we wanted our bar, we wanted a hammock (<span style="font-size: x-small;">come to think of it, 2 hammocks would have been more convenient</span>) .. we wanted a cocktail-hour Radio show.<br /><br />we basically wanted to escape the terrifying run up to 'teaching-practice' and 'meeting a wedding-commission deadline'.<br /><br />Instead I decided to tackle this little dream in, perhaps, the smallest but, at least, realistically achievable way.<br />I decided to make some tiki-inspired cocktail cups in the shape of Day of the Dead skulls because (1.) I can, (2.) I am allowed some cross-referencing artistic license, (3.) end of October/beginning of November was coming up and I just love all Halloween-related activities.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here's the <i>Rita C. Colomba </i>cup ...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... round and bulbous ...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YIqMdD4HPzg/UnAfPYPvcMI/AAAAAAAACjE/lpDBjUt8qXU/s1600/Rita+C+Colomba+ceramic+cocktail+cup+Babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YIqMdD4HPzg/UnAfPYPvcMI/AAAAAAAACjE/lpDBjUt8qXU/s400/Rita+C+Colomba+ceramic+cocktail+cup+Babettopolis.jpg" width="356" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... and fit for the best new teacher on the block!<br />Carla now teaches rowdy acne/hormone-ridden boys going through their problematic early teens<br />so it is no wonder she's left craving some liquid gold (and a cocktail umbrella) after a hard day at it.<br /><br />Don't you just love a cold and sweaty cup.. I say, spice up your concoction with some chilli, ditch the coasters, sit back in your favourite chair and YOLO-it all the way to the weekend/mid-term holidays!<br /><br />three cheers for Miss Carla tal-INGLIXX! *hip hip</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Second one up .. allow me to introduce to you: <i>Florinda</i><br />the entirely fictitious spirit of a miserly grandmother ...<br />no longer flesh<br />morphed into clay<br />re-visiting her estranged grandsons in the shape of a vision at the bottom of their <br />drink come the 1st of November </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This, on the other hand is the <i>Rancho de la Luna</i> cup<br />inspired especially by:<br /> Josh Homme's Dessert Sessions<br />my persistent 'road-trip through the desert' dream<br />cravings for tequila based cocktails<br />and<br />the resilient and master-of-disguise cicada living in my barren excuse for a yard<br /><br />This mustachioed cup has a large white cross and cactus for ears, <br />a blue cow skull tattooed on the back of its head and a hell of a lot of hearts in between</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok, so here goes.. it worked once.. let's hope we're twice lucky!<br /><br />Some months back I posted a short blog post and accompanying photos of a hat I made in honour of the ever so lovely, impeccably dressed Tziporah Salamon. To cut a long story really really short, Tziporah got in touch, and the hat somehow made it to New York. Seeing as I'm a sucker for romantic endings (<span style="font-size: x-small;">sometimes, when I feel like it ..</span>) and love knowing that what I make ends up in its rightful place; I want to dedicate this cup to Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme.<br />Some, (<span style="font-size: x-small;">and by 'some' I mean my friend Carla who finds this notion amusing to say the least .. bzutt Carla</span>)..<br />so, where was I.. oh yes.. Some might say I'm pushing my luck here, but come on, is it so unusual to want to give out gifts to people whose work and purpose/role in life you admire. I'll be watching the band live for the first time in Birmingham this November (<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm travelling, I need the break .. and it's not like we Maltese actually have a choice.. in order to see our favourite bands live we have no option but</span>) and I'm really excited about the whole prospect. Will be travelling with just a small carrier bag and crossing my fingers that airport security won't deem this cup 'too hazardous a container for air transport' (<span style="font-size: x-small;">pah!</span>).<br />This cup will keep spinning in its newspaper and bubble-wrap nest until it gets to its rightful owner so all I can do is try. No use waxing lyrical about how much I love Homme's contribution to music here... but if I could (<span style="font-size: x-small;">and if I wasn't off my face on left-over wine</span>) I definitely would, because I've listened to very little else for the best part of the past year(s). I'm really quite tipsy at this point.. so I beg of you, please excuse the hyperbole. <br /><br />Hyperbole apart,<br />I'm a big fan and I would like to somehow have this cup reach him in one piece as a sign of appreciation from a far away land.<br /><br />#QOTSA<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PS and disclaimer: every skull cup is totally handmade; hand painted in one-off designs and largely improvised brushwork. Should you be interested in anything similar I'd be (time-permitting) very happy to oblige. However I stand by my own word when I insist on never repeating a design (at all costs and in every thing I do, sewing and hat-making included). Repetition bores me no end and I just noticed the first frown line on my forehead..<br />I guess, what I really mean to say is that I can't help feeling that time is running out really quickly and repeating the same thing quickens said pace further. Creating exclusive items comes easy to a restless mind and I intend to keep that up for as long as I can.</span></span></div>
<br />Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-81552928728559032372013-10-10T00:05:00.001-07:002013-10-10T00:34:35.573-07:00These are a few of my favourite October things ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why bother starting every blog post with a 'sorry, it's been long since..'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not going to excuse myself, I've been busy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">'Busy' is my favourite mode.. perhaps, masochistically so, even 'a little bit stressed' is good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like having a full day, when the mind just has no option but to stop wandering and focus FOCUS.. if I relax I do not create.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I relax, I drink cocktails and eat, a lot, go out, a lot .. there is no way in hell I'm going to be in a right mind to create if I'm relaxed. So, fuck relax.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is possibly the best looking thing I've done in a long while. Don't get me wrong I love almost all of my commissioned work; I love sketching and making every piece. I'm lucky because, to a certain extent, in my line of work I can be selective as to what commissions I accept. However, rarely do I get to meet someone with such similar taste and the best figure to carry off the dresses I constantly dream about. I hadn't experimented with simple flat Japanese cutting in a long time so this dress came as a most welcome distraction from other (only slightly) less palatable work. I was so excited about the prospect that the fact that I had to make it out of such delicate silk didn't even worry me one bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just for the record - this is very much the direction I'd want my ready-wear collection to take..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and I hope I'm not giving away too much when I say that.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*thanks dad for taking over the 'throwing' duties since I'm still struggling with that* meh</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> And whist my sewing room at home was inundated with scraps of ivory chiffon (more about that later) .. back at my parents' I was getting my hands dirty once more for a wedding gift commission. A rushed order that made me hold my breath and cross fingers several times throughout the process. Making it just in time didn't even come as a relief.. I'm still high on the adrenaline of last week. Proof of that - insomnia made worse by late night teleshopping channel browsing!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I insist .. <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10pt;">everyone
needs Marilu' (or equivalent) for a friend.. a very very</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10pt;"> thoughtful friend who
commissions the most wonderful (if I may say so myself) personalized gifts. This
hand painted 50s themed breakfast set intended for newly-wed couple Mr. and Mrs.
Fifty (we'll call them that because from what I can understand, almost everyone else does as well) has a (also hand-painted) dedication at the bottom of each
item. Emblazoned with their nicknames and polka dotted all over, let's
just say I would have really liked to hold on to this set and *hiss* at whoever
touches it! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Out of the kiln .. we made it just in time!</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and
whilst I was at it (in Maltese we have the most useful saying ‘kif kont
fiz-zifna’ .. I really like this saying by the way) I made a
mug I had promised my friend Rachel ages ago. She needed one for work.. one that said ‘ Hey,
this is Rachel’s mug and I’m really not into sharing bacteria’. I opted for a teenage-angst-fuelled dripping-graffiti font to ward off anyone who dares disturb Rachel's sacred first-tea-in-the-morning ritual!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbaoyCL6m-w/UlVhpp-1XeI/AAAAAAAACgs/sBlTDqob1qQ/s1600/Rachel+mug+in+the+making+Babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbaoyCL6m-w/UlVhpp-1XeI/AAAAAAAACgs/sBlTDqob1qQ/s400/Rachel+mug+in+the+making+Babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7-lzUNJQqk/UlVhruEOZOI/AAAAAAAACg0/h2E20yOWeCA/s1600/Rachel+mug+Babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7-lzUNJQqk/UlVhruEOZOI/AAAAAAAACg0/h2E20yOWeCA/s400/Rachel+mug+Babettopolis.jpg" width="395" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rachel loves squirrels - Rachel does not love sharing mugs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8k84JI5D8rU/UlVh75Bu80I/AAAAAAAACg8/T-nhR81VLU0/s1600/30_09_13+egyptologist+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8k84JI5D8rU/UlVh75Bu80I/AAAAAAAACg8/T-nhR81VLU0/s400/30_09_13+egyptologist+babettopolis.jpg" width="265" /></a><br /><br />This is one of several sketches I made late one night in a bid to compensate for the fact that, after all, I never became an Egyptologist. When I was younger I had promised absolutely everyone, including granparents, teachers, tea-sets and stuffed bears, that I'll become 'an explorer'. At 25 I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that this, along with many other things I had thought possible in one lifetime, is in fact pretty much impossible/improbable. It's ok .. at least I can sketch these things out to exorcize them. Wouldn't want to wake up in my 40s with my dreams of being an Egyptologist all bottled up and hallucinating about scarabs in my cereal bowl.<br /><br />So I'll be off for now. Will leave you with a few snapshots of what's going on in my sewing-room at the moment. Of special importance is my recent breakthrough with scallop edging, crafty experiments with some novel materials and just a hint of what Halloween 2013 has up its roomy black sleeve.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LI-CAFV_jik/UlZPevX2eHI/AAAAAAAAChc/3Kd-AK0neNI/s1600/26_09_13+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LI-CAFV_jik/UlZPevX2eHI/AAAAAAAAChc/3Kd-AK0neNI/s200/26_09_13+babettopolis.jpg" width="197" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub49J0dTLsQ/UlZPeVHyhQI/AAAAAAAACho/hPrRnYj5kFg/s1600/03_10_13+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub49J0dTLsQ/UlZPeVHyhQI/AAAAAAAACho/hPrRnYj5kFg/s200/03_10_13+babettopolis.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_sn_ZFRTdM/UlZPe-Q1CpI/AAAAAAAAChg/Eo8J1AvdMG0/s1600/04_10_13+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_sn_ZFRTdM/UlZPe-Q1CpI/AAAAAAAAChg/Eo8J1AvdMG0/s200/04_10_13+babettopolis.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-59963967823467666842013-09-10T06:54:00.004-07:002013-09-10T06:58:20.371-07:00... and now, on to something musical<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">as if this wasn't a busy enough week/month for Babettopolis ..<br /><br />but let's be honest .. it's hard to turn down a twinkly-blue-eyed request<br />'la famiglia' comes first, always<br />...<br />moreover, I happen to be an actual unbiased fan of the band's work so<br />any excuse to help out is more than welcome.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yXRYC5Ohd0/Ui8Y_dhhzKI/AAAAAAAACdo/J-59dMdufkQ/s1600/Picture0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yXRYC5Ohd0/Ui8Y_dhhzKI/AAAAAAAACdo/J-59dMdufkQ/s400/Picture0.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">it started with a blank sheet of plywood.. many things do in my world<br />I came home one day to find this in the kitchen..<br />would have preferred a negroni and a lamb shank but oh well..<br />cutting out a festive and art-deco-ed 'pavaljun' pattern proved to be <br />the easiest of tasks in the whole process</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMyiBLeV_uI/Ui8ZAR7nLtI/AAAAAAAACd4/wZV544MFiOM/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMyiBLeV_uI/Ui8ZAR7nLtI/AAAAAAAACd4/wZV544MFiOM/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="307" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My in-laws .. such great help .. super organized and always <br />carrying bountiful bags of sandwiches!<br />This is the sandpapering, dusting and crazy-taping stage..<br />proving, more than anything else I've ever done, that I am, <br />really and truly, quite<br />PATIENT</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0dYrEYBjZQ/Ui8ZADKA11I/AAAAAAAACdw/-UFNQaKhfhQ/s1600/Picture1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0dYrEYBjZQ/Ui8ZADKA11I/AAAAAAAACdw/-UFNQaKhfhQ/s400/Picture1b.jpg" width="395" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How cool are they, they even bring me beer ..<br />beer drinking on the job .. I <3 my job(s)<br />black undercoat on, black eggshell paint layer on, nail-bed beyond hope or repair!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfuKX9G0Y5k/Ui8ZBI4WlSI/AAAAAAAACeA/mY5zGXRE52U/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfuKX9G0Y5k/Ui8ZBI4WlSI/AAAAAAAACeA/mY5zGXRE52U/s400/Picture2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alexandra stops by to help with the de-taping .. <br />and also ruins her nails for a good cause in the process ..<br /><br />thank you for ruining your nails with me ^_^</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKhmTIwhkzY/Ui8ZCsYeeqI/AAAAAAAACeI/0tY6Bn3MrZo/s1600/Picture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKhmTIwhkzY/Ui8ZCsYeeqI/AAAAAAAACeI/0tY6Bn3MrZo/s400/Picture3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">under the watchful eye of 2 Safari poster tigers, <br />I start filling in the de-taped areas in white egg-shell paint.<br />A back-breaking balancing act when the surrounding black is still very <br />'WET PAINT - DO NOT SIT' </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6sPlrgi7Nlg/Ui8ZDS-5h0I/AAAAAAAACeQ/A-jhpVQsWwg/s1600/Picture4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6sPlrgi7Nlg/Ui8ZDS-5h0I/AAAAAAAACeQ/A-jhpVQsWwg/s400/Picture4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.. a weekend of drying time and one crafty handmade stencil later ..<br />it is done</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wREAqfcGQBE/Ui8ZD8Jsk5I/AAAAAAAACeU/2an3eiWZ5Ao/s1600/Picture5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wREAqfcGQBE/Ui8ZD8Jsk5I/AAAAAAAACeU/2an3eiWZ5Ao/s400/Picture5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.. and ready to be put up on site ..<br /><br />photo credit: the lovely Jeanine Rizzo who happened to be walking by this very morning!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PD7QL1OiA8c/Ui8ZRS_2XrI/AAAAAAAACeg/Z0_7Y69r9bc/s1600/Brikkuni+Teatru+Rjal+28_9_13+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PD7QL1OiA8c/Ui8ZRS_2XrI/AAAAAAAACeg/Z0_7Y69r9bc/s400/Brikkuni+Teatru+Rjal+28_9_13+d.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.. and for further advertising purposes ..<br />I also did the poster for the event<br />.. just the excuse to officially launch my imaginary career <br />in civic engineering/architecture<br /><br />yes I'm still young/silly enough to dream I can be anything<br /> I want to be if I put my mind and pen to it..<br /><br />.. as from next Monday I'll be launching my dancing career<br />with my interpretation of Ravel's Bolero..<br />DO NOT HOLD YOUR BREATH SYLVIE GUILLEM</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1hphkUvk1k/Ui8ZTm1z3XI/AAAAAAAACeo/b0WgoHfH-VY/s1600/Brikkuni+Teatru+Rjal+28_9_13+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1hphkUvk1k/Ui8ZTm1z3XI/AAAAAAAACeo/b0WgoHfH-VY/s400/Brikkuni+Teatru+Rjal+28_9_13+a.jpg" width="248" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and this is the poster ..</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last words .. if you're on the island and it's not rainy and feel like a live gig .. see you there ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">everyone involved is working really hard for this.. just so that you know!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">related links:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BRIKKUNI/34271372500">Band Page</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/205058649662713/">Event Page</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ticketline.com.mt/bookings/Shows.aspx?ProductionId=113">Ticket Page</a><br /><br /><br />PS: I do expect/accept sushi as payment</span></div>
Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-31482243445702665202013-09-04T14:51:00.001-07:002013-09-04T15:05:36.459-07:00Olivia's Mural<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is Olivia's mural.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*sigh of relief*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, when we were putting the finishing touches to this mural, we realized that we had started working on this project in 2011. Some things take longer to jot off the to-do list, but in our line of work we've grown accustomed to this. This was, by no means, a quick-fix kind of project .. so *phew* and a well deserved *phew* if I may say so myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, and when I say 'we' I mean me and my dad. Despite some very evident differences in opinion, we somehow managed to finish this one joint commission in one piece. Fuelled by one too many tepid coffees and minute-steak sandwiches, we have, today, bid adieu to what we hope will be the first of several custom ceramic projects.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUCPeX1Y1o0/UieW2Bpl4vI/AAAAAAAACbc/ItgZJLcrLlk/s1600/ceramic+mural+final+c+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUCPeX1Y1o0/UieW2Bpl4vI/AAAAAAAACbc/ItgZJLcrLlk/s400/ceramic+mural+final+c+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rewind to 2011.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7mQWe3by14/UieW7gKjdFI/AAAAAAAACbk/ECtqJlOFGDI/s1600/ceramic+mural+inspiration++babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7mQWe3by14/UieW7gKjdFI/AAAAAAAACbk/ECtqJlOFGDI/s400/ceramic+mural+inspiration++babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the 'inspiration board I came up with in 2011. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This had to</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> (a) convince my friend Olivia that she needed/wanted this mural in her home, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(b) convince her architects that despite my lack of 'rendering' skills, I knew exactly what I was talking about</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(c) convince my dad, a no-nonsense ceramist in his own right, that I wasn't being downright silly/difficult.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am grateful for the trust!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fO7xL0YVmbM/UieXFagKDMI/AAAAAAAACbw/9s1o97ewbic/s1600/ceramic+mural+prep+3+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fO7xL0YVmbM/UieXFagKDMI/AAAAAAAACbw/9s1o97ewbic/s400/ceramic+mural+prep+3+babettopolis.jpg" width="232" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To do list:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(a) source some olive branches from tal-Providenza, l/o Siggiewi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> (*stealth and pocket-knives to go)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(b) grab a big-ass rolling pin and press some sense into huge slabs of clay</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(c) let your inner geometry demons and memories of Moroccan rest-rooms take hold of you, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and chop chop chop them tiles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--n6EUZtck7s/UieXFUZLqqI/AAAAAAAACb0/KGCGmHrGYDs/s1600/ceramic+mural+prep+4+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--n6EUZtck7s/UieXFUZLqqI/AAAAAAAACb0/KGCGmHrGYDs/s400/ceramic+mural+prep+4+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I'm allowed into my dad's home studio, I tend to take up all of the space available.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's me in the background, highlighting the olive branches in a medley of green engobes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I'm allowed into my dad's home studio, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also make it a point to sweep the floor clean with my trousers ... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the way I see it, I'm really doing him a favour!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqOG0puN_9E/UieXOr7o0HI/AAAAAAAACcE/l4DSLXqq4y4/s1600/ceramic+mural+prep+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqOG0puN_9E/UieXOr7o0HI/AAAAAAAACcE/l4DSLXqq4y4/s400/ceramic+mural+prep+2+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There you have it - the 4 steps before the first of 2 firings</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Frpdghu_nE/UieXNzeiekI/AAAAAAAACb8/q7mMJgKFRD0/s1600/ceramic+mural+prep+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Frpdghu_nE/UieXNzeiekI/AAAAAAAACb8/q7mMJgKFRD0/s400/ceramic+mural+prep+babettopolis.jpg" width="355" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">organize, re-organize and keep very very still</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PSOmtDkTTI/UieXXqexc6I/AAAAAAAACcM/9griMPUuoUk/s1600/ceramic+mural+hand+painted+tiles+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PSOmtDkTTI/UieXXqexc6I/AAAAAAAACcM/9griMPUuoUk/s400/ceramic+mural+hand+painted+tiles+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">this is, hands down, my favourite part of any tile project .. hand painting custom tiles according </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to a loosely laid out plan in my head. I know Olivia well and that, to a certain extent, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">made my life easy .. but I still wanted to surprise her by inserting some, perhaps, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">unexpected details. So alongside tiles that would hopefully remind her of her (then recent) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">travels to Morocco and Japan, I took the liberty to throw in ...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftIN7b-Fjd0/UieXjWj2eaI/AAAAAAAACcU/molGUZOKnoQ/s1600/ceramic+mural+frame+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftIN7b-Fjd0/UieXjWj2eaI/AAAAAAAACcU/molGUZOKnoQ/s400/ceramic+mural+frame+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... a three dimensional frame with a bird sitting atop it...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HfksdoZel5c/UieZkadltYI/AAAAAAAACdE/zN5cJdCXeQI/s1600/ceramic+mural+olivia+tiles+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HfksdoZel5c/UieZkadltYI/AAAAAAAACdE/zN5cJdCXeQI/s400/ceramic+mural+olivia+tiles+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... a not-so-hidden dedication ...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_M28lT0H-k/UieZUId5WKI/AAAAAAAACc8/0TgGEo57HpA/s1600/ceramic+mural+hand+painted+tiles+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_M28lT0H-k/UieZUId5WKI/AAAAAAAACc8/0TgGEo57HpA/s400/ceramic+mural+hand+painted+tiles+2+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... and some bad-ass anatomical detail for good measure!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, this is my favourite tile - it hangs alone at the very top of the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">mural right above where the mirror will be installed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Seen here, my 'manicured' (ha! funny!) hand gently scrubbing it clean. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2o-1IQNEMQs/UieX0IOFvVI/AAAAAAAACcg/LcqLsUzbyco/s1600/ceramic+mural+prep+on+site+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2o-1IQNEMQs/UieX0IOFvVI/AAAAAAAACcg/LcqLsUzbyco/s400/ceramic+mural+prep+on+site+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On site - footprints in the dust and a whole lot of measuring going on!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vfpS9VFst0w/UieX6ynnk0I/AAAAAAAACco/0vxljGbtxxo/s1600/ceramic+mural+prep+on+site+3+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vfpS9VFst0w/UieX6ynnk0I/AAAAAAAACco/0vxljGbtxxo/s400/ceramic+mural+prep+on+site+3+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">cutting and trimming and gluing and fitting ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PS: dad's expertise is second to none - there I said it (best daughter in the world etc etc)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the meltdowns, not so much :p</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jY9K326cHRs/UieX9GsqgAI/AAAAAAAACcw/MYTOCe9KeiY/s1600/ceramic+mural+prep+on+site+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jY9K326cHRs/UieX9GsqgAI/AAAAAAAACcw/MYTOCe9KeiY/s400/ceramic+mural+prep+on+site+2+babettopolis.jpg" width="391" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... and trimming some more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PS: this wet tile saw is my new best friend. Fuck off, rest of the world.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-406Wr6hcbOo/UieZqRnqQ3I/AAAAAAAACdU/1YkIOsYeHFU/s1600/ceramic+mural+final+a+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-406Wr6hcbOo/UieZqRnqQ3I/AAAAAAAACdU/1YkIOsYeHFU/s400/ceramic+mural+final+a+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHQLsAFPsMI/UieZpL8BvLI/AAAAAAAACdM/P15R3-_dTrc/s1600/ceramic+mural+final+b+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHQLsAFPsMI/UieZpL8BvLI/AAAAAAAACdM/P15R3-_dTrc/s400/ceramic+mural+final+b+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There you have it, after two years of on'n'off work, two scorching kiln firings, the even more scorching wake left behind by two fiery tilers, two large sheets of marine ply-wood that almost didn't make it upstairs into the bathroom and two-hundred cups of coffee - fitted, grouted and dusted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've learnt so much in the process - technical terms/buzz words such as 'friza', 'kurrenti' and '<i>horrox, borrox u il-'grouting' jghatti kollox</i>' as well as how easy it is to blend in a crowd of construction workers at the bar when you're covered in equalizing dust and evidently sharing their main goal (ie: Kinnie and Ftira Bajd u Laham). I want to do this over and over again - bonding time and all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Olivia, we await your reaction .. *fingers crossed*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and just so that you know I have never wanted to keep something I've done MORE!</span></div>
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Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-3379783880044870912013-08-31T09:48:00.000-07:002013-08-31T09:48:51.102-07:00Tales of Love and Foliage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Perhaps I ought to have waited a while longer for the pro photos to make it to my inbox.. but I just couldn't resist! This 23rd August wedding had been on my mind since March .. so, I couldn't but share!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yasmin wanted something figure-hugging that brought together the couple's shared love for everything Sicilian and Lord of the Rings' Galadriel whilst remaining true to the laid-back feel of the whole wedding they had in mind. I went a step further and threw in a nod or two to the Swan Lake ballet costume tradition and Lepape's illustrations for Lanvin. Till the very last day I was still crossing my fingers hoping that I had struck the right balance. One could say that working with such a beautiful and obliging bride who could literally carry off anything she put her mind to wearing made my life easy - however, and may I say, typically - I wrecked my brain with worry that I was suggesting too much or too little by way of design or embellishment! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In retrospect .. I'm really really happy with what we settled for in the end .. a crepe satin bias-cut high-waisted skirt with just a hint of a train underneath a matching corset trimmed with a wreath of heavily beaded handmade leaves; and a two-part veil hanging from two clusters of leaves at the back of the head. Her bouncy curls hanging loose, I was so relieved to see this bride move around in her dress unhindered by excessive whale-boning or undergarments. A Maltese summer and a jolly disposition require and deserve nothing else but comfort and simplicity.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RZgnYoubfPE/UiIIe0xlagI/AAAAAAAACZo/dApJEAEY8zE/s1600/bride+dress+cred+Hauke+Eggert+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RZgnYoubfPE/UiIIe0xlagI/AAAAAAAACZo/dApJEAEY8zE/s400/bride+dress+cred+Hauke+Eggert+babettopolis.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">photo credit: Hauke Eggert</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kzj6CUrQ-xI/UiIIkCF0TyI/AAAAAAAACZw/vTA3flo6jrA/s1600/wedding_dress_sketch_veil_babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kzj6CUrQ-xI/UiIIkCF0TyI/AAAAAAAACZw/vTA3flo6jrA/s400/wedding_dress_sketch_veil_babettopolis.jpg" width="263" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of several sketches I'm glad to have held on to</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYgUR2-peyE/UiIIo0qyjXI/AAAAAAAACZ4/ZJ0AW7GaH3M/s1600/wedding+dress+leaves+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYgUR2-peyE/UiIIo0qyjXI/AAAAAAAACZ4/ZJ0AW7GaH3M/s400/wedding+dress+leaves+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">early on in the process - I started making the leaves from left-over scraps of crepe-satin and, let's just say, they took close to a lifetime and a half to finish</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-t0n7U6D-w/UiIIsY9dAEI/AAAAAAAACaA/VuM70vjyOTY/s1600/wedding+veil+clip+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-t0n7U6D-w/UiIIsY9dAEI/AAAAAAAACaA/VuM70vjyOTY/s400/wedding+veil+clip+babettopolis.jpg" width="185" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some of the leaves were put aside to create the clusters from which the two-part bias-cut veil hung</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RgdxtlDu6ro/UiIIwmIr-OI/AAAAAAAACaI/4UOIX9MpPfI/s1600/wedding+dress+corset+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RgdxtlDu6ro/UiIIwmIr-OI/AAAAAAAACaI/4UOIX9MpPfI/s400/wedding+dress+corset+babettopolis.jpg" width="203" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.. hours later .. the early morning saw me half sipping on some strong coffee, half nodding off whilst taking photos of the finished result</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGDb3r8I6zY/UiII37OMI6I/AAAAAAAACaQ/SC95uQqwcg4/s1600/bridal+dress+c+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGDb3r8I6zY/UiII37OMI6I/AAAAAAAACaQ/SC95uQqwcg4/s400/bridal+dress+c+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">one last late-night fitting before the big day ...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOOEqaL_j_0/UiII8Y02MBI/AAAAAAAACaY/p-s_zVONzkg/s1600/bridal+dress+a+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOOEqaL_j_0/UiII8Y02MBI/AAAAAAAACaY/p-s_zVONzkg/s400/bridal+dress+a+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.. and voila! a smiley bride playing around with discreet ribbon loops for the fingers from which the veils could hang</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TRTvoQAy_Xw/UiII9p7_seI/AAAAAAAACag/uWc9OjXtoSc/s1600/bridal+dress+b+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TRTvoQAy_Xw/UiII9p7_seI/AAAAAAAACag/uWc9OjXtoSc/s400/bridal+dress+b+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">getting a still shot proved almost impossible #infectious_excitement</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was also entrusted with making two dresses for the brides' sister and sister-in-law .. the bride, being the kind soul that she is, wanted to treat her bridesmaids to a dress that wouldn't make them cringe, so after consulting them we came up with a simple design for an ivory chiffon dress with touches of the wedding colour - purple! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnlMBt9GgtE/UiIJC7f6-fI/AAAAAAAACao/4F_n640QlIM/s1600/bridesmaids'+embroidery+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnlMBt9GgtE/UiIJC7f6-fI/AAAAAAAACao/4F_n640QlIM/s400/bridesmaids'+embroidery+babettopolis.jpg" width="201" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The corseted sweet-heart top of the dress was embellished with a wreath of hand cut purple guipure lace motifs which I then beaded over in pearl and gold - a humble nod towards the rich Indian embellishment tradition so close to the family's heart</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYB2SiKZRuI/UiIJIJvUqhI/AAAAAAAACaw/IUq64jAJWg0/s1600/bridesmaid+dress+b+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYB2SiKZRuI/UiIJIJvUqhI/AAAAAAAACaw/IUq64jAJWg0/s400/bridesmaid+dress+b+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a quick shot from our last fitting shows the removable shoulder cape-let in matching purple chiffon for both bridesmaids to wear to church ...<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVZkLnxxhR8/UiIJO8fnJgI/AAAAAAAACa4/bCGOf7oysmI/s1600/bridesmaid+dress+a+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVZkLnxxhR8/UiIJO8fnJgI/AAAAAAAACa4/bCGOf7oysmI/s400/bridesmaid+dress+a+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the day, waiting outside the dressing room for the final make-up touch-ups, both bridesmaids made for the best models one could hope for.. tanned, relaxed and super cool!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kETGjT6uNw8/UiIJrI12w9I/AAAAAAAACbA/HS3DfDtG-ww/s1600/making+crepe+satin+leaves+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kETGjT6uNw8/UiIJrI12w9I/AAAAAAAACbA/HS3DfDtG-ww/s400/making+crepe+satin+leaves+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so I leave you with a picture from the 8th of August of a sea of crepe satin and an army of pins. This was my summer and this was my sea. Several spools of white thread later, I'm sitting at my usual chair and the droplets of summer rain outside fail to put a damper on my excitement for the next wedding on the horizon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A while back, I was considering switching lanes completely in order to take up a slightly more 'useful' career but I just might have to re-consider.. at least for a while longer! I love what I do but I worry about being useful and of real service to society. Why? - that I don't know. The only thing I'm pretty much convinced about is the utter sense of pride and joy I experience when I deliver - literally (in my cranky granny of a car) and metaphorically..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*cheers* to a future of bias cuts and smiley brides!<br /><br /></span></div>
Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-48571726476234833932013-08-03T14:17:00.000-07:002013-08-04T02:18:41.158-07:00Berlin & Brussels spoils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtXLa0Xhztw/Uf1JnRCQSnI/AAAAAAAACYQ/RpNuegepet0/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtXLa0Xhztw/Uf1JnRCQSnI/AAAAAAAACYQ/RpNuegepet0/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I loved this city more than I ever imagined I could</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since returning from my summer holiday some two weeks ago I have kept away from my blog and barely updated my page as per usual. I came back home to an endless list of chores, an exponentially-growing pile of sewing projects, a chest infection which (quite frankly) has outstayed its welcome, the summer edition of PATCHES fair on the horizon and a couple of other health related set-backs.. oh and the stifling heat which made it almost impossible for me to sit down and summon up some much needed focus.<br /><br />I also happen to be in a bit of a complicated relationship with my blog .. I do not like how it looks any more but have no time to dedicate to remedying this issue. I also constantly question its validity; so here I am, in a (rare) accommodating mood where I seem to be able to justify the act of blogging.<br /><br />Today, I'm writing to share my love of these two cities and some tips about places one might want to visit or keep an eye out for. I'm also writing to confess that I have been wrong all along in stating that I do not enjoy shopping - allow me a 're-phrase' - I do not enjoy shopping <i>generally</i>, but I love it when I'm abroad/the markets are full of gems/do not necessarily have to try anything on in awkwardly spaced and mirrored cubicles .<br /><br />Disclaimers over. On with it.<br /><br />I fell in love with Berlin - everything works, beautifully and efficiently. <br />The streets follow a rationally spaced grid and the street names are clearly labelled (and in very appealing fonts). That alone would have been enough to win this simple girl's heart over. But Berlin goes above and beyond that. A truly cosmopolitan city, it brings together the best breakfasting, lunching, snacking and dining options from around the world - traditional fare meets quick-snack options, fresh juices on every corner, real jasmine flower tea (is not a novelty), memorable korean/thai/vietnamese joints and never-a-dry puff-pastry treat .. and all of the above very reasonably (sometimes even 'cheaply') priced. Berlin is not audacious.. it welcomes one without going out of its way to grab one's attention. People cycle to work, sunbathe in the nude in the parks, cool their feet in public fountains - but diligently and respectfully so .. this city makes you wonder what (and when) did it all go wrong for other cities. Transport options work perfectly, locals go out of their way to offer help and most sport really sharp haircuts. The pace is relaxed, the history monumental, the food enticing ...<br />I am back home wondering how on earth I managed to leave Berlin at all!</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCdYRIDBvig/Uf1JnLyJyRI/AAAAAAAACYI/IprdUwMS55A/s1600/Picture23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCdYRIDBvig/Uf1JnLyJyRI/AAAAAAAACYI/IprdUwMS55A/s400/Picture23.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After walking down Unter den Linden towards Museumsinsel I came to realize how quickly the eyes grow accustomed to such stylistic juxtapositions. I love this chaos -clean, sharp and yet charming chaos.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Top Berlin eats for me would have to be:<br /><br />The buttery and salty pretzel from the artisan bakery on the corner of Nollendorfstr. and Maassenstr.<br />Freshly grilled scallops from the top floor at KadeWe shopping arcade<br />Apfeltaschen and other pastries from the open air Saturday market of Winterfeldt-platz<br />Korean hot-plate feast at <i>Madang</i> on Gneisenaustr.<br />Fresh avocado shake from the indoor food market at Marheineke-platz<br />PS: Wurst is good, really good.. Currywurst not so much. Currywurst is the annoyingly famous jock at sausage-highschool.. do not let it kill your gastro-siasm for the local fare.<br />PSs: Bergmannstr. in Kreuzberg spoils you for choice of good eateries/shops/cafes so if you only have one night to spare, spend it there because it sorts you right out Berlin-style.<br /><br />Berlin is also a thrift shopper's paradise..<br />On Sunday I visited 3 markets in all and that almost did me right in.. so much choice leaves one on the verge of de-sensitization but I was willing to take the risk.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRXdibPieU4/Uf1Jye1g7OI/AAAAAAAACY4/IdevGmhXi9g/s1600/Picture47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRXdibPieU4/Uf1Jye1g7OI/AAAAAAAACY4/IdevGmhXi9g/s400/Picture47.jpg" width="305" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the Trodelmarkt/Fleamarket am/in Arkonaplatz just a couple of blocks away from the all important Bernauer-spot of history/Berlin wall divide-strasse. Two birds with one stone!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My first purchase from Arkonaplatz was this Asian inspired 80's thing which the stall holder was especially surprised I showed so much interest in. Some guidebooks describe this as the 'trendiest' market. They are wrong. This is the quirkiest. The trendiest is the 'all'-handmade hipster-haven Flohmarkt am Mauerpark off Bernauerstr. Both markets are within walking distance so visiting both is totally doable.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2QWZNVaK9G0/Uf0telQZ98I/AAAAAAAACWc/p52QKI7Q_mo/s1600/berlin+vintage+find+1+jacket+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2QWZNVaK9G0/Uf0telQZ98I/AAAAAAAACWc/p52QKI7Q_mo/s400/berlin+vintage+find+1+jacket+babettopolis.jpg" width="365" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was my first Berlin purchase - and may I just say it just set the tone for all the purchases to follow .. super fancy, unrealistically flash and hard to incorporate into my existing wardrobe.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKeL6c-wm-s/Uf0tfAI2L5I/AAAAAAAACWk/l3K_w_FeNas/s1600/berlin+vintage+find+2+coat+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKeL6c-wm-s/Uf0tfAI2L5I/AAAAAAAACWk/l3K_w_FeNas/s400/berlin+vintage+find+2+coat+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this, my second purchase, is what I almost *stupidly* left behind. This pure silk-Fritz Lang-coat with visually stunning yet understated tan trim reeked of cigarette smoke and (romantically enough, I was convinced it) came with its own untold story. I rushed to try it on.. it made so much sense all too quickly.. it had to be mine.. and as I twirled in it in front of the make-shift stall-mirror my dreams were cut short when I realized I hadn't yet enquired about its price. Long story short .. this coat opened the floodgates of my humble bank account, this was the gateway purchase. I bought it despite the hefty price tag/the fact that I didn't really afford it because I realized that it was probably going to be the closest I would ever get to starring in a German expressionist film.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My third flea-market for that Sunday was the biggest and best-known Berliner Trodelmarkt on Strasse des 17. Juni. An expansive and slightly more expensive affair.<br />Code-word: LAM<span style="text-align: justify;">é</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJfo4jOQ8U8/Uf1Js3O6zHI/AAAAAAAACYg/6SzQ7huZYZA/s1600/Picture48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJfo4jOQ8U8/Uf1Js3O6zHI/AAAAAAAACYg/6SzQ7huZYZA/s400/Picture48.jpg" width="268" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Clockwise from top: a) I've never wanted a plastic fruit bowl so much, b) The fur coat I still dream about even though I fully accept that I'd never have been able to justify its purchase, c) The brooches that almost did my head in curated by a lovely Canadian-born vendor, a collector of antique cabochons from around the world and as friendly as they come.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLaUu493vGw/Uf0tikByaVI/AAAAAAAACWw/fAAd5j8EiqA/s1600/berlin+vintage+find+3+vest+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="351" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLaUu493vGw/Uf0tikByaVI/AAAAAAAACWw/fAAd5j8EiqA/s400/berlin+vintage+find+3+vest+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The vest that'll see me from day to night. This was my reasoning.. and a bargain at 8 euros</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64ls0tiYxFQ/Uf0tkGUyltI/AAAAAAAACW4/QC6JtWNlu4g/s1600/berlin+vintage+find+4+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="383" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64ls0tiYxFQ/Uf0tkGUyltI/AAAAAAAACW4/QC6JtWNlu4g/s400/berlin+vintage+find+4+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this is the dress to end all dresses - this dress really caught the jaded shopper in me off guard. I realized that I was in love with it even before I had met it. It happened to me in the same way I'd imagine a marriage proposal from Adam Ant would. It was unexpected and deep down I knew that in all likelihood it was bound to fail but I still went along for the ride. Some proposals simply cannot be turned down. I am now the proud owner of a pink lam<span style="text-align: justify;">é evening dress with absolutely no occasion for it.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this is where I come to the half-arsed philosophical kernel of this blogpost. Travel does strange things to you. Travel relaxes you, cuts into your routine and lays bare the innermost constructions of a person. In the rush that is everyday life one seldom stops/finds any reason to stop and think about what really defines them as a person. Travelling gives you nothing but such 'down'-time. It is when I travel that I am reminded what a hopeless dreamer I really am and my purchases are the biggest give-aways. I buy books and postcards in an attempt to hold on to the memories of a place, I go overboard taking photos of the food, I splurge on clothes better suited for the life I dream about leading. The life I lead needs a pair of sturdy walking sandals and a Northface zip-up with rows of pockets for my scissors, pliers and pocketbooks. Instead, I buy ..</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DJ1pl8i2lk/Uf0tpunzVgI/AAAAAAAACXI/jTWOddsKKwI/s1600/berlin+vintage+find+5+brooch+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DJ1pl8i2lk/Uf0tpunzVgI/AAAAAAAACXI/jTWOddsKKwI/s400/berlin+vintage+find+5+brooch+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... scarab brooches - it's the closest I can get to holding on to the memories I amassed at the Neues Museum and becoming a 1920s Egyptologist (a childhood dream of mine) ... and</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stJzQ7YHfIE/Uf0trQi6w2I/AAAAAAAACXU/JZJrwCuAKSc/s1600/berlin+vintage+find+6+earrings+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stJzQ7YHfIE/Uf0trQi6w2I/AAAAAAAACXU/JZJrwCuAKSc/s400/berlin+vintage+find+6+earrings+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Art Deco enamelled clip earrings to go with my 2013 summer hat - a summer which (as I should have expected and as opposed to what I had tantalized myself by dreaming/hyping up ) I am spending mostly indoors.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3V6GsPMPRnQ/Uf1Jn5PQv0I/AAAAAAAACYY/BP7qQl_3aW8/s1600/Picture26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3V6GsPMPRnQ/Uf1Jn5PQv0I/AAAAAAAACYY/BP7qQl_3aW8/s400/Picture26.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PS: GO TO THE PERGAMON MUSEUM - or (at least) die tryin'<br />it is a place of wonder and that's one more thing off my bucket list</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">also DO GO to KadeWe and do not be put off by the fact that it is actually a (mostly designer) shopping arcade; the top floor is a gourmet's heaven and (believe it or not) the ladies' toilet has one of the most stunning views!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is COLOURS 102, Bergmanstr. - a second-hand super-warehouse/market with an area of sold-by-weight second-hand items and another area of better quality reasonably priced gems</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_X4snTJjZs/Uf0toDppmvI/AAAAAAAACXA/kElfa-ZvGTw/s1600/berlin+vintage+find+7+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_X4snTJjZs/Uf0toDppmvI/AAAAAAAACXA/kElfa-ZvGTw/s400/berlin+vintage+find+7+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First rack love - all of the items I got from Colours were picked up from the first rack I sifted through. Beginner's luck - perhaps. All I know is that I almost died when, arms loaded to breaking point, I looked behind me and literally couldn't see the back wall of the first floor warehouse. This dress is creased because I wore it to a party on a hot Maltese day, got tipsy and slept in it all the way home so in this case it's fair to say that the creases are a sign of love.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">this makes so much sense in my books, I hope you see it too - again, please excuse the creases</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Leather - sold by weight - was 50% off so I helped myself to a perhaps-not-as-practical-as-the-black-option-I-intended-to-look-for 70s beige jacket</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This chevron dream of a dress I got from a similarly overwhelming vintage-warehouse on Mehringdamm called <i>Faster, Pussycat</i>.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last words from/for Berlin:<br />*WALK. Walk a lot and as much as you can. Follow a map (it's easy and satisfying) - of course you might prefer to cycle but I do not know how to so I walk (a lot) instead<br />*Rent a boat and row about for at least a half an hour on the Neuer See lake within the Tiergarten. Take beer and a book and row your boat to a nice shady spot and wait for the ducks to swim past.<br />*Don't bother with Alexanderplatz. Perhaps if it's snowing it might win you over as it did Franco Battiato, but in Summer it reeks and it felt like the emptiest a busy square can be.<br />*Go to Neukolln and immerse yourself in the hipster(zoo) experience - I've never seen a bigger concentration of hip-good-lookin'-young-'uns in one place.<br />*Berliners love to stare - and their stares linger but in a friendly curious way. You wouldn't think it, but I couldn't help feeling it.<br />*I regret not doing the Techno-thing .. but I'm sure there'll be a next time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I went to Brussels(for the second time) primarily because I was invited (as the MAID OF HONOUR *whoop whoop) to a good friend's wedding - the best of excuses to spend more time away from your usual routine. This was to be my first wedding abroad and suffice to say that it was a real pleasure for us and a success all round. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In between meeting up with friends, showing Mr. around some touristy places I had already visited first time round, adjusting to the (compared to Berlin) irregularities in public transport and street signs and to-ing and fro-ing from wedding rehearsals I managed to add insult to injury to my bank balance and visited some favourite spots for vintage finds before walking off to a food marathon in the centre of Brussels.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The famous antique market at Place de Jeu de Balle is where I met Mr.Friendly-Tunisian-whose-name-I-regrettably-forgot who gave me a generous discount on this lovely satin and guipu evening dress for the simple reason of birthplace-proximity. And I quote ''I love Malta. Maltese women are very nice, they work very hard. My friend is married to a Maltese woman. She very rich but still no stop working. I love Maltese women. I give you a discount''. Just perfect <3</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And one last purchase 'that was meant to be' from my favourite Brussels shop MODES .. this is the closest I could ever get to a certain Prada snakeskin+fur coat model from A/W 2011that's been haunting me ever since. Moreover, when I bought the coat and left the shop, I placed my hand in its pocket and found a fistful of gold Virgin Mary pendants *meant to be, I say .. as I firmly close the zip on my wallet for the last time*</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and so my tale of two cities comes to an end - this has been my 2-cents worth of advice/recollections .. I wish I could say more and better, but failing that I'll leave you with a promise of more posts about what I do in the 'in-between-times' before and after I travel. I rarely travel and must work hard to afford it if I'm to insist on working on something I truly love. So off to work I go ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">laters xx</span></div>
Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-83844394067752923602013-07-01T01:34:00.003-07:002013-07-01T01:34:48.339-07:00Thank you Bridgette x<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An already promisingly blissful evening out turned even more enchanting by a chance meeting with a most beautiful and sentimentally charged wedding dress. This is Bridgette's wedding dress: lovingly crafted by her late mother in a convention-flaunting shade of antique white, the crochet braid specially commissioned and made to measure by Maltese nuns, with a chenille orange blossom bouquet at the waist line and a most elegant flowing cape. This dress brings together all the things I love about 70s bridal wear ... this chance encounter really made my weekend! I am in love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lovely Bridgette - such a sweet host - seen here posing with her precious possession<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... Bridgette went so far as to insist on wearing a made to measure hat for her wedding ... I mean, really, what's not to love?! ... not only does she look super stylish and unique in the ensemble, it's actually a very practical choice given wedding-season weather in Malta!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of wedding dresses.. an already 'ooh-ing' and 'aahhh-ing' trio of girls were given a tour of the lovingly cared-for house and shown pictures of Bridgette's ancestors' weddings.. <3 1920s raised hemlines tug at my heart strings <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">so ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you family Saliba for being such lovely hosts.. meeting you, learning about your house's history and spending time in your garden coloured our already lovely Sunday a more perfect shade of rosy! I hereby solemnly promise to do my utmost to keep the plumbago baby plant alive ... </span></div>
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*crossfingers* I get to encounter more similarly 'special' dresses and their stories in the upcoming months! (drop me a line if you have some you'd like to share!)</div>
</span>Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-21720522831198570982013-06-26T15:46:00.000-07:002013-06-26T15:46:03.078-07:00When the going gets a tad tough ... <span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... I make inspirational and heart-warming collages of all the things I can honestly say I'm very looking forward to in the next half of 2013<br /><br />... and that's not mentioning any of the sewing projects I've got lined up! woohoo!</span><br /><br /></span></div>
Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-79480037693300269672013-06-08T10:12:00.001-07:002013-06-08T10:20:04.142-07:00all things good and sMal-tese<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Senglea, Siggiewi, Port il-Kbir (VLT)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I confess a guilty pleasure .. I enjoy playing tourist in my own country .. I love driving (and even more so, being driven) around, visiting much loved and familiar spots as well as totally new places .. I love stopping for walks and doing 'nouveau-Sunday' things like spending a maximum of 20 euro at the car-boot sale, followed by a sushi lunch, a walk across the breakwater in Valletta, another longer walk through Senglea, a drive to Siggiewi, catching a movie and drinking cocktails till around midnight. That's when the guilt pangs start kicking in. But then I drink some more because nothing can put a damper on a touristy Sunday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So yes, my Sundays reek of cheap patriotism, expensive lunches and the intermittent pain caused by totally inappropriate footwear. The best kind of atonement/preparation for a work-fuelled week I never seem to be able to justify ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... except for .. perhaps .. in pictures .. pictures of things I make!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Case in point, one of the dresses I made for Marilu (sweet by name and nature; of Malta's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PastizziGourmet?fref=ts">Pastizzi Gourmet</a> fame). <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Being of firm belief that almost nothing says *Summer* as much as a strapless candy coloured dress, I </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">made this dress from a piece of vintage cotton broderie anglaise passed on from (Marilu's) mother to daughter. Not only is this dress making me re-consider my relationship with pink, it also brings me so much joy to know that a lovely and sentimentally symbolic piece of fabric has been re-incarnated into something new and well-loved.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OW5BTBdGHEs/UaDBNuaNG0I/AAAAAAAACPw/MiPpLFuQb2k/s1600/option2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OW5BTBdGHEs/UaDBNuaNG0I/AAAAAAAACPw/MiPpLFuQb2k/s400/option2+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Becoming super organized - I'm now holding on to all preliminary sketches</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIzKlzsQrvU/UaDBOup8NEI/AAAAAAAACQA/1WY-XrkrwUM/s1600/pink+cotton+strapless+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIzKlzsQrvU/UaDBOup8NEI/AAAAAAAACQA/1WY-XrkrwUM/s400/pink+cotton+strapless+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">in filtered rosy light</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATItXfkxIw8/UaDBNwdEm-I/AAAAAAAACP0/jzC69blFT-I/s1600/pink+cotton+strapless+dress++marilu++babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATItXfkxIw8/UaDBNwdEm-I/AAAAAAAACP0/jzC69blFT-I/s400/pink+cotton+strapless+dress++marilu++babettopolis.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Marilu herself - kawaiiii ^_^</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Below is the second dress I made for Marilu - and yes, I am currently going through a whole order of dresses (etc) for her and may I just say it's a real joy to work with someone so willing to consider different options and who ultimately carries the finished product off so well. As it turned out, Marilu had a couple of important events to attend in the pipeline, including a close friend's wedding for which she wanted me to make her a dreamy 1950s inspired dress with a gathered tulle skirt. I couldn't but oblige. The only problem was that, before then, I had only encountered such soft and flowing tulle once when I was given a floral printed 2m piece as a souvenir from Bologna (I love how well my boyfriend knows me!). Thankfully, our local textile shop got some one-colour pastel options just in time for this dress. P</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ossibly one of the most time consuming yet rewarding pieces I've made so far... let's just call it a Babettopolis milestone. I'll be celebrating with an olive+martini later on.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xrV5CwsrzkA/UbLiEqMFWUI/AAAAAAAACS0/JaXc18N5pEM/s1600/dove+egg+blue+tulle+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xrV5CwsrzkA/UbLiEqMFWUI/AAAAAAAACS0/JaXc18N5pEM/s400/dove+egg+blue+tulle+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">'frothy' ... 'dove-egg-blue' ... 'tulle' ... all magic words to my ears </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">allow me just one disclaimer: the dress looks a million times more dreamy on its rightful owner who is by far more graceful and petite in frame than statuesque-dolly Fujiko .. something tells me I'll be receiving a good photo of it on soon</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXzpow6elK4/UbLiF462gUI/AAAAAAAACS8/_J_8M4YVTy4/s1600/fullskirt+sketches+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXzpow6elK4/UbLiF462gUI/AAAAAAAACS8/_J_8M4YVTy4/s400/fullskirt+sketches+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">And I also kept the sketches for this dress. I had come up with 4 different variations along the same theme for Marilu to choose from.. she opted for the 2nd option with a simple straight waistband instead of the pleated peplum</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some two weeks ago I also put the finishing touches on this other 'super-difficult-to-cut'n'stitch', 'so-very-happy-with' dress and matching cape for a lady who's so stylish and who gets as excited about tweed two piece suits as yours truly! When she showed me the material for the first time I could have shed tears of joy (perhaps I have, I'm not too sure) .. the colours remind me of the earliest signs of sunset as I drive back home into (my adoptive village) Mgarr. It brings together hints of summer skies, sand and the palest of coral branches and goes on to remind me of how lucky I am to live within walking distance of the fields and the sea.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZQvCum9XUE/UaDC59i9ucI/AAAAAAAACQ8/Kt3TrHj5S-U/s1600/bias+cut+shift+dress+and+cape+1+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZQvCum9XUE/UaDC59i9ucI/AAAAAAAACQ8/Kt3TrHj5S-U/s400/bias+cut+shift+dress+and+cape+1+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">and for a more detailed description: A 70s inspired bias-cut, silk halter shift dress with 4 bias panels around the edge of the skirt and a matching chiffon cape</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDqLGqstnxw/UaDC5VRdkyI/AAAAAAAACQ4/8rET8NKVDQI/s1600/bias+cut+shift+dress+and+cape+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDqLGqstnxw/UaDC5VRdkyI/AAAAAAAACQ4/8rET8NKVDQI/s400/bias+cut+shift+dress+and+cape+2+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">needless to say ..this was probably the most time-consuming hand stitched piece to date.. and I loved every minute of it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tttZsKR7djc/UaDC-zrUMUI/AAAAAAAACRI/WanHArnliVQ/s1600/sketch+josianne+dress+with+cape+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tttZsKR7djc/UaDC-zrUMUI/AAAAAAAACRI/WanHArnliVQ/s400/sketch+josianne+dress+with+cape+babettopolis.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Oh .. and the quick preliminary sketch! .. this is becoming a tradition of sorts</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This, on the other hand, is an interesting alteration I was entrusted and given carte blanche for. Don't you just love when that happens! A super stylish lady with a jet-setting life/wardrobe needed my help to turn a simple black pencil dress (similar to which she happens to already own hundreds! .. ok I exaggerate... 'several' is a better term) into something else entirely. So I took my cue from a folkloric framed print of Maltese ladies in their 'faldetta' which I have on my mantelpiece and spent a whole day and a bit slitting the skirt up the sides, pinning net and white triangles in material sourced from two salvaged yet outdated (and frankly too revealing) skirts from the 90s, and constructing matching cuffs.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFR6G_O32vI/UaDBgvV7ufI/AAAAAAAACQI/ZOCbKzpidGY/s1600/black+dress+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFR6G_O32vI/UaDBgvV7ufI/AAAAAAAACQI/ZOCbKzpidGY/s400/black+dress+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope it looks as <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> 'monastic bride on a trip to 1970s outer space' to you as it does to me!</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In other news.. I'm back to my (as originally intended) workspace!<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">My sewing machine is back to the sewing room where it belongs - not the kitchen! The kitchen was meant to be a temporary break but it turned into a year-long affair. Now, armed with mosquito repellent, I'm back to a smaller though substantially lighter room with my nanna's chandelier and all the framed things I've collected along the years.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Next project: covering the yard with climbers to improve the view and building some decent display cabinetry for the hats.. still, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">it's really good to be back!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsQ3xxRofUU/UaOsCm5b50I/AAAAAAAACSk/qiYKfcWLgHk/s1600/sewing+room+may2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsQ3xxRofUU/UaOsCm5b50I/AAAAAAAACSk/qiYKfcWLgHk/s400/sewing+room+may2013.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*welcome...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I leave you with another very-Maltese, lucky bazaar find ..<br />a vintage 'Marsovin' glass of cold iced-tea .. cool font, cool tea</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... let's make Summer feel welcome y'all!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KCAo1IXYAoQ/UbMH6gsiquI/AAAAAAAACTM/m-O1yz94FZA/s1600/marsovin+vintage+glass+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KCAo1IXYAoQ/UbMH6gsiquI/AAAAAAAACTM/m-O1yz94FZA/s400/marsovin+vintage+glass+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and cheers!*</td></tr>
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<br />Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-31626346643574552242013-05-28T14:55:00.002-07:002013-05-28T14:55:56.584-07:00I love me a good party or five<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOk87teyK_s/UaDCZCSQmYI/AAAAAAAACQY/K61ssvqfsYs/s1600/prep+for+MY+PARTUNNN+24_05_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOk87teyK_s/UaDCZCSQmYI/AAAAAAAACQY/K61ssvqfsYs/s400/prep+for+MY+PARTUNNN+24_05_13.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to thank everyone who accepted invites for all the parties I've ever thrown. It's my favourite thing to do .. so, perhaps without their knowing it, they've made me very happy in the process and I thought I'd tell them as much. I love it because a good party requires hard work, perseverance (in the face of a tower of un-scrubbed dishes), a whole lot of organization and a healthy pinch of OCD .. super-nerdy skills in any other context/by any other standard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Friday we threw a party and it was super fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt like I should send out my fervent thanks to everyone who contributed/helped/took over the scrubbing duties/poured me out some drinks/ saved me from burning myself on the oven door/ poured me out some more drinks etc etc<br /><br />dear lord.. if only I knew how hard I'd have to work in my Monday pilates session just to burn off the first round of drinks I might have stopped at that - and not added meatballs, vodka jelly and double chocolate brownies to the mix!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kg9L5Ywsy68/UaDCdb00kvI/AAAAAAAACQg/z3DPwTLWek0/s1600/prep+for+MY+PARTUN+24_05_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kg9L5Ywsy68/UaDCdb00kvI/AAAAAAAACQg/z3DPwTLWek0/s400/prep+for+MY+PARTUN+24_05_13.jpg" width="326" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">prep</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2p8PbNkIqQ/UaDCfzSjp-I/AAAAAAAACQo/i-qtE7F5rog/s1600/prep+for+MY+PARTUNN+24_05_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2p8PbNkIqQ/UaDCfzSjp-I/AAAAAAAACQo/i-qtE7F5rog/s400/prep+for+MY+PARTUNN+24_05_13.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Devilled Eggs Glory</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C1h3FYsFQSc/UaDCt-GTBbI/AAAAAAAACQw/oAcN7SrzRz0/s1600/may+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C1h3FYsFQSc/UaDCt-GTBbI/AAAAAAAACQw/oAcN7SrzRz0/s400/may+2013.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A week before that, my friend threw another party. A swap party ... where a number of people meet, share and swap some clothing, sort through some more clothing for charity, drink warm drinks and nibble on biscuits .. and by the end of it, everyone leaves for home with some relatively new and absolutely free additions to their wardrobe. What's not to love?!<br />*keys remain safely tucked away in our handbags - promise!*</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2UYQHd2qTI/UaDDcNPx4MI/AAAAAAAACRU/hP_V9vM7MdQ/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2UYQHd2qTI/UaDDcNPx4MI/AAAAAAAACRU/hP_V9vM7MdQ/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rachelle and her new flowery dress</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">clockwise from top: <br />Lara 'Polka' Schembri, Alex '2-dress' Aquilina, 'Miss' Audri, Claire 'Ahoy', <br />Carla 'Rita Cholita' Said and 'Secret Rosey' Sass <br />... all sporting their favourite swaps</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">'Oh hai there Elsa!'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a spot of heaven in Attard</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And here's what I managed to pick out for myself just before and right after I took a mid-party nap just to nurse myself back to health. Cannot wait for the appropriate occasion (and weather!) to christen these pieces afresh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">bbl with more news from the sartorial front! </span></div>
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Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-40892187527736980552013-05-16T10:28:00.000-07:002013-05-16T10:28:10.216-07:00In a frantic bid to catch up ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... I decided to write a bit about a few things that have occurred in the interim between now and my last post.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the Spring-PATCHES team *wiii*</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CYtGMA-Lpg/UY-vuvh3tBI/AAAAAAAACNc/xUO4K4bhOnI/s1600/patches+april2013++.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CYtGMA-Lpg/UY-vuvh3tBI/AAAAAAAACNc/xUO4K4bhOnI/s1600/patches+april2013++.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The spring edition of PATCHES happened and it was the usual frantic, on-the-spot-problem-solving fun. New and eager volunteers Joseph and Nicole made the experience all that much nicer and for once I could actually shop around at the fair rather than having to stick to and mind my own stall! .. and shop around I certainly did.<br /><br />Being very very busy every bleeding day certainly instils a perverse sense of entitlement to week-end fun so every weekend since has been full of initiative, outings, flea-market splurging and even late-night (sometimes themed) 'partying'. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">it's all in the *trashy* details</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stills from Santissima Disco Vol. II .. and below is myself as Dolores Lavermicocca (event organizer) / a.k.a. Vittorio Sgarbi no.1 fan</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*capra*</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also visited the Natural History Museum in Mdina on one of those lazy Sundays when I was too tired to even contemplate staying in to work and it was fun, albeit (or perhaps because it was) deserted. It is a wonderful place in need of some serious investment, restoration .. for chrissakes .. even a general superficial dusting would help at this point. It is the kind of place you go to to dream of how much better it must have been and how absolutely wonderful it could become. The kind of place *blush* that encourages one to dream about the lavish parties they'd throw if only they could move in for, say, a year or so.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">paint colour = very good idea</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*tweet*</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">my rodent-friend from Selmunett island</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLJtgF_Oa9w/UY-waIwvHEI/AAAAAAAACOM/qYhYzqbp06o/s1600/Monique+Chambers+fascinator+wood+felt+feathers+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLJtgF_Oa9w/UY-waIwvHEI/AAAAAAAACOM/qYhYzqbp06o/s400/Monique+Chambers+fascinator+wood+felt+feathers+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and in between all the *hush-hush* orders I have going on at the moment, I made a fascinator and pimped up some shoes to match ..<br />and just in case you were wondering ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> nope, (unfortunately) not for myself but for a fellow lover of hats!<br />For this hat I used aubergine felt for the base, beige felt cut-outs, wooden blocks (from a 'primitive' lego set) and a bunch of beige feathers from a shop-bought fascinator band which simply wasn't doing the trick!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6s_mc1PANK8/UY-wZ75GjwI/AAAAAAAACOQ/vfz_Sn_Rd5E/s1600/monique+chambers+shoe+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6s_mc1PANK8/UY-wZ75GjwI/AAAAAAAACOQ/vfz_Sn_Rd5E/s400/monique+chambers+shoe+alteration+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this is my bargain of the month and the new love of my life.<br />Found this piece at the flea market for the measly sum of 20 euros (delivery included - *blush*)<br />I've wanted a cocktail cabinet for ages.. little did I suspect that my dreams would not only come true, but come cheaply and with faux-tortoise-shell flower knobs.<br />Now all I need is some money to buy some actual alcohol and Don Draper to come over for cocktail hour(s) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of late, my waking dreams have revolved around the need for a dozen (or so) dry Martinis with olives, an oyster bar, thin slices of tangy lemon pie, a well-ironed dress and well-lined stomach to go with that. Sewing from home is so unglamorous.. I sit here all day in my 'FUCK OFF' t-shirt, the weather outside reminds me of wet cardboard covered in sand.. come on.. gimme a break!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aiemJKyYKuM/UY-yHrvOskI/AAAAAAAACO4/uspaj2D1fgA/s1600/lemon+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aiemJKyYKuM/UY-yHrvOskI/AAAAAAAACO4/uspaj2D1fgA/s400/lemon+pie.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">very rare, self-imposed, baking session</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the hat that shall see me through summer. It was part of a favourite carnival costume of a Chinese peasant from when I was around 2. Sans-fake black braid stapled to it, this hat brings me such good memories. In the photo, mini-me stands next to cousin Miguel (whose birthday is today) dressed as a clown in a sunny corner in my Grandma's yard. Wish I could re-use the whole outfit to go with the hat.<br /><br />But .. above all else .. wish this hat could bring some real (as opposed to tantalising and dream-crushing) summer vibes with it.<br /><br /><br /><br />PS: just one last thing before I leave. At one point I considered devoting this whole post to my current irk but then, in light of my actual position, I decided to not go out of my way and instead only devote a post script. <br />With Malta Fashion Week behind us all I cannot help but feel offended by people who come up to me and pity my work's absence from the show. <br />To these people I say: please consider that for some, MFW is not the be-all and end-all of their calling. That some crafts people's aims and aspirations lie elsewhere, perhaps, more closer to home, to fine-tuning their actual technique and diversifying, to achieving goals that do not subscribe to and do not fall within the parameters of any fashion week as we know it.<br />My statement reflects nothing on the standard of this year's MFW - I've only attended one event and followed only superficially some bloggers' documentation of the happenings. My opinion about the standard is another thing entirely.<br />I've had the opportunity to participate in the past, and truth be told, I turned down the offer. Not because I do not believe that MFW could be a very good platform but because, at the time, it wasn't (and still isn't) what I felt I needed to do for my craft. <br />That is all.<br />So I decided to have my little say, <br />that done.. I am off to sew some more!</span></div>
<br />Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-5486929085678112782013-04-08T13:57:00.001-07:002013-04-08T13:57:44.924-07:00Hats Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It started with this quickly-put-together inspiration board.<br />I had been thinking about having a good photographic record taken of the hats I make for a very long time so I took Stephanie up on the offer immediately.<br />I also always knew I wanted Rachelle to model them - even though, as it turned out, said lovely person inside and out, had never modelled before. In my heart of hearts I knew she had the perfect hat-face for the kind I make so I must thank my lucky stars that they aligned in such a way in the right place and at the precise moment in time for this shoot to happen the way it did.<br /><br />It ran like well-oiled clockwork, the sun shone and the location gods smiled down on us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What did I say about the location gods?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waking up early to a day like this was an added bonus. It got me thinking that perhaps I must have done something extraordinarily good in a past life to deserve all this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got my first lessons in setting up lights and was reunited for the second time with the beloved reflectors. I had missed my shiny shiny circles since we last met on set.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0-5QdPzirE/UWMnkB9nxwI/AAAAAAAACKg/bb095bAWvio/s1600/hat+photoshoot+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0-5QdPzirE/UWMnkB9nxwI/AAAAAAAACKg/bb095bAWvio/s400/hat+photoshoot+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Credits and thanks and a handful of kisses go to ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">photographer: Stephanie Galea</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">model: Rachelle Spiteri</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">make-up artist: <a href="http://xdynax.blogspot.com/">Dyna Spiteri</a><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">location: a bit of heaven thanks to Mr. R. Bianchi<br /><br /><br />all hats, brooches as well as some of the clothes are one-off pieces by yours truly a.k.a. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/babettopolis">Babettopolis</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These are the final shots!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">alternatively you can view the lot in a better format on Stephanie's own <a href="http://www.stephaniegalea.com/Hats-Off">website</a>!<br />actually, I suggest it.<br /><br />x</span></div>
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<br />Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-40295528085530322762013-04-08T01:56:00.001-07:002013-04-08T01:56:16.953-07:00Spring is in the air .. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VB44JAfPPhw/UWKBFf0iv3I/AAAAAAAACIw/3qjdbxOuSCs/s1600/lastweek+chandelier+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VB44JAfPPhw/UWKBFf0iv3I/AAAAAAAACIw/3qjdbxOuSCs/s400/lastweek+chandelier+babettopolis.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... and with the much appreciated help of my parents-in-law, I had the pleasure of seeing grandma's chandeliers up and alight! Following a nail-biting and nerve-testing re-wiring, I drove to the ironmonger's and got me a bag full of light bulbs. Now, I see and love-what-I-see better than ever before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ceiling roses and some hardcore (and inevitable :s) dusting and polishing later.. I was one happy bunny!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">fixing up a couple of rooms needn't cost a lot .. I live by that mantra and in inestimable gratitude for the constant support and help of family members who are handy with pliers and glue!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9T1rujM_LvA/UWKBJrEYNoI/AAAAAAAACJI/-1LyS1mY0K0/s1600/lastweek+eveningbag+beaded+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9T1rujM_LvA/UWKBJrEYNoI/AAAAAAAACJI/-1LyS1mY0K0/s400/lastweek+eveningbag+beaded+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to top it all off, a neighbour gave me two pretty (one beaded, one shimmery lame) evening bags, just like that, out of the blue - may I just say: surprise gifts RULE!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcRWtp4Z2dI/UWKBNWCEU-I/AAAAAAAACJY/SWQJEChbe4w/s1600/lastweek+photoshoot+prep+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcRWtp4Z2dI/UWKBNWCEU-I/AAAAAAAACJY/SWQJEChbe4w/s400/lastweek+photoshoot+prep+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and in the midst of it all, piles of clothes needed a thorough ironing in preparation for the Babettopolis photoshoot which was to/did take place on Saturday - a healthy mix of handmade and vintage pieces to complement some of the many hats I made over the past two years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now that the photos are out (more on that later!) and it's Monday again .. I can't help recalling the excitement that the Friday prior to the shoot brought with it - at last I was to have some professional help with documenting my work - and for that I'm super grateful!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMYk20JuI4k/UWKBf_sJdaI/AAAAAAAACJg/4VRWWcizmYs/s1600/april2013+gustav+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMYk20JuI4k/UWKBf_sJdaI/AAAAAAAACJg/4VRWWcizmYs/s400/april2013+gustav+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">so, yes, spring is in the air ... cat is shedding fur .. and I'm stuck indoors, dedicating whatever time is leftover after the sewing is done to spring cleaning and piling and sorting and dusting in anticipation of the next swap party! </span></div>
Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-51471553634296760082013-03-31T08:22:00.003-07:002013-03-31T08:22:24.954-07:00some hats and a thank-you!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These are the latest three hats I've had the pleasure of working on.<br />I'm going through a bit of a hat phase - my only concern being the little time I have left over from other commitments to dedicate to it. I have sketched so many already that I had to just give up on sketching alltogether because documenting the many options only made it worse - too many sketches, so little time to make any of them. Choosing from the sketches also became a frustrating chore .. uff!<br />Now I just get on with it and make hats in the few hours/minutes in between other things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All three hats are <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">constructed entirely by hand out of donated felt and vintage straw and plastic passementerie trim</span><br /><br />I am now looking forward to a pro photo-shoot and cramming in as many more hats as possible before that.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCB4EsmlVKA/UVhPIPBsDQI/AAAAAAAACHw/_ggTEBiDI5E/s1600/rachelle+chinoiserie+hat+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCB4EsmlVKA/UVhPIPBsDQI/AAAAAAAACHw/_ggTEBiDI5E/s400/rachelle+chinoiserie+hat+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCTD3d3skho">'La Petite Tonkinoise' </a> hat</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvLOuQwacPQ/UVhPIfaXeYI/AAAAAAAACH4/GDQte4YHqao/s1600/rachelle+urchin+hat+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvLOuQwacPQ/UVhPIfaXeYI/AAAAAAAACH4/GDQte4YHqao/s400/rachelle+urchin+hat+babettopolis.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Urchin-'diadema antillarum'-hat<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5h3NQIRQDnM/UVhPISp-WbI/AAAAAAAACIA/JytatXap0Ro/s1600/rachelle+pompom+hat+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5h3NQIRQDnM/UVhPISp-WbI/AAAAAAAACIA/JytatXap0Ro/s400/rachelle+pompom+hat+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Plume pillbox hat</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the other hand, I must send out my sincere thanks to all of those who donated some special pieces from their wardrobe. I am grateful as ever and can only promise I'll wear the lot with pride x</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It gives me joy to know that good pieces wth so much more mileage left in them are not going to waste<br /><br />also, <br />(note to self: another swap party is due.. I can feel it in the air)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsWrn_lzOjY/UVhPNhf_AbI/AAAAAAAACII/KDuAdzSS-Wk/s1600/31_03_13+vintage+blouses+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsWrn_lzOjY/UVhPNhf_AbI/AAAAAAAACII/KDuAdzSS-Wk/s400/31_03_13+vintage+blouses+2+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxFkEFmGqX4/UVhPSFqmAWI/AAAAAAAACIY/25x0amsD-4E/s1600/31_03_13+vintage+blue+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxFkEFmGqX4/UVhPSFqmAWI/AAAAAAAACIY/25x0amsD-4E/s400/31_03_13+vintage+blue+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZDmYqCLbMk/UVhPTSIbdKI/AAAAAAAACIg/Uzym1MSCfbU/s1600/31_03_13+vintage+white+cut+out+detail+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZDmYqCLbMk/UVhPTSIbdKI/AAAAAAAACIg/Uzym1MSCfbU/s400/31_03_13+vintage+white+cut+out+detail+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-84926469908507987142013-03-25T06:58:00.001-07:002013-03-25T06:58:23.460-07:00Running a business as a seamstress - An Interview<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's always such a pleasure to meet people who really like (even love) what you do and believe in it enough to recommend you and want to ask you about it..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A week ago I received the team behind The Zone - TimesofMalta.com for an interview about what I do .. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hereby thank them for the time they are investing in this series of inspirational interviews and for editing my ramblings into a coherent segment .. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">here it is:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130325/thezone-careers/running+a+business+as+a+seamstress.462842#.UVBWGZE9AW8.blogger">Running a business as a seamstress - timesofmalta.com</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPSpFnFzX6w/UVBXuwIHdDI/AAAAAAAACHg/Euh5nZPIH7g/s1600/babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPSpFnFzX6w/UVBXuwIHdDI/AAAAAAAACHg/Euh5nZPIH7g/s400/babettopolis.jpg" width="331" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">*on another note entirely: why hasn't anyone ever told me I move my hands and face around too much..<br />
I might have still been in time to change.<br />
Now, I'm stuck with it forever!*</span></div>
<br />Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-11051852444248693322013-03-25T02:47:00.002-07:002013-03-25T02:47:33.325-07:00I ought to stop ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... collecting just about anything! really!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Flea markets, bazaars, charity shops should put up posters of my face to warn vendors and urge me to act responsibly. My only consolation is that should Mad Men decide to film a 7th season in Malta and recruit locally (please please pretty please) I'm sorted for wardrobe ...<br /><br />Here are some spoils from yesterday's Birgu carboot sale ...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbDHoBU-S4I/UVAK6ALZeGI/AAAAAAAACGg/9Ftqra0kHuM/s1600/birgu+march+vintage+briefs+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbDHoBU-S4I/UVAK6ALZeGI/AAAAAAAACGg/9Ftqra0kHuM/s400/birgu+march+vintage+briefs+babettopolis.jpg" width="350" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">these washing-lines fill me (and only very few others) with joy</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UejBCRF-MO0/UVAK_nO8mMI/AAAAAAAACGo/7CwNTPHdaNQ/s1600/birgu+march+13+vintage+brassiere+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UejBCRF-MO0/UVAK_nO8mMI/AAAAAAAACGo/7CwNTPHdaNQ/s400/birgu+march+13+vintage+brassiere+babettopolis.jpg" width="310" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">pointy boobs and charming packaging</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFx5xq5Q2YU/UVALGUp0zvI/AAAAAAAACGw/FcKP76RQgTs/s1600/birgu+march+13+vintage+wool+sweaters+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFx5xq5Q2YU/UVALGUp0zvI/AAAAAAAACGw/FcKP76RQgTs/s400/birgu+march+13+vintage+wool+sweaters+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">quality wool and eloquently phrased washing instructions from a time when caring for your wardrobe was something else entirely. This label is all I ever wanted for reference - (most) companies took such pride in their product that they actually cared enough to educate the client<br /><br />Sometimes I can hardly believe I'm living in an age this fast-paced and out of synch with the basic ethical obligations of production</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhZH6H-iWAk/UVALZJ17N_I/AAAAAAAACHA/z-kCk1zTLos/s1600/birgu+march+13+wool+label+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhZH6H-iWAk/UVALZJ17N_I/AAAAAAAACHA/z-kCk1zTLos/s400/birgu+march+13+wool+label+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On another note, Joan is 'staying over' and she hangs her slips to dry on Fujiko the dolly</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDFVi5_LwkQ/UVALVog9KrI/AAAAAAAACG4/4DcxdEt--Ms/s1600/birgu+march+13+vintage+underdresses+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDFVi5_LwkQ/UVALVog9KrI/AAAAAAAACG4/4DcxdEt--Ms/s400/birgu+march+13+vintage+underdresses+babettopolis.jpg" width="395" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> My new make-up case/picnic basket/scarf compartment - it matches everything and brings me so much joy! (*thank you Alex for letting me have it!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9PT2iRFVs4/UVALeq1w06I/AAAAAAAACHI/AcgWKOuNcyk/s1600/birgu+march+13+vintage+case+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9PT2iRFVs4/UVALeq1w06I/AAAAAAAACHI/AcgWKOuNcyk/s400/birgu+march+13+vintage+case+babettopolis.jpg" width="268" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dMnoneJdLWs/UVALoJNkV5I/AAAAAAAACHQ/LPxlzCEvOio/s1600/Picture3+ghar+lapsi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dMnoneJdLWs/UVALoJNkV5I/AAAAAAAACHQ/LPxlzCEvOio/s400/Picture3+ghar+lapsi.jpg" width="317" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I bid you adieu with some quick shots of Ghar Lapsi re-visited: decidedly windier and all the more beautiful for it!<br /><br />*off to make another pompom hat*</span></div>
Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-45408061031771637712013-03-20T03:58:00.001-07:002013-03-20T03:58:51.278-07:00a week and a half <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I celebrated a cocktail-fuelled birthday over the past weekend, spent the first half of the week before that wringing sea-water out of costumes and getting sunburnt in the best possible way - but now I'm back indoors, away from the shoreline, cutting silks, and getting back on track e-mail/bills/order-wise ...<br /><br />I've also received several unexpected gifts and stumbled upon some precious vintage finds on two charity-shop/flea market marathons ...<br /><br />perhaps life is not so bad away from the slippery slippery shore!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyrEDr6bz3M/UUmPY3Uz1vI/AAAAAAAACFY/8o-HwY9Jfkw/s1600/march13+picture1+bags+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyrEDr6bz3M/UUmPY3Uz1vI/AAAAAAAACFY/8o-HwY9Jfkw/s400/march13+picture1+bags+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skagHQ09qTM/UUmT0Ked0eI/AAAAAAAACGQ/Pzmczr_c34U/s1600/march13+picture6+tony+montana+tshirt+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skagHQ09qTM/UUmT0Ked0eI/AAAAAAAACGQ/Pzmczr_c34U/s320/march13+picture6+tony+montana+tshirt+babettopolis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHGf1A15F0Y/UUmPZDeL_yI/AAAAAAAACFc/9m6NGZcz7S8/s1600/march13+picture2+copper+dish+and+pendant+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHGf1A15F0Y/UUmPZDeL_yI/AAAAAAAACFc/9m6NGZcz7S8/s400/march13+picture2+copper+dish+and+pendant+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">thank you friends and nanna!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P0asm3pxmIo/UUmPZ3iBNlI/AAAAAAAACFo/fdu2k-BWsqc/s1600/march13+picture3+leather+coat+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P0asm3pxmIo/UUmPZ3iBNlI/AAAAAAAACFo/fdu2k-BWsqc/s400/march13+picture3+leather+coat+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">hello terracotta leather coat, please make me look like Faye Dunaway</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zJdc90szyFA/UUmPelcAr1I/AAAAAAAACFw/TnMakfc8ilE/s1600/march13+picture4+green+lace+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zJdc90szyFA/UUmPelcAr1I/AAAAAAAACFw/TnMakfc8ilE/s400/march13+picture4+green+lace+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wC5MGhsYb3Y/UUmPf3RZdfI/AAAAAAAACF4/Qlb7r5Fq0Go/s1600/march13+picture5+red+scalloped+coat+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wC5MGhsYb3Y/UUmPf3RZdfI/AAAAAAAACF4/Qlb7r5Fq0Go/s400/march13+picture5+red+scalloped+coat+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_hce7BO9fKM/UUmPtyvxceI/AAAAAAAACGA/79nCOE-DKoI/s1600/locations+bews+il-bahar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_hce7BO9fKM/UUmPtyvxceI/AAAAAAAACGA/79nCOE-DKoI/s400/locations+bews+il-bahar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I bid adieu to Ghar Lapsi and scorching cliffs<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">will be back with more intricate stories about an upcoming photoshoot, new hats, chiffon bridesmaid dresses, a vintage-inspired wardrobe overhaul for a beautiful lady, a sneak-peek at the costumes for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BewsIlBahar?fref=ts">Bews il-Bahar</a>, an interview and *crossfingers* more tales about friends+alcohol+food+sea x</span></div>
Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-20891657807345935922013-02-27T16:19:00.000-08:002013-02-27T16:20:01.989-08:00A Family Wedding Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RLgqPL_m6g/US6NopdJNlI/AAAAAAAACAM/_LmptWlV57k/s1600/maltese+wedding+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RLgqPL_m6g/US6NopdJNlI/AAAAAAAACAM/_LmptWlV57k/s400/maltese+wedding+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was last weekend's family wedding - my life was temporarily on hold in the run-up to it and in turn I got to savour some beautiful family moments. Everyone lent a hand, some baked cakes for guests, others babysat (*kill Barney), whilst others adamantly refused to try on some dresses *baby diva-yet-adorable tantrums!*<br /><br />Here's how it happened in so many words. My cousin Fiona asked me to kit her entourage and I basically obliged. For once, I made it a point to actually hold onto the first sketches. Only yesterday I was sorting out the last pieces of textile from the many bags I collected in the process - bags for sketches, measurements and samples, bags for lace trimmings, bags for every step of the way. Here's the original sketch for the wedding dress in ivory and blush I had designed - along the way it underwent some changes in the skirt, but the central idea remained the same - a boat neck lace top over a sweetheart corseted top in ivory satin with a pleated sash in a blush tone. Even that early on in the process, the bride already knew how she wanted her hair done!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSTXsk4l67w/US6Nwo6ts3I/AAAAAAAACAc/d15_kAw8qAw/s1600/sketchweddingdress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSTXsk4l67w/US6Nwo6ts3I/AAAAAAAACAc/d15_kAw8qAw/s400/sketchweddingdress.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.. and here's the sketch for the bride's purple entourage</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_upCisx09Pk/US6NvuIvn8I/AAAAAAAACAU/wCwvYag5q0I/s1600/sketchbridesmaids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_upCisx09Pk/US6NvuIvn8I/AAAAAAAACAU/wCwvYag5q0I/s400/sketchbridesmaids.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... the French lace top was constructed out of rows upon rows of hand-pinned and hand-stitched lace braid because we simply couldn't find the right kind by metre, and down the back we settled for a row of over 30 buttons covered in ivory satin</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skKXG5UuNeI/US6ODFJOQuI/AAAAAAAACAk/mmiBk1sdT14/s1600/french+lace+wedding+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skKXG5UuNeI/US6ODFJOQuI/AAAAAAAACAk/mmiBk1sdT14/s400/french+lace+wedding+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.. this is later on in the process when we all voted in favour of a tulle underskirt .. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f21SUUZLzJg/US6OHcr29OI/AAAAAAAACAs/Na1Zx9J_iyg/s1600/sewng+wedding+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f21SUUZLzJg/US6OHcr29OI/AAAAAAAACAs/Na1Zx9J_iyg/s400/sewng+wedding+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... here's the bride at one of her many fittings. We held fittings back at my mum's place where the light is better and the floors always much much cleaner.. also at my mum's we always had the option of closing the door on the dog/cat.. whereas at my house, the cat rules the place!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3y3qJKSHvFg/US6OPgIH3DI/AAAAAAAACA0/mX3BZvsBzBA/s1600/wedding+dress+fitting+1+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3y3qJKSHvFg/US6OPgIH3DI/AAAAAAAACA0/mX3BZvsBzBA/s400/wedding+dress+fitting+1+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... fittings are fun!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2WsL-cmJQU/US6OTVueY6I/AAAAAAAACA8/7PB-Iq6M6_4/s1600/wedding+dress+fitting+3+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2WsL-cmJQU/US6OTVueY6I/AAAAAAAACA8/7PB-Iq6M6_4/s400/wedding+dress+fitting+3+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... this is me trying to get a general idea of what the bridal party will eventually look like as they walked up the aisle</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHdQwtv2VqI/US6OWQTiPTI/AAAAAAAACBE/YlLpFrblmnA/s1600/wedding+dress+fitting+6+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHdQwtv2VqI/US6OWQTiPTI/AAAAAAAACBE/YlLpFrblmnA/s400/wedding+dress+fitting+6+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... apart from the bride and her bridesmaids, I was also responsible for fitting a special guest to this wedding - the charming Josianne! She chose some lovely peacock green taffeta and matching pleated organza for her dream dress and I added hand sewn sprays of crystals and pearls because she was always happier than most to go with my random aquatic suggestions!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TpVGP3_2f6g/US6O5WyOyxI/AAAAAAAACBM/bZVY1UKVeWg/s1600/dress+fitting+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TpVGP3_2f6g/US6O5WyOyxI/AAAAAAAACBM/bZVY1UKVeWg/s400/dress+fitting+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and this is Jade being fitted for her flower-girl dress .. well into the process when she had grown 'sort of' accustomed to the idea that she'll have to put on a dress .. eventually</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51b5odKEhxE/US6O5reC8LI/AAAAAAAACBQ/a8nBGxsu3Mg/s1600/jade+fitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51b5odKEhxE/US6O5reC8LI/AAAAAAAACBQ/a8nBGxsu3Mg/s400/jade+fitting.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">deliberations ..</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEnYuCowsQI/US6PDUvEs2I/AAAAAAAACBc/lxYA5r-Feak/s1600/wedding+dress+fitting+4+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEnYuCowsQI/US6PDUvEs2I/AAAAAAAACBc/lxYA5r-Feak/s400/wedding+dress+fitting+4+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.. and made-to-measure/made-to-match shoes</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq5i9NvMXA0/US6PDgpsVfI/AAAAAAAACBg/USDMaJyfn_o/s1600/wedding+dress+fitting+5+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq5i9NvMXA0/US6PDgpsVfI/AAAAAAAACBg/USDMaJyfn_o/s400/wedding+dress+fitting+5+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">more fun-times during fittings!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yiJZAHtSyY/US6PE4IfkhI/AAAAAAAACBs/pxCKge3vmOU/s1600/wedding+dress+fitting+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yiJZAHtSyY/US6PE4IfkhI/AAAAAAAACBs/pxCKge3vmOU/s400/wedding+dress+fitting+2+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and here are some all-important close-ups of the things I embellished for the said dresses ..<br />starting with the bows for the flowergirls' dresses</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UrFC9Rv6IIw/US6PZLqmJ3I/AAAAAAAACB0/vkZmbS2tyiE/s1600/flowergirls+bows+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UrFC9Rv6IIw/US6PZLqmJ3I/AAAAAAAACB0/vkZmbS2tyiE/s400/flowergirls+bows+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all of the shoes</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfffDTwtVps/US6PZmId12I/AAAAAAAACB8/jceJvdJMQP0/s1600/bridesmaids'+shoes+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfffDTwtVps/US6PZmId12I/AAAAAAAACB8/jceJvdJMQP0/s400/bridesmaids'+shoes+babettopolis.jpg" width="187" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the maid of honour's sash for which I used a vintage button I fell in love with</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ZvzP2Qxtdw/US6PaO1zjmI/AAAAAAAACCE/IPI3c7XnZHw/s1600/Maid+of+Honour+sash+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ZvzP2Qxtdw/US6PaO1zjmI/AAAAAAAACCE/IPI3c7XnZHw/s400/Maid+of+Honour+sash+babettopolis.jpg" width="337" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and the pearly necklines of the little girls' dresses!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VC-UUn013kk/US6PagM1QPI/AAAAAAAACCM/kKzfkNNjMBg/s1600/flowergirls+dresses+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VC-UUn013kk/US6PagM1QPI/AAAAAAAACCM/kKzfkNNjMBg/s400/flowergirls+dresses+babettopolis.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Getting closer to the day!<br />Here's a quick snapshot at the last fitting on the eve before the wedding - a particularly cold Friday when my heart was racing with adrenaline for fear that my car might stop in post-rain Msida with all the dresses in the back</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VoqQly6UNhM/US6PrE2TgFI/AAAAAAAACCU/xZBf_SiGKCo/s1600/last+wedding+dress+fitting+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VoqQly6UNhM/US6PrE2TgFI/AAAAAAAACCU/xZBf_SiGKCo/s400/last+wedding+dress+fitting+babettopolis.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Come Saturday morning I go to my aunt's and I find the wedding party with their hair already sprayed in place, make-up followed.. this is Nadia, the maid of honour, getting her make up done by the super-talented Elaine. My first inklings were confirmed - Nadia really is a dead ringer for young MINA once the hair is up and the eyeliner in place.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZFGzNzMzmk/US6Pu9v2WFI/AAAAAAAACCc/SsP8KusXebQ/s1600/maid+of+honour+make+up+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZFGzNzMzmk/US6Pu9v2WFI/AAAAAAAACCc/SsP8KusXebQ/s400/maid+of+honour+make+up+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Young Amy caught putting on her earrings! What I wouldn't give to look so effortlessly sweet!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SiNY-z8NcEQ/US6QMgSmISI/AAAAAAAACCs/iG1botYxBKE/s1600/flower+girl+amy+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SiNY-z8NcEQ/US6QMgSmISI/AAAAAAAACCs/iG1botYxBKE/s400/flower+girl+amy+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">things from across the road that the wedding photographer couldn't see ...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vS2NAYU_DRo/US6QNWsS53I/AAAAAAAACC0/5OZ3-2f7ppM/s1600/maltese+wedding+3+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vS2NAYU_DRo/US6QNWsS53I/AAAAAAAACC0/5OZ3-2f7ppM/s400/maltese+wedding+3+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, there followed a traditional church ceremony. Instead I'm skipping to the dancing at the reception part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />I tell you, this dress was made for dancing.. for me, a worst case scenario is for the bride to feel uncomfortable or in any way restricted in her dress..</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rtRNvyVNqw/US6QO2_WB5I/AAAAAAAACC8/W0sRJH4USJQ/s1600/wedding+dress+in+action+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rtRNvyVNqw/US6QO2_WB5I/AAAAAAAACC8/W0sRJH4USJQ/s400/wedding+dress+in+action+2+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... see, I told you!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JWfE6TJZT8o/US6QPBOeEJI/AAAAAAAACDA/tzh2BICdsgM/s1600/wedding+dress+in+action+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JWfE6TJZT8o/US6QPBOeEJI/AAAAAAAACDA/tzh2BICdsgM/s400/wedding+dress+in+action+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">an 'awhh' moment before the dancing ensued</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsM5hf2m-pY/US6QMB_vRdI/AAAAAAAACCk/Prsqfwm-itw/s1600/wedding+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsM5hf2m-pY/US6QMB_vRdI/AAAAAAAACCk/Prsqfwm-itw/s400/wedding+babettopolis.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">post-dance, the bride poses with her godmother - my mum! Mum took some convincing to settle for that colour at first but we both agreed 'hands down' on the style. She sewed the outfit herself and left the fiddly work of the beading and the bow for her daughter to do in exchange for a warm meal and a steady supply of milky tea</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVB6EywM91Y/US6QVQI0H-I/AAAAAAAACDM/9UGHl6POk7s/s1600/maltese+wedding+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVB6EywM91Y/US6QVQI0H-I/AAAAAAAACDM/9UGHl6POk7s/s400/maltese+wedding+2+babettopolis.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">very few people look stunning whilst sipping lemonade</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmyseRzERcI/US6QdWeGiKI/AAAAAAAACDU/RihTYLb-R5Q/s1600/maid+of+honour+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmyseRzERcI/US6QdWeGiKI/AAAAAAAACDU/RihTYLb-R5Q/s400/maid+of+honour+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's Josianne posing in her dress at the wedding reception - this lady kept her word!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4qcFjuUBXs/US6Qn5YzX8I/AAAAAAAACDc/FC9HRQP14Ok/s1600/josianne+wedding+guest+dress+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4qcFjuUBXs/US6Qn5YzX8I/AAAAAAAACDc/FC9HRQP14Ok/s400/josianne+wedding+guest+dress+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">time consuming but ultimately very satisfying work.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdMKqTKuWUk/US6QoX5BlaI/AAAAAAAACDk/g6bfWrENsIU/s1600/beading+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdMKqTKuWUk/US6QoX5BlaI/AAAAAAAACDk/g6bfWrENsIU/s400/beading+babettopolis.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm just glad I was there every step of the way, camera in tow. I know it is most unlikely that I'll ever be so involved in another wedding-in-the-making, or that I'll ever encounter such an obliging bride (* literal familiarity plays an integral role, of course).. it appears even less likely that I'll ever be organizing my own (*I'm allergic to vows, you see). So all I can really say at the end of the day is *hip hip hurray* for the opportunity and the new couple! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>... and if I may say so myself, that is one happy bride!</i><br /><br /><br />see you at the next wedding x</span></div>
<br />Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-44348435595296601492013-02-13T09:34:00.002-08:002013-02-13T14:08:44.252-08:00Cake Stand Love<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">specially prepared for the lovely Marilu's </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PastizziGourmet" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Pastizzi Gourmet</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'s event tomorrow::</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/202081466602847/?fref=ts">Valentine's Day High Tea Party</a>*</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">see you there ♥</span></span></div>
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these cake stands will be used during the event and should you grow </div>
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particularly attached to any of them .. </div>
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they're for sale as well..</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQUn5O_n9YM/URvIe4uHqCI/AAAAAAAAB-k/1VviSCtrsgg/s1600/cakestand+7+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQUn5O_n9YM/URvIe4uHqCI/AAAAAAAAB-k/1VviSCtrsgg/s400/cakestand+7+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A whole day out hunting leaves one famished .. back in time for tea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hm5L7GCm5Bo/URvIdC8I3eI/AAAAAAAAB-U/XW-u7E6_kL0/s1600/cakestand+6+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hm5L7GCm5Bo/URvIdC8I3eI/AAAAAAAAB-U/XW-u7E6_kL0/s400/cakestand+6+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cake stand becomes a resting place for prized possessions when you're out of cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2ns_mUxqcM/URvIdOdJ17I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/hK2dWTzACuI/s1600/cakestand+5+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2ns_mUxqcM/URvIdOdJ17I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/hK2dWTzACuI/s400/cakestand+5+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For one who's as obsessed with everything japanese-y as I</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RgvD1OQ4MUU/URvIZ0w0EGI/AAAAAAAAB-A/XhUMc-iTCpM/s1600/cakestand+1+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RgvD1OQ4MUU/URvIZ0w0EGI/AAAAAAAAB-A/XhUMc-iTCpM/s400/cakestand+1+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolates and gypsophila - two favourite things</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQUkspC75j4/URvIXnI5JzI/AAAAAAAAB90/dcp-9E8HcLI/s1600/cakestand+2+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQUkspC75j4/URvIXnI5JzI/AAAAAAAAB90/dcp-9E8HcLI/s400/cakestand+2+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A seasoned baker's stand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfiwSUyQf38/URvIZ7u5iZI/AAAAAAAAB98/x6YyigOp_SE/s1600/cakestand+3+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfiwSUyQf38/URvIZ7u5iZI/AAAAAAAAB98/x6YyigOp_SE/s400/cakestand+3+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A seamstress' stand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdpADGvueAk/URvIcgp8m0I/AAAAAAAAB-M/0BZd8qL0EdM/s1600/cakestand+4+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdpADGvueAk/URvIcgp8m0I/AAAAAAAAB-M/0BZd8qL0EdM/s400/cakestand+4+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the kitchen to the dressing table</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">*Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that these cake stands are a novel idea, in any way.. home-made/assembled cake stands are a widespread craft activity that's been around for a long time.. and yet, I know that many people never get down to making one for themselves; so I'm here to help. Every piece is unique and created out of carefully selected second-hand ceramic, metal and/or glass objects found on various flea market/charity shop visits. Hurray for tea-parties!!</span></span></div>
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</span></span>Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-48143056669343424292013-02-10T08:10:00.002-08:002013-02-11T12:04:50.371-08:00My weeks are taken up by ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... several things.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxpg-QUeOQA/URe8rq4fdtI/AAAAAAAAB6U/b64z192plkg/s1600/cakestands+for+pastizzi+gourmet+teaser+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxpg-QUeOQA/URe8rq4fdtI/AAAAAAAAB6U/b64z192plkg/s400/cakestands+for+pastizzi+gourmet+teaser+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week in particular</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I set my mind and hands to assembling some cake stands for Marilu's special <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PastizziGourmet">Pastizzi Gourmet</a> event next Thursday.. delightful stuff requiring buckets of patience and a steady hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/202081466602847/?fref=ts">join us this Valentine's!</a>></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbBUqNlrbHA/URe9YaREP5I/AAAAAAAAB6s/SA4x56Ri824/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbBUqNlrbHA/URe9YaREP5I/AAAAAAAAB6s/SA4x56Ri824/s400/IMG_0858.JPG" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I attended my first hen night - a baptism of sorts </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I report back to base with news of side splitting laughter, a sugar-rush inducing cake that sent me reeling and the realization that I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my driving license. On my way back home, I take the scenic routes and hum my favourite tunes - some say I need a radio, I call it 'making peace with the road'</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FkcfaHkbf1U/URe8Un35NLI/AAAAAAAAB58/vBAIAVO1C_E/s1600/malena+sketch+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FkcfaHkbf1U/URe8Un35NLI/AAAAAAAAB58/vBAIAVO1C_E/s400/malena+sketch+babettopolis.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sort of mourned my, now past, urge to sketch. Circumstances and an ever changing appetite forced me on to new things after a (mere) 9-day-long affair</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUzWkdSNjbc/URe8ibvBEVI/AAAAAAAAB6E/zCO48KpfUow/s1600/al+pacino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUzWkdSNjbc/URe8ibvBEVI/AAAAAAAAB6E/zCO48KpfUow/s400/al+pacino.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Case in point, I now spend the day watching back to back documentaries about organized crime and my evenings-in going through Al Pacino's filmography<br /><3<br />this obsession deserves a T-shirt</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbqSR69GQnM/URfINIjjXVI/AAAAAAAAB8U/iI76k5jGBgQ/s1600/Brikkuni+ticket+16+03+13+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbqSR69GQnM/URfINIjjXVI/AAAAAAAAB8U/iI76k5jGBgQ/s400/Brikkuni+ticket+16+03+13+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also made this flyer/ticket/cover photo for Brikkuni's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/496040520435333/?fref=ts">upcoming event</a> .. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">cutting down on coffee to eliminate, or at least subdue,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> the tremor in my hands doesn't mean </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I cannot dip paper into it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnrJ4IK3X8I/URe9CY9bJKI/AAAAAAAAB6c/mnRyX83FJEM/s1600/venetian+mask+black+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnrJ4IK3X8I/URe9CY9bJKI/AAAAAAAAB6c/mnRyX83FJEM/s320/venetian+mask+black+babettopolis.jpg" width="243" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CN39JHpniPs/URe9CqfY-vI/AAAAAAAAB6g/8eYyLwNuxP8/s1600/venetian+mask+white+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CN39JHpniPs/URe9CqfY-vI/AAAAAAAAB6g/8eYyLwNuxP8/s320/venetian+mask+white+babettopolis.jpg" width="243" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Somehow I still found time to create these two Venetian-inspired masks in time for Carnival </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">- a feast I love but (unfortunately) seldom celebrate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">FLASH NEWS: glue inhalation levels have sky-rocketed since the 1st of February chez Babettopolis</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AuGTGoDatVU/URe9hLTSlxI/AAAAAAAAB60/CIGWBb3MY70/s1600/beading+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AuGTGoDatVU/URe9hLTSlxI/AAAAAAAAB60/CIGWBb3MY70/s400/beading+babettopolis.jpg" width="326" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week I also rounded and finished off the last couple of chores on my 'family-wedding' to-do-list.<br />All of the commissioned outfits now hang in protective bags along the wall and all that remains is for me to rustle up something for myself...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJX0UDIk_hQ/URe8SRJ4cdI/AAAAAAAAB50/KMpCx4ScQgs/s1600/beaded+bow+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJX0UDIk_hQ/URe8SRJ4cdI/AAAAAAAAB50/KMpCx4ScQgs/s400/beaded+bow+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... however I know better than to promise myself anything big. In between bags of tricky alterations, sampling of an array of glues, editing twice as many photos and running all the errands, I suspect there won't be much time left over for me to create my dream dress in grey tulle. So I'll be aiming lower and crossing my fingers about finding time to replace the zip on a vintage dress a lovely lady gave me some 5 years ago.<br /><br />But before I sign out for a cup of tea and 'The Making of The Godfather', I'll let you on to a little secret:<br />here's a glimpse of what next week will bring ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">gloves on, paint brushes at the ready and we're good to go.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8BaKPlh0mQ/URe8inhNLJI/AAAAAAAAB6I/nYnwOwcHBZE/s1600/graphic+print+babettopolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8BaKPlh0mQ/URe8inhNLJI/AAAAAAAAB6I/nYnwOwcHBZE/s400/graphic+print+babettopolis.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... several things indeed.</span></div>
Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-12533548780196444182013-02-06T01:01:00.000-08:002013-02-07T12:19:01.131-08:00on the side <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's a feature about one of the things I enjoy doing <i>ON THE SIDE</i> in a <i><a href="http://designsorbet.wordpress.com/">local blog</a></i> I love:</span></div>
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<i><a href="http://designsorbet.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/babettopolis-on-the-side/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> http://designsorbet.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/babettopolis-on-the-side/</span></a></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and to celebrate the occasion and add some 'colour' to a post that's been a long time coming, I think I'll allow myself the vanity of sharing a couple of sketches, both recent and archived.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YBr66CRiGLs/URIYJgrYrFI/AAAAAAAAB2s/qrhlaYxe1Rk/s1600/Picture8+jan2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YBr66CRiGLs/URIYJgrYrFI/AAAAAAAAB2s/qrhlaYxe1Rk/s320/Picture8+jan2013.jpg" width="218" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3H_k_8GVpA/URIYJ8oD0lI/AAAAAAAAB2w/IfaKyy8hipg/s1600/Picture7+jan2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3H_k_8GVpA/URIYJ8oD0lI/AAAAAAAAB2w/IfaKyy8hipg/s320/Picture7+jan2013.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SatmbpGK12c/URIYJ54V9cI/AAAAAAAAB20/p80Et1eJluA/s1600/Picture6+jan2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SatmbpGK12c/URIYJ54V9cI/AAAAAAAAB20/p80Et1eJluA/s320/Picture6+jan2013.jpg" width="206" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7k7bNn9bmg/URIYLFwVF7I/AAAAAAAAB3A/l229ZKHng74/s1600/picture5+jan2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7k7bNn9bmg/URIYLFwVF7I/AAAAAAAAB3A/l229ZKHng74/s320/picture5+jan2013.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CgaDXNUOIKA/URIYSMClhgI/AAAAAAAAB3M/r4pwwbK0ZiM/s1600/sketch+alex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CgaDXNUOIKA/URIYSMClhgI/AAAAAAAAB3M/r4pwwbK0ZiM/s320/sketch+alex.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYunibMPXcg/URIYS4Ky1dI/AAAAAAAAB3U/bkOmgbVbMMc/s1600/sketch+ness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYunibMPXcg/URIYS4Ky1dI/AAAAAAAAB3U/bkOmgbVbMMc/s320/sketch+ness.jpg" width="222" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KyQcX_b_MqY/URIYYm6r3RI/AAAAAAAAB3o/yKcF5eS3o7k/s1600/sketch+sass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KyQcX_b_MqY/URIYYm6r3RI/AAAAAAAAB3o/yKcF5eS3o7k/s320/sketch+sass.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BbdWdFQircA/URIYVqAQG8I/AAAAAAAAB3g/KyymaAq__Mg/s1600/sketch+rach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BbdWdFQircA/URIYVqAQG8I/AAAAAAAAB3g/KyymaAq__Mg/s320/sketch+rach.jpg" width="216" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZwO0xSZ8d0/URIYthJhl_I/AAAAAAAAB30/5_ZVFBu_zVw/s1600/blue+face+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZwO0xSZ8d0/URIYthJhl_I/AAAAAAAAB30/5_ZVFBu_zVw/s320/blue+face+detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ckklthCqS8Y/URIYskm3-hI/AAAAAAAAB3w/zRWPv2dOOEw/s1600/ink+nude+gina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ckklthCqS8Y/URIYskm3-hI/AAAAAAAAB3w/zRWPv2dOOEw/s320/ink+nude+gina.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbSxwARYx1M/URIY0NJ3dBI/AAAAAAAAB4I/FxhYB5R03Qg/s1600/inky+male+nude.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbSxwARYx1M/URIY0NJ3dBI/AAAAAAAAB4I/FxhYB5R03Qg/s320/inky+male+nude.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Niwi3K_Jrn8/URIYtjRmSfI/AAAAAAAAB34/TXKlWulrX8M/s1600/inky+dead+baby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Niwi3K_Jrn8/URIYtjRmSfI/AAAAAAAAB34/TXKlWulrX8M/s320/inky+dead+baby.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcad_4hm4Ak/URIY1FHa8JI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/TIaO9_EgVgo/s1600/inky+purple+splash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcad_4hm4Ak/URIY1FHa8JI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/TIaO9_EgVgo/s320/inky+purple+splash.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SC8RDIVwJHs/URIY1ZZp9oI/AAAAAAAAB4U/JXT2Fga6XgY/s1600/inky+swimmer+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SC8RDIVwJHs/URIY1ZZp9oI/AAAAAAAAB4U/JXT2Fga6XgY/s320/inky+swimmer+1.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, these sketching phases come and go, and like every burst of productive energy I cannot but long for its return. However, past experience has taught me that nothing recurs easily if you pine for it. Regretting nothing, I turn a blind eye and hope for the best! *forgetaboutit*</span><br />
<br />Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4567576865195703637.post-30361738590207366232013-01-13T07:28:00.003-08:002013-01-13T07:28:35.064-08:00すし, 寿司, 鮨, 鮓, 寿斗, 寿し<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A day's worth of prep in honour of two family birthdays is behind me and as it happens I'm feeling sad I'm out of work this Sunday morn.<br /><br />A day out with mum in my cranky car stocking on enough fish, rice, noodles, coriander and sake to feed a small village followed by hours on end of chopping and dicing and stirring and basting.<br /><br />We set the table with whatever seemed fitting after one too many cups of green tea and just about made it in time before we received the guests - tempura batter whisked, ramen stock cleared and dog sedated with biscuits (no, we did not cook dog - we merely treated him more than usual in the hope he'd be full enough to not pester us later on - to no avail)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsRBpX73QNk/UPLNi_-j-mI/AAAAAAAAB1I/61lWs-GIP6o/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsRBpX73QNk/UPLNi_-j-mI/AAAAAAAAB1I/61lWs-GIP6o/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqTJNgDWq-c/UPLNVrJOqiI/AAAAAAAAB0w/MN0qH7O6n98/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqTJNgDWq-c/UPLNVrJOqiI/AAAAAAAAB0w/MN0qH7O6n98/s400/Picture2.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(*that <i>Cooking with Dog</i> youtube tutorial came in handy!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKaJCF3xzgM/UPLNaxm8OTI/AAAAAAAAB04/RSdq_A0VY0k/s1600/Picture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKaJCF3xzgM/UPLNaxm8OTI/AAAAAAAAB04/RSdq_A0VY0k/s400/Picture3.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eEjTOS70PQY/UPLNha29dII/AAAAAAAAB1A/bS-cip0VDNQ/s1600/Picture4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eEjTOS70PQY/UPLNha29dII/AAAAAAAAB1A/bS-cip0VDNQ/s400/Picture4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> and after one too many fizzy sweet drinks and aged grappa I totally gave up on photographing the proceedings ... as usual</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWLQ9Wiut5w/UPLNlsrRDcI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/TGSL_rN0LWQ/s1600/Picture5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWLQ9Wiut5w/UPLNlsrRDcI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/TGSL_rN0LWQ/s400/Picture5.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">That is me teaching dad how to roll (ie. me putting on my ill-fitting <b>patience</b> cap)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">perhaps I should have done this a long time ago: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">'should you need anyone to organize a party/meal/any-sort-of-event for you please drop me a line'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are only very few things I enjoy better, most of which are still related to cooking, drinking and organizational tasks.<br /><br />*sushi-burp*</span></div>
</span>Babettopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379317090793518061noreply@blogger.com2