My "Little Miss Sunshine"

This mannequin Little Miss Sunshine was created last year, commissioned by a family member who lives in QLD, loves the sunshine and the colour yellow. She was created using shells(which I personally collected), glass beads, diamantes, three types of feathers, large flowers, vintage crochet, French trimmings, butterflies, wings and much more. Each piece individually glued or sewn on and hours in the making. I hope you like her........

I enjoyed every moment making her.........the colour yellow is so uplifting and full of positive energy. You may notice her waistband: a mosaic of shells, diamantes and beads intricately placed together and intertwined with vintage crochet. The wings are a feature in my last 3 mannequins.....symbolising "freedom to be".  And hardly ever will you see any of my mannequins without a butterfly somewhere: my obsession since childhood which to me has always symbolised, again freedom but also "natures miracles".

I miss her but I know she is in good hands. X

 

Just to let you know, I am halfway thru my next mannequin using the vibrant colours orange and turquoise......looking gorgeous so far. Can't wait to show you.

 

P.N. For those that have signed up to receive my posts via email, if you find you can't open images or videos, then simply click on the "title" of the post at the top of the page and it will automatically take you back to my blog. From there you can open files.

 

Going Troppo this Summer

Although the focus this summer is about geometric designs, I notice tropical prints are out again this year which excites me.......exotic birds, fruit, flora and fauna in bright colours are fun. The tropical theme always reminds me of Mojito cocktails, exotic birds, the Bahamas and my favourite Samba singer Carmen Miranda, famous for her fruit hat costumes.  Either way, anything "troppo" puts me in a dancing and cocktail mood.

Carmen Miranda, the flamboyant Portuguese born Brazilian Samba singer

Don't be afraid of the bold tropical prints. Just add a little touch with plain pieces to start like a T-shirt, handbag or shoes.  For a little more.....a printed short tunic or maxi dress teed up with bright accessories is just vibrant and oh so summery.

This Camilla Franks Maxi from her 2013 Pachamama range is wild. 

I love the tropical print jackets. Worn well with white t-shirt and jeans, or for something chic a maxi skirt in bright colour. Add some printed wedges, seashell accessories and you're ready to party or at least ready to sip some cocktails!!

And then of course if you want to go one step further with colour and print explosion......mix the tropical with geometric prints. You may have to play around with this a bit to get it right, but if mixed well this look is super. If you find that too hard to do on your own email me for a consultation and I can help you put it all together.  

 

You can find tropical pinted garments in most of the casual streetwear stores and also various high street stores including Camilla, Trelise Cooper, Veronika Maine, plus net-a porter and also vintage stores.

 

Enjoy.....Love Gessica

 

P.N. For those that have signed up to receive my posts via email, if you find you can't open images or videos, then simply click on the "title" of the post at the top of the page and it will automatically take you back to my blog. From there you can open files.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

As Commander of the International Space Station,Canadian Chris Hadfield captivated the world with stunning photos and commentary from space. Perhaps you remember him singing David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” on board the international space station (video below....love it). Or you may have seen his various educational video's on what happens when you cry in space (video below), or pee, or cook!!  Search for him on Youtube, and you will come across many short videos he made on how to do "almost" everything in space. It is addictive. I've placed some below for you to enjoy.  
Hadfield returned from the ISS in May, and he has apparently been busy writing a book that came out just weeks ago An Astronaut's guide to Life on Earth. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, and been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft. The secret to Col. Hadfield's success-and survival-is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst-and enjoy every moment of it.
I'm buying this book, what a fascinating read this will be.  Add this to your xmas list!!
 
Chris Hadfield version of David Bowie's Space Oddity

Crying in space

How to cook Spinach in Space

Wringing out water soaked cloth

Enjoy.....Gessica X