Measuring Tape Rosettes

I'm a big fan of Tatty Devine, and often pop into their shop in Brick Lane to have a look at what's new. Last time I was there, I noticed these fab measuring tape brooches:

Source

I couldn't stop thinking about them, so started fiddling about with an old measuring tape I had at home. After a few false starts, and a trip to the market for some 70p tapes and the local stationers, here's what I came up with:

They're not quite as perfect as the originals, but I love them! I'm not going to go into too much detail as to how I made mine, as I don't want to discourage anyone shopping with this small, brilliant company - they've already suffered greatly by being 'interpreted' by several chain stores, and even won a legal battle with one in particular. But if you can't quite stretch to £30 for an original, you can also buy a Tatty Devine measuring tape for £3.50 and make your own!

See you soon!

McCalls 9722 Goes to the Jubilee

You may have heard that we've been celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee here in Britain, and because of this, I made another version of the McCall's 9722 especially for the Jubilee! (See its previous plain black incarnation here) I thought it was fitting to wear a skirt with a map of London on the Queen's special day, with fabric I purchased in Amsterdam (I know, it doesn't really make sense...)

Practicalty was the order of the day, so I wore:

Black beret - knitted by me

Marc by Marc Jacobs jacket - Sale purchase, about 10 years ago

Blouse - made by me (post to come)

Black brogues - Office Shoes, £50

Brown patent Roger Vivier bag - charity shop, about £5 

Here's a close up of the fabric:

I'm not a big Royalist, but who doesn't love an extra day off work, and an excuse to drink champagne in the street! And that's exactly what Mr Needles and I did on Sunday.

First was the Wilton Way Diamond Jubilee Street party, in Hackney:

 We drank Prosecco flavoured with Kir:

Mr Needles, getting his fancy-schmancy drunk on

 We ate Jubilee-themed salted caramel cupcakes:

 There were lovely window displays to admire:

And everyone was out in their finery:

Bikers can celebrate the Jubilee too!

 One of my favourite scenes of the day - Coins Junkyard Snack Bar, run by Mike from Hot Breath Karaoke. It was an ingenious deep fat fryer rigged up on a shopping trolley, with added karaoke! Deep fried pickle anyone?

Then it was on to Chatsworth Rd in Clapton, to partake of their Jubilee festivities. More bunting, etc, but this time with added Pearly Kings, Queens, and Princes:

By now, the traditional British drizzle was getting to us, so we ducked into Cakey Muto for a fantastic gruyere and cashew pie, and hot coffee:

But 2 street parties wasn't enough for us, and even though it had been drizzling and raining pretty much non-stop, we were determined to make our way towards the Thames and see if we could catch a glimpse of Queenie on her barge.

It was pretty crowded:

After trudging across Waterloo Bridge in the rain, we made it to the Plaza in front of the National Theatre, just in time to watch a band doing Beatles and Kinks covers in the pouring rain. Even though the heavens were unleashing what seemed like a month's worth of rain on us, everyone was jumping around and singing along :

Then it was time for beer and drying out in the Royal Festival Hall:

And we never saw the Queen on her boat, though I did see an orchestra on a barge!

That was our Jubilee, in all of its soggy glory!