Sew Stylish- Interview with Daisie Davies Designs

Hi everyone, Im soooo excited today to be interviewing Alex from Daisie Davies Designs, I love her really original, Stylish and practical pieces for mum and daughter. I hope you enjoy finding out more about the woman behind the talent. Please pay her a visit.My favourites are her gorgeous aprons, I love the cheese grater apron in pink, which is actually for younger girls and the unusual printed yummy mummy apron is so funky. The princess T is so melt in the mouth, she does another in this range featuring a girl on a swing with the wind blowing in her hair! Sharon x

Visit Alex at Daisie Davies Designs

Interview with Alex from Daisie Davies designs

Q1 -What inspired you to start making your unique designs?

A-Alex- I just really like to create, I sew, I make cards and other paper goods and I knit. I have always made cards and gifts for friends and family but recently have been making more and more. I am a stay at home Mummy who likes to make things and my poor hubby demanded that I sell some stuff as with three (soon to be four) children we are running out of space in our house!!



Q2.Is there any one or who inspires you to make the pieces you do?

A- Alex- Usually I am inspired by the materials I can find to work with. Like the princess t-shirts came about because of a small piece of damaged fabric. I really liked the images but the piece wasn't really big enough to make anything with so I chopped it up and hey presto; funky girl's t-shirts!



Q3.Whats been your most rewarding project?

A-Alex- I like to make things for my own children and friend's children as then you can really see how much they are loved. I have made a felt dinosaur for my son's second birthday that has already been loved to death (almost), I have knitted a pink horse for one of my daughters who was desperate for something pink and fluffy and made a custom fit shoulder bag for my elder daughter who is turning into a 'big girl'. I find it all rewarding and a pleasure to do and that's what keeps me creating!



Q4.What gives you the most satisfaction about creating individual designs?

A-Alex- I always hated it when we arrived at a party to find another little girl wearing the same outfit as my own. I think individuality is very important even from a young age. I know that when my children wear something I have made for them there is no other child anywhere wearing the same!



Q5.Proudest moment?

A-Alex-Most of the proudest moments I remember are to do with my children and family life but talking about making and selling the best memory I have is of a lovely lady who came to my stall at a fair several times to admire and try on the same bag. After a few visits she bought the bag. It really suited her. She then came back in and out and every time she passed me she did a quick twirl in her bag and smiled the biggest smile!





Q6.Any hot tip for aspiring crafters or dressmakers?



A-Alex-I think you have to make what makes you happy. Things that inspire you are easier than things that you think you should make.



Q7-How would you describe your attitude to sewing?

.A-Alex- I am very slap-dash, I have probably only followed a dress or knitting pattern a few times, I like to make things my own, and I don't like being told what to do ;-) None of my items are ever the same even though they may be similar, all my bags and clothes turn out differently because I like to chop and sew!



Q8-Funniest time?

A- Alex-Not related to sewing at all! My husband and I had been laying speaker cable under the floor with the help of our daughters, we taped the cable to a metal measuring tape to pass it under the floor more easily. When we had finished my husband asked our younger daughter to cut the tape from the end. She just cut the end two inches from the tape measure which then whirred round and round inside the case much to her shock. I think we would have been cross had it not been so very funny! You can read my blog post about it here http://daisiedavies.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-we-laughed.html



Q9-Favourite blogs?

.A-Alex- I really love Jennyflowerblue; http://jennyflowerblue.blogspot.com// we have lots in common and I always feel we are on the same wavelength!!

I am good 'real life' friends with Swirly; .chttp://swirlyarts.blogspotom/ who shares my passion for recycling.

Jackie is an amazing lady who make the most wonderful creations with felt and velvet; http://dogdaisychains.blogspot.com/

And Emma is a good read and inspiration too; http://emma-bagladee.blogspot.com/

I read many blogs but if I listed everyone we'd be here all day!!



Q10.Whats your current best selling item?

A- Bags! I sell most of them at fairs though, I think people like to try on and feel fabrics and see the fit for themselves. Oh and buttons! I have a huge stash of french reclaimed buttons that are great for all kinds of crafting projects (and stroking) that I sell in 100g grab bags.



Q11-Favourite food

A-. Marmite soldiers!

Join Me For A Mystical Encounter Of The Best Kind!

Hi everyone, sometimes I think perhaps I am a bit of a Style Aura, commonly known as Trend spotter. I thought I might have a bit of fun sharing some trends with you that I was rocking, and even designing three years ago, that are now here on the highstreet! At number one, see this gorgeous leather dress, we all have diffent names for the colour, some of us call it toffee, some pumpkin and some including me, call it rust, a huge colour this fall. I was sniggered at by friends, for taking a shine to this colour two seasons ago. I fell in love with how classy it looks with ivory, black and slate blue, it also looks fab with yellow!! At number two, my second Style/Eco prediction, which I began designing and trying to secure a patent for (I kid you not!!!) was a fashionable shopping basket on roller blade wheels. Made out of waterproof fabric and printed in limited edition prints and bright colours.My mission to create a shopping bag on wheels, every woman of every age would be proud to sport around town, saving the planet and keeping them fit at the same time! Now M&S are producing them and other high street names. At number three, wearing a necklace over your winter coat, a really unique trend with regal tendencies, set to be big this A/W. I decided to play around with wearing necklaces outside my coat, last A/ W and eased my way in,  by wearing a large black pompom necklace that I created, over a colbalt blue coat, modeled here by Burberry for this A/W and looking very chic. Finally, at number four, I very nearly entered a competition to design an item of denium for a huge jean company some three years ago, unfortunately I ran out of time and had to abandon my entry! My design was a two piece denim suit that looked like a one piece denium jump suit, practical and chic. Detailing included, puff sleeves and collar, cut to represent broaderie anglaise fabric, underlaid with lemon fabric, so you got a feminine denim and yellow lace effect. A broad sash with rivet detailing all over it, that tied in a huge bow at the back of the suit, to make it a little sassy! A fitted bodice with side zipper a full trouser, tapering at the ankle, suggested acessories, baseball boots or fifties style pumps.I could kick myself that I didn't manage to get my entry in, given how huge the jumpsuit is at present!!! If you have had any style predictions that have become hot trends this year, I would love to hear about them. Sx     

Itch and Stitch award, how lucky am I !

Hi there, I just had to give a little bit of blog love up for the wonderful Suzie at itch2stitch , who presented me with this adorable award, she is soooo clever, she designed this herself.If you are in the slightest bit crafty or enjoy cross stitch or embroidery or getting creative you will enjoy a visit to her site!  

Sharon xx

The Thrill Of Improvisation

Hi there, sometimes we want an accessory that allows us to be playful and creative with our Style. British company Whistles, accessories reflect this mood perfectly, allowing us to rediscover the simplicity of childhood objects and recreating the same wonder and curiosity we felt as young children, by transforming the every day, in unexpected ways. A silver pencil sharpener becomes a ring, golden nuts become a bracelet. But, I love the fact that their accessories also invite you to adapt them in other ways, their clever black and white checked and striped scarf can be worn as a headscarf, checked side round, or as a edgy scarf. I have a feeling Maria Conifer of Lulu Letty would fall in love with its black and white charms.My favourite piece from Whistles accessory collection, is the black enamelled rollerboot key ring, complete with gold pegasus wings, a beautiful fantasy take on the old style scateboot.The magic of this piece, is in it ability to morph seamlessly from a key ring, pendant for a long neck chain, to a bag charm and how about a zip pull on a chunky zip.Finally if you fancy recreating this years edgy hardwear for just a few pounds, get down to your local hard wear store, need I say more. S x 

visit Whistles to check out the new A/W seasons  hottest looks!
  

Add Some Sparkle To Your Life....

Hi there, my latest post was part inspired by a new hobby I'm due to start, glamorous female Australian Icons and the huge trend for wearing sequins this Autumn/Winter!My new hobby, which I am soon to begin thanks to a chance conversation with a friend is Tap Dancing. Me being me, I was soon propelled into the heady world of which style of tap shoes I might wear, glitzy, Cuban heels, with velvet ribbons? One thing led to another and before I knew it I was imagining glamour beyond belief, but the key feature here, apart from the Joy of Sequins, was of course lashing of sequins, perhaps a few feathers here and there and a sprinkle of lime sparkly eye shadow and of course those Ruby slippers, sorry Ive gone off track again!! I mean of course those all important dance shoes!

When I finally calmed down a little, I thought perhaps on balance that my more is more approach, should really be confined to my tap dancing classes and not my day to day wardrobe. In other words even us Style Consultants, get side tracked in the name of glamour!

So here is my take on this Autumn/Winters sequintastic trend, current looks this season working this hot trend are, punk, biker chic, theatre and disco. There are lots of shift dresses and Ts embellished with sequins,but these can be unflattering around the midriff area, as they reflect light and anything which reflects light generally make us look bigger. However a sequined hat or scarf, throws light onto the face, always flattering, and allows us to do day time sequins with ease. If you are going for sequins as a shift dress and want to keep this look daytime, accessorise with muted colours and steer away from satin, if you decide to pair your shift with a blazer. Keep jewelery minimal or go without. A pair of Jazz flats, pumps, or a low flat ankle boot, will help keep the look wearable.Save the full on disco bling for the evening or a tap class if I have tempted you. S x

The My Passport To Style Blog Awards-The 4 winners are.....

Hi there, lovely blogging community and welcome to the My Passport to Style, blog awards, today I am tagging the following fabulous bloggers to receive the Irresistible Blog Award, I have chosen them because they are original, entertaining, very sweet and have great ethics. Having quite alot in common with blogger, Shes Got A Passion For Fashion, in that I love beautiful clothing, baking and entertaining.I decided to invite the 4 nominated bloggers to play a little stylish game with us.I have chosen 4 of my favourite vintage finds that relate to Stylish entertaining in some way, an art deco wall vase, a mosaic cake cover, pineapple beaded drinks cover and the adorable rosebud tea set for two. I am inviting them to select one object that reflects their personal Style of entertaining best and let us know why. S xx

Shes Got A Passion For Fashion

Lulu Letty

Plush Palate

Marvelous Kiddo

Welsh Style File - Lots of Welsh Rare-bits!

Hi great to be back! Thank-you for all the lovely comments you left me, it was a great welcome!I thought you might appreciate my pick up of all things Welsh and Stylish,which includes a picture of the area I stayed in, in Abersoch, as well as my favourite really Stylish and inspirational actors and singers, including some men for a change! Some of you wont be surprised I picked the gorgeous Anthony Hopkins, I love his confidence in wearing simple clothing well. His charisma is electric! Rhys Ifans, may seem a unlikely Style Icon, his style when he is not acting alternates between scruffy chic, to country gentleman, but I love his care free attitude and how he seems so at home in his own skin. This shot of him from the film, The Boat That Rocked, is awesome! I totally heart his Style, bang on trend this winter season by the way.Which just goes to show that true Style, needs a sprinkle of attitude and confidence along with a well cut Wardrobe! Those of you who adored Rhys Ifans clad in his underpants in the film Notting Hill will know exactly what I mean when I say its his imperfections that make him sooo perfect! Duffy had to be in with my pick of Wesh Style Icons, being as I love the substance that vintage can lend to a gals wardrobe, usually because clothes were generally much better tailored in bygone years.She embodies a simpler time and is truly inspirational! My Welsh Style file would not be complete without Welsh designer Julienne McDonald, his Autumn/Winter collection is so creative, he understands how to dress women. I thought you might appreciate this stunning piece from Julienne McDonald's Autumn/Winter collection, it really speaks of his Style elegant, flamboyant and just a little sexy! I couldn't resist throwing in some gorgeous handmade Welsh shoes for good measure, brogues are huge for women this Autumn/Winter, for women wanting to Chanel the androgynous trend and it doesn't get much better than these vintage inspired handmade Mary Jane shoes. The creative design/detailing (note the scalloped edges) is breath taking. Oh and I had to bring back this chic woven tweed clutch, with sky blue, silk lining. Tweed is big news this season, but Welsh tweed in particular is pretty special!

Sharon x

Abersoch Here I Come!

Hi my lovely followers, I'm off to Abersoch in Wales for a week to help my family move house and to soak up the lovely air. Look forward to seeing you when I get back. I love welsh cakes, there kinda of like scones but flatter, cooked on a iron griddle, they have a lovely flavour of nutmeg and Cinnamon with sugar sprinkled on top, lovely with butter and a cup of tea.Then there is the rustic barabrith also a great traditional tea time treat there, a dense fruit tea loaf bursting with orange peel. What always reminds me of Abersoch the most apart from the cakes, is the wild gorse, bright saffron yellow in colour, the juxtaposition of each stem of the flowers stems shooting out in all directions, somehow makes me think of a haphazard firework display.Look forward to reading all your comments, when I get back, hope your having a great summer and having fun with your wardrobe! Sx

Tea Room Chic, Autumn/Winter Style

This post has been inspired by the English tradition of afternoon tea and the tea dress. I thought it was about time I held a tea party and served up some Delicious slices of Style advice for all you feminine and stylish gals out there.This Autumn /winter, floral dresses feature big time, worn with textured fabrics such as tweed and wool, giving a lovely vintage country feel or toughened up with studs, leather and a shiny cuff.Warehouse has come up smelling of roses, with there magnificent take on floral dresses for winter as I think you will agree. I have have featured my top lust haves from Warehouse .What I love about this trend is that it is so cheerful! We cant always have sunshine, but at least we can have flowers to brighten our day.

So here's my fool proof guide to wearing this trend, I know the rock chicky way, is to toughen up the look with black, but lets get realistic, most of us can look a little pasty and washed out in the winter months, particularly us paler skinned beauties.Large quantities of black can also cheapen colour. My advice is accessorise your look with neutrals colours such as the belts and jackets and cardigans featured here. This will create a more expensive look and help reflect light onto your face.If you wish to wear tough spiky black boots, no problem, but wear with grey, or soft pink tights. Want to go floral and slightly punky with a twist of Cindy Lauper, then add a pair of clashing coloured tights, but stick to neutrals on top.

See you soon

Sharon x