A few things

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments on my Mad Men Elisalotte! Sometimes I really get too hung up on the negatives and forget that I MADE A DRESS! I still have to remind myself that this, in itself, is an achievement! Julia said it's "a knock out" (and coming from her that means A LOT. I mean, have you seen her?!). And the By Hand London girls have said they "absolutely adore" it, and Elisalex herself said it was "beautiful"! I am now basking in the glow of praise...

Thanks to everyone's positivity, I am considering revisiting the dress and improving the fit if I can. Shar suggested I look at Janelle's post, which pretty accurately describes some of the problems I had and having looked at other peoples versions, I think Elisalex is right - the bodice is maybe just too big all over. I think I forgot that it's designed to have no ease and is meant to be very fitted. But since revisiting it means an element (a LOT) of soul-destroying unpicking, first I need a quick fix of positivity. A nice and easy to make project that won't take up much time or thought and will make me happy! Not quite sure what that will be yet, but I did start cutting out a Mathilde last night...

Next up: do you want to see what I received through the Nautical craft swap?

As you can see, I was too excited to wait until I got home to open them, so here is a photo of the lovely packaging, taken in my car! I actually went straight to the hairdressers after this, so there was NO WAY I could wait that long to open it!

And now some better pictures, taken once I got home, of the contents.

A beautiful printed and embroidered lavender pillow. Isn't that vintage postcard print just fab?

Needle case and pin cushion - both of which I needed! Look at the embroidery on the pin cushion - it's about a million french knots!

The outside of the needle case - patchwork and lace trim on the back.

And a gift of some very cute little pins!

Louise absolutely nailed this for me! I had let her know that I love birds and an anchor motif, which she covered very well. I hadn't mentioned though that I also love seahorses, or that vintage postcard look, so she hit gold! And how funny that we both needed, and made, needle cases!

And finally...

 'I, Helen of Grosgrain Green, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear one self made garment each day for the duration of May 2013'

I have given some debate to this challenge as although I love the idea of it, I just am not sure I have enough garments to see me through. But having done a quick review of my wardrobe, I have counted the following:

Tops - 5 blouses, 1 t-shirt, plus 1 "going out" blouse (my graphic print kimono sleeve blouse)
Bottoms - 4 skirts
Dresses - 3, plus my Elisalotte

This should be enough. I can also whip up a couple of additional simple blouses (am thinking Mathilde and maybe a Sorbetto) and possibly another Charlotte, or a simple skirt of some description, to bulk things out. Work will be a cinch as most of my makes are the kind of smart/casual that I wear there. It's weekends that will be trickier. My weekend uniform usually comprises of a striped breton tee with skinny jeans, and it'll be hard to give this particular addiction up. But then the challenge is just that. It's not meant to be easy, so this will hopefully get me thinking more creatively about my wardrobe. I will just need to get on top of my laundry to make sure I have something clean to wear every day! :) Not sure how I'll go with the photos, but I will try to capture as many outfits as possible, and will aim to post once a week, for my sanity as much as yours.

What about you? Are you signing up for the challenge? What are you working on now?

H x