Saturday, October 31, 2009

Monaco, some more sculptures

Monaco is crowded small city, but they find places for art in the streets. A few sculptures we have discovered on our trip:

































Saturday, October 24, 2009

V1129


Pattern Description:
MISSES' JACKET: Unlined, fitted jacket with pockets, drape, two-piece sleeves and topstitch trim, above mid-knee length.
Pattern Sizing:
AA(6-8-10-12), EE(14-16-18-20). I made size 14
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, even more than the picture on the envelope
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, as long as I did not try to guess what was coming. I mean, just follow the instructions as they are, and it will work beautifully.
Take you time to cut the fabrics (and take your space too).
Not a lot of markings to do, but do them. I think that is the key for all patterns, for this one in particular.
Oh, be careful, the pieces are cut one after the other, not on a double layer of fabric. I knew I could easily cut two left arms, for example. So I was very carefull.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
It is an easy pattern, yet it is not boring, it is even a bit challenging.
The hems are turned inside twice. My fabric was rather thick, and the edges remain clean, so I turned them only once. Twice would have been too thick.
Fabric Used:
Felted wool. Red, just the color I wanted.
There was another felted wool, with embroidery on it. A beautiful fabric, but I'm glad I chose the simple one. I think the pattern is spectacular in itself and the embroidery would have been too much.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Only shortened it, by about 12 cm (3"), as I'm not tall. I like the two lines provided to do so, at the bust and at the waist (approximately).
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I prefer to have it as an unique piece in my wardrobe. But I do recommend it.
Conclusion:

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Hair ...

Right now, the rain is pouring outside, and the wind is blowing so strong that watching the trees across the street made me seasick!
Not a ggod day to go to the hairdresser. But if you still fancy an new hair cut, here are a few ideas, from Monaco.
         







Thank you for your comments on the previous pics from Monaco. It is a pleasure to share them with you.
Emilie too thanks you for the comment on the sarouel.

If you want a break from the rain, stop by Amandine's blog: Amandine in Wonderland
We met on MSN a few hours ago, she came back from a date... with orang-otangs...(btw, I don't know the correct spelling ...). Surely she will post soon about this adventure.

As soon as I can, I'll make pictures of my last projects, but today, this was not an option...
In the meantime, take care!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Bird watching in Monaco

Painted and embellished cows are very fashionable, right ?
But Monaco is a city a bit different from the others, right ?
So you won't be surprised by embellished cows, but by birds!

My favorite one is the Unchain my Heart bird, but see for yourself which you like best:
View slideshow

PS I'm sure I did not see all the birds, bird watching is the same everywhere, you have to look carefully to see the birds :-)
I've tried to find more information about those birds, in vain...

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Jumping Emilie

Emilie is a fan of sarouels. And I found a good pattern by Valérie, from Parfum du Ciel.

For this one, I have painted a tree of life on one side.




The photos are made by Antoine who share a flat with Emilie. Thank you Antoine for your help!

Monaco, Japanese Garden

Glad you liked the visit of Dali theater museum! I wish I could have shown you more...
Thanks also for you comments about Amandine. She has been away for one week, and well, I miss her ...
Right now she is in the Perhentian islands, enjoying herself on the beach. 


Talking of travel, let me take you to Japan, kind of...


Imagine a busy, crowded town. You are in a street full of the noise of cars. You turn the corner, and all of sudden, it is quiet. You are in another world. You are in the Japanese Garden of Monaco, built on top of parking lot, in the middle of the city. 
This garden has been designed by Japanese landscape architect Yasuo Beppu, winner of the Osaka Flower Exhibition.
All the "furniture" in it come from Japan. Plants come from all around the world. 



Enjoy the tour!



















Friday, October 2, 2009

Figueres and Dali - photo heavy

After Tossal del Mar and Girona, we arrived in Figueres to spend the night.
At the hotel, we have been spoiled, and the dinner was yummy.
In the morning, we went downtown.
We saw flying cows:

We stopped at a chemist. It looks very old fashioned and like family. Clearly the customers were returning customers, meeting there to exchange all the news from the weekend. A kind of cosy place for elderly people. Very amazing.
Our next views of the town where "classical":




Then we arrived at the Dali's museum. Amandine was a bit upset, she had Dali's house in mind, which is apparently on the coast. Not that far away and I was ready to drive to that house until we realized that it was closed on Mondays, starting with this very Monday.
Since we were in front of the museum, we took our tickets but I can tell you we were ready for the worst.


In fact none of us knew much about Dali. She had the melting clock in mind, and I some TV add for Lanvin chocolate when I was a kid. You see how ignorant we are...
So, on we go. The first room is hudge. And for me it was like entering in a fairy tale. No more regrets.  The eyes and the ears are caught (there is music playing). My first thought was "it is perfect!".


You see the painting with Abraham Lincoln? Depending on where you are, you see Lincoln, or Gala watching the sea.



Just a few pictures from other rooms:





We could have taken many, many pictures. Each more beautiful that the others.
Go to the museum site for a virtual visit, especially of the first room.
As you go out of the museum, you can visit an exhibition of jewels made by Dali. He made them for the beauty of it. They are not all wearable, for technical or economical reasons but they are all beautiful.
And this one is striking:
 
We both just loved this visit. It left sparkles in our eyes for a very, very long time.
I was amazed by all the technics and knowledges Dali used. I heard he was a genius, and I do agree.
Oh, and Gala... Anythime there was a painting with her on it, it said LOVE...