How Much Love Can A Doll Give?

Take a ball of wadding, pretty floral fabric and some cotton cording  - What could a child possibly get from that?

A friend to bring you comfort, a companion to share your adventures and a confidant to listen to your dreams.  

These beautiful handmade dolls are the wonderful creation of Gill Gray, Director of, Friends of Build Your Future Today Australia. An NGO organisation dedicated to helping Cambodian communities build skills for self-sustainability, education, health and employment.

Gill makes each unique doll by hand and no sewing is required. There are girl and boy dolls, each one brought to life by tying cord to form the head, body, legs and arms. Ultimately, the aim is for these dolls to end up in the arms of Cambodian children. It's hard to imagine, but for these children holding one of these dolls is usually the first toy they've ever had. 

I recently had the privilege of buying one of Gill's dolls and I just had to share my experience with you.

So, how does this work? With the doll comes a greeting card in which you write your message. The NGO receives your donation, a child receives the doll and card you've purchased for them and you receive a doll kit in a drawstring bag - one to make yourself. What an amazing gift!

One completed doll and doll kit. How fabulous!

Gill has found a truly creative way to raise not only well needed money, but also build awareness about this amazing cause. If you're interested in donating a doll to a child in Cambodia, you can email Gill at, gill.gray@friendsofbftaustralia.org or text/phone on 0409 783 295. She'll be delighted to hear from you.

Photo by Gill Gray

I think this picture says it all!

Enjoy your creative life, Jules

The Long and Short Of It!

The Autumn/Winter seasons means wearing closer fitting long-sleeved tops, raised necklines and gorgeous sweaters. Neutral tones become our wardrobe staples once the weather turns cooler. But don't forget about your stash of costume jewellery, normally reserved for summertime. Give those short and long necklaces a Winter outing. Here are some of my favourites pieces.

Rose gold makes a striking contrast over dark colours.

The classic black and white combination - timeless!

Make it chunky - wear two pieces together.

I've found some great costume jewellery at places like, Lovisa, Colette Hayman, Decjuba and Zara. Play around with your tops and necklaces until you get a look you love!.

Enjoy your creative life, Jules

Putting Pen To Paper

When was the last time you wrote a letter? The kind of letter that involves a little bit of ceremony - making a tea or coffee then sitting down at a table with pen and paper and actually writing to someone by hand. There's also the follow up - attaching a postage stamp and posting the letter. 

My son Nick and I were chatting recently about the lost art of letter writing when he suggested that for one year, we correspond by writing letters. Because I love everything associated with letter writing - writing paper, pens, wax seals and the act of writing by hand, I jumped at the idea.

While gathering up my writing equipment, I came across a box of letters I've kept over the years. What I love most about a hand-written letter is not just the conversation that takes place on the page but the writing itself. All of us have our own unique hand or script and we can instantly recognise the handwriting of those close to us. Research has shown writing by hand eases stress, gives you time to organise your thoughts and sharpens your memory. 

More than anything else, receiving a hand-written letter is a record of a specific time, place and person in your life. A gift to treasure. Somehow, reading back over old emails (if we still have them) just isn't the same as reading a hand-written letter by someone you love. I have letters from a friend that still make me laugh to this day and one I received from my father when I was in my early 20's. Whenever I read his letter, I hear his voice. And all because he took the time to put pen to paper! I'm so glad he did. 

Who Made Your Clothes?

There are a lot of people wanting answers to this question, spurred on by the Fashion Revolution movement and the recent Fashion Revolution Week (April 23-29). It's time to take stock of where fashion manufacturing is at and how we can get more out of the clothes we already own.

Image by lazybones.com.au

I grew up as one fashion era was ending - the era tailoring and dressmaking, and another fashion era was beginning - the explosion of mass market designer labels. As a teenager I was always sewing and so were my girlfriends. Back in the 1970's shopping was nothing like it is today. Multi-story shopping complexes were rare, internet shopping didn't exist and global brand marketing was yet to happen. Every suburb across Australia had a local fabric store full of beautiful materials and commercial dress patterns. There was always a neighbour, aunty or family friend who could whip up an outfit from a few metres of linen, wool crepe or silk taffeta.

Although those days have gone, there's a huge shift back to home sewing, repurposing clothing, mending and altering garments. Why? Because as humans we strive to do things that bring enjoyment and meaning to our lives. And creating something yourself is right up there on the enjoyment scale.

My poppy print A-line skirt and cotton lycra top.

I know not everyone is a sewer, but I've lost count of the number of woman who've told me they'd love to be able to sew or at least be able to make alterations to their own clothes. Even if you don't sew, take a good look at a garment before you decide to get rid of it. Can it be reinvented in some way? Find someone who does alterations and see if they can breath new life into some of the clothes you no longer wear:

• lengthen or shorten a hem
• change the shape of a pair of pants by running in the leg
• remove the bodice of a dress and repurpose the skirt section
• put in a new zipper or elastic
• add darts to a garment to give a better fit

I haven't sewn for myself in ages but I'm back into it and absolutely loving it. Nothing too complicated - like the poppy print skirt in the photo above, I've gone mad for floral prints. 

The hardest decision is choosing which fabric to sew first.

By the time spring comes around these colourful prints will be hanging in my wardrobe. I'll keep you posted and show you the finished product. 

Enjoy your creative life, Jules

Skirting The Issue!

What's supposedly 'IN' in fashion is constantly changing, so it was only a matter of time before we saw the return of the longer skirt - one of my all time favourite silhouettes. Below the knee, mid calf, on the ankle or just above the floor - the longer skirt has got to be one of the most comfortable designs to wear.  

Witchery shirt 

You can change the whole look of a skirt by styling it with - the big chunky sweater, a tailored jacket, a T-skirt, flowing boho top or classic white shirt.

Witchery skirt

Over the years I've added a variety of longer line skirts to my wardrobe. I love the way a longer skirt moves with you. Dress a skirt up with a pair of heels or for a bit more attitude, toss on a pair of ankle boots. 

Some of my favourite skirts.

You don't have to be tall to carry off a longer length skirt. Play around with the various lengths on offer until you find one that works for you, and have fun!

Enjoy your creative life, Jules

Fashion Event Shout Out!

I just have to share this event which is taking place in Sydney from April 5 - 21 - and it's free!

Fashion Hub, at the Sherman Centre for Culture and Ideas in Paddington, features over 30 events including international guest speakers, performances and workshops. Sessions include such topics as,

• The Art of Fashion
• Fashioning Men
• Fashion Business Futures
• Collectors

The objective - "Our aim is to provide a vibrant platform for the exchange of the most challenging and engaging ideas on architecture and fashion, within the broader context of culture." (Dr Gene Sherman - Founder and Executive Director)

I'm attending all day Saturday and can't wait. I'm hoping to be stimulated, challenged, engaged and inspired. How much fun can a girl have?

Enjoy your creative life, Jules

Classic Rocky Road!

There's something special about homemade confectionary - fun to make, eat and give away. Four simple ingredients are are all you need to make this delicious Rocky Road.

One bag of marshmallows, 3 bags of wild raspberries, 2 cups of unsalted peanuts and 4 blocks of good quality chocolate.

Chop marshmallows and wild raspberries in half and melt chocolate over a double saucepan of hot water. Remove the melted chocolate from the heat and add all ingredients to the chocolate and mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a tin lined with baking paper. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into chunky pieces. 

Make your Rocky Road using milk or dark chocolate - add cashew nuts if you prefer. Yum!

Enjoy your creative life, Jules

Bring On The Beret!

Waking up in Sydney to the cooler Autumn mornings has me diving into my stash of berets. Wool felt, knitted, PVC or leather - take your pick. The beret has been around for thousands of years and has been a fashion staple of poets, artists, singers and writers over a century. 

Inexpensive and fun to wear, a beret gives an outfit that little twist of individuality. It also provides the instant solution to a bad hair day!

The colours, textures and shapes of berets are endless. 

Marilyn Monroe

Bridget Bardot

Diana Kruger

Beyonce

Why not try a beret this Autumn/Winter - just for the fun of it?

Enjoy your creative life, Jules

Re-loved Fashion!

As a big fan of re-loving clothes, Rita Moreno has stolen my heart! 

When she walked the Red Carpet at this years Oscar's, she showed the world re-purposed fashion at it's best. I just love the fact that she'd kept and cared for this dress for 56 years. All too often we discard clothing that, with a some simple alterations, can worn again. 

• the hem taken up or let down
• the bodice section removed
• the garment unpicked and the fabric repurposed

A dress I've had for 4 years but I wasn't wearing it. Why?

I love this floral dress, but every time I put it on I'd take if off again. It was the length. It was too short for me and made me feel self conscious. Solution? Drop the existing hem length and add a false hem.

Using a 4cm bias strip of fabric to create a new hem.

Fortunately there was a 4cm hem I could let down to give the dress extra length.

Dress reborn with a length I feel comfortable in.

And in honour of Rita and her beautifully repurposed dress, I just had to listen to the magical music from West Side Story, while sewing. I'll be signing "Maria" for days!

Enjoy your creative life, Jules

Autumn Berry Cake!

This super easy recipe, given to me by my sister, is fast becoming one of my favourites. I've made it using regular flour and gluten free flour and it works beautifully either way. 

Cake Base - Mix together - 1 cup plain flour, 100g melted butter, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking power, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence. 

Cake Base Topping - 3 cups fresh or frozen mixed berries well drained.

Cake Topping - Mix together - 2 cups sour cream, 1/2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons custard powder, 2 egg yolks, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius . Line a 20 cm spring form tin with baking paper. Spoon cake base mixture into tin and press down (mixture should be slightly firm). Pour berries over the cake base mixture and then pour the cake topping over the berries. Cake should be firm to touch when cooked. Bake 50 - 60 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.

Cake base mixture

Berries on top of cake base

Sour cream & custard topping - cake completed!

Just add cream, coffee and conversation. Yum!

Enjoy your creative life, Jules