Even though Jane"s instructions were amazingly clear it took my little beginner brain actually seeing the movement - after that it was so easy and I"m a Bias convert! Sorry for the picture below, I know how eerie (and boring) faceless pictures are but I"m not up to posting my silly facials on the Internet yet... give me time!

So what do I like about it?

Well it"s really pretty, and Tasia"s instructions were invaluable for a beginner. Also it seems like one of those patterns that you could make loads of little adjustments to make each blouse unique. Look at me! Talking like I know about sewing. I say it because I"ve seen a few alterations like Jane"s below and they"re really cute - I"m even going to attempt my own!

What don"t I like about it?

My complaints are currently limited to my own talent. I found it a bit difficult to work with such slippery fabric, especially when it came to cutting. The only other thing was fitting - My abilities of tissue fitting are horrible but I take zero blame for that - I"m currently under the impression you need to have as many arms as Shiva, a gazillion-jointed-spine, and eyes in the back of your head (or a dress form worth AU$450) to be able to fit on your own body. So I"ve caved and just ordered "Fit for Real People" hopefully those divas on the front cover will show me how to wear shoulder pads with pride!

What about doing French seams?

Eep! After doing French seams on the shoulders I got totally distracted by my bias-tape dilemma and forgot to do them! From my limited experience they were super easy, and they look much nicer than my other seams as I kick it old-school and don"t have a Serger... that"s just how I roll.

Would I make it again?

Heck yeah Grizzly Bear! I"ve already got my fabric and I"m going to make a few adjustments to the pattern so it fits better, not to mention do it a little "neater" this time. I might even be adventurous and make a few minor changes with the detail? I"m thinking buttons, because who doesn"t like buttons? If you want to see more you can check out the Flickr Group, but I just had to point out the one below because I think she"s hot stuff.

VIA «Fit for Real People» by Jane Storm

The Banana Man

People change their hairstyles with a cut or dye when they want to reinvent themselves. Complice, our hair salon, is the best place for these people. We respect the wishes and opinions of customers and are confident we can give them great satisfaction with our expertise. In the posters, we refer to change not only on the outside but also on the inside by using the image of carving or peeling fruit on a plate. The idea of using fruit makes our brand concept more impressive and appealing to people.

Geo: Japan;
Category: Professional services;
Brand: Complice Hair Salon;
Advertising Agency: Three & Co., Japan;
Copywriter: Hiroyuki Hayashi;
Art Director/Designer: Masaki Fukumori;
Photography: Keisuke Nishitani;
Artists: Masaki Fukumori, Mitsuhiro Minamitsuji;
Stylist: Mitsuhiro Minamitsuji.

VIA «The Hairdresser Salon» by Jane Storm

VIA «Bachelorette Parties - Idea #11: Atlantic City» by Jane Storm

The Astrology of New Time

A coming 2012 is the Year of a Black Water Dragon — the mythical unit possessing very strong strong-willed character, very different from all other zodiac signs. The Year promises to become difficult, but invariably interesting time, difficulties of the personal plan will have something in common with world scale problems, but to solve all of them is necessary together, together with the All World Community.

The Black Dragon Horoscope

The 2012 Black Dragon Year will be very favorable for the creativity of sensual emotions. The Dragon have a respect for a not ordinary people, active which are able and like to work with a spark, enthusiasm, with the creative approach and the imagination. In a global scale the New Age will show a many names among the new artists, actors, musicians, designers.

This Year"s period can how to present incredible success in the business and material welfare, and also fake an old honor if the person was lazy, passive and boring. A different types of the horoscopes in 2012 surround nevertheless the four uniform elements: riches, longevity, harmony and virtue.

Don"t Gossips, But Do the Good Deeds!

The Dragon possesses excellent health, surplus of a vital force and a positive activity, doesn"t a trifles and doesn"t play into the hypocrite and also isn"t capable to a malignant gossip. The 2012 Dragon for the life will not feel need because can succeed everywhere, in any business.

For a high-grade work, to head for true success, all representatives of a zodiac circle should be free from the unnecessary communications, uninteresting work. At the very beginning of the Dragon"s Year it"s possible to change safely work, to begin training, to sort out relations with the favorite people.

VIA «The Dragon Horoscope» by Jane Storm

As I"m sewing my 1950"s Violet Wiggle Dress it reminded me of the set of photographs I once saw on the LIFE archives. A few of you know I"ve been to Russia a few times, once when I was 15 with my very adventurous father (Russia was his type of vacation) and then after high school with the intent to study Russian History. To make a long story short I ended up being very homesick and my stay was brief. Still, it"s one of my favorite places in the world and I"ve had the privilege to see. Since then I love learning about Russian history, the good and the bad, and seeing it through art and photography are one of my favorite things to do.

Dior in Moscow

In 1959 the Soviet Union decided to get with the times and host some fashion shows. Does Yves Saint Laurent"s Russian Collection ring a bell? Dior decided to bring their "New Look" straight to the people at GUM, which is like Russia"s version of Galleria, located directly in Red Square. Back then it had more sensible shops for the working comrades, today it hosts over 200 luxury brands like Dior.

Red Square in Soviet Union

Dior had it their mind just to walk with the people at GUM, who by their expressions seemed horrified and curious all at the same time.

I"m kind of loving the floral dresses that nearly all of the women are wearing. Kind of wish I stuck around Moscow for a few days more just to do some vintage shopping. Wait while I add it to my bucket list.

Despite loving Dior... Well because it"s Dior...

VIA «Dior in the Soviet Union (Moscow City)» by Jane Storm

VIA «Bachelorette Parties- Idea #16: Bahamian Shark Adventure» by Jane Storm

Time is now growing worldwide popularity of so-called a rain chains, which are much more beautiful option for accumulation rainwater than conventional gutters. Among the many original ideas for the house, they are quite ancient, their motherland is Japan.

Usual Chain, but Unusual Look

The rain chains are spread all over the world, presenting an opportunity for all people to use the unusual design of the usual things. Such chains rain — offer many opportunities for developing imagination and realization of creative ideas. It can be like a normal chain of traditional weaving, mounted directly below a roof of house.

Also, the accumulated rainwater can be used for watering house plants. Functional and beautiful rain chains will be real gem of country house and garden plot. They will help make the exterior of house as something incredible.

Simple mounting makes easy fixing to any system for effective rainwater accumulation. And sending the water directly into beautiful bowls, vessels, bright colorful barrels for water will be directly to the target.

The rain chain may consist of a variety elements in the form of funnels, bells, fish, tea cups and saucers, teapots, umbrellas, flowers, flowery different weaves, etc. Just look what a beauty!

VIA «Simple Chains Magic» by Jane Storm

VIA «On Our Radar: Public Chicago» by Jane Storm

Copyright by smart | Design Aram Dikiciyan
smart urban stage is a global online project dealing with the term FUTURE OF THE CITY. We ask pioneers from metropolises around the world to question the urban status quo. the results are visions, ideas and solutions for sustainable lifestyles, modern social systems and forward-looking developments in the fields of architecture, design and technology. the worldwide event series is exhibiting ideas and solutions of forward thinking future makers. the brand behind this online project is the car manufacturer smart, which hosted special events throughout Europe during the last two years.

VIA «Smart’s Future of the City Continues» by Jane Storm

VIA «Lulu Guiness Luggage» by Jane Storm

VIA «Bachelorette Parties- Idea #18: Vegas Review» by Jane Storm

Ariel via Saatchi & Saatchi London are launching a pan-European campaign that moves away from the traditional product demos of detergent TV ads, and focuses instead on people as clothes and their relationships with them. In this opening UK spot, a woman complains about her husband"s new hobby, and garish kit.

Brand: Procter & Gamble;
Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi;
Country: United Kingdom;
Category: Household, garden & pets;
Client: Procter & Gamble;
Production: Production International/Crossroads Films.

VIA «New Hobby» by Jane Storm