Fabric swatches: which one do you like?

I wanted to buy some new knit fabric prints. I have three options, images of each are below. As you can see, they are all the same print, just in different colour-ways.



1. Mocha Blue



2. Charcoal



3. Blue

So, what do you think? I am considering using the blue colour-way, but I like the others too, so this is where your opinions count!

I was thinking of using the print to make either a dress, perhaps like the Jade Bow Tie Dress (below)



or the Black and White Printed Bow Tie Top (below).



Please leave your comments below or on the Penelope Red facebook page

Etsy Hand Crochet

There is nothing quite like a beautiful hand crocheted or knitted garment or scarf! If you take good care of them they will last forever, and each one is always unique to the rest... just imagine: every single loop and knot was created by hand- no machine's involved at all!

I thought I would show you a few of my favourites from etsy.



Crochet Fuchsia scarf, Tropical flower inspired by VitalTemptation.



Gray Mohair Cardigan, Limited Edition by sweetknitting



Red Salsa Shrug by trendyknitting.

My Mum can knit and crochet, and I have featured some of her work in this blog posting here. Knitting and crochet is the one creative avenue I have not been able to master or pick up. I do intend to give it another try, but I guess my sewing and other activities always take me in another direction. I guess this is why I admire hand crocheted and hand knitted garments so much, as it is something I can't do!

I have been lucky recently to find some vintage hand crocheted lace and trims, which I have started to place on some garments in my new range: The Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection.

One of the designs which has the crocheted lace: The Regency Gathered Neck Blouse.

Penelope Red at The Rocks Market: 13th & 14th March 2010

Penelope Red will be trading at The Rocks Markets this coming Saturday 13th and Sunday, 14th of March, 2010. The trading hours are 10am til 5pm.

I have just finished making the very last copies of the Penelope Red Paris Bow Top- there is no more fabric left after these last few copies!



All of my designs are handmade by myself, and are all made in small quantities, so you have the pleasure of owning an unmistakable unique product!

Hope to see you there! Please note, my location changes on a weekly basis, and I will place a notice on my facebook page to let people know of my location by Friday at the latest.

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

New Style! The Venus Floral Bolero

I have finally had a chance to update this blog with a new Penelope Red design! Introducing the Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero.



I have deliberately used photos that only show you sections of the bolero, as I want to unveil the whole design in a photo shoot, which will be taking place later on in the month- so keep watching this space for more!

This new cropped jacket design was inspired by Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" painting, and Jane Austen. Read more about this here.



The main fabric is a gorgeous vintage screen printed cotton, which was purchased from an antique dealer a few months ago in Sydney. The ruffle is another vintage fabric, which I have previously used on the Victorian Pink Corset as well. I thought the ruffle accents the bold flowers with a more delicate feel- I like the idea that each woman that wears this has a little boldness to them, but also has a little delicate, feminine side to them as well.



The jacket or bolero has been fully lined, and I have added a lovely pink decorative blanket stitch to the edge of the hem.



I am currently working on other styles that will be a part of this mini-range. I can't wait to show you more! I already have a corset and a gathered neck blouse to include.

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

Updated on Tuesday 23rd March, 2010: I have added the Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero to my etsy shop. Please take a look at this beautiful design here!

The Penelope Red Silver Floral Corset Dress

The Silver Floral Corset Dress was added to my etsy shop a few days ago, and since I have loads of photos of this dress, I thought it would be a good idea to add a few more on this blog.



The centre back has been finished with an invisible zip, and a small diamante button securing the zip.




Inside, there is a lace-up corset; this makes the dress secure around your body, and creates a wasp-like waist!



I wanted to include as many of the photos as possible, as the location was beautiful, and I thought it really suits the style of the dress. I could imagine this dress being worn to many cocktail parties, weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions!



Take a look at the Purple Floral Corset Dress blog posting, to see more about the Penelope Red corset dresses.

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

Penelope Red Women: Happy Customers!

It always puts a smile on my face when I receive feedback from my customers, who tell me they love it, or they can't wait to wear it, etc. Its even better when they take the time to send me a little picture or two of them wearing the item- it really makes my day!

So the lovely Penelope Red Women out there who have been gracious enough to send me a little thank you, or who have sent me a little photo or two, I wanted to say a big THANK YOU!- You inspire me to create more and more!

Below, I have included a few photos and some comments from some of my lovely customers. Each of the customers included have given me permission to include their photo or comments on this blog.



"Thank you for my divine dress - it made me feel so special and lovely. It fits me perfectly and I look forward to many happy nights out in it!", from Lucy in Sydney- The Penelope Red Jade Bow Tie Dress.

"I’ll be wearing my new Paris Bow Top at the first opportunity - I love it!", Pamela in Sydney- The Paris Bow Top



Above, Olia from Moscow wears the St.Petersburg Blue Skies Skirt and Top.

"Fits well - so all good! Thanks for doing the alteration and posting so quickly. Will look forward to wowing Canberra!... (and later on)...it was fantastic to wear; with slim black pants and coral coloured sandals, the whole outfit worked perfectly for an occasion that went from outside afternoon drinks through to more formal evening dining and, even better, the wrap style and soft, drapey fabric made it really comfortable as well" Catherine in Sydney- the Coral Kimono



"I got the corset and wore it to my New Year's party. Thanks again. Everyone loved it!", from Lauren Amanda in New York- The Penelope Red Black and White Tuxedo Corset.

"I received my blouse this morning and it’s a gorgeous fit and several people have said it is stunning... (and later on)... By the way, about 5 people have said they love the blouse and I've only worn it twice, once in QLD and today for a farewell" from Gay.M. in Sydney- The Penelope Red Monet Pleated Blouse



Above, another great photo from Lucy.

"Thank you so much for the custom order. The blouse is very pretty and I can't wait for the compliments....Thank you so much, I appreciate the excellent service." Lucretia from the United States- The Autumn Flowers Blouse.



Above, Kiran wears the Penelope Red Tailored Winter Dress. Read more about this here.

The moral to the story: Happy Customers equals Happy Me!

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

The Blind Side: My movie review

A friend and I watched Sandra Bullock's new movie last night, "The Blind Side". I hadn't read any reviews or watched any previews; all I knew about it was that Sandra Bullock was in it, and she had an Oscar nomination for it. I thought I had to see it to believe it.

I always like Sandra Bullock movies- they are usually Romantic Comedies, filled with fluff, and very easy to watch- however, she is usually playing the same or very similar character in every movie.

So for those, like me, who do watch her movies, you will be surprised- pleasantly surprised when you watch The Blind Side. For once her character surprises you, and it is completely different to whatever she has done before.



Sandra plays a good willing Christian mother (Mrs Leigh Anne Tuohy) with a family, in a virtually all white society in the Southern States (yes, the accent is there too). Mike Oher is "Big Mike", the homeless boy the Tuohy's take into their home one night, when they feel sorry for him.

Like so many other football/rugby movies (think "Remember the Titans" or the latest one, "Invictus"), this deals with racism and prejudice, but I guess you could say at a more personal level, or perhaps on a level that someone like me could relate to, as the story is based loosely around Mrs Tuohy's point of view.



The Blind Side is a great movie, and one that you could easily send your parents to go and see it, as well as send your husband or boyfriend to see it. I think they have done a good job on creating a movie that is for everyone- easy to watch, has a little bit of humour, has some great acting, and has a moral to the story at the heart of it all. I walked out of the cinema loving it!