Thursday 25 July 2013

Busy Doing Nothing



I'm brilliant at distracting myself with silly side projects when there's serious work to be done. Take this week for example, I've made three dresses, gone charity shopping and visited a car boot sale when I should have been organising my Kinky Melon stock ready for trading at Indietracks festival this weekend.

This one's made from a vintage apron, a jumble sale 1960s curtain and some car booted braid.

Which meant that I was running around the house like a nutter before bed last night trying to get everything in order. 


The floor at silly o'clock this morning.


Poor Gilbert's groaning at the seams and we haven't even packed any food, booze or our clothes yet. 


Thank goodness we've got a trailer.


 In fact, I haven't a bastard clue what clothes I'm taking and we're meeting the gang in the pub in less than a hour. Oh well,  I'm sure it will all come together in the end (although last time we visited Indie-tracks we left our holdall on the bedroom floor and had to live in our travelling clothes for four days)


What do you think of my show girl waistcoat courtesy of the fabulous Skye? I love this 1970s maxi dress but the jersey bodice is backless and completely transparent (which I didn't realise until after Jon had taken a photo of me out in it last year) so it's ideal for sparing my blushes - not that I'm overly bothered about flashing my boobs but there's a time and a place for everything and Asda at 9am on a Thursday morning ain't it.


Skye's adorable son drew this picture in my honour as he loved my soldier curtain waistcoat so much. It's now pride of place on the fridge, the home of all great art work.

1970s gingham maxi (99p, Cancer UK), Madeira souvenir basket (£1.95, Acorns Hospice), Ganesh pendant (Krista-licious)

Right, better get a jog on, pack my bag and look presentable before I incur the wrath of Jon.

Have a fabulous weekend and see you very soon!



74 comments:

  1. Have a lovely weekend, I hope you do a roaring trade xxx
    I love the drawing of you in your soldier waistcoat, it's fab!

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  2. I know procrastination all too well. But, as you say, it all comes together in the end.
    Nothing like a groovy waistcoat to hide sheerness or ill-fitting bodices. Love this one, which reminds me of our Pakistani bags.
    You're being immortalized in art on nearly every continent!
    Have a great time trading at the Festival.

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  3. I had to laugh out loud with your comment of getting distracted with side projects when there's other work to be concentrating on. I suffer from the same affliction. But I pretty much work well under the pressure and pull it all together at the last minute. Which I am sure yo will do, with style.

    I absolutely adore that gingham maxi and would likely wear it to death if it were in my wardrobe. The solider curtain maxi is a absolute treat and it's no wonder you've reached the masses and little bus hearts to inspire such precious drawings.

    All the best with the remainder of your packing and the festival. X

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  4. Have lovely weekend and do hope you have lot´s of customers !

    xxx

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  5. I get tipsy just looking at youse- you are such a goddess. Hope you've got packed and are having fun.

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  6. The new dress is fantastic!! i adore the artwork--how sweet is that??

    Love the vest with the dress-the embroidery picks up the colors in the gingham.
    I'm sure the old gents at Asda were sad your covered up!!

    Hope you have an awesome time this weekend!!

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  7. That drawing is brilliant - he's got the eyelashes perfectly, and I love the detail of the camera, clever boy!
    You're such a spoilsport, Vix, fancy not wanting to flash the Asda shoppers. The waistcoat deals with that particular issue perfectly. The gingham maxi is one of my faves - weren't you wearing it the first time I came to Walsall, the time we met Bob in Wetherspoons?
    Your newly made dress is a beauty, you're a regular production line! All your stock looks so interesting, I want to rummage through it all. You'll get it all together, I'm sure, you and Jon are seasoned festival packers, so I have no worries on that score.
    Have a great time, sell loads, take pics, see you on the other side! xxxxxx

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  8. Have a wonderful time! See what you mean about the transparent top. (ahem) I expect you'd make the day of every male in Asda walking round like that! xxx

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  9. Have a fab weekend love...knock 'em bandy with yer wares. That drawing is brilliant, love him.
    Have a stonker and I'll see you very soon...yipeee!
    xxxxxx

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  10. Have a fabulous weekend my dear! Loving that pinafore dress you made, and the shots of your stock (the dresses the hats the shoes the bags...) are making me drool!

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  11. I swear when you guys are getting ready for a festival to sell your stuff I totally get envious not only do I want to have a good rummage through all your stuff but I want to come along and sell with you all day long! I know this is ass busting hard work but Vix you make it look so fun too! I love your stock and those leather bags have me weak in the knees along with that soldiers waistcoat. Good luck this weekend, I doubt you will need it.

    OMG I watched the last episode of Luther last night I want more now!
    LOVEYOUHONEYBUNNY!!!!!
    XXOO

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  12. good luck for the trading! I love your german/belgian dress!

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  13. Love that check maxi!!!

    Have a good weekend!

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  14. Fantastic picture, I love the camera and the eyelashes, what a talented boy. I too am a terrible procrastinator, I'm doing it now..blogging when I should be completing a job application. Just read a hilarious story on BBC website of curb crawler fined in Walsall for soliciting. His excuse - she was only telling him where he could buy tomatoes! (Snort)
    Have a fab weekend and hope you sell loads.

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  15. hurrah for great self made dresses and thrifting activities!!, sometimes distracting ourselves is a fabulous art!!
    and wish you a great weekend, poor George seems full of delightful stuff!!
    besos & fabulousness

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  16. I'm sure you'll look amazing whatever you end up taking.

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  17. That's a cute dress. Very girly gingham.
    You get such bargains, here in Shropshire the prices are very much higher, I'm sure the people that run the charity shops here think they're running a branch of Harrods !!
    It's not uncommon to see things priced higher than you can get them new !!

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  18. Making 3 dresses ain't 'nothing' in my book, I'd call that impressive, not to mention shopping which is imperative...your store stock looks awesome (lame bags!) have a great time, hope you sell a bunch!

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  19. I love too your new handmade dress! *__*

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  21. PS: I need one of your clutch bags for a wedding this Saturday ;__;

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  22. Hope you have a busy weekend - that gingham dress is amazing.

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  23. Sorry last post (Paul) was from me.Sorry last post (Paul) was from me.

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  24. I do know that problem so well - but it will come together. Somehow. (Even if you have to borrow the forgotten tooth brushes :) The vest? Super fabulous!! xo

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  25. There's a time and place for everything -- You make me laugh! I'm sure you'll get it all together. Some people just work better with deadlines! And: Love the gingham.

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  26. Everything you wear comes together beaut!! and those adorable dresses are multiplying, your so talented Vix. Have fun at the festival ;) hope you sell loads Xx

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  27. look at all those sun hats and to think I had to go to asda for one, should have asked you first , have a great weekend xxx

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  28. Ah, you fecking foxy MINX! Looking perky and ready to ROCK!
    Love the new waistcoat, and the multi gingham is always a winner!
    Yeah, when there is something I HAVE to do, I can find all sorts of things to distract me...but, hey, frocks must take priority, and one can quell the creative muse when she's roused!!!
    Have a brillant time at Indie Tracks and sell up a storm!!!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  29. Ah procrastination -- one of my favorite vices. Why is there always something so interesting on the 'net when I have, er, chores to do? You look foxy-fine - hope your weekend is v. happy and successful. xooxo

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  30. I love how you put that outfit together! You look so pretty and calm for all the things you have to do! I'm feeling lazy and guilty seeing how productive you are. The picture of gilbert cracked me up for some reason. Sell lots of booty!!! XXX

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  31. I loved tje green dress you made (I ready "liked " it on Facebook ;))

    Hope you have a good weekend and sell lots of goodies :D

    Sal xxx

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  32. Oh and btw you've got the busy doing nothing song stick in my head now haha ;P

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  33. Have a fab weekend - here's hoping for sunshine and plenty of sales :)

    I'm off camping too - beer festival nearby - am dancing and sampling - should be fun :)

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  34. Yep that's me! Things would get done so much quicker here if I stuck to one thing at a time lol I'm sure you'll be ready on time, you could do it with your eyes closed! Have a great weekend. ♥

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  35. have a good one! I love that solider waistcoat too. That pile of stock looks really tempting, I'd love a rummage. I'm sure the indie kids are going to love it all too. Your new dress is rather wonderful, such gorgeous fabric! How many more will you knock up? Loads I hope! xxxx

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  36. I LOVE that tiered gingham skirt - gingham just says summer to me and I love it so much. I also love your latest DIY frock - you really are on a roll with your sewing :D That picture is just adorable - awww... I hope you have a successful market:)

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  37. Have a great weekend! Like you, I can always find something else to be getting on with when there are important tasks to attend to! x

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  38. The vest looks exactly like it's found the perfect new home. Yay for a good adoption story!

    I didn't actually see the drawing before it was sent off, he'd bundled it into one of his envelopes (we have a big stack we got from the recycling centre, and he likes to put all sort of things in them) and sealed it before I had a chance to look. So I'm very pleased to see it now on it's new fridge door locale!

    Have an awesome weekend of trading, and may Gilbert be skinny as can be on his return.

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  39. hope you have a great weekend of trading! Love the dress, really cheerful :) x

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  40. I love the pic of Gilbert packed to the max.....I can just imagine you guys heading down the road, music blasting. Hope the trip home is much lighter. Good God woman...
    you are becoming a one man (woman) dress factory.....I am in awe of what you accomplish on a week!!!

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  41. OMG!!! I am in love with the dress you made, the gingham wonder and absolutely all the purses on the floor!!!! I'm sure everything will come together and you'll do a roaring trade!!!

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  42. I love that dress -- but the drawing takes the cake, especially with the XO's on the hem!

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  43. I'm an expert at distracting myself from the important things that need to be done with blogs, books, magazines, porch-sitting, etc. but never anything as productive as dress-making. I justify it by saying I work best under pressure. I'm sure everything will be ready to go when you are. Have a fun weekend with lots of sales!

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  44. the title of your post is the story of my life! you look fab in the gingham and of course i adore the soldier dress too. have a great weekend.

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  45. Always in total AWE of how much you're able to accomplish, Vix! It's just amazing!!!

    The new halter maxi is da bomb and you always look so cute in that gingham number; like how you styled it.

    So you've got your "racks, packs and stacks" (as I call my flea market gear) in place and are ready to blast off in Gilbert for another appearance of Kinky Melon on the road! Look out, fans! (Got two shows comin' up myself.) Have fun, party on and best of luck to ya! :)
    xxx

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  46. Holy arsebastard, amor, you are frickin amazing... I LOVE the green maxi more than life itself. The gingham maxi is one of my all time faves and I feel utterly ripped off that we don't get a good perve at yer tits, so I say a big NO to the waistcoat!

    Hope you make a motzah, drink yourself into a coma, make loads of new friends, find a new treasure or ten and have a FABULOUS time!

    Love you more than that AMAZING soldier waistcoat (seriously, how fucking incredible it is!),

    Sarah xxx

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  47. Aw! I love the drawing and I'm still in love with that soldier fabric. Delicious.

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  48. I hope you have a great time at Indietracks. I love that maxi dress and that waistcoat is fabulous. You'd make any show girl proud.

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  49. Your stock looks so tantalizing ... People will surely be all over it. I love your waistcoat and for once can say I have something similar to yours in my own closet! Have a great weekend.

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  50. Have a brilliant time at the festival, hope Gilbert makes it. Love the art work, such a clever boy

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  51. I'd love a good rummage through all that stock Vix, and as usual I'm lusting after your flowered bag and Gilbert. I love both your gorgeous dresses and the little waistcoat is perfect on you. The little drawing of you is so cute, you're obviously a bit of a muse to artists of all ages. I'm brilliant at procrastinating too but you seem to get a lot done whereas I seem to get nowhere fast! Have a great time at Indietracks, I'll look forward to hearing all about it. xx

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  52. Silly o'clock, lol! Wow, you do keep busy Vix, I must say ... but you always look stylish! Love the waistcoat! Hopefully all went well with your packing. xx/Madison

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  53. Blimey, poor Gilbert is busting at the seams. I'm worried you haven't left enough room for the booze.

    Love the new Kinky Melons creations, all of them. Never mind doing nothing, I don't know how you fit it all in. Ooh yes, I can see it's see-through. I echo Curtise: spoilsport! :)

    I know how super-organised you are so I am sure it all came together in the end. Your portrait is fantastic! So funny! Have a blast and make some dosh!! xxxxxxx

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  54. ooh I do love me some gingham, you look amazing! I had some nipple-age the other week, considering it was the school run and i have boobies i decided to be a little more aware, you are right, there is a time and a place - have the best time and i wish i was there to rummage x ps your pic is fabulous x

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  55. Hi my dear! Adore this gingham maxi and cute waistcoat, another adorable outfit! Have a fabulous weekend! xx

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  56. Oh you look so gorgeous....I love the waistcoat teamed with the maxi. SO you!!! And how divine is that orange frock in your stock, the things that pass through your hands must be incredible! I hope the weekend goes well. Xx

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  57. Wow, you look great! I always find myself being distracted too - but charity shop hunting and car boots sales are definitely worth the distraction! X

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  58. OOH there are some gorgeous goodies being packed up.
    Love that little waistcoat, perfect cover up to avoid a bit of a tit flash whilst shopping. ;)
    xx

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  59. Ahhh! I still love the soldier curtain waistcoat, and I love that a kiddo made a drawing of it because it's so great.

    Happy trading!

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  60. Looks like you have some great stuff to sell and your van is packed to the brim there hehehe!! Have fun!!!! xo Heather

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  61. I, too, am famous for doing lots of "fun stuff" when I should be on task! LOL. I love the term silly o'clock! Hope all the weekend goes well for you. Love the sewing you've done.

    XOXO
    Lynn

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  62. At the end things do appear to get themselves in place!
    Gilbert is full of treasures and the drawing is so lovely.
    You got great boobs so shown them up darling!!!!

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  63. Those handmade dresses you make are wonderful.

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  64. You are one busy girl! No wonder you inspire artwork. Such a cute portrait! Speaking of cute....you in that gingham dress!

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  65. Love the gingham w/ black. I'm coveting the tooled leather goods I see in the pic. Hope you sell lots of stuff and have fun. :-)

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  66. oh gosh i love that gingham maxi it is so fabulous and haha i ´m like you i always distract myself when i would have to do something else;)
    wish you a great weekend!
    love and kiss,mary

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  67. I am a complete rat-bag for doing other things when I have important jobs that have to be done to!!!!! It's fun being a rat-bag though.
    The dresses you are making are just fabulous.....are you going to sale them at the market??????
    You can do it Gilbert.........he such a great wee work horse, with a tummy full of wonderful vintage treasures.
    Hope the weekend has been truly amazing.
    Love V

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  68. You are such an inspiration Vix, you pack more into your day than most ppl do in a month...Hope you sell loads a the festival xxx

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  69. Silly side projects always distract me too - to the detriment of actually blogging about them! Gotta love your handmade dresses; you always create something wonderful and original out of various vintage bit and bobs. That's why I've given your blog a mention in my vintage sewing pattern article in August's Vintage Life Magazine :-) xxx

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  70. Hope you had a fab weekend you look great x

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  71. Hi Vix!

    How are you doing? Busy i think?
    Hope everything went all right for you at the end-
    Looking good!

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  72. I absolutely love that you were writing this post as you were running out the door! You were right to be Busy Doing Nothing as you're a dab hand at this summer vintage market/festival malarky now and certainly deserve a good break from all the hard work that goes into such exhausting events. Yet you do it always looking so beautiful and fresh my lovely!! What a darling drawing of you and thank you for the pic of your soldier fabness once more ... in fact, you can pop that pic into every post randomly and I'll understand. ;) xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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  73. Vixcita,
    Your an amazing dress making Mama! You got the skills and more amor. That soldier vest like dress is the best.Cute drawing of you. fab gingham dress.I'm the same I bullshit all day and wait until night time and run around like a chicken.

    besios

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix