How to make a $2 fez

Why are you making a fez? Is a question I have heard a few times today, but I just can't think of a good answer. Who wouldn't want a fez? Especially a $2 one.

Me in my $2 fez, all ready for the next science fiction event. Oh look, Supanova is coming!






Here's what we did to make some $2 fezzes.

I found some easter baskets at the local Kmart - they were $2 each, and made of thick felt. The kind that keeps its shape.

My team (Jonathan, left, and Thomas, right) are not excited about the prospect of being seen carrying these out of Kmart.

Now, to think of ways to get those pesky bunnies off. Ripping didn't work, the decorations were glued on.










So I tried the heat tool (that's a Milwaukee brand heat tool, used in stamping, also doubles as a hot air paint stripper). Yes, it melted the glue very quickly....

.... and owing to the high quality of the materials, also melted the felt! So take a lot of care. We didn't try the hair dryer - it may have been hot enough for the glue.

Thomas capably de-bunnies his basket.

The not at all creepy sight of disembodied and melted bunny faces on the table.

How to turn it the desired red? It's not clever or elegant, we just painted them. One fez took about this whole bottle (which we already had in the house, so I didn't count it towards the $2). If you have to buy new paint, get a decent big tube or bottle of student grade acrylic paint, and use a fat round brush.

The team painting their fezzes. There's the heat tool, by the way.

These took a longish time to dry - synthetic fabrics will do that to you.

Jonathan didn't wish to pose for a photo, but Thomas is always good value!

If you get to the end and decide that sewing a fez properly might be a good idea (and these are pretty rough, I have to tell you) you could look at Mark's youtube video. He exploits the glory that is fusible interfacing, which makes it all pretty easy.

Xanthe leaping

Here's Xanthe (12) leaping into the pool. This lady is fabulously well read - she liked Pride and Prejudice more than Sense and Sensibility. But likes Twilight too.

Court Jester Catriona

Just to show how annoyingly talented my daughter is, here she is in her hand made Court Jester costume. SHE hand made it all, bought the fabric with her pocket money, everything.

Bleah. I was supposed to be the talented one.

Oh well, nice work, I suppose, Catriona.

Put on your party shoes, paint the town ... green?

Work Christmas party tomorrow night! Jeff and I work together, so we are both double-invited! Always a pleasure to go to these events - the boss enjoys good food, and MAKES good wine (Gentle Annie boutique winery, look it up), so we always enjoy the night.

This year is special.

First, it's on a boat.

Second, we have lots of female employees this year. It's been a good year for recruitment. Naturally, all the tech women had a meeting today to discuss the important issue of - what to wear! We agreed to go for dresses, as elegant as possible.

I nipped out to my fave clothing shop at lunch time, not expecting success, but found a terrific silky green dress. My favourite green too.

But I don't have any suitable shoes. Really not a big shoe person. I do have these sort of silver flats that are very comfy. But they don't match at all.

So I whipped out my tiny bottle of Golden Paint's "Green Gold" and gave these shoes a quick green makeover. I'm delighted with the results!

Fashion in Paris 2011

I'm often asked "So, Pauline, since you have been to Paris, what are the fashion looks we must be ready for?".

Actually, no, people tend not to come to me for fashion advice.

But here's some anyway! I did take a few fashion photos, and I can tell you just what you will be needing this summer.

First of all, awesome printed fabrics. This cool skirt has tigers on it!

Cardigans are hot (we always knew they were cosy...)

Unmatching pieces seem to go together just fine this year...

This peacock pattern is another obvious "awesome fabric".

Orange is really big... even I bought an orange shirt.

Those awful bubble skirts are back, but only on pretty women who look great in them.

Beige is in... beige beige beige...

Men are wearing spectacularly effeminate gear, and getting away with it, but that's not so likely to take of here.

Children are in. As fashion accessories, and as excuses to redecorate your home. Saw some terribly well dressed kids, still managing to run and giggle like normal kids.

And here's another excellent fabric. This green is my favourite colour, so I do see it everywhere.

And as for shoes ... yes, they are in. I made Jeff very happy when we visited Printemps (that's David Jones) and I walked right past the wonderland of shoes, to get to the toys!