Moving On
There has been some debate around the city over the last few days, about how best to commemorate the second anniversary of our February earthquake. Initially I thought I would pick flowers and walk over to the memorial in the cemetery and leave them there but as the morning wore on, I realised that actually, I am ready to move on. My house is still damaged so there are still reminders but I no longer think of earthquakes on a daily basis and that is a good thing. I can now enter a large building and not look for the closest escape route and that is also a good thing. So, today, I made pickles, took the dog for a walk and while I did look at the clock and reflect briefly at 12.51pm, today was like any other day and if anyone had told me that two years ago, as much as I wanted to, I wouldn't have believed them.
After yesterdays, pants effort, I set too and made another Kirsten Kimono tee by Maria Denmark. I had some white cotton interlock from the op shop that I knew would be perfect for a staple white tee, so while I was in the mood for such an uninspiring project as a plain white tee, I set to work. Now, you would think I could whip this little number up quick smart wouldn't you? But the reality was far from that. I actually ended up cutting out three tees. The first was massive and resembled a marquee more than a tee shirt. The second, I forgot to add seam allowances and didn't make it past the cutting stage and the third is what you see above. Despite being quite tight, the original version of this tee, is in regular rotation. This time I added an extra 1cm to the side seams so it would hang rather loosely but still give the illusion of some shape, unlike the marquee version.
Phew that was a marathon, I am pleased the fabric came from the op shop and I had plenty of it!
Today I am wearing the Kirsten tee with the black linen Clover pants minus the 4cm I ran in yesterday afternoon, and suede ballet flats by Clarks.
You can never have too many white tees - I really like the shape and fit of that one.
ReplyDeleteThank you! You too can own this tee for the grand total of zilch from Maria Denmark at http://www.shoponion.com/default.asp?iid=101
DeleteI love the t-shirt, it looks great. The fabric looks really nice too even in the pictures. I just watched a documentary on the Christchurch earthquakes.. one of my oldest friends is from Christchurch ( his Mum is still there) and I have been there many times also... it was very upsetting just watching it so I applaud your positive attitude. Onwards and upwards.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly makes horrific watching. I am just pleased that I and none of my family were in the city on that day. It was difficult enough to be in low rise buildings when that happened and the following aftershocks.
DeleteThe fabric is really nice quality knit. It should wear well.
I still remember the earthquakes so clearly and I was all the way over here in Perth. However my parents were on holiday in NZ and had left Christchurch the day before the earthquakes. Our news was saturated with the story for days and everyone felt devastated by them. When I saw the beauty of Christchurch in my parents' holiday photos I felt the loss even more greatly. They had seen the most beautiful exhibition of clothes shaped as flowers in a department store (I think it was). I've often wondered if those lovely creations survived. You are definitely doing well to be moving on from it all. On a lighter note, your outfit looks great. I like those pants on you and I think you might surprise yourself and wear them a lot!
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for any tourists that got caught up in that chaos and terror. My house had already been through the 7.1 and then the 6.3 so despite the fact it was a scary time at least I could be pretty sure it wasn't going to collapse on top of me and we could hunker down and wait for the chaos to pass. I think the flower dresses are Jenny Gillies and you are right, they could have been in a department store, probably Ballantynes which was badly damaged but I saw them at Ellerslie Flower Show last March and wrote about them http://fabricepiphanies.blogspot.co.nz/2012_03_01_archive.html so if it is those you speak of they did survive. They certainly are magical.
DeleteSometimes the best healing comes from doing the mundane. After the World Trade Center bombing I would have horrible anxiety when I saw a cloudless blue sky because that's what it looked like on that day. Now I can look at the sky for the beauty that it holds. I am a wee bit green with jealousy looking at your shirt. Would you take it as a form of flattery if I made a copycat version?
ReplyDeleteMake away! I am not the first and certainly not the last to make this one!
DeleteI think time is the key with disasters. A lot of people ran away after our earthquake but only in staying did we actually get the support of people who had experienced the same and didn't glaze over when it was discussed. Talking about our experiences is a great healing process.
First of all - your new hair do looks great - experimenting with hair cuts is fun because if the worst comes to worse it will always grow back.
ReplyDeleteWell done on your basics as well - you will get lots of wear out the white T and black pants.
I have not bought any Colette patterns because I know they are not my shape or style at all although I really like the sencha blouse and the free tank pattern. However I love the website - it is full of interesting stuff. I think others will appreciate an honest review - it is not negative at all .
Thank you and yes I take the same attitude with haircuts. I do like reinventing myself a little in that way!
DeleteI am sure the tee and pants will get lots of wear as well as the weather cools down.