I didn't see Gollum but....

I did see this magnificent creature (and I am not referring to myself here)

and a few hobbits thrown in for good measure (again, not referring to myself).  These mythical creatures are courtesy of Weta Workshops who were responsible for the magic in Lord Of The Rings and more recently The Hobbit.  This was one of the exhibits at the current Ellerslie Flower Show, which I was lucky enough to go to this morning.  Young J would have been mesmerised by this display, as last year, before the movie came out, he read the book and became rather obsessed with it; not so the movie!

Anyho, I had the morning to wander about and admire other people's creativity and imagine it in my own yard.  My favourite I think has to be these magnificent driftwood Moa's (extinct large New Zealand native bird, rather like an ostrich).  

I have to say though, it was hot, with very little shade.  Because it is autumn and the mornings are cool, I overdressed and by 11.30am the mercury had climbed to the late 20's without a breath of wind.  The jacket was by this point unceremoniously stuffed into the bottom of my tote bag.  This is however, the beauty of layering at this time of the year and I am sure the extra layer will be needed after the sun sets this evening.


The jacket I am referring to is Simplicity 2443, which has been on my wish list ever since I first made the matching dress over a year ago now.  I hadn't seen a bad version of this jacket and I knew it would fit into my transeasonal wardrobe nicely.  I also had the perfect piece of baby pink linen that had been taking up valuable stash real estate for about as long as the pattern.

The fabric I had chosen was from this op shop fabric haul and in the cold light of day, I realised that it had the odd fade mark where it had been stored for a while.  I was pleased I cut this out during the day because I may have missed it at night.  I had quite a large piece so it was a simple process to cut around the damaged areas.  Like I think just about everyone that has made this jacket, I left off the ribbon decorations.  

I was going to add buttons, but actually I don't think it needs it and I know, I will never button it up anyway.

I am really happy with the way this turned out and know it will become a firm favourite.  In the top photo, I am wearing it with this top which has tiny pink flowers, Colette Clovers and pink sling back sandals and in the above photo taken yesterday, also with the Clovers but this time with a white Kirsten Kimono Tee and new slingbacks for autumn.

I might just have to get this jacket out again and see just how many different outfits, I can create with it!