Make a Pretty Rosette Brooch To Go With Any Outfit

To celebrate summer, Maggie Robb from Made by Maggie will be sharing some of her favourite seasonal makes. They’re simple enough for everyone to try and you’ll love the results. Visit her on Facebook MadebyMaggie07 for more making tips and lovely stuff.

This month – Up-cycle pretty fabric scraps into an eye-catching rosette brooch.

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“I totally love making these brooches – they’re a great way to use up the scraps from my other projects and it’s very satisfying piecing the rosettes together and choosing their centres from my stash of vintage buttons. You can make the rosettes as big or as little as you like, and also use them to embellish t-shirts, bags, children’s clothes- your whole world!”

 

What you’ll need –

Scraps of Fabric in contrasting colours, patterns and textures.

Ribbons and buttons

Wool felt for the backing

Needle and thread

Scissors and Pinking sheers

Brooch clasp (can be found in craft shops like Hobbycraft)

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First, cut out three different sized circles from your fabrics. I use cardboard templates with diameters of 16, 13 and 9 cm but you can also draw round anything handy you have at home – a cereal bowl makes a great large rosette and a mug or glass is good for a smaller size. The general rule is that your finished rosette will be approximately half the size of your ‘raw’ circle.

Next, fold over the edge of your first fabric circle and sew a narrow hem with a running stitch.

Gently pull your thread tight to gather up your rosette – smoothing the fabric with your fingers to create neat and even pleats. Thick fabrics like tweed or velvet work better with a larger circle but silks and Liberty Lawn and other thin fabrics can be smaller. Secure your rosette with a couple of stitches.

Now for the fun bit! Once you’ve got two or three different sized rosettes you can start assembling your brooch. Choose a centre piece for it from your stash of buttons or pop down to your local fabric or craft shop and choose something – buttons with ‘shank’ fastenings at the back rather than holes can be especially effective. You need to place your rosettes pleated side up to achieve the ruched rosette effect. Secure your layers and button in place with a couple of stitches.

To sew a set of ‘tails’ onto the back of your rosette select a couple of lengths of matching ribbon of different widths. Cut them to the desire length and trim the ends to an arrow to avoid fraying. Attach to the back of your base rosette so that they cross over with a few stiches.

To give your brooch a professional finish cut a circle of felt in a matching shade using pinking shears (zig zag scissors!) to achieve an attractive and non-fraying edge, and sew in place on the back of your brooch using a simple running or back stitch. It’s a good idea to pin your felt circle in place before you start to sew.

Then attach your pin fastener two thirds up and in the middle of your felt circle. And you’re done!

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You can experiment using stripy fabrics, porcelain buttons or even cover your own with fabric or snippets of embroidery using self-covering buttons (try any haberdashers or craft store or online) for a really personalized effect. The brooches look great on coats, dresses or even pinned to canvas bags. Or sew a selection onto a t-shirt for you or a little friend! When making rosettes for young children to wear, leave out buttons as these could be a choking hazard.

 

Next month…… Join Maggie as she shows you how to make a cute little tape-measure holder out of scraps of felt.

 

 

Matsuri dining experience.

With the Editor busy juggling her wedding, other assignments and Frost Magazine; I was only too happy to help relieve her of having to go to Matsuri, St James’s Restaurant to review their special invitation and thank her dearly for it. It started with a warm welcome from Emma and Jane from FML PR, in the authentic Japanese lounge. A glass of champagne (a Canard-Duchene, which is a Cuvee Leonie Brut) and informative conversation about Matsuri was anything but generic and was in depth and knew who to call on, should any question be out of ordinary. Not every topic was about Matsuri as a business, as the food was an important topic. When we were lead downstairs to the Teppan-yaki seating, where we were formally sat courtesy of the amazing staff, at horse-shoe tables, which are simplified elegance.

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With all the guests seated, restaurant’s President, Yoshinori Hatta welcomed us and gave a brief chat about the restaurant and their history and their business partners. All very traditional and authentic, as the only thing I didn’t get was a business card at the end, this is very Japanese. Matsuri has been running for over 20 years successfully in London. Their motto is, “We serve the heart of Japanese hospitality”, something that was evident from the entry to the building to seating. Hatta-sama (Japanese courtesy) introduced the Head Chef, Mr Kishi (Kishi-san) who was preparing the Yellowtail sushi, as he was being introduced and was at speed to match the starter as it was being brought to the tables. Kishi-san was appointed head chef March 2014 with the relaunch of the restaurant’s sushi bar. Having being trained as a French chef, Kishi-san went on to cook for numerous celebrities and government guests in Tokyo and London. He even created the Matsuri St James’s first sushi course called, “Sushi Kaiseki”. This is prepared daily and served fresh from preparation.

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I can attest to that amazing preparation. The delicious starter comprised of 2 kinds of Nigiri, a half sushi with tuna and the Yellowtail prepared by Head Chef Kishi-san. This was accompanied with a Kikkoman Soy Sauce (As it is one of the restaurant’s business partners) and some a little wasabi.

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The Tempura part of the starter was assorted vegetables and prawn. All were exceedingly light and absolutely delicious.

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Whilst we were enjoying the starters, the Sommelier, Riccardo Guzzardo, gave a little history of the Chardonnay, which was a Chablis called, “Dom. Gerard Tremblay”. A premier Cru Montmain 2011. Like the starters, it was light, refreshing and surprising! Whilst I was expecting good food, I was reminded that everything was not designed to fill me and be so I could not move afterward. For the first impressions of dining, I was happy and the people around the table were happy with all that was presented to them and were talking as though they were all there as friends and totally relaxed. The mark of a well orchestrated arena for fine dining and cuisine. Emma and Jane were also interacting and making sure we were all enjoying ourselves and the clean plates and happy faces were also met with grins and toast. Before we could all rest on our laurels, the Teppan-yaki chefs were back to start the next course. This started with Alaskan Black Cod marinated in ginger. All were cooked in front of the guests, which I think is brave of any chef. The smell and taste of the cod was beautifully tangy, but not overpowering the natural taste of cod and even the skin was as perfectly cooked as the cod itself.

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A Sake had been introduced to the table in the form of “Houraisen – WA”. It is a cold sake and was crisp and subtle. Not harsh on the palate, but almost like a cleanser, with a hint of elderflower. Next was the piece of meat that everyone was either staring at, or taking pictures of… The Txogitxu Galician Beef Steak… No, it was not just for one person, but it had the look of a real steak that should be on the Flintstones! Yes, I took pictures, as it was a spectacle to behold! With asparagus, seasonal mushrooms and garlic butter and egg fried rice…

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I cannot tell you how many people sighed with delight, as i was too busy enjoying my own! By the way, if you don’t like your beef done t rare, remember to tell the chef, as you will be missing out on a wonderful experience, should you decide to forego it because of the small oversight. Riccardo had introduced a very surprising red wine to go with the beef, which goes by the name of “Etna (Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalase) 2012”. A very nutty I Vigneri from Sicily, obviously, and is a blend of 2 grapes, which gives it a distinctive taste. Add to that the fertile volcanic soil and you have a very impressive red, which was to everyone’s liking! Even though everyone as expecting dessert, it was great to see the chefs back in action on the stove for a fireball ice-cream! Yes, you read correctly. Blocks of vanilla ice-cream are flambéed with Sake, grilled pineapple and a thin pancake, it was a real treat to watch and eat. To accompany this an amazing plum Sake was pour and Riccado gave details to the fermenting period and how much work went into each bottle. Many described the taste akin to marzipan, but I think that if you replace the taste of almond with plum then you would not be too far off. I don’t think there was enough to go around, as people were asking for more! It is called, “Umenoyado Aragoshi” Umeshu is Plum Wine.

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One person I should mention is Cristoforo Santiini. He is the manager and an amazing man! He speaks Italian, English and Japanese fluently and made sure everything ran smoothly, came and talked to everyone. I even got a chance to exercise my Japanese, which was nothing compared to the level of Cristoforo’s. He was always there, but not interfering and kept the ship, as it were, sailing beautifully and without any incidents. Naturally people left happy with no dip in atmosphere and hospitality was experienced in any form.

Details of Matsuri St James’s can be found at www.matsuri-restaurant.com all opening times and menus can be read there.

Frost Magazine would love to thank FML Public Relations www.fml-pr.co.uk for inviting Frost to experience authentic Japanese cuisine.

Inspirational Jim Carrey Video Goes Viral, And Rightly So

This video is Jim Carrey on how his late father inspired him to follow his dreams. Jim Carrey is very inspirational, I recommend you read his biography, he worked very hard to get where he is, he came up from nothing and it took him years to become successful. Watch the video. It’s great.

What do you think?

Lynx Adopts Stray Cat, Becomes Best Friend | Pictures

In St.Petersburg Zoo, Russia, a stray cat wandered into an enclosure and found another cat of the big variety. The following pictures are unbelievable cute and heartwarming. The stray cat ended up being adopted by the zoo so the two cats could live together. What a wonderful story.

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Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/eRIPK

Property Tycoon: A Simple Seven-Step Guide To Becoming a Property Millionaire Book Review

Property Tycoon: A Simple Seven-Step Guide To Becoming a Property Millionaire by Ian Samuels Property Tycoon: A Simple Seven-Step Guide To Becoming a Property Millionaire by Ian Samuels couldn’t have come at a more relevant time. Property is booming in the UK today, and particularly in London. So can this book help you to become a property tycoon in seven simple steps? I would say so, it certainly has all of the information you would ever need and is easy to read.

I really enjoyed this book and it made me want to start a property business of my own. Baby step by baby step. This book is a good read and is very well-written. It is enjoyable despite its business like subject. It is a good, complete guide to every aspect of  property management. It is full of ideas and things you never even knew you didn’t know. Highly recommended. I will certainly be keeping it to hand.

 

What they say:

Property Tycoon offers a complete and incredibly revealing guide to EVERY aspect of residential property investment: whether you’re looking to just dip into buy-to-let or want to use property to build up a substantial and life-changing income.

Covering buying, managing, maintaining, financing and selling UK property, this book is written by someone who has made a success of buy-to-let investment for more than 20 years and through two booms and busts. Written in plain English, and filled with real-life case studies, it reveals the secrets of:

– the questions every successful property investor asks themselves before buying a property

– how to secure capital for your investment properties

– where to get tradesmen, agents, mentors and tenants you can rely on

– what it takes to manage and maintain different kinds of property portfolio and how to take your portfolio to the next level when the time is right

– when to buy and sell, and how to make sure you get your way in auctions and off-plan deals.

With housing in ever-increasing demand, and UK values showing an average rise in value of 9% a year for the last 60 years, today represents a great opportunity for anyone interested in entering the buy-to-let world. Property Tycoon is the friendliest and most up-to-date guide available.

Property Tycoon: A simple seven-step guide to becoming a property millionaire is available here.

 

 

Fever Trails’ Remix of ‘Low’, Debut From Neo-Soul London duo Youth

Listen to Fever Trails’ Remix of ‘Low’, the debut from neo-soul London duo Youth. It is more suited to the stereo than the dancefloor. Original track can be heard HERE and downloaded for free.

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Fever Trails are seen as one of the most up and coming producers in Cape Town, South Africa and has got lots of people extremely excited. This remix has already had some glowing feedback.

Let us know what you think.

 

 

Boys – Summer of Love | Music News

Their New Single

SUMMER OF LOVE

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Release Date: 21st July 2014

Format: Digital Download

BOYS are a lo-fi dream pop band from West London who formed in 2013 to pass some time on a rainy day, but something happened when Ross Pearce (vocals/synth), Mike Stothard (guitar/production) and Daniel Heffernon (bass) began to play together. Despite being without a drummer, or anywhere to write and practice other than one of their bedrooms, the music the trio were making was of a quality none of them had been prepared for… and the surf pop gems have kept on coming, with each of their recordings attracting an increasing number of downloads and plenty of attention from bloggers in the UK and America.

BOYS, who have invested in a drum machine and now relish every opportunity to celebrate their bedroom band status, release ‘Summer of Love’ in July, a record that sounds, smells and tastes of long sunny days at the beach.

BOYS play Camden Barfly on July 11th.

Moda 360: International Designers Gather In New York To Show Collections

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Designers from around the world are joining international artists to show their work at Moda360 at The Carriage House, 149 E. 38th Street in New York, June 30 -July 1.

Capsule runway presentations will take place in the art gallery setting, with exhibits of apparel and accessories set off by the resident artists of the Carriage House and a New York furniture designer and a UK textile artist. Hollywood celebrity stylist Melissa Laskin will combine pieces from all the collections to create a special collective runway with the theme “Well-behaved women rarely make history” (Leslie Ulrich Thatcher). International videographers will show their creativity in a continuouloop of videos played at the event. Moda 360 is a unique, and growing, platform combining art, fashion and video to show the art in fashion, and the lifestyle in art.

Tickets for Moda 360 are available, and a special ticket is available for both Moda 360 and the Friends of the Congo fundraiser reception on June 30.

Participating artists and designers include:

Tee Njoroge – NCIIRA
Tee Njoroge, is a 22 year old London based graduate who is currently working on building her fashion brand called NCIIRA. Her work is highly inspired by architecture, shapes and structure. The brand’s aim is to empower and represent the inner strength and confidence of an individual through their way o f dressing. The designs are a mixture of elegant edgy, feminine, bold and daring.

Sara Hegazy
Sara Hegazy is Dubai fashion designer and a student at London College of Fashion Student. In her short career, she has been nominated MENA’s Next Top Designer, and was appointed first fashion designer and consultant at Asfour Crysta International & Egyptian Fashion Entrepreneur. She launched her international brand SARA HEGAZY and was the first Egyptian couture brand on the London Fashion Week catwalk in 2013. Currently, she is launching her fourth collection, “Cleopatra” which enjoyed a successful pre-launch at Asia Fashion Jewelry International Fair in Hong Kong.

Eva Cammarata
Eva Cammarata is a London womenswear designer. Born in Sicily, Eva graduated in Italy but earned a Master Degree in Womenswear Design at the “Istituto Marangoni London Campus” and a MA in Digital Fashion at the prestigious London College of Fashion. Eva began her career working at Giles Deacon and Erdem, and in 2010, launched her eponymous brand, showcasing in Paris, London and New York. Eva Cammarata is an ethical luxury label, using organic and biotech fibres tha moisturise the skin of the wearer. Eva’s collections adhere to impeccable quality and sustainability through the entire manufacturing process, producing in UK and Italy, and reflecting her commitment to the environment and fair trade.

Melissa Laskin – Elvislaskin, abstract artist
Melissa Laskin has enjoyed success in a multi-hyphenate career: stylist-designer-artist. She achieved tremendous success as a Hollywood stylist, working with A -list celebrities and media outlets, as well as creating looks for well-known advertising campaigns. While recovering from a serious car accident, Melissa began painting, creating bold abstract art. She quickly translated her artwork into a successful line of t-shirts, tunics and dresses, in contemporary silhouettes she was unable to find elsewhere for styling. Her eye for color and composition continues to bring her success with her artwork featured in art galleries around the country, and her elvislaskin collection sold in prestigious boutiques.

Designer, Juan Pablo Martinez
Juan Pablo Martínez studied Fashion Design in Bogotá in the early nineties and then moved to Milan to study pattern making and sewing. After completing his studies, he moved to Paris to practice design at the Atelier Chardon Savard, and worked wit Christian Lacroix at his Prêt-à-Porter studio. In 1999, Juan Pablo returned to Bogotá and opened his own atelier, designing and creating men’s suits. After 12 successful years in tailoring, Juan Pablo felt the need to pursue fashion differently, with  focus on sustainable fabrics and fair labor. His collections combine the exquisite tailoring found in the finest menswear with sustainable fabrics sourced in Colombia, recycled cotton PET from recycled plastic bottles, and baby alpaca hand woven by local artisans. The inspiration for his collection marries his passions: hard rock music and draping over the body; the Trucker Jacket meets Madame Vionnet.

Natacha Arranz Atelier
Natacha Arranz was born in Valladolid, Spain, and studied Fashion Design at Saint Martin School of Art , in London, with post graduate study in fabric techniques at the University of Barcelona, and in cinematography and aesthetics at the University of Valladolid. Natacha designs prêt-à-porter, haute couture and millinery in her atelier and teaches fashion design in “La Escuela de Diseño.” She is an award winning designer, winning first place in Castilla y León. Valladolid (Spain), the Youn Designer’s award in Zaragoza (Spain), and the Creativity Award from the El Corte Inglés. Valladolid (Spain), as well as winning t he “Prêt-à-porter Award” at Miami Fashion Week.

SoniaM
Sonia grew up in Italy, where beauty and style is part of the culture, surrounded by creative people, and both of these have instilled in her a sense of aesthetic sensitivity and judgment through an understanding of visual and structural values. In 2003 she graduated from Central Saint Martin’s as a textile designer specialising in knit. During her final year she experimented with unusual yarns such as wire, copper, Lurex, paper and plastic and is still using these materials to design accessory pieces for Fashion and Interiors. Since graduating SoniaM has accumulated a vast spectrum of experience working for LFW – London Fashion Week – from 2005 to 2010 with various fashion designers styling their catw alk shows and for UFFR – United

Fashion Forum Russia – styling catwalk shows at the Victorian & Albert Museum and for LFW off schedule show. From 20010 till 2013 SoniaM was the Head Stylist for FF – Fashions Finest and AFWL – Africa Fashion Week London – creatin individual and unique looks on the catwalks.

Josephine Adebolu – JoDeLyn London
JoDeLyn London is a contemporary jewelry collection designed and handmade by Josephine Adebolu. She produces a catwalk and diffusion range of exquisite contemporary jewelry pieces and uses them as a means to communicate and express her passion for identity and individuality. Josephine is a graduate with honors in Silversmithing & Jewelry. Her main inspiration comes from the contrasts that exist in textures, colors and materials in nature, cultures and everyday life. She combines different contrasting qualities; rough with smooth, light with dark, hard with soft, resulting in unpredictable and beautiful possibilities. She creates bold, stunning statement jewelry that ind ividualizes and distinguishes the wearer from
others.

Laura Buffa – Alter Equo
Laura Buffa launched Alter Equo in response to the emergency of the waste collection system in Rome. Rome is scattered with discarded plastic bottles that become first hand ma terial for the Alter Equo sustainable fashion project. The bottles are cut into shapes that are revealed in the plastic or cut out according to the designs previously imagined and sketched. The shapes are then worked with heating tools, allowing the plastic to react to heat according to its chemical weight. Finishing touches are semi precious stones (quartz, amethyst, carnelian, pearls) or rhinestones. “We are artisan women combining business and sustainability. We know our action is just a drop in the ocean yet we care for the environment and try to preserve it. We get inspired by the shapes and colors of the bottles to create PET plastic jewels, eco designs and home complements. We manage to find the “soul” even in a disposed plastic bottle, the symbol of massive consumerism.” Laura Buffa

Foldi Kinga – Baharat
Baharat is an haute couture and luxury prêt à porter brand. Designer Foldi Kinga is an award winning designer and costumer who handcrafts collections with an to detail, using traditional as well as unique techniques and often build upon a particular traditional decorative technique such as origami, pleating or lace-making. The designer pursues ethical principles, creating her designs in collaboration with local artisans and using left over sartorial material in the Baharat jewelry collection. The silk jewelry is crafted from two layer laminated silk, with each component part cut and ironed by hand, and strung together to create a shimmering rainbow of color.

Bethany Walker – Mixed Media Textiles
Bethany Walker is an exciting emerging Mixed Media Artist best known for her ‘signature’ combination of materials – cement and textiles. Bethany has developed her individual hand techniques, each piece is individual and creates intrigue with its integral shape, colour and relief. Bethany’s work explores connections and contrasts in the urban environment – things we all observe daily but often overlook. The dynamics of the graphic and organic; the old and the new are an endless source of inspiration for the ar tist. Endeavouring to break new ground, Bethany is pushing the boundaries of contemporary textiles – blurring design disciplines, breaking preconceptions and traditionalist viewpoints to create pleasantly stunning pieces.

Manny Flaherty – Furniture Artist
Founded in 2010 by Manuel Flaherty, Mi Mesita is a small furniture company dedicated to producing high quality, hand-made furniture that is accessible and affordable. Using traditional building techniques and domestic woods, Mi Mesita creates furniture t hat will withstand the test of time, both structurally and aesthetically. As a New Yorker, all designs take into consideration the limited space available in many NYC homes. Even in a little apartment, one
should be able to decorate with unique, beautiful, functional, and quality long lasting furniture. Each piece is hand built, and all designs are customizable to meet your needs.

Teo González – Artist, abstract art
Teo González was born in Quinto de Ebro, Zaragoza (Spain), in 1964. He studied under Jordi Teixidor before moving to Southern California in 1991. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in Art from California State University, Bakersfield. He has lived and worked in Brooklyn since 1999. His work has been included in museum shows worldwide at institutions such as the Kemper Art Museum in Saint Louis, Missouri; the Borusan Contemporary in Istanbul, Turkey; the Katonah Museum of Art I Katonah, NY; the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Esteban Vicente in Segovia, Spain; and has been included in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, NY; the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles,

CA; the National Gallery and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC; the Museo Pablo
Serrano in Zaragoza, Spain; the San Diego Museum of Art in San Diego, CA; The Achenbach Foundation in San Francisco, CA; or the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe, NM, among others.

Cristóbal Gabarrón – Artist, abstract art
Cristóbal Gabarrón was born in 1945 in Mula (Murcia), Spain, receive d his first training in Valladolid before pursuing his early artistic career in France and Italy. His current works are carried out primarily in Spain and the United States. Far from the aesthetic conventionalisms, of isthmuses or vanguards, Gabarrón’s work only understands life. His vision of art is clearly anthropocentric. The individual human life, and the coexistence and the development of human values, are the pillars on which his art and his personal convictions rest. The Olympic Mural for the Barcelona Olympic Games and the Encounter Mural for the Universal Exhibition of Seville (1992), the great sculptural project “Atlanta Start” (1996), the materialization of the wor “Hope for Peace” (1986) and the Official Poster for the Millennium Summit and the Millennium Chapel (2000-2001) are important milestones in his career, while beginning a fruitful creative period, which still remains today, marked by his collaboration with international organizations, such as the IOC or United Nations.

Tickets can be purchased via the links below….

Moda 360 tickets

Friends of the Congo fundraising evening tickets
press/buyers/magazines registration

General information: moda360intl@gmail.com