Calling all Curvy ladies from Canberra!

This week, I shipped a whole bunch of stock to Darling Central in sizes ranging from 14 up to 20.

In stock from tomorrow are my 'Sara' shirts in Pink Rose, 'Smitten' skirts in Black, 'Rocker Girl Jane' dresses in Red with white pindot and Black 'New York Groove' dresses, a style that's perfect for busty ladies.

If you have'nt been to Darling Central, the address is:

Shop 9, Number 7 O'Hanlon Place
Gold Creek, Nicholls
(just off the Barton Highway)
Open Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays
10am - 4pm

They have special Christmas/Holiday hours:

Thursday 8 December (late night shopping!) 5 pm to 8 pm
Friday 9 December 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December 10 am to 4 pm

Friday 16 December 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December 10 am to 4 pm

Thursday 22 December 10 am to 4 pm
Friday 23 December 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday 24 December (Christmas Eve) 10 am to 4 pm

Thursday 29 December 10 am to 4 pm
Friday 30 December 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday 31 December (New Year’s Eve) 10 am to 4 pm

So, if you live in Canberra, please pop in and say hello and tell Darla and Bloss "Peta Pledger sent you!".

Meet vintage loving blogger, Andi B. Goode!

What-ho! My name is Andi B. Goode and I'm a vintagey blogger in her mid-20s who hails from Adelaide, South Australia. My name is actually Andrea but one day, about five years ago, I took it upon myself to start going by the name ‘Andi B. Goode’, for all things internet. I wasn’t terribly original as I just slightly modified the title of a wonderful song (by one of the best rock ‘n’ roll artists, ever).


I've been blogging since July 2009 and making a conscious effort to dress in vintage (and vintage styled/inspired) fashions since sometime around my 21st birthday. I love the fashion, music, movies and general aesthetics of the 1930s-1960s and it's from this period I draw the most inspiration in my own style, though I'm happy enough to be living in 2011!




My blog encapsulates my love of these eras and, whilst I tend to mainly focus on my outfits there, it's possibly best described as a 'my vintage life' kind of blog.

Some of my favourite non-blogging pastimes include playing the ukulele, watching movies from any era, knitting (from my ever-growing collection of vintage patterns) and collecting (Barbies, vintage knitting patterns, vintage cameras, ceramic cat figurines, etc).
Outside of my blogging life, I've completed a degree in visual arts and have just finished some further study in art history.

From there you should be able to find me at many other places around the internet, too!







<- Wearing Peta Pledger 'Angelique' dress.















You can find my blog here: http://www.andibgoode.com/

Perri and Ed's Wedding

Like most of the brides that come to me for a wedding dress, Perri wanted a dress that she could wear after her wedding day.

Being in Melbourne, it was really hard for us to predict the weather. Early December should be summer afterall, which means sunny, right? Well, that is not the case with Melbourne, it could be cold and raining, sunny, it could hail, it could be windy or it could be extremely hot (or all of the things I just mentioned in one day).

Perri knew she wanted red and something that would keep her cool if it was a 45C day. Cotton sateen was the fabric we chose and after 2 initial designs, we decided on an 'Anni' dress style, but using a full circle for the skirt. I initially was going to fully line the dress, but as the weather was looking like it would behave, I decided to half line the dress using red viscose lining, as cotton sateen with lining can be a little heavy on a super-hot summer day.

The outfit was completed with a 1950s style Malco Modes petticoat and a beautiful crocheted shrug, handmade by her friend.

Perri also wanted her bridesmaids to wear dresses that could be worn again, they chose my 'Rocker Girl Jane' style dress "off the rack" from my online store and we used red with white cotton pindot fabric, instead of polka dot fabric. I made white belts to compliment their white petticoats, and as the bridesmaids live in different places around the world, each one was altered by their own dressmaker.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Perri and Ed for making me a part of their wedding day. It has been alot of fun.

Make Your Stuff Earn It's Keep by Lissanne Oliver

This is Lissanne's final blog hijack installment. Thank you so much for taking the time to offer us your useful tips to keep our studios and workrooms organised and clutter-free. - Peta


Did you know we use 20% of our stuff 80% of the time?

Think about the books, patterns, templates, tools and equipment you favour for your craft. Did you know that you use these supplies 80% of the time but they account for only 20% of what you own? It’s called the Pareto Rule, or 80/20 Rule.

Here’s some fresh ways you can use the 80/20 rule in your world:

*Ensure items are versatile. For example, a washing basket is almost only ever going to be a washing basket. Whereas a tub can also be a vessel that will hold water too. Suddenly, this item easily qualifies for your valuable 20%.


*Avoid multiples. Do you really need that cache of buttons, trims, stationery or stash of “collected” magazines? Be ruthless. I know you own multiples of things that you will never use again. Do you have multiples of items because the original was broken or lost? Time to pare down.

*Feeling cramped? Storage at capacity or overflowing? Try having your storage only 80% full. Having room to move is very liberating. If it’s tricky deciding what to let go of, remind yourself about what are you making space for- for example, all the homeless items you can’t put away!

*Choose just one day a week as your maintenance day. Only spend 20% of that day on your craft, and the remaining 80% dealing with paperwork, doing accounts, decluttering. I love Mondays for maintenance - it's an easy start to the week and allows for planning the coming days.

*There will be 2 things on your to do list that are more important than the other 8 (eg getting your tax done, so you can claim a lovely refund! Or making the call to the photographer who will shoot your next work, ready for sale). Identify the two and get cracking. The two that are most important are often the most overdue or the tasks we perceive to be unpleasant. Remember I said perceive!

*Are you not using a tool or piece of equipment to it’s full potential? I’ve been guilty of this. Make the time to read the manual so you can achieve a better end result. Do you only know how to use 20% of the features on your camera – what a shame!

Taking the time to make good decisions about the things you own is an investment. Through the process, you will find lost items, reconnect with valuable items and feel liberated physically and emotionally. Get to it!

Image sources: Vilfredo Pareto, Blue tub, Pink basket

Evernote Your Stuff by Lissanne Oliver

As a creative peep myself, I know it can be tricky to manage all the ideas, inspirations and references that are used to create. Collecting, storing and retrieving can be a challenge.

If you're anything like me you’ve used a random collection of sticky notes, scraps of paper, notebooks, browser bookmarks and bits and bobs torn from magazines and newspapers.

The old way of doing things:



Thanks to a tip from Joshua Zerkel of Custom Living Solutions I discovered a new way of doing things. It's called Evernote.

What makes evernote special? As they say, “Capture, organise, find.” Evernote is many things: a dumping ground, a search tool, an organising tool. It’s searchable, you can use tags, you can store snippets of text, URLs, photos, voice notes, sketches, literally anything you can think of. It will also recognize your handwriting so can search your (scanned or photographed) handwritten notes; amazing! I think it’s a great place for all those bits of info I *might* need or want to lay my hands on without thinking too hard about it.
It’s an app, a web based application, downloadable software from your computer. It automatically syncs across all mediums. Best of all, it’s free.


Here’s some ways I use evernote:

* I scribe creative ideas- say, an idea for a newsletter theme or blog post for time management and call the note “Next Newsletter”. I could also tag the note if I wanted say “time management" or "productivity" so I can easily retrieve multiple notes easily.

* I collect notes into notebooks - house renovations, Professional Organiser Training and recipes are just three of my notebooks, but you can have dozens of notebooks (or folders, if you like).

* I created a screen grab of my company web colours so I could be consistent with design across mediums. It’s safe in Evernote. And if it wasn’t in Evernote, where would I put it for goodness sakes?

* I dump images of decorating or design for inspiration.


Photo source: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/942134/

* Notes scribbled from a phone call are photographed on my webcam and uploaded so I can chuck the scrappy note and have a clutter free space. love it!

* I take a photo on my iphone of supplier opening hours can simply name the ‘note’ with the name of the store.

* I archive PDFs of my existing newsletters so I can know when I last mentioned a particular concept or tip.

Blowing your mind yet? Evernote really is “remember everything”. I don;t want to mess with your head, but the above are just the starting point... in the future, everyone will use Evernote. I swear I'm getting and Evernote tattoo.

There are so many ways you can use Evernote. Do you use is? Have you used it for task or project management? I’d love to hear!

Prioritizing Your Time by Lissanne Oliver

Steve Jobs said it:

“People are busy doing whatever they do best, and they want us to do what we do best. Their lives are crowded. They have other things to do than think about how to integrate their computers and devices.”

Wouldn't it be great if everything in life travelled smoothy and nothing ever went wrong? Things didn't break, emergencies didn't happen and unexpected tasks, projects and events didn't chew up our time?

Let me help you take better control. Let me help you manage your time. Here’s the best Steve like-advice I can give you.

First up: what’s your biggest time waster? Identify it, then moderate. Be honest with yourself: if it's screen time (eg the interwebs) limit phaffing to half what you normally do. Set a timer, then unplug your ethernet cable. If you're on wireless, shut down your browser and work interrupted.

*Allow for delays. They happen. 10% contingency is great. 20% contingency is genius. For example, if it takes you 10 minutes travel, allow 11 minutes. 11 minutes is great. 12 minutes is genius!


*Plan for the worst, hope for the best.


*Fortune favours the prepared mind. Kudos, Louis Pasteur.


*Have more time for the good stuff by focussing when you have to do and phaffing when you can. Don't mix 'em up.


*Email is a recipe for inaction. Pick up the frickin phone. Do it now.


*Don't "do it later." Not making decisions means clutter and it means you are having to revist, rethink, rehandle the thought or item.


*Are you doing too many things at once? Here's a wonderful poem to help with overwhelm:


Productivity in 11 words

One thing at a time.
Most important thing first.
Start now.

Or you can check out my series of comics to help with organising, decluttering, productivity: Luke Gets Lost is a familiar tale of laziness.

"A little work now for a lotta lazy later on."


Corinne Grant talks about "shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic". Agreed. I think procrastination is about as useful as drinking 3 bottles of wine in one sitting: there's no way you'll feel good about it the next day. Are you self sabotaging? Or just a tad lazy?


*Lissanne Oliver is a Snow dome collector, creative peep, business owner, collaborator,
TV presenter and as her dad says "The Bradman of Organising".

Roxy Music - More Than This

While we're waiting for Lissanne to upload today's super awesome tip, here is a nice Wednesday afternoon tune by one of her favorite bands, Roxy Music.

Top five Storage solutions by Lissanne Oliver

What the frick is a storage solution? It sounds like a crazy promise to me! Your storage problems are rarely about the storage you have, rather the content you own (too much) and where that content is located. Containerisation should always be second to dealing with your content.

1. Do a storage audit! Where is your most valuable storage and why? Are you storing little used items in your prime real estate?

2. Make sure your content marries the location. Don't be afraid to use containers from the kitchen for desktop storage; a pretty vintage tin marries function and form

3. Do you do mail order? A shipping station is a must!

4. Hang it up. Scissors, tapes, swatches, notepad, etc work beautifully on hooks. Making better use of horizontal space means you have space to plan and work.

5. Do you have a place for UFOs (unfinished objects)? If you don't have a 'home' for these items, designate one now. I like a shelf or secondary workbench for stacks, piles and groups of to dos. A clothes rail + bags + coathangers also works a treat for fashion / textiles on the go.
We love Multix Resealable Storage Bags (extra large for around $4 at Coles).

6. Clear containers are great if you want to view what you've got, but remember that with good labelling (can be visual as opposed to words) opaque containers will give you a more streamlines look.


TIPS:

* Remove lids from any container you have on a shelf - the box or tub will act more like a drawer and be easier to get to.

* Your desk top or workbench is for working not for storing.

* We love gigantun zip lock bags! they are great for soft, light materials or excesspackaging.

* Empty boxes are only useful when you put stuff in them.



All photos courtesy of Lissanne Oliver/SORTED! organising & decluttering and may not be used without permission.

Time to get SORTED! Lissanne Oliver is hijacking my blog for a week!

Ok, people this is an intervention! A hijack!

I'm Lissanne ... I am hijacking Peta Pledger's blog. I know you creative peeps struggle to get and stay organised. That clutter gets you down.

I help people get organised so they have more time for the good things. If you are cluttered, waste time looking for things, 'double buy' and struggle to stay (or get!) organised, the next five days are for YOU. Say no to overwhelm, and YES to being SORTED!

I'll give you a different task, direction or tips each day until Friday.

Today I want you to maximise your space. There are two ways to achieve this SUPER FAST.

1. PUT THINGS AWAY A great place to start getting organised is by putting away everything you've left out and about in your creative workspace.If it doens't have a home, assign it one now.
If you have no room to put away to, move onto step 2 immediately!

2. THROW OUT OBVIOUS RUBBISH
Excess packaging, empty boxes and containers (no, they really won't come in handy, look how many you have for goodness sakes!), old magazines (anything older than 3 months needs to go, let's start afresh for 2012). If you think you have no rubbish or recycling, move to the back of the drawer, cupboard, out in the shed or garage, and I guarantee you will find some. Bear in mind the rubbish can be quite large: old furniture you were going to repair, a piece of equipment that needs more TLC you can provide (Besides, it's been there for so long it's almost vintage now).

DO IT NOW! Take action. Stop phaffing. Start sorting.

So, stop reading and spend the next 15-60 minutes getting organised. Then report back. GO!

PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Wesley-Smith
http://www.paulwesleysmith.com.au/

Need a stretchy skirt for the Holiday Season?

With so many people having babies and with summer coming, I wanted to make a super comfy skirt that could be dressed up or down.

The 'Louisa' skirt is made from medium-heavy weight stretch polyester/spandex. I have personally road tested it and it retains it's shape throughout the day really well.

I have used a straight skirt pattern, so it is not too tight around the thigh and knee area. The waistband is elasticised with 1.5cm heavy duty "knicker elastic".

This skirt is not only for pregnant women, but I did find a gap in the market for nice skirts that can be worn during and after pregnancy.

I can only make 30 of these skirts as the fabric is super limited, so if you want one, please don't wait (I still get emails from people asking for leopard print 'Frankie' tops).

Shop using Australian dollars at my online store.

Shop using US dollars at my Etsy store.

Model: Beckiejo
Photo credit: Rocketman Photography

'Ahoy' art print by draw! pilgrim giveaway!

Would you like to win a free art print by the lovely Pilgrim Lee?

Knowing how much my customers and blog readers love all things nautical, Pilgrim has given me an A4 size art print, featuring her Ahoy design in 'shipwreck' colourway to give away to one of you.

To be in the running, please leave a comment below (not on Facebook or Twitter please) and I will ask my 5 year old son (who can't read yet) to point to the winning comment on Friday, the 2nd of December at 5pm.

Please note:

The print is sent unframed and shipped in a poly bag and lovingly nestled in a rigid mailing envelope.


paper size: A4, 297x210mm (11.7x8.3 inches)
image size: 249x197mm (9.8x7.75 inches)

Please be aware that colors can vary on different monitors.


Printed with a xerox DC5000 on silk coated 200gsm paper


All artwork © Draw! Pilgrim copyright and reproduction rights do not transfer with the sale/giveaway of prints or original artwork.

Beckiejo's Kelly Green dress for Miss Pinup Victoria

Beckiejo presented me with a beautiful pair of emerald green shoes and asked me to design a dress around them.

She wanted something that could be worn with or without a petticoat/underskirt and something 'classic'.

I decided early on that I wanted to use a medium to heavyweight stretch satin and 10 colour samples were sent to Beckiejo.

Kelly Green was decided on (although my terrible iPhone photos do not reflect the true colour of the dress) and a toile was made in calico.

I used a darted boat neck bodice that had a high neckline - front & back, but as you will notice if you scroll down to the next blog post, I liked the 'v' in the back of Sheena's wedding dress and modified Beckiejo's design for the final toile.

The fabric is 97% Polyester/3% Spandex Satin and a dream to sew. I was nervous about sewing a full circle skirt in this fabric but it was not difficult at all.

I did not line this dress, which is uncharacteristic for me, but used a neck and armhole facing. I finished off the dress with a handmade belt with diamonte vintage style buckle.

Beckiejo was Miss Va Va Voom Victoria and Miss Classic Pinup Runner Up at the 2010 Miss Pinup Australia competition and handed her 'titles' to this year's winners.

Photo credit for photo of Beckiejo wearing her Miss Pinup sashes: Lizey Weber

Sheena and Gary's wedding

Sheena (pictured above with her lovely mother and father) gave me a photo of a wedding dress idea she had and we started the design process approximately 6 months before her wedding day, which was on Saturday the 19th of November 2011.

We started off with a tea length dress that had princess seams in the bodice, with a boat neckline and a full circle skirt.

The fabric we chose was polyester shantung in cream with cream coloured viscose lining.

At Sheena's second appointment (the one where I take her measurements), I asked her to try a toile on I had ready for another client and she fell in love with the style.

We changed the bodice design lines from princess seams to bust and waist darts, and added a just below the knee length full circle skirt.

At out next fitting, we chatted with her bridesmaid Leia about the skirt, as we were not "100%" about the full circle skirt. We looked at a few of my other dress images online and decided on an a-line skirt with a flat front and back, gathered at the sides.

We cut a small 'v' into the centre back and settled on the final design. I finished off the dress with a exquisite beaded bridal quality braid from Clegs, hand-sewn around the waitsline.

Sheena's 5 bridesmaids wore my 'Vanessa' style dress in black cotton sateen, half lined in viscose lining with a red 1 1/2 inch wide fabric covered belt.

I am far too excited to wait for Sheena and Gary's professional photos, so I am using photos that Sheena has given me permission to use via Facebook.

I would like to thank Sheena, Gary, Finn, Kristy, Leia, Ash, Erin and Kylie for making me a part of their special day.

It may have rained all day on Saturday, but from the photos I have seen so far, the sun shone brightly throughout their whole wedding. x

Photo credit: Kristy Nicholl and Alicia Fussell

Little T's Raindrop dress

I made this cute dress using American craft cotton from Clegs (or was it Japanese?!), a vintage sewing pattern and finished it with a yellow velvet bow.

The back has an invisible zip and the neck hole is faced.

Little T loved her dress and would'nt stop twirling around in it, hence the blurry photo.

When Twiglet met Ink & Spindle

Dana Leviston from Twiglet has joined forces with Lara Cameron & Tegan Rose from Ink & Spindle to create childrenswear label, Inklet.

Using organic cotton that is designed and screen printed here in Kensington, Vicroria, the trio create beautiful pieces of baby and childrenswear, as well as cosy blankets/wraps that are made locally, using ethical production.

You can buy Inklet online here and it is also available in some stores (please drop the ladies an email for current stockists).

'Like' Inklet on Facebook.

*Photos by Rebekah Lyn Photography and are not to be used without permission.

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween and I love this desktop image by Candice DeVille who is a part of Some Fancy Ladies.

You can download your own copy here of this stunning image from Candice's blog, Super Kawaii Mama.

*Image copyright Candice DeVille and Some Fancy Ladies

Are you in Melbourne and need to get your home/office Sorted? Read on about a free pass to an organised you!

Ooh! Breaking News! Lissanne Oliver from SORTED! organising & decluttering has given me 2 single passes (valued at $499 each) to giveaway to my blog readersfor the 6 Steps Workshop she is a speaker at TOMORROW (Melbourne).

Be one of the first 2 people to email Lissanne at lissanne@sorted.net.au for your chance to win!!

Lissanne has organised both my home (not this one!) and my studio and I highly recommend her and her colleagues.

Link to tomorrow's 6 Steps event here.

Black 'Frankie' top - PRESALE

I have had many written requests to make another run of plain black 'Frankie' tops (pictured).

As retail has been a little quiet in Australia, I am being careful about how many garments I make, so I am going to offer this top on a presale basis.

If I don't get enough orders (there is a minimum quantity of this fabric that I can buy from my supplier), your order will be refunded within the next two weeks.

Date preorder starts: 6th September 2011

Orders close: Tuesday the 20th of September, 2011 at 12pm

You can pre-order the top from here.

My own little tribute to Jani Lane (RIP)

As I waited for Puffing Billy to arrive at Emerald Station to pick up my little family and I to take us back to Belgrave Station, [the train station that takes you back to Melbourne], I had a quick look at my Facebook wall and rolled past a post by my friend Lea.

It was a Warrant clip and some words about leaving us too soon. I instantly knew it that Jani Lane had passed away.

A text message to my friend Peter of I Heart Guitar and his death was confirmed.

My heart filled with sadness and my head was confused as I was having a wonderful day out of Melbourne with my family as I mourned the passing of a fragment of my teenage years.

Now, I have to be honest, aside from 'Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich' and 'Cherry Pie', I did'nt follow the band until present day. I was one of the many people that was part of the mass migration from hard rock/glam/heavy metal to Grunge upon listening to Nirvana and Soundgarden

In 1988, I saw 'Down Boys' on MTV Australia and immediately loved the song, I telephoned my friend Jodii and we planned a trip to Metal For Melbourne to buy their album.

My friends and I went to see Warrant play when they toured and we hung out infront their hotel in hope of meeting them. From memory, I did'nt meet Warrant, but I snapped photos of them as they rushed in and out of taxi's as some of us screamed "Jerry!", "Erik!" and "Jani!".

I still listen to the two aforementioned records to this day and everytime I do, I remember a life that was innocent and carefree. We live in a society that is obsessed with looking young, but as I reflect on my wonderful teenage years, no amount of Botox can ever make you BE young.

For me personally, Jani's tragic passing is sad firstly because his children, loved ones and family will live with the pain of losing him for the rest of their lives and for me, one of the voices of my youth went before I could Tweet him and say, "hey, you're awesome and we still love your music, regardless of the fact you're no longer Warrant's front man".

If you're troubled and feel like you don't have anyone to talk to, contact your GP or Beyond Blue.

And to my old friends that are reading this blog post, remember how many times we quoted this? "Call me crazy, call me insane, call me Jani, fuckin' Lane!".

I love this photo so much...

It's been a long time since I blogged a favorite photo of a friend, however, I came across this one on my friend Sam's Facebook page and had to show it to you.

Sam and I made friends in the happy and hazy early 1990s. We lost contact during the time that we all stopped using our home phone numbers/moved out of our parents houses and started using social networks, such as Facebook. But thanks to Facebook, we are reunited as friends.

I love this photo because the person that took it captured both his shy side and his self confident side in one go.

Pop Up Studio Sale starts this week!

I am taking part in a cool little Pop Up starting this week at the Nicholas Building on Level 2, 37 Swanston Street in Melbourne.

There will be a Pinup Photo Booth run by Helen McLean, Helen will be available to discuss future photoshoots and photography work.

Artists selling their wares are Betty Jo Designs, Emily Green, Dawn Tan, Lynnelle Moran of Crumb..., Madeline Stamer and Shara Lambeth.

I won't have many dresses to sell due to custom work taking up my time, but I will be selling some dresses, tops, shirts, skirts, cushions and accessories.

If you have any dressmaking enquiries or if you want me to take your measurements so you know what size you are when shopping at my online store, I will be available on all three days for chats and consultations.

Sadly, Pilgrim Lee who created our adorable poster artwork will not be in attendance due to poor health.

Did you see Pulp on Friday night? I did'nt and I am ok about it...sort of

So; I had to choose between buying a Pulp ticket for their show at Festival Hall in Melbourne or a Soundwave Revolution ticket. After much discussion, I convinced myself that SW Revolution would "be better value for money". I made a mistake. I made a mistake because I am not going to SW Revolution afterall and Pulp tickets were a total sellout...that and I was unwell on Friday night and most likely would not have been able to go anyway. *sigh*

Now, I know missing out on a concert is not worthy of being sad about considering all of the horrific things people endure on a daily basis but there is a tiny part of my brain that can't help feeling sad.

Pulp were there for my friends and I in the 90s. We danced to them at Steve Wide's nights at Dream Nightclub and Pulp were there on lazy Sundays while we 'recovered' from our big weekends. Some of us loved Jarvis and some of us loved him and kept it a secret. We danced to Pulp at our mini discos in my lounge room and sung along to their songs in our car.

It's not often I feel post "I did'nt see..." sadness, but I do in relation to Pulp today, hence my blog post.

Anyway, if you were lucky enough to see them on this tour I would love to hear your feedback. :)

Guest post by Helen McLean - The best classic pin up photography just got better!

I think it’s of utmost importance to regularly fine-tune my photography business to keep making it better and to find ways to offer more to my clients. And I do believe, I have just created the ultimate in both experience and package inclusions.
Firstly, I have taken away the confusion of ordering prints after your session. Previously, you had the choice of printing any of your edited images in whatever size you wanted. Sounded perfect.

However, after almost a year of working with this offer, I came to realise that this post-shoot decision was a confusing one for most and sometimes the decision was left for months. This was a case of ‘too many options offered’.
Therefore, after trialing with much success – I am now offering a more custom service by presenting you your images on screen after your session, and helping you choose which images are to be edited and printed – all as part of the package, no more to pay afterward.

That way, 3 weeks after your shoot, you will have your prints at home ready to display. With no extra effort, you will be able to adorn your walls, add sneak peek sized prints in your wallet/purse and place prints on your dresser table!
Secondly, I would like to introduce to you with much excitement, the studio’s newest member to the classic pin up package. She is a professional hairstylist and makeup artist, who specialises in vintage looks. The woman who walks the talk, Ms Candice DeVille (aka Super Kawaii Mama).

Candice DeVille is available, not only as part of the Helen McLean photography experience in the studio – she also provides her makeup and hairstyling services for private bookings such as weddings, parties and hen’s nights. And with Candice’s wealth of fashion knowledge she also provides styling services.


Helen McLean and Candice DeVille.

Finally, as a bonus – I have been in discussions with the authentic vintage clothing collector, Bonnie Rose Vintage. On occassion, we will have available the use of Bonnie Rose’s collection to wear during your shoot – this is an amazing opportunity not to be missed! This offer will be available only a few times throughout the year. Subscribe to the newsletter to be notified of the dates.

The standard studio wardobe (available to all bookings), has been photographed and available as a PDF file for you to peruse prior to your booking. This file is supplied to all booking enquiries.

What can you expect with Helen McLean’s classic pin up package?

Option of using the studio wardrobe (PDF of garment option available by email)

Nibbles and beverages provided throughout your session

Professional hairstyling and makeup by Candice DeVille (aka Super Kawaii Mama)

Easy & relaxed photo shoot with 100% posing direction by Helen McLean

Viewing of your shoot on screen to choose your favourite images for high quality ‘vintage-look’ editing

Your chosen images printed and posted to you

With Helen McLean and Candice DeVille working as a team, you are sure to get the best service and end product available.
We are currently taking Bookings for August, September and October currently. Please view the Pin Up Packages page and Contact Helen McLean for bookings.


Model: FoxTrot India, Stylist: Candice DeVille, Fashion: Bonnie Rose Vintage

View more of Helen McLean’s portfolio:
Website gallery
Facebook gallery

Plus size 'Smitten' skirts ready to ship

Are you looking for a true pencil skirt in an easy to care for fabric, suits a lady with a small waist and curvy hips and is ready to ship?



The 'Smitten' skirt listing in my online store now comes with waist and hip measurements - for the finished garment.

This skirt was featured in The Age M magazine a few months ago and can be made in size 8 up to size 20. The outer fabric is black and features red lining.

I can also make this skirt in any fabric that is suitable upon request.



Also note, all garments purchased from my online store are subject to a full refund if the item is not the right fit and a money back guarantee.

A Night At The Hop present Christmas In July - skanking good times ahead!

From the Night At The Hop event page via Facebook:

Time and date: Saturday, July 16 at 8:00pm - July 17 at 1:00am

Location: Gertrude's Brown Couch - Upstairs
30 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy, Australia

Details: Tickets are $20 on the door, or
$15 pre-purchased via paypal - with a special gift to collect on the night for pre-purchased ticket holders.

Dress to impress

To order your tickets, go to

paypal. com
"send money"
"send to a friend"
To "scooterheadsc@gmail.com"
The "amount" is the number of tickets you want, times $15

Printable tickets will be emailed to you at the email address linked to your paypal account (or other as requested) within two business days. If you haven't received it, double check that the paypal went through before emailing us.

Cheers and we hope you can join us,
Scooterhead Nation


I have been to many nights run by these guys and they are always so much fun!

It's my birthday today!

I am 38 years old today and to celebrate, I have created a 20% discount code for you to use in my online store.

Enter HAPPYBIRTHDAY at the checkout to receive 20% off your order.

PHOTO SOURCE

Meg wears 'Frankie' with Kitty's approval

Meg tweeted this photo to me last night. I love it so much I [with her permission] had to share it with you.

Please remember, I LOVE receiving photos of you wearing 'Peta Pledger' and there is always an option for the photos not to be uploaded online.

Meg runs her own business, A Kawaii Mau Mau Design, you can take a peek at her website here.

3 inch wide belts available from my online store

3 inch wide belts in leopard print, red and jet black are now available from my online store.

I can make them to your waist measurement and I have a few sizes in stock, ready to ship.

If you have any questions, please send me an email to: peta@petapledger.com

T-shirts for little people by Arthur's Circus

Natalie Jeffcott and her partner Nick run Arthur's Circus. An amazing store/online store filled with vintage toys and vintage inspired artwork.

Natalie is a photographer and has shot some of her vintage toy collection and printed the images on to 100% Australian made, sweatshop free t-shirts in size 0 up to size 6.

I am currently stocking them in my online store, but if you want to see what else Arthur's Circus has to offer, check out their online store.

The tees are AUD$20 each + shipping and are available here.

*All images Copyright 2010-2011 Natalie Jeffcott/Arthur's Circus and may not be used without permission.

Beautiful Miss Louise

This beautiful portrait of Miss Louise wearing her Pink with Black spot 'Frankie' top was taken by Bexterity Pinup Photography in NSW.

Is'nt she gorgeous?! I am so honoured that Miss Louise chose a 'Peta Pledger' top for her pinup shoot.

Visit Bexterity's Facebook page and 'Like' it today!