Yup, I’m a few days early, but that’s the prerogative of a hostess right? Of course. Lets talk about my new top: 
This vaguelly suicidal model shot did not inspire me. The tech drawing did. It has more shape to it than the model gives it and I think they used my fav technique of hiding figure issues with a gaudy print. What it Butterick- I’m having that copyrit!
I was hoping for a frisky little work blouse and I got a bit of a cropped muumuu. I tapered the sides in greatly and even considered a back pleat, but I decided to just go for ‘figure skimming’. I’m pleased, I think it’s a cute little make and I enjoyed the sew.
This pattern has buttons for show. Seriously, the little devil goes over my head without opening it, so I had one of my debates with the voices in my head. The 1st voice said, be mature, make lovely button holes for the skill factor. By the by- it was windy at the museum!?
the 2nd voice said ‘yay! I get to eat fabric!’ and sounded alot like Lily my sewing machine. The 3rd voice sounded alot like Edgar Bergen and was just reminding me to buy more postum. 
I ignored all three, I think and just sewed the darn thing closed. If the buttonholes aren’t for function, why bother?
Ok, so what is all this leading to? JUNGLE JANUARY 2- Return of the Grrrrrrrrr!Â
Yes, this week we gather our pith helmets, set them at a jaunty angle and return to the sartorial jungle! 
Remember last year? No? Well where the hell were you? Don’t miss it! Flickr group here! Go reminisce and plot.
****Also, little Anne needs some help. The Blog Button Gods are not happy with me. Any tech help on making the above into our shiny new buttons would be appreciated!
photo credits: meadhawg, pattern review, google images, little me. All images remain the property of their original owners.
Yay! Jungle January 2!! I’ve been waiting and waiting for this! I so wanted to take part last year but couldn’t find any jungle fabric I liked. This year I’m well-armed!
If you can’t find anyone else more expert than me, I’d be happy to help you with the badges. I’ve done it successfully One Whole Time!
New top is super cute!
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So which pic do you like best? Im debating multiples, whatcha think?
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I like the idea of multiples – I think you had a few last year too? I LOVE the Audrey H. one, but really anything with a cat on it is fine with me!
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Excellent! I like the variety, too!
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What a scrumptious animal print and a pretty top design.
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Thank you- I love this fabric so much I have it in gold tones too!
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What a fun top and doesn’t it fit well in the shoulders and neck and hug the bunnies so well? The sleeves are darling too…now you need a couple more!
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Its the most fitted non-fitted thing I’ve ever made!
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OMG Anne – I love this top. This is another time when your make poos over the photo on the pattern. I hadn’t even noticed the pattern before and as Mrs Mole said – the fit is great. Did you add any length? Yours seems to end just at the right spot where the models are unflatteringly (is that a word??) short. If you didn’t lengthen it – do you mind my asking how tall you are?
After your lovely version this is going on my “to buy” list….
And bring on the animal print!!
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Can’t wait for JJ 2, I’ve been waiting all year! Your top is supercute, I think it fits well, with Mumu tendencies completely in check. I’ve not made a button before but what if you looked at the buttons code that you’ve grabbed from other sites and just copy and paste, substituting in your links?
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Hmmm…maybe this button may happen…
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Just read through all the comments, and wanted to say this is how I made the button for the group a friend and I are forming (Stash Diet: 2014). I found this SUPER easy to follow tutorial:
http://www.girlichef.com/p/how-to-make-blog-buttonbadge.html
It worked great for me. I’m still happy to make the buttons for you if you want me to, but it was pretty easy to do!
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Yay- thanks for this!
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Cropped Mumu, you crack me up. I’m so happy to get to participate in Jungle January this year. Also happy that I “know” you now. All the internet stalking has paid off. đŸ˜‰
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Nothing says affection like a good stalking!
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That top is wonderful on you! I always like to check out the line drawings too – the photos alone are very deceptive. Good move with the buttons too, by the way. And I love that you are also an afficionado of my favourite technique “hiding figure issues with a gaudy print”. Now I need to dive into the stash to find some fabric for jungle january!
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I do like some gaudiflage!
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Ha! I love that word – “gaudiflage”. I hope I can remember to use it some time.
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This is so cute! I love the print and the style! It looks like a smock on the model… it’s worlds nicer on you!
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The model looks really bummed about her day…..
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This top is super flattering on you and I love those sleeves.
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The sleeves kind of sold me- I may learn to make balloon animals or do semafore to really show off those sleeves in motions!
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Your top is sooo much cuter-er than the model’s. Also, I am SO IN for this (again.). SWOOT.
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Yes! Jungle January charter member!
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Copyrighting that stat.
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Oh do!
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Super flattering top. Must go and check out those line drawings. Yah for JJ2. Now to find that pattern and fabric that I’ve had stashed away awaiting the new year to roll around…
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Yes! Can you beat your total from last year?
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I’m with you on the button thing. If I can get it over my head, why bother?!! Love the print đŸ™‚
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I’d want them to just show line drawings instead of photos of actual humans, but that would deprive us of so much comedy.
Your shirt is cute, you are freaking adorable and I’m already planning on calling in sick in January to have sewing time from JJ’14.
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I dont think much inspiration is gathered from the photos- well, posing ideas of course!
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Well, at least it’s not Vogue, where they make her crouch in the window forty stories up. I love your top, by the way! It’s gorgeous.
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That was a fabulous year for ‘window dressing’
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Lovely top. I’m soooo excited for Jungle January. Will this be the year I finally get the perfect rocker-chick-chic jungle-print shorts?
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Oh yeah!
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You are looking very fabulous here and rocking the print too!
hmmm Jungle January, I want to participate, but can’t find an animal print that I would like to wear. It always looks good on other people, not me đŸ˜¦
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Last year we had linings, bras, totes, hats- be warned, once you start, you wont stop! The jungle gets in you!!!
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Love your top. It looks better on you than the model or the line drawings!
As for JJ2 I am ready to rrroar!
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Yay! I cant wait to see all the wildness!
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OK, I’m slowly evolving to appreciate animal prints and your top shows me that they don’t have to be all that realistic – not just black and white – but look like they come from Avatar. Nice!
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Fantasy animals are also good! It doesnt have to look like My Cousin Vinnie!
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I admire your ability to ignore the voices in you head. I have been hankering after a formfitting leopard dress for months, but my inner congress stops me: where would you wear it? Your mother would get a heart attack,( nevermind that I am 34) Sew something practical! Sad but true. Maybe I will start with a leopard skirt to show myself how awesome it is?
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Leopard is an excellent gateway print! Also, breaking up the print with a jacket or a belt will help you get more comfortable with the beastwear!
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Oh boy! Jungle Jan. And I love your new top! I’m with you on the buttonhole thing, I cheat all the time đŸ™‚
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Phew! I felt very shifty about my little deed- I feel better now!
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Love the top!
I had a go at a button using an image embedded in this post but it came out scarily large. I think if you can re-size the images that you’ve already got then this HTML will work:
Just pop in the location of the new, smaller image where it currently says ‘name of pretty button image.jpg.
Px
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Oh… where did my HTML go? erm…
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I’ve tweeted you some code…. hope it makes some kind of sense! Pennyx
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Thanks Doll!!!
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You’re most welcome đŸ™‚
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Your blouse looks tons better than the one the model is wearing! I just looked up the line drawing since you can’t see any of the interesting parts based on the pattern picture. This looks great on you (love the sleeves)! I stayed up late last night ordering my JJ14 fabric. I cannot wait to join the safari again!
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Now thats what I like to hear!
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I’ve often had pretty good luck with the CC patterns line. Yours looks wonderful and you certainly are getting us all primed for Jungle January!
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Great top – and I love the print. I will have to go stash diving to see if I have anything suitable for a join in. đŸ™‚
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Dig deep- we need you!
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So bummed that I’m going to have to sit out JJ this year. đŸ˜¦
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You needs sme cheetah pompoms!
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Great top!!! And my closet is definitely ready for the rooooar…
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LOVE this! Just loving the fabric and you look fab in it.
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Oh thank you!
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I love that print, and the top looks fab on you. I wholeheartedly agree with ignoring the voices in your head- Decorative Buttons are just as valid as Functional Buttons.
I’m feeling all inspired and eager, though I can’t do anything to get ready for Jungle January in practical terms as I’m away from home. So I’m having to make Srs Planz, so that I can get started as soon as I’m back. I’m looking forward to grabbing a badge just as soon as one becomes available.
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Don’t risk button holes that serve no purpose!! Good call.
Maybe I should take part this year. I’m a little nervous though. Only animal print I own is a cheetah print fedora. Maybe a coordinating skirt?
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You will be amazed at how it works as a neutral!!
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Wondering if this code for buttons will work:
“”
Just remove the first and last set of quotes…
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Nope… There are some small (yay!) JJ 2014 buttons on my blog. If you think they’ll do, I’ll send you some code!
http://pennylibrarian.wordpress.com/
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A lovely blouse. Looks comfy too.
Jungle January – I’m starting mine today and I’m actually a little bit nervous about it. Like I’m on stage!
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Oh fabulous! They dont call it the catwalk for nothing!
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What a fabulous way to start the new year. I love your new blouse. VERY YOU! đŸ™‚
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Gee well, huh……
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totally on board this year! I have fabric lined up already and everything!!
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Yay!!
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Well book me a ticket on this adventure, I’m up for a bit of Jungle Rumbling to kick start the year off with ~ but is the jungle ready for all of us ?!? … J
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The animals have been given crash helmets and warned to stay back from the jeeps!
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A very cute top! And what a fab jungle print!
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Thank you! I love it!
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love this top in those colors – and very glad to know i am not the only one who hears voices in my head đŸ™‚
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I hope your voices are always complimentary!!
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I love your posts, and in this one I notice that you are reading a very fun book as well — hope it wasn’t just all for styling… đŸ˜‰ When I finally cut my hair a few years ago, from waist length to bob, I took this book in with me and showed my hairdresser Dorothy Parker đŸ˜‰
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Past- I had a cat named Mrs Parker- i think all cats should be named after angry drunks!
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I never would pick this pattern based on the cover illustration, but it really suits you. Animal print looks soooo much better than paisley.
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Its a most unalluring cover!
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