A blue period

Finally back to full time sewing and it appeared a pattern was emerging. Apparently I had bought a lot of blue fabrics over the last few weeks. Certainly they all looked harmonious when piled on the workroom couch.

I particularly love this china blue French cotton; the roses are beautifully drawn and are on a soft greyish cream ground. I've combined them with a soft blue stripe and white linen.

This classic blue Vichy check makes great lampshades; I've a pair and a single one at present which would be lovely for a kitchen or bedroom

I had a larger piece of this smaller check and made a shade with tied bow trim; like it on this nice old base.
Enough left over for sweet pair of candle shades..perhaps better suited to decoration than practical lighting.

Another favourite blue fabric is French mattress ticking and I've made a group of cushions in it as well as the popular slouch shape bag.

This check cotton is often made into shelf trims and tablecloths; I have several of these to sell but used one piece to make a pair of cushions. Combined with white linen they make a fresh spring like look for the living room or kitchen.

Finally a piece of linen ticking; much softer than the cotton variety this is great for lampshades especially large ones. It's been a while since I came across this colourway which is more often found in red

I'm finally updating my blogshop! All these and more will be there, hope you'll take a look.

in haste

I'm busy getting the house ready for this week's Christmas Open house but just wanted to post a few pics in the hope I can tempt you to come along. It's been a busy couple of weeks with sales in Woburn, Harrogate and last night at my sister's in Sheffield so its been several days since I was at home properly. The cats are pleased to see me but it hasn't stopped raining since Monday so no chance to venture out into the garden to pick the ivy and holly I had hoped to place in vases and jugs. Instead I've bought several tiny Christmas trees which are just the right scale for my Christmas fairies.

I like an wooden sledge to display Christmas presents in the hall or under the tree; actually prefer the indoor variety to gliding over that white stuff. The watering can is a perfect Christmas red

I've made lots of different fairies this year so you can be sure of a unique gift; all dressed in vintage fabrics and packaged in a calico bag. Fairies are shown with Christmas stockings made from vintage quilted cotton.

I love this American tin star in  brick red

These green parfait jars make a good Christmas decoration, fill with a candle or with ivy as I had intended to do

As you can see the weather is gloomy outside but these linen shades cast a warm glow

Cushions and eiderdown in warm red and golden tones

I like this painting both for its simple style and turquoise and grey colours. The parfait jars filled with French threads are both decorative and a useful gift for a seamstress
Back to the garage to bring in more stock to display and cushions to fill the sofas; and then mincepies to make and mulled wine to brew.
Hope you can come along, if you need more details please leave a comment