French detail

How nice it is to sit down and with a few clicks of my new wireless mouse be back in touch with the blogging world. Our phone and internet have been out of action for a week (don't get me started on BT ) and, lovely though my i phone is, trying to write a blog or browse the net on it is only for teenagers with better eyesight than mine. I was forced to reflect that, whilst lauding all things vintage and battered, my antique textile business relies on 21st century technology. Interestingly the cause of all our woes was most basic and fittingly archaic; the phone cable had worn through rubbing against the branches of the enormous tree planted outside in the last century.

Last week whilst trawling the stalls at the Peterborough fair I spotted an ancient heavy brown bakelite hairdryer and wondered who would want to buy it. I prefer functional things to be functional and why lift this monster when a lightweight efficient version exists; this from the woman who has a set of skittles on display!
Anyway to the post I intended to write on Monday morning after several days away from home selling.
I realise my blog shop has been neglected again! and so will update the stock later as well as adding a selection of new goodies. There's a French flavour to most of my new acquisitions so hope you share my love of these.

Really love this sweet little French school uniform, an overall complete with draper's label (see image at top)
The collar is false, embroidered beautifully onto the striped fabric

I found 2 scraps of quilted toile, very small and expensive but really interesting stories

I have seen this image before and a friend translated it as "the mouse has escaped"..presumably hiding under the girl's full skirt

Often the most lovely fabrics depict quite violent scenes, imagine sleeping under a bedcover decorated with this battle scene. I hope however someone will, like me, appreciate the fine drawing and lovely soft faded mauve of this print

Quilted Provencal printed cushions and a linen bolster case from Alsace in the background

I've mentioned this classic Vichy check before and love its pink glow when lit as a lampshade; this is the latest shade I've made but have 4  in stock. It was traditionally used to back quilted toiles but is gorgeous in its own right

The floral is a new fabric find and I love it. The first shade sold as soon as it appeared on the stall so I've made another

A nice example of these French fabric covered boxes which are so useful for storing jewellery, scarves etc (functional you see!) Image of the outer is on blogshop

A simple canvas hatbox which will make useful storage for your woolly gloves, hats, scarves or indeed one smart hat depending on your lifestyle

This is a simple but very effective cotton quilt, reminds me of American Shaker designs. A lovely lightweight double with cotton wadding it is perfect to put over a duvet or simply a cotton sheet in summer
Hope you'll take a look at the blogshop..click on this link or on the image at the top right of the blog
Internet access allowing I can send more info and images; just leave a comment and I'll get straight back to you.

British Folk Art

I enjoyed an inspiring day out last Saturday when my husband and younger son came with me to Compton Verney. It is often a visit from Alex that sends us forth looking for a good lunch and artistic/literary diversion; an excuse to escape the endless gardening chores.

I had been intending to visit since a couple of friends recommended the gallery. Compton Verney is a beautiful Georgian mansion in Warwickshire which was almost derelict when acquired by Peter Moore in 1994 and reinvented as a 20th century art gallery The adaptation is very sympathetic with the cafe and shop in a modern section which fits in seamlessly.

We enjoyed all the collection; paintings from Britain and Europe, a wonderful Chinese collection (apparently Mr Moore's particular enthusiasm) and a large collection of British folk art. There is also a gallery which houses the collection and works of Enid Marx and her friend Margery Lambert. Marx was a textile designer and illustrator and used the ceramics and folk art pieces to inspire her work

Alex set up this arty shot, shame his father wasn't playing his part

I can thoroughly recommend a visit, and do try and visit on a fine day as the grounds are beautiful. Cafe is very good too!
Rather like Chatsworth without the crowds

It was good to have had a day contemplating others' work as this week is manic. Lots of buying to do before the autumn fairs get under way;washing, painting, sewing, pricing purchases and then off to sell...fingers crossed!

Come and see me in stylish Chelsea on Sunday at the London textile society fair (details on left) or, if you're a fan of the long standing Festival of Antiques on the East of England showground , I'll be in the Nat West building LO21. This Friday and Saturday from 10-4.30
If you're interested in any of the items shown please leave a comment and I'll get back to you

Retro snapping

Just back from a fabulous fortnight in California and missing those blue, blue skies
I'm still enjoying the app I downloaded for the hols; Hipstamatic allows you to achieve that retro snapshot look with 21st century technology.
Thought I'd use it for this week's blog.

There's an American feel to some of the vintage finds I'll have on offer at this weekend's open house

I still like the wooden boxes camembert are packed in but imagine a time when all cheese was packaged in wood.

Nice old cola bottles in lovely blue go well with checked shade

These threads are from France, all toning shades and look good in old storage jars

My "Van Gogh" boots next to a similarly toned portrait..sadly not by him...but rather nice 1960s feel to it

My hydrangeas have flowered well, no doubt thanks to so much rain, and are happy in this enamel jug

Whoops forgot I was standing in front of a mirror when I shapped this

This French wall light is so pretty, the pink is really delicate...perfect for a boudoir

Small rose printed quilted cotton tones with floral and vichy check lampshades

Rust red toile goes well with ticking shade
Hope you'll come along to my open house
this Friday 10-9pm and Saturday 10-4pm 
Call 0115 9604453 if you need directions
If you can't make it or are nearer to Manchester visit the Vintage Fashion and Textile Fair
details at left of this blogpost
Come and say hello!

Cotswolds Vintage Fair

Even by her own high standards Ali excelled last Saturday in creating such a busy successful day; the third Toddington August fair was brilliant.  The weather did nothing to help as we unloaded and packed up in heavy rain and those who brought their own marquees battled against torrential downpours to keep their stock intact.  But then that's the nature of the bank holiday and this year even the queen couldn't stop her parade being rained on.
I spent far too long setting up (and chatting to lovely Jo next door) and had too short a time to whizz round the other stalls before being kept busy all day.
Took these photos of the very tempting stalls in the main marquee

Jo had her usual lovely selection of mannequins, corsetry and pretty fabrics

Not entirely sure why but I completely forgot to photograph my own stall! I had even been buying in colour combinations with the stall in mind and had a pink and a blue section. Sadly no photos of the French cups which sold immediately or the flight of tool maker's drawers but below is a selection of items which will be on sale at my next open house in September

The kitchen is filled with the aniseed scent of this fennel picked at the roadside on Saturday; container is a classic white dairy jug

This is a great pharmacist's pestle and mortar, very heavy as the pestle is made of iron

Gorgeous non matching pair of child's French boots, ( did he have to wear other's cast offs?) which the dealer described rather poetically as Van Goghian

I like these piles of French books although can't imagine attempting to read them

I was very pleased to buy more of 2 of my favourite French fabrics; the lovely soft Vichy check and the small blue check which I have never discovered a name for.

Have made up some of the Vichy into shades..both pink and blue

Another favourite is this soft beige and red linen ticking which gives such a warm glow when lit.

Hope you'll come along to my autumn open house..often much better weather than in summer..email for details or for any info about the items for sale

French grey

I don't know what it is about the combination of these words but as soon as I see french grey on a paint chart I want to buy a tin and repaint a wall or piece of furniture.Silly as the shade may vary between blue, grey and sometimes green but I think it conjures up sun faded shutters and doors glimpsed on summer holidays in the south of France.
My favourite French prints almost always include grey; it works so well as a foil against strong colours and reduces their brashness. The French knew all about fifty shades of grey before E L James had ever been thought of!

 I love this turquoise and it is a perfect match for the velvet on my French bed.
As its such a large scale print I've used large feather pads which are the same proportions as pillows and look great great on a bed. An extra smaller one is made from the leftover piece.

This fabric is in great condition, probably not been made up before, a lucky find.

This red is slightly more softened by age and is a lovely warm background for this grey print.
The flowers are so beautifully drawn and full of life. I think they are a tree peony but any botanists out there can correct me.

They're all for sale from £26-28 so please get in touch in you'd like more images or info

and at once I knew I was not magnificent *

I promise not to make a habit of using song lyrics as my title; its Viv's thing and she does it so well but had to disagree with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver having seen them perform at the Latitude festival.

 Latitude, held near to Southwold in Suffolk is a laid back and very manageable 3 day event featuring music, dance, comedy as well as poetry and literary reading and of course this year lots of mud. The sheep enter into the spirit of the festival.

My highlight was Bon Iver; I couldn't imagine how the elaborate studio albums could be brought to life but the answer was in an imaginative stage lit by electric candles and with great musicians on brass, string and percussion. It was magnificent.

Other stand outs were the classy Laura Marling, lovable Guy Garvey and Elbow, brilliantly energetic Bat for Lashes and a truly fabulous set from Rufus Wainwright who burst onto a sunny lunchtime stage to sing his first song unaccompanied. Elsewhere we enjoyed Josh T Pearson although not necessarily for his musical contribution, wonderful dance and mime in Translunar Paradise, Q&A with the 2012 cast and lots more acts we happened on as we wandered around as well as eating some great street food and generally enjoying the looks of the festival. Wellies were of course de rigeur if not totally essential but elsewhere anything went from the casual boho to the young man in the tailcoat who I stood next to watching Natasha Khan but didn't summon up courage to ask about his outfit.

Felt very sad to be leaving on Sunday so it was some consolation that we were spending another couple of days in Suffolk exploring the coast and visiting favourite haunts.

Brought back these 1970s milk bottles used to advertise products of the day

This is a really nice pharmacy bottle with label intact

I liked the proportions of these candlesticks which could also make elegant hatstands; will probably give them a coat of paint as think they would look better shabby chic

A sweet cover, no idea whats going on so guess will have to read the play

Anyone for Pimms, if it ever stops raining these will make lovely garden party glasses, I'll take them to the Cotswolds fair if its sunny by then

Back home then to wash the mud from our clothes and boots although I do have a small confession; we escaped every night to the relative luxury of a nearby travel lodge..thank god!

* Justin Vernon  Holocene Bon Iver

the day the gazebo collapsed

I was tempted to title this post, "the day my house fell down" but it did sound unnecessarily melodramatic; that was however the feeling as we struggled to keep our gazebo from depositing the weight of an hour's heavy rain onto the stock beneath.
It had always felt rather mad to be leaving home at 4.30am (especially after a very enjoyable meal at friends the night before) to drive to Norfolk to set up an outside stall in the wettest summer on record; forgiveable if booked months before, not when I did it last week as it lashed it down outside.  We had needed the help of 2 lovely men from a nearby stall to erect said gazebo but we had simply not factored in the difference the sodden canvas would make to its stability. Poor Ken held on as well as he was able whilst I ran to beg to be allowed to set up stall inside the main marquee; yes, dear reader there were inside stalls which yours truly had eschewed in favour of a bigger pitch outside.  But here the story brightens even if the skies did not.  Many thanks to the staff of Nelson events who were kind and efficient and found a free stall for me to use and later when an adjacent stall was a no show allowed me to use this space free of charge.  We moved the stock, set up stall, dried out Ken, met loads of nice people, sold lots of stock, felt much more cheerful and vowed to return next year having booked an indoor stall.  The only casualties in the final analysis were the gazebo (which stayed behind) and my lovely hairdresser's "do" which returned to frizz in the damp.
I know many of you who have lovely partners who are equally keen on vintage but thats not Ken; its not his bag so I am particularly grateful for his support and physical help on these occasions especially when it involved missing the first men's singles final in our lifetime involving a Brit

And the rain continues...so its been no hardship to stay indoors and sew.
I remember as a child being saddened as my father ripped the pretty white flowers from the bottom of our garden. Now, as a gardener, I know bindweed is a pain and pull it out myself whilst loving the shape of the flower. I have seen it growing wild with a pretty pink/white striped flower but never blue so not sure if this is an artist's impression.

Makes a lovely combination with the soft blue striped linen.

Another section of the same fabric features these beautifully drawn roses teamed with a lovely cream vintage linen.

 I think it makes a pretty negative to this stronger floral also featuring roses. I plan to make the red fabric into cushions later today.

These simple linen striped cushions were popular on Sunday, I guess near the coast the blue is a great choice for holiday cottages. I've replaced the ones I sold with more
All these cushions are on the updated blog shop..click on link on right or http://www.shophellishdesigns.blogspot.com/
I want to send my good wishes to any of you who have summer events coming up, long planned no doubt and hoping for sunshine or at least not a deluge.  Two couples of my acquaintance are marrying later this month and I so hope they have decent days for their celebrations...my brush with the elements was trivial in comparison!