French monograms for Christmas

Last week my parcel from France arrived packed with lovely antique monograms all ready to be made into cushions. Originally part of wedding preparations for the bride to be these monograms would be sewn onto tablecloths, towels, napkins and sheets.

 They are of course double but I usually separate the 2 letters to make more saleable items it being difficult to find customers with the right combination of initials.

I have completed a pile of small cushions in most of the alphabet..sadly no M which is usually popular...using vintage linen to complete the patchwork surround. Filled with a plump feather pad they make a lovely gift for Christmas or indeed wedding or christening gifts.

The big Selvedge fair in London is almost here (see previous post for voucher for reduced entry cost) and I'm really busy with last minute preparations. Somehow a London fair always makes this provincial lass nervous and being in the company of such textile heroines as Jane Saatchi and Tamara Fogle makes this fair even more daunting. So if you're coming please come and say hello and make me feel at home

The stall is tiny so its a challenge to fill it without distracting from an attractive display. I will be taking cushions and lampshades as always but also Christmas gift ideas such as these candles in Christmas bags

Lavender sachets with Christmas labels make lovely stocking fillers

I've made a selection of Christmas stockings from quilted scraps

And of course this year's Christmas fairies currently hanging out on my workroom mantel..spot the antlers also bound for Christmas sales

See side bar for details of other fairs to come

Selvedge Winter Fair

Not sure if you're planning to brave the crowds and Christmas shop in London?..but why not combine it with a visit to the Selvedge Winter Fair on Saturday 10th November

Print off this voucher to allow entry for 2 for price of one.

The magazine dedicated to all matters textile has held fairs showcasing craft and design for the last few years but this will be the first fair held in the beautiful Chelsea Old Town Hall.

I love this venue, drawing a veil over the hideous unloading in a cramped street and up 2 flights of stairs, as the rooms are huge, wood panelled and lit by wonderful, large windows.

The following images were taken at the recent London Textile Society fair at the same venue.

I will be taking a similar selection of cushions, shades, fabrics and vintage finds

Sorry, this is blurred but don't seem to have another shot of this side of the stand

And when you've had enough inside the hall its a mere step to Heals or to the fabulous emporium, Anthropology; if I'm not on the stall thats where I'll be!

Come and say hello

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