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.

Inspiration at last!

My workroom is restored and I can finally settle to work. I've been reading a lovely book "Natural Home", a Christmas gift, and the gorgeous images have inspired me to store my essentials more attractively.
Love being able to look at these colour coordinated cottons and vintage linen buttons.

It goes without saying that I've had to hang onto the less appealing Ikea baskets in order to store the myriad pieces of fabric that are just as essential.
I was glad I hadn't cleared out too ruthlessly this weekend when I attended an inspirational workshop at the Welbeck studios. Louise Presley of Hope and Elvis has run workshops from her studio for some time but this was my first. I had seen Sally Falkner's work at Lustre, Nottingham University's prestigious designer maker event,  last November and loved her quirky characters, so when Jane suggested we go to a workshop run by her I jumped at the chance.
Sally generously shared her pattern and ideas for the face and body and offered suggestions as to how we might dress our inventions.
She uses all manner of fabrics to make and clothe her creatures but says she is most often inspired by a piece of doll's clothing or furniture by way of a starting point. Often she creates an installation placing her character on a bicycle or chair.

Mary is accompanied by her lamb.

I love this vintage machine although have to say really fell in love with Louise's computerised Brother machine which I used a couple of times. It was very much a hand sewn creation however and I love the organic way Sally works waiting to see how the character develops before finally choosing accessories and colours

I loved needle feltinga pair of slippers complete with pom poms; I'd never tried needle felting and was impressed by how quickly it was achieved even for the impatient like me
My starting point was this piece of bluebell blue cashmere sweater which made the perfect jacket and turban for my mouse. Jane bought a fab velvet hat from Sally's collection which inspired her choice of outfit

I was pleased to have a completed creature to take home and show off ( didn't actually distract my husband from the rugby but you can't expect miracles) but it had taken all day so I think Sally's prices are very reasonable!
I'm looking forward to trying again and will be looking through those scraps and digging out my Sindy knitting patterns for inspiration but in the meantime really need to make some cushions etc to sell. Have bought lots of lovely fabric recently so watch this space; do get in touch if you're looking for something in particular

We've spent the week decorating: yes, I know temperatures have been below zero and throwing open windows not the most enjoyable of activities BUT it isn't the weather for long walks or days travelling the roads. So, it's good to feel the painting is finished and the three rooms at the top of the house have been bottomed. This last, my mother-in-law's phrase, does seem to sum up that therapeutic clearing out and sorting that most rooms require every so often

Perhaps my workroom most of all where constant sewing and cutting create dust and untidiness; a new carpet is ordered to replace the glue stained, coffee soaked thing we took to the tip but actually the empty room looks great.

Nevertheless all the cupboards with their stash of fabric and the invaluable workbench will be back next work ready to finally get back to work

I managed to sew a couple of tote bags before the great clear up. I bought this lovely mid century cotton at the last V&H fair. It's made up beautifully with black wool felt and enough left over to cover a notebook.

My tiny study has had a makeover which almost makes my tussles with the computer more enjoyable. As there's so little natural light I decided to go for this deep grey blue; "downpipe" from Farrow & Ball or, as my husband prefers, drainpipe.

 I think its a really classy colour, one which cries out for a stylish painting to hang, sadly less easy to achieve!

A good backdrop for my small collection of mochaware jugs

Next week sees the arrival of the new carpet and then it really will be the big return to work..have you heard that before?

Happy New Year

What follows is a post I wrote a full two weeks ago when pine needles still nestled in the carpet and snow didn't lie deep and crisp and even. During those 2 weeks I have tried unsuccessfully to upload images to accompany the post and so it has languished in draft form. Thanks to my lovely friend Jane, who determinedly surfed the net for solutions, I have finally managed to publish it; hopefully not too out of date and I still send sincere New Year good wishes!
Hope it's not already too far into the murk of January 2013 to wish you a very happy new year!
And I realise its been about six weeks since I visited this page; much alcohol and a million calories at least having been consumed in the interim as well as lots of fun and catching up and lots of lolling on the sofa if truth be told.
Today however marked the big back to work day, wish I could say I leapt up the stairs to my attic workroom but those resolutions forbid fibbing. Suffice to say that the computer appears to be in sympathy and has gone on a go slow.
But rereading my last post I realise I left you in limbo (although as there were no comments on this post I'm not too worried about anyone suffering the effects of prolonged anticipation) not knowing whether we have a young mister or miss in our clan.

Jonah was born on the 28th November and weighed a tiny 5lbs 12oz. Fortunately he knew exactly what he had to do so was soon feeding well and by Christmas weighed around 7lbs and was still a gorgeous tiny bundle happy to be passed around.

I couldn't resist this tiny cardigan with its squirrel border..should have knitted it myself I know!
I was even more excited to see his older brother over Christmas as at 2 and half he was full of the Father Christmas excitement and eager to hang his stocking although not so keen to leave one of his mincepies for Santa.

 He arrived shouting granny's house and demanding his horse; I had tidied his favourite away to make way for Christmas decorations but fortunately there was a new bigger version to meet.

I bought this lovely ride on model from Michele at the Rangeworthy jumble; couldn't believe she was parting with him, it certainly made my long trip there worthwhile.

My favourite however is this smaller version with beautifully faded paintwork and unusual leather seat.

I'm sure one day he will be enjoyed by Jonah but perhaps not yet a while.
My next fair is not until next month but meanwhile the sewing machine beckons, unless that is it has gone on strike after such a long lay off.

Come on the blues (or the pinks)

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to my recent Christmas open house and made it the most successful home sale I have ever held. I loved being so busy, although apologies to the customers who had to wait while I mulled a new batch of wine having turned the original to red wine jam whilst chatting to a customer. It was lovely to have such a sociable atmosphere with friends meeting up and customers recognising one another from previous sales; just like Christmas proper!

My final Christmas sale will be on Saturday 1st Dec in Chipping Sodbury at Jayne and Michele's lovely Christmas Vintage and Handmade fair. Hopefully the last Christmas fairies will fly to new homes, stockings will be bought to hang and the 2013 diaries chosen as gifts. In addition I have lots of vintage goodies which would make great presents for the vintage lover or indeed treat yourself.

But before the weekend I get to meet the latest addition to our family. I am headed off to take care of my grandson whilst my son and daughter in law head off to hospital for the planned arrival of baby no 2 tomorrow. It is rather strange to know the exact date but makes childcare arrangements a simpler operation and if we know the date the gender is still a mystery. So the knitting is on hold until the little one arrives, not so much colour as style I think..so watch this space

or

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

More Christmas sales

The Selvedge fair was fabulous...PHEW, what a relief!  The customers surged forth from a long queue outside at 10 to a roomful of frantic last minute shoppers at 4; lots of lovely interested people who were there to buy. It was probably just as well that I had so little time to look as there was serious and expensive temptation in the room (and corridors outside).

We were indeed packed in and I found, having built my stall around a new shelf I had bought earlier in the week, that it was impossible to engage with customers from behind the stall.

This was a good thing as it forced me to sell more actively than I usually like to and is a lesson for the future.

The most exciting sale of the day was to Priscilla Carluccio who bought one of the monogrammed cushions having complimented me on the precision of my workmanship. I'm afraid to say I didn't recognise her although had inwardly admired her simple Guernsey style sweater, ethnic fabric coat and short stylish hair but as we discussed retail and design she mentioned her shop (sadly now closed) Few and Far. It was then that I realised I was in the presence of design royalty and was able to tell her how much I had enjoyed visiting her shop/gallery which was always an inspiration.

Of course in London its possible to see anyone including a lovely customer I had last seen at a very wet summer fair in Norfolk and who I did recognise. There was such talent in the room from those who source fabulous fabrics..thebluelinencupboard, Beyond France, Polly Lyster's Dyeworks and indeed vintage linen doyenne Jane Saatchi to incredibly talented makers. I was sorry not to have had chance to photograph more but lovely Ellie Evans had a stall full of gorgeous, embroidered pieces and to her right a girl called  "Holy Smoke" who made all manner of pieces from grey linen.

My lovely, and long suffering, neighbour was Jessie Chorley who became a friend for the day. I had heard about her work and shop on Colombia Road but never seen her work....ethereal hangings, pictures and journals using embroidered text and found items. Completely unique and inspiring, suffice to say she was surrounded by admiring shopppers all day.

So back home to restock for this week's fairs in Woburn and in Harrogate.Really looking forward to seeing old friends both amongst the stallholders and customers and to relaxing with my daughter who lives in Leeds
The monogrammed cushions sold very well in London and I've made up the final two. On a linen ground I've surrounded these with a lovely creased linen and a toning floral print.

The Selvedge fair focussed mainly on my handmade designs but I have bought lovely vintage pieces for these fairs..as ever finding room for them all on the stall will be the challenge.

I will have chance to show them all the following week at my open house; do leave a comment if you would like an invite or indeed any more info about the fairs or stock in this post