While we're away

We are off to Ashbury market tomorrow so the etsy shop will be closed temporarily.

While we are away, check out these other items out their in the world wide web that I have hand picked for you (just click on the captions to be whizzed away to the sites). As the weather is getting a bit cooler it is the perfect excuse for the very british activity - the cup of tea. I'm happy to have a cup of tea at any time of the day, but particularly with a nice slice of cake.

So the start to our tea is the very important cup and saucer

Creative cup and saucer

Not forgetting our tea pot and it's cosy

Hand thrown tea pot

All cosy

And you have got to have somewhere for your milk and sugar

Kellogg's Milk Jug

The best clucking sugar bowl I've ever seen

And if you can't get proper cake and biscuits then get this instead....or get them all!

Family Favourites Tea Towel

Wish me luck for tomorrow.
xx

Busy as a bee

Hello.
I have been so busy lately getting everything ready for next weekend - another market in ashbury. I felt I had abandoned the etsy shop so have popped some more items on. One item which is particularly attractive is my miniature studio lamp.

Miniature Studio Lamp

As everyone is heading back to school I think this lamp would be ideal for the desk - particularly for any of those artistic university students out there...

Anyway back to the grind stone. I will keep you posted on how things pan out next weekend and also about my first experience of being a bidder at an auction........well a commission bidder.
xx

I wish this was my fabric house

So, with a market coming up at the end of the month I am busy getting down to business. There are laundry baskets that need fabric liners, felt leaves that need cutting and chairs that need covering. And when it comes to covering my chairs I want the most unusual, colourful and retro fabric I can find. On one of my many searches throughout the world wide web I discovered My Fabric House.

Bow and Metal Buttons

Spring Leaves Fabric

Smiling Cloud Applique

There website looks fantastic and the range of items they have are so fresh with beautiful retro twists. If you have some haberdashery needs in the future I would highly recommend you check them out.

Now, can I justify buying loads of buttons even if I don't actually have a use for them yet..........I think so!
xx

Tutorial: Fallen Leaf Bunting

In anticipation of the weather changing I have a lovely tutorial for you. If you want to inject a bit of whimsy fun and colour into your home this Autumn try my fallen leaf bunting. I originally got the idea from a fantastic site - Cherry Menlove - but this is my version for you.

You will need:

• Felt (various different colours)
• Brown garden twine
• Thread (in various colours)
• Card (an empty cereal box is perfect)
• Scissors
• Needle
• Pencil

Method:

1. Firstly, on your sheet of card draw some leaf designs in pencil and cut them out. You can always get some inspiration by goggling autumn leaves. You want to have a variety of different shapes and sizes - keep going until you have a nice pile. One tip is to draw a small 'tab' at the base of the leaf (as seen in the image below), this is so that you remember to create a small tab in the felt.

2. The next stage is to cut the leaves out of felt. You want to fold the felt in half and trace around your card leaf. You will notice that the tab on the card is placed along the fold edge - we want to create a felt loop at the top of the finished leaf to feed the twine through later.

3. Once you have cut the leaf out of the felt you can then cut off the tab at the top of the card leaf. Don't throw your card away! It will be used in the middle of leaf to strengthen it. At this stage you can stitch some details on to the felt. I have chosen to use contrasting coloured thread and mimic the viens in a normal leaf.

4. Now you need to fold the felt in half again and place the card in the centre. Using the same colour thread as you used for the central details you then want to sew around the edge of the leaf to 'seal' it shut. I used blanket stitch which gives the leaves a really lovely look - there is a good tutorial on how to do this here. You will probably have to pierce the card as well as the felt so a thimble to protect your finger may be useful.

5. Keep going until you have a large pile of leaves. The last stage is to thread your leaves on to your twine. The thread should go through the tab at the top of the leaves, you can either thread it through by hand but I found it useful to use a large needle. Once you have thread all the leaves on you then just need to tie off the ends with a loop and your bunting is ready to go.

I think this bunting is perfect to put up throughout the entire autumn season, but it is also ideal for one of my favourite festivities - Halloween!

I hope you have fun giving this tutorial a go. If you love the idea but don't have the time I will be selling some of my bunting at the upcoming arts, craft and flea market in Ashbury, Wiltshire, UK with The Pear Affair - if you are in the area pop in and see me on the 25th September.

xx

The last attempt at summer

Hello.
So my baby crochet blanket has been selected to feature in redbeachgirl's treasury list on etsy - check it out here, which is all about grasping hold of the last moments of summer before we head into fall.

She has selected some lovely items with fantastic colours. I particularly like the brighton pier embroidery which is by Gillian Bates - check their shop out here. It's simple colours combined with the detailed stitching is lovely.

Brighton Pier Embroidery

Redbeachgirl also has some nice things in her own shop - check it out here. If I was brave enough I would totally wear this tank down the town. It is perfect for when the weather gets a bit nippy.....oh dear, I've wandered in to autumn again.

80s Knitted Tank

Anyway, I am being bad, I must stop shopping and start working. The problem is, there are just so many pretty things out there in the world - I want to see them all.
xx