Friday, January 13, 2012

A bright and shiny New Year!

Happy New Year!

I hope this post finds you well and happy.  My New Year has got off to a great start and I have many plans to make improvements to my home and work life this year.

I have planned to attend lots of fairs this year, my website has been updated with new and exciting fabrics and I have had some great press already.

So, first things first, fairs -  The next fair I am stalling at will be the Vintage and Handmade Textile Fair at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall (see sidebar for link) on Saturday 25th February. This is followed by a new and exciting event in Taunton. The Remnant and Rag Rummage, organised by the Vintage Bazaar girls Lizzie and Clare (again see sidebar for links).

Both great events and ones for your diary. I will update you as the year goes on but do keep an eye on my sidebar for future fairs.

I have updated the website which had been a bit neglected as I  stocked my warehouse, prepared for  fairs and prepared for Christmas. There is now a selection of bright and beautiful new fabrics in stock.





Also added to the website are these beautiful 19th Century French linen mangle cloths.  All in unused condition.



There are so many uses for these beautiful cloths. They measure 90cm wide x 3 metres long so lots of fabric to use for cushions, upholstery, curtains, blinds, table runners etc.

Just before Christmas I had a rare crafting moment.  I really wanted us to have a nice table runner and being unable to find anything I liked I decided to make one.  Using a mangle cloth, I added some snowflake doilies and appliqued the words 'peace' and 'joy' in polka dot fabric.  I was very pleased with the result but I ran out of time so I aim to add to this during the year, maybe embroidering some words, or our names.







I really enjoyed making it and need to find more time to make things this year. I plan to make myself a workroom so that I have my own space to create as I always sew on the kitchen table which is not very good when I need to prepare dinner/ supervise homework etc.  I have found this little book that I was given for Christmas really inspirational so watch this space!





I had  a little mention in this month's BBC Homes and Antiques magazine which was  a nice surprise!



In the same magazine was an article about the writer of this new book


What a lovely book this is! This is  perfect for anyone who likes to make gifts out of thrifted and found things.

It's a beautifully put together book and I was inspired to look at things I may see at flea markets, charity shops or boot sales in a different light.  It  gave me ideas for the things I see but can't justify buying as I don't know what to do with them.  I can see my thrifting habit getting worse!  Another surprise was that Sarah had mentioned me in the back as a stockist.  I am listed alongside other vintage fabric lovelies as Liz Van Hasselt and Linda Clift.  How lovely!






(photos by Debi Treloar)


I'm not sure how many of you are on Facebook but I have a page - here - and am having a little giveaway.  Just share my page with your friends and leave a comment on my Facebook page to be entered. You could win a sweet little sewing kit.



Have a great weekend x





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2 comments:

Grumpy Old Woman said...

Reading this and looking at your beautiful photos has made me come over all creative! Must get some sewing done.....
xxxx

BusyLizzie said...

Thank you for sharing the name of the book that I am mentioned in! i still haven't seen it in the flesh. Could you please bring your copy to Chipping Sodbury so i can have a looksie? Lizzie xxx