Miss Elizabeth

My littlest one, aged three and a half, has always been known as Lizzy (Lou Lou by me sometimes and Poopie by her Daddy). She announced last week that she is no longer to be called Lizzy but Elizabeth, for that is her name. When she went into pre school she told them this. They have their names printed and stuck on a board for them to identify and pick out so she said she would like that changed please.

Her best friend is a little boy called Joel (whose father looks like James Blunt but we won't hold that against him!). When he went home from pre school he told his Mummy that, 'we musn't call Lizzy 'Lizzy' any more Mummy, we have to call her Elizabeth', 'Oh is that right?' his Mummy said, 'Yes', replied Joel, 'and I want to be called John'!

Aren't little ones precious? Pin It

Sunny Shepton Mallet

As you may have already heard, Shepton Mallet held a great Antiques Fair over 3 days last weekend. The wonderful weather helped to make it a great one. The sun was shining and with all the outside stalls, many of them having just returned from buying trips in France, it felt as though we were abroad in the best French Flea Market. There was such an array of stuff on offer from beautiful furniture, antique textiles, vintage bric a brac and clothes. I had a great time buying. I could not find my camera before I left so I have no photos of while I was there but below are some of the things I came home with.

Vintage children's fabrics and novelties

Vintage floral fabrics

Gorgeous vintage patchwork curtains (from Lizzie) and quilt

French antique fabrics

More florals (well you know me!)

Pretty rosey curtains from Amanda

Vintage kitchen shelf edging

Vintage French buttons, braids and magazines

And this lovely vintage French fabric box

First seen on Niki's blog, now a home for my vintage ribbons and trims

and I couldn't resist this 1950's dress for myself

what better to go with it than these 2 pairs of 1950's shoes?

The shoes came from a stall full of vintage hats, bags and shoes and the seller said that they belonged to the once Lady Mayoress of Weston Super Mare, who is now in her 90's. She had a fine wardrobe and one of the pairs of shoes I bought were unworn. Not a bad buy at £9 for the 2 pairs!!

I saw lots of lovely friends and stallholders there and got to meet the lovely Posy, and her lovely husband, at last. We found we were kindred spirits in all things fabric (but I knew that anyway). I wanted to give her a big hug as she was all teary due to having just dropped off her first born at University. It's like having your baby start school all over again, but worse, as this time you don't pick them up at the end of the day but leave them in their digs. I have to say I am glad that Jasmine is taking a gap. I don't think I am ready to let my baby go just yet.

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Thank you for your lovely and encouraging comments about my new website. I thought I would just explain a little why I changed it, it was more than just a facelift.

The name of my website Country House Antique textiles had been so named as I lived in a country house (and of course I sold antique textiles). Back in March last year when I was still selling this house, a very turbulent time for me, I wondered where I would be living and it occurred to me that I may not live in a country house next time. I was also aware that some people were slightly misled by this name and thought that all I sold was country house florals. Friends advised me that I should be using my name, as it is such an apt one. but I was reluctant. I said 'it's not about me it's about the fabrics', 'No Donna', they said, 'it IS about you in the same way that Stella McCartney, Orla Kiely, Donna Karan and Cath Kidston use their names, you should be using yours'. So rather reluctantly I started making enquiries about changing my website, had meetings with my website designers back in April and the wheels were put into motion to change from Country House Antique Textiles and become Donnaflower.com. Claire was commissioned to design me a logo and she did a brilliant job. I love Claire's work and knew she was the right girl for the job. I adore my logo and my business cards are so delicious!

It is rather scary to come out from behind my fabrics and show my face but, well, here I am, wish me luck. Pin It

Donna Flower goes live!

I have been dying to tell you all and now at last I can.

Click here, tell me what you think! Pin It

Autumn Sale

Despite the weather being against me and the numbers being down on the Spring Sale, the Autumn Open House was a great success. I was amazed at how many braved the ridiculous amounts of rain we had to get to the sale. Many came from a long way off. One of the wonderful things about having an open house is meeting lovely creative people and so many of them came to the sale, like Joy from the Isle of Wight who came with her husband. Just check out those gorgeous bags and cushions! I also got to meet Daniella who makes beautiful things for her website and Kathy, a very talented jeweller (both Daniella and Kathy will have stalls at the Country Living Christmas Fair).

On Saturday I got to meet up with Sue and Pauley, which is always a great pleasure. I also got to meet up again with Louise Critchlow and I even got to help a lady choose the fabric, pattern, buttons and buckle for her vintage 1950's wedding dress she is having made.

Oh I just LOVE my job!

It takes a lot of preparation to set up and get the sale ready so I won't be having another one until Spring but I am already looking forward to it.

Here are some photos from the sale, enjoy!

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