Press(ing) Matters

I am often asked for fabric loans by magazines and I am always happy to accomodate these requests when I can.

Recently, I was asked by BBC Homes and Antiques to supply rare and named pieces of 1950's fabrics for a photo shoot so I delved into my most precious collections to find my Marian Mahler, Lucienne Day, Barbara Brown and any David Whitehead fabrics I could.  These pieces are very special to me so with some trepidation (and a lot of reassurance from H&A) I sent them off.  I had no need to worry, they were sent back in perfect condition and very quickly and the resulting photo shoot is in this month's edition.  It's mouthwateringly delicious. Lovely to see other collector's pieces too.

Also out this month is an article I did for Sew Hip, together with more pictures of yummy fabrics.

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In Vogue

There are small signs of Spring at last which makes me happier than happy. I adore Spring, my babies were all born in Spring. However the cold wind reminds me of the saying 'Ne'er cast a clout til May be out', so with this in mind I have been busy listing beautiful eiderdowns on my site. I have so many eiderdowns and usually just sell them at fairs as they are expensive to post but I am asked for them all the time. I have some very pretty ones.

I also took delivery of the most scrumptious badges from Jane at Snapdragon this week.  Handmade using scraps of vintage fabrics they fit in with my other products beautifully.

Here are just a few of them.  Aren't they lovely?

I also have these beautiful egg cosies, a perfect Easter gift!

Another wonderful package from the postman was for me, not stock this time!  I had spotted this wonderful piece of driftwood artwork on Kirsty's site and realised that it had to come and live with me.  It fits in beautifully with my nautical themed vintage bathroom.  I love it!

 


She's so talented, if you haven't seen her work I suggest you pop over to her Folksy shop and take a peek!


This month I have had a little write up in Vogue. Near the back is a page titled Vintage Vogue and in amongst it all is a mention of me.

Yes my darlings, strike a pose, I'm in Vogue!

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Gossip and a Giveaway

Where oh where does the time go? I have been so busy that I haven't had time to blog and now I have so much to tell you. You might as well go and get yourself a cuppa and a biscuit or two and settle down, it's a long one!

Firstly, thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my last post. I am genuinely touched by your kindness. I have never thought that my home was good enough to be in a magazine. Sure it looks impressive from the outside, but really it is a big old scruffy (and often messy) family home and is a work-in-progress. There is so much to be done still and all I can see are the problems. It's hard to see the beauty of this house at times. Also, as we were supposed to be moving out of here I had spent a long time emotionally detaching myself from this house. Now we are to carry on with our renovations I am falling in love with it all over again and seeing those photos reminded me why I bought the house in the first place, I could see us here at Christmas. The living room you saw pictured is just about to undergo a huge makeover. Paul is away for 2 weeks in Australia and when he comes back it is to be gutted and redecorated. One month before Christmas I hear you say? Hmmmm, I am assured that it will be done in time. Watch this space!!!!





Apart from 25 Beautiful Homes I have also been featured in the Secret Directory which is attached to this month's Vogue, under Q for quilts. Not sure why they have put me there instead of under F for fabric but mine is not to question why and, hey, this is Vogue after all. Never did I think I would be in Vogue!


My fabrics were used for Christmas decorations and stockings in this month's BBC Homes and Antiques magazine. I love what they have done with them and it has inspired me to make some myself (if I ever get a moment!). They are my fabrics after all!






Last week I was so lucky, I won these beautiful cards from Claire in her giveaway. I NEVER win anything so I was delighted. Aren't they beautiful? I love them so much that it is going to be hard to give them away.



While we are talking about the talented and lovely Claire, here is my new ad that you may see in textile and sewing publications designed by Claire. Isn't it yummy? Seriously she is dead clever. As well as this ad, the logo she designed has been made into stickers, postcards, business cards, a rubber stamp and fridge magnets and they all look so beautiful.


On now to other publications that I want to tell you about. Firstly there is the new magazine Sew Hip, a long overdue magazine for us funky sewing chicks. Edited by Manda of TreeFall Design it features contributions from Amy Butler, Alicia Paulson, Becca Hector-Clark and Alice Bloor. It's beautiful, gorgeously photographed and I recommend it thoroughly. I am looking forward to the next edition already.



Another fabulous book and one I cannot recommend enough has been written by my friend and fellow blogger Niki. Living with Nostalgia is beautiful beyond belief, truly, every page is stuffed full of the most delicious images that you almost want to lick them! She has published this book through Blurb and, although the shipping costs from USA make it expensive, it is worth every penny. With Christmas coming up you could put it on your present list. She is such a talented lady and it is the BEST book I have ever seen about vintage living. Well done Niki, you are a star! If you want a preview go here.



I have managed to cram in some creativity at last. I am making the obligatory crocheted blanket. It's de rigueur in Blogland! I am starting with a striped one made from Rowan cottons as many of our family members are allergic to wool. I taught myself to crochet and want to progress on to the ripple blanket. I love sitting by the fire with this (now huge) blanket drapes over me as I add row after row. The best part is choosing the next colour to add. My friend Amanda came to stay and was fascinated with it and begged me to teach her. She is now obsessed with crochet and is making a dog blanket. Her husband sent me an email saying I have ended his marriage, hahaha!



As well as Paul being away for 2 weeks my Mum is off the the USA for just over 3 weeks to see my sister. She has just had her first baby, a little girl named Olivia. It will be weird having 2 of my main people so far away for so long.




So, in honour of little Livvy's arrival, I am having a giveaway. I am giving away a Cath Kidston for Tesco bag stuffed with vintage fabrics, buttons, trims and goodies. Just leave me your name and a comment to be put in the hat for the final draw and one lucky winner will have a vintage goodie bag coming their way. The draw will take place on Friday 21st November so get your comments in before then to be in the running. Good luck x






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25 Beautiful Homes

Many of you may remember this. Well one year on it is now in print. See the current edition (December) of 25 Beautiful Homes. It brings back lovely memories for me and makes me excited about decorating the house once again. I LOVE Christmas.

All I can say is that as it is half term the house looks NOTHING like it does in the photos. Due to the cold and often wet weather the children have been indoors a lot and have made a complete mess in each and every room. Not that they call it mess of course, they are camps, space ships, boats and castles made with all the cushions, blankets, cardboard boxes and toys they can find! Hey ho, Happy Half Term!

(Click on photos to enlarge)






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The Times on Saturday

Oooooooh how exciting, have just found out that the Saturday Times article will be out this weekend (9th June). Hope you get to see it but if not I am sure I will be publishing it here some time next week. Pin It

Sunday Times

(click on photo to enlarge)

How exciting to open my Sunday Times today and find a piece about my website. It was very unexpected and a real thrill!

'Chic', maybe but I'm not too sure if I am happy to be described as 'cheap' though, hehehe! Pin It

Whirlwind

Thanks for your comments on my last post. I will let you know when the Period Living feature is out. For those of you who wanted to know, my dress was made from vintage fabric and came from Topshop in Oxford Street.

This week has really been a whirlwind week. We started off with Period Living coming out to photograph the house, then, a few days later, I was visited by two people from The Times. The lovely Vinny Lee and charming photographer Paul Raeside, who arrived in his convertible classic Mercedes, much to the delight of my other half. They were a breath of fresh air and very professional.








Then Devon Life sent a photographer round, a sweet, bumbling old chap who was utterly eccentric. We shared funny conversations about space travel, global warming and how he met his wife 6 years ago at a school reunion. He couldn't have been more different!

It has been a fun experience. I learned a lot and loved seeing my home through the eyes of other people. If I wasn't so busy with my website and the children I think I would love to be a stylist. The weather has been perfect, big blue sky and plenty of sunshine. I also had telephone interviews with The English Home, Irish Tatler and Junior Magazine. This press has come to me through my hard-working PR company who I can heartily recommend.

I also attended a Textile Fair in Honiton this week and picked up some delicious textiles including a pair of 1930's French floral curtains, that are just to-die-for, and a pretty paisley quilt. All of these will be appearing on my website soon as I have decided to be very strict with myself and stop collecting. I met up with lovely like-minded women and spent a sunny day shopping and catching up, perfect!





We finished the week with a fish and chip supper on the beach, skimming stones and watching the sun setting.





Along with all the wonderful goings on there has been down side too, nothing I want to go into detail about, some big stuff that has rocked my world and has made me realise that changes are needed in my life. Just in case you thought my life was perfect it's not all hunky dory you know!

Have a happy, sunny, Bank Holiday Weekend wherever you are x Pin It

Press

What do you think this photographer is doing peering over our hedge with her camera?




She's photographing the house for Period Living magazine. Niki, the photographer, came, to capture images of the house, with the wonderful Celia Rufey, a fellow fabricaholic and journalist, who talked to me about the house and my business.

Here I am with the lovely Celia looking at her gorgeous fabrics that she has printed onto linen. See her website here.




We had loads to talk about and as she only lives a mere 45 minutes away from me I think we will be seeing more of each other, in fact I will be meeting up with her on Tuesday when I visit a textile fair in Honiton.

It was such a fun day but I'm far too tired to talk about it now. I'm off to bed, all this press malarkey is exhausting! Pin It