Cushions of 2013

Just a reminder to oneself of some of the cushions I've made in 2013 !! 

I need to make some hotch potch cushions again , not made any for a while . It's amazing how many different fabrics I've used.

Bah humbug !

I'm trying to rid myself of the annual bah humbug in me 

One thing that gets me irate is wrapping presents so this year I've sewn them using vintage wallpaper , vintage Christmas wrap and finished off with an Alice Apple tag 

Lots of fun !! Oh and no trying to find the end of the cello tape ! 

7 years

Although I've only had a blog for nearly a year and a face book page for even less time , I have been selling my vintage wares for seven whole years now . It's started before that with an addiction to coffee pots and then fabrics . 7 years ago I was living with my lovely mum and saving for my own home due to a split with the father of my best all time make ever , Owen ! 

Whilst saving I purchased items for my new home to be and started making , bed throws , wall hangings and cushions. Although for years I have given hand made items and paintings as gifts. 

Not having sewn on a machine since my 20s , a couple of instruction lessons from my mum got right onto something I completely love doing .. Keeps me from worrying and sane !!! 

Along the way it has caused a little controversy and accusations of copying !! Now I don't mean copying a specific design ... I mean making cushions with fabric !! I know !!! I think the cushion was invented hundreds of years ago not in the past decade. 

Seems rather silly now what with the popularity of handmade , vintage and little home businesses that have popped up all around the world . There are a handful if us that look the same as that's. because we have the same taste in fabric and were born in the same era.

Even the accusers use the word "inspired" when doing their designs and sometimes they are a blatant copy of something that have been around for 50 years. 

My pledge to myself is to record inspiration by showing who and what has inspired me ... Sometimes an idea will come into my head and I will search the relative websites to see if its been thought of , or made before .

I started this blog as a record , if ever accused in future , to refer to as some sort of proof against plagiarism.

But mostly I'd like to point out that I'm so for any woman or man finding something in life that they adore to do and go with it . My passion has been sat in front of me for most if my life and I didn't run with it and now I am ....xx

Blimey !

I'm supposed to write on here as a diary to oneself . A place to put everything I've been making ... I've been that busy making I've just not had time to blooming well post anything 

I've been coming up with the plan of fabric flowers with separate labels which can be attached ... More to come in the new year !!

More foxes which went down a treat last winter and for some reason I've not ordered anymore of the Harlequin fabric so have rejigged the pattern and used vintage fabrics.

Brought myself some sunshine ! 

And made a lot of cushions !!! 

Blimey !! Xxxx

Dogs deers and ducks

Prepping for vintage fair and Gathered Handmade down in Dorset. Some I will make into cushion covers and the rest into plushies . I use vintage iron on appliqués for the inspiration and using lovely vintage ditsy flower fabrics with fab new gingham. There will never be many of the same fabric combo as I use small tiny offcuts.

Aren't they fab :) 

Vintage sewing books

I love vintage sewing and craft books so on a recent visit to Llangollen in Wales I was most excited at visiting the local cafe /bookshop . The cafe is at the front of an old theatre come cinema once called "The Dorothy Theatre" . Now the cafe is an old school fry up and a brew kinda place but up some wide stairs leads to vintage book heaven !!! A place where old library,college and out of print books end up . It's a maze of book shelves and stacks of books piled high.

The picture does not do it justice to how warren like this place is .

Some sections are a little more organised than others . But my search was for the craft and sewing section.

The cover on this book is the best bit about it as was 

this one , inside was just a history and I'm more interested in the how to do . So when I picked this gem up I nearly dribbled , like a chocoholic in a "Thorntons" at Easter !

An ex college library book and hardly thumbed . Inside it describes in fabulous simple terms how to screen print fabric toys . I have done a mini screen printing course and know the basics but this will give me the nudge for future projects. 

Isn't it splendid 

 

Where is this year going ??

I've got involved in a fab showcase called vintage playground and am working on this little cutie as one of my entries .. Sadly this one bit the dust due to a fed up Singer sewing machine - day wasted exchanging said sewing machine but I am forever grateful to the Argos customer service manager who did me a swap there and then . They usually send off for repair !!! Imagine my face !!! Anyway .... Back to it tomorrow 

Vintage Village at Stockport Market

I wasn't selling at this months vintage village but still had to go and buy !I bought some gorgeous fabrics.

And you can never have too much Pyrex 

And vintage suitcases are a must for storing crafting stuff . 

Vintage Playground

Who's getting involved with Vintage Playground ?  Follow the link www.facebook.com/VintagePlayground?fref=ts

Cupboard Love

I spotted this lovely Nathan cabinet at my favourite local charity shop on Friday . I did actually walk away as I have no car and no room . But by the time I'd walked the short distance home I had contacted my Mum and mentally reorganised my make shift kitchen to make room. I plan to spruce it up and the bottom photo is a few ideas I have rolling around in my mind. The cabinet won't always be in the kitchen as I have plans to have a sewing/crafting shed sometime next year and this will make ideal storage . 

"Oh Dog ! "

Not a very inspiring name but I've racked my brain for something similar to " Oh Deer ! " but everything was a little too derogatory " You Dirty Dawg " was my favourite but not for these little fellas 

Finished Hotch Potch Cushions

Before work yesterday I managed to finish 3 of the Hotch Potch cushions . Having a huge stock of small sections of fabric provides lots of combinations and I'm always trying to find different ways of using them. 

Hotch Potch Vintage Fabric

Yesterday I mostly made Hotch Potch cushion squares in vintage fabrics sourced from the UK and Europe - I will make up into cushions . You have to be flexible with the process with the pieces being different sizes - I love it when they are all sewn together 

New Dog Softie

Yet to be named is my new dog softie using vintage towelling fabric . Have used a vintage iron appliqué badge as the template for the pattern but altered the ear size and omitted the flower on this dog as the pattern on the fabric is flowery enough. I want make more in different fabrics but I've just run out if the bonda web I use so I'll just have to be patient !!! 

Shelf Two

So then , shelf two. More coffee pots ( I have a lot ! ) another Staffordshire storage pot , how can anyone resist ? A pair of pears both found at car boots . Finally a little hand carved pussy cat from a little shop in St Ives . Oh and a pendant I made using a section of a Alexander Gerard postcard.

Shelf One

I live in a perpetual building site - surviving as a single parent and home owner during a credit crunch has affected the old purse strings . Work started 5 years ago and came to an abrupt halt and as its structural there is no point in wasting money decorating. However , I take solace in thrifty purchases and fill my ikea unit with my treasures - here is shelf one and includes my Bun ( rabbit ) made by Oooh Betty

  

Hen diddle do

Have just spent a wonderful bank holiday weekend on a friends Hen do in Carrog , Llangollen. I wouldn't dream of posting pictures of events ( the teachers and bank managers of the group would be none too happy ! ) but I will put photos of the house and thrifty finds. We stayed at Carrog Mill cottages.

Vintage Village at Stockport Market

I love having a stall at Vintage Village - banter with other stallies , looking out for brilliant bargains . I usually have a glamorous assistant but was on my own and thought I wouldn't have time for a good mooch. But the stalls around me had some treats so hey ho !! . Suitcase , hankies , apron ( for chopping up into something else ) a kettle and a blue Tupperware tub .