.........Summer House Studio Space!

Hi!

At the beginning of last year we decided we would make the grown up decision to turn our front reception room (then being used as a rarely used arts and crafts room) into an actually usable reception room aka the new lounge. 

Of course I didn't want to get rid of the craft space completely so we decided to build a summer house studio at the end of the garden. It always looked very bare down there and we thought it would add some interest to the garden. 

Here's how it went...

The pieces of the summer house were made from untreated solid wood so we decided to use our festival trading marquee to protect it all during the build. 

The base is down.

Its actually starting to look like a building!

The paint goes on to protect the wood.

Ta dah! All finished and weather tight. Complete with different coloured door and windows to our original plan as we chose maroon at first but then worked out that it would look like a certain football team's colours from a City not too far away. Ha ha!

Toby enjoying the new room.

Finally have a purpose for this amazing log that Tom found in our log pile a few years ago. The perfect doorstop. So amazing to have that shape naturally!

As always happens when you have an empty space in your house the summer house quickly got filled up and unfortunately was left like that for a few months. Just before Christmas we decided it was time to finish it off properly and invest in all the wiring etc to give it the last thing needed to make it come alive - power! It took a few dark cold nights with torches to get it all set up but now it's all finished and is so cosy and snug I didn't want to go back in the house!

For the past 8 years or so I have been avid textile artist dabbling in weaving, feltmaking, knitting, crocheting and hand and machine embroidery. That many subjects involves a fair bit of equipment so the summer house was a perfect size for a studio. It also gives Tom a space to use when he's doing his silver clay jewellery making and painting.  

We have light!

One of my prize posessions - a handmade table top weaving loom which was made by a female weaver in the 1950s.

While sorting out all my things I found I had three almost identical old typewriters! Once I know which  one works and which one I can get ribbon for then I can hopefully whittle it down to one and sell the rest.

My fave recent purchase all the way from Bruges Flea Market. Old  metal bicycle tax discs. 

Here's to a year full of crafty goodness in 2013!

.......New Year New Style!

Happy New Year!! Here's to an exciting 2013.

After closing my vintage shop down last year I have felt a bit like I'd lost a bit of my personal style. Being a vintage trader gave me quite a lot of pressure to wear pure vintage all day every day and I had two choices - choose an era and generally stick to it at all times or pick vintage pieces that I liked and mix it with items already in my wardrobe.  

   

When I started buying vintage for myself I didn't go for the whole specific era style and stuck to safer routes such as old leather knee high boots and tan leather handbags. These accessories were easy to mix in to my wardrobe of mainly high street clothes. For those who like the uniqueness of shopping for vintage items it is easy to find items which suit your particular style without going too crazy. There are those people who live their lives in the fashion style of their favourite era and I have to say hats off to them as I know it can sometimes be difficult and impractical. My favourite era has always been the 1970s as I am a bit of a hippy at heart. I try and keep to this when I can by adding some boho items to my look such as peasant blouses and maxi skirts. I think it's important however you dress to stick to styles that suit your shape as body shapes have changed alot over the decades.

 

Now I no longer have the pressure of looking like a vintage trader 24/7 my eyes have been opened a bit more to current styles and trends. I am still an avid charity shopper and its so much fun (and sometimes quite a challenge) to try and recreate looks from scouring the charity shops. It's also amusing when trends come back around that you still wear, such as the current huge velvet revival (much to my partner Tom's disgust).

This year I'm determined to make changes to my life and my wardrobe starting with a clothes clearout of major proportions! I have a bulging wardrobe and way too many clothes that I never wear or when I do wear them I feel uncomfortable. Time for a change! I've decided to stick to items I love, even if it means literally wearing them out.

I've come to terms with the fact I'm 32 now and have to choose which fashion trends I go for very carefully as to not look like a 12 year old. I'm going to focus on things I already love such as skinny jeans (coloured and denim), chunky handknit cardis and vintage hats. I'm quite content with the fact I can't carry off pretty vintage shirts buttoned up to the neck, my hair shaved off on one side and leopard print creepers.

 

 

One of my main challenges is my work wardrobe. As I generally spend most of my life in some form of denim it's quite hard choosing outfits for work. My office is quite relaxed so no need for power suits or anything but I like to look quite smart whilst still staying true to my personal style. This vintage plaid pencil skirt is a staple item in my work wardrobe together with my Russell and Bromley brown leather brogues.

 

 

 

I'm looking forward to the clear out. Stay tuned to see how I get on with my style revival for 2013.

 

PS I'm carrying on the new look for 2013 by getting my hair cut and coloured tomorrow. Again time for a change so excited about my new do!



 

...........Christmas Box Swapping!

Merry Christmas one and all! 

A while ago I mentioned the Christmas box swap I was taking part in courtesy of The Curiosity Project. A few days before Christmas  I received a card through the door saying I'd missed a parcel for the attention of The Curiosity Project and got very excited! I hot footed it to the post office and opened up this shiny gold present. 

As it was a Christmas swap I managed to save unwrapping the little parcels inside until Christmas Day morning.  

The parcels were wrapped in lovely green tissue with festive red shiny ribbon. After unwrapping all my presents from friends and family it was intriguing and exciting to open a selection of gifts from a total stranger.

Ta dah! Here are all the lovely goodies packed inside.

A super cute Golden Shred vintage style tin.

Beautiful handmade felt Christmas decs.

Lovely unusual pigeon ceramic brooch.

Beautiful blue blown glass ring.

Retro sweets. Nom nom!

Vintage style Snoopy coaster.

This made me giggle! Suck a kooky gift!

Lovely old crochet and knitting pattern books together with a cute white metal jewellery stand.

Such a sweet note in the Christmas Card from my anonymous gift giver.

I loved every item and would definitely take part in further blog swaps. 

Whilst uploading my image of this box on to the Flickr page for The Curiosity Project I saw that the person that I had sent a Christmas box to had also uploaded a picture and a comment. Take a look at her response here.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and here's to a brilliant 2013!

.........Fun Times at The Clothes Show 2012!

Last Friday I took the day off work and went off the The Clothes Show at the Birmingham NEC to help Clare from Second Hand Rose on her stall. It was nice to have a chance to be a trader again for a day without the stress of it being my own business. It was the first day of the show so it was quite quiet but gave me a chance to have a good mooch about. 

Here's Clare showing off her vintage wares.

I'm not really into keeping track of celeb news but I was excited about seeing some minor celebs. Unfortunately my only celeb spotting involved catching a glimpse of Amy Childs surrounded by bodyguards as she swept past. I did get a chance to see the live show though which was so amazing! As I was on my own I got a fab seat right at the front but was unsure where to look when the first scene involved a few strutting men just in their pants! I would say that the tickets are a bit pricey at £27 each but after seeing the live show it made the price seem more reasonable. I always have trouble with events where you pay quite a high price to go inside and then have to spend more money on the goods on sale.  

Presenters Grace Woodward and Henry Holland

Times Red - ex X Factor contestants opened the show.

Obviously I couldn't go to The Clothes Show without doing some shopping. First stop was obviously Clare's stall so I picked out this amazing printed shirt from Windsmoor. I love the detailing on the pocket and the print on the fabric is really unusual. Perfectly fits in with the colours I normally wear. 

To go with the shirt I chose this lovely slim fit handknitted brown cardigan which is very 1940s in style and will compliment lots of items I already own. The little pockets are super cute and I think it's made from real wool so will keep me nice and toasty in the winter months to come. 

There were a plethora of stalls selling new items and the most common ones were stalls selling printed t-shirts and vest tops. On one particular stall I spotted this vest top with a picture of a french bulldog on it with a red nose and I had to have it! I really want a french bulldog but one canine terror in the house is enough for now so I've made do with this top. At only £4 I couldn't resist.

The most popular stalls were the make-up stalls such as Models Own, Rimmel and Barry M and there were some great offers available. I picked up a Barry M goodie bag for £10 which was great fun as it was pot luck as to what you get in the kit. I got some great things I would never buy but am looking forward to using such as turquoise mascara and pale blue eyeliner pencil. 

All in all I had a great day, if somewhat exhausting, day. Will I go back next year? Maybe, but only if they don't put the ticket prices up any more.

........Christmas Box Swap Shopping!

It's December 1st!! Which means only one thing....it's officially time to get all Christmassy! I love Christmas. Actually I think I love the build up almost more than Christmas Day itself. Thankfully the weather has finally dried up to give us that wonderful crisp (if not a little bit freezing) festive atmosphere. 

This year I managed to sign up in time for The Christmas Box Swap organised by The Curiosity Project. I was matched up with a lady in Derbyshire who loves charity shopping and crafts so I've had great fun this week scouring the chazzas for some appropriate gifts for her box. We are given a budget of up to £20 each. If you get the chance there are quite a few blogs that organise swaps or if you feel brave and have enough followers why not start your own! It's great fun and a good challenge to be able to choose items for someone you know very little about.

Watch this space for pics of the box I get from my swap partner. So excited!