Vintage 50s Mexican Souvenir Jacket

This is such a sweet little jacket I love it so much especailly because of the detail of the two dancing partners. In the 50s mexican women would sit at the roadside selling these handmade jackets to American tourists. They are very collectable now and I have two and adore them!

Vintage Fashion Fair - Camden 10th October 10 No 1

Well what a pleasure it was to wonder around Marilyn's fair at the infamous Cecil Sharpe House in Camden Town! It was a balmy Sunday afternoon with the Autumn light flickering through the windows! One of my favourite stalls was Shazam! Vintage! Owner Jan was kind enough to let me take some photos of my favourite dresses, unfortunately there are only so many photos I can put on a blog she had rails AND rails of BEAUTIFUL dresses! I cannot recommend her gear enough! Fair prices and a friendly lady! She also sold buttons and vintage patterns! My goodness I don't think I have EVER seen SO many in one place! The girls from 'Sew Retro' would have a field day if they visited Jan!

Hyde End Craft Fair Oct 1-3 10 No 3

When I approached Kate Saunders stall I could hardly see her!! She was sitting behind a huge wall of charming children quilts and play blankets. She also makes children's clothes! She was sitting not only behind all of her work but also her sewing machine! Her card states Children's Reversible Clothing 'Two-Witt Too-Woo' www.two-witt-too-woo.co.uk Her stall was one of the most exiting and colourful! A fun and happy collection of children's clothes!

Hyde End Craft Fair Oct 1-3 10 No 2

Hyde End Craft Fair seems to be getting bigger and bigger with all types of craft from jewellery, clothes, furniture and wood working! It was where I met Nicky from Gemmeus who funnily enough was this time next door to 'Xuella Arnold'. She designs and makes quirky and very interesting jewellery. She also teaches and somehow found the time to write a book! She uses lyrics from songs to inspire as well print into her jewellery. There is the fab birdhouse necklace as well as the ship which first caught my attention. I also like the little silver bird perching on driftwood. I find her use of textures intriguing!

A very nice lady indeed.....do look at her web site www.xuella.co.uk

Hyde End Craft Fair Oct 1-3 10 No 1

It was a great weekend last week for craft fairs first Berkhamstead and then the massive Hyde Heath Craft fair! It was where in April I had met Nicky the craftswomen from Gemmeus who had made my 'Z". She kindly sent me a free ticket so I thought on this very rainy Sunday morning after my porridge (with Liisa's compot on top) I would venture out! I thought this time I would take some pictures of her at work and some of her other pieces. Her work has been used by film makers and photographers and she has more news which she has told me! There are three main Historical events which will be coming up before the end of the year that she was going to go to. The first is ILHF 29th to 31st October wwww.livinghistoryfairs.com. This is a reenactors shopping mall she said!. Everything you could possibly need for living History and a place where you can findvery unique Christmas gifts. The next is similar but is in France!!! - a town called Pontoise. She is going to attend that on 19th to 21st November www.festival-spectacle-historique.com. Then I couldn't believe it a Midwinter festival in Holland 28th and 29th December www.middeleeuwsmidwinterfeest.nl How many pairs of long johns will she be wearing I wonder!! x

50s Boat Man Fabric/Textile/Curtains

I recently saw this fabric in Home and Antiques Magazine and was tempted to keep them but well I've had these for a while. I love the print but to be sure I have no room in my little cupboards so before I sell them I have taken a picture for me to remember the amazing print.....before he floats away to his new owner!

Woods

I thought I would try out about 5 different tester pots!!!

Multi Colour Study 1

I went through an interest in how different paint work together. I wanted to have a go myself using enamel paint with matt emulsion. I bought tester pots from 'Homebase' and used 'Timeout' advertising A1 boards found on railing to paint on. This is the first one I tried and still really like it. I must try to find a way of framing the ones that I made!

Berkhamstead Craft Fair 2nd October 10

Well I had a feeling that it was going to be a good weekend for interesting things to happen! I was right! I took myself to Berkhamstead where there was a little local craft fair being held in the town hall! Quite a few stalls but my favourite was 'Mrs Moore's Vintage Store'! A lovely lady Ana selling these fantastic vintage tea sets! Her stall was a delight to behold! She told me that things were going well and she was looking at starting up in Portobello Road Market, in old London town! I think that they would make fantastic presents for any occasion! If you are interested in any of her sets or just want to contact her her details are thefamilymoore@btinternet.com She said that she is at this very moment sorting out a website! Can't wait to see it!!!

Kitten Quilt

Here's a quilt I made a while ago from some off cuts that I found at my favourite car boot! It is very typically a baby quilt but I made them for my kittens that adopted me last year! The fabrics are a mixture of 60s and 70s materials and to top it off I found some old lace to put around the edges! A little frilly I know but the kitten girls always like sitting on it in the garden. I think you might see it in some of my other posts!

Sunday Breakfast

Liisa had been creating lovely recipes again and one day she came in with her lovely apple, rhubarb and cinnamon compote! Hmmm I thought that would be just right on my porridge on Sunday morning! AND IT WAS!!! Trouble is I have a feeling I will just sit and eat it out of the jar this evening! No porridge and compot on Monday morning!
I also recently found this lovely fabric in another charity shop expedition makes a lovely table cloth! Me thinks!

VIntage 50s Quilt

This is one of my favourites! The top fabric is barkcloth which has been edged with satin. I've tried to show you that it has been done by hand you can still see the stitches! The edging is torn in places so I will be doing some patching on it shortly I'm just deciding whether to use sackcloth patches I'll keep you updated! On the reverse is the lovely little flower print. It has faded slightly as you can see! But I still love the top print! She's a lovely quilt being heavy and snuggley for the Autumn weather which is fast approaching!

Wall no1

A few years ago whilst I was living in Holloway, London I became obsessed with a wall that was slowly falling down, had graffiti on it as well as nature slowly reclaiming it for its own. That is one of my fascinations ...nature vs city! The continual fight! I did a photo study as well as pastel and painted works. These are just two pictures some of the results (in different mediums) of a years project and obsession!!.