small treasures

I bought this art deco mirror box from a junk shop in Brighton. I spied it in a dusty corner and paid just a few pounds for it. I've just given it a good polish and filled it with some of my favourite costume jewellery. The jewellery has the same worn and faded look as the box which I like.

My favourite piece is the bug brooch with the amber stone, which I've had since I was little.

perfume

Here are a few of my finished lavender bags. I've kept them quite simple to make the most of the lovely vintage fabric.

You can tuck them in between sheets and towels to keep your laundry smelling wonderful, or pop one under your pillow at night for a good nights sleep. Zzzzzzzzz

lavender

Well I'm feeling pretty relaxed at the moment because I've been surrounded by the potent smell of lavender. I'm making lavender bags using some of the vintage lace and broderie anglaise I have, finished off with ribbons and vintage buttons. I will be selling them at a local Christmas fair, along with my other handmade bags and purses.

Have a lovely weekend.

found and sewn

I've been...... looking at interior magazines for inspiration. I love this flower print.

...stitching beads and buttons that shimmer and glimmer to corsages and purses....

....I found this beautiful antique 'V' (which is my initial) at a lovely new haberdashery shop in Oxford called Darn It & Stitch. It's perfect for me, so many cottons and buttons displayed in glass jars, reels of ribbons and trims, the shop counter is full of vintage sewing patterns.

corsages

I've been busy making corsages, I like using beautiful fabric remnants mixed with vintage beads,buttons,lace and trims.

I've been working on some black fabric ones with gold stitching and beads, which will be perfect for winter evenings out.

I like to pin them on bags, coats and scarves to add a bit of glam.

tea time

It's nearly time for tea....

Sometimes you can't beat a cup of tea and a slice of cake. I bought the cake plates at my local flea market. It's seems only fair to use them!

Here's a close up of my workspace at the moment.

autumn days

Great weather for taking photos, so many lovely autumn colours to see.

I've been outside as much as possible, going for long walks and when at home I'm making pumpkin soup, tidying my work space to make button purses.

I've used vintage glass buttons to give the purses a precious feel.

a french moment ...

I'm having a bit of a french moment, I bought this compact form a charity shop at the weekend.

I think it's 1950's, someones souvenir of a trip to the Eiffel Tower. I don't know why I like it, maybe the colours and that it belonged to someone else once.

My sister lives in Paris, so any excuse I get, I try to visit. There is a great flea market near to where she lives, which is where I bought the buttons from.

vintage pinks

There is an old fashioned glamour to pinks. I especially like those soft dusky pinks, parlour rose to orchard pink that conjure up an image of a bygone era. These pink Hydrangeas have an ink stained feel to them as their colour starts to fade.

I made this clutch purse using pink silk, vintage lace, buttons and pearls. I love the scalloped edge of the lace. I added a little lace handle so you can hang it on your wrist as your waiting for your cocktail....

It's photographed on a beautiful old letter.

a little bit of sketch book work...

Old tins are great way to store my sewing bits and pieces.

pink, pink, pink!