grey skies & festive bunting

Hello! How are you all...feeling festive yet? It's an icy cold day here in Oxford, the sky has been a bright sheet of grey all day, but I kind of like it. Winter is here. 

If you have been following me on twitter you may have seen that I've been making more of my Festive Bunting. Sewing and sticking beautiful pieces of vintage sheet music, lace, antique buttons, silver bells, glitter and silky ribbons. 

They look really pretty strung up over mantle pieces, windows and mirrors to add a bit of vintage charm.

I have a few for sale in my Folksy Shop and I can also give you a special code for 10% OFF purchases. Just add the word: sewingroom at the checkout.

I'm planning on making spiced ginger bread biscuits for Christmas gifts this year, I've got my tree biscuit cutter and I'm very excited about making handmade packaging to put them in. I just need an easy recipe..so if you have a family, tried and tested ginger biscuit recipe I would love to know. 

Keep cosy and warm x 

summer bunting

I've been in my sewing room, making lengths of spotty bunting for a garden party we are having for my grandparents. It's their 70th wedding anniversary and to celebrate we have arranged a vintage tea party for them. 
My mum and I have quite a selection of pretty vintage teacups, plates, teapots and handmade tablecloths which we are planning to use on the day.
If you have visited my artweeks open studio, you will know what I mean..

I love looking through old black and white family photos and I found this tinted photo of them both on their wedding day back in 1944. My Grampy Fred looks very dapper and my Nanny Winnie looks so happy! Such a lovely photo. 

Well, I still have more bunting to make before the party, so I had better get sewing...you can never have too much bunting!

handmade gifts

 

Over the last few weeks I have been using every spare moment I have to get stitching and sewing, creating new pieces for my Christmas exhibition at The Old Fire Station in Oxford. It's on until the 23rd December and there are lots of other crafts for sale too.

I've made a lovely new range of one of a kind handmade gifts; from lace beaded brooches, velvet pin cushions, sewing cases, purses, lavender bags and festive bunting. So if you are looking for some present buying inspiration, why not pop in and have a browse. I'll be there this Sunday 8th from 11am -1.30pm. 

If you can't make it, have a look in my Etsy shop.



These needle cases have everything you need for a spot of sewing; pins, colourful cottons, needles and safety pins. All are handmade with linen, floral cotton and vintage lace. 

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I'm planning to make a lot more of this festive bunting to string up around the house over Christmas and New Year. Each one is handmade with vintage music sheets, lace, buttons, bells, gold glitter and silk ribbon. They look so pretty hung up in my sewing room, but now they are packaged up for sale in the exhibition.

sunday bits

What a gorgeous day it's been today! One of those perfect sunny autumnal days that you want to last forever....
This post is a bit of a catch up, as finding time to take photos seems difficult at the moment, but I'm hoping to get back on track soon. It's been interesting reading how people find time for their blogs and I've been getting some tips here. I'd love to know how you all fit it into your day?

I'm reading this lovely Cath Kidston book, which also looks pretty on my sewing room shelf amongst the jam jars of buttons.
I've been busy sewing away and my desk is currently covered in floral fabrics, ribbons and sketch books.



Blue stripy bunting that I made for a new shop opening... (more on that soon)



...Cup of tea with my mum in her sunny kitchen, don't you love this pale blue teapot. And finally picking lots and lots of cooking apples. We are storing some for the winter and I've been making quite a few apple crumbles. x

tea and lavender

Here are a few more photos from my show....you can never have too much bunting

 These little lavender bags made using vintage fabrics and Cotswold lavender smelt lovely as you walked into the summer house.

 my mum's cat was keeping an eye on everything and thought all the comfy cushions and chairs were for her.

Enjoy your bank holiday weekend.