spring days

Spring seems to give me lots of motivation, must be the lighter, longer days, and recently my days off have been spent at home and in the garden. 

Here's a few things I've been up to...

Working on a very exciting new sewing project...more on that to come. 

I made this delicious Squash and Spinach Tart from the lovely Anna Jones cook book, 'a modern way to eat'. I have never made my own pastry before and it was surprisingly easy. 

Spending time, helping out at my boyfriends produce store. So many lovely things in that shop!

I keep rearranging things at home, decluttering, trying to get a simple, fresher look. I really love white ceramics, the two beautiful white handmade vases are from the lovely Illyria Pottery in Oxford. 
The White SylvaC flower vase I found in a charity shop for 50p a few years ago.  

I'm still starting most days with 10 minutes of meditation using the Headspace app. I'm really enjoying it 

My favourite flowers, Anemones and Ranunculus on the mantelpiece, a gift from my boyfriend.

I'd love to know what you have been up to lately... Have a lovely Easter Weekend.

the colour of summer

I just love these lighter summer evenings. I seem to have a lot more motivation and energy to take photos, finish projects, go for a run and having dinner outside surrounded by our pots of herbs and flowers makes me so happy.

I hope everyone is having a lovely week and enjoying the weather. 

I've been gathering together inspiration for some new designs, which are now scattered across my work desk. I just love the lilac flower hair garland and I'm always inspired by the work of Alphonse Mucha. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Take care x

shop update

Did you have a nice Sunday?  I went to a car boot sale with my mum, no bargains unfortunately but we made up for it by having tea and delicious crumpets from the good and proper tea company who had their little van there. 

I wanted to let you know that I've added a few handmade purses to my Folksy Shop shelves. They are all made from beautiful soft silk and vintage broderie anglaise, which I love to work with.

These purses are ideal for keeping safe all those little treasures; jewellery, love letters, cards & loose change.

Well, I hope you like them....x 

 

Pink silk & white broderie anglaise coin purse 

 

 Midnight blue envelope purse 

 

Coin purse in pretty purple silk 

 
Clutch purse in purple silk 

folksy shop update

I've been spring cleaning my sewing room, a job I've been putting off for a while now. I've sorted through boxes of fabrics,cottons & lace, jars of buttons and zips, old magazines and sketchbooks, keeping only pieces that I really love and have space for. I already feel more creative. I'll try and take some photos to show you all my hard work.



A few new additions to my folksy shop, sweet smelling lavender bags in spring florals and vintage trims. I pop one under my pillow for a restful night’s sleep or tucked in between sheets and towels to keep my laundry fresh.

  

to do lists

How's your January going so far? I know it's not most peoples favourite month, but I always think it's a good time to make plans, sort things out, make lists and look forward to the nicer months ahead.

I love buying new stationary and I've just bought a diary for 2014, I have so many notebooks it's ridiculous but I find I'm always jotting down ideas, places to visit, wish lists, new designs and general 'to do' lists, whether this makes me more productive, I'm not so sure...

I have just opened up a Folksy shop, have a look here. I'll be stocking it with lots more handmade items soon and I would love to sell more work online this year. Do you have an online shop, where you sell your own work? If you have any tips or advice, that would be great!

 

flowers everywhere

An extra hour to the day as the clocks have gone back for the winter months. I'm planning to use my extra time to get outside for a run across the park this morning, even if it's grey and windy. I feel like I've been stuck inside at work lately missing all the bright autumn days.

I bought this pretty loose uplifting petal tea the other day, I love the ritual of making it in my vintage rose cups, sometimes it's nice to take time with these things . On my floral theme, a beautiful pink orchid and my homemade liberty lamp brightening up the living room.  My desk is full of vintage flowers and lace as I've been making lots of vintage flower cards for the lovely Rosie B's in Chipping Norton.

What have you got planned for today? 


 

winter blooms

I've been sifting through magazine cuttings, sketchbooks, fabrics and accessories for my winter inspiration. These are my chosen pieces which are now pinned up in my sewing room. I've always loved patterns on inky dark backgrounds like an old oil painting with careful brushwork. It's really helpful to have this inspiration board to glance at while I'm coming up with new designs.  I'm currently working on a new collection of vintage lace pins, clutch and envelope purses which will be on sale for Christmas.

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

vintage haberdashery

I was so excited to receive this parcel of crochet and lace motifs that I ordered from The Linen Garden.  I've got a feeling it won't be the last either, as there are so many beautiful things to buy in Vicky's haberdashery shop.
I'm starting work on some new pieces tomorrow using these lovely bits.

I've also been working on a beaded lace brooch, with a step by step guide on how to make it, which will be featured in a new sewing magazine in November. I was really pleased with the finished brooch, so I hope you like it too.

I couldn't resist this piece of floral fabric, I love the autumnal colours. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to make with it yet, maybe a laundry bag or a cushion for this little chair?

liberty love

You may have already guessed but I do love Liberty prints, they are dotted around my house in the form of cushions, lampshades, covered notepads and even pincushion mice. There are some great ideas in this Liberty book of home sewing.

Today I painted this wooden chair in cornflower blue for my sewing room and then made an envelope cushion cover using this Liberty print. I love little projects like this, in no time you can make a big difference to a room.

Well I'm feeling pretty chuffed with myself, so I'm off to make a cup of tea.

Have you been making any home improvements recently? I'd love to know.