Sunday 30 November 2008

Too little time

I am resisting the urge to have a moan! How I detest the lack of light, that this time of year offers. It has made me think of times down the ages when all that lit the evening was a candle, if you were lucky.
Well for me in 2008, so much to do, so little light! Hey, I did moan after all, well that makes a change!!!
This week I have been mostly papier mache...ing! Like a demon. I thought that my items for sale at the flair Designer/Maker Fair, Saturday 6th December, would look so much better presented in boxes covered in old paper. An awful amount of work but worth it I think. Rather than the items all loose on the table, they can now be contained.


I have also made these papier mache brooches. Remarkably robust and I have really enjoyed making them.... rubbish photos, but I think you can get the idea.





Change of subject.......I found this little cup and saucer in a charity shop in the week, I wanted to show you. The make is Arabia, Made in Finland. I adore it, I think it may be 1960's, not sure but the illustrations are so inspiring.


So sweet.


And finally, here is my very expensive 1940's coat that I purchased from the Vintage Clothes Shop at Bridgnorth last week. I impulsively rang up when I got home and said I would have it but then had an attack of the guilts all week and really spoilt the joy of finding such a wonderful coat. Anyway, as gigibird mentioned in one of her blogs, something in, something out, so I will just have to flog a few things off on Ebay, if I can!


I'm going down to London for a night in a couple of weeks, to see my daughter. We are heading for Camden and Portobello Road, so I shall ponce around in my new/old coat, feeling like I belong their in my vintage attire!
Once again, I want to thank everyone for leaving such lovely comments. I get such great feedback and lovely e mails from complete strangers saying such kind, uplifting things. I apologise if I don't get back to you but what with day job and all, I'm finding time tight! Thanks once again and for stopping by.x

25 comments:

Swirlyarts said...

Your items look really good in those boxes and those brooches are great :)

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

That really is a nice way to present your items. And you can re-use them, right?

♥ visit me at www.afiori.com

gunnelsvensson said...

So many great ideas you have Viv! these boxes are great!

Barbara said...

Love those little brooches. What a sweet little cup too. I love that little gems like that are just waiting to be found in charity shops.

Pat said...

Your brooches are fab, given your recent posts and as you are in the area I guess you will be visiting the exhibition at the Flow gallery.

Heloise said...

The boxes are fantastic, they set your work off so well. Great brooches too. Good luck with the sale.

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

P.S. The last post you commented on at my site - I turned the note thing into a contest. If you want to play: ♥ www.afiori.com

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Love the coat,one of your heart brooches will look fab on it.
I love the shapes of your hearts with the mix of sewing words and patterns.
Have a brill time at portobello, wish I was coming.
The cup is a wonderful find. x

Kitsch and Curious said...

The papier mache is great. It's interesting to see how you've taken that element from Julie Arkell and done your own thing.

I love the cup and saucer. Arabia make the Moomin mugs and china, so I suspect it may be a children's book illustration.

Gina said...

The covered boxes and papier mache brooches are wonderful Viv - love them!

PICCALILY & BLOSSOM said...

The little charity shop find and coat and broaches and everything>>>>Fab fab fab as ever.

Have a good week, Im soooooooo looking forward to next Sat. London was fab this weekend.

Jackie said...

I wish I'd thought of the papier mache hearts! They are gorgeous. And you know what I think of tweeds!

Gigibird said...

I shall email and tell you what I plan to cover with papier- mache as it is so bizarre anyone who doesn't know me might think me bonkers.....I am particularly loving the bird on a bobbin in a box.....and your new/old coat.

Teena Vallerine said...

Love those brooches and very very in love with the coat! I never buy vintage - I don't have the requisite petite figure - at least not widthways! t.x

A time to dance said...

I can appreciate how long the boxes take, inspired by Julie A's book I decided to cover large shoe/boot boxes for my husband to store work in...La Monde for his French work and ..can't remember but a german newspaper for the german work...it took ages... but they do look lovely...I have been told I can have one of your needle cases for christmas so will take Mr B shopping tomorrow via the internet. I also have mad sessions spending money then put tons on ebay..I think its a great way of re cycling...and its stops me feeling guilty. I had to laugh on saturday...Black Adder was on...wish I could have contacted the 6th form through telepathy

Charis Sharpe said...

Viv the brooches are adorable & the boxes look great. I know what you ean about the light.. I often work on items in the evening & am amazed when I look at them in daylight because they are different colours to what I thought!
Pick up something nice in Camden for us all to see... its my favourite haunt but I haven't made it there this year... x

Pippa said...

Those boxes are fabulous - the birds in the boxes look particularly effective. Excellent idea!

Victoria said...

The papier mache pieces that you are doing are just wonderful, and the boxes look great!

Wonderful vintage finds, too. The coat is fab!

Unknown said...

Fantastic find, that little cup and saucer is just beautiful!

Your little boxes look great, your hard work is well worth it :)

x vInTaGe VioLeT x said...

i think the boxes are fantastic and i know from experince that they are very time consuming BUT i made one years ago and it is soooo strong and looks even nicer as it ages - so they are worth the time & effort!
love that little cup and saucer - very sweet!

Ro Bruhn said...

Fabulous brooches and the boxes are charming, you should do well at the fair.

'fancypicnic' said...

Lovely work, Viv - and the boxes set it all off a treat!!

Talking Horses Arts said...

Hi there, just found your blog today! Love it! So inspiring, thanks for sharing!
Andrea.

Flora said...

I just found your blog and had a lovely little visit!!!Thank you!
blessings,Flora

ArtPropelled said...

Really enjoying your papier mache. The boxes set each piece off beautifully.