New work and I've been tagged

Latest work. A mixure of all that I love to use....a copy of a front ledger page dated 1900, foil, liberty, old table cloth, you name it ...it's in there! All sewn onto a piece of handmade paper.



Well, I've been tagged, my first one, by the very naughty charlotte of fancypicnic, (I'll get you back)!
Seven things, you may or may not want to know about me:
1. I could not survive without three coffees made in my cafetiere each morning, life would not be worth living without my coffee.
2. I am an absolute stickler for good manners. Infact, I probably say 'thank you' and 'sorry' far too often. I am the 'manners police' at work and make all the students say please and thank you! Can't abide arrogance!
3. I really enjoy any books about the Tudor period ~ such an incredible era of British history.
4. I am a gardening fanatic but only in Spring, by June the gardening 'urge' has passed me by. Perhaps when I get my small orchard, large veggie plot, and riverside garden, I may spend more of the year gardening.......well, we can all dream!
5. This is going to make me sound very old, but I love being at my caravan and especially where it is situated in North Herefordshire.....such a beautiful and unspoilt park of the country.
6. I hate the fact that now I am in my late forties, I have lost hair where I want it and have gained it where I don't! Too much info????
7. Loathe food shopping ~ my husband has to do it. I am not too bad in a small store but put me in a very large Superdupermarket and I get completely overwhelmed. I fill the trolley with all sorts of stuff and then have no room for essentials. I find the whole experience completely exhausting and I always forget something essential. Pathetic!

Well that's me done, now for seven other poor unsuspecting lovelies:
prettyshabby septemberbird piccalilyandblossom whetnallwatercolours emmalamb crazyjanedesigns myartylife/pippa

One of my tags is vintageprettyshabby take a look at her LaLa post ~ so exquisitely beautiful and moving. I've never seen anything like it.
Thanks for stopping by.x

Saturday Shopping List

Here I have some gorgeous choices for the Saturday Shopping List, all in aid of promoting Etsy Sellers and their work on the theme of jewellery this week. Pop over to www.fancypicnic.blogspot.com for more Etsy loveliness.


1. wrenhandmade ~ Crochet hairclip

2. NAadornment ~ SALE embroidered and beaded neckpiece - necklace colour ocean, design gina 3. luxedeluxe ~ Love Nest (sterling) 4. caughtredhanded ~ Silver Spoon Collection. Bhindi in Floral. A Silver Pendant 5. yaelfran ~ To be free - brooch 6. kuss ~ Vine Tendril on Branch Necklace

7. fancypicnic ~ Midsummer Collar 8. EllaFern ~ Flower and Leaf necklace

Thank you for stopping by.x

The change of season

This old Photo Album is owned by my sister and I hope to own it soon! A nice sisterly 'chinese burn' may do it!

A family album taken early 20th Century. There is a wealth of creativity to be had from the photos, lots and lots of possibilities for collage, mixed media etc. but I can't help but think it so sad that this lovely old album has been discarded. My sister has picked it up at a flea market and Oh dear, looking at the smiling faces within makes me think about fragility and transience of life! Anyway, push those thoughts aside and here are just a few pics:

They don't seem too short of a penny or two!
He looks like he's saying "take my picture again and I'll smack your face"! She is watching the seagulls!
Poor old dog perched on a wall, made to 'shake paw'!

Another time, another place......another world. Possibly 'Millie' the maid....or had they stopped at a Cafe for a cuppa and made the waitress pose with the dog?Looks like Brighton Pier, at the height of an English summer!
Changing the subject, I'm going to bore you all rigid with more photos of the collage worked last Sunday! Do you know it really 'bugged' me that I had posted with really terrible pics. Could'nt wait to get home today and redo the photos.....so just smile and give me a nod and I'll shut up!

Thanks for putting up with me :-)

Oh and by the way, it looks like I'm not the only procrastinator, there were three procrastinating posts on the same day to my knowledge! I think it's alot to do with the changing season and that big event towards the end of December ;-)

Thanks for stopping by.x

Procrastination

Have you ever got yourself in a cuffuffle over wanting/needing to make but you don't know what the hell to make! This has been my weekend ~ Got all my jobs done yesterday morning, promising myself a wonderful afternoon and evening of making. What did I do with that precious time....stared at my computer for most of the time, in between faffing and fannying about. Not a thing done, got myself all in a tizz and thus lay awake most of the night. Infact I was up at 3am cutting up a sock to try and make a sockified Hugly!
Same again this morning. I think the problem was that I wanted to do something completely new and go down a new direction. This is very difficult when you have so many influences....the net provides such a wealth of inspiration that sometimes I think I have gobsmackoverload. Anyway, this afternoon I forced myself to start something and here we are, many hours later. (All in between trying to dry washing, mopping floors from muddy dogs etc. the usual moans, you know)!
This was the second try with the photos, even though the sun was out, somehow the density of light has gone.
So a little explanation of what I did..... Lovely aged letter 1833, collaged a wax paper tree, ironed on vintage embroidery transfer, added old hanky silk and liberty lawn and then a drawing on tracing paper, collaged onto muslin and finished with embroidery. It took ages but I'm really pleased with it. I want to start pushing the boundaries a bit, as it is so easy to reproduce the same kind of work. My comfort zone is very cozy, you know.

If you need a giggle, I've added a Blackadder blooper here. Please do not open if you are offended by swearing or if there are kids about.

Stephen Fry ~ top bloke!


Thanks for stopping by.x

Julie Arkell and Saturday Shopping List

Hello.......had to tell you...... I have booked a Saturday/Sunday workshop with Julie Arkell. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. The workshop is being held at Stroud International Textiles. A two day workshop. First day to make a creature, second day to dress it!
I wondered if any of you lovely friends would like to join me, as I believe there may be a couple of places left! Check it out, I can't wait.


Anyway onto Saturday Shopping List based on the theme of Recycling.

1. jennyelkins ~ Rectangular Pillow Lady with Vintage Image sewn on dress by Jenny Elkins
2. AMDcustomdesign ~ Mock--ing Bird---ing
3. anotherworkinprogres ~ 1971 Sorry Game Board Hand Bound Journal/Sketch Book 4. salvagedrelics ~ Genuine Drilled Sea Glass Crystals, 6pcs 5. eclipse ~ I Love Carbs recycled plastic shopping bag

6. mandinka ~ Sidney handbag - No. 54087. SayHiBeth ~ Sad/Happy Dandelion 8. urchinbags ~ peata pocket 9. canoo ~ Munson - a charming monster by canoo
Hope you have enjoyed my choices of wonderful Etsy Sellers' work. Check out Charlotte's www.fancypicnic.blogspot.com for lots more Etsy goodies. Let's all buy handmade!

Thank you once more for leaving your comments, so very much appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by. x

More gifts

Hello my friends, I hope all is well with you .
I just had to show you all the beautiful gift I received in the post today. It was sent from the wonderful lucyellen/Lucinda septemberbird, all the way from USA. Lucnda's home, skills, art/craft, purchases, interests, photos etc. etc. have always been a source of inspiration to me, right from the first when I started to use Flickr. There is never a comment that goes unanswered from this lovely lady! This is what she sent me:

The most exquisite box, tied with fine string....


Opened to find a stunning vintage card and these carded buttons. Just look at the illustration at the top with the baby peeking out of the clam shell!

And inside....the majority are mother of pearl. I'm feeling faint........

At the very bottom was this....perfection. Teeny tiny buttons.
More of the shiny loveliness.

I don't want to sound like I'm shoving my gifts down your throat and being smug about it...I just wanted to share the kindness that I have received. Thank you Lucinda.........after receiving news that my Dad has to go for an Angiogram today, as he has a problem with his heart, and receiving a horrible anonymous e mail via Etsy the other day, this has been such a tonic.

Thank you all once again for all of the comments, I can't believe that I get so much support and kind words.

Thanks for stopping by.x

Autumn Mists and Saturday Shopping List

Yesterday, 7am I walk the dogs, just a quick little walk, let's call it a comfort walk/break......had to run back in quickly and fetch the camera. I'm a Spring girl myself, not a fan of Autumn, I suppose because of the nights pulling in, but when you see the trees in all their Autumn splendour and spider's webs hang with jewels, I can appreciate that it is a beautiful time of year.



Onto Saturday Shopping List. By now you all know what this is about, but for those that do not....well, I am a member of a group that highlight Etsy Sellers each Saturday. For all of the other members, please see charlotte's fancypicnic blog. I hope you enjoy my choices, on the theme of illustration.

1. jenskelley ~ Mugs Screen Print -limited edition screen print

2. seasprayblue ~ the log lady
3. vusova ~ Morning green tea for the little mice (print) 4.
Roadside ~ PRINT- Windy on the Coast 5. corid ~ she would ALWAYS have her tools AN ARCHIVAL PRINT 6. SRHarris ~ Poor Grandpa
7. missbrigette ~ pink trees and indie kids print set

8. HidenSeek ~ My Captain... We've reached the end of the world -- Print 16 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches --
Thanks for stopping by. x