V for Violet

New blog!

2010-09-19T13:32:00.001+01:00

For those of you just tuning in - please come over to my NEW BLOG HERE!!

busy simplifying....

2010-09-15T13:38:00.003+01:00

After managing my little crafty business for many months now, one of the things that has quite taken me by surprise is that however hard I might try to plan and organise (both things I LOVE to do!!) my little business seems to often take me in a quite different direction to the one I thought I was travelling along......

In an effort to get a little grip on things before they run completely away with me.....I have been doing a little planning.....yes, again!!

Now that vintage has come into my business in such a big way, indeed it has forced itself in there, from my vintage fabrics to the cake plate collection (a story for another day I think), it has occurred to me that my v for violet range has diminished and the vintage range is taking over.

My textile pictures have also become so addictive that I just can't help doing them and since they are done under my actual name, then I feel I need a vintage name to separate the two.....just in case anyone comes along for a little look hoping to find a 'real artist' living here!!!

Consequently, I have decided to do all the vintagey stuff under the umbrella of Tea Pea Vintage (which clever readers will immediately spot as being my initials!!! Clever huh?!! Okay, well I liked it!!)

It then occurred to me that having a vforviolet blog was a little odd, and also hard to find if one was looking for tea pea vintage?

And so...........lovely readers, I am asking you to please bear with me.......and follow me across to HERE which will be my new home.

Now I can take everything from this blog with me except for you, my lovely followers so I should be very much obliged (not to mention jumping up and down with glee) if you would add yourself as a follower at the new place please!!!! (Otherwise I shall be very lonely and sad by myself!)

I will see you there in a moment...and in the meantime, I will leave you with a strange photo of me mid-making, surrounded by vintage 'stuff' and watched carefully by the Bodkins, of course.

vintage transport....

2010-09-12T12:04:00.003+01:00

I have rescued my lovely vintage dutch bike from the depths of the shed and spent ages pumping up the tyres. (Didn't actually realise you had to release the valve before pumping - I wondered why they weren't getting any harder!!)

However....done now (thanks to my Dad - do we EVER really grow up?!!)

And the plan is to cycle into town to post parcels 3 times a week.....
therefore cutting down on harm to the environment from horrid car exhaust fumes, get a bit of fresh air and a bit fitter (ha,ha!), and mostly to get back that feeling of being 10 years old again and 'at one' with my bike!!!!!

Do hope I don't fall off!!! x

Pick and Mix...

2010-09-06T10:36:00.004+01:00

Morning everyone! I must say I do like Monday mornings, especially when everyone has gone to work/college/school!!! Such promise of possibilities that might be achieved....every Monday is a new start!!

Bit of a panic, however, this morning with last minute ironing for #2 whilst the college bus was due any minute!!!

However, all was well, and the bus stop is luckily almost opposite us. (It was also one of those times when the bus was a bit late as it happened - which I know will lead later to moans of "Why did you rush us so much Mum? We had to wait AGES!! There was plenty of time!!!") Hmmm.

Anyway, we had a great weekend, not least because it was a good friend's birthday party and the theme was the Blues Brothers. The film was shown first, then there was lovely food and dancing. I do love dressing up - but would actually prefer to be in a romantic Victorian costume, or maybe one from Jane Austen..... still, we made an effort!!
Thank you to all those people who emailed and said how glad they are that the Bodkins have returned - see what having a timetable does? The little Bodkins have had a quiet summer but now they are definitely back and up to their old tricks no doubt! At least poor little Monty is back.The Offer of the Week this week at Feltgirl.com is FELT!!! Yes, it's a pack of 40 mini wool mix felt squares in 40 gorgeous colours. I do of course, LOVE this felt already, and am quite evangelical about it - so wonderfully soft, no horrid nylon feel, and yet you can wash it at 30 degrees and it irons like a dream!

If you've ever wanted to try it - maybe make a brooch, hair accessories, heart, flowers, or applique onto card or fabric, then now is maybe the time to try - with a massive 25% off this week only, it is a mere £3.75 per pack for 40 colours.

Get them here. (Of course, with there being a £1.80 postage fee no matter what you buy, if you find yourself drifting around the buttons or ribbons aisle, don't worry).

This post really is a mix and match isn't it!

Well, before I go and get on with the next timetabled action!!! I wanted to show you a different version of the bird textile artwork I made at the weekend. It was my plan to do these in different colours and I have a green one to do today!!

But for now, here is mr bird, looking perky in yellow.

Have a good Monday! x

new....

2010-09-03T09:57:00.003+01:00

Still sticking to my 'timetable' and finding it really does give focus. I didn't factor in any outside stuff though - such as taking #2 to open his first bank account, or meeting with a printer to talk about prints and cards!!

At least though, it makes me realise where I have lost time and which bit needs more time adding to it. (I know what I mean!!)

Anyway, the children have all gone back to school and college and it is strange not to hear them running up and down stairs now and then, giggling and bickering, and even stranger not to find a teenager still wrapped up in a mass of duvet in his bed at mid-day!!

In part of my textile art slot this week, I experimented with a picture I have had in my head for a while and I'm really pleased with how it turned out......(despite my Dad saying, when he saw it - 'would it take you long to colour it in?'!!!!!) Just doesn't get it!!!

I'm doing a couple of others in different colours - I think this would look lovely as a card?

Oh, and talking of cards, if you're anywhere local to Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, the Tourist Information shop are now stocking my textile art cards. Yay!!! x

LOVELY turquoise THINGS...

2010-09-02T09:16:00.007+01:00

lovely flower ring...

lovely handmade fly pendant

loveliest 1950s vintage dress....

sweet baby, oh and lovely headband...

vintage sewing loveliness

fav lovely art print - want it big!...

ring - Stella Jade, pendant - Floridity, dress - hooked on vintage, headband - Baby K Designs, sewing machine - call me Jasper, and balloon art - elgarboart.

getting organised...

2010-09-01T09:52:00.003+01:00

It's a funny thing isn't it - sometimes the more time you have to do something the less you achieve. How does that work?

I've often found that I achieve more if I am pushed for time - it's that old cliche I suppose - if you want something doing, ask a busy person. But it is so TRUE!

Because I love what I do, and partly I think because I have a lovely space in which to do it, I find myself working almost every spare moment. I start first thing in the morning and am usually still going at 10 or 11 at night.

Things like cooking, supermarket shopping and (she says very guiltily) looking after children, often feel like things to be done quickly before I can get back to what I love doing!!

But even so, with ALL this time I am so lucky to have, I often feel I don't actually achieve very much each day.

For a long time my long-suffering hubby, who has listened to this very familiar moan of mine many times, suggested I make myself a timetable...

- divide my time each day and specify what that time is to be used for.....in other words, treat myself like an employee.

Now in the back of my mind, I did think this was a good idea, but somehow never got around to it.

But now......for the past week......I have had a timetable!!! And more or less, with a little tweaking here and there.... I've stuck to it - and boy have I achieved!!!!

It is UNBELIEVABLE!!

In the past 3 days alone, I have packed up and posted ALL outstanding parcels, designed and sewn a new textile artwork, made 3 cushions with vintage fabric AND put them in the shop, done a mini stock check, finished lots of outstanding tidying that I kept meaning to do, sorted my vintage buttons, cut out and matched up 30 flowers for fabric brooches, updated 3 blogs and taken new stock to 2 different shops. It is AMAZING!!!

Not totally sure I can keep this up - might have to factor in some relaxation time!!! but at the moment the evenings and Sunday on my timetable are free for me to choose what to do so I could use that time!!

I think that's probably the only downside in doing something you love, for a living - you don't want or know when to stop!!!!

All the time I used to waste, knowing I had SO many things I should be doing but never quite knowing what to do first. Now I can relax, knowing there is a time in the week allocated for everything.

I am very fond of the whole concept of organisation..... as a child, I used to declutter and change my bedroom around for fun!! I love lists, and new starts......September and starting a new year at school used to be a favourite time for me.......so this has happened at the perfect time!!

Anyhow, I highly recommend timetabling yourself, however much time you have, it seems to get so much more out of it.

Just realised how much I have waffled on...but this is the slot allocated for writing the blog after all!......x

I will leave you with the new textile artwork - a little bigger than any I've done yet...our local market place....

Sew Hip magazine....

2010-08-30T14:33:00.003+01:00

Yours truly is in this month's issue - issue 21 of fab crafty mag - Sew Hip!!!!

I LOVE this magazine - which has none of the 'stuffiness' or old-fashioned-ness(!) in the worst sense of the word, of other crafting magazines. It is modern and bright and has loads to inspire - if you haven't already, check it out!! You can get it online or I do know WH Smith's has it.

Look! There's my cushion! on the Editor's page no less!
very strange seeing my name in print!!
This is one of my earliest patterns and I love the versatility which choice of fabric can bring - the look of the cushion is completely changed depending on the colours/patterns you pick.

This one was made which totally recycled fabric - the floral pattern was a little girl's dress, the checked orange was a man's shirt and the backing was a linen sheet.
Really pleased with the styling - love the bare brick wall and shabby chic chair!!

* * * * *

and it's time for the ***offer of the week*** at Feltgirl.com and you're going to like this!!

JUMBO cotton ric rac in 3 beautiful colours!!

This is SO gorgeous - you can stitch it whole for a big statement or tuck it under and have a wonderfully wavy edge!!

There's a jumbo 25% off this week only making it only £1.60 per metre. Comes in teal, lavender or peachy-pink - if you've ever thought about trying this, now could be the perfect time. x

Brooches...

2010-08-27T18:04:00.002+01:00

I've been busy today making some brooches using lots of my favourite vintage fabrics and some of the lovely American vintage buttons given to me in a swap with a lovely american lady called Kathy....These were a lot of fun to make and it was very relaxing sewing on the tiny beads (you can just about see them on 2 of the brooches), fiddly but strangely relaxing....

Like anything, when you make multiples it is lovely to put them all together for the picture and see all the colours....
Very satisfying! x

Sightseeing...

2010-08-26T14:00:00.004+01:00

We visited Tenby, which is a beautiful town surrounded by a medieval stone wall. There are plenty of quirky bits - can you spot the sea through that narrow gap?and a bit closer.....
and this is the sight that greets you at the end of the passageway.....then if you turn around....these pretty houses overlook the harbour....just look at all those colours! Ooooh! I feel a stitchy picture coming on!! x

A medley of 'stuff'!

2010-08-24T21:35:00.002+01:00

St David's, which is where we went camping, is apparently the smallest city in the United Kingdom and this is the pretty Cathedral.....we were so lucky with the weather and, as you can see from the photo, it was a lovely warm ice cream day when we visited....

we also did plenty of this at the nearest beach.....
and had fish and chips for dinner overlooking this wonderful bay....like something out of the 'Famous Five'....just look at those caves.......which might be hiding smuggled treasure..

Now, there is a lot going on here at the moment, which I will be able to share with you later, but I have been busy doing some online shop housework and I've changed the 'Offer of the Week' to these beauties... they come in 6 colours and you can get 36 of them (6 of each colour) at the moment for £4.32 which is a whopping 25% off!!

So if you've ever wanted to try them, now's the chance. You can get them under 'Offer of the Week' at Feltgirl.com and however much you buy, the postage is only £1.80 in the UK. Overseas, there is a bit more added on but it too, is fixed.
I must just say that today is a very special one in our house - son #2 got his GCSE results today and he did really well.....last year he took Maths and Statistics a year early and got an A and a B and today he got 4 A*s and 4 As!!!! We are so proud as he just got on with it all quietly!!! And he so deserves it - he's worked very hard. He starts college next week to do his 'A' levels and has plans to be an architect!! Proud, moi!! I should say so. x

Butterfly.....

2010-08-23T16:23:00.003+01:00

While we were camping, we used my pretty folding table from Paperchase.......and who should flutter-by one morning........

but this beautiful and very friendly butterfly!! I think she wanted some friends to play with.....

She was there, basking in the warm sun for a good few minutes, long enough to have her picture taken by several mobile phones and for me to go get my camera!!!

Maybe she was talking to them? or just showing them what a real beauty looks like!

Choosing.....

2010-08-21T22:11:00.005+01:00

We had a luverly week near St David's in Wales and were sooo lucky with the weather. Had some days in hot sun on the beach, lots of body-boarding in the sea, and a whole lot of good times..... including the time we stopped in the very pretty Aberaeron for some honey ice cream...

We sat, licking our ices, each choosing which house we'd have (I was quite partial to the pretty lilac one, or the less modest one to the left of it, depending on whether the children were included in my fantasy house buying or not!!)
When we each had a house, obviously we just had to choose a boat....
(Mine's to the middle left.)

Pretty house, sailing boat, ice cream. What more could you want?!! x

Travels....

2010-08-19T21:23:00.003+01:00

from home to here....to here.....and back again. Home.....all the more lovely for having been away! Hello again, lovely people. xx

Cards in stock...

2010-07-21T14:07:00.003+01:00

For those who requested - I'm just letting you know that the cards printed from my textile art pictures, including the prize winner! (above) are back in stock and can be found here on the website.

They include my latest picture - Holy Trinity Church.

They come in a cellophane wrapper complete with envelope and are blank inside for your own message. Or, of course, you can frame them into mini art works!!

Inspiration...

2010-07-20T12:19:00.005+01:00

Just had to share a wonderful new find - new to me - I expect I'm a bit behind and the rest of you have been familiar with her for years!!!!

But, just in case, I recently discovered the extremely wonderful Regina Spektor, who sounds like a character from a James Bond film but that is actually her name, and she IS indeed Russian!!

As she says, this is the sound of summer and makes me smile endlessly....

I think this is the vocal equivalent of the 'handmade.' If my cushions and mirrors could sing, they would sound like this!! or I would....if I could....!

New items....and a special offer!!!

2010-07-15T17:14:00.003+01:00

Just updated some new design mirrors with pouches to the website - including this sweet little piggy one!! They come with a little recycled woollen appliqued pouch to keep the mirror safe and sound in your bag. As they come in a cellophane bag they make great gifts too - £6 each.Also put some keyrings on for the first time, again in the wonderfully tactile woollen fabric with appliqued flower.....and matching little flower on the reverse......these are £4.50.There is only one payment for postage on my website no matter how many items you order and what's more, if you bloggy readers put OFFER 15 in the message box when you pay, I will refund 15% of the cost of your items!!!!

If you want a custom colour keyring or mirror, I will try to accomodate you, special requests my speciality!!

Special offer....

2010-07-14T13:42:00.002+01:00

This week's special offer is on these huge spotty buttons - you can get them in pink,teal,
and purple,
You can stick them onto a brooch back (get these at feltgirl) and make yourself or a friend a fab brooch!! or you could swap the buttons on a cardi or coat and make a statement!!!

A full 25% off at the moment!!! Bargain!! Get them here.

A new textile art work....

2010-07-13T09:54:00.003+01:00

Whilst wandering around my local town, I took lots of photos which are in a pile waiting to be translated into textile pictures, one of these is of the local church, Holy Trinity.

It was a little more complicated than others I've done but really enjoyable.

I'm just really relieved I can still do it!!!!

Now back to the tea cosies!

A Bee, a Butterfly ...and a Hare...

2010-07-11T17:32:00.003+01:00

Wow! What a week!!!

I entered artWEEK just to see what happened..... and things certainly happened!!!

I sold my pictures, and a lot of mirrors and prints of the pictures, I won a prize....and I even got recognized in the street!!

I think that may count as my 15 minutes of fame?!!

The more lasting elements of the week were these beautiful postcards I bought, by my lovely friend Lisa,
and they are indeed very lovely....and then, of course, there is the hare by Sue Jenkins that I bought with my prize money.....here he is!

What a cutie!!! and a lasting reminder of my wonderful week!! Now, there is no time for resting on any laurels....I have a countdown for a designer-makers fair in 12 days time!!! and at the moment I have NO stock!!!!

At this precised moment though, am working on another stitched picture (just wanted to see if I could still do it!!!). Hopefully can do a show and tell tomorrow!! x

Eat your greens!!!

2010-07-08T19:47:00.002+01:00

Agos has added my bulk buy green button pack to her lovely healthy green Treasury on Etsy this week, yum yum!!!

GREEN LAVA.... original...
msdesign
$250.00 USD
Silk necklace LIGHT OL...
sleeks
$38.00 USD
Little Green Houses Ori...
lauraprentice
$30.00 USD
Celery green Cotton Min...
kolonclothes
$32.00 USD
EcoGuitar Strap - Stitc...
greenbelts
$55.00 USD
Subway Stop
littlepaperth...
$25.00 USD
Cuddly cat snuggle bed ...
Photogirl95
$50.00 USD
BULK BAG BUTTONS - GREENS
feltgirl
$6.00 USD
Very Long Very Green ha...
larimeloom
$120.00 USD
Sea Green Mug
frostindri
$18.00 USD
Family Sweet Family (Gr...
ashleyg
$20.00 USD
Pleated Bag with Double...
ModDiva
$40.00 USD
Swirl green pear shape ...
thestudio8
$19.00 USD
Wee Rebel Hedgehog Plus...
littleoddforest
$24.00 USD
Green Retro Print Full ...
KMDCreations
$59.99 USD

Romance and Rob Ryan....

2010-07-06T10:12:00.003+01:00

In the busy-ness, (some might call it chaos but I prefer to consider it busy....ness,) of last week, preparing for artWEEK, I forgot to say that my 20th wedding anniversary appeared.

Yes, out of the blue, just like that! We got married, I turn around, and there we are, 20 years down the line!!!

(Of course, I would like you to understand at this point, that obviously, I was a mere child-bride.)

Well, my lovely husband, who is still lovely after all these years, and annoyingly, has actually got better looking, in that typical manly way of slightly grey hair, crinkly lines around the eyes and a little bit worldly and weatherbeaten but in a kind of George Clooney way! (For goodness sake, don't ever EVER let him know though!!!). As I was saying, my lovely husband, when he puts his mind to it, can be very romantic.

On the morning on our Anniversary, the post arrived and in it was a beautifully wrapped parcel containing this....

Now, the beautifully wrapped parcel was due to Mr Rob Ryan, or his minions, now that he is so very famous, but the book was from my hubby.

I was introduced to Rob Ryan a while ago, by my lovely, inspiring friend, Lisa and immediately fell in love with his work. It is absolutely beautiful and awe-inspiringly intricate. I love, love, love it!!

So you can imagine my delight when this book which I had coveted for so long dropped onto my doormat, not only that, but the extra goodness was so wonderful!! The beautiful card and the cut-out!!! and he signed it!!!!!!!!!!

I was absolutely over-the-moon!!!

So a big thank you to Mister Rob Ryan for the lovely extras and to my ever romantic over half, who truly is my other half, my soul mate, who makes everything that happens extra special by sharing it with me. Here's to the next 20!! xxxx

A little bit blown away...

2010-07-04T19:14:00.007+01:00

and I don't just mean by the great gusty winds that we've had today!

This week is artWEEK, a local exhibition where 425 amateur and professional artists exhibit their work in the Civic Hall - there are also 30 fringe venues around the valley.

This is the first year that I decided to join in - and I put forward two of my sewn fabric art pieces of local lanes...... first South Lane....
then Daisy Lane...

I loved producing these and got a bit carried away at the time, starting to see everything in terms of stitches, so I am very fond of them but I wasn't sure what anyone else would make of them.

So it was a huge surprise when I went to the exhibition today on the first day, and found not only have they both sold already!!!!!!!

But I had won an award!!!

The Florence Parker memorial prize no less - for the best newcomer!!!

Surprised and excited doesn't really sum it up!!!! Giddy, giddy giddy!!!

The prize was some money to spend at the exhibition which I had great fun doing today! Guilt-free shopping!! And my beautiful Sue Jenkins hare sculpture will be coming to live at our house on Saturday... Wonder where my pictures will be going?!!!!x

small things....

2010-06-30T17:27:00.003+01:00

After the bags and cushions, I had a real urge to work on something small, more containable if you know what I mean.....

So I looked at my scrap basket which is indeed overflowing and probably needs a good sort out....and I decided to use some of the vintage and scrappy bits of fabric to make some mirrors.....
then I thought that in your handbag, amongst all the clutter and bits and bobs that you carry around all the time (or is that just me?)! it probably would be a good idea to protect the little mirror.

I had just the thing, a creamy soft woollen blanket which I rescued from a charity shop (thrift store) months ago because I loved it's softness, knowing one day the ideal use for it would occur (as they often do).....

and so I made a soft protective cover and appliqued a little heart on the outside so that you might get a little vintage goodness to match the mirror inside. They would make a lovely gift too, in fact, I know just who to give one to.

They are on the website now and will be in the Etsy shop soon.

I've an idea for something equally small which I'll show you when it's ready......xx

New cushions!

2010-06-28T11:38:00.002+01:00

I've been making cushions - pink and purple...turquoise and lilac....
funky geometric in gold and brown...and a floral bouquet in red, grey and cream, which looks faintly Swedish to me, not sure why!!
All gorgeous, vintage, recycled fabrics, all feather filled for sumptuous-ness (is that really a word?!) and all in my shop now.

They all have the neat envelope back which conceals a zip too and are all backed with linen. Too much? Yes I know, but I do like to spoil you!!

Off to make some bags now. x

I have brought...

2010-06-22T15:06:00.003+01:00

some summer inside today.....

these sweet peas are growing wild in our garden and they are scented so we are really lucky.

I'm busy making some cushions today, having finally taught myself a different way of putting in the zip.

Oh, and I forgot to say, after a bit of a pause, I've finally got back into doing my crocheted blanket that I started ages ago, thanks to the football World Cup!!!

When the rest of the family are settled in front of a game, I sit with them but I also do a square or two!! Slowly but surely, it's growing!!

Perfect weather for...

2010-06-21T12:57:00.003+01:00

pegging out the washing here in England!!

I've been inspired to make some peg bags over the weekend. But these are not just any peg-bags (or clothes pin bags!!) oh no!! These are luxury vintage peg bags!

I revisited my peg bag pattern, and revamped it, upping the luxury element - these are interfaced for thickness, and fully lined. They also have a touch of velvet or giant ric rac trimming. I just love working with vintage fabrics, each with their own particular history, giving each another new life. ... I love this 1960's geometric dot -and this funky 1970's curves with a hint of orange...
and I really like how the modern giant ric rac goes so well with the 1970's funky flower pattern.Really pleased with the quality feel that they now have, thanks to the full the lining - they feel really thick and substantial now - just perfect for putting that washing outside in a stylishly retro, ecologically friendly manner!!!

Simple vintage pleasures....

2010-06-18T10:50:00.003+01:00

One of my favourite things, as you probably know by now, is vintage fabric.

Another, is to hang out washing amongst the apple trees in the garden.

When the two coincide, it is indeed blissful.

As it was yesterday.

A beautifully sunny day, I was in heaven as I washed these beautiful vintage fabrics and hung them between the trees.

(I was also wearing a proper house cleaning pinny and some green wellies and I did indeed feel like a mixture of Barbara from the 'Good LIfe' and good old Doris (Day of course!!!))
I can't wait to work with these utterly gorgeous patterns....Later, I made two more Juliet shoulder bags - although I couldn't help renaming this one the 'I used to be a 1970's bedspread' bag!!!!

Do you like how the fringing from the bedspread is on the pocket? Must admit, this made me smile!!
This fabric reminds me so much of my childhood, although my bedspread was of the lilac variety!Then I made another in a 'faux' patchwork also from the 1970's.

I do like how the same bag looks different in the widely differing fabrics. This one still has the vintage vibe though!! They are both now on my website.

It's really cloudy and drizzly today so no washing today but hopefully plenty more making!!

Every now and then...

2010-06-16T09:28:00.003+01:00

a burst of colour will appear as if from nowhere.......even in the kitchen department of a large store......

and when it does, it lifts me beyond measure... and takes me back to the time when as a child, I was given a new pack of 72 felt pens and I felt like I owned every colour in the world and the possibilities were endless!!

Here's to a colourful day for all of us!! x

Ta-dah!!!!!!

2010-06-15T10:32:00.003+01:00

Okay - so I've re-drawn and re-cut this pattern four times, really patiently and calmly (oh yeah!!!), then I forced myself to pin it first, realised that if I'd sewn it that way, then I would have been unpicking it!! Then felt really pleased with myself for pinning first!

But finally, I pulled it the right way round (I love that moment, like pulling a rabbit out of a hat!) and ta-dah!! It works!

Not only that, I'm happy with the size, the shape and the details. In fact, I've already thought of a way of adding another little detail. So what do you think?

The 'Juliet' bag.

I've trimmed with my favourite velvet, cos you need a little luxury.

It has two pockets, one outside, one inside and a nice wide-ish strap so it's comfy on your shoulder. And of course, it's vintage, end of roll fabric.

with a little bit of Anna Maria inside. Will be in my shop a little later, if you can't live without it!!!

Today, I'm off to make another one! while I'm on a roll!! In amongst collecting Son 2 from his maths exam, and watching Daughter in a cricket tournament, and buying my Dad a birthday present! Hope you can squeeze in some crafting! xx

Noticed!

2010-06-14T11:43:00.005+01:00

Well, what a weekend for being noticed!!

First I was featured in the Stripey Treasury mentioned yesterday, then the lovely Tracylea put my coffee cosy in her blog's 'I-Spy Sunday'.

And then, Kikichoo put my Union Jack Candy cushion in her Treasury:

Heart A-Tack Thumbtacks...
ItzFitz
$8.00 USD
Reserved for Jennypocke...
devaniweaver
$157.00 USD
Vintage Lime Green Gumm...
PinkSaguaro
$12.50 USD
Cotton Candy Dreams Re...
ecoblingcouture
$21.99 USD
Candy Color, San Franci...
RoadsidePhoto...
$25.00 USD
SALE - Pink Sugar Polka...
pinkdottedowl
$4.50 USD
Peppermint Ornament- s...
DianasStained...
$15.00 USD
Grandma's pop up - ...
octopurse
Sold
Pastel hanging ball - d...
Sigmosaics
$20.00 USD
Ice Cream Cone Invitati...
InkspotWorkshop
$24.00 USD
Orange Candy Stripe Cer...
studioalley
$17.00 USD
SALT WATER TAFFY - Arti...
GemmaBeads
$21.00 USD
Stripe Tweetie Felt Plu...
swiedebie
$11.00 USD
Lollipop Forest- 5x7 Me...
kristimcmurry
$10.00 USD
LOLA THE PINK POODLE PR...
Kikichoo
$40.00 USD
CANDY PINK UNION JACK P...
VforViolet
$44.00 USD

Wow!! another lovely Treasury full of colour. Thanks to all of you! x

I am in the process of drafting out a new bag pattern. Have already made two prototypes and I feel like its nearly there - maybe just one more try!! x

A Stripey Treasury....

2010-06-13T14:37:00.003+01:00

My stripey buttons have been featured in possibly my most favourite Treasury on Etsy EVER!!

Just look:

How absolutely gorgeous is that!! Compiled by the lovely Heather and chockablock full of stripey goodness. More than enough colourful goodies to brighten this very grey rainy day!!

Candy stripe Monsters 1...
frombelgiumwi...
$5.00 USD
Candy Stripe Skirt Set
MoneyMakers
$44.00 USD
Set of 3 Yarn Wrapped S...
mysticfibers
$25.00 USD
Recycled Vintage Tin Mi...
shixie
$26.00 USD
Pink Candy Stripe Mediu...
someprettythings
$30.00 USD
Teddy Bear Sweetie Gift...
HMCdesigns
$4.50 USD
CANDY STRIPED original ...
Jsandquist
$150.00 USD
10 STRIPEY BUTTONS - CA...
feltgirl
$2.70 USD
Shirley - Hard candy ba...
LaplacesDemon
$14.00 USD
Handmade Bear - Candy S...
ClareBears
$20.00 USD
Horse Silhouette no 1
leslieworks
$16.50 USD
CANDY STRIPER CLASSIC C...
PumpkinPea
$10.50 USD
Pantomime ... Black and...
walkonthemoon
$10.25 USD
I Want Candy..............
GinaMicheleVi...
$18.00 USD
Candy Cane Rain Necklace
blockpartypress
$50.00 USD

On balance.....

2010-06-11T11:34:00.005+01:00

I found these treasures recently - when I was little, my parents had one of these, as a lot of people did. These 3 seem to like being together and so far have managed to resist being painted!
I also found these dinky little scales. The label says Harper - Made in England. Having already found some beautiful Swedish scales a little while ago, I really shouldn't have bought them.

But....... I just knew that if I left them behind, they would only play on my mind and I'd end up going back for them..... usually someone else would have bought them by then, in which case I'd want them even more!!

So, they came home with me and after a little play with the weights, I am so glad they did.

The weights go as small as half an ounce which should work really well for weighing out buttons. When the owl gets off that is.

It leaves me with a slight problem now though, and although I do love the sweet little floral scales, on balance (sorry couldn't resist!!) I really don't need two!! These also, aren't quite so good for very lightweight amounts.

So I have decided to let them go reluctantly.

I'm going to put them in my V for Violet etsy shop so that someone else can enjoy them. As a ornament, they are truly eye-catching.

It was the hall's turn on the cleaning rota today, including the front door and window above it. It's going really well, doing one room a day - has totally stopped the guilt when I'm sewing that I ought to do some housework!! and it keeps surprising me when I notice cleanliness instead of dust and grime of normal!! Even surprised my Mum yesterday - she thought the kitchen looked unusually clean and tidy!!!! Hmmmm.

Now I know some might think I'm cheating by taking the hall as a room in itself but our hall is over 30 feet long - if you remember when I painted the end wall pink! So I'm not cheating, promise!!

Hope you all have a guilt-free weekend whatever you're doing! I have a feeling there's going to be football, football, football in our house of 4 males!!!

From Z.......

2010-06-10T10:12:00.003+01:00

to ...er...... Z!

It was intended to be from A to Z.... but for some reason, the Z appealed to me first!!

I am introducing a new initialed cushion -
I've appliqued it onto a pure linen background, sooo touchable - I do love linen. The reverse is a wonderful brushed cotton polka dot which is lovely and cosily soft - so this is definitely one touchy feely cushion.This little bird insisted on perching there once I'd put the letter on!I'm going to make these to order in any initial but this one will be for sale here if you know anyone with a name beginning with Z!! x

On the domestic front, the 'clean one room a day for an hour only' scheme is working out really well - I know it's only day 3 but the rooms I've done so far are lovely and clean and do feel easier to keep tidy!

I am trying really hard to simplify everything as I have so much to do and can get a bit paralysed by it all, not knowing where to start!!

Ever wanted to make your own....

2010-06-08T16:53:00.009+01:00

jewellery?

For a few years now, I've been combining my love of buttons with my love of colour, and making a few pieces of jewellery.

It's really good fun and sooo easy!

However, going in a slightly different direction (as I always am!) has left me with jars of jewellery findings which are just sitting there....and so.... I wondered if any of you crafty people out there wanted a go?

I have just listed a few of the findings in my Etsy shop here so you can make your own....

and I've even listed a few kilt pins - you can use these for brooches or charms to clip onto bags etc.

I am really happy to help if anyone wants to know about glues etc - it's really easy to make beautiful button brooches, either with one huge one of these-

which you simply glue to the back, or a few of these

both of which I sell in Feltgirl.

I have experimented with about 16 different types of glue so I can help you save time there if anyone wants some advice on the best one to use.

So, what are you waiting for - button lovers!!!!! Now you can make button rings, button brooches, or felt flower brooches!!, button cufflinks.......the world is your.....er....button!!!! x

Free embroidery flowers....

2010-06-07T15:05:00.002+01:00

I've now done 5 of the embroidered tea towels - each a different colour. They each have 5 flowers free embroidered on in black with one picked out in a colour. I've done red, orange, teal, pink, and purple. I love the simplicity of these. The tea towels are 100% linen and are so crisply beautiful.
Will be listing them on my new website very soon.

On a domestic note, I have decided on a new plan to keep on top of things!!

The aim is to do one hour's cleaning each morning and then stop!! So I figured I would do one room a day - sounds easy doesn't it?!

I need something to stop the guilt - if I don't clean then the guilt nags me all day and I can't concentrate, plus we always seem to get visitors when the house looks like a tip!

I'll let you know how it goes!! Got a good start today with the kitchen. I put radio 4 on and my best pinny and cleaned and mopped just like Doris!! (Day! of course) (only not singing that song about a 'woman's touch') I forgot about that bit!! x

A-tishoo!!!

2010-06-04T13:16:00.003+01:00

Just listed some fabric tissue holders in my Violet Etsy shop -

so for all of you with summer sneezes (or winter ones for those down under!) here is the perfect accessory to add a little glamour to your handbag...just think how 'together' you'll look when you are about to sneeze and you reach into your bag and pull out one of these beauties!!!No more shabby tissue packs, give yourself or a loved one a little treat!!Also, listed my very last glasses case - fully padded and lined with blue polka dots, this one is in the lovely american retro fabric.

Baby quilt...

2010-06-03T20:09:00.002+01:00

It's funny, isn't it - days when the children are on holiday from school just blend into one long portion of time. I do love the late get-ups (if that is indeed a word!) and the laziness of it all, to such an extent that anything like a teenager needing a lift to work takes on the proportions of a lot of effort.

Where once it would have slotted into yet another chore to be fitted in, now it stands alone as the single thing standing between me and a lazy day at home.

The heat of days like today adds to the wonderful drifty nature of the days.

Today there was a picnic on the lawn followed by ice lollies and croquet!!! I kid you not!! Sounds frightfully posh doesn't it?! But it was a lot of fun and so lovely to see the children doing something together and getting along ( at least for twenty minutes!)

I have done a little work, not enough, never enough, but I managed to list a few things in my etsy shop, including this baby quilt which I made a while ago,
I love this quilt, love its softness, it has such a lovely feel, crisp and yet soft, if that is possible!! I also love the colours and the unexpectedness of the little pigs!!

It has been folded on my shelf because I love it dearly, but it must make room for some other loved stuff, so it must go to a baby - a baby who is in need of a beautiful pink and red soft and yet crisply new baby patchwork quilt.
and now back to making again.....but first, there is the small matter of 3 oompa-lumpa's to help Flossie make for school homework. Something that if we don't want to be making them last thing on Sunday evening, must be attended to with a matter of urgency. I fear I have put off the moment as long as I can!! x

Giveaway...and a Treasury...

2010-05-31T14:25:00.003+01:00

Kerry from Popular Crafts is hosting a Feltgirl giveaway here, so head on over if you fancy winning some felt and polka dot buttons!!

Oh, and my frog cushion has been featured in Karen from expressions123's fab green Treasury!!

Note Cards, TROPICAL AN...
expressions123
$11.00 USD
Swarovski Crystal Pinea...
Lunatiger
$17.00 USD
Boston Fern Hanging Basket
floridasilkfl...
$28.00 USD
The ants like cookies
cupofsnowflakes
$15.00 USD
Frog Cushion Pillow
tanyapalmer
$27.50 USD
HAND PAINTED PHILODENDR...
bearlyart
$16.99 USD
Ella Linen Sun Hat in S...
zazuandviole...
$135.00 USD
Green Eggs and Ham - Se...
TheSneakyChicken
$40.00 USD
SHEEP BESIDE THE RIVER ...
RainForestImages
$4.00 USD
Green and Pink Polk a D...
daisyhillstudio
$3.00 USD
Ginkgo Earrings
moderntrinkets
$18.00 USD

5 new cosies.....

2010-05-29T18:38:00.004+01:00

Here is a little peak of the 5 new tea cosies - order fulfilled!!I love making these - love piecing the fabrics together, choosing the sizes, cuts and where each should go. They're all made from vintage and 'found' fabrics, recycled, re-used, re-made. Just need some labels now.

Now for the coffee cosies....

3 cushions....

2010-05-27T11:10:00.003+01:00

I have listed 3 of my last V for Violet cushions in the V for Violet Etsy shop at a bargain price today. A whole $10 off!!They include the gorgeous china girl fabric above and my favourite stripey fabric, wonderfully named 'pink lemonade'! which has now all sadly been used up. Then there is the green geometric with polka dots:-and finally the summer dahlia fabric, a print I never tire of. All 3 have pom pom trims and a duck feather filled inner pad. They measure 16" x 12" and if you are outside the UK, I am happy to sell you the cover only to save on postage, just email.

Now, back to the on-going sewing!! xx

Very Merry UnBirthday!!!

2010-05-26T10:03:00.003+01:00

I was recently one of the winners in the lovely Heather of the fab Pink Milk blog.

This was VERY exciting since I have never won anything before!!

What's more, I got to choose my prize!! A gorgeously pretty wooden rosy heart. I chose the yellow one which is absolutely beautiful.

It was a Very Merry Unbirthday when it arrived!! So prettily wrapped, it was a real treat to receive.
and Heather was kind enough to put in some extras - a Keep Calm postcard in a beautiful violet colour, and 2 rosy magnets!!

So a big thank you Heather!! They have all found immediate homes within my home and look splendid I must say!

Sewing-wise, here is a sneaky peak at one of the vintage tea cosies I'm working on..... only a peak, mind, just another 5 to go!! So, back to the cutting board!

Have a very merry un-birthday yourself! xx

More free-hand sewing!!

2010-05-25T10:04:00.005+01:00

I've really got into sewing the local views!!

This is one of the favourite views of our local town. I absolutely love the fact that you can sit in the middle of town and yet those hills are so close!! Just beckoning you forward towards them!!

I took this photo at the traffic lights (they were red!, so I was stationary, just in case you're wondering!)
So I got to work and stitched my favourite view!!

I can see myself going in this direction quite a bit - it's got to the point where I'm starting to see things in 'stitches' and outlines when I'm out!!!
Now looking at other objects to sew!! Hubby better not stand still too long!! xx

Vintage finds....

2010-05-21T15:06:00.003+01:00

On a recent visit to a thrift shop, my heart skipped a beat as I spied these beautiful vintage scales!! You know what it's like when you can't believe some other person hasn't spotted your find already and made off with it!!

I couldn't get in there quick enough!!

Once they were safely within my eager hands, I could barely part with them to let the lady wrap them in newspaper!

When I got home and looked at them more carefully, I discovered they say Made in Sweden and I just love the little floral picture.

I had bought them with the hope of using them every day happily weighing out buttons in my sewing room. Sadly, they are not that accurate, but I will not part with them now and they are sitting happily with other 'finds' on my Grandma's chest of drawers.

I also bought this lovely jug - loved the pattern and the colour and the useful size. This is being used daily as it holds the perfect amount of milk so that it doesn't require filling every five seconds!!

I do love a good find, don't you? And I love imagining where the finds have come from and who used them daily!! x

Polka Dot Heaven!

2010-05-20T11:18:00.005+01:00

Anastasia from LAccentNou has included my blue polka dot buttons in her spotty, dotty, polka dot heavenly Etsy Treasury:

The Turning Print
jellybeans
$15.00 USD
Berkleys Dots Orignial ...
sheriwiseman
$63.00 USD
20 Red Wool Felted Mus...
StemellinaSup...
$30.00 USD
Poppy Girl - poppy flow...
vadjutka
$39.00 USD
Slim Zipper Pouch in Bl...
paisleybaby
$14.00 USD
Little Plush Monster Ke...
xoots
$7.50 USD
Original Mixed Media - ...
irisoconnor
$18.00 USD
Red Mix it Up Sailboat
willowbaus
$18.00 USD
MID BLUE polka dot butt...
feltgirl
$4.90 USD
i am in like with you P...
thimblythings
$10.00 USD
Red Polka Dotted Moon -...
Knobs
$7.00 USD
Vampire Paperdoll 6
munieca
$10.00 USD
Red Polka Dot Skinny Tie
rabbitstop
$13.95 USD
Super chic silk scarf i...
ThongbaiTatong
$28.00 USD
POLKA DOT MIX - Set of ...
lilprincessbow
$4.50 USD
HONKY PONKY Yellow an...
ikabags
$27.00 USD

Special offer....

2010-05-19T11:19:00.008+01:00

On the Feltgirl front I have been looking around my lovely new sewing room and realised (now I can actually see everything better!) that there are a lot of lovely things that aren't in the Etsy or Folksy shop or even on the website!! How absolutely remiss of me!! I hear you cry!

To be perfectly honest, some of it is stuff I was keeping just for me but even I have to admit that it might take me years to use all these buttons and ribbons!!

To remedy the situation (and keep up the pretence to hubby that I am actually running a business!!) I have decided to start listing a few bits here and there.

I have also decided, in order to put an extra bit of excitement in our lives, to have a

Weekly Special Offer!!!

Yes!!! Please try and contain yourselves!!

Each week I will choose an item and put it forward with a whopping amount off - I know you all love a bargain!!

This week the spotlight of special offer will shine on these totally scrummy inch-and-a-half wide, super duper, sooo tactile, solid colour buttons!!!

Yes I know!!! Do sit down for a minute and look.........they come in 11 shades from Pastels - lilac, soft pink, white, baby blue, peppermint, and apple green,

to the stronger shades, including purple, teal, candy, scarlet and 70's orange.

They measure 1.5" or just under 4cm in diameter and are lovely and tactile.

Fab for the centre piece of brooches or in button jewellery, or brighten up your wardrobe and change the buttons on a jacket or cardi!!

For this week there is 30% off - so they are normally 70p each and for this week, they are 50p each. You will be able to buy them on my website here or in the folksy or etsy shop in my sidebar or of course, you can contact me at the above email address.

Experimenting...

2010-05-17T09:40:00.003+01:00

I've been experimenting for a new project lately and was out taking photos of the lovely town where I live, which is so photogenic, you can hardly take a bad picture!!

It's full of character with old stone buildings all higgeldy-piggeldy and cobbled lanes......
then I came back and interpreted them on my sewing machine in stitches......
Really enjoyed doing this. Was so completely different from sewing cushions, made me feel like a kid again!! Have a productive and 'kid-like' week! xx

Dream Big

2010-05-14T12:13:00.005+01:00

I have just come from the funeral of one of the most inspiring, creative and kind people I have ever had the privilege to meet.

He was truly inspirational, and genuinely interested in everyone. He had a continuing thirst for knowledge and a real wish to explore life further, get to know and understand things better.

He was only in his forties when he died.

He was a well loved, much respected father of 4 wonderful children.

He was also the much loved and respected headteacher of my children's old school.

It was much too soon for him to go. He was a man with much more to give.

I am torn by the utter sadness and crushing unfairness of it and yet so glad to have met him at all.

I want to share the words printed in his funeral pamphlet. They, like the man, are completely inspirational and everyone should read them.

If there were ever a time to dare,

to make a difference,

to embark on something worth doing

It is now.

Not for any grand cause, necessarily -

But for something that tugs at your heart

Something that is worth your aspiration

something that is your dream

You owe it to yourself

To make your days count

Have fun

Dig deep

Stretch

Dream big.

Know, though, that things worth doing

Seldom come easy,

there will be times when you want to

Turn around

Pack it up and call it quits

Those times tell you

That you are pushing yourself

And that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist.

Because with an idea,

Determination and the right tools,

You can do great things,

Let your instincts, your intellect

and let your heart guide you.

Trust.

Believe in the incredible power

Of the human mind

Of doing something that makes a difference

Of working hard

Of laughing and hoping

Of lasting friends

Of all the things that will cross your path

Next year.

The start of something new,

Brings the hope of something great

Anything is possible

There is only one you

and you will pass this way but once

Do it right.

One of my Favourite Things....

2010-05-12T19:13:00.002+01:00

EVER!!!!! is pink blossom-I absolutely LOVE pink blossom. I love the way it looks unreal. If we lived in a Fairytale world then this is EXACTLY how the trees would look!!

I was out and about looking for inspiration for a project I'm about to start work on and I came across this perfect tree in the memorial gardens, it has such a lovely branch structure too, but most of all it has the most perfect candyfloss topping.

A lovely day for...

2010-05-07T15:49:00.004+01:00

washing!! Bright and breezy and just right for drying!!Having ummed and ahhed over flowers, birds or houses, I tried flowers first on the new linen tea towels.

I have found a British supplier of these 100% linen tea towels and am really pleased with them - they are such fantastic quality. I like the flowers all in black with only one coloured in teal. Tried it on the oven and it looked ready for anything!!
The only thing is...they don't fit in very well with my vintagey patchwork pieced bags and cushions and I am trying to streamline the range!! What do you think?

Have a lovely and productive weekend - will be at the local Folk Festival selling my wares!! xx

My creative space....

2010-05-05T13:05:00.008+01:00

is a very genteel one this week!! Time for High Tea I think!! Tiny cucumber sandwiches and tea from a proper teapot!!

Have made another tea cosy, this time with my vintage fabrics and an appliqued little bird.

I'm pleased with the colours of this one - and yet, you know what it's like when you are almost out of a favourite fabric!!!

Want to use it - but don't want to!!! Tis the same for both my Grandma's curtain fabric and the wonderful red striped one unfortunately!! But there it is!!

It's a bit like when you're reading a brilliant book, isn't it? You want to carry on, but the nearer you get to the end, you want to slow down and not let it end!!!!

Enough waffling!! Have a lovely creative day and see some more creative spaces here.

Polly - get that kettle on!!

2010-05-03T22:54:00.003+01:00

Had a sudden urge to make a tea cosy again with what is almost the last of the my Grandma's beautiful fabric. I do love the swirls of pink mixed with the yellowy gold and it will be very sad when it's all gone!! I used to make lots of tea cosies but it's been ages since I made one - really wanted to see my current fabrics together on one though, and pretty pleased with the result - Also, tried some printed labels this time, which I am much happier with.It took quite a while to make, not exactly helped by several interruptions where I was required to make 'just one little mattress' or 'two little sleeping bags, please' for Sylvanian families who have been rehoused!! As we speak, there are still two families who are currently homeless and may require sleeping bags.......have found a very quick way to make said sleeping bags so not too much tea cosy time is lost!! and I must say, the stripey mattress was so darling that I very nearly went and played with them myself!! xx

in which the hens get a new home....

2010-04-30T10:49:00.006+01:00

Yesterday, I did venture out with my camera - loved spotting the bits of Spring-like newness sprouting in the garden - new budding leaves on the apple trees.....and finally those naughty hens have plenty of room of their own and my flowers are safe from pecking!!

They have space to dig and scratch around and plenty of cosy places in the sun to make a round hole for sunbathing which they absolutely love to do. This is Flora, Dora and Cora.... I think Nora must have been busy laying an egg!!
Oh, and you simply must pay my lovely and extremely talented friend Lisa a visit here

as she is having the most generous giveaway to celebrate blogging for a whole year!!!! xxx

Third of 3....

2010-04-29T14:29:00.003+01:00

Last vintagey cushion for a while - getting a bit addicted to these though!! This one, in it's inspirational 'bossiness' reminds you to do something everyone should do every day!!With four vintage fabrics including the seventies sunburst that makes me smile!Well, moving on to coffee cosies next in preparation for the up-coming folk festival. Must think of a name for these cushions, something vintagey but glam!! - although knowing my indecision with names, it could be a while...... any ideas? xx

imagine... a cushion.....

2010-04-27T10:45:00.004+01:00

I love this olive-y green 70s fabric and have teamed it with a really beautiful piece of cotton lacy crochet. Again, there is velvet - this time a sludgy khaki gold.

This one is embroidered with 'imagine' which I think is one of the best things anyone can do....and which I do a little too much of!The back has a cut-out of the fav olive fabric. Might just do another one of these before I move on - they are a lot of fun to do with all the fiddly bits!!

Now on the one lovely day we are supposed to have this week, I must go and hang out the sheets!

Think I'll take my camera so you can see the new hen pen!! At last, those naughty girls are not climbing all over and eating my flowers!! Have a lovely day whatever you're doing! x

new cushion range...

2010-04-26T09:36:00.004+01:00

I have added a new cushion to my 'words of inspiration' range - this one is the 'dream' cushion and is patchworked together with a mix of vintage and thrifted fabrics in pinks and yellows-

of course, there is some velvet and some beautiful vintage cotton crochet-and the reverse has just a taster of Grandma's curtain fabric in a calico linen-ey sandwich!!

just need a little more time and about four more pairs of hands for all the other stuff I need to do!!! xx

V for Violet

New blog!

busy simplifying....

vintage transport....

Pick and Mix...

new....

LOVELY *turquoise* THINGS...

getting organised...

Sew Hip magazine....

Brooches...

Sightseeing...

A medley of 'stuff'!

Butterfly.....

Choosing.....

Travels....

Cards in stock...

Inspiration...

New items....and a special offer!!!

Special offer....

A new textile art work....

A Bee, a Butterfly ...and a Hare...

Eat your greens!!!

Romance and Rob Ryan....

A little bit blown away...

small things....

New cushions!

I have brought...

Perfect weather for...

Simple vintage pleasures....

Every now and then...

Ta-dah!!!!!!

Noticed!

A Stripey Treasury....

On balance.....

From Z.......

Ever wanted to make your own....

Free embroidery flowers....

A-tishoo!!!

Baby quilt...

Giveaway...and a Treasury...

5 new cosies.....

3 cushions....

Very Merry UnBirthday!!!

More free-hand sewing!!

Vintage finds....

Polka Dot Heaven!

Special offer....

Experimenting...

Dream Big

One of my Favourite Things....

A lovely day for...

My creative space....

Polly - get that kettle on!!

in which the hens get a new home....

Third of 3....

imagine... a cushion.....

new cushion range...

LOVELY turquoise THINGS...