Feeling crafty

Last night was mostly spent getting crafty! I treated myself to a new craft magazine, one that I haven't read before, Mollie Makes. I like to try different magazines as I am still to find one that really fits my style...sometimes there are a lot of projects in the magazines that don't appeal to me and so I feel like it's a waste of money. If I'm honest, I was lured by the cutesy title and the matt feel of the paper...weird I know! I settled down, with a glass of red, my extra warm socks and a roaring fire and I wasn't disappointed. I have even asked my mum for a subscription for Christmas. Fingers crossed it'll be in my stocking this year.

 



 

 

 

I spent the rest of the evening mostly dodging Saturday night TV and making two lots of Christmas bunting. I used my own template cut from card and some new material from my local sewing shop in town. I felt it look a little boring so I experimented and added some little letters. I used my pinking shears and a zig zag stitch to make it even more special. It is lined with material I purchased from a bootfair last month, material that was, in its former life, a table cloth. 

 

 

 

And here is the finished bunting...ready to give to my mum as part of her birthday present.

VVx


Personalised bunting is available to buy here

Happy Halloween Cakes

Well, as the nights get longer and it gets colder outside, I find myself wanting to do more things indoors like sewing and baking.

Today, because it's Halloween, I have made these scrummy cupcakes. The sponge is banana sponge which my favourite at the moment. I follow a VERY simple recipe which you can find here I love it because there are only a few ingredients  and it is all cooked in one pot so is quick and mess free...almost!

I made up some icing with butter and icing sugar and added some green colouring. I got the cases and the ghost decoration from the pound shop and I thought they were rather cute and a bargain at £1.

 

I can't wait to sample them this evening but in the meantime I'm off to sort out my costume...

 

VVx

 

 

Well hello new sewing machine...

So here is my new friend...yes it's a 21st century sewing machine and don't get me wrong, I am the biggest advocate of all things 'old' and 'vintage' but my 1960s machine just didn't make it I'm afraid. The poor old thing kept jamming and I found that sewing was becoming more frustrating than relaxing so I decided that I would have to give in a join the world of the modern sewing machine.

 

My husband ordered this model for me; it's a Toyota (recommended to me by my sewing teacher) so hopefully it should last a good while, although the model I originally wanted was an ECO15a. My model, as you can see for the picture below, is the Jeans model...not that I'm planning on making any jeans but you never know, and was sent to me because they had run out of the more basic version. Who am I to argue if they want to send me a better machine for a cheaper price!

 

 

This week I experimented with making so Christmas bunting with the intention of giving it to my mum for her birthday in November. I saw a similar thing in a craft magazine so I thought I'd give it a go.

 

What do you think? 

 

 

 

And here is a close up. I made stocking shapes and triangle (tree) shapes. I then sewed on some buttons and attached it all to the red ribbon. The stockings were left open as I thought it would be a lovely idea to pop a little pressie into each one.

 

 

This could also be adapted to become advent calendar. You could even sew or stitch on numbers 1-24 and put a present in for each day. How lovely would that be!? 

 

 

 

VVx

Lots more upcycling

I've been busy recently sourcing and painting some new bits and pieces. Here is my latest project. It's a sewing table which was originally dark brown. I painted it in Annie Sloan's Paloma paint, which has a lovely lilac tone to it.



 

 

 

And here is the inside. I covered the little shelf with some good quality, thick paper and then added my own sewing bits to trial it out. Very cute, I think you'll agree. 

 

 

This is a table I found at my local house clearance. I gave it several licks of Annie Sloan Paris Grey paint and wax and created this beauty. All it needs now is a new owner. If you're interested in any of these pieces then contact me for a quote, I promise you my prices are very reasonable! 

 

 

I have been thoroughly engrossed in sewing and even have a brand new sewing machine so watch this space for more piccies of my latest creations.

 

 

VVx

Retro Tea Trolley

 

I have had a few projects on the go recently and have just sold my first piece!

 

It's often difficult to part with the furniture as I tend to buy pieces that I love myself. But, I have little choice as we are at risk of becoming over-run by it all!

 

Here is a beautiful tea trolley that I upcycled. I painted it in Annie Sloan's Paris Grey chalk paint and then waxed with clear Annie Sloan wax. I thought it would look lovely in the kitchen, to use for dinner parties; imagine what this would look like laden with yummy desserts...

 

 

 

However, this beauty was once a rather ugly duckling. Just take a look at this...

 

 

 

So, onwards and upwards to my next project which is a quirky little sewing box/table: watch this space for its amazing transformation.

 

 

VVx

 

The sewing bug

It seems I haven't posted in a while. That's because I've been sewing, sewing and sewing.

I've always thought that I should enjoy baking more, don't get me wrong I do enjoy it but don't seem to have the patience with preparing something for hours only to then scoff it down in two seconds flat.

You see, that's the difference with sewing. You spend hours measuring, cutting and sewing and then at the end you have something that can be kept for ever. I can keep saying, 'Wow, I made that,' and look at my creations with pride for as long as I like.

I thought I'd share some of my recent creations with you.

The beast...the very old beast!

Bunting made from fabric quarters and an old bed cover

 

Check out the zig zag stitch!

 

A cute little dress made for my friend's three and a half year old.

 Just love this patterned fabric.

 

And this one for my other friend's daughter. It's called a pillow case dress as traditionally they are made from a pillowcase, funnily enough! For this I used some old bed covers and cut small arm holes, added elastic to the top and some bias binding to form the edging and straps.

Very cute, I think you would agree!

 

 

I am also happy to make bunting and these dresses to order. Just let me know if you are interested.

 

 

VVx

Kitchen dresser: Upcycle project #7

You may remember a while ago I posted about a few of my up-and-coming projects. Well, here is the pine dresser that my sister bought for £20 from our wonderful local bootfair in Cheltenham. She even managed to get £5 knocked off after being brave and haggling.

 

So it started off like this. Again, nice enough but not really fitting with my sister's kitchen. I had to give it a good scrub with a decent scourer and a large squirt of Cif, as it was extremely greasy. 

 

After a few coats of Annie Sloane Paris Grey paint, a rub down with fine sandpaper and a coat of dark beeswax, it started to look a little more presentable.

 

And here it is, pride of place on the kitchen wall. Perfect for my sister's Victorian tea, which was incidentally, £7 from the same bootfair. What a day of bargains!

 

VVx

Step ladder goes into retirement!

I acquired this sturdy beast from freecycle and it looked like it had lived a hard, laborious life. 

 

 

So, I took it home, gave it a good lick of pale lilac and grey paint.

 

 

 After a few days I realised that really, to be a feature piece in my garden, it needed to be a bit bolder and brighter to make it stand out, especially as the nights draw in. The garden needs as much help as it can get, colour-wise! So I repainted it a beautiful forget-me-not blue from the Culprinol Garden Shades range. I got the paint for a stitch of a price, £1 for a small pot from my local bootfair.

 

 

I have added a few colourful pots around the base of the ladder and have found that the steps are an ideal home for my little bee house (50p from the same bootfair) and for my potted basil which I grew this Summer.

 

 



 

Happy retirement little stepladder!

 

VVx

Learning to sew...again.

I recently saw an advert in my local wool shop for 'Sewing Classes' and thought, why the hell not?

Despite studying textiles for GCSE I can hardly remember what a sewing machine looks like, let alone how one works, so this morning I spent three glorious hours in a workshop relearning the basics.

The class was held in the teacher's garden workshop, a lovely airy space, full of fabric and machines. Two other ladies and I were set the challenge of making a patchwork cushion by the end of the three hours. I must admit I wasn't too confident. Jenny, the teacher, was fabulous and patient and took us every step of the way. After a few cups of coffee, a bit of chit-chat and a good half-hour or so selecting fabric I was ready to get started.

 

 

 And here is the finished piece. My cutting was a little wonky but actually you can't really tell once it has the pad in. I will most certainly be returning and have even started looking up sewing machines. Oh, I can feel another hobby coming on!

 

VVx

Little chest and coffee table: Upcycle project #5 and #6



I posted some of my finds a few days ago and now I've finished their transformations. Firstly, here is my little chest of drawers which I have owned for well over 20 years. I decided it needed a change to fit in with the spare bedroom décor, which is light and airy. 

 

 

 

 

I purchased a new colour from the Annie Sloan Chalk paint range, this time a lilac/grey called Paloma. As usual I gave it two coats, then sanded and waxed with dark beeswax. I kept the original draw handles and I think they are beautiful. This may well be my favourite piece yet. 

 

And here is the coffee table that I bought from a house clearance company near me. 

 

 

I again used Paloma and I think this piece looks fantastic. My sister now has this in her lounge, next to her Chesterfield sofa and topped with a fabulous vintage green reading lamp.

 

 

 

I've been working hard, painting and waxing and sanding and brushing, so watch this space for lots more completed projects, including my retro 1965 dressing table. Eek!

 

 

VVx

Look what I've got my hands on

Here are some of my recent purchases, ready and waiting to be revamped and re-loved. Watch this space for their transformations. I have even bought some new paints to try, blues, lilacs and greys. Can't wait to get my hands dirty.

    Coffee table. From a local house clearance.

 

 

A dresser for my sister's kitchen. Bargain from a local boot sale.

Quirky little table, opens up for use for sewing or storage. Left behind by one of my tenants.

 

Jon's chest of drawers, desperately needing some love. The dresser, not Jon!

 

VVx

The rustic charm of Italy

You may have noticed my absence over the past week...I have been in Italy. We drove all the way from the UK to the Italian Riviera, a total of 1100 miles, across France and through the spectacular Swiss/French mountains down to the coast. Italy was the destination of our honeymoon two years ago and we feel in love with the rustic architecture and relaxed atmosphere.

 

We spent most of our week in Camogli, West along the bay from the 5-star resort of Portofino. Many people choose Portofino over Camogli as it is furnished with sparkling shops, expensive bars and an immaculate harbour. But Camogli, with its slightly faded façade and promenade used by the locals, was less touristy, like a slice of real Italy.

 

Amazing, don't you agree?

 

 

A Mediterranean sunset

 

Night-time Italian hills and Camogli promenade

 

Pastel buildings and boats in the harbour

 

VVx

My bargain retro dresser

Look at what I just purchased for £23 on Ebay. I'm not collecting it for another week so going to have a good think about what to do with it. If you have any ideas, then let me know and watch this space for another upcycled beauty to emerge.

 

VVx

I'm a YAP and proud

Recently I discovered I'm a YAP, a Young Aged Pensioner.  I embrace old age even though I'm only in my 30s. At work my boss jokingly calls me a 'book geek' because my desk is piled high with books (which isn't unreasonable for an English teacher!)  and then I accidently revealed to the office that, 'oh I do love a good puzzle.' My sister teases me and calls me 'square' but secretly I know she's a square too but just doesn't know it yet and then there's my parents, they know full well not to call me after 9pm as I will be in bed, probably with a hot chocolate and a good book, of course.

Other symptoms that led me to being diagnosed as a YAP are:

•  I grow my own vegetables
• I love nothing more than to slip on a crisp, clean pair of PJs - sometimes as soon as I get home from work
• An early night is way better than a late one
• I'm a member of the National Trust
• I have found myself saying, 'that wouldn't have happened in my day'
• I spend more time with my parents than my friends
• Riding on the bus rather than driving into town is such fun
• I help out on the tea stall at my village fete
• I am often the youngest person at events by a long way (such as author talks)
• I am attending a sewing course next month
• Crochet is my new hobby
• The thought of staying out 'til 2am and having a hangover that lasts a week feels me with dread
• I have been listening to Radio 4 for years
• I'd rather own a phonebox than a mobile phone
• Charity shops make me excited
• The WI sounds like the place I want to be

I'd love to know if you are a YAP too like me.

VVx

Vintage outfit? Yes please.

I thought I'd share a few of my favourite picks from a fabulous site that I found called Voutique, which has many stores across the UK. I particularly like this website as it offers a wide range of items from accessories to coats and is reasonable priced.

Let's take a look.

I love this vibrant green. I think a bit of colour and standing out from the crowd is much better than fading into the background! 

 

I really like these beautiful cross necklines and maxi length is ideal for the changeable UK weather. One minute rain, then the next is sun. Here you are ready for both.

 

 

You just can't go wrong with a tan bag.

 

 

This is my favourite of the lot. I adore these colours, particularly the burnt orange. I own a few dresses similar to this with the nipped in waist, fuller skirt and cute pussy bow neck.

 

 

Oh, I can feel a purchase coming on.

 

 

VVx

Two Years of Happiness xx

It's our two year wedding anniversary tomorrow so I thought I'd share some of our wedding pictures. We had a literature theme wedding and it was truly amazing. What do you think of my homemade creations?

 

I loved that our wedding was so personal and even now we often say that there is nothing that we would change about the day. We had the ceremony and the reception in a beautiful boutique hotel called The Rectory, which is in the South Cotswolds. We had the entire place to ourselves and had our close family and friends stay in the 12 rooms which made our day intimate and extra special.

 

 

 

 If you're ever in the area I would urge you to take a visit to The Rectory, maybe for coffee in the lounge or for a magical experience, book one of their individually designed rooms.

 

And of course I can not forget my wonderful husband; this one's for him.

 

 

Here's to many more happy, happy years xx

 

VVx