Sewing is sexy...at least that's what I tell myself

I'm not entirely sure what prompted me to start sewing again. It certainly wasn't my GCSE Textiles course, in which I managed to somehow scrap a pass, but at a push. I expect it's more to do with the fact that I love clothes and I love making things and ultimately I love to be a bit different. I am that person who scours vintage markets and charity shops and buys a dress that most normal people wouldn't be seen dead in. But I don't care; I don't care that people call me quirky and kookie (a compliment surely, I mean who wants to be normal?)

Plus, sewing is just another thing for me to learn and add to my ever growing list of hobbies and with this in mind I signed up for another evening sewing class with the lovely ladies at Ditsy Doodles in Cirencester. They helped me to decipher the, quite frankly, Phd level dress making instructions and set me on my way to making my first ever piece of clothing.

And here is the dress style that I have chosen. I  am going to attempt the one with the little peter pan collar and buttons.

And rather than opt for the garish, neon like, like the models above, I have chosen this beautiful brown and mustard tartan, with a mustard collar and matching buttons. 

I'll update with my progress shortly and hopefully I'll have a fab 1960s dress hanging in my wardrobe before the week is out. 

VV x

Take a step inside a good book

I've always loved reading; films and TV are not really my thing, I get bored and restless. But reading is different, you can travel off to a new land, off on someone else's story and get lost. 

Reading has been proven to lower stress levels and it only takes a mere six minutes for your stress levels to reduce. Furthermore, reading is said to have a more stress-reducing impact than listening to music or going for a walk. Dr Lewis, from the University of Sussex ,claims that: "[reading] is more than merely a distraction but an active engaging of the imagination as the words on the printed page stimulate your creativity and cause you to enter what is essentially an altered state of consciousness."

My reading fluctuates. Sometimes I read a lot and then there are months that pass and I have barely opened a book (of course I read a lot for work but I don't really count that!). My friend recently recommended The Hunger Games Trilogy , I can remember thinking 'nah, I don't really want to go along with the hype' but the next day I picked it up in the local bookshop and needless to say I was hooked. Completely. And I devoured all three books in under two weeks. 

Spending this time submerged in Katniss's world was a release, I didn't need to think about anything except what was going to happen when I opened the cover and stepped into her life. As Dr Lewis says, it's not about forgetting and distracting yourself, for me it's about giving yourself, and your mind, a break. 

Here are two more recent purchases. The Divergent Trilogy is also gripping and I would thoroughly recommended giving it a go...I have, as you can see, been spending quite a bit of time lingering in the Young Adult/Teenage Fiction section of the bookshop recently!

One of my favourite ways to unwind and cheer myself up is to treat myself to a frothy, creamy coffee and to settle down and read the newspaper. Research shows that it's not just reading books that reduces stress levels but reading anything will achieve the same effect.   

And here is a lovely quote that I thought I'd share with you. It's one of many that are painted on the walls of my local coffee shop, 'A room without books...is like a body without a soul.' 

I'd love to hear about your favourite reads. 

Happy relaxing x

Retro dresser: Upcycle project #8

A while ago I posted a picture of a retro dresser that I purchased from a local house clearance for £23. Here's what it looked like when I collected it. 

And here is what it looks like now: 

I painted it in Annie Sloan Paris Grey and waxed with the wax from her range. As you can see I replaced the knobs with some mix-match glass ones, which give it a more glamorous feel. The metal legs were sprayed with cream paint. 

This is most certainly one of my favourite upcycled projects so far. These types of dressers are always available on Ebay or similar sites and usually for a good price...clearly these people have no imagination! 

VV x

Beautiful prints

Stroud Farmer's Market is simply fantastic. If you are ever in the Cotswolds on a Saturday I urge you to take the time to visit this lovely bohemian town. And don't just take my word for it. This year, for the second year running, it was awarded the BEST farmer's market in the UK. 

Last week I stumbled across a tiny stall packed with these beautiful prints. They are all original and hand printed by the chap that runs the stall. And at £2.50 each I just couldn't say no! I particularly love that the paper cutting isn't symmetrical  and the ink is missing in places; these details add to their charm I think.  

I love this Laurie Lee print, who lived in, and wrote about, Stroud.

The words of this print are so cute and the bicycle just adds that little something. 

And of course, the badgers who have been culled across Gloucestershire. This is for them. 

Rustic, original, meaningful vintage printing....what a wonderful combination.

VV x

My latest vintage purchases

Firstly, apologies for not posting for a while. I have been recovering from an operation but all is good now and I am still keeping up with my thrifting and bargain hunting.

Here are some of my latest goodies for you to enjoy!

Remember the floods at the beginning of this year? Last month I was caught in one of the many torrential downpours while on my way to meet with some work colleagues. I was soaked and I happened to be passing Dorothy Perkins. I found this striped 1960s style dress in there for £10 and it looks great dressed up with wedge boots and black tights or dressed down with flat knee high boots.

I found this treasure in a brilliant vintage shop in Stroud Gloucestershire, called Duffle Vintage Outfitters. It's packed full of retro furniture and at the back of the (recently expanded) shop you can find rails crammed with original and quirky numbers like this one. I was looking for something a bit different for a winter wedding and this was ideal. The photo does not do it justice and you can not see the cute buttons which run all the way down the back of the dress. I wore this with thick black tights, high black wedges and a birdcage headpiece.

Cirencester has some of the best charity shops. A few can be a little pricey but with at least eight charity shops you can afford to shop around a bit. This is one of my latest purchases bought for the princely sum of £4 and with the tags still in. I have been wearing it to work (on the more warmer days of this year so far) with thick blue tights and blue Mary-Jane shoes. 

I just love this jumper that I picked up recently from the Cancer Research Charity shop. It's perfect for the chilly spring days and it's also lovely and soft. For £3 you can't really complain! I wore it this week with a short denim skirt, brown belt and blue Converse high-tops. 

And to prove that it's not all about the clothes, let me introduce you to my new mantlepiece clock. Close-up this has a shabby-chic finish and looks just right in my lounge. This set me back £9.60 (in the sale with 20% off) from Cargo.

I look forward to updating you soon with more of my finds,

VV x

Spring is on its way?

I am very lucky to live in, what I consider to be, one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Our house looks out onto field upon field upon field and we have very few neighbours. Although, if we are honest with ourselves, one of our main reasons for living here is because our beloved pussycat can roam in relative safety and we have plenty of space for our rabbits and guinea pigs!

 

Last week I spent as many days as I could out walking and getting some much needed fresh air. From indoors the sky looked ominous and didn't seem to hold much promise however I doned my wellies, waterproof jacket and walking rucksack and set off through the puddles.

My walk took me across fields and onto a deserted country lane and I ended up at the quaint little pub in the next village. Of course, I had to treat myself to a pub lunch and a coffee before setting off on my return journey. By the time I emerged from the pub the sky had brightened and the sun had made a welcome appearance.

I don't think I can feel happier than when I am breathing in the fresh air, feeling the sun on my skin and taking in the spectacular views around me. As I walked I spotted, what I assume to be, a family of five deer in a field adjacent to the road. I stopped to watch them as they sat happily exposed in the middle of the land, their antlers proudly revealing their positions. And what magnificent animals they are. They spotted me but did not move however I knew that at all times I was being watched in case I posed a threat. As I stood watching them a car past me and I felt sad that the occupants of the car had missed this occasion due to their hurry to be elsewhere. Someone once said to me that slow travel is the best way to travel and, in this case, I could not agree with them more. We miss so much as we rush through our lives and it is important to slow the pace and drink in the small wonders that occur everyday without us even noticing.

 

 

 

Towards the end of my walk I spotted these delicate snowdrops, the first of the spring, growing in the churchyard across from our house. They can not fail to remind us of the optimism the springtime brings. Aren't they just beautiful?

So, if the gloom of Winter is getting you down don't judge the day from the confines of your house. Get out there. Feel the chill on your skin. Wrap up warm. Breath in spring and marvel in the natural world around you.


VVx

Remember these...?

I had a wonderful childhood. Even now in my 30s I love nothing more than sitting with my family and playing a good old fashioned board game. Many weekends have been whiled away fitting tiny puzzle pieces together with the help of my sister and our most recent game, aka a battle,was the excellent Ludo, which we used to play at our grandparents when we were little.

How many of these do you remember enjoying?

I'm sure they don't make games as intricate as Mouse Trap anymore?

 

I used to love this game. This bed would vibrate and the bugs jumped up and down and then, with your tweezers each player had to pick up as many bugs as possible. Fabulous.

 

It was so hard to get the little rings on the sticks!

 

And this is our beloved Ludo, complete with the popper dice in the middle. Playing with my sister, who is very ruthless is hilarious!

 

This was something I would play with my school friends when we were young teenagers. I am sure I believed that the boys on the end of the phone existed!

 

 

And this was, possibly, the last game we bought as a family, which was very complicated at the time, compared to Ludo anything was complicated!

VV x

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