Monday 26 November 2007

and the winner is............ (and another giveaway)



Congratulations to Steph from Curlew Country for winning last weeks giveaway, your cake stand will be winging it's way to you asap!

Sorry to everyone else who entered and didn't win, but all is not lost. As I promised last week I am holding another giveaway to celebrate the launch of my new website on the Saturday 1st December. Three lucky people picked at random will each win £5 off their first order. (see the second from last post for a sneak preview of what's will be on offer).
All you need to do to enter the draw is leave a comment on this post before 9pm this friday.
Good luck everyone, and don't forget to visit on saturday morning to see who's won. xxx

Tuesday 20 November 2007

The Belated Giveaway & A New Arrival

So finally it's here, I have given up on making something for the giveaway and instead have opted for this pretty little cake stand. It was going to go on the website, but unfortunately what I thought was dirt when I bought it, has turned out to be ash inside the glass, I shall have to look more carefully next time!



Apart from it's little fault, (and lets be honest, we all have them!) it is so pretty, and I thought that one of you would give it a good home and a chance to fulfill it's 'christmas destiny' by displaying mince pies or tealights.
To enter the giveaway you will need to leave a comment on this post before next monday morning - when the winner will be picked at random by Ella, everyone is welcome to join in, even if you haven't commented before.
I seem to remember that I also promised you a peek of what is going to be in my new online shop, I hope to have it up and running for the the start of December, a little bit late for christmas, I know, I'm going as fast as I can, but the website is taking a bit of a backseat due to other commitments.
When I finally launch it I will hold another giveway, with '£5 off your first order' for 3 people picked at random, so be sure to come back then.
In the meantime here is a glimpse of what will be on offer.


Aren't these pressed glass candlesticks beautiful, I'm in two minds whether to keep them all for myself! These are priced between £3-£8 a pair


I have managed to collect a good selection of cake stands that are perfect for creating christmas centre-pieces, or for displaying mince pies or christmas cake. Priced between £8-£12


This is a close-up of the Ditsy Rose Double Eiderdown I have for sale, I have two more eiderdowns winging their way to me as well in Pale Green Paisley and Pink Paisley all priced between £65-£80 each.

This 1930's heavily beaded purse would be perfect for the party season

I've found some lovely pieces of china including this cute rose bowl which is £3

I've managed to collect some lovely kitchenalia, but for some reason it all seems to be green!

This beautiful filigree brooch is sterling silver and would make a lovely christmas present. Brooches range from £3-£12 each.


With reference to the new arrival, no, it isn't a baby, but my parcel from MacCulloch & Wallis Who since 1902 have 'supplied the fashion trade with fine fabrics and trimmings from the same central London premises between Oxford Street and Bond Street in the heart of Mayfair'. They have a great selection of bias bindings including florals, checks, ginghams, velvet, needle cord, and are really good for special things like the vintage laces that I ordered.





this pink gingham bias binding is going to be for the edge of a patchwork quilt that I've started for Ella, I'm guessing it's going to be a while before it's finish though. The buttons are shell printed with roses.


Oh and one last thing, I managed to finish covering and painting my freecyle office/sewing chair after being inspired by one that my sister-in-law did. The fabric is Laura Ashley's 'Clarice'

Thursday 15 November 2007

Big Knit the movie

Listless

No, It's not that I'm lethargic, languid, sluggish, torpid, or inert as my thesaurus suggests, but quite literally Listless and in desperate need of a List!

I don't know about you, but I really love a list, it really helps me to make sense of all the many little things that race around my head, things to do, things to finish, things to start, things to buy. So I thought today I would write my list on my blog, as that way, I can't lose it!


So here it goes......

Hotel job:

  • Make 20 linen laundry bags
  • Make 10 newspaper bags
  • Make 10 cutlery wraps
Family jobs:
  • Make 3 stockings
  • Make Charlotte's curtains
My Jobs:
  • Finish painting and upholstering new sewing chair
  • Finish taking and uploading photo's for website
  • Finish product descriptions for website
  • Make bags from Cath Kidston fabric and oilcloth diaries for website
  • Write christmas card list
  • Write christmas present list
  • Washing Up
  • Laundry
  • Tidy up
  • Dinner
  • Make giveaway prize!! AAhhh forgot again (sorry)
  • Remember to keep scissors away from Ella!
  • Keep an eye on Ella (who has horrible cough and cold, and has given it to me now!)

I'm sure I will think of something else to add to the list as the day goes on, so keep you posted.



I also thought I'd list some things that aren't so pressing, but are making me smile.



Woolly hats on innocent smoothies, all part of The Big Knit to raise money for age concern. Cute, tasty, healthy, and all in aid of charity, what a great excuse to buy them! I bought one yesterday, you can use the hats as egg cosies.



My new stained glass flower, bought for £5 at a antiques shop in Coggeshall.


A new blue jug



My new stash of mother of pearl buttons and buckles that I got on ebay from america.

Thursday 8 November 2007

the new 'do'

Thanks for all of your supportive comments on my last post, so as requested, here some pictures of the new haircut which I took last wednesday, but haven't got round to uploading till now.



Talk about poser, look at these...




It doesn't look too bad, but it needs a little more 'styling' in the morning and through out the day, than we are both used too. The hairdresser changed the side of her parting to cover the hack job slightly while it grows back, but because of her cows-lick the hair doesn't like to stay in it's new place for too long!


Anyway I had a great weekend last weekend which I shall tell you more about after I've done some work, but in the meantime I will leave you with my Mum's lastest painting which I love. Along with my brother and sister, I bought her the jug a couple of years ago for mother's day. Let me know if you like it as much as me, I'm sure she would appreciate the feedback.