buttoned up

I bought this top the other day.

I was scouring the sort of shops I don’t normally visit, the ones full of clothes for bright young things, in search of a birthday present for my niece.

That pattern’s a bit nice, I thought.

It called to me in a most unexpected and affordable way and I couldn’t ignore it.

There is, however, one thing wrong with it.

That flashy trashy gold button. Not me. It has to go.

But what to replace it with? Something vintage, I thought, rummaging in my button tin.

I have options.

First option: an ibble obble black bobble button.

Second option: a rustic wooden number.

Third option: a fancy dancey vintage flower button in almost exactly the right colour.

I need help to decide. I wondered: who can I ask?

Well, I’m asking you! I’ve done a little poll so you can send me your thoughts with just a couple of clicks.

 Results will be announced…. when I feel like it.

thrift of the day

I popped in to one of my favourite charity shop haunts today, for the first time in a few weeks.

Lo and behold – linen loveliness!

The price label calls them “knapkins”.

I suspect that two of them might be “knapkins” and the other two place mats. Two are square and two rectangular.

Designed for “dinner a deux” I am guessing they date from the 1950s, maybe later.

The thick slubby linen they are made from is gorgeous, the colour strong and unfaded. Only one tiny mark marrs their perfection.

I’m not sure what I will do with them. They may become cushion covers. Or even part of a garment…

One thing’s for sure: I will not be using them as “knapkins”. They are far too nice to spill food on.

Quite frankly, I’d rather use my clothes!

sew happy day

I haven’t posted about any sewing projects recently.

This is due to the tasks I set myself to spruce up the house a bit (which are still in progress). In the midst of these, I temporarily lost my sewing mojo. A bit like having writer’s block.

Thankfully, my sewing mojo responds to a bit of nurturing. Which is exactly what Thursday’s sewing class provides.

This week I took along three cushion projects.

The first was some gorgeous fabric I bought on eBay a while ago, which has already proven popular as cushion covers. The one above was a commission for the lovely Jen of Little Birdie.

A nice surprise upon unpicking the seam was to find the selvedge marked as dekoplus, a well known Dutch company that produced very distinct mod/folk designs in the 1960s and 70s (and perhaps beyond).

The second project was my lolly flower applique, which had languished long enough in the “I’m not sure what to do with it” pile.

It has been transformed into a cushion cover, for sale in my shop.

It’d look fab sitting on a white bed, or even a little cot.

Finally, I found some patches which had been cut a while ago with a quilt in mind, but most of which ended up as cushions instead.

I pieced the leftovers into wonky star blocks, which will be combined into a twinkly cushion cover.

There’s nothing quite like a spot of sociable sewing to help projects – and sewing mojo’s – on their way.

pretty thing of the week

I like pretty sticky tape.

Or rather, I like my sticky tape to be pretty.

Useful, decorative, affordable – what’s not to like?

St Judes, of the wonderful fabrics and prints, is offering a limited supply of these three gorgeous printed tapes designed by artists Mark Hearld, Angie Lewin and Emily Sutton.

Available here, the price even includes postage within the UK. For £20 you get three rolls – one of each design. That’s very nearly two hundred metres of prettiness for your presents, parcels and projects.

Enough to snip and stick to your heart’s content.

Fancify your folders, enhance your envelopes and stick it on your stationary. You won’t be stuck for ideas.

collecting dust

I have always been a collector.

I think I inherited the tendency from my dad, who amassed enviable collections of books, music and hi fi equipment.

I like to think that I am discriminating in my collecting, as he was. A curator, rather than an obsessive compulsive.

I am not a completist and my collecting focus changes rather than remaining fixed. My collections, and my interest in them, wax and wane over time.

Pippa dolls. Badges. Shells. Buttons. Postcards. Fabric. Tins.

I thought today of my vintage tin collection.

Gathered some years ago, it currently resides in a box in a cupboard upstairs. I use the odd one or two from the collection for practical purposes, but it has not been displayed as a collection since moving to this house.

I have read about Lisa Congdon’s project documenting her collections. I also read an article recently (I forget where) about how it is a good idea to photograph your collections and then part with them.

I’m a bit torn on that one. Whilst it may seem a pity that this particular collection is not on display, that doesn’t mean it won’t ever be.

As with everything, there comes a time to let go.

But there is also enormous joy to be had from the rediscovery of collections past.

spring greens

I’m still living with the disruption arising from the impulsive removal of my bedroom carpet.

The weather’s been too nice these last few days to be scrubbing the floor. I am taking the opportunity to sort out the garden instead.

But my mind keeps ticking over bedroom-wise. I have been thinking of painting my wardrobe as well.

In for a penny, in for a pound, eh?

Green is currently a front runner in the colour stakes, inspired by the picture above.

I thought I’d share that and some of the other inspirational interiors I have been looking at.

After all, a healthy helping of greens is good for you, isn’t it?