inspirations

Last week I was really busy finishing off a selection of work for a local gallery.

So now I'm working on a new collection for my open studio exhibition.

I've pinned up my inspirations and now I'm ready to start sketching out some ideas ......

How can I not be inspired by the beautiful blossom trees in bloom at the moment. They are so pretty.

My friend Natasha gave me these little crochet doilies as well as some hand embroidered pieces.

These two are my favourites.

books & butterflies

I love seeing what books other bloggers have in their collections, so I thought I would show you a few of mine. The most recent one is Angie Lewin's Plants and Places, which is full of her prints, collages and drawings from her sketchbooks.

I bought this piece of fabric last week, there were so many to choose from, but this one caught my eye. The pattern is so lovely, and this pretty tin was given to me by my grandparents on the same day. Lucky me.

How could I resist buying this little pot of Primroses as I passed my local flower shop on my way to work.

vintage blooms

Worn, slightly faded silk is a material I use a lot, the colours of the bold print on this piece made a lovely purse.

I lined the inside with a pale pink satin fabric to give a luxurious feel.

I was given these beads and because it's Spring I'm thinking bright and fresh colours for my new work, so these will be perfect.

botanical gardens

Here are some photos of the Botanical Gardens in Oxford. It was a beautiful spring day and the gardens are just starting to come alive again.

Have a lovely weekend

my favourite find

When I last visited my sister in Paris, we went to the 'Porte de Vanves' flea market in the south of the city.

As you can imagine I wanted to buy almost everything. Stalls stretched out along a quiet avenue, lined with trees selling all sorts from 60's and 70's furniture to linens, paintings and ceramics.

I fell in love with some beautiful fabric swatches, stitched on to paper with penciled notes written on them.

I didn't buy any, but now I wish I had! Instead I bought this cigar box full of old sewing bits and pieces which someone had carefully collected. Since then I've added a few bits of my own.  

buttons, buttons & buttons

I have jars, tins and boxes of buttons. I never realise how many until I start looking for the perfect one to match the fabric I'm working with.

I like this part of making these little button purses. The final touch and then it's complete.

hidden treasures

Keep your treasures hidden safely away in a handmade little purse.

 

The postcard is 'The feather' by Alphonse Mucha, my favourite Art Nouveau artist. His use of soft faded colours and portrayal of women with their sweeping dresses are beautiful.

A few years ago I visited Prague and went to the Mucha Museum to see some of his lithographs and decorative panels. 

It was a great trip, Prague is an amazing city.

ribbons & trims

I've always wanted to visit VV Rouleaux and last time I was in London I did!

It's a shop full of the most beautiful ribbons, trims, tassels, laces and braids as well as beaded flowers and butterflies. Whenever I buy ribbon I struggle to find the right colour, but here you are surrounded by the most amazing hues.

'Rouleaux' is the French for the inner roll of a ribbon and 'V V' stands for very very good. 

Well, here are the ones I chose ...The cream one is meant to be used to trim furniture, but I think it would look lovely stitched onto a purse or corsage.