prettiest shades

I love mixing vintage lace with soft gentle colours especially pinks, like the dusky pink satin I've used on the clutch purse above. Vintage underwear is a great source of inspiration for colour and design. I look through all my scrap books of things I like before I start any new work. It really helps to look back through these torn out pages and bits of fabrics to come up with new ideas and designs.

I'd love to know where you get your inspiration from....

holiday

 Well, I'm back from a lovely week away with my boyfriend in Fowey, Cornwall.

I feel there's lots to catch up with, and I'm looking foward to seeing what everyone has been up to while I've been away.

Fowey is such a pretty coastal town with so many great little cafes and shops. I love Daphne Du Maurier's 'Rebecca' so it was intriging to find out more about the author and her love of Cornwall. 

A lot of cream teas were eaten, but hopefully burnt off with all the walks across the cliff tops to nearby villages.

 This cafe, 'Pinky Murphys' had a surf shack, living room feel to it. 

 The Lifebouy cafe  on Lostwithiel street was my favourite and made the best crab sandwiches. Inside it is decorated with all sorts of vintage treasures. I could of spent all day drinking cups of tea, looking through the old books and maps watching the world go by.

I have lots more photo's to show you, but I need to get sewing again too....

sew easy

The other day I was given an old ice cream container with a note saying 'I hope these will come in useful' from a lovely lady who came to my open studio exhibition. To my delight when I opened the box, there was a selection of buttons and needles all on their original packaging. 

Here are a few of my favourites. Thank-you x

I'm away for a week or so.... off to the coast.....catch up when I get back.

handmade purses

 A bit of a rainy grey morning here in Oxford, so I thought I would share these little purses I've just made with you and my pin board for inspiration. I love the collection of mirrors and plates in the pages below. I think I may be off bric a brac shopping later.

Before you go, check out my studio tour at Offbeat Homes...

rosie b home & interiors

A few days ago I dropped off a selection of my handmade purses, corsages and cards to this lovely shop called Rosie B Home & Interiors in Chipping Norton.

The owner has a collection of vintage and new pieces for sale, from beautiful bed linens and cushions to handmade soaps and candles.  I love the two old watering cans that are on display outside the shop.

On my travels I spotted a few other lovely things. ......

I wish this was mine 

 Driving home we passed fields and fields of Moon Daisies.

thursday market

Last Thursday I cycled to the market before work. It was a warm sunny morning, so I knew it was going to be a good day. I bought this china plate for 50p! I love faded floral patterns, which can be found dotted around our flat like this rose cushion cover.

 I also bought these old stamps. It's always so hard to choose, there are so many. I went for the flower and butterfly designs and the kind stall holder even gave me a pack for free.

in with the old...

I've finally found a lovely old desk at a local antiques center. It's the perfect size, with two little drawers. I've spent all morning trying to declutter my original desk of stuff I no longer need. It seemed to take forever.

The picnic hamper is great for storage and I keep some of my vintage fabrics and cottons in it.

As well as the desk I also bought this coronation mug, I must have been inspired by the resent royal wedding or I just love it's faded design?

I'd love to know what's new in your homes?