Celebration Giveaway!

I am happy to announce the re-launch of my website this morning. After several weeks of editing the site, as well as hand making lots of new stock for the on-line catalogue, I finally have it live. Visitors will notice I have gone for a magenta and turquoise colour scheme; one of my favourite combinations for an eye-catching look. I hope that you like it too and will enjoy browsing when you have a moment.

I have had my small business in one form or another for over 15 years. When I started, it was at a time when there wasn't the fashion for all the repro vintage that seems to be flooding the market now. In fact the only time I heard the word 'vintage' banded about, was when my Dad mentioned his vintage car club that he was a member of, or someone was discussing wine or cheese! I have always loved old over new and always will, (and would prefer genuine over reproduction whenever possible), with the recycling ethos also appealing to me. The on-line side of my work is now into its 5th year (with my blog being well into its 3rd and coming close to my 300th post). To celebrate this and also the re-launch, I am having a giveaway, with the prize on offer echoing the new colour scheme at 'Nostalgia at the Stone House'.

There is one of my handmade brooch pillows complete with vintage costume brooch. A 'Spoolie' doll which I am introducing to my range again, and lots of pretty vintagey bits and bobs for the winner to enjoy. These include, a china dish, 2 postcards, threads, miniature hand knitted jumper, hanky, millinery rose and a 2009 pocket diary.

All you need to do is leave a comment to this post and your name will be entered in.

I am happy to post to anywhere in the world. Please be aware that I will need to ask for a delivery address if you are the winner. It is open to non-bloggers as well. I will pick a winner at random from the hat on Friday 23rd January 2009. Good luck!

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When I first started to make dolls, I used to produce them in a primitive/folk art/shaker style, popular in the U.S.A., but was a look that was virtually unavailable in the UK at that time. The 'Spoolie' dolls that I made were one of my best sellers. Supplies for these were quite difficult to find here, so after many years I reluctantly dropped them from my range.
I moved on to using genuine vintage fabrics and continued creating the rag dolls dressed in the best antique fabrics that I could find to buy. For those of you that prefer genuine vintage over reproduction too, I'm sure you will appreciate that my prices reflect the fact that I have used antique fabric fragments and lace, as well as authentic trims - this means each doll is completely unique and is not in the least mass-produced like so much on the high street.

I have now decided to reintroduce the cute little spoolie dolls, dressing them in pretty spriggy antique prints to tie in with the rest of the products in my range (they are ideal candidates for me to take along to the V&H fair, too.) I hope that you like their up-dated look, with each one adorned in tiny coordinating vintage trims and embellishments.

They add a sweet touch hanging from a cupboard door knob, a peg rail or from a mirror frame to give a whimsical feel.

Other additions include Violet who is dressed in a very old purple print cotton dress and a Scottish mohair jacket...

And a selection of dainty fairy dolls with special adornements and trims.

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A touch of romance is provided in some of the Valentine inspired pieces, including this winged cherub printed brooch pillow.

A newly designed hanging heart holds a genuine Victorian greetings card to display in the traditional home. You could add you own favourite postcard, or perhaps a family photo as a personalised gift for someone special.

I developed the hearts further, creating hanging display cushions stitched with a vintage lace strap to hold your favourite pieces of ephemera for all to see, with space to pin additional brooches or hat pins.

The popular vintage gift sets are still available and include Somerset lavender soap sets...

And glamorous fashion accessory gift sets, perfect for the 'vintage-girl', which include costume brooches with carefully selected handkerchiefs and postcards to match.

I hope that you will enjoy taking a look at my re-launched website - I would welcome your views on the new look! Don't forget if you would like to enter my giveaway to leave your comment to this post.

Have a great day,

Niki x