February Frenzy

February already?!

I had planned on thanking each of you personally by email for the lovely good luck cards and gifts that I received when I opened my new shop, but I have had a few computer problems recently - I wanted to say how very grateful I was for the support that had been shown to me and so I send a huge message of thanks (you know who you are!) via my blog instead.

These are for you!

Yesterday was my 'day off', so what did I get up to? Well, apart from catching up on some much needed housework (groan), I was also busy with a few make-overs for the shop(!)

One cute little painted bathroom cabinet just needed a quick fix...

So I thought I'd treat it to a section of antique French wallpaper (I have so little of this left, but just love the design)

A few careful snips, a touch of glue, and the job was done.

Since opening the shop I had been asked a couple of times if the chair in the fitting room was for sale...I must admit that I was a little reluctant to part with it, as I had used one of my favourite vintage Sanderson fabrics on the seat.

I'm still thinking about putting it up for sale at the moment, but thought I would at least work on a replacement, just in case...

This Victorian chair that I recently bought was in need of a little help...

I thought I'd use a C19th French cretonne fabric printed with bold stylised flowers to re-cover the seat.

It was a bit fiddly, especially around the back support - not my best effort, but it does at least look better than it did before...

And a ruby red braid hides a multitude!

I may decide to take it to the shop this week and try the swap-over to see if I'm happy for it to live in the fitting room.

This little project certainly gave me the bug for using some French cretonne fabrics in my work. I used to make little hand bags a few years ago, but as is so typical of me, I often get fidgety and have to move on to something else. Today however the need to make a return visit took hold. I sketched out a basic pattern on some tissue paper and then got cutting and stitching...

This was the end result. I think it would be nice to make a few variations of these, some of which I could save to take with me to the first of the fairs that I have booked for this year.

Other recent creations include a young and fun bag, with red roses for Valentine's Day...

And can you spot someone in the background?

This is Lily Beth in a patriotic red, white and blue ensemble!

There's been plenty of vintage goodies added to the shelves too, including a lovely French box...

Floppy and gorgeous old millinery flowers and some fabulous French magazines from the late 1800's/early 1900's...

As well as several framed prints, lots more unusual brooches, linens and pretty china.

My shop sign was due to be fitted today, but once again I have been scuppered by the weather...perhaps tomorrow...

Have a great week,

Niki x