Hollyhocks and Pretty Frocks

I am thrilled to be able to offer the sumptuous hand stitched work of a very talented friend of mine for sale in my Shepton shop. Those of you who go way back with me into the misty pasts of Blogging, may remember me once before being able to offer the beautifully created work of Maggie Neale.

Maggie's colourful home and her handmade items also featured in my book - I have always been grateful for her friendship and for the love that we both share for the flowery festooned past!

Maggie painstakingly hand embroiders her one-of-a-kind bags and cushions, using a variety of softly muted vintage silks and wools, in a classic selection of stitches, and all worked onto soft woollen blanket fabric. Each piece is unique and is the result of hours and hours of work.

Here are her latest designs which I am over-the-moon to be able to promote in my shop.
A 'Home Sweet Home' cushion, stitched on a natural cream wool, with a wreath design worked in hundreds of French knots.

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Maggie takes the time to select colours which harmonise well and she changes from one colour to another as she builds up her own arrangement of flowers.

The 'Sweetheart' cushion is simply divine with its rows of hollyhocks in an array of feminine colours. Based on a classic 1930's style, but with a slightly more up-to-date feel, to sit well with both the vintage or more modern of homes.

The soft coral backdrop of the wool sets off the summery border perfectly.

Delicious!

And then there are the bags in Maggie's collection.

A rather lovely 'shopper' in a moss green with another charming country cottage garden border on the front pocket.

A glorious floral fabric lines the inside...

And vintage velvet flowers have been incorporated into the embroidered panel.

A daintier handbag size design, with plastic handle is the ideal accessory with this season's pretty tea dress!

Again, a carefully hand stitched lining finishes off the bag beautifully.

You'll spot it only if you can take your eyes away from the lovely embroidered front of this little treasure!

And finally the pièce de résistance is this tremendously detailed shoulder bag with its sweet message worked onto the front.

'More is more' for this beauty, which includes vintage hand crocheted lace, buttons, velvet millinery flowers and sparkling trinkets.

Jewel-like colours on a soft peachy pink background make this one hard to resist.

Hope you love them all as much as I do.

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Today I arranged them all inside the side window of the shop...

And I created a showcard to inform passers-by who had made the lovelies!

It didn't take long for them to receive some admiring glances...

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And another bit of exciting news is that the new April edition of Antiqexplorer is out now, and has a large feature on vintage textiles.

Karyn, the editor kindly included some editorial about my new shop...

...Alongside my advert.

I'm hoping it will bring lots of vintage fabric enthusiasts to my door over the next month or so...fingers crossed...

Have a very happy Good Friday tomorrow,

Niki x