Thursday, April 01, 2010

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

26 comments:

  1. Congrats on being featured in the antiques magazine! I am sure you will have many more visitors to your shop!

    And that embroidery work is STUNNING! What a talented artist your friend is! Just imagine doing all of that fine handiwork, stitch by stitch. Truly stunning.

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  2. Niki - Those are unbelievably beautiful!
    Wow.

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  3. Niki,

    Congrats good on you, sorry I havent been around in awhile, love the adorable needlework the bags are so so pretty and go wonderfully in your pretty shop :)
    Hope you have a lovely Easter

    All things nice...

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  4. Hi Niki

    I can vouch for their beauty having seen them in the flesh today. I love Maggie's work! The cushions and bags are so pretty, the attention to details is amazing.

    It's hard chosing a favourite..

    Are you open tomorrow?

    Take care
    Isabelle x

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  6. Forgot to say good write up! That should help spread the word further.

    Isabelle x ;-)
    P.S: I delected previous comment. Wrote something incorrectly!

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  7. Anonymous8:59 pm

    Maggie's work is absolutely stunningly beautiful...I am the very proud owner of one of her bags from several years ago...it's adorable!
    Happy Easter to you Niki!
    Love Amanda (Shabby Chick) xxx

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  8. Hello Niki...Congratulations on being featured in that magazine..what a wonderful way to have your shop advertised! I'm sure you'll get many new customers from a wonderful spread like that. I LOVE all the beautiful hand made items your friend makes..such detail!!! Have a wonderful weekend. Maura

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  9. Hi Niki

    Tried your mobile this morning to ask if you'd got your supplies of the Antiquexplorer. So pleased with the whole article, and was delighted to see your extra piccies as well as ours.

    Love Maggie's embroidery, as you know, so I'm delighted you're stocking her goodies.

    Sue x

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  10. Attila10:38 pm

    What gorgeous embroidery; it's making my fingers twitch!

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  11. Maggies work is stunning i cant wait to see it when we come to Bath next weekend. Hope there is some left!
    Jenny x

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  12. The work is absolutely beautiful! It must take extraordinary patience to do that detailed stitching. You are a lucky lady to have them in your shop. Hope some really nice people come by to take one or two lovlies home with them. Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter to you and your family. ♥♫

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  13. Wow, how very lovely! I can imagine that those beautiful pieces of art must take a good amount of time to complete. I hope she does well in your shop.

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  14. They are soooo lovely...I am sure they will do fine in your shop.

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  15. They are so pretty.

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  16. Niki, what amazingly beautiful work, and as always what a beautiful window display.
    Tracey

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  17. Those bags are absolutely stunning, oh to be able to own such treasures, what a talented lady.
    I am sure your beautiful window display will bring customers pouring into your shop.

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  18. Guenievre12:16 pm

    Loveky bags ! Beaucoup de travail pour les fabriquer, mais ce sont de belles réussites !
    Joyeuses Pâques !

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  19. Maggie's work is absolutely beautiful. How long must it take her to complete a project? How she must enjoy her work! Perfect items to sell at the beginning of spring.
    Have a wonderful Easter. xx

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  20. Maggie's embroidery is beautiful. Congrats on being published - should bring in new customers. Makes me want to plan a trip to Europe just to see your shop. I am so inspired by all your work that I bought a brand new sewing machine last year and hope to start sewing again. Thank you for sharing your creations with us.

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  21. The embroidery is absolutly gorgeous - the colours are almost etherial, I can honestly say I have not seen anything quite so lovely!

    Kath
    x

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  22. Those are sooooo beautiful.The hours of workthat have gone into them.They are amazing.

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  23. I wish you a happy and blessed Easter! xx Gypsy Purple

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  24. Hollyhocks are my favorite flower, and Maggie's creations are both stunning and charming at the same time! Thanks for giving me something to dream about!

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  25. Anonymous10:26 pm

    Maggies Embroidery is so absolutely gorgeous! How I wish I could embroidered like that. What a talent! Congrats to you also on a good bit of publicity! Happy Easter!!

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  26. That embroidery is stunning!! I can't believe the detail & I just love the style of her designs.

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx