All Decked Out!

As a complete contrast to my last couple of snowy posts, I thought I would just tell you about a project I have been working on this morning...

Set up outside my little shop, it was usual to find several re-covered wooden deckchairs for sale, arranged in the sunshine amongst galvanised watering cans and terracotta pots. I used to use bright vintage floral curtain fabrics, as they usually gave me a large length of very strong cotton or linen. A friend of mine bought several of them from me during that time and asked a while ago if I could make her two more.

I suggested if she could source the old frames, then I would remake the fabric slings for her...She arrived at my door a few days ago with two frames (so I no longer had an excuse not to do the job! ;-))

Now normally I would paint the frames in white gloss paint or use watered down emulsion to give a summery driftwood look. Her husband however had decided to stain and varnish the frames a dark mahogany. ;-))

I chose two vibrant Sanderson fabrics for their new look...if you've ever tried this, then you will know that you need large pieces - I always have to be very brave parting with so much lovely vintage fabric! I stitched two long rectangles down the side seams, then turned the tube through and ironed it flat. The top and bottom are then folded over for neatness and attached to the wooden frame with upholstery tacks approx: 1" apart along the width.

(The double thickness of fabric should mean that the sling can take quite a bit of weight :))

For extra comfort, I liked to add a feather filled cushion as a headrest. (Saves a clonked head on the wooden bar at the top! And is perfect for comfy summer snoozes too!)

Loops of elastic stitched into the seams of the cushion, hold it over the ends of the frame.

My friend asked for frilly cushions, so I added frills in the contrasting Sanderson chintz.

One down, one to go...

Within a few hours the job was done. They aren't my favourite thing to make, but it is always satisfying to have a job completed. And it's an added bonus to have recycled the old frames and fabrics.

They now await collection - I hope that she will be pleased with them.

There is still snow here on the hills - I'm hoping that this 'proper' winter will mean a proper summer too...with floral deckchairs taking centre stage in the garden, of course!

Niki x

Red Sky at Night...

Hope you've had a peaceful day,

Niki x

Normal Services will be Resumed as Soon as Possible!

Thank you to everyone who visited my website yesterday and made a purchase.

Due to the heavy snowfalls overnight, I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to the Post Office with your parcels today.

Despite us living on a main 'A' road, the gritters last night have made virtually no impact.

Those who have ventured out are having to be pushed up the hill by local people....Seeing as my nearest Post Office is three miles in that direction, down the hill, I don't think I'll risk it. We already have a car abandoned right outside our house, with others parked overnight in the lay-by next to the post box (just visible in the photo above.)

So I shall spend today wrapping and packing all of the parcels ready for dispatch on Monday (hopefully!)

Have a wonderful day and keep warm at home!

Which is what my chickens intend to do it seems...I couldn't even coax them out this morning with biscuits!

Niki x

50 Fabulous Fripperies

Helloooo!! I've been working furiously on a new batch of lovelies for my on-line shop. 50 additional items have been added and are ready and waiting for anyone who would care to browse my website this morning.

I hope that you will enjoy taking a look at the selection...

There is Hope who is a VERY patriotic fairy. (This is the last miniature vintage union flag that I have, which I've used to create her skirt front along with some C19th French Vichy check)

Lulu is dressed in fine antique lace and dainty embellishments.

There are some cute 'spoolie' dolls (I have some more of these to dress, but ran out of time this week....more to follow...)

Blanche dressed in pure white fabrics, inspired by the recent snow flurries.

And Demelza in her cosy layers keeping her warm against the wintry chill. Love her 'Little House on the Prairie' look!

I've also put together some pretty gift sets, and made an assortment of vintage fabric fripperies, all of which would be perfect as Valentine's Day gifts or as a Birthday treat for the vintage-lover.

I am very grateful to all who have made a purchase from my website's last update - I hope that you will all enjoy your new (vintage!) treasures.

Have a peaceful day -snow still here, with more to come I believe...brrrr...

Niki x

A Love of Old Lace

A quick project during my lunch break today was a light relief from a mountain of typing and paperwork...

A length of pliable wire was shaped into a simple heart....

to become a framework for vintage lace (the tattier the better!), which was glued in place.

Graphics torn from one of my French magazines from the 1890's...

Along with small vintage millinery flowers and tiny trinket embellishments to complete these charming love tokens.

Here they are drying in my workroom, adding a touch of romance to an otherwise mundane sort of day!

Hope you have had a lovely day,

Niki x

Update: I've just been doing a bit of blog hopping this evening and discovered this post written by Rachel Ashwell. I'm not one to idolise 'celebrities' or famous people, but have always had an admiration for Rachel and the values that she lives by. When I bought my copy of 'Shabby Chic' in the 90's, her first of five beautiful books, it was like finding my Bible. I felt a connection between her way of thinking and my own, as I know so many others have too.

I'm sure that Rachel will turn the fortunes of her empire back around over the next few years, as she will have the best advice available, I don't doubt; lets hope so for her sake and for all lovers of chipped paint, torn fabrics, cracked china and a touch of vintage sparkle!

May I also through my blog wish anyone going through the same struggles, the very best of luck...

N x

The White Stuff

There seems to be a fair smattering of snow over Blogland today...

And just to show that here in the SW of England, we haven't been missed out...

We do a nice line in cushion seat pads, tablecloths and carpets!

My daughter's school is closed today, so I suspect I shall be challenged to a snowball fight later...

Have a wonderful day and keep warm,

Niki x

Update: Ooops...I've just realised this was my 300th post! My thanks to all who have checked in over the years - I appreciate every comment that I receive...it certainly takes a lot longer to get round to visit everyone, as there are so many more blogs out there now from when I joined Blogger in 2006.

Here's to the next 300...

'News' (No, not the Ground Breaking Stuff!)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

(Photo found on eBay.co.uk - Italian leather satchel)
Whenever I write a post about my weekend, I am reminded of those long accounts that we were told to record at school on a Monday morning, which had to be titled 'News'. It was something I usually struggled with... I mean, how many times can you write about watching your brother's football team play on a Saturday morning, or another (enjoyable, but none-the-less, another) visit to Granny’s, or of playing out in the street with the kids in your road? As hard as I tried to make it sound interesting, it always seemed to read a little mundane and ordinary. I certainly wouldn’t have guessed that when I was in my 40’s I would still be writing similar reports, albeit for a slightly larger audience – and today I find it difficult to come to grips with the fact that anyone would actually be interested in reading my chronicle of the weekends events!!
It’s a funny world, Blogging, isn’t it?!

Anyway, here we go… (For anyone remotely interested!)
A dreaded local parish council meeting about a proposed development in our next door neighbours garden (something we are not looking forward to living in close proximity of if it goes ahead), had to be attended first thing on Saturday morning, but afterwards we decided to get out for a few hours.

Hubby, our youngest daughter and I, headed off to Clifton Village, Bristol, for a warming lunch in 'Amoeba'. My baked sweet potato with red onions and feta cheese went down very well!

Suitably refreshed we then walked around the corner to 'Focus on the Past'.

A wonderful shop jammed packed with vintage loveliness, but at a price!

Then it was off down the hill, past Bristol University to the lower end of Clifton, calling in some of the unique little shops on the way. The charity shops were doing a roaring trade...a popular haunt for the local students, I don't doubt!

Past an original Banksy mural on an otherwise bare wall...

As far as Bristol cathedral...

And the Council House at College Green...

Which are watched over by Queen Victoria!

***

Sunday was a quieter day with an hour of thrifting before getting back home to snuggle in the warm again with hot cups of tea.

My finds amounted to a respectable collection, including some c1950's fish printed toweling fabric, two old doll heads, framed fashion prints, a cottage tin, pretty china and more vintage bling.

I also completed a little project that I have been putting off for a while. I bought this pine wall cupboard a few weeks ago. Inside it had divided partitions, which were tatty from years of use, so I felt they needed a refurb. I wanted to line the cupboard in paper, but thought that all the compartments would make for a long and difficult job.

I set aside a couple of hours and measured and cut sections of paper to cover each of the areas in turn. An antique floral wallpaper was a perfect addition for the back, with old sheet music lining all the other surfaces. I used PVA glue to secure it, applied evenly with a paintbrush.

It felt good to have this project finished - I don't know why I put it off for so long really, as the satisfaction of having it completed is a relief.

It would make a cute filing cupboard for craft supplies such as postcards and photographs, cards of ribbons and lace or for small pieces of precious fabrics. (It will come with me to the V&H fair in May)

I admit, not the most exciting of weekends, but enjoyable all the same - hope you had a good one too!

My thanks for all of your lovely comments to my post below - if only you had all lived close by, I could have welcomed you into my little piece of paradise. We could have sipped tea and talked vintage, whilst being surrounded by more than a few pink roses! ;-))

Have a great week,

Niki x