Accidental Vix

Yay, I am so happy and relieved to have finally finished my sketchbookproject 2012! I must admit it didn’t take me long after sending off last years to forget how stressful and hard it is to work to a deadline for something that will be viewed by others and tour 3 continents this time. This is the first 32 page ‘picture book’ I have done as a continuous story,  but generally I’m pleased with what I’ve achieved, especially given the trauma of the past couple of months. There are a few pages which I rushed for the sake of finishing and I’m not too happy with but as I keep telling my husband perfection doesn’t exist. Here are a few more pages to keep you going until the grand reveal of the finished story…

Xx

A big congratulations goes to one of my best friends – Claire, aka the new Mrs Beavis. I was honoured to be a bridesmaid at her wedding just over a week ago, and it was a fab day and unlike our wedding the weather was actually good enough to have the ceremony outside! I have known Claire since we were in the same art class at school, before going on to do our art foundation together and then going our separate ways to do creative degrees but it was great to see that neither of us have lost our enthusiasm for all things artistic and as always I love it when weddings have personal touches. The only present that we could give to Claire and Alex to celebrate their new marriage had to be handmade in their colour scheme, and was another excuse for me to get my selection fabrics, needle and thread out.

Xx

I am truly lost for words over the unbelievable and incredulous acts of the idiots (luckily the minority) in London and all over the UK over the past few nights. I can’t even begin to comprehend these imbeciles who think that destroying others lives makes anything better, but it is reassuring to know that there are some fab people out there carrying on and cleaning up after the destruction and showing resilience and the better side of humanity. Watching the news tonight and experiencing first hand the violence and destruction around us really made me upset and frustrated, especially witnessing people lose everything they’ve ever worked for. So, to escape from the crazy and cruel world momentarily I got out the sewing machine and made some baby booties.

On the subject of creativeness, my husband and I went to Look Mum No Hands the other weekend to meet up with Ruby Shoes Rocks and see some fab bunting entered into the Great British Bunt Off. I am a bit biased here as I think Ruby Shoes is doing an amazing job, and as you all know I am well practised at bunting after making 50 metres for our wedding, but it was a brilliant idea, and you can’t help but smile when you see it all together. If I were to be in charge I would make everybody make at least one bunt and then we would join them all together, make the streets a cheerier happier place and ward off the evil of current times!

Bedtime now, sleep well and hope everyone is safely home and not caught up in the trouble.

Xx

One week today and I will have just walked down the aisle in a gorgeous little church in Coniston Cold when hopefully the months of planning, organisation and creativeness will all be worth it! But the one thing we can’t do anything about is the weather so everybody please do a sun dance for us next Friday. This brings me to today’s Folksy Friday topic – sunshine:

Diomo Glass – Golden sun catcher (maybe we just need a sun catcher hanging at the church)

Elizabeth Rees Millinery – Owl sun hat (as we have requested all guests wear a hat we hope there will be some sun hats on show)

Maisy Muffin Rag Dolls – 50s vintage sun dress (I love 50s fashion and this is just adorable)

Back to work now for the last few days before becoming a married woman!!

Xx

As it is only 9 weeks today until our wedding I thought that I would choose my Folksy Friday picks today from fellow Folksters that we have bought things from that we cannot make ourselves and some who are very kindly donating to us. We believe in supporting independent, handmade and local people as this is will make our wedding more personal to us and support the crafts, trades and people that we value. So here are a few of our wedding helpers…

Imogen’s Imagination – all my bridesmaid fascinators, my mum’s and of course my own head-wear are from Sophie. It has taken a while for us to decide on the final designs but I can’t wait to see the finished pieces and love that my bridesmaids fascinators are all different and suit each personality but tie in with each other which I would never get from a high street shop.

Zygote gifts – I don’t want to give too much away but Biruntha is working on some fab additions to the decorations that we are making ourselves using newspaper from Valentine’s Day.

Birgitta Designs – This fabulous lady is not only coming to our wedding, but has offered to make us some personalised bunting for our special day, we can’t wait to see it and Birgitta at the wedding.

Artisan Silver – Unfortunately I can’t give too much away at this stage, but we have bought some fab personalised gifts from this lovely lady

Morning Mr Magpie – After much deliberation I am very excited to have chosen Sal to make the bridal necklace I have designed for the big day, she has been a pleasure to work with so far and can’t wait to see the final piece

Hetty Rose – Ok, so Hetty is not strictly Folksy but my handmade shoes from this wonderful lady are so fab I have to mention her and give you a sneak preview of the Cinderella shoes made to fit my foot!

Have a great weekend whatever it involves, I will be busy finishing our bunting and place names once the eagerly awaited supplies arrive!

Xx

Well this is the first evening I’ve been home for a week and I ended up in A+E after my whirlwind tour… holiday/visiting family in Poland, via Leeds and York (before and after.)   I spent the day walking round Leeds and York today for work in pain, then when I got home my leg was so swollen I nearly got stuck in my jeans! Like mother like daughter as they say – my mum always reacts badly to mosquitos so when my leg reacted the same I presumed it would just go down after a few days, but no… it got much worse today and was dark red, painful, really hot and swollen from my ankle to my knee. So being a diabetic I went to Kingston A+E, and saw a fantastic doctor who said it was severely infected and was glad I went in when I did.  She was quite creative too, she drew around the infected area (I think it looks like Poland, but any other suggestions are welcome as to what it is) and said if it gets much worse I need to go back and be put on a drip, which I agreed to as she allowed me to go without putting and IV in tonight as long as I take my 14 tablets tomorrow and rest it as much as possible.

What can I say? It’s just bad luck, and not my fault this time!

Xx

We’re into double figures already! I must admit I’ve been struggling over the past few days to post early, and today was supposed to be a creative day as my boyfriend was away for the day but I ended up making more stock of my current cards rather than designing new ones.  That said, I have done tomorrow’s card, and did enjoy the sunshine with a walk in the park (inspired by today’s card) as did my orchid (the sunshine not the walk) which has started flowering after a year of playing dead – so today’s theme is flowers:

The button fairy – 7 Floral cabochons (bright, bold and beautiful)

MadamCC – Purple vintage bracelet (one of my fave colours, and if you read my blog you will know I love anything vintage!)

Leanne woods designs – Evergreen shoulder bag (ok, so this is more leaves than flowers but it’s stunning, the colour are so bold)

The sequinned sheep – Flower keyring/bag charm (this is such an adorable handknitted flower)

My day 4 personalised engagement card was listed a bit later today as it’s been a busy Sunday and we have just got on the train back to London where we are making the most of the wifi, and the mini picnic we have been given in first class – crisps, peanut, biscuits, OJ and water (he even left the orange juice carton in case we wanted a top up!) Once again we are delayed, but at least we weren’t on the train that set on fire at Doncaster!

As always there are so many fantastic listings today, so to narrow it down I decided to choose food as today’s theme as everyone seems to be tweeting about yummy things and it’s making me really hungry (trying to resist the chocolate biscuits!) so here are today’s top picks:

Laura’s little lovelies – Naughty but nice charm bracelet (this may be purchased very soon for my god-daughter!)

Diomo Glass – Dinky tea light coasters (I love having tea/dinner with tealights twinkling on the table)

The little bead box - Wooden beads (these remind me of an exciting bag of sweets)

Pavlova’s art loft – Altered tin, Irene (love anything that looks vintage, and could just eat my mum’s pavlova!)

Strawberry anarchy – Strawberry stud earrings (well it is the Wimbledon final today and I’m heading home to Wimbledon as we speak)

Time to go and do some sketches in prep for this week’s july jester items.

Xx

It’s great to be back in the Yorkshire countryside… and the usual routine of going out for a family coffee on a Saturday morning in Ilkley, as is a habit whenever I return to my parents for the weekend! This morning was even better though as we spotted a sign for a craft fair at the Clarke Foley Centre – you won’t be surprised that I dragged everyone along, bought several items and chatted to a few fellow crafters which is not bad for a Saturday morning. So here are my top 3 stalls from Ilkley today…

The Foxy bag – these strawberry bags are a fantastic and environmentally friendly idea. I, like most people, have a fabric shopping bag hidden in the depths of my handbag (along with a few crumbs, the odd lipstick and pens) but I find that I always lose the bag that it is contained in to keep it folded up so this is the perfect solution!! It actually folds into a strawberry very easily and quickly, and the housing/container is attached to the bag so people like me don’t lose it! Definitely one to check out, and a perfect fashion accessory for those picnics too

Rosie Phillips – This is a cute stall that my love of textiles couldn’t help but stop at, with gorgeous hand sewn covered notebooks, embroidered cushions and all things adorable – love this cupcake cushion (above.) You’re bound to find a perfect present for your mum/grandma/friend from here.  If you want to find out more please contact Rosie at rosemary_phillips@hotmail.co.uk.

Rosa Maria Dudzinski – This was probably the most striking stall for me, that instantly grabbed my attention and made me want to find out more, and once I did I found that Rosa’s personality was as infectious as her illustrations and paintings. If you’re wanting a stylish limited edition item then this is the place to go.

Ok, time to celebrate a friend’s 30th with some wisnowka and a big screen for the England World Cup match, have a great afternoon everyone!

xx

After years of trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of London I find myself back here after being made redundant from my job in Manchester last year. I spent the first year on my work placement from Nottingham Trent University living near Brick Lane and had convinced myself I hated it… but walking back down there to meet my boyfriend the other evening at Spitalfields market I was surprised to feel myself getting nostalgic! I miss the vintage shops, cool cafes, art, handmade items and buzz about the place – it has definitely become the up-and-coming place it was promised to be when I lived there 7 years ago.

However I think the old Spitalfields has suffered in trying to be a more upmarket destination with Norman Foster’s development of the new office block and west side of the market, and I actually think it has lost some of it’s charm with the high street chains like GBK, Giraffe and Strada moving in.  I’d defintely take the extra few steps to venture onto Brick lane for the more quirky vintage and handmade purchases in places like Absolute Vintage.

I took this photo of a really cute traditional old sweet shop A.Gold, which sits next to the high street brand Whistles.  I absolutely love this side of the street with old facades and hints of the past, but when you turn round the modern architecture that has arisen ruins it for me.

I’m now going to meet some friends at Borough Market, one of my all time fave places to people watch, and who knows I may have time for a few sketches

xx