Feeling a little festive...

Golden deer guarding a park in Stockholm

I went to Stockholm last Easter so this picture was taken ages ago but this golden deer reminds me of all things Christmassy... I had planned to be making some stockings with doves and trees cut in bright coloured felts,  bits of Liberty fabrics and various buttons, but time is flying at the moment!

Peppermint Twist featured in The Guardian Christmas gift guide!

Click here to view the guide!

Craft Guerrilla Christmas Craft Emporium returns!

Not to be missed if your are around Walthamstow!

I was doing Bust Craftacular last year and  had to miss Craft Guerrilla's christmas market as it fell on the same day, but I am going to be there this year, on Saturday 4th December! There are different sellers on both days and the gallery itself (housed in William Morris childhood home) is well worth visiting, so please do come along if you can!

A few more Liberty floral coin purses...

Wiltshire

Felicite

I had quite a bit of success last week with "Betsy", so there are two more coin purses made of Liberty floral cotton. Both are availble from my etsy shop.

Something cheerful to cheer me up...

Rejoice a little

... Walter Erhard's delightful Christmas cards printed by Vigo.

Sunday was not such a good day for me, as one of my patent clutches was stolen at Sunday Upmarket, and to top it all, my takings were not great and I'm behind with my custom orders...

But enough and time to rejoice! I had promised myself that I would make my own Christmas cards this year... until I stumbled on Erhard's witty cards. Theses were all designed from the late 1950s through to the end of the 1960s, and I just love the flat colours, the humour, the delicate drawings... I spent a few nights online searching for the books he illustrated, with little luck as most could not be shipped to England. Only The Animals' Christmas was available in the UK but the warehouse people could not find it...

It seems that Erhard worked as a textile designer. I am trying to find out more as I would love to see more of his work!

A new project (for me) and a great shop (for all the vintage patterns lovers!)

Oh Sew Charming is a fab pattern shop on etsy. I was thrilled by the choice and the fast and friendly shipping! So I'm hoping to find time to make the dress below, version A, maybe in wool crepe. 

Embroidery obsessions.. part 1:

Chez Sucre Chez on etsy

The Smiths: "please please please, let me get what i want (this time)" by Chez Sucre Chez

I don't know what is happening, but it seems that embroidery is the latest craze! Everyone seems emboidering away. It's good thing, as embroidery is so much more than a remote traditional handicraft of the past. I guess Sublime Stitching may have started the trend? Chez Sucre Chez handcrafts these lovely pieces of home decor: they're fun, modern and fresh, and probably a joy to make too! Now that the canvas has become the new blank page, it's time to start writing and I was thrilled to find this great tool that enables you to transform text into a cross stitch pattern. I'm tempted by "rock'n roll", "New York New York" or some favourite cool music lyrics or a favourite quote...

Liberty floral coin purse - Besty

Betsy... expect more next week: Whiltshire, Tatum, Nancy Ann and Edenham!

I love, love and love Liberty fabrics, especially the dainty florals. There're so quintessentially English, and in my opinion,just too good to only use for little girls dresses… And indeed, in the past year, Liberty had collaborated with Target, Merci, Hermes, Nicholas Kirkwood, Manolo Blahnik and countless others. 

After the success of the Knitting & Stitching show, I have decided to use more of these delightful floral prints. This cute coin purse is made of "Betsy",designed for Liberty in 1933!
The purse closes with a pale green metal kisslock frame and has a tiny golden bow at the front, for added cuteness! It's available through my etsy shop.

The Chiffon Knot: The Liberty Way To Tie A Scarf

I love silk scarves, especially equestrian-themed ones and I always wear them in the same way. So I was keen to watch "cine liberty" and discover new ways of wearing scarves. This so far was the best way for me: I think I'm actually quite traditional and feel funny about pleating/ twisting/ knotting vintage scarves...

My very own "Martin Parr" moment...

At the Foreign Office

Well, it's a bit of an exaggeration! I took this picture when I visited in September during the open house event. That little flag caught my eyes and I quite like the result, it's a little quirky and a nice break from taking pictures of purses... and I forgot to look for the name of the portrait.

I've been featured in a book...

the book in question, published this October

Peppermint Twist coin purse and two applique pouches!

About a week or so ago, I discovered that some of my work had been included in a new craft book, Indie Craft by Jo Waterhouse. It's a "proper" book: it's available from Amazon!  I had prepared the text a long time ago and did not know if it had been accepted, so it was quite a bit of a surprise! And as I was buying birthday cards in Paperchase on Tottenham Court Road  the other day, I saw it! It was a little surreal! I used to make pouches and purses with dove and horse applique; I think it's about time that they return!
I was included with Craft Guerrilla.

Some great jumpsuits from Built by Wendy...

I love these winter jumpsuits from Built by Wendy's autumn/winter collection, especially the grey tweed one. They're relaxed and easy, yet they're styled in a chic look. The wool voile top looks great too; I'm tempted to make myself something similar.

Rococo Chocolates..

Contents vary according to seasonal catch but may contain praline mushrooms, maize, quail eggs, walnuts or potatoes...

I needed to buy some chocolate as a thank you present but it is not so easy when the recipients are craft minded (they're the Craft Guerrilla)... I thought of making something, but of course I'm still recovering from the Knitting and Stitching Show and my talent in the kitchen is rather limited...  Searching for artisan chocolates, I had a quick look at the Rococo Chocolates' website, and yes, I don't think I could achieve something like this! I love this autumnal version, with potatoes, mushrooms and maize!

Nearly there... The Knitting & Stitching Show 2010

Established as the textile event of the year.  The Knitting & Stitching Show is a feast for the eyes to anyone interested in textiles and craft!  If you are passionate about stitching, knitting, quilting, crafts or any other form of textiles you’ll find plenty to buy, workshops to attend and beautiful galleries to inspire. Peppermint Twist will be exhibiting in London thanks to the generous support from the lovely gals from the East London Craft Guerrilla! Click here to see the other talented designers they have selected for the London show: Sarah Kerry, Rebekah McMullen, Rosalind Price-Cousins, Boubou Designs and PolkaDotSundays. 


7th October – 10th October 2010
Thur, Fri and Sat:10.00am – 5.30pm; Sun: 10.00am – 5.00pm

Some new items in preparation for the Knitting & Stitching show..

Available in the etsy shop

Love Story

 

I've been sewing a lot lately and working on my displays, so it's all slowly taking shape... We're getting ready for the Knitting and Stitching Show this week. These new clutches purses are made of hide leather and come in neutral colours, tan, dark brown, black and grey; they all have a chain option too. I've been told there's a 1970s look about them.. which was so flattering as I am a big fan of Ali McGraw!

Oh Carven!

Some wonderful spring summer 2011 dresses from the recently relaunched Carven label!

Drink, Shop & Do

I was thrilled when I had an email from Coralie last August about the re-opening of Drink, Shop & Do! Last winter the gallery-shop-café-bar opened at as a temporary pop up during December. It was such a lovely venue, with boldly painted red stripes walls, but three weeks were not enough to make most of it! They're now open Tuesdays to Saturdays, from lunch to bedtime and serve tea, cakes, light meals, great cocktails, etc,  in a lovely setting where everything is for sale! They organise small crafty events too, and they stock a nice selection of Peppermint Twist button badges!

Keeping in control (and appearances)!

I haven't seen this movie, "Shadow on the Wall", but I love the way the women look in the picture! They're chic and groomed and look in control, and they'd better be, as it seems that they have a problem!
I always fell scruffy when I'm tired, and I'm cold too today. I've got a busy day at the day job, a pile of purses to sew, and the Knitting and Stitching show is fast approaching... Luckily, I think I've nearly worked out my display... I'm going for bright and bold colours so I've invested quite substancially in bright felt!

Autumn hats...

Vintage red hat from PranceAndSwagger on etsy

and another perfect party hat from the same shop...

I love the autumn, it is probably my favourite season. The best thing about living in north west London, is that Hampstead Heath is just over 10 minutes by train. Luckily, the trains are working again on saturdays, so I've been able to go for some really nice long strolls, as well as tea and cake at Kenwood House... A perfect breath of fresh air when I need a break from sewing and gluing purses...
Somehow, this always makes feel like wearing a nice hat, and could not resit one from PranceAndSwagger. I could not have taken a nice picture myself, so this picture come from the listing. I was also very tempted by this 1950s sailor hat, perfect with a back dress for a fun party...

Hello again!

The last few months have been really hectic..  In a good way, as my patent designs seem to fly off my shops, but I feel it's been a bit of a bumpy road... I am sorry that I haven't kept up with the blog. I went away for a quick holiday and I'm now back and catching up on orders and preparing for the Knitting and Stitching show this October at Alexandra Palace. I'm also working on new designs, with some fun leather appliques! Hopefully these will turn out nicely!

Colour bleed... new patent clutches!

I love patent, so I was very pleased to find some luxurisously soft lamp skins, with some lovely colour bleed effects! There is an inky black bleeding into greys, and another one going from black to moka. Here are few new items:

Moka clutch with bobble chain

All back clutch with polka dots lining

Grey bleed coin purse

Craft Guerrilla Market - 31 July

This fab monthy (summer only!) returns in about a week! For a list of exhibitiors, please check this link!
I'm hopping for nice weather and I'll try to keep away from the cakes!

Dark Horse

Having worked for a long time with horses and stars appliques, I feel I can really appreciate Dark Horse designs! I'm especially in awe with their strars and garlands! Have a look at their website for more!

The Artquest Jumble Sale

I haven't been to this event for ages, but it's really fun, and there're plenty of bargain, trift chic, as well as homemade cakes.. On my last visit, a few years back, I had bought a 80s jersey dress for 5 pence..

The jumble sale is this Sunday, 18 July, 12-6pm at the Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, London E1.

A perfect dress - June Carter

I love June Carter's dress in this video (filmed in 1968 at the Grand Ole Opry), the scalloped sleeves and hem! The longer sleeves are so perfectly complemented by the longer dress length. We've seen quite a few scalloped hems at Chloe and Christopher Kane, but I'd be happy to see more!
And I'd no idea that I would crave it in white lace!

The talented Sara Carr

I've only recently discovered the woolly world of Sara Carr! Her folksy shop is full of fab pieces, such as this fabulous fox, Mabel the hedgehog and some colourful Russian doll egg cosies!

Craftacular - Saturday 10 July

This saturday, Craftacular returns to London! It's a not to be missed event, and we'll be there of course, with some new exciting stock!

SATURDAY JULY 10 2010

12pm – 7pm

York Hall, 5-15 Old Ford Road London E2 9PJ

1 minute from Bethnal Green Tube Station

DANCE to DJs The A-Maisonettes, The Vinyl Vendettas, She Runs With Wolves (Ladyfest Ten); learn to Lindy Hop and Jitterbug with a special beginner's class by Swing Patrol from 5.30pm to 7pm.

Goodie bags for the first 100 through the door, raffle and more. Admission: £2.

Charity tea party at The Make Lounge

On Sunday 18 July, The Make Lounge is organising a charity tea party to aid Marie Curie Cancer Care. Tea and cakes will be served in vintage china, music will by played on wind-up gramaphones, compliments of the Shellac Sisters. There's a raffle too, with some great prizes, such as a Green & Black chocolate hamper, a knitting kit from Stich London, a cute dachshund from Tinkering Times, and this lovely vintage apron donated by H is For Home, as well las a limited edition Janome Breast Cancer Campaign Sewing Machine. The strawberry red and bubblegum pink leather coin is my donnation to the raffle.

All proceeds from ticket sales benefit this wonderful and worthwhile organisation. Raffle tickets are £1 each on the day of the event.

"Dudette, check you my sweet purse"

The talented Kris Sayer bought a clutch purse from my etsy shop and posted this fab appreciation drawing! Many thanks, Kris, I'm so thrilled with this drawing! Below is the purse:

A bronze and gold etsy treasury - featuring one of my studded clutches!

Watching Hannah & Her Sisters

I was watching Hannah & Her Sisters last Saturday whilst I was sewing some snap pouches. I have seen it many times over the years, and yet it never fails to amuse me... Hannah's family is so so dysfunctional that it is comic, and there's so many subplots that the characters become very real. And among the many gem scenes, this one of Woody Allens on a date with his ex sister-in-law/ future wife really made me laugh. A clash of two worlds - Woody Allen in a rock venue is really something!

Craft Guerrilla Market

I've just received the poster for the next Craft Guerrilla Market, it's retro and crafty! I always look forward to this craft fair. There're always plenty of cakes, teas and cocktails; it does not really feel like a market, more like a garden party... As it takes place in a garden, let's hope the sun will be out!
A friend and I went along to one of their  monthy D.I.Y. craft nights (held the second Thursday of every month) last week, and it was a really fun evening! My friend bought the fox brooch kit and I got the winged heart tattoo but I have not quite completed it...

Out of print!

Out of Print clothing produces tees, with images of the cover jackets of cult best sellers (some of which are on my must read list... : "On the Road", "The Catcher in the Rye" and so forth. Is-it a great idea?

Johnny Cash - I Still Miss Someone

I had a bit of a "funny" morning: Johnny Cash's "I still miss someone" is one of my favourite songs, along with Gram Parsons' "Still feeling blue", so I trailed You Tube for clips. Sadly, I could not find any early ones of the late 1950s or 1060s, but saw plenty of attempts by other performers... Of course no one can beat Johnny Cash, but it was really touching so see many singing this song, some heavily bluegrass versions and others bare to the minimum.Below is Cash at a concert in Prague the 1970s. It's a sad song, but it's brilliant!

Yellow and cream...

are my probably my colour combination, hardly original I admit, but it's so fresh and youthful. It reminds me of one of my favourite fashion icons, Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby...