Photoshoot on the backfoot.

Its been an age since I last posted anything and I must make an effort to update more regularly. So much has happened since my last post. More of that later.




This week I had a visit from who used to be a photographer on our local paper The Chronicle and Echo. And he offered to photograph some of my clothes the next day. Fortunately , my lovely daughter Hermione has had lots of modelling experience and was only too happy to help out. This is my friend Sally Bells Blaise new space where she will be working, she's an amazing ideas person with a tap attached to a rainbow which pours out of her head.

It really was a rather slap-dash affair on my part as I was trying to finish a jacket an hour before and really didn't have an idea of what pieces were going to be photographed. Luckily it all looked lovely in the end and Im so very pleased with the results. Those earrings are by Julie Arkell and I brought them eons ago from a lovely shop called Hibiscus in Nupton. Julie Arkell is an incredible folk artist who works mainly in papier mache. These earrings were some of her early work and are made from plastic jewels and quality street wrappers.



I think this is my favourite, it reminds me of Frieda Khalo drifting around in Liberties. I love the rich colours and all the textures. The shawl was given to me and was just lying around the studio, I tore of a bit of silk which were old curtains and wound it around Hermione's head. The headpiece is one which Amelia made for a workshop. It seemed to match perfectly.

All in all Im very pleased with the results, we had an enjoyable time just playing around with ideas and stuff.

How to celebrate the Royal Wedding in style.

When I heard that there was going to be a wedding of mass distraction, I decided to have my own wedding themed day. We had a right royal feast; toast strawberry jam and tea in the morning, Butt Savouries for lunch, which consist of Indian samosas and vegetable pakoras with Indian rice pudding and pistachio nuts. Home made Victoria sponge in the afternoon.
Sorry, I forgot to say that we had gathered to make fascinators! not just to stuff our chops.



In the morning Miss AP and I demonstrated some techniques to make silk roses and showed lots of different ways with feathers and trims.



First off, everyone gathers far too much of everything in a mad crazed panic of uncertainty. Slowly, as the day progresses the choices become more refined and selective. We covered boning in bias silk strips to add height and definition. We also dyed lace in tea to give it an aged look.






We toasted the Royal Couple with our charity shop mugs brimming with hot tea and bedecked in our feathered finery.





There were plenty of old vintage jewellery bits and bobs to cut up and use. Courtesy of my lovely mum.





I particulary enjoy this workshop for the sheer range of delightful items that are always produced. When I think of the amount of mass produced tat in shops it makes me glad I do the job I do. Thanks for all your support folks!

A Good Day's Work.

Following our very busy Saturday bag making workshop, I got fired up and decided to make my own. The fabric is some old Ralph Lauren from 1994 (practicaly vintage these days!) The front pocket was a piece which was in a very old box of embroideries, lace, threads and letters which was given to me. the letters were dated around the 1900's and the work was done by one of two sisters who were Missionaries. The work was all done by hand on silk and in quite a sorry state. Some of you may think It's criminal to cut it up, but I do really appreciate the work that's gone into it and want it to be seen and used. To me, it's no good sitting in an old box.





The gorgeous trim is from Barnett and Lawson, who supply trims and haberdashery for all the London shows (and Gok) the place is an Aladdin's cave and is at 16 Little Portland St if you want to go. This particular trim I fell in love with. It was a bit pricey but worth it now as I think it just sets everything off.



For the Royal Wedding we're spending the day making fascinators in a workshop. we will also be stuffing our faces with cake and drinking copious amounts of tea. Anyone interested? just get in touch.




Just another delicious picture of the bag.