Distress To Impress and Don't Spend, Mend.

Many of us on here are drawn together by our love of vintage style, recycling, upcycling, whatever you choose to call it. I know a lot of artists that use found objects in their work or creative people who decorate their homes fabulously, using only charity/thrift shop buys.

However, there are always a few who rise above everyone else for their astonishing skill, creativity and vision. Below are some of my favourite designers, who take the discarded and forgotten and turn them into something fabulous.

First is a designer  Gem (NattyBoho), from Suffolk, England, whose beautiful designs are in the style of tattered, Dickensian and punked up Victoriana. Beautifully tailored jackets with bustles and fabulous Dodger style hats in silks and lace. Introducing.......

Naturally Bohemian

Gem's designs and beautiful photographs can be found on Etsy and Facebook
All images courtesy of  Naturally Bohemian. 


Next we go across the pond to Alaska and enter the wonderful world of the Slippery Slope Bloomer Co. 

Designer Jess, creates incredibly unique underwear using upholstery fabric, which, when you get to my age is exactly what you need!

She is also inspired by the illustrations of John James Audubon and draws his ornithological images onto some of her designs.

The photos used to model the pieces are also a visual feast. Pretty, grungy, tough, yet always feminine.

All images courtesy of Slippery Slope Bloomer Co.


Other sites of interest- Gibbous Fashion

Do You Think He'll Notice?

Having settled nicely into our new home, we now need to start thinking about decor. At first we thought we'd go for the nordic shabby chic look that I love, but, I'm finding the all-white look just a tad bland. Plus, we are an incredibly untidy family and the place just looks grubby, so I think an injection of colour is needed.

Now this is where we stumble a bit, as Simon likes to play safe when it comes to decorating. He's a 'Magnolia' man, that generic cream-coloured paint beloved of lazy decorators everywhere.

Anyway, I was thinking that maybe I could pull off the, "Oh that? It's been in my wardrobe for years!" ruse, but with....turquoise paint. Stay with me on this......

Ok, we'll break him gently with a couple of nicely distressed kitchen cupboards. He'll quite like

those and then we'll graduate to a chest of drawers, that we might get away with.

... but we're stepping onto marshy ground with this one....

(We actually have some wooden panelling on our stairs)

No, I think we've lost him now; there will be a very assertive, "No, bugger off"
Ha, but he won't be able to resist when I welcome him home from work like this, in my beautiful turquoise, yet tastefully distressed hallway............

I'll tell him he can have one of his photographs up too......

"I don't care who you are, here's to your dream," by Shadowshow.

So, there we have a little taste of my new fancy. I'll let you know how I get on.
TTFN................

Photo source... 1, 2, 3 (others unknown.)

Lucifer's Photographs.

We're very proud and excited, here in the old homestead, as Simon has been asked to exhibit his photographs in the shops of the infamous shoe makers, Jeffery-West. 

They are renowned, worldwide for their beautiful, hand tooled shoes and grace the feet of some very famous men.
For the first 8 weeks, the photographs will be in the Leeds shop; decorated in fabulous Victorian/ gothic style, Si's images should fit in wonderfully.

After that, they will move down to the London shop, where Si will be having a private viewing.

You can also read the story of 'Lucifer's Boots', a darker take on the Elves and the Shoemaker, with fabulous illustrations from John Welding.

To coincide with this event, Simon is having a giveaway on his blog, 'the fallen angel social club' Every 6th new follower of his blog will receive 6 postcard style photographs, signed by the artist. Giveaway ends on 6th June. Do we see a pattern here?

Images courtesy of Shadowshow

Train Song

Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams Blog Hop

The lovely and very talented Kerin Gale has started a blog hop where you can meet other fabulous artists and also sign up for her online classes, aswell as enter giveaways.

 Kerin specialises in working with epoxy clay, with fabulous results. Examples of her work and others, can found in her beautiful book, Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams.

To join in the blog hop, write a post about the book or classes on your blog or Facebook and leave a comment on Kerin's blog here. There is also a Facebook page where you will have the chance to show off your own creations.

I already have the book and it is stunning; a visual feast and very inspiring.

Fallen Angels

image courtesy of Shadowshow

The Harbour

Stung!

I'm fickle with my affections when it comes to material things. Today's new love is Swarm. They have the  most beautiful things made from old canvases and tapestry.

I feel a new project coming on!

The Path

I recently submitted a piece of artwork for a book and although it wasn't successful, I'm still pretty happy with what I created.  The theme I chose was 'My worst fear'. That fear is something happening to my children.

I used both of my own children in this piece, which made it more poignant for me. You can see some of the photos from that shoot here.

I wanted to base it on a fairytale genre, eg. always stay on the path, never go in the woods. My daughter, Kitty is wearing a red coat and my son, Nico, a red hooded top. There are obvious nods to Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel.

There are four canvases, each revealing a little more of the children's journey through the woods.........

Waifs and Strays

The children are walking safely on the path.

Not Alone

The boy sees something off to the side and points it out to his sister.

A Very Dark Shadow

The children leave the safety of the path and go to investigate, forgetting the warnings of going into the woods.

Forsaken Again
The path is now empty. The children have gone. 

Just found a blog by Annalea Hart with some lovely tutorials for re-using old cardigans and embroidered cloths. You can find the cardigan one here.

Lampshade slipcover 

Ok gang, now go dig out your cashmere!

Maud & Mabel

Sorry I've been remiss about posting for a while. We have moved into our new house and it's wonderful, but it has taken up valuable blogging time! I will hopefully be back soon with a proper post, but for now, here are some new delights on Maud & Mabel.

 Antique Scent Bottles

 Pottery Bird Whistle

 Muslin Baby Smock

 Cigarette Card Album 1939

Edwardian Glove Stretchers