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

Cold Comfort

I thought it was about time for an update on our two favourite elderly ladies.....

Mabel knew christmas had arrived when Maud said that she might turn on the second bar of the electric heater.

Of course, they always used to have a roaring log fire in the old days...........

........but wood and coal became so expensive and since they had to let Seth go after that unfortunate incident with their great-niece, Olivia, well........

.....things haven't been the same since and the poor dears are reduced to living in one, large and draughty room with insufficient heating. (Mabel still hasn't forgiven Maud for giving Seth his marching orders and who can blame her?)

They are in desperate need of boosting up their income by selling off various knick knacks from the vast attics of their home.  So lets see what they have for us today.

Antique Baby Gown

Vintage Huckaback Towel

Vintage French Book

Victorian Needlecase

Vintage  Faux Pearl Brooch

Vintage French Postcards

Maud & Mabel would be most awfully grateful should you wish to purchase anything, or even just for stopping by. They are also not ashamed to admit that after Christmas eve, the gin level is a little low. (Mabel should never have left Maud on her own.)

Maud & Mabel

Love In A Cold Climate.

As you know, I'm having a love affair with all things Nordic, so this week I shall be posting some links to my favourite blogs that reflect that style.

First off is Franciskas Vakre Verden or Franciska's Beautiful World. She is a photographer and writer for the interiors magazine Maison.

Filled with beautiful imagery this blog is a real inspiration and if you head over now, she is giving away a collection of beautiful, creamy handmade lace. (Click here for post.)

All photos courtesy of Franciskas Vakre Verden.

The Eleventh Hour!

I have been a little unwell recently. I was rushed into hospital with a suspected mini-stroke and had to stay in for a week. Glad to say, I am now home and making a good recovery.

However, this left me very little time to arrange christmas stuff and even less time to work on my submission piece for Seth's book. Details here.


My piece involved doing a photo shoot with my children, Kitty and Nico and today was my last chance, but the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

These are some of the extra shots I took of them against the beautiful, wintry backdrop of Boughton estate.

Kitty needed no encouragement to get in front of the camera, especially when I said she could wear my original victorian petticoat. Nico, on the other hand, had to be bribed with £5, but it was worth it for such beautiful photographs.