Friday 19 March 2010

The One that Got Away


This makes me sad. When I was little we didn't have loads of books - I don't actually think there were many books for kids in those days. But one that sticks in my mind is Frances Face-Maker. It was a book all about going to bed. I can't really remember what happened but I think the dad made Frances make loads of crazy faces and the last one was a sleeping face and - hey presto - she went to sleep. The one illustration that sticks in my mind is the one where she pulls her eyes down and acts like a monster - it really used to 'gross me out'.

But despite the fact I am drowning under years of cotton reels and other detritus from generations past that book slipped through the net. My sister claims she doesn't have it and I know it's not here. It must have got lost in a house move somewhere along the line.

I miss that book a lot...

Not least because there's one for sale on Amazon for £170. Dammit!!

Thursday 18 March 2010

a girl's allowed to change her mind isn't she?


Scary times, people. I breezed into John Lewis to get the Sanderson fabric only to find out it has to be ordered. Anyone who has cast even a cursory glance over this blog will know I've been fannying about NOT buying the said fabric since January and here I am with a week to go and fabric that could take up to 10 days to come in.

Anyway I think *hope* it will arrive before Sarah collects the chair.

anyhooo when the John Lewis Lady (oh! how I long to be one) went to get the long fabricky book with the samples in there was a GREY! I hadn't seen it anywhere else - or I had missed it, or I was eating a biscuit or SOMETHING because this colourway had passed me by. It is totally gorgeous and, I think, a bit less overpowering than the red.

So I hereby promise to mention NO MORE about this dratted chair or fabric until it is back from Sarah's - resplendent in it's lovely new coat.

I will mention however that my lovely friend Sue has had her cushions done in this fabric - in the white/turquoise colourway - and very perky they look too

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Jane Foster


ooo I am loving the very very lovely screenprinted work at www.janefoster.co.uk. Beautiful retro designs that make me feel about 4 years old again.

Particularly like these birds - so simple and just perfect. I also really think I need one of those crazy cats.

I am so happy there are people in the world making things like this :) to cheer me up while I'm looking at boring spreadsheets.

Friday 12 March 2010

The Flora MacDonald Needle Packet



This really needs no explanation... enjoy

(although I am super interested in what the 'Cross Fox' trademark is all about)

A foray into the sewing box




A morning off affords a little time to have a look in the sewing box. Made by my grampa for nana. It's like a little table with a hinged split lid and a drawer underneath. This is where the JLP bag was found (passim)

My good friend Linda Hasking did an amazing project called Make Do and Mend where she catalogued her own Granny's sewing box www.whitechairpress.com so I am not even trying to emulate that but there are a few treasures to share

First up - The Cash's Woven Names. Now I have changed my name I think I may actually sew these in to my clothes. Very helpfully Cash's have provided a list of items I may want to label. Plus with the advent of their special adhesive I can basically stick these little fellows to anything. Particularly useful is the fact they have made a distinction between hats, caps AND berets. Sadly I have a trilby and as that's not listed I won't be labelling it today I fear.

and really, I ask you...who labels a comb??

Thursday 11 March 2010

...and an update on the chair situation




The time for reupholstering draws near. I finally ordered some fabric yesterday for the small chair. I went to St Jude's (in a virtual sense) and ordered a new design by my pal Jonny Hannah. It's hot off the...whatever fabric comes hot off and isn't listed on the website yet so I was working on insider information.
For the big armchair I'm plumping for Sanderson's Dandelion clocks in Red. (ignore the Kingdom interiors mark - I'm going to John Lewis OF COURSE!) Dandelions seem to be ultra IN - if Angie Lewin did a darker version I'd have gone for hers but pale chairs and me just won't go. Too many melted chocolate biscuits!!

And I ordered Mark Hearld's Bird Garden in Charcoal for the dining room chairs.
eeeep very very exciting.

Now I am actually spoiling you....


and so to Illustrated Living

Someone will no doubt tell me that everyone has known for YEARS about these people and you are all buying your baubles and gewgaws there but I have never heard of them before.

This is an excellent "one stop shop" for all those things you need in order to live in a state of design induced bliss coupled with acute penury.

For you I present ISAK cup with oak lid - probably useful for catching the drool that is inevitable when I see something like this

get those credit cards out people....

http://www.illustratedliving.co.uk/

oooo and aaaaaa - LUSH


Just stumbled across this company. I haven't seen ANY of this before and I love it. Check out the Foxy designs. Those of a certain age will recognise a definite 'homage' to the brilliant book Rosie's Walk by Pat Hutchins (as stolen by my Mother from Gidea Park library circa 1973).

I NEED THIS STUFF!!!!

www.lushlampshades.co.uk