That metallic leather I keep banging on about...

I was going to say something pretentious about a study of light and texture, but what I mean is 'ooooh, it's so shiny and crinkly!'

New brooches! So excited about these. Came across the ginormous vintage kilt pins this weekend, and what's a girl to do but put metallic leather triangles on them? The smaller one is in the shop maintenant.

Some pictures from this weekend. The crisp October sun was just beautiful! I had to post these today to make up for the bitterly cold rain and hail...

Isn't this pretty? I wish I looked this elegant!

I've gone collar-necklace-crazy with bits of lace that I found at the boot sale this weekend, and all of these can be found in the shop now. It's so easy to just chuck one on over a plain top et voila! You look like a right proper lady.

car booty 4: return of the leather

Today was just the perfect sort of autumn day: crisp and clear with bright golden sunshine and not too much breeze. "The perfect morning for a carboot sale!" I hear you cry, and yes, you're right, it was a bit of a winner and I got all the great things you can see above. I even found the leather lady again, hurray! Now I'm furiously making things with all the goodies, so expect loads of new stock to hit the shop soon. Ps, if lace collars are your thing, keep an eye out...

I was so pleased and lucky to receive this beautiful necklace from Malinka in Elisabeth's giveaway. It's so pretty and feels really nice! I can't stop running it through my fingers. It's another beautiful sunny Saturday here, what are you up to?

Who needs the Dutch masters when you can have a £2 car boot sale gem like this smiling at you every morning and clashing with the curtains? Love it!

I love this hat, but I just haven't plucked up the courage to wear it out the house. Sometimes I wear it to make doing the washing up a bit more fun...

You can't really see it here but it has a bow on the front. Bow+furry+pillbox = very very good.

Perhaps I will just have to go and hang around the train station, mournfully waving people off. Or break onto the set of Poirot.

scouting for ships

I came across this sketchbook from when I was about 16? 17? the other day. In it I found these old old pictures taken by my mum's uncle, who was some sort of engineer (hence the ship) and a scoutmaster (hence the hiking youths - check out their hats!). I remember just being charmed by how small the photographs are. Nothing wasted, the minimum paper and chemicals used.
Although of course, we don't really use up those things anymore now that the majority of images taken are never printed... hmm...

When lovely Nath sent me an email with the proposition that she send me a bag of goodies that she'd bought at auction, in exchange for me turning a bit of it into a lace collar necklace, I practically bit her hand off. The package arrived and I was squealing with delight - so many lovely little bits and pieces! Thanks Nath and I hope you like the collar x

PS don't forget to check out the mad reductions in the shop available this week - the silly sale really is BONKERS!

If you are embarrassed by gratuitous boasting, please look away now...

Guess what?! My fairytale book has been awarded 'best student book' at the British Book Design and Production Awards, which was a massive shock and also a brilliant evening. Ate some lovely food, drank perhaps too much nice wine, met some lovely people (including the very talented people also shortlisted for best student book) and yeah I'm really chuffed! Thanks judges! Oh, and I saw Twiggy. Win!

Thunderbirds are GO

Ladies and Gents, it's my pleasure to announce that the $5 section is up and running. Let the sale begin!

Bargains galore!

Over 8th-9th of this month, lots of UK etsy sellers are holding a ridiculous, unbelievable massive silly sale to clear out old things before the run up to (yes I'm going to say the c-word) christmas. For this short time, selected items in my shop, plus everything you see above, will be on sale at just $5! Oh yes, that's right my friends, $5. Pop on over and grab yourself a bargain, I'll be starting on Thursday and the offer will stand until Sunday. Get ready...

Stocked up on some new brooches this weekend - the metallic leather is still going strong! When it runs out I think I'll have to sit in the corner and cry - or spend my days hunting down the lady I got it from. I'm working full time for a while in a lovely little publishing company from today, so wish me luck! Should really go and get dressed...

A better look at my finished notebook, below. I'm working on a myserious secret and much more ambitious bookbinding project, which I will tell you all about soon... (imagine creepy, mysterious music)

Making a little book

Right! I've finally got together a little step-by-step for binding very simple books. We're going to be using a sort of pamphlet stitch. Start by cutting a selection of papers down to the same size. I'm using a mix of watercolour paper and squared paper.
Fold each of your pages in half, as exactly as possible. I'm using a bone folder for an accurate fold.
Measure your book and mark 3 points at equal distances down the spine. Take a drawing pin and, opening it out and laying it flat, make holes through all the layers at the points you've marked.
Now thread a needle with a stout thread or anything you like really. I'm using a linen thread and a bookbinding needle that I get from here, but you can use whatever you've got.

Taking your needle, go in from the outside at point B, back out at point C, round the outside to go in at point A, and then back out again at point B.
Tie the ends in a knot.

Now you can decorate your book. I'm gluing buttons on mine! You may need to trim off the right hand edge for neatness, or leave them, it's up to you. Done! Let me know if you have any problems.

yesterday's finds

A very productive charity shopping stint yesterday. I didn't know that I so desperately needed a string cardigan until I saw this one! That stag thingy is a currently a fridge magnet, and I am pondering what to do with it... Headband maybe? Any suggestions welcome.

I also grabbed something that after a bit of fixin' up, will be on it's way to Queen Marie as a present...

This week I am mostly cutting shapes out of leather and attaching them with jump rings... I've got a jump ring callous! How one suffers for one's art. I am going to save those pictured for a craft fair, but if anyone fancies one you know what to do...