Liberty Covered Moleskine Diary

I love my Moleskine diaries - they're just the right size. This year I was fed up of black though, and decided to cover my new one with Liberty fabric. This is an old Tana Lawn fabric that I really love. It was easy enough to do with textile glue, and I left it overnight between two books to make sure it had stuck properly.

Excuse the blurry photos - I hope you like it as much as I do.




To see what other (far more creative people than I) have done with their moleskines, click here.

Marimekko Purse with Zip

I had a piece of lovely blue Marimekko fabric left over from another project, and Sian from Bobbin suggested I could make it into a purse. It only took about ten minutes and I was really pleased with the result. I like how the pattern fits onto the sides. I've got my make-up in it!

Two Things That Made Me Happy This Week

1. Getting a personally signed copy of James Frey's new book Bright Shiny Morning.


I don't care that he thought I was called 'July', it's kinda cute and shows he has enough literary imagination to think I could have been called such a fun name! He even wrote the sweetest inscription (considering he doesn't know me from Eve):


I am so looking forward to reading it. I loved his other two books and the debate over their truth is kinda boring now, so I'm pleased to get his new book in time for a good read on the train home this weekend.

2. My lovely Japanese bag book arriving from this shop on Etsy.


The bag patterns are gorgeous and surprisingly easy to follow even though the instructions are in Japanese. I hope to post some bags made from these patterns soon!

Clasp Purse

I made my first ever clasp purse this week, and I'm pretty pleased with the result. The polka dots are gorgeous and it's lined in an Indian gold and cream polka dot fabric (bought when I was in Calcutta a few years back).



I'm going to experiment with different sizes and fabrics, and I'm not sure the gold clasp works too well (the shop was out of silver).

Vintage Notions

I love the term 'notions'. I don't think it's used very much nowadays, probably something my grandma would refer to. Us modern folk talk of 'haberdashery' instead, but it's more clinical and less like Alice's rabbit-hole than a real notions shop.

A little trip to the Isle of Wight uncovered an old-fashioned notions shop in Ryde. There was no sign outside, and every nook and cranny, including the floor, was full to bursting with ribbons, buttons, elastic, thread of every colour, lace, wool, beads, feathers, braiding, ric rac, velcro, cotton... in other words, my dream come true.

Fortunately I was with two other ribbon fanciers, who didn't have to get bored waiting outside whilst I repeatedly told myself to calm down and buy less.

Here are some of the glorious notions I left with:

Check out the pom poms!

These are my favourites - embroidered ribbons from the 1960s (the shopkeeper told me he's had these since he first opened the shop!)

I love the farmer chasing the chicken with his fork. I hope to make something lovely using each of the designs and will post the results for you to see.

Thrifting

Our American friends across the pond are fond of the term 'thrifting', to describe buying anything second-hand for cheap... either from yard sales, charity shops, ebay or flea markets. Charity Shop Chic is having somewhat of a revival in London, but I wonder thrifting will be in fashion soon...

I love Vintage clothes and accessories, but generally resent paying what is charged at most shops, especially when I know the clothes have probably come from the local Oxfam anyway. I hadn't bought much for this reason for a while. But, a recent visit to a beautiful vintage shop in the Lake District made me get all excited about vintage again. The shop is called Ruby Blue and it's located in Carlisle, a little too far for most Londoners to travel to, but good inspiration nonetheless.

I scored two gorgeous dresses - a red and white printed wrap dress that is very me and just gorgeous. The only drawback is that I later realised it is made from 100% polyester. Oh so washable but oh so sweaty! Not such a summery find then.


The second is rather hilarious - a grey woolen pinafore that will take more than the usual tweaking to fit as it's a maternity dress. I just couldn't resist the beautiful neckline though. If I get round to altering it any time soon I'll post some photos.

Cecil

Some of you asked to see him... here he is. I'll post some more pix when the light is better for photos... winter evenings aren't the best.

WIP

The aforementioned hare... she's coming along, floppy ears and everything.*

* Yes I have developed rather an obsession with sewing. My fads tend to last though, so watch this space for more handmade goodies.

Beauty from the land of the rising sun

I recently discovered the most gorgeous Japanese fabric supplier.... there's something unique and unassuming about small Japanese prints that really appeals. Just imagine my glee when these arrived today in the mail... all wrapped up and squeeling to be made into something lovely...


I'm thinking of a few rabbits... or perhaps a hare. Any ideas for names? Agnes is my current favourite, after a Great Aunt, though she's still very much alive and kicking, so maybe Mabel?