The Stony Report

In spite of the first grey day for a long while, the rain held off on Saturday in Stony Stratford (for those interested, it was the setting for that iconic film "Withnail and I").....a lovely traditional town with fabulous high street full of independent shops........and a great Georgian Community Building York Hall!

Foot flow was steady, but very enthusiastic and I think most sellers had a good day. 

Here are some pics borrowed from a Facebook album, by Neighbourhood Laundry :)

Better plug my own work first.......it would be rude not too!

Making draft excluders, as you do! Lovely vintage fabrics.

This lady is a neighbour of mine and we had no idea we both did these events until Saturday  "hello Lizzie" :)

This brave man stood outside all day, brave indeed, but he looks happy enough.

A quiet moment, but you ca see how lovely the hall looked and a corner of my stall with a rather lovely display of gingerbread trees in an old wooden crate.

......lots of eclectic sellers with lovely tempting delights and there is a very cute folding table hiding under here that I purchased - so cute it had to come home with me.

Looking forward to Market Harborough on the 19th, I certainly love this mix of Handmade AND Vintage, you get a lovely class of customer - haha! 

Jane x

Remember, remember - the 5th of November!

haha..... a Christmas fair in Stony Stratford (what else could there be?)

A new venture and outing for some lovely Pre-loved sellers in Milton Keynes and they invited me to their party on Saturday :)

I've got a new range of shrinky cameo's.....

A delicious collection of gingerbread smelling ornaments!

and a few new festive decorations, some smell, some don't!

Hope to see some of you there.....

Jane x

Lovely day in Northampton

......and we managed to dodge the showers of rain!

As advertised, I wandered up to Northampton on Saturday for the 6th Northampton Vintage and Handmade at St Matthew's Parish Centre. Organised by Trevor and Ann, it was the first time I had been there and it was delightful I am pleased to report.

A lovely standard of sellers, with an eclectic range of wear and treasure.

I neglected to take any photo's of my table, let alone anyone else's. So I have borrowed this one from the NorthamptonVintagefair Blog, you can see other stalls and up and coming events there too.

My new Gingerbread trees (at the top of the picture) went down a storm I'm delighted to say, I shall be increasing the 'winter' range for Olney and Market Harbough, coming up in October and November......and the Christmas delights will be making an appearance there too.

Coming up soon......

Coming up next weekend in Northampton, a Vintage and Homemade event, the 6th no less. However, this is the first one Smallbeans will have attended.

Lots to make and do for this event, hope to see you there too!

Happy trees get bigger

For the last couple of days, I have been playing around with celebration 'happy trees'.

Hatching and Matching are easy to celebrate - dispatching?? Celebrate a life in a standing felt tree? I think it's a lovely idea, what do you think?

This one I have made to celebrate 20 years with my husband, 16 years married, but I wanted to go for the 20 year marker with the tree.

Made to order and listed in my smallbeans Etsy shop, I cannot wait to make some seasonal variations for special arrivals and partnerships - let's celebrate!

Here is a wedding version, a small tree, embroidered with the colours of a wedding, and the love birds themselves of course. (and there we are in the picture, July 1995)

Vintage inspired embroidery, and the year of the wedding, bride and groom names on the reverse.

These ones I have made for the children, retrospectively marking their arrivals.

They are stuffed with lavender, so not only mark a special occasion, they smell lovely too.

I also made one for my sisters birthday last week, but just embroidered the day and month, we don't need to be reminded about the year do we Helen?? x

Hatching and Matching

I've been busy for the last couple of weeks making thank you brooches for godmothers and dresses for bridesmaids. Two different events and families but held over the same weekend.

The girls looked lovely at the mum and dads wedding and I. is holding a bouqet of felt flowers made by the bride who might have been inspired by my stitching classes (and was known for getting very frustrated and throwing things around the room!). Rebecca has now done her self proud with these lovely creations and admitted she just needed a reason to make something.

Front and back of dresses :)

M. held a bridesmaid dolly and I made a matching dress for her.

The christening brooches were 'thank you' gifts for the Godmothers from the parents of Amilie. The theme of the day was butterflies and I played around with shrinky dink plastic and my favourite embroidery of the moment, folk flowers.

Sarah also asked me to make a brooch for our vicar, the lovely Chris. She wanted it to say Mizpah, I had heard of the word before, but did some research into its meaning and history. Mizpah brooches were common in Victorian times for being given to sweethearts who were separated but wanted to remember each other forever. Chris is retiring next year and Sarah thought this would be a lovely keepsake for her.

I shall list the spare brooches on my Smallbeans Etsy shop later today......and if you know anyone who might need special small felt 'thank-you', keep me in mind. :)

Thanks for calling by, I would say enjoy the sunshine, but it's grey and raining here. June has arrived!

xx

Handmade & Vintage III

I have been neglecting .....for your home and your coat! opps, sorry, (if anyone is out there?)

For those local to MK, there is a Handmade & Vintage at York House on Saturday the 21st of May, 10-4. The previous fairs have been just lovely, great handmade goodies, plenty of vintage treasure and a tasty tea and cakes cafe. What a treat!

I am busy doing other things, I promise, and here is a quick update on my working table this week:

Playing with fancy feathers and hat making materials, suffolk puffs come out and some lovely vintage mother of pearl buttons. I think they would be perfect for a summer wedding or garden party.

Big bows have been popular so I have put some more together with my great stash of big vintage buttons.

....and finally, I am developing my range based on folk art and barge wear. I have re gigged my oak leaf brooch and added a few details. I will see how they go on saturday.

Hope to see you there.xx