Fabulous FABRICS!

On one of my recent posts, I mentioned that I had bought some fabric from Donna Flower. A few days later, my parcels arrived. The presentation is always so neat and pretty.

You can always rely on Donna's website for a fantastic selection of vintage fabrics! It is no surprise, that Cath Kidston has mentioned Donna as being a supplier of antique & vintage fabrics in her latest book SEW!.

I was very disappointed not to have been able to attend Donna's Open house event recently but these parcels made up for it in some way.

I like a wide variety of textiles, old and new. My absolute favourites are vintage ones, especially dating from the 1930's, 40's & 50's.

PARCEL ONE



1950's Abstract Floral Cotton


1950's French Floral Fabric (So beautiful!)

PARCEL TWO







1950's Purple Rose Velvet Fabric (Photo doesn't really do it justice!)




1940's Bloomsbury Style Floral Fabric (Love it!)




1940's fabric Red Roses on Blue


1950's Stylised Floral Fabric (Really love the design)

Other textiles obtained recently. I acquired some discontinued sample books - Cath Kidston and Baer & Ingram full of fabric and wallpaper samples.




From Cath Kidston book


From Baer & Ingram book

There were also a couple of Ebay purchases

Liberty Tana Lawn Fabric "Felicite"


Cath Kidston fabric


Yellow and grey vintage sheets

I hope that you are all enjoying the half term holidays what ever you are up to! No school runs or getting packed lunches ready for a while ;-))


A bientôt!

Isabelle x

Favourites shops in Bath - Cath Kidston

Last weekend, I went to Bath. I brought my Cath Kidston gift vouchers along which I had received for my birthday back in July. I had purposely saved them for the new Autumn collection.






Their window displays are always so bright and well put together.

I never used to be one for bright colours but in the last 2 or 3 years I have grown to wanting/needing more bright colours around the house especially in the kitchen which I see as a lively and happy family room.

I generally prefer having vintage fabrics/curtains around the house. I don't like many high street shops/chains such as Next etc.. and don't usually shop in them. However, CATH KIDSTON is an exception, as a 'modern' shop I think she's got it just right for me. It's modern but with a vintage feel, the colours and designs I LOVE! When I walk in to a CK shop it always feels happy, cheerful and very welcoming.

In the 80's and early 90's I used to love LAURA ASHLEY clothes & home ware (I loved the flowery dresses, remember them?) but sadly after Laura Ashley died, I felt it all went downhill. The style changed, it didn't really feel like Laura Ashley anymore. They had lost their identity.

Although I still see the occasional thing that I like, it doesn't have the same appeal as it used to have. I prefer Cath Kidston for when I want that 'modern' touch around the house.

I know that Cath Kidston is very popular and the funny thing is that I don't usually like having what everyone else has, if it's very popular it usually puts me off or I just don't buy it (I like to be different and a bit more individual). However, it's clear that I have make an exception when it comes to CK. Why? Well, I really like her things and despite them being seen in several places, I don't mind for some reason. After all if I like it, that's all that should matter.

BACK TO MY SHOPPING TRIP...

Where do I begin? So many things that I like!...Very tempted by the paisley scarf at the bottom right hand side of this photo. I am a scarf person! I have a big deep draw full of them.


ooh those dresses look pretty...




Upstairs, more things to make my decision a difficult one


The rose cushion at the bottom is very pretty, just the right colours for my lounge..


More cushions, some of them in vintage fabric


The blanket caught my eye, I could picture it wrapped around me on a cold winter's night...


The duvet set, perfect for Miss P's room.


I went back downstairs to try on this pretty tea dress which I spotted as soon as I walked in to the shop.


The dots are pale pink, such a pretty feminine dress...

I came back home with the dress


and...the paisley scarf



I will have to wait a bit longer for some of the items that I liked such as the blanket, duvet set, sewing box...and other things....Looks like Cath Kidston vouchers will be on my Christmas list again!

A bientôt!


Isabelle x

Exciting postal delivery!

Yesterday the postman arrived with a parcel for me. Miss P said: Anything for me? I said sorry sweetie it's all for Mummy today.

This is what I found when I unwrapped the parcel:

All these gorgeous goodies come from Mary Poppins. I was lucky enough to win Mary's super giveaway. A lovely 1950's book, a pretty handmade CK fabric heart, coat hanger & a stunning brooch. AND...there was also a little pressie with Miss P's name on it!

Miss P's eyes lit up and said: For me? Inside, there was a pretty Cath Kidston egg cosy. Miss P was over the moon with her gift and really pleased and touched that someone she didn't know had sent her a gift. Mary's daughter had neatly wrapped it up for Miss P. The parcel arrived moments before Miss P left for a holiday with her Father in Cumbria. Miss P said she was looking forward to having a hard boiled egg on her return.

All so pretty!


Some of the illustrations to be found in the book

Thanks Mary, a great giveaway! Miss P's gift much appreciated too!

Meanwhile....

Whilst Miss P is away, we are working hard to get the lounge completely redecorated, we have started on the floorboards. Alan was up until 1.30am today painting them....We are also painting the walls, skirting boards, wood panels etc...plenty to do but already beginning to look fresher and lighter. More to follow....

Thank you to all of you who gave me advice on painting floorboards based on their own experiences. It has helped!

A bientôt!


Isabelle x

An un-expected blogging break!

Hello!

After an absence of almost 3 weeks, I am back again. Computer & Internet problems have been the main cause. I have also been extremely busy generally. I have changed computer and am up and running again. I was going to feature The Vintage and Handmade Fair after having taken several photos of the lovely events but that evening is when all the troubles started.

I had a fantastic time there, it was so nice to meet some fellow bloggers for the first time and others whom I have met before. Here are some of the gorgeous things that I brought back home with me.

Knitting bag from Amanda (Shabby Chic -Totnes market)

Plate from Lucy Bloom and cup mauve tea set x 4 from The Vintage Magpie


Pink embroidered cushion from Amanda (Shabby Chick)

The two gorgeous bunnies from the The Vintage Magpie

The green coat hanger from HenHouse

Decorative picture with 2 girls from Sal's Snippets

Vintage dress from Liz The Washerwoman

I finally placed my order with Cath Kidston using the Easy Living Magazine discount and here are some of the goodies.

Tablecloth and two pillowcases

Plates, bowls, jug, pink (not shown) and blue glasses


Two more pillowcases (As if I didn't have enough... I am a bit like Posy when it comes to pillowcases)

During these past couple of weeks, I have started learning how to do crochet at Marmalade Yarns in Frome. They run courses, mine started 2 weeks ago and runs for 5 weeks (1.5 hours a week). I have had 2 lessons so far and love it!

Inspired by Attic24, Julia Crossland, HenHouse, Posy and other blogs. I decided I that I really wanted to have the satisfaction of having crochet things made by me instead of buying them. The whole process and very therapeutic (once you get the hang of it!)

Marmalade Yarns shop interior

Taking notes and learning how to make Granny squares

On Tuesday, my way back to the car, I popped in to The Golden Goose to buy an oilcloth tablecloth (another passion of mine, I can't stop collecting table cloths) and some paper lanterns.

More news on how I am progressing with my crochet next week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Lilly and Larry who are 1 today!

Off to Bristol (Clifton) tomorrow to do a spot of shopping.

A bientôt!

Isabelle