Timeless....

 Yesterday's Vintage and Retro Fair at Gateshead International Stadium was very busy, but I still manged to escape from my stall for a wander round and naturally make a few purchases.


 This late Victorian bed jacket / blouse caught my eye,

The detail around the neck is simple yet beautiful....

Raised whitework embroidery......

The hidden press studs on the placket....

The whole garment is made with tiny machine stitching on the seams and hand sewing for the sleeve, collar and cuff insertions ....

The detail on the cuffs is fabulous too....

And equally as stylish from the back.....

The attention to detail and the time taken by the seamstress of long ago always amazes me.....yet this garment is still robust enough to be worn now and really, would not look out of place as a loose, unfastened jacket with plain linen pants or dress for the Summer.

And guess what?
Unlike a lot of vintage clothing this is a generous size 14 and it fits me!

Now, where did I put my charcoal grey linen trousers.....

Julie x

Gorgeous jug and Posh plant....

I bought this gorgeous jug at the weekend from fellow exhibitor Helen at the Rival Arts Easter Fair @The Racecourse in Hexham.

It has seen a bit of life over its 150 years with a lead repair rivet to the handle in two places and a worn patch of glaze on one side. However, the hand painted decoration is so charmingly naive and delicate that someone, all those years ago, must have deemed it worthy of repair and I am so pleased they did.

Helen took some nice photos of the weekend which you can find........ HERE

Adding to the old enamel collection with a small chippy jug bought today......

 And a big bowl that is worn to nothing with constant use over the years, but now houses my old streptocarpus plant that is just starting to sprout again....

In a few weeks time it will hopefully look like this ....

This is no ordinary streptocarpus of course....it has a great pedigree.....

It came from a grand Castle in Northumberland no less.

Chipchase Castle.......a 17th century Jacobean mansion with a 14th century Pele tower. ( Just visible behind )
As the castle is privately owned, there is only the month of June in which to look around inside, which is what I did about 4 years ago and bought my tiny little plant as a reminder of my visit.

Each year it expands and needs repotting but always rewards me with a wonderful display of flowers.

Inspired from reading today that you take cuttings from the leaves, I think I will give it a go....
Then I can have lots of little Chipchase babies and sell them in vintage terracotta pots wrapped in music sheet along with my old bits and pieces!
Lovely idea....

Hope you all have an inspirational week too,
Bye for now....
Julie x

Cutwork , Needlework and Easter Fair....

Vintage paper cut work of two birds in a lovely round wooden frame.......

Tins and French coat hooks....

Naive embroidery picture.....

"No matter where I serve my guests
It seems they like my kitchen best"

Spot the embroidered lobster in the top right hand corner and the clock on the shelf showing 5pm....time for tea!


An unusual sampler done by Elizabeth Cornock in 1935 aged a mere 70 years old...

On a piece of fine unbleached linen.....

Little stitched vignettes.... flowers, trees, a windmill and a Spring chicken with a verse underneath.....

Obviously her eyesight was still good enough to manage these tiny stitches.......I wonder how old she was when she did her first sampler?
Born in 1865 when samplers were a popular gauge of a young girls ability to sew and were often done at school....she might have been as young as 10 years old.

 Over the last few days, I have been busy making, sewing and painting for this weekend's   Easter Gift Fair
Three floors of Art, Craft, Gift and Food in the Grandstand Exhibition Halls of The Racecourse, Hexham, Northumberland. With spectacular views over three counties on a fine day.....so fingers crossed for sunshine and clear skies this weekend.

 Everything packed in boxes ( smugly organised for a change....usually it is all last minute, throwing things into the car the night before! )

And bags printed and adorned with a simple, torn strip of fabric ribbon.....

Hope you all have a lovely weekend whatever you decide to do....

Finally a big thank you to those who leave lovely comments on my blog and another big thank you to all my new followers.... x

Julie x

Crowns.....

Getting into the swing of things with a Royal Wedding on the way at the end of the month, I thought I would show you the little crowns I picked up yesterday from a military dealer.

The two on the right are metal, one a stick pin, the other has a small piece of brown velvet behind the crown.
The three on the left are economy issue plastic, two with pin fittings... the top one with a blade fitting.
Known as Royal crowns, they would have been used for uniform decoration.

Larger brass badges with crowns too and a silk covered pin brooch in the shape of a wheel, which, according to my military man, is a French "Class II of the order for agricultural merit"


Regardless of what it was for...... it is still very cute!

So, this morning I am wondering how I can incorporate them at The Cloth Shed in a different way....I have a few ideas....

These fabric shoulder crowns would lend themselves easily to a sewing project.....

Keep you posted....

Julie x

PS.....Vintage and Retro Fair tomorrow at Hexham too.....I will be there!

RE..... located.....to...

I have posted before about this wonderfully eccentric shop in Corbridge, Northumberland.....  RE

Well, as from today, Tuesday 5th April 2011.... they will be displaying their eclectic wares as a satellite shop on the 4th floor in Liberty, London. 

The theme will be based on an outdoor living experience....with alfresco dining, spending time in the garden and most of all RE..laxing this Summer with some of their fabulous items.

Here is a sneak preview of  what is on offer....

Vintage garden tools and accessories...

Pots, books and lighting....

Letters, glasses, cake stands, baskets......

Cushions, fabric, plates and cloches....

So, if you have the opportunity to visit Liberty over the next four months, do pop up to the 4th floor for some truly inspirational ideas. 

Oh and one more thing....check out the dinner plates....they are certainly different.

Julie x

Mr Hare......

A parcel arrived for me..... from... here... today.

Beautifully wrapped and smelling of lavender.

More unwrapping to reveal......

Mr Hare......hand printed and made by Lynn, complete with chocolate eggs and cut out French paper birds.

Having introduced him to the other hares above the fireplace....a watercolour by local Northumbrian artist Mary-Ann Rogers and a carved horn hare "running" on the painted mini chest of drawers.....

He is now sitting on a chair, away from the stove dust and looks well and truly settled next to the Emma Boyne hand blocked LOVE cushion.

Thank you Lynn....I LOVE him!

Julie x