Display cabinet...

A slim, pine, treacle varnished, astral glazed cabinet getting ready for a makeover....

With a custom made stand in old pine to lift it to a useful height.

First a coat of paint.......Annie Sloan again girls!

I am always in a hurry to see how the shape is transformed and the little details come to life just with a change of colour.

Then to tackle the inside.

The previous owner had made a start, removing the old wallpaper to reveal the original green interior and scraping the shelves of old cream gloss

Far too many hours later.... scraped, re painted and polished....it now sits in the hall waiting for a decision.

To sell or not to sell that is the question?

The marriage of the two pieces works so nicely..... the Victorian glazed top sits perfectly into the simple, cabinet maker made base.

And the original wide boards on the back add a certain chunkiness to this delicate cabinet.

I like the shabby, scraped interior, and filled with a collection of all white china would look fantastic.

I think I've talked myself into it......

Have a great week and enjoy the April showers,
Back soon,
Julie x

Shepherd's Plaid.....

The Shepherd's Plaid or Maud was a long length ( 3 to 4 yds ) of  tweed check ...also known as Northumbrian Tartan, Border Tartan, Border Check or Border Drab.
Created on a loom with alternate weave of small dark and light checks, traditionally the light check would be undyed sheep's wool...the dark check either black sheep wool or dyed with simple vegetable dyes.
Historically these vegetables dyes could produce colours varying from blue, green, brown or grey,  but today's modern Northumbrian Tartan is black and white.

This long thin "blanket" kept the shepherd warm in the wilds of the Northumbrian hills and Scottish Borders...

And provided a useful way to carry small lambs...

Recently I was fortunate to find one in pretty good condition...10ft long by 48ins wide, in a lovely soft grey/blue check.

Embroidered initials W B in red wool on the edge.

 Playing about, draping this way and that....

Although I have been told the correct way to wear it is to tie it at the waist, then drape diagonally across the chest and allow the remaining length to fall down the back of the shoulder.

I even created a lamb pocket...

The other evening sitting in the last rays of the sun in the garden with a glass of wine... it started to get quite chilly. So, to test its "warmth-ablity" I pulled the plaid around me and the acres of wool were amazing...no cold spots, just lovely and cosy but without the feel of a bulky blanket.

Maybe this could be the new fashion accessory for chilly English gardens?

All I need now is a lamb to complete the look....

 Julie x

A little update....

New purchases at The Cloth Shed today, a lovely Victorian patchwork quilt that has been loved so much.....

that it has worn away at the edges, revealing another pretty fabric underneath.

And for this Diamond Jubilee Year and all things regal,

A beautifully embroidered picture on linen celebrating the Queen's Coronation in 1953.

I love the way the horses and carriage run diagonally and the large crown is just wonderful...

A few more pieces of small furniture have also been given the paintbrush treatment....a display stand with two small drawers and a Scandinavian inspired chair,

Another large embroidered picture...

This one depicting a vase of delphiniums.....wool embroidery on a coarse oatmeal linen panel in it's original frame.

 And finally, a quick re -arrange in the hall because I am in a "grey / blue" mode at the moment...

The French shelf is all change....

Blue and white spongeware, old keys and a Georgian print,

"Potatoes, full weight !"

Published 1812, by S&J Fuller at the Temple of Fancy, Rathbone Place.

I just love the naive charm...... and the mad dog pulling at her skirt!

Enjoy your week between the showers,
Back soon,
Julie x