Memories.

Many weeks ago I set about creating a memory holder made from a vintage book. I had only vague ideas of what it was to eventually look like, but with a little bit of effort I quickly finished it.

 

Unfortunately I was so busy in the weeks leading up to the Frome Vintage Fair that I completely forgot to take a picture of my masterpiece. I sold it to my friend over at Vintage Jane, who was so enamoured by my 'book' that she decided to blog about it too! You can find a link to it here.

I therefore decided to create another one...
 

 

I've matched the plain beige cover to a subtly patterned fabric; leaving more of it showing this time to provide a bit more colour. I carefully wrote out a quote from Alice in Wonderland - 'Curiouser and Curiouser' - quite apt don't you think?

 

 

The memories included are a newspaper cutting from 'The Nursing Mirror' circa 1921 and a poem entitled 'The Sweet-Brier Rose'.

 

 

...Miss Jones... 

Quick Game?

I spent a happy half an hour today tinkering with Scrabble tiles.

Arranging them this way...

... and that.

...Miss Jones...

Trio of Birds

So after a rather prolonged absence, I have finally got back on the blogging bandwagon! It's not that I haven't been making, just not blogging about it!

My first creation was this trio of delightful little birds. They are all hand-stitched and have perfectly mismatched wings.

...Miss Jones...

Spring Bunny

With the arrival of Spring and the sun I decided that a 'Spring Bunny' was crying out to be made! The shape is slightly better, but still a bit wonky - I'm working on improving my technique!

He's got cute ditsy floral patches, pink whiskers and a floppy ear; and is all set for a weekend of sun!

...Miss Jones...

Hey Dolly

So with the (relative) success of my Easter bunny, I embarked upon a new project. A doll. This time I was all on my own; no pattern, no instructions, just a rough idea of what I wanted the finished project to look like.

The pattern was not too hard to make, the fabric was easily cut and sewn, but the problems began when I started to stuff the body. I cannot sew shoulders. No matter how even they look when pinned neatly, the moment I start sewing, the machine takes over, and ... well, suffice to say, the results are never pretty. 

She also suffers from a serious case of double chin... Unfortunately this cannot be rectified, and is probably not noticeable to others, but that is all I can see (as it often is when you've made a mistake!)

After sewing the body together, I set about making a pair of old fashioned bloomers and petticoat. And, surprisingly, I managed this very well!! A top (slightly more difficult) and skirt (complete with belt) finished off her outfit. Now I just had to give her some defining features; bright blue eyes, a pretty rosebud mouth and golden flowing locks. The locks don't 'flow' so much as hang, or stick out awkwardly, but not everyone's perfect!

So, there we have it, one (slightly) imperfect (but beautiful all the same) doll!!

...Miss Jones...

Easter Bunny

 As Easter was drawing near and I was currently without a project, I embarked upon this little bunny. The pattern was taken from Sarah Moore's lovely book (http://www.sarahmoorevintage.com/) and was actually surprisingly easy and quick to make!! I used a lovely, but sadly moth-ridden, vintage wool blanket, to cut out my bunny template, stitched it together quite carefully, turned it inside out. And ended up with a rabbit that has one ear longer than the other, body-builder's shoulders and one leg longer than the other. Oops!! Nevertheless I filled it with stuffing and lavender and sewed up the seams. A few stitches across the arms and neck to give him shape, and he still, sadly, had body-builder's shoulders. 

So, I commissioned my mother to knit some mittens and a scarf (despite being able to sew, I still have not managed to knit), added a cute little bunny face, and voila! He looks like a rabbit!!! The scarf and mittens are much needed, as despite being March he is still too cold to  go out sans clothes!

Oh yes, and he's got a cute tail.

...Miss Jones...

Hanging On

I have always loved the way clothes look on coathangers. Not your average plastic Primark hanger but an expensive, wooden, Boutique hanger. The clunk as you push hangers from one side of the rail to the other searching for that perfect piece of clothing that will complete you!

So having found some old wooden hangers at a car boot sale I set about making them my own. Painting them in Farrow and Ball's 'Smoked Trout' I then set about carefully tracing on my chosen words. This needed a lot of patience and had to be done when I was at my most calm!! A final lick of polish to seal the paint and they're done!

...Miss Jones...