Brocante at the Cathedral

Here I am again at a lovely event organised by Julia Langley. Guildford Cathedral sits atop a hill just to the south of Guildford, you can see the whole town from this elevated position. A modern cathedral I usually prefer the older ones such as Winchester but still manages to have grace and poise.

The Home and Vintage Brocante was sighted at the front of the Cathedral in a lovely marquee. 

As before a well organised event, friendly customers and stallholders alike. Good to meet up with friends made at the last event.

This time on my own so no helper to unload but managed okay and did more trips, normally pile myself high like a pack horse and end up drained before I have started. A learning curve for me to take things easy as have always been know to rush.

All set up, coffee drank and ready to go.

A busy day with lots of visitors, hardly had a chance to have a coffee until early afternoon but so worth it.

Slept like a log last night. I now have a break of a month until my next event so today's 'To Do' list:

1.Put stock away in the stock room

2.Update website

3.Sort a banner for a US site I am joining for a trial year

(Managed to sort out a competitive tracked postal rate, thank you Parcel Monkey)

4.Book review to get ready for next week's blog, this one is about needle felting something I have always wanted to try.

5.Hospital with DH

6.Hair Cuts.

7.Big Autumnal clean this will go on for some weeks as a lot to do, lol.

I think that is enough to be going on with, off to have a lie down, lol as forgot about the clocks going back and got up at an hour earlier.

Check out the other blogs at Handmade Monday

Have a good week and enjoy the ever changing colours of Autumn

Make It, Own It, Love It by Matt Chapple Book Review

Congratulations to Matt for winning the Great British Sewing Bee a worthy winner and for the publication of his new book.

Make It, Own It, Love It

I have been lucky enough to receive his book to review. Now I am passionate about sewing and just love the Great British Sewing Bee, would love to work in the studio, so airy and so many goodies to choose from.

Onto the book. Lovely hardback cover and packed with so much information from cover to cover.

Sections:

Tools - A must for every seamstress and can never have too many

Fabrics - This can be a minefield but Matt breaks it down to easy to read and understand what different fabrics do and how they stitch

Stitching - Get to know your machine along with hand stitching guides and understanding patterns

Make It Your Own - Covering seams, fitting, alterations, embellishing, zips and pleats

Make It From Scratch - How to make some items without a paper pattern, to ensure perfect fit for you

Make It Wearable - Maintaining your clothes such as replacing buttons, zips repairs

Make It Live Longer - How to keep your clothes looking good for longer. in this modern world I think we are all guilty of discarding items that with a bit of love could be worn for several more years.

Each section is clear with detailed descriptions and pictures. I loved this book and although been sewing for 50 years I found it packed with useful information that had long since been forgotten.

I would recommend this book for any skill,  not just for beginners as the altering and customising sections are so informative. If like me you love all things sewing and can spend hours in a fabric and haberdashery shop, or know someone who does, Matt's book would be the ideal Christmas gift. I know I would love to receive this book, to spend Christmas afternoon by the fire reading.


Available on Amazon


Cannot wait for the next series of the Great British Sewing Bee

Happy Stitching

I am joining the Handmade Monday Linky party at Lucy Blossom Crafts

Back in the land of crafting

I am back to full fitness, after 4 weeks of being poorly, now creating  for my next event at Guildford Cathedral on the 29th October. Another first and so excited, Julia Langley who organises the Home & Vintage Brocantes is excellent and so well organised. Plus lovely to see an organiser passionate and caring about the event and stallholders, think this one may be a keeper.

Whilst mainly sorting some extra stock, adding details to the paypal app etc, which seems to take an age, lol, have been making, my first offering some pretty glitter baubles with added lace covers then embellished with pearls ribbons and roses.

Angel Wings embroidered made on my machine then embellished

Tasks for next week: Vintage style applique iphone cases, gold lace clutch bags with rosettes and have been asked to do a review of Matt Chapple's (winner of the Great British Sewing Bee) new book called: Make it, Own it, Love it. I think Matt was a worthy winner and cannot wait to go through his book this week.

Check out the other blogs at Handmade Monday

Bye for now until next week, stay warm and dry

A not so Handmade Monday

Been poorly the last few weeks, managed with the help of Anti B's to attend the Brocante, then ended up with a stinking cold on the Monday, laid me low for almost 2 weeks. Have done nothing but catch up on tv programmes and reading.

I am a sucker for pretty notebooks, garden centre displays are not safe as can always find something that catches my eye, hence why I have so many journals through the years, Being laid up have spent some time going through all my cut outs from magazines and said journals. Funny how ideas at the time seemed a good idea, lost interest or never got around to but now look a good idea again.

Watching Victoria, just love this era, think I may have been born at the wrong time, then again love all my gadgets so maybe not. Have a  reference book on shoes, Hats & Accessories, been looking for inspiration.

Published my Christmas section in my shop. I love Christmas decorating the house, food, browsing through the Radio Times for tv programmes to watch, record or download. Hopefully some snow with bright sunny days. anyway a collage of my Christmas items that I will be taking to the next Brocante.

Have fun and check out the other blogs at Handmade Monday