Thirtyfive Flowers

V and A Pattern : Heals

2012-02-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

This is due to be published in April this year and I've already got it on pre order

I have a large number of Heals vintage fabrics in my collection and am looking forward to finding yet more. Sadly the prices of such fabrics are going through the roof but it's not so surprising as the designs they commisioned throughout the 20th century have become design classics.
Available for pre order on Amazon

Dawanda bestsellers

2012-02-12T00:36:00.001-08:00

After the wondeful publicity last week I am on the Dawanda newsletter today as one of the bestselling shops! I'm really thrilled as Dawanda is a great site and can be viewed in German French and English making it accessible across Europe. It has taken a good deal of work to get this shop established but I do love the dawanda site. very stylish and some great sellers as you can imagine I don't just sell on Dawanda.

You can visit my shop here

Happy customers

2012-02-09T00:51:00.000-08:00

I have had some very happy customers recently and really appreciate how many take the time to write and tell me how pleased they are with my cushions. This cushion has been selling at an amazing rate overnight and thanks to another customer I was able to find it featured here

Such a fantastic picture too don't you think? It has been selling from my Dawanda shop but is also available on Etsy and Folksy for international and UK customers

Edited to add: As of lunchtime today I have sold out of this design! I am waiting on some more fabric so fingers crossed they will be back in my shops soon, I'll keep you posted x

Post and run!

2012-01-14T06:30:00.001-08:00

still very unsure about doing wall pieces, but this is just one ready for going on show next week. It has taken me right out of my comfort zone to do these and I'm very unsure. So I post and run.......................................................................

27/ 01/2010 - Well it seems you were all right, this piece has sold, perhaps I should have more confidence!

Upstairs Gallery - Textiles Exhibition

2012-01-13T00:01:00.001-08:00

The beginning of this year has been busy preparing for the first exhibition of 2012 at Upstairs Gallery. The exhibition runs from next Tuesday 17th January - 18th February. There is a range of fabulous textile artists taking part using a variety of mediums. I will be showing some wall pieces which have been a departure for me and not an easy one! it's one thing putting your designs onto a cushion but another experience entirely presenting it as a piece of art to stand entirely on it's own merits.
I will post photos of a couple of the pieces I have printed once I have had a chance to photograph them properly.

My available blogging time is being sorely tested as I travel with Laura to interviews for her degree course applications, combined with keeping up with orders from my shops and my increasing involvement with the gallery.

Screenprinted cushions are back!

2011-12-10T02:32:00.000-08:00

There are now some new cushions in my shops both on Etsy and Folksy,

also a different colourway of my Elderberry cards, just for xmas and printed on a canvas textured card.Also new in my shops are these purses in Skinny laMinx Cloudbirds, the Orla design is still available and proving a huge seller this xmas!!

I'm currently working on exciting new projects for next year while also still getting orders out to xmas shoppers. Hope to share news of this with you soon ;)

It's beginning to feel a lot like .....

2011-11-19T09:26:00.000-08:00

uh huh! no denying it now is there? I had a great time printing some festive reds last week for the More than a Mama xmas fair and despite selling really well I was pleased to be able to bring some home to put in my shops.
These are gradually being listed in my shops both on etsy and folksy.
UK folks really should check out the newly relauched Folksy site, new graphics and lots of nice features are really making it a smart shopping venue.

Local Press

2011-11-15T05:14:00.001-08:00

Local magazine Berkhamsted Living have one of my purses in their Xmas Gift Guide, thanks to The Upstairs Gallery.

Note cards

2011-11-09T04:12:00.000-08:00

New note cards available individually or in sets, £2.50 each or £9.00 per set and free uk P+P
Find them now in my etsy shop

Printing and vintage Conran

2011-11-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

I have managed to cram so much into one day, this morning first thing I packed up a huge box of work to send to The Shire Hall Art Gallery for their Chistmas Craft Show. Then got on with printing some Elderberry teatowels in a festive red colourway. The photo above shows some of them drying on the middle landing, I love seeing them en masse. How is it though that the one misprint is right in the centre of the picture?
A custom request had me rootling through my fabrics today and I was thrilled to find another length of this Terence Conran designed fabric. The width being just 41cm it means covers are just under 40cm but can still take a 40cm inner so they are available again! but in my etsy shop only.

New purses

2011-11-06T02:44:00.001-08:00

I've altered my Mod Flowers design a little and been printing some new colours. When the light improves for me to get some better photos these will be in my etsy shop, but local folks can get them now from Upstairs Gallery, Berkhamsted

only last week...............

2011-11-06T01:27:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I escaped last week to Cornwall and despite some rain we also had blue sky, summery weather like this. So we had our fill of beaches, galleries and fish n chips and are now home, looking back and thinking, was that really only last week?

Just a peek

2011-10-03T23:54:00.000-07:00

Putting the finishing touches to some work for a new gallery opening at the weekend. The eagle eyed will spot that the purses need their second side fixing and I also have some other works to add to my display. Overall I'm liking how this is all looking, it's coming together.

a month seriously?

2011-09-23T00:13:00.000-07:00

to be fair I have tried to blog recently but have had upload fail with my pictures, today success!
I have some new designs in the shops and my printed tea towels are selling well too! The most excitement and work has involved getting work ready for a couple of new galleries, one here in Berkhamsted! and now also getting more printing done for a xmas exhibition in Staffordshire. All this alongside keeping up with sales from my current stockists and online shops which are all doing really well!
I will be doing a separate post next week with lots of pics of my LouiseB designs as I need to get images to the galleries for their press releases, so am planning a photographic session. Also coming up are details of some exciting arts events that I'm getting involved with!

This morning I'm also on the Etsy front page so things could get even busier

Elderberry and Seedhead

2011-08-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Two new screen printed designs on cotton tea towels available in my Etsy shop, more to come very soon!

New......ish!

2011-08-24T00:36:00.001-07:00

New to my etsy shop but not new to me, I made these earlier in the summer for a charity garden party, but never got around to doing the photos and getting them in the shop. Glad I did though as they are selling already :)

Lots of exciting things coming up here including a new gallery and a great local arts event in October, more info soon x

From the Wilde - A Summer Sale!

2011-08-22T23:58:00.000-07:00

From today until the 4th September you can get a 10% discount on ANY purchase at From the Wilde. An online designer shop selling the work of over 80 artists, all the sellers have been handpicked by the owner Helen Wilde.
I have a selection of my work there including most of my best sellers. Usually From the Wilde sales are just for a small range of items but this one is a biggie, right across the whole site!!! All you need to do to get your discount is enter the code 1111 at the checkout, simple! you have until the 4th Sept to take advantage of this offer, so be quick :)

I have lots more exciting events coming up this autumn and new designs arriving at my etsy shop this week, all in time for the run up to Christmas.

Up front

2011-08-04T00:50:00.000-07:00

One of my purses was on the Etsy front page yesterday, a lovely boost to my shop traffic :)

Mod Flower

2011-07-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

I'm liking the two tone on this purse, I'll be listing it later in my shop.

2011-07-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

new cushions in my etsy shop, the top one is a rare David Parsons fabric called Kite Strings

New work

2011-07-18T04:09:00.001-07:00

Very excited to be getting these designs properly onto fabric. Problems with some screens I had made last week meant I had to hand cut the stencils for these as I wanted to take them to show a gallery today.
So on top of family commitments I got these done at the weekend and printed up tea towels and cushion covers. I have a little work to do before they go in the shop but it should be in the next week.
Mt next dilemma is whether this work should be under a different label rather than included in my Thirtyfive Flowers shops. I would love to hear your thoughts all feedback welcome, good and bad

Louise x

Sale in my vintage shop

2011-07-15T09:05:00.001-07:00

This weekend sees lots of etsy stores with a special sales for their Christmas in July promotion.
As part of the event my vintage shop has 25% off all stock by entering code CIJ2011 at the checkout!
You can visit my shop here have fun x

Doorstops

2011-07-15T01:27:00.000-07:00

I stated out making these doorstops about 6 years ago and the design is all mine. At one time they were my main product and when I look back at my records I have literally made and sold hundreds. I made this doorstop today for a customer using some of my vintage fabric, as it was a trial run I kept the price low but I may make some more using some of my more current designs.

If you want one at the lower price (not this one, it's a custom order) be quick as prices will be going up on Monday!!

Sneak Peek

2011-07-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

A quick peek at a print I did yesterday with a hand cut stencil, printed on linen in the palest of greys. Will be making some purses with this later.

Hampton Court

2011-07-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

Yes I know this first one is pretty amazing huh?
A girls day out at Hampton Court Flower Show this weekend with lovely friends and such good luck that the sun shone and the only rain we saw was as we travelled home.
Lots of purple around this year we loved this display of Alliums, how I would love to have rows like this on the allotment!
Real inspiration and a surprise meet up with my big sister who had travelled on a whim to the show and amazingly bumped into us amongst the thousands of visitors.

So now I want to be in my garden, but I have many orders to be finished and new screens for printing arriving in the next couple of days.

Well Travelled and a Sale

2011-07-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

The lovely Heather from skinnylaminx posted these photos on her blog today of a couple of my covers on her vintage sofa, hundreds of miles away in Cape Town, South Africa. They look pretty good and seem to be enjoying the company of one of her Eep cushions.

I'm currently having a Summer Sale in my Etsy shop where my sale section has a range of end of line covers from £5.00!!!!

2011-06-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

A few shots from last weeks trip to Cornwall part of the uni visit tour currently happening all round the country.
Lovely to turn the trip into a mini holiday and spend some time with Laura, we did a long walk along the South West coast path on the last day and ate fantastic food at beach cafes
and the journey back by train took us along the coast and over the Tamar Bridge, which explains the peculiar shaped cloud to the left, a reflection in the train window!

Now the work begins and the fingers are crossed, because like every parent I want her dreams to come true.

How long?

2011-06-16T23:45:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we visited UCA Farnham for the Open Day, it also happened to be our anniversary and where Chris and I met. It was a very strange feeling to go back and wander through the workshops and studios. I was so pleased to see the forge still in place although sadly the foundry is long gone. The biggest shock was finding some of my work on display and talking to one of the lecturers who had found it stored away and brought it out after over 20 years. It was alongside work by my contemporaries of the time and it was the strangest feeling to see all our work together again.
So this week I have been busy printing again and will hopefully be sharing that with you soon, I'm hoping you will think as I do that after nearly 10 years of working with other peoples fabric it's time I got back to it!

Vintage for kids

2011-06-16T23:18:00.001-07:00

I have some gorgeous Dick Bruna books in my vintage shop right now, some in better condition than others.
All with the same perfect illustration
and many with Miffy! (don't worry she gets better!)

Hornsea Saffron ware

2011-06-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

yes you see lots of these but this one has no text, just the pattern so you can use it for anything!
now in my vintage shop

2011-06-09T23:54:00.000-07:00

Busy days here with exams, orders, new projects, outings, half term, show rehearsals, anniversary, uni trips......... but hey thank god for internet shopping :)

Waiting for this to arrive from Habitat and loving my Muji house shoes here

2011-05-29T01:26:00.000-07:00

Lots of traffic through my shop last night and heres the reason why, my geometric purse made the Etsy front page, always good news!

2011-05-26T23:48:00.000-07:00

Marion Mahler

'Coppice' by Mary White

just a couple of new covers to share with you this morning, both now in my etsy shop!

Karen McPhail ceramics

2011-05-25T23:43:00.001-07:00

While blog browsing this morning I fell in love with the work of Karen McPhail as featured on Bloesem blog. She trained many years ago but stopped working when she had children worked for some time in pre school care and has now returned to making (sounds familiar!) and is now producing the most stunning ceramics using transfers and glazes with a wonderful collage style.

You can see her work here and it is also for sale here.

Images courtesy of Bloesem

Cushions in Copenhagen

2011-05-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

Today some shots from a customer, Tina Fussell, who purchased some covers from me and kindly sent me pictures, which are also featured on her blog Flying House by Traveling Mama
There are lots more beautiful shots of her apartment in Copenhagen on her blog. Her home is a beautiful mix of old and new, it is effortlessly stylish, but most importantly it is a real lived in home, and that is so good to see. Not only can you see her home on her blog but also super style blog Decor8 who have a feature on her apartment (and yes my covers are there too! eeeek!)

You might also like to check out Tinas etsy store where she sells cards and jewellery and also here where she and her husband collaborate in the most beautiful photos.

I am hoping to set up a gallery on my blog of home shots with my covers in as I have quite a few squirrelled away. If you have photos you would like to share let me know, I would love to see them, it is a real treat to see how my covers look in their new homes!

Pins

2011-05-23T11:53:00.001-07:00

A little while ago I was told by a friend about Pinterest, and so now as well as reading blogs while I have my coffee I can also lose myself in this feast of visuals. Pinterest works like a scrapbook, you can 'pin' images from the net and collect them on your own pinboards with various themes. You can also follow other peoples boards and repin their images onto your own. I love it, such a simple way to collect together ideas and inspiration.

You can follow my boards by clicking on the Pinterest button to the right of my blog.

From the Wilde

2011-05-19T00:03:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to now have Thirtyfive Flowers cushions and purses available at From the Wilde! They are keeping company with some fantastic designers from around the UK and right now my yellow connections cushion is right up there on the front page, bringing out the sun!

I am also thrilled that my own printed purses are included, soon to be followed by some new designs, busy, busy!

Vintage cushions

2011-05-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled this morning to see this photo from Kristin at KLTWorks of her gorgeous home and two of my vintage covers looking so stunning next to her own designs. Check out her blog for a further sneak peek of her home, which is a colour filled space with great mix of new and vintage style.

Latest additions

2011-05-16T09:01:00.001-07:00

I've added to my new purses this weekend and am particularly pleased with the vintage olive green lining in the top one
and the brushed brass frame on the red.

In the shop.

2011-05-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Thankyou to everyone who commented on my last post, here again (thankyou to Blogger for losing the original post) is a finished purse that is now available to buy in my etsy store. I have also printed up some more colourways which will be made up and listed this weekend. Also some new blocks arrived today so I've been working out a new pattern.

Today I said a final goodbye to a very lovely lady who has been a wonderful neighbour and friend. Her passion for art and creativity was infectious and I will hold her very dear in my heart for many years to come. So this post is dedicated to Lorna.

Slightly scary

2011-05-11T06:13:00.001-07:00

No probably not for you, but it is for me, as I work on my printed fabrics and get closer to having something I feel I can put out there as a finished design, I suffer from a kind of stage fright.
So to get over this and keep me going, I made up one purse using the fabric I printed at the weekend. It is totally impractical with this white background so won't be for sale, but I like seeing how the pattern works on the purse and I am hoping to find some good linen colour yardage to print up a better one.

Your comments will be really appreciated on this one xx

2011-05-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

One of the first designers to catch my eye when I originally joined the etsy site is Heather Moore, her work which she creates under the title skinnylaminx extends through illustration, printmaking and some of the most incredible paper cut work.

Her work and style has been a huge inspiration over the last few years and I have a number of items around my house which I have bought from her. When I recently asked if she would mind me using some of her Orla print for my purses I was totally thrilled when she said yes!

I had to wait for these brushed brass frames to arrive as they suit the print colours perfectly, and making them this morning gave me a real thrill as they came together, I am so delighted with how they have turned out.
They are available now in my etsy store I just have one problem I am going to make one for me but cannot decide which colour, grey, lemon or olive.........this could take some time!

Nearly.......

2011-05-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

I have been printing with old letterpress blocks this evening, (hence the poor quality of the photos) and finally finding some pleasing results, nearly there...............

Inspiration

2011-05-05T23:10:00.000-07:00

I have acquired new followers to my blog over the last few days, hello, thankyou for visiting. I do try to get to visit everyones blog and comment, so I do regular blog reading sessions which are always inspiring and exciting.
I have added a couple of new covers to my shop recently and there are more to come, but lately I have been occupied in the garden and allotment enjoying this very non-UK weather. I have been sowing seeds and making plans for a redesign on our garden, but also I have been inspired by the lady we stayed with in France whose approach to life clearly led her to a more contented outlook than our frantic style. So I am trying to take time over things and not be trapped by the rush of life around me. The results for her were that at 69 she looked like a very young 50 and her calmness and love of life were an absolute pleasure to share.

Easter 2011

2011-04-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Blue, blue skies and glorious sandy beaches at Cap Frehel in Brittany, France. I had no idea how much we all neeeded this holiday, a perfect week.

MTAM Spring Fair

2011-04-07T05:47:00.001-07:00

The sun was out with the shoppers this morning in Berkhamsted and I had a really busy time with my stall at the More than a Mama Spring Fair.
I tried to be a little more co-ordinated with the display and chose cushions that had a good fresh feel.
This small shelf unit was lurking in our store and made a great display for my purses which sold really well. perfect excuse to make more I think don't you?

I made some lovely purchases too which I shall show you next time!

Marion Mahler

2011-03-26T01:33:00.001-07:00

Have added to my vintage fabrics this week with this geometric print by Marion Mahler. Geometrics are a hot trend right now, my Summer Blue purse was featured in Etsy Finds newsletter on Thursday, which had geometry as its theme and has been in so many treasuries I have truly lost count!

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Custom covers

2011-03-24T01:41:00.000-07:00

I had the real pleasure of making some custom covers for the lovely Mrs Eliot Books, using her own vintage fabrics. She was so kind as to then write a post about them on her blog and I have had lots of interest from customers wanting me to do the same for them, so yes if you are interested drop me a line and I will happily turn your finds into something useful.

and definitely pay a visit to her etsy shop, where she has just listed these mid century modern inspired notecards, perfect for rediscovering the art of letter writing.

I have made lots of new online friends recently via Twitter and Etsy, such a wonderful thing, love you all xx

I'm just not getting tired of this......

2011-03-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

ok but I understand you might be, however I just love this lime green inside this grey purse.
I have more purse frames arrived today too, big frames for clutches and a sectioned one, that could be interesting and will definitely test my pattern making skills!!

Also take a trip over to Etsy this week, it's Euro Week where many shops are having a week long sale to promote European etsy sellers, just search EtsyEuro, for those taking part!

Mid Century Modern

2011-03-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

Photo - dad-design

Lovers of all things vintage should head to Dulwich this Sunday for the Mid Century Modern show. Among those showing their wares is dad-design who specialise in Mid century modern homewares, who also have some of my cushions on their stand.

If you are unale make it in person check out the show website and on the Modern People page there is a list of exhibitors with links to their websites

I really wish I could pop along, it has become a hugely successful event and apparently it is one of Orla Kielys favourite vintage shows!

No words

2011-03-18T00:36:00.001-07:00

2011-03-09T23:39:00.000-08:00

Summery purses in fabric from Sweden via Hus & Hem (above)
and the blue Connections fabric that I use in my covers, lined with some Cloud9 fabric.

I've also addded a little Flickr widget to my sidebar, lots more of my work can be seen there. Do pop in.

Heals fabric purse

2011-03-07T23:34:00.000-08:00

My purses are proving to be a real seller so yesterday I made some more stock. I have more to photograph today but for now here are my favourites.

I love the Cloud9 lining in this one the colours are perfect together.
You can find all these in my etsy shop and see more of my photos on Flickr

Spring Song

2011-03-07T00:10:00.001-08:00

Some recent fabric finds - 'Spring Song' by Margit Steiner for Heals
'Orchard' Jonelle

An icy spring morning here today and these covers just fit that mood. So pleased to be making more purses for my shop, only two left in my shop right now and they are such a pleasure to make.

Perpetua

2011-03-05T09:16:00.001-08:00

This is making me very happy today, Perpetua a Lucienne Day design from Sanderson as lovely in the flesh as in the picture. Available here

Hus and Hem

2011-03-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Sharing a favourite online store today Hus & Hem who stock beautiful Swedish goods and best of all are UK based. I have my eye on this Smorgasbord platter, I love trays like this
Beautiful fabrics by designer Linda Sjunnerson, (watch this space is all I can say on that one!)

Long time favourite by Marianne Westmann,this design has a great 50s style to it combined the Scandi style.
given that I was browsing the web in the early hours you can understand the extra appeal of this one, wouldn't you just love to curl up in this spot and wait for the Spring chill to pass?

Sanderson 50s reprints

2011-03-01T06:33:00.000-08:00

Sanderson have just launched a new collection of designs reprinted and inspired by their archives from the 50's. Mobiles above by Marian Mahler
Perpetua designed by Lucienne Day
Festival by Jacqueline Groag

I am so pleased these are being released and Sanderson have certainly done a finer job than Heals manged last year with their appalling Lucienne Day ranges.

I will have these in stock in the next couple of days and will be making covers with them at far more affordable prices than the originals. I do have the original Mobiles fabric in my shop at the moment and comparing the two the Sanderson version has lost the barkcloth texture but personally I love how fresh this design still feels.

Meet Dewey

2011-02-24T23:56:00.000-08:00

I love seeing how the things I sell end up and this morning I had a lovely surprise when checking out one of my latest blog reads. Dewey is made using some of the fabric from my Orla scrap packs and I love the way the large scale of the multi stem print makes big blocks of colour on his legs.

He is the work of Kristin aka KLT: Works, Kristin's blog is a great mix of design and life influences and her passion for vintage design. Her shop on etsy has the most gorgeous kids toys and beautiful letterpress prints and is well worth checking out, in fact when I did just that to get the link for this post led to me buying some beautiful fabrics which I hope to use for purses!

This week is half term here and the days have been crammed full and also include the celebration of Laura's 17th birthday and we have a big family gathering tomorrow to prepare for. Hopefully next week will see me with some more regular blogging habits

Louise x

Eep!

2011-02-16T02:52:00.001-08:00

I have to share these cork magents with you, they are by the wonderful Heather Moore aka SkinnylaMinx and arrived this morning all the way from South Africa. They are both hand cut from cork sheet with a magnetic backing and the detail is beautiful. I have a few pieces by Heather now including some of her beautiful textiles. Check out her inspiring blog and find more of her work in her etsy store!

Purses now in my shop!!

2011-02-15T00:21:00.001-08:00

All ready and waiting my new purses are up in my etsy shop and getting lots of love already!

I cannot choose a favourite but I do love how this pattern works on such a small scale.

Show and Tell

2011-02-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

On Saturday the girls and I headed into London to The Make Lounge in Islington and did a wonderful workshop with the lovely Helen Rawlinson who produces the most wonderful textiles here. The worshop was screenprinting on textiles which was perfect for all of us as the girls are both studying textiles, and I as you know have been trying to get the hang of printing for my own work.

We took along some ideas of what we wanted to print but there was plenty of inspiring books and images provided too. The screen designs were made with paper stencils and hand cut with Xacto knives. Helen showed us how to prepare the screens and was on hand to help at each stage of the process, so we very quickly had our first images printed.
In just 3 1/2 hours we had each completed to designs and were so pleased with the results. The top two designs the Elephant and the Panda are Sarahs. The key design is Lauras, who also did another print of birds. These last two are mine, the hands printed onto a tea towel (take the hint somebody please?)
We had such a great time and were all really inspired, thankyou Helen :)

2011-02-07T23:58:00.000-08:00

Purses getting made.
New cushions being listed

So busy right now with new purses and fabrics and custom orders.........this is usually my quiet time of year! not this year apparently, I guess everyone is re decorating rather than moving house.

Purses

2011-02-01T02:21:00.000-08:00

I could make these all day. I found some frames lurking in a box and decided to try and get my pattern right for them and finally succeeded. They have an extra layer of interlining to make them squishy and I have altered some of my old jewellery pliers so I can clamp them tight after they are glued. I will make a couple more up later in some good vintage fabric and try them out in my etsy shop!

New vintage fabrics

2011-01-27T00:42:00.000-08:00

Well you know what I mean....new to me! Love the print above and the pattern details in each block, I have no idea of the deigner of this and it is a lighter weight cotton so perhaps is a dress fabric rather than interiors.
and this is 'Herbage' by Susan Cook designed for Heals in 1968. The colours of these two are making me hope for some warmer weather, but no, as I write there is snow starting to fall. Time to cosy up I think!!

Both covers are now available in my Etsy shop

In Print

2011-01-13T08:47:00.001-08:00

I mentioned at the end of the year that I was moving my work in a different direction and here is a peek at where it is going. When I trained at college to do jewellery I also spent a short amount of time in the textiles dept and played with print and weave. With my current passion for textiles I have found many customers asking for colours and designs which I just cannot source and so I have been working on printing in the hope that I can produce the kind of fabrics which I now know appeal.
These are two experiments the top one is a simple frond design taken from my sketchbook and printed on some slubby linen and the bottom is a design taken from a vintage mug and printed onto some chunky felt. Neither of these designs are final and I am still tweaking and testing inks and fabrics to get the technique right. Hopefully this year will provide me with some more organised time so I can keep my one and only resolution which is to print something every week.

I have picked up some great books to help and inspire me, and I will take a look at those in the coming weeks too. I hope you will drop by and let me know what you think.

Louise x

I just wanted to say how wonderful all your comments have been, I am feeling really positive today about my work, Thankyou x

Around the house at Xmas

2010-12-28T01:52:00.001-08:00

I had to improvise my xmas wrapping this year as my papers that I bought were used by everyone else, so I raided my ribbons and buttons and had fun with glue!
Mistletoe in my Katrin Moye jug
Felted robin picture

Handmade paper garlands
Lauras mini xmas tree
Sarahs paper chains
Star decorations from Cariad Clay

My beautiful print from Dee Beale alongside a Ken Eardley jug

As it turns out this has been a very handmade xmas and I love it :)

Happy Christmas

2010-12-24T01:04:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve and in my usual style I'm not quite done yet, just a bit of last minute food shopping to do this morning and then I think some xmas baking this afternoon.
We have a very quiet xmas this year, just us, which is how I like it. Thankyou to everyone who has commented and followed me this year and to all my customers, old and new.

Time to relax................................

Having a clear out

2010-12-19T07:56:00.000-08:00

I just love having a good sort out in any room but most especially in my workroom. It allows me to think clearly as much as anything else and it will also mean that my printing tools will be easier to access ready for my new work next year.
So in my etsy shop today I have been listing some fabric packs, lovely big wodges of the most yummy fabrics, some new and also some vintage. They are an absolute bargainous £4.95 each and once they're gone..............well actually I will gradually list more over the next couple of days in different colour sets. it takes a long time sorting and getting them organised for listing so bear with me.

Special request!

2010-12-08T04:42:00.000-08:00

I have been busy making more Miffy purses today ready for the More than A Mama Shopping Evening at Berkhamsted Town Hall 7 - 9.30pm this evening! As well as my regular stock I always bring some of these along as they are so popular.
And as a special request I have made some more Miffy cushions too! I haven't made these for a few years now so it was nice to rework an old idea!

Look forward to seeing you there!

Black Friday Sale 20% 0ff

2010-11-25T00:35:00.000-08:00

Today is Thanksgiving in the US and apparently after Thanksgiving their xmas shopping starts. The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and heralds the start of a weekend long sale promotion for most stores in the US.

Etsy is having a big Black Friday Cyber Monday promotion and from today I have lots of stock at 20% off but only for this weekend.

Etsy in Pounds!

2010-11-23T23:45:00.000-08:00

Blogging has certainly taken a back seat lately while I keep up with orders and fairs in the run up to Xmas. The weather has got soooo cold so I am glad of the new heating we had put in earlier in the year it is toasty warm in my workroom.

You might notice a difference in my etsy shops, in that everything is now in GBPs! Lots of UK customers have found my etsy shop and hopefully those of them that were new to etsy and worried about paying in dollars will feel that bit happier to shop. I like the way it looks to see all the etsy shops adopting their own currency, it really is exciting to be able to shop globally and support individual makers and designers around the globe.

As autumn fades

2010-11-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

Time here is so rammed full of activity that to open my curtains last week and be faced with this at eye level just stopped me in my tracks. This cherry tree with the yellow of the hawthorn behind it is right out the back of the loft bedroom window and with the autumn sun as it was a week ago I could happily have stood there all morning.
But instead there is plenty of sewing to be done but I did love using some warming colours while I worked just as a reminder.
The flower print was a super lucky find on ebay a few weeks back, it had been listed with the darkest of photos that actually gave no clue to the colours but I took a punt and was so excited when they arrived and in perfect condition too! I goes beautifully with this golden Peter Hall Verdure
and then there is this, not very autumnal but fabric I have been hunting for some time. 'Coppice' by Mary White, an absolute gem of a fabric.

and so back to the machine, with the first of the More than a Mama fairs on Friday and orders rolling in from my etsy shop, I have employed the girls to help me this weekend which has been fantastically useful.

me on the FP!

2010-11-04T02:11:00.000-07:00

In the midst of frantic sewing for orders and fairs came this lovely surprise this morning when my cars cushion hit the front page of Etsy. Thanks to the lovely trotinette ,who it has to be said, has a seriously good vintage shop.

Grand Designs - Scandinavian House

2010-10-21T01:52:00.000-07:00

Lizard Peninsula: The Scandinavian House | 4Homes | Channel4.com

Last night I settled down to wath one of my favourite programmes, Grand Designs, and was totally in love with the design style it being a mix of Scandinavian and vintage. The owner Kathryn Tyler is an interior designer and had collected some wonderful vintage pieces to use in her home. As the programme drew to a close I leapt from my seat as one of my Vintage Houses cushions appeared on the screen!
I cannot tell you what a thrill it is to see something I made in such a beautiful home.

So very silly

2010-10-08T09:04:00.001-07:00

Just a selection of items from my etsy shop where you can now find 15% off during the silly sale!
This is only on this weekend and when they are gone they are gone! I will not be relisting this weekend so get in quick for the ones you want!

Silly Sale UK is here!!

2010-10-08T00:25:00.000-07:00

From 7pm GMT tonight the UK Etsy sellers are holding a massive Silly Sale and this is one you really don't want to miss! Banners and cake toppers from millalove

There is something to suit every style and budget and this is the best excuse to get some Xmas shopping done early. The beautiful cushion above is from the awesome Emma Lamb

Totally adorable baby slippers by cazhoffy
and xmas decorations coutesy of picciolo, now you know you are going to need these!

There are hundreds of goodies like these available to find the sales head on over to Etsy and search silly sale uk.

I will be taking part with sale items in both my shops and will be highlighting some of my offers here later!

Revival - John Lewis

2010-09-28T03:33:00.001-07:00

I have finally got my hands on some of the new range of fabrics from John Lewis. The Revival range has been designed in house, but using the archives at John Lewis which feature designs by the likes of Lucienne Day and Terence Conran.
The results are stunning and I especially love the sulphur yellow and grey combination.
They work brilliantly with my vintage fabrics too as the top photo shows, with a cover in a classic Marian Mahler design.

2010-09-17T02:52:00.000-07:00

With xmas speeding towards us I have been busy making purses over the last couple of weeks.
I've really enjoyed making some more grown up purses alongside my childrens range, and have been putting the small offcuts of vintage fabrics to good use.

Pearfection!

2010-09-15T23:48:00.000-07:00

I have been included in so many treasuries lately, in one week over the summer I was in 10!! amazing. This one is the most recent so many thanks to LifeLikeThis for including my cushion, I love this selection.

Pink elephants on parade!

2010-09-15T02:11:00.001-07:00

Having visited a local vintage fair at the weekend I was inspired to tidy up my vintageuk shop and add some things that have been patiently waiting for photos. So among other things out came this childs mug, so adorable and I am having the pleasure of its company in my workroom until it sells.

new fabrics :)

2010-09-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

some new from M is for Make
some vintage, this one herbage by Susan Cook for Heals
and these last two lucky finds from the 60s.
These cushions can be found in either my ebay or etsy shops which you can find on your right!

If at first you don't succeed......

2010-08-30T00:09:00.001-07:00

try, try again! Eureka!! I have been trying without success to add new posts this summer and finally my photos seem to be uploading again, who knows what went wrong but it is good to be back.

We have had a busy summer, both girls in final years and heading for new challenges in September, exam results......fantastic!, how proud am I that my girlie got A* for textiles!? words cannot describe.

Hospital visits with a positive outcome and relief all round, but tinged with anger that prescribed medication and restricted diet have been the cause and not the solution, we await final tests to be sure there is no lasting damage done, but am so thankful to have my beautiful girl back to health.
Holidays to St Ives, this photo is from our bedroom window we had a great week and pretty good weather considering how foul the rest of the summer has been. Holiday #2 to Hampshire to catch up with family and prepare wedding outfits.

But what about sewing? yes I have been sewing, lots of sewing making up stock ready for Christmas. My shops have been super busy over the holidays too and I'm so pleased that my Etsy shop has burst into life. I gave it a bit of a sort out a while back and it has really paid off, new banner, new stock, keeping the stock unified to give an overall 'look'

and to come, my sisters wedding, back to school and then autumn awaits.......and as I have pretty much given up on summer now, I am looking forward to autumn its colours and smells, we have large areas of ancient beech woods in the Chilterns and they look spectacular come autumn.

Snow white treasury

2010-07-13T00:48:00.001-07:00

This weekend I was included in two treasurys over on Etsy. This one with a Snow White theme and another to spur on the Netherlands in the football, commiserations boys :(

Thankyou to Lily P Chic and Sydney Rose Designs

Sales on Etsy are on the up which I'm so pleased about, I've been trying to keep more of a consistency to the stock and it seems to be paying off.

No sewing today as I am off for a hospital appointment with Sarah, so we are sulking, we don't like hospitals they smell :P

Happy Birthday Miffy!

2010-06-21T02:28:00.001-07:00

C0ngratulations to Dick Bruna whose leading lady Miffy is celebrating her birthday today. I think she's looking pretty good for 55 don't you?

She's back!!

2010-06-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

Mt favourite rabbit is back! I have more of these available again in my ebay shop and will be listing some in my etsy shop ovet the next few days.

She has also been joined by Florence and Dougal made using some great 60s fabric. Both these purses have now sold but never fear I will be adding more!!

Cushion photos

2010-06-12T02:00:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I hauled all my stock of cushions up to our new bedroom for a photo shoot. The light up there is amazing as it is dual aspect and I had great fun playing with piles of cushions.

Some of the fabrics are new to me and others are stock I have had for sales but not managed to photograph until now.
I'm so pleased with how all the colours came out, I usually have to do a bit of tweaking on Photoshop to get the colours true, but not these.
and look what I found, just one cover left from some I made in Designers Guild Block Flower fabric, that green is soooo good.

Have a good weekend and if like me you are planning on avoiding football can I recommend getting hold of a fixtures list? it is the best time to go shopping!!

The Perfect Pair

2010-06-10T00:12:00.000-07:00

I have been included in a treasury over on Etsy created by fellow etsian MyLittleGirlsCloset. A delicious selection of pears of the edible kind to set your mouth watering and your bank account jingling.

Check out MyLittleGirlsCloset too, such adorable clothes in lovely summer colours.

My etsy shop is up and running again and I will be adding more stock soon but for now there are a few bargains to be had!! Go see!

Louise x

Around the house

2010-06-06T02:54:00.001-07:00

a quick few shots of around the house now we are almost done!
my workroom!! yippee!!!!
Sarah got this chair in bargain corner at ikea less than half price and I made up the covers for it.
and my beautiful new kitchen, which has seen a huge increase in the amount of help coming my way at mealtimes. This is now a really lovely sociable area whereas it was previously a small kitchen and pretty non-descript dining room.

It was all pretty scary stuff, walls came down, the roof came off for the loft conversion and every floor came up for the new heating but now it is a fading memory as the whole thing has worked perfectly.

Its getting warmer!

2010-05-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

It feels so good to see and feel the sun today, and the birds outside are in full song. I have had to hunt around the house for our displaced items but managed to find my doorstops. In realising I need mine, I have listed more for sale in my ebay shop, should you feel the need to open up your house too!

Up and running

2010-05-06T04:05:00.001-07:00

Thankyou to everyone who sent good wishes, Sarah is back in school and doing ok. House is slowly coming to completion, I promise photos soon!

At present I am still working at the dining table but that should all change in the next fortnight as we do room swaps and I can claim a space all to myself! so excited about that... I cannot tell you how good it will be to have a space to leave my machine out ready to go!

Absence

2010-04-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

Oh dear I have been away for some time, really sorry....really really sorry. Sometimes life goes into freefall and that has been happening here. Most of the house has been a no go area during the day as building work continues, so no sewing, no photographs and no access to stock! Add to that another period of illness for my youngest, dramas from just about every member of my family and you can see why I have not been blogging, that is not really what you want to hear about, and so I am not going into detail.

I will return soon with photos of the new kitchen and hopefully some stock back in my shops. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I can see it.....just!

2010-03-29T02:26:00.000-07:00

These little chaps sold traight away on Friday at the latest Bumps Babes and Beyond fair in Berkhamsted Town Hall. I made a long bolster cushion this time with this little parade of Ellies and was very lucky that the customer allowed me to keep it on my stall as I had more requests for others.

Thankyou to the lovely team at More than a Mama who did a fantastic job once again of organising the fair and it was lovely to meet so many friends old and new. Thanks too to those customers who came back especially to see me again, lots of returning customers is a huge compliment for me, thankyou!

I have also finally got around to forming a group for Thirtyfive Flowers on Facebook so you can now follow me here too!

Time out!

2010-03-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

Just to let you know my shops are closing for a short while as I currently have no-where to work due to a house full of builders and plumbers. The short amount of time I do have left will be spent making a few extra pieces for the next Bumps Babes and Beyond fair in a couple of weeks time.

back soon!

Louise x

Play School book

2010-03-05T05:55:00.000-08:00

I found this great BBC Play School book from the 60s in a charity sale a few weeks back and love flicking through the great illustrations. Lots of inspiration for new designs......
and yes Spring is here, though thankfully not so showery! I just love her two-tone hair!!

Busy, busy

2010-03-04T04:37:00.001-08:00

Have been managing to fit in sewing to get ready for a fair I'm doing at the end of the month, so some more Miffy purses are done and some new childrens tote bags, ideal for easter egg hunts and then to use for school.
So pleased the sun is shining at last and Spring is on its way, our building work is progressing well and I'm so excited as my workroom will be bigger than expected....just cannot wait to have my own dedicated space to work, no more having to clear away for meal times!!

Heals fabric cushion

2010-03-01T09:29:00.001-08:00

Just love the colours in this cushion made using some Peter Hall fabric called Verdure designed for Heals.

I'm busy, busy at the moment making stock for my shops and an up coming fair at the end of the month. All this being done with builders in my loft and a poorly child, it never rains but it pours!!

Indie Crafter v Paperchase

2010-02-11T06:19:00.000-08:00

As a maker and designer I am always aware of the people who copy. It has happened to me numerous times and mainly I ignore it, sometimes a curt email does the job, but usually it is just someone trying to do what I do and not realising that they will get spotted. When I started selling on Etsy I had someone buy a doorstop from me on ebay and immediately copy the design and sell it on Etsy. I was alerted by other uk etsy sellers who kept me up to speed with her goings on and her reaction to my emails asking her to remove them. Her shop has since closed and she won't be missed by many, especially not me!

Sadly there is currently a situation with a UK etsy designer HidenSeek who has had her beautiful and unique illustrations taken and manipulated by Paperchase. Paperchases line is that they are not the same, as theirs has a different 'feel' My personal opinion is that their behaviour stinks, Twitter has apparently gone mad over this and a Google search reveals it as a seriously hot topic with the press becoming increasingly interested.

Please please spread the word and help protect the rights of indie makers.

Read more here here and here

Latest news is that Amazon who were stocking the Paperchase item in question has today removed it from their site!

Spring clean and a SALE

2010-01-28T06:09:00.001-08:00

At the beginning of this week I thought I would be spending all my time trying to get my head round finishing my accounts and filing a tax return, but to my utter joy I had forgotten that I had already sorted the necessary receipts and so the job was made much easier, added to that I gave myself a crash course in Excel and discovered the joys of Auto Sum.
So job done I have set to sorting out my stock and fabric and general mess which is spread through a number of areas round the house......the result a SALE!! There are items in both my ebay and etsy shops to be snapped up and more to come later this evening.
This cushion is made from some Heals fabric rescued from a very poorly curtain and is listed in a new shop on MISI I will be adding a proper link to this soon, but will be using this shop for my simple cushions.

Off to sort out more fabric there may be some coming to ebay very soon I really have too much!!

Thankyou!

2010-01-17T02:32:00.000-08:00

I want to say thankyou this morning to Gay at I Dreamed I Saw who included my Pear cushion from my etsy shop in a blog post yesterday!

Today I feel like I've woken up, the snow has gone and I can see green again, the rain has stopped and the sun is shining, so we are off to Henley for a leisurely lunch and a walk along the Thames.

Hope you are having a lovely Sunday too!

Louise x

fabric buys

2010-01-08T04:56:00.001-08:00

Some new fabrics arrived today from fabric rehab, definitely brightening my day after a slow trek through the snow this morning to post off orders.

Hope you are keeping warm and safe if you too are suffering the snow

Anyone not from the UK might like to take look at this to see just how we have been hit! we are under there somewhere....