Sunday, 19 January 2014

the making table

...at certain times of the studio diary, the making table looks wonderfully alive and productive, and brings an amazing sense of achievement to that particular day... as the final stages of a product being completed has taken weeks to reach.  We sometimes forget when pricing a product about the preparation time we labour over.  The research, the planning, the making of templates, cutting out, backing, dyeing, drying, stitching, sorting, sourcing..... 
This last week has started to show the results of many hours patiently sat cutting flowers, embroidering and hand sewing - I often wonder how many miles of stitching I have sewn since I first picked up a needle and thread...miles and miles and miles.  
My Etsy shop has appeared rather empty over the last month or so and I am now rather excited to be finishing the last details before they are photographed, listed and then wrapped away in buttermilk tissue while awaiting their new home.  It may be very grey outside but it is certainly rather chirpy here in the studio.....is your making table cluttered-creative-chaos or organised rows and neatly stacked layers...? xx


You can find lots of lovely vintage and antique supplies for your makings over at my haberdashery shop
The Linen Garden

Sunday, 12 January 2014

a sunday sigh


...just that one image that conjures all sorts of responses....just to absorb it's beauty, to inspire you to paint, to re-discover and research...this painting by Fortuny's father made me stop in my tracks this week....

...a little Sunday reading for you here...

Painted by Fortuny's father, Mariano Fortuny Y Marsal (1835 - 1874)

Wednesday, 8 January 2014

The Linen Garden - January Fourteen

One of my comforts is that embedded within my studio is my own little haberdashery shop 'The Linen Garden'... not only do I sell to a fabulous collection of other designers, makers and crafters out there but it is also an indulgence for me too.  I can browse around the shelves and boxes at times when I need that little 'something' extra....even at two o'clock in the morning...

I have been collecting (hoarding) more stock and I have just neatly folded and arranged its prettiness on the shelves today.  So here is a little glimpse of the treasures you will currently find over at the store....but remember it is all vintage and antique finds or one-off makings made here in the studio and so it tends to vanish into another makers 'hoarding box' rather quickly......

(If you click on the images - it will take you down the path to that particular shop shelf)


Tuesday, 7 January 2014

armoire - wish list #one



"I have a secret armoire......a scrapbook of images that make up my imaginary closet.....I have an unlimited budget, unlimited wardrobe space, and my body is always the perfect size to suit the piece I am courting.."

'my armoire this week'







Click on each image to take you to its home of origin....

Wednesday, 1 January 2014

The first hours of the 'new'....

...well, it is day one of two thousand and fourteen.  
I never feel quite together on New Year's Day.  The first hours of the 'new' always leaves me feeling excited and anxious all in one bubble.
I'm sat in my studio with walls and washing lines filled with stock for The Linen Garden and a few hidden treasures for my own makings.  Ready for an adventure.
I have new notebooks, new diaries, plans and lists and ideas and secrets and the lovely anticipation of not knowing what the year will bring.


I am approaching this bank of 365 days differently. 

I am going to be a little indulgent in my potterings and 
enjoy not knowing what each day is to bring. 


Make dates to meet lovely makers and creative friends who 
I feel I know so well but have yet to meet in person, 
particularly those who make me laugh alot!
Indulge in visiting more exhibitions and fairs.
Embroider more.
Design more.
Attend workshops to escape.
Attend workshops to be inspired.
Do my accounts on a monthly basis.
Read more.
Ensure more free time is made to garden.
Ensure more free time is made to sit in the garden I nurture.
Walk by the sea every morning.
Hoard more.
Drink more water and a little less wine.
Leave the studio tidy at the end of each working day.
Finally launch a new collection of greetings cards to sell to trade.


I had better get to it!  
But it is New Years Day and I have only popped into my work 
room for an hour to pack a few orders that have come through over the holidays. 
The Linen Garden shop is open and new stock 
will start to arrive from next week.

A very Happy New Year to you and I hope your year is filled 
with lots of adventures, happiness, good health mixed with a sprinkle of naughtiness.  
E N J O Y !  
What are your plans?  Have you set any goals, written lists, 
are you going to try something new or do you just re-write last years list 
(which I have been known to do in the past)

This is how the studio looks today...
neither tidy or organised but most certainly inspiring me to 
start the first chapter to this year - 
it is most definitely a Linen Garden. xx