Things I Like - my shop, music, & art. I like to make stuff!

Inside and out

2010-05-10T21:45:00.003+01:00

Last month was entirely dominated by the preparation for the photo shoot. However, there's no way I can exist without more than one project on the go at any given time! What else have I been up to? What happened after the photo shoot? Here goes.

I came back from the Country Living Spring Fair in March full of ideas, as I normally do after a long show surrounded by creative people. It took a while to narrow these down to one workable project to start with, and eventually I decided to make myself some papier machè furniture. Despite never having done anything vaguely similar. I talked about the idea a great deal before actually starting, but I managed to make my first prototype up in time to get it into the photographs, and hopefully I'll have made a few over the summer for November's fairs.

As soon as the weather allowed, I turned my attention to the summer house which I bought in December to make into my showroom. It got a coat of paint, and I stapled the salvaged cotton fabric I'd used for my backdrop at the Spring Fair to the boards. There was a bit of patchwork involved to make it go further! I've started making oilcloth blinds out of old scraps for the windows - this patchwork makes the blinds wavier than they would be constructed with fabric straight off the roll, but recycling and economizing are my trademarks, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
The roof is tented with recycled cotton fabric and hooks allow the lampshades to be displayed.I love being able to reuse the custom made shelving from my very first Spring Fair back in 2008.I'll add more pictures as the projects progress!

Home again

2010-04-13T23:53:00.003+01:00

It's been far too long... since my last post I've come back from the Country Living Fair and done the Spring Fair as well! So what happened? What have I been doing all this time?
While I was at the Fair in November I was approached by a couple of freelance journalists who expressed an interest in photographing my home, with a view to sending it off to various interior design/home type magazines. "Sure!" said I, only to think, quick, gotta get back home and paint the house! My house is very small, rented, and as a characterless 80s build, as different as can be from my previous home, a 200 year old character terraced cottage.
Because I rent my new home, I'd resisted doing much apart from the basics. However, the journalists' interest made me think, and gave me the push to do the things I'd wanted to for a long time, and really make it mine. So here's a look at what Pat saw when she came to take some snaps back in February!

Nearly there...

2009-10-18T18:06:00.003+01:00

This is what I've been up to, knee deep day after day in braid, beads and pompoms. They're not quite done yet as there are some trims which have yet to arrive and some which I have to make myself. All of the shades shown here are similiarly shaped but I have more which are under construction in a variety of shapes and sizes, salvaged from antique and vintage lampshades which had seen their last days... but they'll be unveiled later. So here's another sneak peek at some of the newest items to join my Country Living fair collection!This is a pendant light idea I've been working on; so far only a few prototypes have been completed but I'm very excited about these small, simple and elegant lights!

This rose lamp is a real beauty, and I have the oilcloth tablecloth to match it this year.This large lampshade is really special. It's made with vintage nursery fabric and each panel shows a different set of animals playing in the park, and my favourite is the owl park keeper - he's so sweet! The braid on this one is a favourite of mine as well, a discontinued Laura Ashley design.
This lampshade is in one of my favourite fabrics - an Amy Butler print from a few years ago from the Gypsy Caravan collection, which is now discontinued. A rare find, and I think the blue glass bead fringe compliments it beautifully.
Remember this? I posted pictures of it as the pink lining was being attached! A bit more of an unusual combination for me but I love experimenting with my fabric stash, and the pink lining really makes it.

Shady lady

2009-09-30T10:17:00.003+01:00

It's pandemonium in my living room - bits of fabric, thread, clothes pins and oddly, aluminum foil are strewn everywhere. Until it drives me over the edge and I clear it all away, only to start again after a day of inactivity and tidiness. It's been lampshade making week! I'm still hard at it, so here are a few pictures of the work in progress, at different stages of completion. As soon as I've finished, the completed shades will be up on the blog for all to see. These are for the Country Living show, which is looming over my shoulder - will it all be finished on time?

Summer's done...

2009-09-02T12:22:00.005+01:00

I know I've been quiet on the blog front recently but it's all down to the summer holidays. My little boy will be starting school this week, and I've tried to give him a summer to remember, to mark the official end of his toddler days and his rising to the ranks of the big boys. All on a shoestring of course! We've done a tour of Kent and East Sussex, visiting lots of beaches and seeing the sights. I love the idea of a holiday at home, and living in the south east, there's an amazing amount on our doorstep that we've never seen before. As for beaches, we've been to Camber Sands, Hastings, Folkestone, Whistable and Pett Level - there's something about having the seaside nearby that makes me feel at home. It's not Barbados, but it's been a welcome substitute!
When he does start, I'll be working hard to catch up on all the things I've put off, and in particular, getting ready for the Country Living Fair! Only two months to prepare for the biggest show of the year. I'll be on stand G10 so do come and check it out. Apart from that, I'm pleased to say that Things I Like was chosen to feature on MyDeco, a boutique website bringing together unique design. How chuffed am I? I'll be uploading more products soon, but there's a small selection there at the moment - have a look - http://mydeco.com/search/?query=things+i+like&prefdb=
I've got one day of freedom before term starts and I'm chained to the sewing machine and the computer, so I think we'll be riding scooters around the park until then!

Cars and guitars

2009-07-17T18:27:00.006+01:00

Sunday morning I arrived at a farm on the outskirts of Bethersden, queuing behind several intriguing ancient automobiles. The other drivers turned into the entrance to the showground; I drove around the back to the trade paddock. I set out my stall along the front of the pitch marked by wooden pegs, seeking out level ground for table and roll holder, trying to avoid the abundant supply of sheep poo which had been graciously provided by the field's previous inhabitants. The day before I had been showing at Ulcombe village's craft fair, and the entire day had been damp, grey, and drizzly. Just before I left home, the murky white sky had been pierced by a patch of blue and a shard of sunlight, and suddenly the summer seemed to have been here forever.

There had been a little confusion when I entered the paddock; after pointing out my van and asking where I should be, the man directing the cars thought I was meant to be in the exhibitors' area, as Lucy, being a 1978 Leyland Sherpa camper, met the age criteria for the show - being open to pre 1980 vehicles. I quickly realized once the cars started to fill the spaces behind my pitch that age was the pretty much the only criteria she met! There's a line between classic and just plain old, and although these Sherpa camper vans are a bit of a rarity, there's a long way to go in my restoration project before I'll be taking her out for inspection next to the likes of these hot rods.

As is now my custom I took my guitar with me for those quiet patches. Well, I might as well get in a little fingerstyle practice where ever I can, I do need it! One man recognized it immediately as being a Crafter, the same model as his own. I've lost a few buttons since I first put them on last year, but it's been across the Atlantic with me as well as being thrown around craft fairs. Since then I've had a bit of a break, not having a fair to prepare for, and despite the weekend's practice, it's been bass mania that's overtaken me this week.This is my bass, not much to look at, I know, but everyone's got to start somewhere eh? I promised myself if I could progress to a certain point (known only to myself of course) I'd buy a fabulous bass, maybe a bit like this... This week I finally gave in to a song that's been in my head for ages - it's Wish I Didn't Miss You by Angie Stone. I don't know why I didn't just find it and buy it before. I saw her perform it on tv years ago and thought she was amazing. The bass line is a sample from The Backstabbers by the OJays, and is simple, although relentless as it loops for the entire song. Since I found the tab I've been playing non-stop, and although my left hand fingers went past red and sore days ago, I've added four new songs to my playlist. Guess what I'll be doing tonight?

What to do?

2009-07-09T12:51:00.005+01:00

It doesn't pay to be indecisive. And I'm extremely indecisive. Should I be doing more shows, or putting more effort into Google Adwords? Should I be using print advertising? Where am I going to get the money for any of these things anyway?
I've been wondering whether to do the Hastings Town and Country show for a while now, and put it off so long I've basically answered the question for myself. Meanwhile another show has come up for this weekend, which means both days are booked, and although I said I didn't want to do too many in one month for Taylor's sake, it's worked out perfectly as he's visiting his dad this weekend. This week I've booked the Ulcombe Village Event for Saturday the 11th, and the next day is the Darling Buds Classic Car show. Ulcombe's a little village not far away, but it'll take a bit longer to get to guiding the van through the winding country lanes. The Darling Buds show is just outside my village, Bethersden, so it would be mad not to go! And I won't have to travel far after two likely tiring days. Whoopee!
The next thing to worry about is how to organize my making schedule. At least buying in stock has meant I have more breathing space, but my list of projects is disturbingly long and includes tub bags, wrap dresses, lampshades, towels... AAAAAH! Where to start? Well, as I had to make a strawberry print roller towel to order, I decided to go for it and start as many as I could. That one's already been finished and delivered, and the others are in various stages of completion. I thought I'd put a few pictures up to show the various steps that go into making them.
One of the trickiest things is selecting the right buttons, now that I'm not using covered buttons any more.I love my machine, it's got an indispensible buttonhole foot that I'd be lost without. I do lose it regularly, as I do all my presser feet, but fortunately it's always turned up.
I came up with a nifty method of making the towels that involves making a "bag" around the towel, turning inside out and topstitching. Why does it always sound simple until you come to do it? It's just fiddly, but not the fiddliest job I've got lined up - that's lampshade territory - and another blog altogether.
Ta dah! I'm pleased with this in particular, it's all vintage (save the towel of course) - vintage Laura Ashley cotton with the most adorable vintage flower buttons I got last year from Tatler's in Lenham. Glad I didn't make that necklace with them afer all, they're a perfect match for this towel.

On the road again

2009-06-21T17:46:00.003+01:00

It's started all over again! I've done two weekend craft fairs, and I'm trying to keep them down to one a month due to the disruption that ensues; Taylor's getting used to it but there's a lot of upheaval getting ready for these shows.
This was Leeds Castle's Gardening and Craft weekend.

My trip to Barbados led to lampshade making! Weird, huh?

My roll holder, my prized possession. They look great on it, and it has a permanent home in my van.

I decided to dress the fake bed with the stronger coloured cushions to show a different side.

The Shopping Experience, Detling. Hard work, but my first one after a year out... a real eye opener!

Yellow is Hot!

2008-07-20T16:41:00.015+01:00

In case you missed it, yellow is THE big colour for spring/summer 2008! But beware of overdoing it... The best way to wear yellow is definitely not head-to-toe. Separates go a long way! Pair a pretty yellow top with yellow accessories to spice up any summer outfit.

Accessories such as this handbag, £25, made from vintage cotton, and this crocheted rose brooch, £9.50, are the most versatile option.

But what about accessorizing your home? As with fashion, it may be best to avoid the top to toe look and place yellow accessories throughout the room.

This vintage Banania tin sits well in a multi-coloured kitchen amongst red china and enamelware.

But what about when your home is already a shabby chic pink palace? In that case, it's all about tone. Choose pale, polite yellows to compliment and blend, instead of deep, saturated tones, which would clash. Think cream, not canary.

Or if you're after the kitsch chic look, turn up the volume a bit!

Vintage yellow formica topped drop leaf table from the Antiques Barn. This yellow enhances the floral print and the pink cutlery.
Giving your kitchen an injection of colour doesn't have to cost the earth either.
Not quite ready for yellow furniture? Get the look for less with this bright yellow and white melamine tray, £2.99.

Small accessories like this pan scrubber and crocheted cotton cloth, both £4.50, are fun, affordable and add that dash of colour without having to invest too heavily.

At least I'll look good

2008-07-11T12:50:00.005+01:00

Well, I'm feeling absolutely awful. Caught a nasty cold, lost my voice as I usually do when I get ill, and really don't particularly feel like doing anything or going anywhere. As I had to go to Maidstone this week, I took the chance to buy some mother of pearl buttons for my latest project...
Tadaah! Check that out for before and after... scroll down to see the pic of it with the old pickguard. Of course, I did wonder about whether the decoration would adversely affect the sound, but hey, if I don't sound good, at least I'll look good!
It's just an ebay cheapie after all. When it arrived and I could get a good look at it, I realized it wasn't a solid top, and the soundhole decoration had been removed and that funny pickguard glued on, so I felt I had a good excuse to tart it up a bit. It won't last me forever, but it's a good start to get me accustomed to steel strings.
Well, I've had enough, off to blow my nose, have a nap and recover enough to tackle my sewing work for the evening.

Music and me

2008-07-03T13:41:00.005+01:00

Oh, I'm feeling so full of deadly pride at the moment, I need a supersize pin to bring me back down to earth! I've just added an mp3 player to my website so everyone can hear my songs! Check it out!
Ok, this may not be a big deal to the tech heads, but I'm so not that way inclined, and so every little baby step I take on my own website is a huge accomplishment for me!

I've only got Gigolo on there at the moment, but I'm working on a new one called The Moth and The Flame. Sounds deep, huh? Well, I don't go in for too much cheese but it's nice to have a soulful number in there as well. It's been a bit frustrating to tell the truth, as I just didn't like the sound I was getting last night as I was recording it, but listening to it again after a good night's sleep, it didn't seem that bad...don't try to record when you're grumpy. Stay tuned for that one in a few days' time!

How to get nothing done.

2008-06-30T22:59:00.005+01:00

So my "new" guitar arrived today... it's such a gamble buying anything like this on ebay, and until I get a new set of strings tomorrow, I won't know if it's paid off. It's not going to win any beauty contests, but then, how many of us will?

Of course, I've been working on some new songs, instead of finishing Debbie's cushions or tackling the vast ironing pile that's turned into a pool (Taylor's been swimming in it).

Since I finished "Gigolo" I've had a couple of other tunes knocking around my head, but this weekend's convention has made me think about composing a song for all the oddly dressed brothers out there. Anyone under 50 who can wear electric blue trousers, a canary yellow jacket or a straw cowboy hat (this is England after all) deserves a bit of recognition, I think. Perhaps something called "You Workin' That Hat" or something of that ilk, suggestions are welcome! By the way, that was three different guys, not one wearing all of them - although he'd definitely deserve a song.

I don't necessarily want to become known as a purveyor of funny songs though, so I've got some more serious ones bubbling away. They seem to take months to take shape though, as I seem to have to do at least 5 things at once. Amongst others I've got one called "Wasted My Time" under way, which is apt, seeing as how I'm doing nothing but wasting my time today...maybe it's necessary to idle around if I'm going to write a song like that. How else could I make it authentic? All I know is that if I don't do my ironing now, the pile will come to life and start to write its own blog. Now that might be an interesting idea for a song...

How Retro do you go?

2008-06-24T14:37:00.001+01:00

Picked it up this morning!

It's already had one furious spray and wipe down, and the trim on the side is going to need a bit more to get up to scratch, but keeping in mind how old it is, it's in pretty good nick. I'm definitely going 50s mad this week. The only thing is, I love antiques, but I really don't love antique dirt. My own dirt is another thing altogether, somebody else's is bad enough, but somebody else's 50 year old dirt is asking a bit much. Still, it's manageable if you call it "patina" I suppose. But what's the point in having pink cutlery if you don't have a yellow table to put it on?

I seem to be slowly drifting towards yellow... See the fabric I'm making the skirt out of, the same as the bag? How can this be happening? I'm not supposed to be a yellow person, I'm really red... but I wouldn't have fallen for this table if it was any other colour! Ok, the legs will need a repaint. Maybe duckegg blue or pink, just to be odd? The yellow really doesn't match the front room but it would be perfect in the kitchen; there's just no space there though. Hey, what am I thinking? I vowed to give up two things this year:

1 - Matching, and
2 - Black shoes.

So now that the other table has been usurped, there's more space and it's definitely more cheerful. That's enough nonsense for one day I think, so I'm going to put on a pinny and a headscarf, and get down to some old fashioned housewifery after I redistribute my yellow knickknacks throughout the house.

This week's obsessions

2008-06-23T17:05:00.001+01:00

Ok, this is mostly last week's obsessions, as I haven't had enough time this week to go nuts over anything.

Thursday I fell in love with an old Laura Ashley 80s bridesmaid-style dress in a charity shop in Tenterden. Puff sleeves, bows, sweetheart neckline... I know, it would need shortening to knee length and some real attitude to carry it off, but I had to try it on. Once it was on, though, it was lovely in a 50s housewife goes to the shops kind of way, but it was difficult to move, and getting it off was another matter. I almost had to ask the shop assistant to help peel it off over my head. I did manage it in the end, but I had to leave it behind... never could've lost the necessary 2 pounds for it to fit in a week before the convention.

I heard Walk the Line on the radio, and as it's probably one of the coolest songs ever I had to learn it! It's got killer key changes and a classic bass line. Too much guitar playing has its drawbacks though, and I could really feel the effects in my right shoulderblade by Friday, so I knocked that on the head for 2 days...

The sewing machine took over this weekend, and the skirt was duly cut out of the duvet cover, and I found a perfect zip for it! It may very well become a range as there's enough for a few in different sizes, and I've already made a cute handbag out of it. I think I may just make some larger bags in it, as I'm unsure how well skirts will go with the size issue. (As soon as you make one size, someone comes along and wants a bigger one, and vice versa) In the end I had to let common sense take over and start making Debbie's cushions, and as soon as I sat down to it, I was back in cushion mode automatically. I'm very fickle.

Today was different - no time for cushions, skirts or guitar. Took Debbie to the Antiques Barn to have a quick browse and insert some new bags, and there it was: my new table. Yellow formica top, skinny Jetsons type legs, around 1950s... Love at first sight! So the dining table's going on ebay yet again, and my new old table will be joining me at home tomorrow. It's a bit dangerous doing business there, far too much temptation!