Here's another one of those gorgeous knitted outfits from the 1970's 'Pattern Knits' magazine. I love these culottes, makes me wish I knew how to knit! And aren't those great poses, you couldn't mistake this look for anything other than the 70's could you!
While in my local charity shop I came across a fabulous vintage 1970's magazine called 'Pattern Knits'; there are some really great retro knitted pattern designs in there which I just have to share! This little lemon number is one of my faves and I will definately be posting more from the magazine over the next few weeks. Enjoy!
On Saturday 21st November, I will be running a vintage bead jewellery course at 'The Spring' in Havant, Hampshire - you can book a place by calling 02392 472700. Participants are encouraged to bring their own old beads which will then re-created into something fabulous! We will be focusing on learning how to make some simple wired loops; the key skill needed to make gorgeous cluster & charm necklaces and bracelets. These pics are of last years students modelling their creations! It's a really good day where you get to meet new people, learn a new skill and get lots of inspiration to make your own jewellery!
A little while ago I decided I wanted to make some jewellery with the theme of Henry VIII's wives. So I thought it was time to do a bit of research as I realised that all I really knew about these women was their fates - divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. So, I searched my bookshelves and found this book by Antonia Fraser (one of those charity shop 50p buys that I thought 'hmm, that might be interesting', then it sat on the shelves gathering dust for years!). Anyway, it's turned out to be quite an enjoyable read after all and I can't put it down! It's full of betrayal, love, submission, death, romance, lust (and a fat old man who can't keep it to himself!). What I like though, is the fact it's more about the lives of his wives and they're personalities and interests. I'm already feeling inspired with this new knowledge to go create some hopefully interesting pieces in time for Valentine's Day!
A friend of mine loves my rock buns and keeps asking for the recipe! So I thought I would share it on my blog so even more people can enjoy them! It's the simplest cake recipe in the world, you don't have to be exact, as they are meant to be rustic and you'll be chuffed when they turn out perfectly each time! I personally love home baking and this one is reminiscent of my childhood cooking lessons at school! This pic is of some I made with my 2 year old daughter at the weekend, who just loves making a baking mess with Mum!
Ingredients
225g / 8oz self raising flour,
100g / 4oz butter,
75g / 30z caster sugar,
100g / 4oz mixed dried fruit of choice,
1 beaten egg,
2-4 tsp milk
Method
1. Put flour in a bowl,
2. Rub butter into flour with fingertips to make breadcrumbs,
3. Add sugar and fruit,
4. Mix to a very stiff batter with beaten egg,
5. Add milk to desired concistency,
6. Place approx 1o spoonfuls on a well greased baking tray, laving room in between as they tend to spread,
7. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200 deg c or gas mark 6 for about 15-20 until golden,
8. Cool on a wire rack,
9. Enjoy with a good cuppa or a glass of milk for the kids!
In a recent previous post, you may remember I showed you a picture of my 'Enchantment' mood board? Well, I have also started another one called 'Autumn Rose' and have now designed a few pieces for the beginnings of the collection. This necklace has a combination of vintage mother of pearl circular pendants, a couple of vintage faux pearls and reproduction antique gold butterflies and findings. I really liked the idea of having the clasp at the side of the piece - so that it becomes a feature of the design instead of being hidden at the back! I am pleased to say that it has already been moved on to a new home! I may well make another one if there is the interest! 
My husband is re-training to become an electrician and PAT tester, and asked if I would help design his website! Goodness me, it's alot harder than I thought. I started by looking at other electrician's sites and they are so dull! Maybe it's just because i've been so used to looking at lots of lovely craft sites which are all creative that they seem extremley boring! Anyway, I thought I might try and make it a litle more fun and upon doing more research, have come across some funny signs from Retro Planet, which have helped the inspiration (a bit!)....
Here are a couple of really simple but effective bangles I created using good old memory wire! They always seem to be popular when I make them. The one huge benefit of making them like this is that memory wire fits all sized wrists. If you're new to beading and jewellery making, why not give this one a go yourself? All you need is some memory wire, round nose pliers, a little bit of creative juice and some fab old beads dug out from Grandma's old jewellery box, and you're away! Leave me a comment if you've been inspired to make one and I will post a pic of it on here! So what you waiting for?? Off ya go!
I couldn't resist posting these little 'turn back the clock' cufflinks today because here in the UK, our clocks went back an hour this weekend. I hope those who remembered to put them back had a good sleep in! But to those who have little children, if you're like me, you probably didn't get that extra time. In fact, my husband and I decided that we'd stay up an hour later, stupidly not realising the little monkeys would be up an hour earlier, therefore we actually lost an hour, how silly are we!! Anyway, back to the cufflinks.....these have been made from original 1970's blank links which i've combined with some vintage-style ceramic clock faces. They have a really stylish and nostalgic air about them and would make a fab christmas gift; currently available to buy on my vintage inspired jewellery website.
Today I drew this rough sketch of a little jewellery idea I had in my mind for a while. I knew I wanted it to be a woodland inspired piece with trees, leaves, shadows, I even had a name - 'Autumn Abundance'. Then, horror of horrors, tonight, while browsing in a few of my art books, I found this absolutely amazing piece of jewellery by Lalique, below, made in the 1890's. I don't ever 'remember' seeing it before, but I must've done because even though my sketch is somewhat crude, there is a very striking similarity! So, is this an idea that i've stolen, and stored in my subconcious mind or have I just created something which is just simply extremley similar? Where do all our ideas come from anyway, if inspiration is taken from everything we experience it must slip in to our work somewhere. What do you all think? Do I have to shelve this idea?
If you have been following my blog, you may know that shedquarters arrived a week ago today and I have finally started to put up some inspiration boards for my new themed projects (click on the image if you want to see it in detail). I thought I would write more blog posts about my work space if you would like to see it? I personally love snooping around other people's creative zones! Anyway, here's a picture of one of my work in progress mood boards, which has the collection name 'Enchantment'. As you can probably gauge from it, this one is all about the sea! I like to make drawings, use postcards, add various beads and vintage charms, play with colour combinations, textures, sometimes even poetry and text will appear too. I use anything and everything to get inspiration from and the work eventually starts to emerge!
