One more sleep!!

So, today is Christmas Eve and I've still got presents to wrap and food to sort out - but I'm not really stressing about any of it. Christmas for me is about relaxing and enjoying yourself. We've got a very quiet day planned, just me and my husband, our gorgeous girl and my Mum. We're sure to raise a glass to my late Father, he's always in our thoughts, especially at this time of year.

I've had a fantastic 2010 watching my daughter grow and finding my crafting feet again after the initial shock of early-motherhood! The past few weeks have been pretty hectic sales wise after being featured in an Etsy finds email - there are lots of lavender owls and rabbits winging their way around the globe - hopefully all of them will be in their new homes by Christmas!

So, I just want to wish all my blog readers, customers and twitter followers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

My Etsy and Folksy stores will be closed until 1st January whilst I take a break over the festive period - see you in 2011!!

Vintage love: Christmas decorations

I'm a huge fan of nostalgia. If there's one time of year where people feel nostalgic, it's Christmas. These decorations were bought out of the loft every single year when I was growing up. The pom pom robins were made by my Mum before I was born, so they are at least 35 years old. They still look in good condition considering their age. It probably has something to do with the fact that we were under strict instructions as kids to never to touch them!

The cardboard gift boxes are also a Christmas decoration from my childhood, they are at least 30 years old. Mum would put them under the tree with gifts in. Somehow they managed to survive years of manhandling by me and my brother, eager to get at the presents inside them.

I now have the pom pom robins on display in my house in the living room and the festive boxes take pride of place on the dresser in the dining room - I think they are too delicate to put under the tree. I think it's lovely for my own daughter to see decorations from my childhood - hopefully she will love them as much as I do and maybe in a couple of years we'll have a go at making our own pom pom robins...

If you'd like to see more of my vintage finds, head on over to my Pinterest board...sharing images of my fabric collection, ceramics, childhood toys and much more...

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Vintage love: Clothkits dolls dress

We were staying at my Mum's house a couple of weeks ago and I happened to spot the dressing up bag she keeps for my seven year old niece to play with. I had a quick rummage to see if there was anything that would amuse my little girl and I spotted this Clothkits dolls dress. It took me straight back to my childhood and I had to take some photos and blog about it!



I remember my Mum making Clothkits clothes for herself and for me on many occasions in the early 1980s. A parcel would arrive and Mum would unpack the fabric which was pre-printed with the pattern. Looking back, this was probably one of the reasons (apart from the lovely designs) why the company was so popular. It meant you didn't have to faff about with paper and pins and could just get on with the cutting and sewing. I always find shop bought paper patterns a bit intimidating, so Clothkits found a gap in the market for homemade clothes, and very popular they were too.

What I used to love about Clothkits was the fact that not only did I get a new dress, but so did one of my dolls! I remember I used to dress one of my favourite rag dolls in this little number. You can't really tell from these photos, but this dress is only 10 inches long. Yet, it still packs in alot of detail for such a small dress: a sweet little pocket; lining inside the yoke; and a pretty pattern on the needlecord which is different back and front.







My Mum kindly tracked down a photo of me wearing the full size version - I loved that dress! this photo was taken at Christmas time in 1980, I was four years old.



My Mum's also had some amazing Clothkits puppets at her place, I have taken some photos and will blog about them soon!