Clothes Show Live 2011

Back from a great day at Clothes Show Live in Birmingham. I was volunteering at the Sknitch stand, teaching people the basics of knitting. Great fun! Enjoyed looking round the vintage and crafting stalls and even had time for a bit of a vintage makeover. Here's me with 1940s victory rolls in the vintage hair salon.

Morsbags Fever!

I ought to mention that I have bitten by the Morsbags bug and have just passed the 100 bags mark! If you don't know what I'm on about, read on......

Bags and bags of Morsbags!

Morsbags is a global initiative where individuals and groups (called 'pods') make eco-friendly shopping bags from unwanted, donated fabrics and distribute them to unsuspecting shoppers, thus eliminating literally millions of nasty plastic bags which would otherwise damage the environment.

I was first introduced to Morsbags when I worked for the BBC and was given a lovely retro yellow bag which I still use today. I then met a wonderful woman called Rosie who co-ordinates Morsbags in Leicestershire and have recently set up my own pod (it's just me at the moment!) called Whetstone Whales. In the last three months, I've made over 100 cotton bags from old curtains, off cuts and pillow cases and given them away to people as diverse as shoppers at the Leicester Vintage Festival, members of the Market Harborough Mothers' Union and knitters at my local cafe. I've also met some lovely people, in particular those who came along to our Pop Up Shop at Fabrika Leicester.

Fun with fabric at Fabrika!

It's great fun making a bag for yourself and is so quick (20 mins average) and really satisfying, plus I'm getting to grips with my sewing machine. Why not take a look at the website (www.morsbags.com) and look out for upcoming events in your area. The only drawback is I now have more bags than I will ever need or use......!!!

Vintage TV Highlights

Wow, there are so many amazing TV series on at the moment featuring great vintage style. Mildred Pierce on Sky Atlantic is my favourite - Kate Winslet looks stunning as the go-getting 1930s single mom. Plus I love her kitchen! Hoping to decorate mine in a similar way soon....

Good old BBC2 is providing more vintage fashion fixes too. Wartime drama The Night Watch had some fantastic World War Two style with Anna Maxwell Martin looking rather more masculine than in South Riding (see earlier post below). Tonight sees the start of the 'British Mad Men', The Hour, set in a 1950s BBC TV newsroom. Here's the Guardian's take on its retro fashion.

The Vintage Fair, Leicester Cathedral

I had a great time at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday at the Vintage Fair. I am still searching for inspiration for my own vintage business so was a visitor rather than a stallholder. There were lots of fantastic stalls, fabulous clothes and accessories, gorgeous tea sets and kitchenalia and a lovely vintage tea party set up by Vintage Glamour Days. Looking forward to the next one in October!

Latest additions......

So I've been collecting lots of vintage goodies on my travels and I'm ready to go! I'm now on the lookout for vintage fairs, craft markets and other happenings to set up my stall and sell my wares. Watch this space.....

Lucy in Disguise

I'll definitely be tuning into Channel 4 next week for Riches to Rags, a documentary on Lily Allen's new venture, Lucy In Disguise, a vintage shop in London she has set up with her sister. I heard about this last year around the time of Vintage at Goodwood and can't wait to see it. The website is great - will have to pop in next time I'm in the capital.

Vintage style in South Riding

Just wanted to comment on the BBC's adaptation of South Riding which ended on Sunday with much tragedy and trauma - but some wonderful vintage style! Anna Maxwell Martin as Sarah Burton wore some fabulous 30s outfits throughout and I particularly loved the knitwear, with the neat little jumpers and knitted berets worn by young Midge. Perfect Sunday night viewing!