A right Royal celebration!

When I was very young, I was a big fan of the Royal family. One of my earliest memories is watching Charles and Diana's wedding on TV when I was 4 years old, seeing Diana waving from the coach and waving back! Mum saved all the magazines and newspaper cuttings in a scrapbook for me which is still in the loft. We even had a street party in our road - great fun. Then, as I got older, I became a Republican (thanks to my Dad's views!) and couldn't see the point of this outdated institution of snobs and 'hangers on'.

However, I think I am mellowing and becoming more of a Royalist with age! Last year, I loved watching the Royal Wedding and entered into the spirit of it by knitting William and Kate dolls! I joined the crowds in Leicester in March and caught a glimpse of the Royal party leaving the Cathedral. And now we have the build up to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and I'm getting excited. I've been making lots of bunting to decorate my house and garden. My Jubilee themed egg cosies, bunting and vintage cake stands are on sale at The Rainbow Tree. I've just ordered some Jubilee cake toppers to adorn my home made cupcakes (in Union Jack cake cases of course!). And I'm planning my vintage Jubilee outfit - with a navy polka dot dress I found at Gold Rush vintage earlier in the year! I'm still deciding whether to hop on the train to the capital on Sunday as there's a brilliant vintage event at Battersea Park and Morsbags are joining in with the Big Lunch at Greenwich - will see how this week goes.

I will be working at Whetstone Pastures Farm on Jubilee Tuesday when we'll have a fantastic Tea Party - high tea in the courtyard, home made cakes and scones, lashings of jam, strawberries and cream, a real street party atmosphere and the SLUGS ukulele group live on stage! Why not join us?

Britain's Got..... Cosies!

Long time no blog.... I've been a bit under the weather for a little while which is why things have gone quiet. I am gradually regaining my energy though and am keeping myself busy as I have got lots of things to make in time for the Jubilee! Speaking of which....

These are my latest creations - Union Jack Egg Cosies! Perfect for a Royal or Olympic themed breakfast table, these little cuties are knitted from a pattern in the May issue of Craftseller magazine. I've had great fun making them and sold my first three today to a customer at the Rainbow Tree Cafe (they are winging their way to Australia!). I am busy making more and will soon be listing them on Etsy and Folksy - they are £5 each including postage so do contact me if you'd like any!

Strictly Vintage - the video

This was filmed at the last Strictly Vintage market and I think they've done a fantastic job of promoting the atmosphere! You can briefly see some of my 'I LOVE VINTAGE' bunting near the end but sadly the rest of my stall must have been left on the cutting room floor...! Great film though - love it.

I'm having a break from Strictly Vintage but am hoping to pop in for a look round and grab some bargains on Saturday 28th April.

Happy Easter

It's Easter! I'm having a 'crafty' Easter weekend: as my birthday falls on Easter Monday, I'm getting together with friends to have a learn to crochet workshop with Lisa from Little Bird School of Stitchcraft on Saturday. We're meeting up in the rustic surroundings of Whetstone Pastures Farm and will no doubt indulge in a cream tea or two.....

UPDATE: We all had a brilliant time - here are some pics.....

PS: Some news for vintage fans in Leicester: a brand new Sue Ryder charity vintage and retro store has opened on Loseby Lane. It is a real Aladdin's Cave - and guilt free, as all proceeds got to charity! I am volunteering and it is great fun. Pop in and see us - and grab a vintage bargain!

Spring has sprung!

Wow, what absolutely brilliant weather we have been having! Let's enjoy it while it lasts..... I've taken advantage of the sunshine by getting a bit of gardening done, digging over my allotment ready to plant it up with veggies and, of course, taking Daisy and Tallulah (my dogs who this site is named after!) for some nice walks.

What better time of year to think about throwing a vintage tea party? I have been busy putting together some more vintage cake stands after the first two I made sold within seconds of putting them on my stall at last month's market! While the sun was shining, I decided to set them all out and take some photos.

Time for tea - and cakes!

Perfect for sweets and treats

They also make quirky jewellery stands!

They are all made from plates and saucers I have discovered on my travels, with some 'leftovers' from my own collection. It's great to see them being put to good use and I am really pleased with the results! Hope you like them too. The small ones are priced £8, the larger are £10 each so very reasonable. I am constantly adding to my collection of china so if you would like to place an order for a personalised cake stand, please contact me and I will source plates in a design or colour scheme of your choice.

I have also started making items ready for the Jubilee and Olympics (or, if you've seen the trailer for the brilliant 'Twenty Twelve',  perhaps we should say the 'Jubilympics'!!). As well as my red, white and blue tea cosy (perfect for a Royal street party), I have made my first batch of Jubilee mini bunting featuring Union Jacks, blue gingham and red fabric, embellished with vintage buttons (£5 for a 6 flag string of bunting). 

Don't forget: Strictly Vintage is in Leicester this SATURDAY 10am - 4pm. This month I am sharing my stall with Rachael from Cascade Boutique so come along and look at her gorgeous vintage inspired costume jewellery. A lot of it has an Alice in Wonderland theme so, along with cake stands, tea cosies and bunting, you can throw your own Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

It's that time again!