Well, it's been a long time since I lasted posted on 'I Love Denim'. Many changes have taken place and sad things have happened. But I'm hoping that now I'll be able to settle back into a routine of sorts and start making again.
At the end of July I moved out of my studio, it wasn't easy but we knew it would happen sooner or later. Our landlord is planning to develop the building so I obliged by packing up. Here is the empty studio, ah well I had nearly ten good years there!
So I now have a 'Sewing Room' at home.
Thanks for putting in my computer table Rob!
It's a fresh start, I'm excited and nervous at the same time! My plan is to pick up on the miniature patch work I started a while back. Although I still love denim, I have stopped working with it as working with such tough fabric has taken it's toll on my shoulders and back. Instead I'm using dress weight fabrics that have been worn, loved and washed to a lovely softness.
And we're off! Yes, the car boot sale season has started and we began by going to two car boots in East Sussex The first was behind 'The Cock' pub in Peasmarsh, it gets the prize for being the smallest car boot sale I've ever been to! It had four tables! Mind you I did manage to buy a set of drinking glasses with the words 'Gotta Lotta Bottle' printed on the side. If you're my age you may remember the drink milk campaign with the catchy song……….
And in complete contrast the next sale in Icklesham was ginormous, it must have had about 80 -100 tables. The other half managed to get some tiny railway/sign metal miniatures and Samuel Pepys' diaries. I got a bundle of denim and from one table I bought the above, some sewing knick-knacks - a huge box of pins, a stitch ripper, needles and a pair of buttonhole cutters.
Here it is at last, my very own website! You'll be able to access the blog, Etsy shop and see my gallery of work which I'll be updating on a regular basis. I hope you like it!
I went back to Birmingham at the weekend to see the folks. You could've bowled me over when I saw this 'pop man' and his van, I can't believe they are still going. When I was a child there were many people who sold their wares from door to door - the coal man, the chip man, the veg man and of course the pop man. Back then we called any sort of fizzy drink 'pop' (soda) including, cherryade, limeade, dandelion & burdock and other sugary delights, hence the pop man tag. This was a treat that other families had delivered weekly to their doorsteps, we had a bright orange squash called 'Treetop' from the Co-op as our flavoured drink! I'm surprised that I have any teeth left!
Last summer I went along with the other half to a wonderful evening party held at one of my favourite spots - Chelsea Physic Garden, hosted by Brunswick. I felt very meek as every person there was at the top of their profession, people working in business, charities, communications and so on. I felt slightly sheepish when I told the party goers that I was a toy maker, but I needn't have worried because they were interested in what I do. The lovely Frank who organised the event was so warm and welcoming, he took care of me and Rob all evening, he even took one of my cards! A few weeks before Christmas I received an email from Frank's P.A Naomi inviting me to show my work at their work place in Lincoln's Inn Fields, I was mighty surprised and was considering not going as I'm a bit shy, but talking to the other half and to friends made me realise I could only gain by it, so with the help of Naomi a date was set in December. I'm so glad that I agreed to visit as I had a great afternoon. I took a selection of the things that I make, together with a page explaining and what I do. I set up in a lovely room that looked out onto Lincoln Inn's Field, I'm afraid my photo doesn't do it justice! People came in ones and two's to look at my work and have a chat, some people even bought a few things! Everyone was positive and incredibly friendly - I made a mental note of all the good things that were said. It was a real boost to my confidence in my work. Thank you Frank and Naomi and thank you Brunswick People! Here's a coincidence - I was born and brought up in Brunswick Road in Birmingham!
I told my eldest girl (now a woman!) that I was having a sort out at my studio and was going to unstuff the toys that no one would ever want to have, a kind of recycling. She was horrified and reminded me that there was no such thing as a reject - mum, don't you remember the Raggy Dolls?! Well shame on me, I had infact for a brief moment of blind madness forgotten that tv cartoon series from our daughters' childhood which had a great theme tune, and by the magic of You Tube and so that I will never forget, here is 'The Raggy Dolls'....
And if you'd like to sing along here are the words..........
Opening theme tune lyrics: It’s not much of a life when you’re just a pretty face, Just to be whoever you are is no disgrace, Don’t be scared if you don’t fit in… Look who’s in the reject bin! It’s the Raggy Dolls (Raggy Dolls!), Raggy Dolls (Raggy Dolls!), Dolls like you and me, Raggy Dolls (Raggy Dolls!), Raggy Dolls (Raggy Dolls!) Made imperfectly! So if you got a bump on your nose or a lump on your toes, do not despair, Be like the Raggy Dolls, and say I just don’t care, ‘Cause Raggy Dolls (Raggy Dolls!), Raggy Dolls (Raggy Dolls!), Are happy just to be, Raggy Dolls, Raggy Dolls, Dolls like you and me!
Closing theme tune lyrics: It’s not much of a life when you’re just a pretty face, Just to be whoever you are is no disgrace, Look around and you will find, People of every kind! Like the Raggy Dolls (Raggy Dolls!), Raggy Dolls (Raggy Dolls!), Dolls like you and me, Raggy Dolls (Raggy Dolls!), Raggy Dolls made imperfectly, So if you’re not at ease with your knobbly knees and your fingers are all thumbs, Stand on your two left feet and join our raggy doll chums! ‘Cause raggy dolls, raggy dolls Are happy just to be, Raggy dolls, raggy dolls, Dolls like you and me!
And waiting at my studio is a big bag full of 'Sad Sacks, Hi-Fis, Lucys, Claudes, Back-To-Fronts, Ragamuffins........... which like all other toys I'm told, come to life when you leave the room!
I had such a good time this morning. I was playing like a child with this great printing set! I re-cut my old bear head out of a rubber and arranged some tiny little rubber letters to create a new stamp for my goods.....
I love the Olympics - the opening and closing ceremonies, the world getting together, everyone trying their best, the handmade posters and flags, I find it all very uplifting. But I hate the way that the Olympic Rings have become 'untouchable', our natural desire to do our own versions of the world famous flag have been stamped on by the authorities and the 'official sponsors'. Schools, small business and individuals have been deprived of the chance to take part, if only in a small way, in an event that surely is meant for one and all. But here and there if you look closely you see signs of rebellion like this display in a haberdashery shop - Yay! That's the spirit, you can't take those rings away from us!
I've been having a break from sewing for the past week or so, imposed by my physiotherapist. Apparently I've been giving my neck a bit of a rough ride and I also have a frozen shoulder (ouch!), so for the time being my sewing projects are on hold until my neck calms down....oh noooooo
NEW BLOG NEWS!!!!
I've started up a new blog, I hope you like it, it's just a little bit of fun, might be a disaster - but no harm in trying!
I met my other half, Rob, over thirty years ago now. Somehow he has managed to hold on to the above photo from the last century! He created this piece for Elle magazine (July issue) they wanted something on 'Love & Fashion', I just want to say - thank you my darling! X
Last weekend we visited Great Dixter Gardensin East Sussex, we caught the end of the lovely snowdrops display and walked around the fabulous topiary - check out those peacocks!
I've started planting seeds as you can see above, thought I'd try them in toilet rolls (I knew they'd come in handy for something useful!). Hopefully they'll grow into nasturtiums, my other half's favourite flower - I will keep you posted!
