Winter Wreaths

Yesterday I went in search of pine cones for my winter wreath making. If there's one place I know that's good for cones around here it's the Scots pines that stand sentinel on the tip of St. Anthony's Head.

It was a most glorious afternoon; blue sky and still air.

I found enough cones and also plenty of lichen-covered twigs that had been cut from the pathways (I never use living wood), the other essential component of my wreaths.

So much lichen growth is a good indicator of how unpolluted  the air is here, and also how moist!

Unfortunately most of the cones were pretty tightly closed, so I shall have to wait until they open up and shed their seeds before I can wire them onto my wreaths.

I use a thick, sturdy galvanised wire to make the initial ring, and then with a more supple wire take each smallish section of twig and gently secure it in place by winding the wire around the twig and the ring.

In this one I'm just starting to add some pine cones, and I've already twisted in some gold coloured beads on wires.

 Some everlasting flowers also make a nice edition.

Two wreaths completed, in which I have added a couple of chandelier drops to hang down in the centre. Making a wreath with natural but dried materials like this means that they can be used year after year!

It was a bit wild in Portscatho today.....

but all was nice and cosy inside The Sea Garden. Lots of families came in with children bundled up in hats and coats; one little girl asked me if she could help make a bracelet, so for the next ten minutes she patiently threaded on one bead after another until Mum said it was time to go.

A recent find; some Enid Blyton books from 1950/51, bringing back happy memories of childhood for people of a certain age. On the shelf below, a collection of the first ten 'Famous Five' adventure stories, beginning with, ' Five on a Treasure Island'. 

Some more cards I've made using the little paper ships I found at an antiques fair, with recycled bits of old maps as a background.......

A Poole Pottery coffee set designed by Robert Jefferson in 1959 called 'Pebble'

A couple of Wendy's handmade dolls; one inspired by the 80's keep fit look wearing legwarmers, and the other very smart in a dark navy jacket and pearls!

So come in and sit yourself down and chat for a while, I'm sorry I can't offer you a cup of tea (my little shop has never been connected to a water supply, probably the only property left in Portscatho without water!), and we'll listen to the waves crashing and the whistling wind outside......

xxx

Mid-Century and Vintage Fair

Button cards I've made up in readiness for the Mid-Century and Vintage Fair taking place next weekend, where Angelica and I are stalling out; should be a laugh! We've been sorting through all our vintage clothes and we'll be bringing quite a selection of mostly 40's and 50's fashion......

including these exuberant waist pinnies - they knew how to make housework fun!

Angelica made this dress above following a 1947 pattern, and used fabric from the 1950's to make it. A very easy-to wear comfortable style. 

 Some French linen chemises from an earlier time, with exquisite hand-embroidery around the neckline.

These can easily be dyed to whatever colour you fancy, and make very comfortable tops to wear over jeans or leggings. I have several of my own; in fact I'm wearing one now that I dyed palest blue!

I picked up this wonderful original late 40's drawing from a Parisian fashion house at a recent fair; the nipped in waist and the flared skirt so typical of the 'New Look' coming out then. Have any of you been watching the Amazon Original series 'The Collection' lately? It follows the story of a fictional fashion house emerging after the Second World War with just such a look. The series showcases some amazing clothes but there's also a more sinister undercurrent of dodgy goings-on behind the scenes.

 Possibly a little earlier is this ink on paper textile design that I also found recently. I love the contrast between the jet black background and the scarlet and blue flowers. Painted by a very accomplished hand, with skilled use of wet-in-wet technique where the inks bleed into each other. I have used this technique on some of my own textile designs, enjoying what happens when you drop water from a brush onto the wet ink and the colour spreads. 

 This lovely silk scarf designed by Oliver Messel to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 will be on my stand at the fair next Saturday and Sunday.

At the centre is the Royal Coronation Coach and in the four corners, the national flowers of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The Mid-Century and Vintage Fair takes place at The Bedruthan Steps Hotel at Mawgan Porth near Newquay, North Cornwall, on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October, 10am - 4pm. You can book your FREE tickets in advance by clicking here. There will be 3 floors filled with Mid-Century collectables and retro furniture, fashion, beauty, lighting, vintage homewares and items fashioned from vintage materials. You can't afford to miss it (if only to see Angelica in her 50's hat and retro glasses ha-ha!)

xxx