Winter time is the best time on our sofa

The clocks have gone back, the fires lit, there's a chill outside and everyone in the house is on the sofa, this is winter at its best.

I never complain about winter and the cold cause it's such a special time in our house, our cat loses her attitude and tolerates the dogs in order to join in on the sofa where life is good. Generally Sunday afternoons are about roasts and afternoon naps where the house is dark when you wake up and you have to stagger around flicking light switches while still half asleep. The dogs tuck right into your sides and the cat waits impatiently for us to settle so she can climb on one of our laps and sleep, for obvious reasons this never happens in summer but I wish it would.

Vintage Repairs

Of the varied bits of work that make their way through my studio, one of my favourites are the vintage dresses, not only does it give me a chance to breathe new life into them, but I get a chance to have a close-up look at how the olds craftsmen and women of yesteryear made their clothes. Everyone has their own way of sewing up and finishing a garment and no one persons way is the right one. So while I'm replacing broken zips, letting out or taking in waists, changing hemlines and replacing lost beads, I take a good look at the construction, inside and out - it helps, not only to teach me alternative methods of construction but also to improve the methods I already have.

Some of the dresses have so much work in simple details (like the neckline pictured) it's clear that someone has sat and painstakingly sewn on beads and bindings, so as far as possible, I do the same, hand sewing delicate stitches even when I know a sewing machine would breeze right through it - it makes me feel like I'm showing some sort or respect, like I am making up for all the times I have watched designers buy vintage items only to cut them up for colour samples or tea dye them, shred them or distress them as I stood by horrified that these beautiful delicate garments that had survived for years only to be destroyed irreversibly on a whim .

Mangle Mania in Titchwell

In what seems like the worlds most unfair trade (a dozen eggs isn't anywhere near enough) these 3 beauties dropped through my door this morning. As previously blogged Amanda Colville is the very talented Print Designer behind Mangle Prints and last week over a coffee, I expressed my love of her hand-printed Christmas cards, she told me she would send me some and would only take some of the ladies eggs by way of payment.

These cards are a steal at just £2 each and are limited prints of only 50 or 100 each, so really should be framed when Christmas is over - how could you not?

Locally they are sold at Creake Abbey studios, but should you be from further afield, click on the link above and you will be taken straight to her ETSY shop where you can buy them, worth every penny!

Vin-Stitch is up and running

Slowly and steadily Vin-Stitch is taking off, as word slowly spreads and people in the area become used to the fact that this service exists, the work comes in.

As much as is humanly possible, I intend to sew on my old treadle Singer sewing machine and will be sewing by hand using couture techniques, especially when repairing and altering the vintage dresses that are making there way to my studio, it just feels right!

Chilli time!

Finally, after what seems like forever, the chillies in the greenhouse have started to turn red and are ready for harvesting. First up are the Thai Chillies and Twilights, as instructed, I have left them a couple of days so the stems can shrink and dry a little before I will hang them in ristras and put them in the lean-to, along with the garlic and onions, to finish their drying out ready for use in the cold winter months ahead. The Orange Habaneros and Paper Lanterns appear to be next, pics to follow.

Curtains to Cushions

Hidden Norfolk Talent

It's not often I meet independent artists whose talent I champion, one such person is Amanda Colville of Mangle Prints. I very kindly received a a carefully packaged bundle of hand printed bunting (pictured) after admiring it on twitter and it now hangs in our guest bedroom window where it catches the light and admiring glances from staying guests, She works from home in Kings Lynn creating all manner of hand printed items (most recently her sublime Christmas cards) Her prints are so beautiful they should be sold in Liberty and all manner of swish Department stores in fashion loving cities across the globe. How such an incredible artist can remain a 'Norfolk Secret' is a scandal, she deserves support and recognition, If you seek something so sublimely tasteful and individual, you would do well to purchase one of her pieces - or indeed her stunning bunting and Christmas Cards. 

Teddybear Sunflowers my new favourite

How could you not fall in love with these? It's like 'Van Gogh in a Vase'