Fungi Fun!

The dye pots have been out again and this time we have a perfect excuse (not that we need one!) as we have been dyeing all sorts of textiles for Jane Southgate to use in her artwork.
Sam whose alter ego is Peg the Dyer at Kentwell Hall has been leading the dyeing and working with Jane to get the correct colours. We love to dye with plants at HH and are particularly fond of the purple feather reed heads that grow around here. They are ready to use in the summer but the season is so short that we have been experimenting with drying and freezing the heads so that we can dye with them all through the winter too!

The dyebath made from the reed heads looks just like Ribena!
We are extremely proud to be sponsoring Jane's latest projects at Thornham Walks and Lackford Lakes in Suffolk but we made it clear from the start that we would expect her to join in when we came to dye the yarns and fabrics...

Here she is supervising the madder dye bath, that fleece hanging on the line behind her is from the Gedgrave Flock www.gedgrave-wensleydales.blogspot.com a lovely curly fleece!

Even though the reed head dye bath is the colour of Ribena the shade you get at the end is this - actually my camera struggles with this and it's much greener in real life!

As well as the fleece and yarns from the Gedgrave sheep Jane is also making good use of the Colinette 'Point 5' yarn that we sell at Halfpenny Home and this is the shade 'Turquoise'. I'm pretty sure that it's not what the Colinette designers would have expected their gorgeous hand dyed yarn to be used for...

Jane is planning to make a hundred of these...can you imagine them all swaying in the breeze? The star of the show (so far) for me has to be this bracket fungus, the bottom part has been dyed with woad and the curly lid is the fleece that we dyed with madder. Everyone who meets it wants to hug it!

Jane is using natural fibres only as the artworks will stay in situ for a year while nature does it's own recycling...

The moss which is knitted in moss stitch!

Mushrooms!

The mushrooms knitted with Colinette 'Skye' in the colourway 'Star Anise', lovely! Jane wants us all to knit a mushroom for this and has written a pattern for them, so if you would like to knit one let us know and we'll send the pattern, yarn (and if you need them, some double pointed needles!) to you.

Drapery Hardware Jackpot!

I feel like I won the lottery – well almost! In my search for curtain fabric and hardware for my newly painted (formerly red) room, I came across a terrific bargain at Calico Corners.

As most of you are probably aware, many Calico Corners stores no longer carry large bolts of fabric. They have small bolts from which samples can be cut but you can’t take yardage of fabric home – everything has to be ordered. Based on my recent visit, I am guessing they are applying this same philosophy to their drapery hardware selection as well.

In order to clear out inventory, my local CC store had all drapery hardware on sale for 75% off.

Yes, this included the Antique Drapery Rod Company products – one of my very favorite brands. If you are familiar with this company you know their products are beautiful but a bit on the pricey side.

2" Acanthus Ball Finial

Since I have four windows in my room, I figured there was no way I would find enough of everything to outfit each window. However, luck was with me and I was able to piece together four components of everything I needed to dress my windows at clearance prices except for two sets of finials and the curtain rings.

1 3/4" Fluted Rod

The pieces are the same but the finishes are not. Not a problem as my plan is to paint everything white – probably with a glaze to add some depth. When I am finished no one will know the difference!

Bracket

So what was my total cost? For four sets of brackets, four fluted rods and four sets of acanthus ball finials I paid $160. This includes having to order two sets of finials at full price of $38 each. I have to say I was so elated to have saved about $300.

The next step is finalizing the curtain fabric. I have narrowed my choices down to two options and will share them with you soon. I also have a quick tutorial planned on how to hang drapery hardware.

Linking up to some of my favorite parties HERE.

A Tour of My Family's Home Office

Several months ago, I participated in Remodelaholic's virtual house tour series in which I shared my family's home office.  Since I have not shown this space on Red Door Home before and because many of you might have missed the original guest post, I thought it might be fun to republish one of my favorite and most used spaces in my house
.

Originally my daughter’s nursery, my family's home office is probably the most personal area in our home. It is here we display pictures, artwork, and mementos from vacations. It is also a space which houses several items with sentimental meaning.

One of my favorite features is the bulletin board showcasing my collection of vintage earrings, pins and shoe clips. My Grandmother loved this type of jewelry and several of the pieces belonged to her. If you look closely at the second picture you can see I collected initial pins spelling “Red Door Home.”

Another favorite feature is the capiz shell light. Purchased on line from Target, it adds an unexpected modern touch to what is a fairly traditional space.

Our family office is a room that has been decorated over time mostly by repainting, reusing and repurposing. The desk is a hand-me-down which I painted and glazed. The chair is a roadside find, which I finished to match the desk. The shelf and bulletin board are new purchases, also painted to look old.

Other painting projects in this room include the lamp (originally brass), the mirror (originally gold leaf), the stool (painted and recovered with vintage feed sack material) and the wainscoting which my husband and I installed. The small trunk is a flea market find and is used for storing papers, magazines, supplies, etc.

Although a majority of the time spent in this room is at the computer, the focal point is the antique Swedish settee. Years ago, I purchased it to go at the end of our bed. After getting it home I realized it was too big and it ended up in the office instead – lucky mistake! Another hand-me-down is the coffee table. It too belonged to my Grandmother. On top of the table sits a child’s chair from a favorite local shop and a pitcher which belonged to a childhood neighbor.

The final piece of furniture in the office is the bookcase. When I purchased it, I was looking for something with display space and filing space. Although it does fit perfectly and is a nice piece of furniture, part of me wishes I had waited to find an older piece.

As you can see, the furnishings and accessories in my family’s office have come from a wide variety of sources. It is a room that has evolved over time and is now filled with many wonderful memories. I guess if you are patient and use what you love somehow everything will work together!

While the cat's away.....

I was really sad to have missed the inaugural Humble Jumble, due to a pre-planned "glamping" expedition to North Norfolk, more of which to follow another day! Our lovely friend Beth had taken on role of chief Humble Jumble organiser and what a fab job she did! Here is her account (accompanied by lots of lovely pictorial evidence) of the first ever Humble Jumble....

"We knew as soon as we saw it that the Ark would be the perfect spot for Humble Jumble. Seeing it full of beautifully laid out tables and decked in bunting was pretty exciting come Saturday morning.
We hosted six stall holders, who between them offered a wonderful mix of old, new and handmade goodies. Sam was there with her brilliant pic n mix bunting and traditionally felted accessories.


Claire was there with her beautiful hand made jewellery and Marion had a table full of lovingly crafted bits from toys to gorgeous pincushions and delicious preserves and brownies. The Scoffin ladies were as popular as ever with their amazing baked goods, cheese scones and mini carrot loaf cakes in particular flying out the hatch!

Everybody had some jumble too, from lovely toys and clothes, to vintage plates and homeware from the brilliantly named "Rumble in the Jumble"!

The first visitor came through the doors at 11am and we had a steady stream of visitors for the rest of the day....although we took advantage of the lunchtime lull to keep up our energy levels with some tea and Scoffin for ourselves!

Nicola brought Halfpenny Home to us at 2pm, with a bowlful of lovely pastel balls of wool in order to teach a granny square crochet class in the lounge. The sight of everyone getting crafty whilst sat in the afternoon sunshine was definitely a high-point, and a lovely, lovely way to round off the day.

Everyone seemed to have a good time, and the good news is that the stalls are already filling up for the next one, which I for one, am already getting excited about".

Roll on 16th October when Humble Jumble rumbles into Needham Market again!

This time I shall not be missing out!

Jacqui x

DARE TO DREAM

In 2007, after visiting my shop, a well-respected fellow antiques dealer planted a seed in my brain. She said, "You need to be selling in Texas at Marburger Farms". I was familiar with the show, having read about it in Country Living magazine during the Nancy Soriano days. I knew it was the big~time. Dare I dream that I could swim in this pool?

Well, fast forward to early 2008 and there I was heading to Texas to sell at Marburger for the first time. My look has evolved since then from primitive country to what I call French farmhouse. It feels really good to have my wares reflect my personal aesthetic and to have a true vibe. I've come a long way since my humble beginnings in this biz.

We're heading off tomorrow for the show and I am still pinching myself that it's really time to go. I hope you will stop by and see what's new in the land of PEA. Don't forget we are open late on opening day til 7 and Carolyn Westbrook will be doing a book signing at Marburger for her newest offering. I for one can't wait to get my hands on it. There's also a bar at the show should you require a libation after a long day of shopping.

This is it til we return, but keep your eyes peeled for my posts about the show and all the jaw~dropping pics that I'll be snapping. Pure eye candy.

SWEET PEA HOME AT MARBURGER FARMS
TENT H BOOTH 14

OPENING DAY TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 28TH
10 AM TIL 7 PM

THE WOW FACTOR

I'm a firm believer in the wow factor...

When I gutted and re~designed my shop I looked long and hard for the right elements to convey this feeling...

I wanted something very special as the focal point when you entered the shop. I searched high and low... And then...

I discovered this fabulous twig chandelier hand~made by WISH DESIGNS... 48" tall by 48" wide and hand~made from briarwood branches. It is perfection...

And now it could be yours.

After much consideration, it had been loaded onto the trailer and will be the WOW FACTOR in my booth at MARBURGER FARMS.

Humble Jumble preparations...

I've been busy making bunting for the Humble Jumble tomorrow, I thought that polka dots in red and blue would suit the Ark perfectly!

Humble Jumble is a lively mix of jumble, craft and cakes!

We are so pleased to be holding them at the Ark which is the Church Hall for St. John's Church in Needham Market and are looking forward to seeing some Halfpenny Home regulars there tomorrow.

Scoffin' will be there with their very lovely cakes, entry is a pound but that includes a cuppa!

Sam will be there with her pick'n'mix bunting, she will also have some of the felt goodies from Ericka Eckles on her stall...

These little nests arrived today, Lisa from Ericka Eckles has made Autumn versions with Autumnal coloured leaves! The little nests are for her gorgeous bird brooches, they can nestle in them when they are not busy adorning your coat.

The birds are so sweet and they are all handsewn and made from wool felt in beautiful colours.

Hope you like them as much as I do, Nic x

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME

It's official...

In one week Mr. Sweet Pea and I will be chillin' in our new accomodations in Texas...

We will have made a trip to the supermarket. I will have spread the ridiculous amount of clothing I take each time all over the place. He will be going through withdrawal as there is no television where we are staying...

It will be the first day of the most ridiculously fun thing we do all year...

We will see all our peeps. We will make new peeps...

We will send a whole bunch of fabulous treasures off to new homes. I will find some new ones for ours...

He will be happy in the land of meat. I will go well stocked with plenty of vegan food to eat. This is the land of meat folks. I don't begrudge anyone that. I learned the hard way to be prepared. When we went to West Virginia for Mr. SP's family reunion we ventured to Kroger looking for vegan fare and the nice man sporting the very bad toupee (who graduated from high school with mr. sp) showed me right to a stack of veggie burgers that were the only vegan or vegetarian thing they had. I understand. The last trip to Texas we stayed in a motel and had to eat out every meal. You can't imagine my joy at finding a place with a portobello burger on the menu after eating a baked potato and side salad for over a week. Thank heaven we have a place with a kitchen this time...

We look forward to meeting you at Marburger. Don't forget we have late shopping til 7pm on opening day. We'll be serving wine and big smiles...

COME TO THE LAND OF SWEET PEA AT MARBURGER FARMS

TENT H BOOTH 14

A day of pleasant presents!

I finished the new bunting for my bike, it flaps around quite happily!

The new skull and crossbones fabric is irresistable, I had to make something with it and the black and white gingham is just the thing to go with it.

Poor old bike has to stand outside Halfpenny Home in all weathers and he's looking his age - 84!

I had a visit from our next door neighbour who is never far from her preserving pan at this time of year, she's used one of our new Christmas fabrics to top her jars of mincemeat. The other preserves Jo makes get to wear gingham...

Non-crafty people may find it hard to get excited about a delivery of ragrug hooks but we did! We've not had any of these in for ages and now more than ever people are eager to learn this most thrifty of crafts, ragrugs are made with old rags that are of no further use and these are transformed into pieces of textile art using very simple techniques and tools!

The best surprise today was the parcel that arrived from www.mimiandtilly.blogspot.com these beautiful earrings! They are so lovely and made from old chandelier drops - nice recycling!

Thank you so much, what a treat. The box is a beautiful colour too! Nic x

Like Finding an Old Friend

I was looking through the real estate section of our local newspaper the other day and came across a house listing which is near and dear to my heart.

Not only is the outside architecture of this house strikingly similar to my house, but the inside holds a special connection as well.

You see, this beautiful property’s owner was one of my very first clients. We met by chance at the fabric store – Calico Corners I believe. We both seemed to be gravitating to the same fabrics and struck up a conversation while we were shopping. It turned out she was looking to have window treatments, bedding, shower curtains, and pillows made for her newly purchased house and I had just decided to start my sewing business. A perfect match!

Imagine my surprise when I visited the online listing and found most of the things I had made almost seven years ago were still there. Here are a few of the photos in which you can see some of the things I created:

Just like finding and reconnecting with an old friend, it was such a treat for me to find this listing. It reminded me of how far I have come, how my style has evolved, and how much fun this whole process has been.

The fact a chance meeting in a fabric store would give me the courage to pursue a passion and lead me to where I am today, still amazes me. This first job was one of those coincidental moments I feel was meant to be - someone was looking over me, telling me to forget my insecurities and just go for it.

So, where did your story begin? What did it take for you to start your business or blog? Each of us has a story to tell. I would love to hear yours!