Old friends - new fabrics!

Jacqui has wanted to make a bag like my vintage rose bag with the bamboo handles for as long as I can remember! So when I found this version of the fabric in her colours we decided it was time to make one. It was also a good excuse to get Liz and Kay to join in, Liz chose this gorgeous vintage linen curtain...
It was the first time we had seen Liz since her wedding, we made her a cherry bakewell tea cosy as a wedding present, she is rather partial to them!
Of course we always have cake, usually homemade by Scoffin' but this time it had to be...




Here's Kay's bag in a 1979 Sanderson and lined in one of our new cotton poplin prints!




We've been looking forward to these polka dot fabrics for a while, aren't they fun!
There are loads of things I want to make with these two, the tiny flower print is so pretty.
Boys seem to get left out when the girls get to hang up their bunting and we've been searching for some nice non-girly fabrics to make bunting for them - I love the skull and cross bones and I'm just finishing off some bunting in it for my trade bike, he needs smartening up!
Hope you like them as much as we do, Nic x

ROCK OUT

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

One of the best things about being in Texas is rockin' out the PEARL...

MAGNOLIA PEARL that is...

You will see me head to toe in PEARL cause it just fits the vibe of the whole experience.

There is just one thing about wearing PEARL though...

You must, I repeat MUST have the right shoes... Any old shoe blows the whole look.

You've got to go really pretty and feminine or totally funky. No in between. Last fall the models were sporting old work shoes on the site and it was so fabulous and funky that I had to borrow the look.

I knew I was saving those old Nine West work shoes for a reason...

Boots are always right. Cowboy boots, Uggs, and of course you have to have a pair of rubber wellies. Rubber wellies can come in really handy besides looking cute with your PEARL.

So here are some pics of what I'll be bustin' out in at the show with my PEARL...


These Doc Martens are so over the top cute and look killer with my pantaloons.


My new wellies.


I found these adorable shorty boots with a killer ruffle at Target.


Love these boots from Simple.


Sweet flats in nubby fabric with a velvet bow.


My cowboy boots.


And here they are. My black work shoes. Lucky me, I have a pair in brown too.

SMOKE AND MIRRORS

So tomorrow marks the two week point at which this show hits the road. It's hard to believe that it's really time to head to Texas, to Marburger, to the land of all things fabulous...

I thought I would share with you what happens on the production side of whipping a booth together for us. Those of you who come to the show on opening day see the full effect or you see it in pics here on the blog. I guarantee that pics don't do it justice. It's a full four days of butt busting work to make the magic happen and we do it all for you...

DAY ONE.

We arrive at the show grounds, check in and proceed to Tent H and to our booth. After hugs, hugs and more hugs exchanged with friends we only see here we park the trailer outside the booth and get to gettin'. Step one is to set up the walls that separate our booth from our neighbors. Mr. Sweet Pea takes over here as the fence posts that the walls are wired to must be pounded into the ground with that post pounder thingy first. I take this opportunity to sneak off and nose around...

Once the posts are in place we put up the walls. Next step it to cover them with burlap or brown paper, whichever we happen to be using that show. After the walls are completed we put down the floor. Yes, we put down a "floor" at Marburger. A 20' by 20' gray tarp is anchored into the ground to keep the booth a little cleaner and more finished looking. Using the tarp has only backfired once so far when we had that little flooding problemo last fall show. Remember the soup of straw and water that sat on top of the tarp?

After the tarp is down Mr. Sweet Pea now runs all the electrical for the chandys, lamps, fans and music. Uptown huh? So of course while he's doing that I sneak off a second time... Okay I know what you're thinking. Poor Mr. SP right? Well Mr. SP has been known to sneak off after I sneak off, and well that makes for a very poor work outcome so I must be very careful to time my excursions to avoid a mutiny.

If we are lucky, and things go well we have actually gotten the large furniture off~loaded on day one as well. I'm getting tired just reading this for typos, how about you?

DAY TWO.

Day two starts with off~loading the rest of the big stuff and a few re~dos as my arrangements rarely work without a few changes. I always think I have way more space than I really do and my set~up is totally off the cuff. After we get all the main players in place we plug in the smaller pieces like suitcases, small tables and the like. Now it's starting to look like something...

We hang the chandys, well Mr. SP hangs the chandys, and I have been known to do a quick disappearing act at this time too. Must be very careful here though, as this is prime vanishing time for him...

Okay by now it's probably lunch time so we break to put the feed bag on and re~charge the batteries a bit. After lunch, we break out the totes full of smalls. I usually average twenty or so totes. This is when the look comes into focus and of course it's my favorite step. I won't get them all unloaded, but will put a major dent in them.

Quittin' time folks. Time to head to Leftover's.

DAY THREE.

Okay so today is dedicated to unpacking the rest of the smalls and finding the perfect home for them. I usually am able to place them without much fuss as I buy with a particular look in mind and it all meshes pretty seamlessly. Because we are in the home stretch, the mood of this day is much more easy~going and free~form but still with our eyes on the prize if you will. Mr. SP usually wanders about or lends a helping hand where needed as this stage is my baby.

By the end of day three we are in great shape and usually only have fluffing and zhushing to do on day four.

Off to the blogger party in Warrenton at Garden Antqs Vintage...

DAY FOUR.

Okay here it is. The day before we open... Giddy with anticipation, I primp the booth and get it ready for pics. It's a light day for sure, but we have worked our butts off to get to this point and I hope it shows. I plug in some plants and flowers to add some ambience and we call it a day.

And that's a wrap as they say...

Bye Bye Red Room

I took advantage of the long holiday weekend to begin my red room makeover project. The first step in this transformation is of course painting.

We emptied most everything out of the room, covered what was left in plastic and then filled and sanded all the holes in the walls.

I gathered the painting crew and we began by priming. The people at Sherwin Williams recommended using drywall primer followed by two coats of paint. The primer was definitely thinner than other paint I have used but seemed to do the job.

Once the primer dried it was on to the paint. I decided to use my favorite wall color which also happens to be the same color as the rest of my house – SW Aria Ivory. (Yes, this is the same color Miss Mustard Seed painted her dining room. Click HERE to read more about Aria Ivory and the color connection we share.) I know some of you might be disappointed I did not choose to a “different color” but I decided to go with something that has stood the test of time for me.

So here is a reminder of what the room looked like before:

This is what the room looks like now:

It is a big change with just a coat of paint - so much brighter and lighter. The room feels like a much happier space and has a definite Scandinavian vibe to it now. I am truly pleased with the progress already.

Gone are the dark red valences along with the skirted table, brass lamps and most of the accessories. I would like to replace the coffee table at some point but until I find something else it will have to stay.

Next up is window treatments to which there are two components – fabric and hardware.

I plan to visit fabric stores this week along with searching the internet to see what I can find. (If you have any great sources please let me know.) I am leaning towards simple panels with perhaps some sort of decorative edging. Having no real plan, this of course is all subject to change if I come across a patterned fabric that I fall head over heels for!

Then there is the window hardware. With so many choices – wrought iron, wood, painted, etc. – it is hard to know where to begin. I want something simple and in keeping with the style of the room. With four windows, cost is also a big consideration.

So wish me luck. For me, this is the most fun part of the project. I am what some might call a “fabricaholic.” I can spend days looking at fabric and will take my time before making my final decision.

Linking up to some of my favorite parties HERE

A Day at the Beach!

It's been a hectic few days! We've been out on location with Gavin, taking shots for our book at a beautiful location just outside Ipswich. We were privileged to have been given access to this idyllic spot on the river by Sam's relations. And to top it all, the weather was just perfect.

Of course, we had to take a picnic! Nic made her famous homemade scotch eggs and also brought grapes from her allotment no less! There was Scoffin's lemon drizzle cake, which was very lemony indeed and Sam's relations kept us topped up with mugs of tea too!

We were dyeing woad on the beach and in between taking shots for the book, Sam even had Gavin help her skein some yarn for the next shot!

It was a beautiful evening with the light changing constantly. Here's Nic having a quiet moment of contemplation!

The sunset was absolutely stunning - we didn't leave the beach until dark, making the absolute most of our time in such a wonderful location. We can't wait to see the images Gavin has taken for the book!

Jacqui x

IN THREE WEEKS...

I will be in Texas.

In three weeks, I will be in Texas...

IN

THREE

WEEKS

I

WILL

BE

IN

TEXAS.

Pinching myself. Can't wait.

Please come by my booth at Marburger and say hello. Tent H Booth 14.

I promise it's going to be a fabulous selection of treasures. I think it gets better and better. Lots of French farmhouse goods, lots of white, a feeling of fall...

And great news for everyone coming out on opening day...

WE ARE OPEN TWO EXTRA HOURS UNTIL 7PM...

Humble Jumble!

We've decided at Halfpenny Home that it's high time the humble jumble sale was revived! Who doesn't love a good old rummage in the hope of spotting a real bargain? Inspired by a piece we heard on Radio 4's Woman's Hour, we've come up with the Halfpenny Home version with tea and cake (of course). The events are going to be held monthly at the Ark, Needham Market and the first one is on Saturday 18th September between 11am and 4pm. There'll be an afternoon craft session - come along and learn how to crochet granny squares this month. There'll also be a good mix of handmade crafts and good quality jumble for sale! So, if you're fed up with ebay, and want an alternative and fun way to clear your clutter, why not book a stall! Get in touch if you'd like to book a stall, or if you'd like more information.

To get you in the mood, I thought I'd show you a few of my own recent bargain finds. This lovely cream Spode 'Chelsea Wicker' cream jug and sugar bowl was just £2.50.
This pretty cup, saucer and tea plate trio in very fine bone china is so pretty. Even the strawberries were a bargain, and are destined for a pavlova. Hubby makes a mean meringue which will be filled with the strawberries, some fresh mint from the garden and Rachel's Greek style coconut yoghurt -a great alternative to cream.

I've also today been lucky enough to find a beautiful Pringle wool picnic blanket for just £1 as well as a couple of hand made crochet blankets - perfect for snuggling up in the cooler autumnal evenings.

This pretty little wooden peg rail too, was only £1. I already have somewhere in mind for this, once I've given it a couple of coats of paint.

There. That's my retail therapy exposed - and all for a tenner! And I can even justify it as recycling! I hope it inspires you too.

Jacqui x