The Creative Directory: Tinycup Needleworks

'Hand embroidery for the high lonesome'

Did you ever see anything so lovely? I like that the Tinycup Instagram profile popped up on my recommended feed based on 'photos you have liked' so I guess I have a thing for skeletons!

The detail is absolutely incredible on such a tiny scale and gives a real sharp, prefect finish to each piece.

They're made by Britt Hutchinson and you can see more on the Tinycup Instagram and website.

oxoxo

Youse It

I've had my sister staying with us over the weekend as she's moving to Sheffield very soon. On the Saturday morning we went to this exhibition and pop up shop by Youse. It's run by mine and Ben's friend Sarah and it's full of colouful and quirky vintage and handmade stationery and art. 

Youse

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oxoxo

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New November Knits From Schooner House

Hey guys, once again I've been busy knitting myself silly. On the upside though I've figured out how to make fingerless gloves. They're my greatest creation since the slipper socks!

Mustard Yellow Fingerless Gloves

I also made a grey pair as a custom order for a lady in my neighbourhood and I've also been making some new quote cards...

Though Lovers Be Lost, Love Shall Not

Isn't Life A Terrible Thing, Thank God?

I've finally created a Facebook page for my Etsy shop Schooner House so if you like what you see, pop over and check it out. I'm trying to spread the message that there are so many of us independent makers and creators out there who are pouring all our time and energy into these handmade creations. So please think of us as you do your Christmas shopping this year!

Oh and I've finally finished that embroidery that I was doing for our friend Joeley. At times I did feel like going down to the seas again....and walking straight into it! Haha nah, I am glad it's finished though. Can't wait to see it when it's been framed.

oxoxo

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New Makes: Hand Knitted Slipper Socks

Hello all! I have a rather woolly, self promoting post for you today!

As, dare I say it, Christmas is approaching, I've been knitting myself silly! My latest product are these cute as hell slipper socks. They're little toasty toe warmers and are so fun to make. I've been making them with a bar strap across the ankle which fastens with a lovely little button. I just think they're so cute!

I'm hoping at least some of you will think the same! They're prefect little stocking fillers that the non knitters out there could even pass off as your own so if you're interested in these kinds of things I'd be very grateful if you'd consider mine. You can pop over and check them out at Schooner House.

Blue Speckled Slipper Socks

Orange Alpaca Wool Slipper Socks

Brown Slipper Socks

I'm in the process of knitting a fourth pair in a cream wool which should be lovely. Also, don't forget I've also got a few pairs of actual socks in the shop.

When I've not been knitting I've been working on an embroidery I've been commissioned to do. It's of the poem Sea Fever by John Masefield and it's fairly large as she wanted all three verses doing. I've just got to finish the border and put the title in and it'll be done, just in time hopefully! Here's a pic of my progress so far.

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Life Lately: October '15

Wow, crikey it's been a while! Kind of dropped off the radar a bit there didn't I?! I realise there have been a fair few Project 365's that I've missed since being back from our holiday and instead of trying to back date them all I'm going to bundle them into a 'Life Lately' post - I've not done one of these since just before moving into our first flat!

We had a charity bike ride at work (something I had to recruit everyone for as the 'Great Place To Work' rep) and well only me, Nia and the manager from our store actually did it so that shows how persuasive I am. Oh well, there were loads more from other stores doing it and it ended up being a really fun ride. I could get into it.

I've been busy knitting socks and putting them in my Etsy shop. Even though it's October it's actually been quite warm recently but we're still definitely in knit season! Here are a few of them from Schooner House. Check them out, I'd love to hear what you think.

  

We had a Macmillan coffee morning at work the other week and it was glorious. It was only for us colleagues rather than for customers too so there was loads of cake for days!

The whole family was invited round to my brother's house recently for what ended up being one hell of a family day as you can see! These are all my brothers and cousins and their wives and kids.

Look what a kind person from our neighbourhood was giving away! We had to recruit some friends to help us move it, one woman with a van and after taking two doors completely out of their frames we finally got it in. It's a bit out of tune but hell, it sounds good to me. I've actually been writing a lot lately and have so far conjured up two songs that I'm actually really happy with. I think I'm gonna go and record them when they're ready. 

That's pretty much all I can remember of what's happened since we've been back from Italy. If you didn't see our holiday photo's they're here and here. Other than that we've both just been working. I'm currently the baker as our permanent baker is off having reconstructive knee surgery and to be honest I'd rather be him than have to deal with ravenous students during a bloody cookie promotion! It's chaos trying to keep up!

oxoxo

The Creative Directory: Lily & The Lamplight

                                       

In a sentence:

Indulge in the sepia toned paisley paradise of the 60's with these handmade, vintage inspired gems from Lancashire!





Shop the goods:

 'JANE' ZIG ZAG DRESS

 'NANCY' TILE SHIFT



        

'NANCY' RED TILE SHIFT

'BETTY' TAHITI TWO PIECE

 'BETTY' TROPICAL TWO PIECE

'EDIE' DALMATIAN PRINT MINI

My Favourite:

If you've got a penchant for paisley this is clearly something for you. I really love the retro vibes you get from these pieces, they'll no doubt turn some heads down the street!

They're designed in Blackburn, Lancashire. The vintage fabrics are chosen and fashioned into a delicious mix of retro garments with a modern edge. Harmonise the look with big earrings and even bigger hair.

I'm trying to decide if I could get away with wearing one of those two piece bikinis, not sure I would with such pale skin though!



Where you can find them:

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The Creative Directory: Prints N Patterns

 

PRINTS N PATTERNS

 

In a sentence:

Take an inherited vintage sewing machine, a love of striking fabrics and of course a hell of a lot of time and you get the handmade pouches and of Prints N Patterns.  

 

 

Sample the goods:



Red Chevron Herringbone Large Cosmetic Pouch

 



A pair of coin purses

Brita Sweden Foxes Fabric Pouch

    Seigaiha Indigo Print Pouch

Kokka Japanese Fabric Stamped Ellen Luckett Baker Pouch

Blue Elephants by Kokka Pencil Case

 My favourite:

Lined Paper Fabric Pencil Case

I really like this one because at first sight I thought it was just an unusual fabric made into a pouch but it's actually been machine embroidered to look like lined paper and then the message has been hand stitched on. How quirky! It's such a good idea and looks fab.


Why:
Yoke is from Singapore and like many of us, has sat down at her sewing machine and created something from nothing. That something ended up being these bright and brilliant pouches and bags. They're made with fabrics by different designers and are chosen for their bold and colourful patterns.
They've naturally become very popular and so she's been shipping them off all over the world. So hello independent maker, consider yourself supported!

 

 Where you can find her:

 

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