Stop press - new Liberty fabrics!

Have you seen the new range of fabrics over at Liberty? Long loved by makers/crafters their fabrics are often recognisable and have recently been introduced to the younger set through Top Shop using some of their designs.



I've mentioned before my love of certain children's book illustrators so was delighted that Liberty's latest range includes fabrics designed or inspired by a selection of them.



From the top are designs inpired by Jane Ray, David McKee, this delightful design "Tuesday Trees" - Lauren Child (in 4 colourways)



and this last one Plum Dog - Emma Chichester Clark (also in 4 colourways). Scrummy!

And yes, there's a Brian Wildsmith one for lovers of his work (although it's disappointing) and also Quentin Blake...

Happy Valentine's day



Seen in London last week - Liberty's window...



Gorgeous roses in the shop at the store's entrance



Had to visit Anthropologie - for research only! (Far far too expensive but eye candy by the bucket load...)



Old pieces of picture frame randomly displayed...



Their variation on the bird box...



and their interpretation of the vintage pinny - lovely colours but not for the hardened thrifter at around £30!

But today's best news - I went to an outdoor car boot after several months away. I just loved having a good old rummage again! Not in the least romantic - but it did make my heart quicken! I'll take some picture of my purchases soon.

Have a good week

Wend

Giveaway time!!

Well I'm up to 50 followers so I'd like to say thank you so much to all who read my blog and especially those who take the time to comment. Lives are so busy these days finding time to blog and comment can't come to the top of the priority list as often as we might like but I really do appreciate each and every one of you! So, to show my appreciation I've decided to do a little giveaway. First, a lovely Emma Bridgewater tin. I liked these so much when I saw them I had to buy two - one for me and one for my winner!



A piece of lovely printed paisley velvet and some original chemist labels from a shop in Nottingham before it closed down years ago. There are 10 labels in the packet.



A couple of my padded coat hangers with vintage button trim - these are made in a Liberty fabric called Hera designed by Arthur Silver in 1887 and still one of Liberty's best selling designs. I have to say its one of my favourites too.



Some notelets with vintagey images.



A chocolate scented candle (smells edible!), some vintage ribbon and a little white broderie drawstring bag.

Everyone of my followers will get an automatic chance to win and everyone who leaves a comment will also get a chance. If you also link back to me on your blog then I'll put your name in again so that you have an extra chance (let me know you've done that!)(So you could get 3 chances in all!)

To make it a bit more interesting please mention two other blogs you enjoy and then we can all enjoy following up those links...! I'll leave the giveaway open until the evening of Sunday 8th Novemebr when I shall get the gorgeous girl to randomly pick the winner.

Good luck and have a great weekend.

Love Wend

Liberty love!

Sunday started very cold and grey but with the promise of "sunshine later" according to the weather men so I donned a big woolly cardi and set off to my car boot. I like to get there by 7, you never know what you might find, but things weren't looking promising. I picked up the odd crocheted doily (what's happening to me?) and a couple of (pre shiny cover) Ladybird books. Then I spotted a lady selling some fabric along with what appeared to be the contents of her garage - old tools, fishing tackle etc. I ambled over - never good to look too keen and immediately recognised Liberty lawn cotton fabrics - I've loved these for the last 30 years so I recognise the designs. "Rose'n'ubble "she said. "£5 I want". "For how much?" I asked (these were decent sized pieces at nearly a metre each retailing in Liberty at £20 per metre.) " All of it". I suppressed a gasp and decided not to be selective and choosy! " They might be that other one" she said. "Liberty?" I ventured . "That's it" she said "I used to be an overlocker - these are off cuts." I handed over the fiver and they were mine, bundled up and stuffed into my bag.

My luck was changing and I wandered on picking up an old mirror, a lovely floral picture, 2 salt and pepper pots - a Hornsea pair - probably seventies and possibly never used and another pair still in their plastic case - 60s?). Then I was called over to the stall of a ceramics/pottery dealer who said he'd got some "linen stuff look at 'cos I know you like making things". He opened a huge laundry bag of old tablecloths, antimacassars, tray cloths etc. A quick rummage and I could see several projects forming in my mind so they were bought (at less than 50 pence each). Then he produced a box of broken china which he has been saving for me since last summer when I bought a chipped plate from him to use on the chimney pot which I'm mosaicing. (More in another post). He'd told me on several occasions that he had it but I thought it was a wind up! He didn't want anything for it - there were saucers which had lost their cups and cups which had lost their handles or their saucers - he just didn't want to throw them away if somebody could use them! I gratefully accepted!

I just love the part where you get home and spread out all your purchases and have a proper look, washing these unwanted treasures and finding places around your home to incorporate them and make them look as if they've always been there. Not to mention the pleasure of several hand embroidered table cloths hanging on the line! Now just have to go and iron them all...

Wend