Fabric, beautiful fabric

I’ve been going through a bit of a craft phase for years, although I’ve never had a lesson and never been very good at it. I moved into my flat a year or so ago and although I love it, I want it to be P-E-R-F-E-C-T now. Which means blinds in the sitting room would be nice (especially as the beautiful big windows might as well stay open they’re so drafty) and I want to do something with all the fabric I’ve been collecting for the last few years. So I signed up to an inexpensive course round the corner to learn all about soft furnishings. So far, I’m getting better on the sewing machine, and have made a cushion cover! It’s been really inspiring to learn how to do things properly, and this week, we’re starting projects. Fabric shops have suddenly become not just pretty, but full of possibilities, and my sewing machine may not just gather dust after the course has finished (once I’ve had it fixed....)

Here are a few of my current favourites, but who knows, it could all change next week.piring to learn how to do things properly, and this week, we’re starting projects. Fabric shops have suddenly become not just pretty, but full of possibilities, and my sewing machine may not just gather dust after the course has

Native Heath Berry, by Old Town

This retro print makes me feel really happy, the tepee, little hut and windmill are so pretty, and although reminiscent of summer, the colours make it perfect for all year round.

Black Goose by Borderline Fabrics

This beautiful bird is a design by EQ Nicholson, a London artist who was designing fabrics in the 1930s. Her Runner Bean fabric was used for the Royal yacht Britannia. I think this is such a bold and striking design which would look perfect as a blind or a curtain.

And finally, something very different, I love this red and white stripy ‘deck chair’ fabric. It’s so bold and timeless, I think it would look amazing as a really dramatic, long curtain. You can purchase this fabric from www.deckchairstripes.com

An old fashioned collection

Inspired by the wonderful Domestic Sluttery blog, I thought I'd write about my slight obsession / collection of commemorative memorabilia. I'm not sure where this started, but have a vague memory of the Charles and Diana mugs at my Grandparents house and we always kept the birthday candles in a C&D tin. When we cleared out the house, the C&D engagement and wedding mugs came back to London to live in my parents cup cupboard. Sadly, the mugs, like the marriage were destined not to be, and were both broken within a very short time.

Then, a few months later, at a car boot sale, I picked up two of the Charles and Diana wedding mugs that we used to have for the princely sum of £1.50. Amazing. And since then I've added to my collection with a Silver Jubilee mug, a Coronation paperweight (a present from my little brother) and the crowning glory of my collection, the Andrew and Fergie mug.

I can't quite explain why I love them so much, it must be something to do with the inherently British feeling of them, the pomp and circumstance of a Royal occasion and the vague promise of bunting and street parties that goes with them. And of course, I'm saving up for the new mug for the collection, bring on April I say!