Shades of lilac

Lately I've been really enjoying this book by Sarah Moore, bought recently on a weekend in Norwich (for a very weird coincidence related to the trip see below). I've been itching to try out some of her lovely vintage-style projects and today I got my chance. I've been collecting old lampshades for a while with no clear plan of what to do with them but this book really inspired me to have a go at something new...

Can you tell what it is yet? I won't give too much away - if it turns out badly you may never hear of this again!

I've also been listing some more vintage buttons and trim kits in my Etsy shop - some of these are up already and the rest should go on this weekend.

Now to that trip to Norwich - we stayed in a lovely apartment just a short walk from the city centre as we thought it would make a nice change from a hotel or B&B. Last night, while watching 'How the Brits Rocked America - Go West' on BBC4, we were gobsmacked to see Mickey Dolenz (of Monkees fame - we're all old enough to remember them aren't we?) being interviewed in the living room of the same apartment! There was no mistaking it - same picture on the wall, lamp, dining table, chairs. So I guess I may have slept in the same bed as Mickey Dolenz. Sorry Mickey but it wasn't quite as thrilling as if it had been Davy Jones - he was always my favourite Monkee!

Beautiful Buttons

There's been a bit of a fallow period since November in blogging and Etsy terms but the grass has not been growing beneath my feet. I've enlisted the help of my other (better) half and we are beginning to list some of the things I've been accumulating these last few years. Behind the scenes I've been putting together some new Inspiration Kits using vintage buttons, badges, lace, buckles, trims, doilies, patterns, old sheet music - an eclectic mix of treasures to inspire your creative projects. More on these later - my first step has been to begin listing some of the beautiful buttons I've collected. I've carded up some of the best buttons as they would make lovely little gifts for creative souls.

My head is buzzing with new creative ideas and I have a whole new area of antique and bric-a-brac stores, car boot sales, fetes and fayres to explore. Can't wait!