needle and thread

I have had this image on file for such a long time as I collect antique crochet doilies (as well as a thousand other things...). This image was to spur me on to creating my own table runner, which I have still yet to do. I know it is becoming increasingly popular to create hand made items and contributions for the day....but think about all the different ways you could dress tables using fabulous finds....and think of the money you will save and the satisfaction in spending the time to create something yourself....

fauna

the fauna collection

its all in the detail

These images are a great example to demonstrate how exciting and creative you can be with the styling of your day. I love the mix of pistachio, turquoise red and matt gold.

Image credit: Rock n Roll Bride

a long day

Its been a long day today, its 11pm and I have just finished checking orders before packing, ready for tomorrow. Just about to close the door of the studio and looked behind me to see rows and rows of place cards all in the dark.....

indulgent afternoon

I have had a bit of an indulgent afternoon, sketching and photographing compositions and ideas. These shown have been produced to inspire the watercolour studies for the new collections for 2010/2011 and beyond...

Here's a littel sneak at one of the collections..... white jasmine, thyme, anenome, corriander leaf, lavender, auricula, grape hydrangea and lots of other delicate herbs

....just waiting for our crop of lavenders to bloom in their terracotta pots ... visited yorkshire lavender this week and we have just bought 6 varieties of lavender to draw, and to also dry ready to dress tables in late summer early autumn....

let the week commence...

....have been away for a week to northumbria to blow away the cobwebs and walk aimlessly from castle to castle, beach to beach, tea room to tea room, and have over used the national trust card and the children have over used every single wooden adventure playground...
...just written my weekly to do list for the next seven days and monthly 'what I hope to do list' for May and have now exhausted myself to the point that another holiday may be required. The photo above was taken at Wallington Hall and I thought the colours reflected were perfect for spring and beyond...

...let the week commence... interesting orders in this week, lots of interesting and varying colour palettes and different responses to place settings and table numbers. Will post photos from the studio during the week...

blossom cluster - amethyst

amethyst

today in the studio

...just a few images of orders worked on today...a busy day working on spring, summer and autumn collections...
Cartmel in Autumn
Lily in Turquoise
Vintage Rose in Rose

truly captivating...

I find the work of denise grunstein truly captavating, purely indulgent in colour and I see something new in her work everytime I rediscover her on my travels...

summer bunting

....summertime is upon us and the garden wedding reception is more popular than ever, fingers crossed for a more mediterranean summer this year! I've been searching around for more unusual and vintage styled bunting and thought I would post my finds to assist anyone else in their hunt for something different.....

not on the high street

ms crafty pants

the big beautiful bunting company

style me pretty

image credit saipua

lasso the moon @ etsy

aymujer @ etsy

adorable fiend @ etsy

new twist on the old favour...

...just visited Cox & Cox and thought you might be interested in these bits n bobs for a new twist on the old favour... fortune sticks, love origami and seed sticks in vintage styled booklets...

carolyn mackenzie

Thought you might be interested in a quick taster of carolyn mackenzie's fairy cakes, palettes of wondrous colour to entice....and flavours to match, vanilla and lavender, spicy carrot, stem ginger and espresso....

vintage rose in lime

soft lime