Craft Club

When we first moved out of London, I had visions of setting myself up a little space in our new house to craft, sew and generally create. I managed to make the space, with an abundance of vintage fabrics, handcraft books, ribbons and buttons waiting patiently by the sewing machine - but did i create? Well, you can guess the answer to that. Discussing this with local friends who have similar crafty ambitions, we decided to start a craft night when babes are in bed and we can natter over a glass of wine while working on our own projects - hopefully with a bit of peer pressure to keep the momentum going! 

The first Craft Club was held at my house and I loved every minute - we had Michelle knitting a beautiful grey baby cardi, Sara stitching vintage-style embroideries, Nikki expertly quilting and I got down to making cushions using vintage fabric for Mrs Biddle's (long since past) birthday. You can see how the finished cushions look in her lovely new home here. 

Hide and Seek boutique

I've been up north on the Wirral this week and popped by Emma Embery's new boutique and workshop, Hide and Seek, in Irby Village. If you've been an avid reader of this blog you may remember Emma's pretty studio space and the beautiful vintage-inspired hairpin she made for my wedding, as well as her gorgeous knits for Milo (see below post for the cardigan that seems to grow with him!)

Emma's shop is a magpie's dream inside - with every nook and cranny filled with things to treasure: her own lace and jewel embroidered shawls and dresses, jewellery made with antique pearls and gems, lampshades up-cycled with vintage fabric appliques, hand-knitted and vintage children's clothes, and a few bits and pieces from other local makers. She also hosts creative workshops such as vintage-inspired jewellery making and embroidery where you can wile away a couple of hours drinking tea, eating cake and brushing up on your crafting skills.

Local finds

One of the nice things about my newfound status as a mother-in-waiting is having the time to rediscover my local area and potter about in all the cute cafes and shops around London's East End. One recent find is The Create Place on Old Ford Road, that I stumbled upon on the way home from a nice leisurely lunch at the Pavilion Cafe in Victoria Park (crushed artichokes and soft boiled egg on toast - yum). 

The Create Place runs as a craft collective and charity, acting as a space for local designers to sell their handmade products and also holding free workshops to encourage the local community to get involved in craft - including free sewing workshops and craft drop-in sessions every Wednesday. They also host parties and events, including Hen Do lingerie-making, using vintage silks and lace. 

The shop sells some gorgeous products too - I loved Zeena Shah’s screen-print cushions and Kerry Layton’s whimsical prints. 

Let it snow

I’m just back from a blissful two weeks in Thailand only to return to blizzards and the mad Christmas rush in London. I’m trying not to let the memories of sunshine and relaxation fade by avoiding any form of high street and opting for the much less stressful experience of Christmas shopping on Broadway Market in East London. The sight of a brass band playing carols, and all the wonderful fresh produce of the market dusted with a coating of snow was the perfect festive mood lifter.

I think its really about time I announce that there’s a Vintage Baby on the way! So you may find the blog takes a new tack as I go into nesting mode. Not surprisingly, I found myself zoning in on the gorgeously retro knitted childrenswear at the Sweetheart Knits stall - where the mini tank tops, hats, booties, cardis and socks are all hand-knitted by a crack team of 35 grannies (each tag tells you which granny knitted what). 

I also love the fabulous vintage kidswear stall next door that sells a colourful array of second hand clothes, denim, stripy jumpers and crochet blankets for the nursery. 

For vintagey christmas presents, Alice Gabb’s stall caught my eye for its kitschy vintage royal-themed mugs filled with lavender-scented candles, all lovingly displayed on old wooden shelves and drawers. 

Vintage dressmaking courses

I love the sound of The Papered Parlour’s vintage-inspired workshops in their Clapham studio space. This weekend they are hosting a DIY dressmaking workshop where you can learn how to run up a nice little number on a vintage Singer, using recycled fabrics and vintage prints. They also run masterclasses in reworking vintage patterns (always the nicest in my opinion!), as well as courses in screen printing, quilting and wallpaper printing. It would make a great vintagey hen do venue too - hosting craft workshops accompanied by cockteas and cake... 

Homemade vintage wedding favours

My ideal Sunday in London begins with a walk down to Columbia Road flower market for fried eggs with sage (they come to the table in their own mini pan) and Sourdough toast at the lovely Leila’s Shop on Calvert Avenue, followed by a bit of bartering over some Geraniums, and then a long and leisurely peruse of all the gorgeous boutiques that now line the street.

My current favourite is the aptly named Vintage Heaven – crammed with crockery, kitchenware and 50s fabrics. I recently picked up a whole pile of squares of chintzy fabrics that never quite made it as cushions..

I thought I’d try my best to do my own version of this pretty lavender heart I found at The Old Stables just outside Holt in Norfolk – an amazing antiques emporium in the grounds of the beautiful Bayfield Hall.

So I ordered some dried lavender from Ebay, made a heart-shaped template out of newspaper, dusted down my sewing machine and here’s the result… a possible idea for wedding favours?

Elspeth Thompson’s gorgeous book Homemade is great for more crafty ideas like this - she has done some cute handpainted "Lavender Cats" that are pictured below: