London was too big for a small dog

Well it's been over a week, and I know I'm a very bad boy.

But it has been a very busy couple of weeks and I know I promised to tell you about Daisy's visit to London but we haven't had a minute to ourselves. Last week it was work, work, and even more work, plus there was family stuff to take care of.

But I'm back now and Daisy was so excited about London, and of course seeing Jessie. Daisy said it was  a good job I didn't go with her because London is so crowded I might have got stepped on and I didn't want that.

Jessie opened at 11 o'clock on the Saturday morning and Daisy was on the tube by 10 o'clock excitedly clutching her sewing bag. However the tube doesn't go all the way to Jessie's and so Daisy had to negotiate London buses which is not as easy as it sounds.

That being said she made it. Can you tell how happy she is?

Book signed and glass of Prosecco, what a way to start the day. Now if I didn't go and Daisy is in the picture, who do we have to thank? Well that would be Louise of Hope and Elvis, thank you for letting me use your pictures.

Daisy met some of her friends too. It was a very girlie day.

Jessie has restyled the shop and it's so beautiful and very Jessie too.

The picture is a little blurred but Daisy was so excited she was even trembling on the train going down to London, so you can imagine what she was like on the day.

She had calmed down a little by this time though. 

While Daisy was on the train can you guess what she was doing?

That's right. She was making hexies with beautiful pieces of vintage fabric. Have thread will travel is her moto, however, there was a moment of panic in the hotel when she discovered that she  hadn't got any red thread! If I'd been there I would have found some for her, but she left me at home. Wait a second while a brush away the tear and blow my nose.

There was a sewing workshop outside and Daisy was first in.   (What a surprise!)

It seems that sewing on the pavement is permitted in London, who knew? Daisy's dress was much admired, and I think a few people wanted one for themselves.

While Daisy was down in London she took some time to walk around the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery too. They were just around the corner from the hotel. 

On the Sunday she went to the Imperial War Museum and walked around the World War 1 exhibition and took a picture of the first poppy to be made.

  
A sad and moving sight.

There is a rumour that Jessie will be having another sewing day in November, hands up anyone who thinks that Daisy will be attending that one too.

Three, four, five, seven.... oh I can't count that high, but yes you're right she will be there.

If you're in London and want somewhere that is welcoming and lovely go and see Jessie she is one of the most amazing people, and she likes dogs.

Daisy's in London this weekend, but I'm still at home

This is just a quick post.

Shhhh, I can't type too loudly or Rosie will hear me, that's Daisy's youngest daughter. She's dog sitting this weekend because Daisy said London isn't a good place for Georges so I have to stay at home.

I'll mope around all day and sleep, I might even get a walk, so it's just like any other day really.

So why is Daisy in London you may well ask? Saturday is the reopening of Jessie Chorley's shop www.jessiechorley.com and that's something that Daisy isn't going to miss.

So if you're in London this weekend go to Columbia Road, the flower market is brilliant, and go to see Jessie, she's a lovely person (and she likes dogs!).

Now where did I put that teddy.

You'll never leave me will you teddy.

A weekend with Jessie Chorley

Just a quick post to share with you the fabulous weekend

I've just spent at Hope & Elvis with the very talented

Jessie Chorley

Here is a glimpse of some of her work ...

tiny stitching and gorgeous embellishments... 

using found fabrics and buttons to create stories...

 dreams...

and pages of loveliness.

I want to live in her work!

We started on Saturday with creating a journal 

from an old book.

Jessie sells these in her shop on Columbia Road in London.

We were given lots of ideas and inspiration before we started.

I had started a journal on last years workshop

so I decided to add to it rather than start another one.

We all got a little 'stamp crazy'!

Dresses, hearts and clocks...

with added ribbons...

I also made a page of patchwork hexagons.

These were from Sarah Moore Vintage

We had such fun just playing...

and creating...

I plan to make a 'princess and the pea' collection 

of mattresses for this bed.

We shared our stories and work at the end of the day.

Perfect!

Day two was all about using stitching to create a piece.

I used this gorgeous antique baby top to sew

this lovely quote I found in a quilt book.

I still have bits to add yet though.

The only other piece of work I managed to snap a picture of was

by the wonderful Mrs Bertimus

Now there is the most marvellous story to accompany this

piece if you click on the link above 

(as she tells it much better than me!)

It was so fantastic to spend the weekend with such a lovely 

bunch of ladies.

There were lots of laughs and some heartfelt stories

told through the things we created.

A great big thank you to Jessie and Louise for organizing 

such an wonderful day .

Thanks for calling by.

Love and hugs

Daisy

x

A year in the life of Daisy's fireplace

When I first moved into my new home nearly a year ago now

there was something missing.

The lounge lacked a focal point and the wall lights were

placed in a very strange arrangement on the wall.

It screamed fireplace to me but there was no chimney

and very little budget to play with.

Christmas was on the horizon and I really wanted a mantel to dress.

Hmmmm....

Then I found this in a charity shop.

I didn't know quite how I was going to make it work or fit

but it was a steal so I thought I would give it a try.

Steve helped me collect it and he drove it home in the snow 

with the boot open!

Bless!

It then had a makeover.

First an undercoat, as it was a tad shiny.

Then a couple of coats of Farrow & Ball and it was ready to assemble.

I looked at fireplace plinths but they were really expensive 

and at the end of the day I wasn't entirely sure this whole idea

would work or if I would like it long term.

So I went to B & Q and asked a very nice man

to cut me a piece of thick MDF to the correct size 

and also a piece to sit at the back of the fireplace frame.

I painted the plinth with a black metallic finish paint.

It worked a treat and I was thrilled with it

but there was still the issue of what to fill the hole with.

(Please also note that I had to check that the Christmas tree would

fit in the corner too!  

Priorities!)

So with my new found drill skills I hung a mirror on the wall

and attached the fireplace to the wall so it wouldn't suddenly fall over.

(I can tell you're impressed!)

Then I went for a rummage in my sewing room upstairs 

for just the right bit of fabric to cover the back board.

I found this!

It was the perfect size too.

Whoever made this so many years ago

stopped at just the right time.

Put it away and never made it into anything.

I wonder if she knew...

that I would treasure every stitch ...

even the tacking ones?

It worked!

I loved it!

It made the room feel warm even though

it didn't give off any heat.

I have played all year with it.

Dressing it as the seasons changed.

Adding bits here and there.

Yes, lots of playing and...

hello Dan I didn't see you there!

 Here we are in autumn.

'I'm going now' and 'Looking for clouds'

are living amongst the old books with Owl.

Jessies book keeps them company.

I hope you enjoyed the visit.

The Arkletts bid you farewell.

I wish you the best of days.

Love

Daisy

xxx

Daisy's bit of stitching

I've been doing a bit of hand stitching lately.

Inspired by the great Julie Arkell, Janet Bolton, Jessie Chorley and

 Betty Pepper workshops I've been lucky enough to go on recently.

I've hardly been able to put my needle down!

I've been working out of a suitcase.

It's full of bits of gorgeousness but I've

found it incredibly relaxing to just use

whatever is to hand rather than being overwhelmed

with the contents of my sewing room.

I have loved sewing little scraps of loveliness together.

I dream in colour.

Do you?

This was a piece of smocking that I bought

from the Embroiders Guild box of goodies 

at the Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate.

I've turned it into a cuff by adding a bit of

vintage fabric and a few press studs.

I adore using old threads too.

They compliment the mellow faded fabric so well.

'She loves the sea'

This dress is a project that has been

sitting in my head for a long time.

I have a collection of antique dolls clothes

but didn't really know what to do with them.

When I bought this French linen dress earlier in the year

the idea started to come together.

It was beautifully patched and so very easy to work with.

Each piece seemed to find its own place.

I have to say I have loved wearing it. 

It will continue to be a work in progress

as I find new treasure to add to it.

The last show and tell for today is 

'A shy rabbit'

I have no idea why she turned French but turn French she did.

'Where is she?'

The inspiration for this one came from

reading lift the flap books with Steve's grandson.

The delight on his cute little face when he sees

what's hiding!

'I am here'

 says my little pink rabbit.

I'm off on a trip to York tomorrow with the lovely 

Lemonade Kitty for a girly sewing day.

Will report back soon.

Have a lovely evening.

Hugs

Daisy xxx