Category: Out and About

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A Vintage Weekend away in Manchester

To have family who are as bonkers about vintage as I am is wonderful. So to have a weekend away, mixing family time with not one but two vintage shows was a true delight.
Being in Manchester I of course had to start my stay with a curry on the famous Curry Mile – So nice!

The next day was shopping time. Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair was heaving with stalls and shoppers. I have been to vintage fairs before but never in a university city. So many students buying vintage! They have very good taste. We came home with goodies including a vintage Levi jacket and a small leather case that might end up as a new sewing box.

Shopping galore!
Homemade cake on vintage china
The following day was my first ever visit to the Textile Society’s Antique Textile Fair in Manchester, (organised by Decorative Fairs) and I was not disappointed. The range of goods for sale was everything from buttons to hats, quilts to hair pins. My only two problems were not having enough money or a large enough suitcase to take it all home with me! Next year I think I will be better prepared and take my car (don’t let me husband know). The whole selling space was one big bag full of inspiration – colour, textures, pattern, worn & aged and everything had a former life (which I love – if only the pieces could talk!).

 

 

 

 

 

By the end of the day I had bought a coverlet top from County Antrim in Ireland, lots of small quilted pieces and a huge safety pin. I had talked to some wonderfully knowledgeable people and made some new friends. A truly, perfect day.

 

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Busy, Busy, Busy at the Show!

Last weekend I was busy, busy bee at the ICHF Trade Show. It’s a super place to find the latest products to the craft world and also meet lots of artists!

Tamara Melvin of the Great British Sewing Bee, was demonstrating some yummy goodies for Prym.
She was a delight to talk to and was wearing one of her own stunning creations. I explained that I was a bit scared of dressmaking. She was very supportive and encouraged me to have a go!
May Martin, a judge on the Great British Sewing Bee signed a copy of her book for me. Published by Search Press.
Kim Thittichai was demonstrating the latest products from Vilene – hot iron and foils very close by.
On the last day I met Sheena Douglass, a fantastic lady who happily shared her paper crafting skills and techniques with the crowd.
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An Evening of Christmas Shopping in London’s West End & Paddington Bear too!

My earliest memory of Christmas shopping in London harks back to the late 1970’s. I was about 7 years old and it was my first ever visit to Liberty. Walking through the large wooden porch I saw the biggest Christmas tree I had ever seen. It filled the whole central atrium with the light and fragrance of Christmas. Since then, Liberty has had a very special place in my heart.
This year the magic continues with a nautical feel harking back to the building’s timber construction – created from the reclaimed wood of two ships – HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan.  Here are some pictures of the fabulous store’s festive ship’s mast.

 

Liberty print fabric sails and gifts in the crows nest
The crisp, clear air and the hustle and bustle along Oxford Street created the perfect atmosphere to set off the stunning Christmas lights along each major shopping street in the West End. I adore the individuality of each street which is reflected in their choice of lights. Carnaby Street has very retro look compared to the more refined lighting of New Bond Street.
Carnaby Street
A street off Carnaby Street

 

The famous Hamleys toy shop on Regent Street
New Bond Street
Boots on Oxford Street
St Christopher Place
Selfridges on Oxford Street
House of Fraser and John Lewis stores in Oxford Street

 

The Barbara Hepworth sculpture lit up on the John Lewis Building
A beautifully beaded catwalk piece on show in Victoria’s Secret
To make the trip even more special, Selfridges had a lovely little Paddington Bear pop-up shop displaying the movie costumes of Mr Brown (Hugh Bonneville), Mrs Brown (Sally Hawkins) and Mrs Bird (Julie Walters) ……
Mrs Brown (played by Sally Hawkins)
Mrs Bird (played by Julie Walters)
Mr Brown (played by Hugh Bonneville)

 

                            ………and of course Paddington Bears for sale.