Tea Set Treasure & My Tips To Find Vintage China

Hello,

As you may know I love old china and collect it for my home and for use at my tea party business.  I started five years ago just after our Wedding collecting pretty tea cups from charity shops. I think that having a vintage Wedding started me off on a trend and I love it!

Today, I want to share with you how I find my vintage china and my newest pretty tea set I'm keeping for my birthday party in September and it's sooo gorgeous!

Hunting for vintage china does take time and gets very easily addicting. You can find sets in charity shops, car boots and vintage shops. In recent years it has increased in price, I think many sets have nearly doubled in price as dealers and charity shops a like get on the vintage trend. I picked up in 2012 a vintage suitcase full of china for £5, in the same charity shop this week I'm paying that for a cup.

Ebay is a great place too, I only use it if I want to add to a set and buy the odd thing. For example I found a beautiful Royal Crown Derby set for my sister-in-law and it's missing a cup. I'll go to Ebay for one as many seller split up the sets and sell it one by one.

I find the best way is to spread the word around your family and friends that you collect vintage china. This new set with a pretty thistle design was bought from a lady in my village whose father had sadly passed away and she wanted it to go to a home where it would be loved and used. I bought it off her, got it home washed it in Milton and washing up liquid two or three times. Here are my photos of my lovely new vintage Royal Albert set.

My blue thistle tea pot, tea cups and vintage linen

Playing with patterns, cloths and petals!

If you have any questions or tips on how to buy vintage china leave me a comment. I'm on Google+ comments at the moment but will be moving to Disqus one we can iron out the widgets!

Happy Hunting,

Samantha x

Win A Korbond Vintage Collection Craft Box Each Week For A Month!

 

 

The one thing I take to every Crafternoon tea party is a pretty storage box full of vintage materials.  Today I'm sharing with you why I love my little collection of Korbond Vintage Collection  craft boxes, plus you could win one of my favourites every week for the next month! Oh yes! Read on to find out how. 
 

Button box holds all my spare cotton embroidery threads

If you follow me over on twitter or instagram you will see that I have these beautiful vintage sewing boxes from the Korbond Vintage Collection in my photos.

A Crafternoon tea  at Crich Tramway Museum

Korbond, you will probably know for the bright yellow and blue packaged emergency sewing kits that you find in your local supermarket. But they also produce these lovely vintage sewing craft boxes, they really are a little secret that I want to share! They also have a whole range of professional sewing tools and threads in their Creations by Korbond range, available to purchase online and through independent needlecraft shops.

vintage dressmaking pattern tins packed up for a  fascinator class

I've been using their vintage craft boxes for over two years and I always get comments on where can I get the vintage sewing pattern tins or the button lid thread boxes. So why not enter this great competition and you could win one to keep your stash all tidy with of course a little vintage flair...

Each week for the next month, we will have a new storage box to win starting from today. That’s five!

The competition starts with the beautiful Love Heart Sewing Box (190101) she’s beautiful isn’t she? Just look out for new prizes for the next four Friday’s on the hashtag #korbondprizes at @teacakecraft and @korbonduk. Just follow and RT and you could win. A winner will be announced each week.

Before I go, if you're visiting the ‘Sewing for Pleasure’ sewing show this week at the NEC, Birmingham 17th-20th March, Korbond will be supporting Sewing Bee Jenni Taylor who has her own stand (ZF20) and she will be holding daily workshops at the Korbond Learn to Sew Studio. Pop by and see Jenni's #sewingrevolution!

 

Sewing Bee Jenni Taylor

April from Korbond told me that some of Jenni's favourite products from the Korbond Care & Repair range includes the
Needle Threaders With Cutter 
for sewing on the move (as you don't need your scissors to snip the threads)
and the
Water Erasable Marker for quilting and free hand drawing of patterns.  

Jenni is currently working with the new Korbond professional sewing threads in her workshops at Sewing For Pleasure this weekend. I've been told in tests it's a strong durable thread so I can't wait to try it out on future sewing projects.  

Korbond's vintage button box

 

 

 I want to thank Korbond for this giveaway and gifting me these beautiful vintage sewing storage range back in 2013 to road test. They are still going and are very much part of my Crafternoon kit.

 

Happy Crafting,

 

Samantha xoxo

 

The Small Print ...

Terms and conditions

 

1. One winner will be selected randomly each week from 18th March to 15th April 2016, there is no alternative prize. The winner will be sent the craft box at the end of the competition on 15th April 2016.

2. The winner will be contacted by twitter on the Thursday after the competition has closed for the week.
3. Details of the winner be announced on twitter.
4. This giveaway is organised by Crafternoon Tea Hostess and Korbond UK

5. *UK residents only*
6. Giveaway closes on the 15th April 2016 when the final winner has been announced.
7. Data will not be shared with a third party.
8. Multiple entries from the same twitter account will not be counted.

L'Eroica Britannia - a jolly good weekender

Last weekend...

I got on a vintage style frock, wrapped a '40's stylie scarf around my hair and went off to Bakewell in Derbyshire to the  L'Erocia Britannia festival.

L'Erocia Britannia is a vintage cycling festival, doesn't sound like it's everyone's cup of tea? Well you are in for a surprise, it was fabulous. It was a glut of vintage, retro wares, all things cycling pre 1987, wonderful Derbyshire food, old cars, family fun, photo booths, brass bands, dancing and so much more!

Of course the phone box - how British!

Plus it was free for the day or you could do the weekender camping ticket including the Sunday ride for a fee. We loved the London cab photo booths...

Photo booth fun!

My little girl loved the music, rides and food, Mr.S a keen cyclist geek (his words) loved the bikes and I loved the vintageness and the pop up hair salon. So as we sat listening to a local brass band in our lovely county, I felt really lucky to have this on our door step. Plus we have heard it will be in the UK for another four years.

This was the back drop to the bar! Love it!

We are looking forward to next year already, it's worth buying a pre-87 bike, some retro cycling jumpers and plus fours... just to go and join in.

Ta-ta,

Singer Sewing Machines

Nothing can sew like a vintage Singer!

Last week, I put a photo of my old Singer hand sewing machine on my facebook page and it had a lot of love over the weekend. It was lovely to see that I am not the only one who finds these old machines amazing!

A bit about this Singer. I got this one for free! Yes, it was free on Freecycle. When I picked it up I felt so bad for taking it, I went and bought the lady flowers and went back the next day with them.

I don't know what the model number is but I have been told that if I take the reference code to my local Singer Sewing Centre they can date it. How cool is that? It didn't have an instruction booklet but it did have some clues in the haberdashery box.

The previous owner (the lady who gave it to me's Mum) had a button hole foot and some loaded bobbins plus haberdashery from the local shop which looked decades old.

It does take sometime to thread up as it doesn't have a light like a modern electric machine but sewing by hand it great. You turn the handle and it makes a very exact stitch. The shuttle is a torpedo which is unusual as my others load into a pre-fixed shuttle case.

I have also to say it is very robust and can take a denim hem easily.

Over the week, I'm going to write a bit more about her. But I wanted to post tonight with a picture of me sewing in my work room.

Thank-you to sewing online for spreading the word!

My DIY Wedding

6 months to prepare for 1 lovely Wedding day!

 

My hints and tips on surviving your crafty Wedding -

1. Plan and go for it!
Whatever your crafty ideas are for your big day. Plan and prepare and then go with a gut reaction. Believe in yourself. If you want a theme or a look, research the easiest and quickest way to do it and then settle down to repeat it again and again. Better to have a simple, crafty idea then fail on something fancy.

2. What is your theme?
When you have your theme, plan it out on mood boards so you can show your suppliers / friends / photographer your ideas. Try using pinterest for a general mood board then break down some bigger ideas onto separate boards e.g. cake, flowers, dress. Don't go over the top, as they say... a picture can tell a thousand words.

 

 

3. Find your suppliers early...
Work out what you want to do to make your day bespoke and made by you. Then find out from your mood boards where you need to source the supplies from. You might want vintage china plates, but running around charity stores every Saturday may not be a good use of time. You might want to use a vintage crockery rental and spend more time designing your flowers or dress?

4. Get some help?
Even if you think you are the Queen of Craft, you will need help. I had one helper for each big thing e.g. cake, dress, flowers, venue staging. Friends will want to help, be ruthless and use those who will listen and support, not those who want to go off brief and do their own thing. It is your day, you can say no! Those that you have asked will be honoured and sure to support your dreams!

5. Get used to repeating your craft again and again.
As I mentioned earlier about starting out and keeping it simple - stick to it. When you are hand making the 100th dinner place setting you will be thankful.

6. Look further a field of inspiration..
I used Martha Stewart Weddings website and magazines a lot. Really practical and inspiring. I was in L.A. three months before our Wedding and brought a stash of wedding titles back. Look outside what is happening in your own country as they maybe a trend you love which is not on your local radar. Spend a night on the web and you might come across a theme or a look you can re-invent for you own Wedding.

7. Budget and use a spreadsheet!
I know it sounds geeky but note down all your planned budget on a planner and then update the costs as and when. Your crafty Wedding may not be a budget Wedding if you are crafting to save money. For our Wedding, I made my Wedding dress with a lot of help from Mum. It was our biggest money saver and the dress was worth every penny. I did spend more time than planned sewing on pearls to the bodice but the time and cost were justified. If you find your time and costs are spiralling look at doing something another way. You will hate it in the end and it will reflect on your big day.

8. Use a good hand cream
Sounds crazy but after months of crafting your hands will say you are a Wedding crafter on your big day without you saying anything. I got around this by sleeping in hand scrub and gloves the week before I go married!
I did my bouquet and table decorations on the morning of the Wedding and knew my hands would take a bashing so I wore gloves. I also went for a nude nail polish in case it chipped and kept my nails short. Try a shea butter or cocoa butter hand cream and apply regularly. Use a hand mask at night to hide your secret!

9. Get support
There are loads of Wedding blogs you can read for support and chats you can join online. I did feel like the only Crafting Wedding out there to start with but once I found fellow crafters online it made it so much easier. Remember it's not a competition, it is your day and do it your way.

10. Relax!
   I was amazed that a few days before our Wedding everything seems quiet, that was because it was all done except the last minute flowers, staging and hair. The dress and fascinator were ready, everything was ordered /paid for. This gave me a few days of the week of our Wedding to relax and enjoy being a Bride -to-be.


I hope that this is useful and the feeling you get from being a crafty bride is amazing.

Happy to answer any questions....

SS xx

My Italian Vintagesque Table Linen

I picked these beautiful cotton tablecloths up last Wednesday in Tuscany at a street market for 4 euros. I would have paid more for them and had to check she was saying 4! 

One has applique and lace with cross stitch and the other is a Easter Bunny cloth which I am putting away for next year.

I hope that you agree they are pretty special?

check out more finds on twitter every Wednesday 8pm GMT #vintagefindhour

Happy Vintage Hunting! 

SS x

I'm a Guest Blogger on Make.Do.Sew!

Get Ready For Stitching - Here Comes A Wedding Project..

This week my Cross Stitch Wedding Ring Pouch  project was featured on Make.Do.Sew.  Little quick projects are my big thing at the moment and to get my Wedding ring pouch featured in time for all those Summer Weddings is a real pleasure.

I love reading Lou's blog as it is full of up to the minute crafty projects that inspire you to get your apron on or dig out your sewing box.  Grab a cuppa and take a look, I am sure you will be inspired.

So why not use up your sewing and stitching stash and great a personalise gift for the Bride & Groom? Click here for the tutorial Cross Stitch Wedding Ring Pouch

Happy Stitching,

Sam x
 

#MondayMoods Crystal & Pearls

I am feeling all nostalgic as I write this post. Maybe it is the weather? I am sorting through my books and boxes after a stint of DIY and these objects really jumped out at me as they twinkle in the April daylight!Now I have a clean and fresh space at home it gives a inner calm after a busy day.

The buttons are mother of pearl and sewn onto a photo book of all my old baby pictures my Mum made for my 30th birthday. I like at each button like the photos are unique but together they form a regulated pattern.

The pearl silver box was a present and you just want to touch all the little crystals and pearls on the top!

Finally the antique style candle holders catch the day light and sparkle or chime in the wind. I am feeling calm and ready for the week ahead. Hope you are too?

I think these photos sum up my Monday. More next week....

Granny's Sewing Bible

Always seems to tell it the simple way...

This book was my Granny's needlecraft book and over the past three years has been a great resource for me when I am stuck or trying out new techniques. Sadly Granny is not here to ask anymore.

As you know I am trying to learn to crochet and this book has been such a help as it starts off with small projects, crochet a lace collar or a trim for a garment. Really basic but simple for me to do in the spare time I have.

So, if you are new to crafts, go on ebay and get yourself a copy. You won't regret it!

Happy crafting,

Sam x

Washi Tape Cards

I was reading the blog claireabellemakes.com  when I came across this great idea to use all my old, saved and pre-loved papers (and I do have quiet a stash!) They are called Washi Tapes. They can be used on pretty much anything - cards, pegs or decorations... 

So with the inspiration of the Washi Tapes Post , I created my first 'interpretation post' with a stash of old papers, a cutting board, knife and some foam pads....

Getting started...

 I took the following -
 my paper
 foam pads (on a roll)
scissors
craft knife
craft cutting board

Let's create!

 My foam pad was sticky on one side and had a peel off side. I laid out the foam pads on the craft board and took my pretty paper to lay over the sticky pad. I then stuck my paper to my pad making sure it had no air bubbles or creases in the paper! With a very sharp craft knife I carefully cut out my washi tape and put a little 'V' at one end.

 I repeated this three times to have three washi tapes on foam pads for my card..

Thank-You Washi Tape Card

I love this card, with it's parcel look. The washi tapes make it look like it is already to  parcel off!

To recreate this look, cut out your three tapes and stick equally on your card in the bottom half of your card. Take a message topper and with foam tape centrally stick to your card. 

Looks such a professional finish!

Washi Tape Spares & Vellum

..and with the spares from the washi tape points, stick them all on a piece of vellum and recreate a washi tape on foam padding as above!

waste not and would you believe that these are all the left overs?

Thank-you to Claire for a fab post!

I'm off to make more...

Happy Washi Taping,

Sam x



Craft Candy Guest Blogger Vintage Fascinator Project

...check out this oh so easy DIY fascinator

I was thrilled to be asked by Craft Candy to be their guest blogger.

So with the Summer coming and thoughts of special occasions, I asked if I could do a fascinator project with an up-cycling theme.


They said yes and here is the result..

Craft Candy Guest Blog Post

Happy fascinator making..

Sam x

More Bath Bombes 2013 Style

After Such A Big Response To Bath Bombes ...

 

Here is a new recipe...Earl Grey & Lavender Bath Bombes

 makes 12 bombes

You Will Need -

115 grams bicarbonate of soda
100 grams citric acid granules
50 grams cornflower
2 teaspoons lavender essential oil
1 teaspoon lavender dried flowers
2 earl grey tea bags
1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil
1 egg box
12 small freezer bags
1 tablespoon cornflower for final step
Almond oil to grease out the moulds

Go Create!

1. Mix the bicarbonate of soda, citric acid granules and cornflower in a bowl.
2. Add the tea leaves from one tea bag and dried flowers to the mix
3. Then add the essential oil and almond oil drop by drop so that the mixture comes together like wet sand. If you think it needs more oil mould it in your hands, if it sticks then this is the right consistency.
4. Then take a tablespoon of the mixture and mould in your hands like a snow ball.
5. Place the ball in a food bag and mould really tight into a ball through the plastic.
6. Wrap tightly in the foil and leave for 24 hours.
7. After 24 hours roll in the a mixture of earl grey tea leaves and 1 tablespoon of cornflower.

Once dry wrap in brown paper or acetate and they are ready to use!

I really hope you enjoy making these bombes as much as I did. Please send me your ideas and I try and make a new recipe.

Bath Bombe Treats

Raid Your Kitchen Cupboards...

Get Ready To Make Something Bath time Treats...

makes 12 mini heart bombes

I just love these gorgeous heart shaped bombes, make sure you oil up your moulds and let them set for 24 hours of more. They will break off a little when you get them out the moulds so don't be alarmed, the heavier you press then mixture into the moulds the better the shape when you press them out.

You Will Need  -

115 grams bicarbonate of soda
100 grams citric acid granules
50 grams cornflower
2 teaspoons lavender essential oil
1 teaspoon lavender dried flowers
Handful of rose petals
1 teaspoon of almond oil
Set of ice cube rubber moulds
Almond oil to grease out the moulds

Go Create!

1. Mix the bicarbonate of soda, citric acid granules and cornflower in a bowl.
2. Add the petals and dried flowers to the mix
3. Then add the essential oil and almond oil drop by drop so that the mixture comes together like wet sand. If you think it needs more oil mould it in your hands, if it sticks then this is the right consistency.
4. Press the mixture into the moulds and leave to set for 24 hours.
5. Put out the mini bombes and leave to dry for another day before placing in paper bags for gifts.

To make one big bombe!

You will need the same ingredients as above but 6 food bags and tin foil.
1. Follow the heart bombe recipe until stage 4, then mould the mixture in your hands like a snow ball.
2. Place the ball in a food bag and mould really tight into a ball through the plastic.
3. Wrap tightly in the foil and leave for 24 hours.

Once dry unwrap and they are ready to use!

I really hope you enjoy making these bombes as much as I did.

My Love For Vintage Patterns..

I Thought Tonight I Would Share Babies First Birthday Dress ...& My Passion For Vintage Patterns!

I made my first skirt when I was 11, it was a circular skirt with a thick 1980's belt and I thought it was so fab!  Mum taught me how to read a pattern and how to lay out the material so I could make it go much further than the pattern stated! I could always get a belt or extra skirt out of my fabric quota!

I then got hooked, so much so that I did pattern cutting at school and then as part of my degree. I even made my own wedding dress with help from my teacher - my Mum!

For Baby L's first birthday I wanted to make her a vintage party dress, something that could not be bought in a shop. Something with puff sleeves and bows and cute ric-rac trim. Reading an old pattern was a bit of a challenge but I go there and so proud that I made her first birthday dress so unlike!

I'll keep on collection old patterns until I run out of space. These are from the 1950's from my Granny and I just love them. Maybe my next project?

 

Baby Name Artwork

Creating Personal Artwork - You can do it..

 

 

I have always loved to paint, from a little girl until I left university I painted a lot. For me, to get my paints out and get in the zone is something totally relaxing and rewarding. It is totally unique and created by me. It is different to a recipe or a sewing pattern as it is from my mind and I love it!

Now that I am a Mum, I really want to challenge myself and re-live my crafts. You really need the correct tools to create good art work. I always use Winsor and Newton http://www.winsornewton.com/ for my paints. You need good paints if you put the work in and you want it to last.

First of all stretch out your paper. Wet your paper then stretch it with masking tape onto a board. Then sketch out your design on good quality art paper with a F pencil. I use Faber Castell pencils http://www.faber-castell.co.uk/, Because it is a F pencil you can rub out your mistakes as the lead is so soft.

When you are happy with your design, you can then start with your colour palette. Take no more than 4 main colours as you can work with these. Be careful not to add too much paint onto your brush and use strong and defining strokes that you can then blend. I use acrylic paints that you can blend or watercolour blocks.

It took me a few hours to complete this design, once you are happy with it, leave it overnight before framing.

A beautiful, personal keepsake.


 

Vintage Style Baby Floral Card

Sending congratulations for a safe and happy pregnancy...

 I made this baby on board card as I was tired on searching for a card to both Mum and Dad to be! All the cards were either for the Mum (Mummy to be) or were Baby Shower type cards with lots of baby items on them. We wanted to say ' Baby on Board' in a subtle way in a natural grown up theme.

As in my earlier blog this week, I keep most bits and pieces, the flowers and leaves came from some beautiful wrap I picked up, this was layered over stamped card with plan and irridescent inks. A few little baby stamps were used but very subtle.

I have to say that I really love these stamps for using to say something that you cannot get on a topper. These cost me about £3 from a craft store and they are superb. I may need to put these away for a bit as they could be used on most of my projects!

Anyway, my lovely husband has just lit the fire outside and as it is such a warm and beautiful evening here, I am signing off my crafting to go and enjoy what is left of the summer. Now Baby L is sleeping through the night, we can spend more time together in the evening and I am not off to bank sleep in the early evening. Happy stamping!!