London Mummy

Kite Studios Winter Sale

Apologies for absolutely rubbish picture, but my latest scanner has just given up the ghost!  Anyway, this is where I will be, along with lots of other lovely gorgeous goodies tomorrow night, Wednesday - if you're based in London do try and pop along to help this extremely worthy cause - it promises to be a really sociable evening. 

Another vintage find and a little bit of Japanese Crafty Goodness

Gorgeous, gorgeous vintage greeting card, another find at Spitalfields Market recently.  I'm loving the owls sitting on the branch above the snoozing cat!  Love the gray and blue colour combination, I'm guessing this card is from the 1960's but if anyone can shed more light on it for me,  please do let me know.  Little did the person who sent this card know that some 40 years later it would be framed and put up on my wall :)

The card was designed by Regie Gillard for the Gordon Fraser Gallery Ltd.  I cannot find any info on the web for Regie Gillard but the V and A apparently hold some of the works by the company in their Art and Design Archives.  How fascinating would it be to be able to delve a little more into these and see the collections first hand - there is a long list of companies in the Archives but in order to view the actual items you need a letter of recommendation.  Still it is interesting to see which collections they hold.

Livvy and I went back to Spitalfields and Columbia Road on Sunday.  I didn't take my camera as I'm always a little wary of pickpockets in these tourist spots so no photo's I'm afraid.  It was really busy and the sun was shining so we had a great time - spotted something I've never seen before, Cycle Polo anyone else seen this?

I've been really enjoying making some clothes for  some friends children so decided to treat myself,  yes I know I'm being greedy ordering six Japanese sewing books for babies and toddlers, but I'm justifying the damage to my credit card as an early birthday present to myself!  I would love to have had these when Livvy was smaller, I made her a couple of outfits but could have really gone to town if these had been available then:

Actually the damage isn't too bad, I've ordered these from Yes Asia who are offering free shipping for orders over $39 at the moment.  I  also have a $5 discount coupon code, email me if you want the code.  I don't think many of these books are particularly new but can't wait for them to arrive.  Anyone else got any of these?  What do you think, are they worth having and which projects have you made?

A little bit of Thrifty Goodness and a spot of shopping in Spitalfields

What a shame they don't package paints for children like this anymore!

This little tin so reminds me of childhood, afternoons spent painting on a dark rainy day.  I found this set of paints at my local car boot fair and as soon as I laid eyes on it knew it just had to be mine :)  I couldn't believe it when the chap selling it rather warily asked a £1 for it, how could I resist and promptly snapped it up.

It was made in England for W H Smith & Son, I'm guessing sometime around the late 1970's.  It still had the original 25p price sticker on it.

The illustrations are just delightful, my favourite is the Lion I think - it would be wonderful to find out who the original artist was.

Inside it still has most of the little individual tablets of paint with the colour names printed below each one, somewhat muddied by a child's eager painting hand dripping water from their brush no doubt, but still wonderful all the same.  I love the fact that it says "couleur sans danger" inside too :)

Found this little cheerful vintage apron in a treasure trove of a vintage shop just off Brick Lane during a trip to Spitalfields last week with a friend. 

Tiny bit of vintage trim but thought it was just so sweet!

This area is definitely worth a visit but I would recommend going on a Friday or the weekend as a few favourites like Labour and Wait and Shelf in cheshire Street are only open then, unless you want to spend your time like we did, our noses pressed up against the glass willing someone to magically appear!  Sunday is a particularly good day anyway as you can combine it with a trip to the Sunday Up Markets and the Flower market at Columbia Road, if the good weather keeps up for the weekend I shall have to tempt Livvy into a return trip.

Charlotte over at Anknel and Burblets recently posted about her last day at work nearby and has lots of lovely photos of the interesting sites in the area including a fabulous coffee shop.

Right I'm signing off now as I seem to have posting gremlins with Typepad and it is driving me nuts!

Strawberry Luna - Original Hand Screen Printed Art - for babies, kids and grown-ups

I don't know about you, but I love to follow a Flickr trail, you know when someone adds a comment or one of your photos to their favourites.  I like to take a look at that person's photos and then their favourites which often leads me to some new things for me to love :)

Which is exactly how I came across the posters and Alphabet Prints of talented designer and screen printer Allison of  Strawberry Luna

I have always loved this colour combination and as we all know, I have something of a penchant for houses too :)  Everything about this composition just works for me.

Or how about this one:

Now in real life, I'm not a cat lover but even I have to admit that this one is cute!

Allison also designs and hand screen prints some lovely limited edition Alphabet Prints which have a wonderful nostalgic feel to them, here are a few of my favourites, although I had a tough time choosing as there were just so many that I like. 

Priced at $15 each plus postage - my fellow Europeans will be delighted to hear that Allison does ship internationally - I think these are tremendously good value. 

These would be an adorable addition to any nursery or playroom and would be a very welcome new baby gift I'm sure.

 

Actually I know a fair few adults who would love this on their walls ........

How could I resist when we all know just how much I love owls, be they Festive Ones for Christmas or just normal everyday fun ones.

Birds in a tree, yep that works for me too!

 

To see the rest of the collection and purchase any of  Allison's prints and posters, visit the Strawberry Luna website.

Do let me know what you think and you can also check out Allison's Flickr Photostream.

Seed Prints - Card Giveway Winner

Well Livvy had great fun writing up the little slips for the entrants for the Seed cards giveway and she picked the number 20 out of the hat and so the winner is:

Many congratulations, to Mette, please drop me an email with your full address and I shall pop your set of six cards in the post right away.

Olivia was desperate to pick out another winner, so as a little extra I am going to send a little set of three cards to:

number 16 which is nomadmama, so please send me your details and I shall pop yours in the post too.

Tara asked me to thank you for all the lovely feedback on her cards and is delighted they have international appeal.  I also mentioned that many people really liked the idea of framing them and you will be very pleased to hear that Tara is planning on producing square prints measuring 33cm by 33cm in the following:

Cow Parsley - my personal favourite

Clover

Cala - another contender for my favourite

And finally, Ivy

If you are interested in purchasing one of these prints, either drop me an email or contact Tara herself via her website where you can also view her full range of cards.  She will also design and produce custom wedding stationery too.

Many thanks to everyone who joined in, I'm planning one more giveaway before Christmas - I'll let you
know more nearer the time :)