Lavender Linen and Lace had our first outing to a vintage sale today.

Up until now we have done most of our selling through the internet

but decided to try doing a sale.

We have both been getting so nervous about it,

 made list after list to make sure we had

covered everything and even took over Lynn's kitchen

 to practice our table set up .

We just had to hope that we got some customers.

I made a very early start and passed these chaps on my way

 to pick up Lynn and couldn't resist

taking a photo.

This is where we were going to spend the day,

Culford Hall School in Suffolk.

we were in the hall perfectly placed near the tea stall.

we quite quickly went from this---

to this, 

thanks  of course to our pre planning (worrying)

I should have taken a lot more photos of the other stalls but 

had such a great time talking to all the great people

who came to speak to us.  It was so nice to know that other

people admired the textiles we have as much as we do.

 So time to pack up and leave these beautiful surroundings

for the journey home already talking about the next one.

Hope you have all had a good weekend.

Gillxx

Vintage Padded Hangers-Tutorial

I have been asked how I made the padded hangers from my last post (monthly makes) so I thought I would have a go at writing my first tutorial and show you how I made them.

I know there are instructions in books such as Cath Kidston Sewing but this is the way my Mum used to make them and as we all know Mums way is best.

Obviously the first thing you need is a hanger, I have quite a few wooden hangers but a plastic one would also work. You also need something to use as a wadding. My Mum used old stockings on one of hers which worked perfectly well and is a great way to recycle an old pair, although I've even used them to re-stuff a much loved rag-doll who was looking a bit sorry for herself.
But I digress (as usual)

So cover the hanger with the wadding, then measure your hanger
and cut a rectangle of fabric to fit around it.

I then decided how I was going to embellish it  and
decide if it needs to be added to the fabric
before or after you cover the wadding.

I went for the pretty trim and lace on just one end as the other end had some
 embroidery on the fabric already and I didn't want to cover it up.
The trim was sewn on before wrapping the linen cover
 around the padded hanger and slip stitching  into place.

Then add a small button to each shoulder to help keep the
hanging ribbon in place and a bow at the bottom of the hook.

And voila finished
Easy eh.

If you want to have a go with vintage Linens and don't have any, have a look at my Etsy shop  Lavender Linen and lace for the Inspirational packs.

Hope that was clear enough and you have fun making your own--if you do.

Sprak again soon.

Gillx

Monthly Makes

I ,like alot of Blogland it seems, have had a horrible cold the last week.  Can someone tell me why we always seem to get these things when we have a busy week ahead. Mr T unhelpfully said that if I took myself off to bed for a day  and gave into it rather than carrying on I would get over it quicker.  

Words fail me.

I did manage to do a bit of crochet towards the blanket swap and have sent off my first load of squares but of course forgot to take photos before wrapping them.

My first parcel arrived a couple of days ago, this one from the Snail Garden.

It was a lovely surprise and they are great squares.

I love the butterfly.

I thought is was a good time to show you my monthly makes.

A couple of padded hangers made from old linen and lace which is part 

of the damage items in the stock of Lavender Linen and Lace.

Both have got tiny buttons on the ends to stop the cloths falling off, hopefully.

I needed a new cushion on the bed and was inspired by  the vintage feel of some of the fabric I received as part of one of the Christmas swaps.

And this handsome fella is in Patch by Cath Kidston.

I'm quite pleased with the result.

Lastly, this little guy has been sent of to Battersea dog home 

as part of their campaign to put a herb sachet in every kennel.This one is full of lavender.

I have tried to find the link to this but it seems to have disappeared.

Never mind I have sent it off anyway.

Have already started on next months so watch this space.

See you soon.

Gillxx

A New Venture

I can't believe it's Thanks giving already,

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

 this time last year I was in San Francisco on the last leg of my holiday of a lifetime.

This was my view from the front of a cable car.

So much has happened in the last year but there is one thing that I have been meaning to tell you all about for some time and now seems like a good time.

A few months ago I told you all about an auction buy here. It was done on a whim and afterwards

Lynn and I discussed what we were going to do with all this beautiful linen.

well the answer is we started Lavender Linen and Lace.You've been wondering what that button on the side bar was, well now you know.

We have even registered the domain name lavenderlinenandlace,co,uk  and 

Since our initial lot we have added quite a lot of other auction lots as well as sourcing things from elsewhere.

We have had a couple of personal tragedies and setbacks along the way.

But

We have opened an Etsy shop where we have sold a few things and my daughters boyfriend Nick 

( Hi Nick) 

has set up a web site of sorts which I'm struggling to get my head around at the moment I must admit.

I have given Lynn some lessons and she has started up her own blog called…yes you guessed it, lavenderlinenandlace. she would be delighted if you popped over to say hello.

This, for both of us, was a bit of fun and an excuse to go to the auctions and charity shops, we don't expected to make anything out of it, although occasionally Lynn has us taking over the world.

But we appear to be covering our costs.

Some of the linen is not in a good enough state to sell as it is frayed or stained

but has some lovely embroidery on it.

Watch this space for an idea I have for that.

The latest exciting news though is that 

these shelves will soon have some of our stock for sale on them.

As the great little tea rooms in Heydon Village in Norfolk are going to display some of things

  

So if "you want that look of faded elegance have a look at our vintage linens"

What do think? 

Anyway wish us luck.

Gillx