Mary Jane's Blog
My friend Melissa has come up trumps again this week with her cheap chic paper decorations. Simply get yourself
a decorative paper punch, cut out shapes from old books, or sheet music etc, and stick together to
create these fantastic baubles. Simple, effective, fun!
Glad to hear that Deptford is featured in Time Out's guide to vintage.
Here's the result of a recent trawl - all for just a few pounds.
I think you saw the swans in the recent Cheap Chic Tip of the Week, but the patchwork was another brilliant find.
When my friend Melissa unpicked some of it (she's planning to make it into cushions) the pieces of card
used as patterns were works of art in themselves.
Take a look below!
I love the way the maker used old greetings cards - what a lovely array of colours.
1970's methinks?
I feel quite nostalgic!
This week's delightful "cheap chic tip of the week" comes courtesy of my talented friend Melissa. Regular readers will know that she came over from France for a trip to Deptford flea market (well, she was actually doing a piano exam in London too!). Anyway, lying unloved and separated from each other on random junk stalls, we stumbled upon these quirky plastic swans. Stained with nicotine and looking pretty filthy, they were snapped up for less than a pound.
Back home in France my determined friend gave them a good scrubbing and no doubt disinfected them too. And haven't they come up a treat?!
Here they are - no longer ugly ducklings - but very fine swans indeed!
Bedecked with ribbon and filled with Easter treats they make a fabulous present or table centre-piece.
Any unloved ornament, egg-cup, mug or vase could be similarly made-over.
Well done Mel!
Haberdashery Heaven with my friend Melissa at Deptford Market.
Can you spot her Chic on a Shoestring brooch?
I was lucky enough to be invited to Sissinghurst Castle by The Wealden Times last week to talk about Chic on a Shoestring. I had a lovely time meeting everyone. What's so special is that Vita Sackville West who lived at Sissinghurst, inspired my first ever hat. Here I'm wearing one that's a direct descendent from the first one I ever made. Spot the Chic Brogue Makeover too?!
Here are a few photos - more on my Chic on a Shoestring Book page on Facebook.
Don't you think the green plant is the inspiration for Fortuny pleats?!
Didn't they do well!
Many are now off to study theatrical millinery with the amazing Jane Smith.
Aren't hats fantastic?!
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Thrilled to be featured in the Spring Hobbycraft magazine. Check out my jewellery making feature with simple-to-make ideas for ribbon and chain baubles - and my 5 minutes of fame on the back page!
OK - here's the idea. A new Mobile Millinery on water. Traverse the watery byways of Britain making hats and looking at Britain's textile heritage.
Write a book about it.
What do we think?
x
Try making a pair of these fresh fun gloves using the sleeves of an old jumper. Cut the sleeves down to a suitable length, then hem the cut-off edge to stop fraying. Create a thumbhole with a few stitches, then you're free to embellish!
I cut out lots of felt circles, folded them in half and sewed them all around the edge of the gloves. I then added a simple shaped felt flower and leaf.
There's enough warmth in these gloves to combat the still-chilly air - but plenty of colour to make you feel Spring is almost here!
Enjoy!
x
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