New ventures

Firstly a huge thank you to all you virtual customers out there. I've been overwhelmed this year by the email, fb, blog and IG requests for my makes! I'm now often found hanging out at the Post Office on my days off.

Another little venture has been selling via a rather lovely shop Magpie in Poundbury, Dorchester.

They have just opened a children's shop next door to their main store and I'm thrilled they are stocking my cushions and some other bits. If you're local it's well worth a visit. Lots of lovely things - perfect for present shopping!

I was even more thrilled when they messaged last weekend for more stock!

So I've been making like mad to fill the shelves..

Love this sweet pink fabric with kitch 50's kittens and ducklings

This atomic style animal print is always a favourite

Can never get enough Noddy in blue

or white!

Using up scraps to make some mini lavender bags for Custard Hall

All backed in old wool.

This was an order for a lovely lady who wanted 6 pillows all with the bird design.

And finally this lovely chap arrived too late for the old toys post last week but spotted on good old Facebook was on his way to a new life in Devon within 24 hours!

So THANK YOU virtual friends and customers!

xXx 



Sooty love

A couple of weekends ago Littlest Jammer had a party to go to. We bought a present but I wanted to add a homemade gift. I know her parents love vintage stuff and she's a huge Sooty fan so...

a rummage in my stash and a Sooty lavender pillow was born.

This got me thinking..

 Thinking I've also got that Sooty fabric in blue.

Then look what happened!

 

 

a similar one with Noddy on...

 

 A little while later a collection appeared all backed in matching vintage wool

 

 

reminding me of Battenburg cake!

 

If you're interested there are just a few sitting quietly on the shelves of my etsy shop. There's quite a lot of wastage of very precious fabric making these so the rest will be cushions to make the most of it!

 

On the non virtual shelves of Custard Hall this month... 

 Squeezing potential presents into every space 

 

Right up to the roof!

We've got Christmas Cracker Night tonight, so a year since the shop opened! It's been great but sadly probably my last month there. When I look through the lists I've sold loads over the year but financially it's a killer. Whilst I completely understand rents in the town centre are high it's so disheartening to give it all the hard earned pennies back in rent.

So next year you'll still find me at The De Danann Antique and Vintage Centre DT1 1NF where I'm in my 14th year - gulp!!



Christmas toys to love

It seems everyone has a soft spot for an old toy. I've been saving a few up ready for Christmas at Custard Hall and enjoying their company in the meantime.

I've snapped them all and try and post new stock on my Facebook page or Instagram to give further afield vintage lovers a chance if anything takes their fancy.

The Little Red Dolly turned into a swap with The Vanilla Squirrel and you can see her at home here! I can't show you what I swapped her for yet as it's a birthday present for a certain little jammer in few weeks.

 This gorgeous pink monkey was a tough one to say goodbye to, but he's off on a journey as I type, to another bloggy home with Bobo Bun! I know he'll be well looked after there.

 I need a big space for this lovely Merrythought elephant pyjama case!

 Can never resist these peg dolls

 This little bun was snapped up straight away by one of the staff at Custard Hall and is on his way to America about now.

 
 

 And to finish I got into a bit of a monkey sharing thing on Instagram with Bobo Bun and The Vanilla Squirrel. I have to say Ms Squirrel wins hands down for the most amazing collection of old monkeys. She even has a monkey cupboard for them to live in. But here are my two...

Love them!



Etsy update

Just to let you know I've popped some new makes in my etsy shop

Let me introduce you to the Winter Bunnies

Similar to their cousins the blankety bunnies but more wintery!

They love to snuggle up against the alpine cushions

 and hey presto

they match the cushion back!

 

These lovely old Christmas postcards dated 1909 were the inspiration

for Christmas lavender pillows

All stuffed with 100% lavender and embellished with bells, bows and hand stamped tags

Naturally they are all backed with vintage fabrics

Well you wouldn't expect anything else would you?



 



Elsewhere things have been too quiet for my liking at Custard Hall so I've desperately been filling the shelves with all things festive and wintery

  

Whilst customer orders have helped keep me ticking along

Thank you to everyone who 'likes', 'shares', orders, pops into Custard Hall and helps keep this little bit of my life going!

Stocking up and spooking out

 This half term I've been trying to stock up on Christmas makes in anticipation of a busy time ahead.

 Stockings trimmed with vintage children's fabrics

 Lovely vintage Bambi barkcloth

 Shirefolk by Burgess Ledward

 This gorgeous old zoo fabric

 and vintage racing cars

both teamed with old gold velvet!

Meanwhile there has been making of a different variety going on

Eldest Jammer spent the week showing numerous pictures of intricate pumpkin designs "We could do this Mum!".

We settled on buying her her own pumpkin and I was then really impressed with this. All made with her 12 year old hands and fingers still all present!

 I made an owl. Bit of a cheat really as I chose it because I thought it would be the quickest option with minimal cutting involved.

 And Little Jam had a 'here's one I made earlier' moment. Her pumpkin has been sat in the fridge grinning at us for a week since she made him at a friend's party.

Happy November to you!