All Fired Up

I found the firescreen design I wanted to be amended!

After trawling through embroidery websites, google images and eBay I finally found a Home Sweet Home Sampler pattern that with a little adapting will be the finishing touch to our mock fireplace.

The text I want is a quote from Fahrenheit 451, the cult sci-fi book about a world where books are illegal and the fireman routinely seek them out and burn them.
Guy Montag, one such fireman starts to question the logic and morality of this and the book follows his journey of self discovery.

'If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you'll never learn.' - Fahrenheit 451

I want the borders to be flames and the house removed and instead a bonfire on the top.

So next I had to find someone who could amend the pattern for me, I started calling embroidery companies, posting comments on embroidery online forums and just when I started to despair I went to the BUST craft fair and saw the Urban Cross Stitch stall!

Urban Cross Stitch design and sell contemporary patterns (and even full kits with the pattern, canvas, threads and needles) so you can create your own urban embroidery pieces.

I went straight over and met Phil, explained what I was looking for and he wasn't phased at all.  A few emails later and I should be able to see what Phil's come up early next week. How exciting!

So watch this space....

"It destroys the craft not to learn it"
- Irish proverb

Bloomin' Bustacular

So last weekend was BUST, the independent craft fair and it was fabulous! My lovely friend, I shall blogname her, 'Ink' (as she's a fantastic illustrator) and I arrived in the nick of time to get a free goodie bag each - bonus!

Hawkandfallow's stall with Pure Harte was a sight for sore eyes, beautiful displays of handmade cards, lace collars, vintage crockery, handmade dresses...so many delights!

There were rows and rows of stalls all selling handmade, customised, vintage inspired treats, Ink and I went round at least 3 times as there was so much to take in but eventually we pur-chased....

I bought this gorgeous notebook designed and made by Kali Taylor Mittman.

Each notebook had a different colour lining. I loved how the back of the bicycle is on the back of the notebook...ah simple pleasures!

I also fell deeply in love with a huge amount of Dan Hillier's pieces and after circling his stall several times.....

settled on the 'stag gentleman' on wood.

P.S My goodie bag was full of business cards,

sweeties, a brooch and a brilliant magazine called 'Oh Comely' which I am yet to properly sit down with but from the first few flicks feel we are going to become great friends.

Dinner with HawkandFallow...

yes, I've hopped on the Hipstamatic trend train.

Last night I was at HawkandFallow's house for a spot of (delicious) dinner and a good old yarn.

I was very excited to be allowed an exclusive sneak peek at the GoRgEoUs wares she will be debuting at the latest Bust Craftacular. What a treat! They are all so incredibly beautiful that I couldn't help but touch everything. I was like a lickle gal in a sweet shop of delectableness.

I shan't spoil the many surprises she has up her embroidered sleeve as you must put in an appearance on Saturday (York Hall, Bethnal Green, 12-7pm) to see for yourself but I took a couple of pics to tantalise your crafty tastebuds.

Envelopes made from 1940's catalogue pages protecting greeting cards made from vintage rent cards and playing cards, tied together with pretty ribbons.

Bottom - Notebooks made from Victorian programmes.

Me and The Big One went to the last BUST (just before Christmas) and returned laden with amazing and beautiful objets du désir....most were gifts.....a gift for me, a gift for someone else, a gift for me....

"Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson