Bunting for Beginners with Booboo Kitty Couture

It's always nice to take the plunge and learn a new skill....today I did just that. I was invited to attend a beginners sewing workshop hosted by Booboo Kitty Couture at her dressmaking studio in Nottingham. Although I am no stranger to a needle my sewing was strictly limited to cross stitch embroidery and basic repairs by hand so I was super keen to be guided through the handling of a sewing machine by an expert.

The class was small and intimate with only 4 participants which meant that Aislinn was able to give us all plenty of individual guidance. She talked us through the basics of using asewing machine then demonstrated how to make our own bunting. After this initial instruction and a quick practice on the machines we were all eager to get started....the hardest part was choosing which of the lovely fabrics to make into our bunting. I eventually decided on a chintzy combination of florals and polkadots in a cream and pink colour combination and begun by cutting out my triangular pieces before braving the sewing machine to sew them together. Once sewn I turned them the right way round trimming any uneven bits from the top opening. Then I decided which order the fabrics should go in and pinned them to the bias binding which I folded over at the top to give a neat edge. Next came the tricky part......machining it all together. I was surprised how easy it was to do and even remembered to remove the pins as I went along so as not to break the needle.

As part of the day we went for high tea at the fabulous Tiffin Tea Rooms which was delicious. There was so much food I couldn't manage it all and it was a delightful interlude in the day and a chance for us all to chat and get to know each other.

I was SUPER impressed with the bunting that I made and can't wait to get my own sewing machine and make more. What a great day and a fabulous new skill to learn. I'm even considering booking onto a future day course to learn how to make my own swing skirt. If you are interested in booking onto one of Aislinn's sewing workshops then contact her via her website  to find out more information on dates and pricing. She will also do group bookings and it would definitely make a great day out for friends.

My bunting now has pride of place on my living room curtain pole as a reminder of my achievements today - why not give it a go yourself.

Outfit of the week #4

Apologies for the lack of recent posts but a recent, unexpected family bereavement has left me feeling a bit low. I did wear this outfit last week, on Wednesday to be precise, but as I looked pretty darned shocking last week I'm using a picture taken in the same outfit a few weeks earlier - hope you don't mind!!!

I've had the blouse for ages, it has such a cute cat print all over, however it is totally sheer and it took me a while to get a flesh coloured cami to wear underneath. Was worth the wait though as it id one of my favourite tops. I love the pretty shade of pink and peter pan collar - don't you???

top - Marks and Spencer

skirt - Boobookitty Couture

An Easter made of WIN!!!!

Now normally I'm the kind of person who doesn't win anything but over Easter my luck seemed to change......

First I won the Boobookitty Couture blog giveaway......some super cute sweater chains from Vintage Envy  ......check out their etsy shop for some AMAZING pieces of vintage jewellery.

Then I won some yummy Besame vintage make-up in the form of a sweetheart lip balm in cherry from Deadly is the Female for coming joint 4th in a recent competition they held for customers to post pics of themselves in clothing they had bought from the website (lots of fab vintage style clothing, check them out)

(here's the pic I entered in the competition which was taken at Stapleford Park Country House near Melton Mowbray where I went for a FABULOUS afternoon tea last September wearing my favourite polkadot Stop Staring dress)

And finally.....................well, they say things happen in threes, my daughter Stella won an Easter colouring competition at our favourite teashop Marmalade and Tea in Borrowash, Derbyshire and won a massive choccy egg, which she has very kindly shared with us all om nom nom. 

I highly recommend Marmalade and Tea if ever you're in the area, lovely tea, scrummy tarts (the lemon tart today was AMAZING!!!), gorgeous cupcakes and the kids love the milkshakes. I took my mum there for a birthday treat and we had the afternoon tea which was delicious and the ladies that run it are so nice.

Well.......still haven't won the lottery but an Easter of WIN made a rather pleasant change

The Eve Appeal vintage tea party

During the month of March The Eve Appeal, a charity which raises funds to research into gynaecological cancer, asked ladies to host a vintage style tea party to raise funds. As I have previously suffered with cervical cancer myself and underwent a hysterectomy 5 years ago, I needed no encouragement at all to hold a tea party for this worthwhile charity. Also, I love an opportunity to get together with my friends, wear pretty frocks and eat cakes......all for a good cause.

Wearing the promotional t.shirt I was kindly sent for being a party organiser.....I love red

This was my outfit on the day of the tea party (gratuitous pose next to my vintage boat bar!!!). The cute dress is by collectif and looks fab with or without a petticoat underneath - I always have bunting up in my kitchen too..........just love the retro look it gives to a modern space.

I decided to host a vintage tea party at my house as there wasn't time to find a big venue and invited lots of lovely ladies. Everyone who came put £1 in the collecting pot, I sold charity pin badges for £1 and also had a fun raffle which we were kindly donated some amazing prizes by boobookittycouture, Blank Canvas Photography and White Rose Healing as well as from kind friends who wanted to support the cause.

Just a selection of the raffle prizes we had on offer........people were so generous in their donations

On the day we managed to raise £106.20 which aint 'alf bad for a small tea party at my house. I still have a few remaining pin badges to sell and might also do a cake sale at work to raise a bit more before I tot up the final amount and send off the cheque. It was a lovely afternoon, we hall had a good giggle and enjoyed getting dressed up. I'm looking forward to hosting an event again next year but might have to look for a BIGGER venue this time.....my house is just too small!!!

Below are just a few of the gorgeous ladies who came along to the tea party...don't they all look FAB!!!

 

 

        A lovely day was had by all, lots of money raised and awareness of an important cause and despite the mountain of washing up afterwards I can't wait for next year's tea party!!!

Sweater Chains from Vintage Envy

Creating vintage style isn't just about the outfits, it's about the smaller details too..................

For a while now I have been after vintage sweater chains as I love wearing cute little cardis but get frustrated when they fall off my shoulders. My lovely friend boobookitty couture (check out her awesome blog too) recommended I tried a seller on etsy. As an etsy 'virgin' I was a bit nervous but there were so many pretty things in the Vintage Envy etsy shop that I was spoilt for choice - great prices too. I snapped up the cutest sweater chains ever and, less than a week later, they have arrived from America.

As you can see it was packaged beautifully and it felt like my birthday had come early.

Look how awesomely cute the sweater chain is......I think they are seagulls but not entirely sure.

Quick final snap after work to show you how it looks on - I love it!!!! My first etsy purchase certainly won't be my last and if you check out the Vintage Envy etsy shop you'll see that she is currently offering a 10% springtime discount - now I just need the funds for my next purchase!!! Also Boobookitty Couture is doing a giveaway for Vintage Envy on her blog too at the moment so you may be lucky and win a prize.

Remember folks............the devil's in the details, cute accessories can 'make' an outfit!!!