local loveliness...

Hello, how are you this week?  I'm slowing down, getting ready for Christmas and looking forward to time off from all the usual routines...the school run seems to get harder every morning!  It's been so cold here, though we've been lucky with bright sunny frosty mornings...but I'd still rather be tucked up under a duvet watching movies with my boys than hustling them out of the door...

I had a busy weekend, starting with the Christmas Fair at Max's school; I'd been staying up late to make stock for a few days beforehand, but as usual the buzz of the fair kicked in and I enjoyed setting up my stall...

 

 

I had great fun painting and decorating this little display house and styling it with little vintage goodies; though I'm not sure about my lovely assistant's novel method of 'helping'...

Luckily lots of M's friends were there so he frolicked off to wreak mayhem while I enjoyed some quiet moments before the crowds flooded in....well, not crowds exactly - but it was busy enough.  I sold enough to make it worthwhile being there, and got some commissions for the New Year, so all in all a fun and successful day! 

Later on M's school took part in the local annual Lantern Parade, which was a brilliant community event involving children from at least 3 different schools and many individuals from all over the area.  It was a cold evening, but the kids had an amazing time as the traffic stopped and we took over the streets as dusk descended...

M's class have been learning about ancient Egypt this term, so they designed a Zombie Mummy lantern...

it looked pretty spooky as the sky got darker!

the parade finished in a park, where as well as all the handmade lanterns we were treated to a glowing hot air balloon...amazing.

After all that we went to a friends house where the kids ran riot while the adults warmed up with cocktails...a busy but very lovely day! 

Sorry it's taken me till now to share it with you...as you probably know I am guest blogging over here this week...if you haven't popped over to see what I'm up to there, please do!

Hope your Christmas preparations are going smoothly, it can be a stressful time of year.  I'm feeling pretty calm so far, but there's still a lot to do!

Rachel x

I've been busy making....

fabric covered buttons...

 

and pocket mirrors...

and lavender bags!

It's so fun using bits of my yummy fabric stash; I'm also working on some mini bunting and a few cushion covers which is keeping me very busy! 

I've got stalls booked at a couple of craft fairs, the first is this Saturday at our local secondary school.  I'll also be selling vintage fabric squares for patchwork, fat quarters and metre lengths of ribbon from my lovely local craft shop, so there'll be lots of gorgeous crafty bits for those that like to make things, and handmade gifts for those that don't.

I'm off to get the sewing machine out, only 2 more nights to go and still a lot to do!

Thanks to all of you for reading and commenting, and welcome to my new followers - it really does make my day to know that people enjoy popping in here, blogland is such a lovely place and it's nice to have a corner of it that I can call my own!

Hope you're having a good week,

Rachel x

I did some sewing, yay!!

Hello lovelies, how are you today?  

I have had a bit of a rollercoaster week, my Dad has been ill and urgently needed major surgery, which was really nerve wracking.  He is recovering and his health should be improved after a period of recuperation, so in the long run it's a good thing...scary though.  And then just when I was having trouble sleeping cause I was worrying about him, the rain started dripping through the ceiling...

But!  This Saturday we are collecting our new baby, Floyd the Miniature Schnauzer.  The excitement level in our house is reaching fever pitch - only 2 sleeps to go - it's like an early Christmas present for our whole family. 

In the meantime, before I bombard you all with pictures of Floyd, I thought I'd show you something I managed to make...yes, I made time for some sewing, and it felt good!   I've been playing with these bits of fabric for a while...

 

I love these fabrics so much, and some of them I've only got a little bit of - there are barkcloths, and collectible fabrics from Heals, and Scandinavian fabrics.  I wanted to try something a tad more ambitious than my usual squares or strips, so I went for a rectangular log cabin type of arrangement...and as with most things I make, I planned it carefully, but I still got to the end and saw things I might do differently if I could make it again.  But that is ok, that is how we learn...and now instead of having to open my cupboard to look at all these gorgeous patterns and colours, I get to enjoy them every day, which makes me really happy.   

Before I go I'd just like to welcome my new followers, and anyone who has popped in to read or comment...it still amazes me that people spend time here, reading my ramblings...thank you, you're all totally gorgeous. I just have to give a special welcome to my newest follower, Donna Flower(!) who if you love vintage fabric (and if you don't, what are you doing here?!) you will surely know of - she sells the most fabulous vintage fabrics and haberdashery, both online and on her stall at various vintage fairs.  I actually bought the top bit of the cushion cover above from her, and now she's following my blog! Sorry, I'll stop now...just had to get a bit excited about that!

I hope you're all having a good week, and haven't been ill, or flooded, and have maybe managed a moment or two of creative fun...

Rachel xx

vintage treats...

Helloooo, how are you today? I've had a busy few days, making the most of the weather to get out with F and the boys - hurrah for the sunshine!  

We all went to a car boot sale at the weekend, we haven't been for ages because M always gets carried away and we end up bringing a load of plastic tat home. But I fancied a rummage in the sunshine so off we went, and in fact the boys were great, each choosing something small and then getting engrossed with playing with their new toys.  Meanwhile I scanned the tables, looking for that elusive treasure...and then....

well, I do like tins, though I usually go for a bolder design, but it's pretty...

 

the designs around the sides are a bit more my style... R likes the 'funny dancing boy'...

I love the crazy pointy beards...

how much was it? £5 with the contents - I don't usually spend that much on one thing for myself at a boot sale, it doesn't really feel like a bargain price, but I could hardly say no! 

 

Most of the reels are wooden, and apart from their obvious use they are just beautiful objects. 

These 3 are proper strong button thread, the blue and brown are linen...

these 3 are the smoothest and shiniest cotton thread I've ever seen...

and this one you don't find in every sewing kit!

I never used to haggle at boot sales but I tend to pick up a little extra something and see if I can get it thrown in...in this case, I think I did quite well...

3 rather gorgeous pairs of knitting needles.  I don't really knit - my Grandmother taught me a bit when I was little but I could never remember how to cast on or off!  But I'd love to learn properly someday...

I found the background fabric on holiday, in a little vintage shop in St Ives called Beatengreen Boutique (I don't think their website's been updated in a while, but I always like to provide a link where possible).  It's a very bright and psychedelic pattern, here's a close-up:

If you like it I'm going to be listing a cushion-cover sized bit of it on Ebay soon, along with a few other favourite bits of fabric; I'll let you have a sneak peek at them soon!

Before I go I must just welcome my newest follower; I had an odd thing happen the other day when 6 followers just disappeared - did I lose them down the back of the sofa?! maybe they didn't like photos of flowers?! - but having the super talented Jane of teawagontales more than makes up for that little mishap!  If you've never perused her lovely blog or Etsy shop I recommend it, especially if this applies to you too...

Isn't that just perfect?  I so need that somewhere on my wall!

I hope you're enjoying your week , 

Rachel x

rainbow and green go off on a jaunt...part 1

Today I had some errands to run which could not wait, so off we went in the rain...luckily R is a cheerful little soul so jumping in puddles kept him entertained on the way.  

Yesterday was a quite different story though...both me and Lou of littlegreenshed found ourselves child free for the morning, so rather than our usual 'quick coffee then off home to do the hoovering' routine, we treated ourselves to a proper adventure!  I don't know about where you live, but our local high street has pretty much everything you need for day to day life; this is great, but it does mean that sometimes I go WEEKS without venturing out of our neighbourhood!  So we hopped in Lou's car and off we went to the OTHER SIDE OF TOWN - I was so excited!  

After a chat over coffee and a slice of delicious cake, our first stop was the delightful Flo Jo Boutique, a lovely shop and craft space which has recently been featured in Mollie Makes ...

 

 

They run fabulous workshops including knicker making parties! The shop is beautifully styled, with all the goodies displayed in 50s kitchen dressers and vintage sewing baskets.  

Just over the road we discovered an amazing charity shop, called SHOP, which was an Aladdin's cave of retro and vintage gorgeousness....

 

 

...again, it was styled really nicely, more like a vintage boutique than a charity shop. So far, Gloucester Road was proving to be a feast for the eyes!  And then we headed further down the road, and I'll show you what we found there tomorrow...

The sun has come out while I've been writing this, though knowing the weather it will start raining again just in time for the afternoon school pick up!  It's the last day of school here, I am almost hoping that it rains again tomorrow because I think what M needs more than anything is a day at home in his PJs. 

Hope you're having a nice day, 

Rachel x

fabric, fabric everywhere....

...no, I'm not complaining, it makes me so happy!! Saturday brought me 2 lovely parcels, both presents from lovely bloggers....

a stack of vintage sheet fat quarters and vintage wallpaper pieces from the totally delightful Ada, aka Vintage Sheet Addict...

and, totally unexpected and stunningly generous, a piece of fabulous Dekoplus from my friend Jenny of The Custards...

big thanks to both of those lovely ladies, I am one lucky blogger!!

And inspired by all this gorgeousness (and by the need to make some space in my stash cupboard for these new arrivals) I rummaged in my piles of fabric today and pulled out some summer brights to play with...

Yum!!  Looking forward to getting my sewing machine out soon.  If you feel the need for a patchwork cushion cover, send me a message on this blog or e-mail me at rainbowvintagehome@gmail.com - I love putting fabrics together in unique ways to create one-off pieces for people, maybe you'd like one for your home or as a gift for someone?

Hope you're having a nice day. 

Rachel x

this week I have mainly...

been sewing flowers for a friend's wedding bouquet...

 

and for her to wear in her hair...

 

 and for her daughters to wear in their hair.

The wedding was yesterday, we went to the reception last night.  It was a lovely romantic occasion in the best sense of the word, the couple have been together for 20 years and have 3 gorgeous kids, and are still totally smitten with each other.  A great start to our weekend.  I hope you are managing to enjoy your Saturday despite the rain.

Have a lovely weekend.

Rachel x

one of the reasons...

that I've been so lazy about blogging this week...

 

I woke up in sewing mode the other day, and didn't want to stop till I was finished...I still need to sew a backing on it, I'm thinking fleece for speed and ease, so that I can get on with the next one!  I've got a friend who's due to give birth any day now, so I want to get a lovely vintage fabric cot blanket made this weekend.

I am really pleased with it, it is not perfect but I have learnt loads in the process of making it. The fabrics are all vintage, and are pretty special - Heals, Marimekko, Graziela, Conran, Dekoplus, Tampella, Boras,scandinavian, barkcloth... the result of 2 years of slightly obsessive collecting (oh dear, I'm such a fabric geek!)!  I'll show you how it looks when it's finished, and hopefully the next one will be in progress soon.
 
If any of these fabrics jump out at you and make you wish you had a cushion cover or patchwork item for your home, let me know -  I would love to make something lovely for you out of some of my vintage fabric, email me at rainbowvintagehome@googlemail.com.  

Hope you've survived the half term reasonably unscathed, the weather here has been pretty vile but somehow we have come through smiling (so far - still 2 days to go!).

Hope you have a great weekend, love and thanks for taking the time to pop in, 

Rachel x

this week I've...

...not had much time for blogging!  So here are a few photos of what we've been getting up to over the last 7 days...

sending parcels (here's one just opened by Hazel)...

 

a magical woodland picnic in the heart of the city ...

 

kissing tigers...

cutting squares for a quilt (totally failing to fight the urge for rainbow order!)...

 

 eating dinner outside...

 

 receiving exciting Finnish birthday gifts...

 

baking cookies...

It's been a wonderful but busy week - I have also enjoyed our local open house arts trail (which deserves a post all of its own), danced and drank cocktails to celebrate a friend's 40th, spent time with friends, sat in the sun at the park, got the paddling pool out, sourced vintage loveliness for one friend's home and another's wedding...and of course that's just the good stuff, there was plenty if day-to-day tedium and tantrums to fill up any spare moments!

After all that I'm looking forward to relaxing this weekend.  Hope you've had a lovely week and that you have a happy sunny weekend! 

Rachel x