Let's get sowing!

There is nothing like a couple of sunny days, especially in Scotland, to get you out in the garden if your that way inclined. We had a couple of days when it has been glorious outside and there was lots of jobs on my to do list that needed ticking off. So I decided to turn my days upside down, during the day I would spend time in the garden and at night work in the studio. So P and I have now managed to get most of our seeds planted so far, there were quite a few to be planted. We went a bit crazy in the garden centre and bought a bit too many!!!!! But this year I am going all out with flowers, and have the whole of the back border to fill with wonderful bright and cheery flowers.

It's been all go as we have a new edition to the kitchen garden.........our very own greenhouse. My mum and I had been out for a jaunt a couple of weeks ago and I came back to a very happy husband. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time. Our neighbours were turning part of their garden into a car park and no longer had any need for their greenhouse. It had been destined for the dump until P rescued it. Along with a rather nice 50's cabinet with formica top. We had wanted a greenhouse for a while and had always made a point of scanning the classifieds in our local newspaper. Every time we called a number for one for sale, the bloomin things had gone already so we had given up on the idea. So it was a very good day indeed!!!!!


P spent most of his evenings digging a big hole and building the footings for our new greenhouse. But with lots of hard work we, well mostly P if I'm honest, managed to get the green house up and ready in just over a week. We also have a lovely path inside and we were able to use some old paving bricks that we had salvaged from when workmen had dug up the pavement from outside my granny's house and these were the original pavement underneath the concrete slabs.
So although it was pouring down outside we were now able to pot up our seeds in our very own greenhouse. We were quite cosy inside, although we were wrapped up warm with lots of layers. I had the radio installed for the afternoon and we had cups of tea. And despite the rain, we had a lovely afternoon pottering about.

I love the garden, its my little place to get away when I have been working in the studio all day. It can feel like a proper break if I get out the house and sit outside, even if it's just for half an hour. So happy gardening everyone and let's hope, you to, have been able to get outside. What does your garden grow??? I would love to know. Leahx

Springtime Jamboree!

We were out and about last weekend to take part in the Made in the Shade Springtime Jamboree. We got up bright and early to pack all my handmade lovelies and vintage finds into the car. Here are some photos of my stall. I didn't get a chance to snap some photo's of the other stalls, but if you head over to Made in the Shades flickr page you'll see some more photos from the day. It was a great event and lovely to meet some facebook fans, familiar faces and some new customers face to face.

I was trying so hard to save my pennies, which is always so so hard as there are such lovely things for sale. I was tempted by a lovely fabric rose brooch by Angharad Jefferson. I also bought my mum this lovely book mark by Susie Maroon. It's a little something for her birthday next month. If you were there on the day would love to hear what tempted you???

I also managed to sneak off, P watched the stall, to pop into the new Cath Kidston pop in shop which is now in Glasgow. No P&P to pay, whoop whoop. I was trying to contain myself as we had to be quick and get back to my stall, I was suppose to be working after all. I had been lusting after the pretty flower plimsolls, and what luck the last pair in stock were a size 5, it was meant to be, my size. Also bought Lauren, my daughter, another bag to add to her collection, she takes after her mother!!!!. It was a thank you for helping me on the stall all day.

We then had to get back as we had an hour left till the end of the day. After our drive back down the road, we cycled round to tesco for rose wine and some ice cream, a perfect end to the day!!!!

Take one vintage card & a pretty cup and saucer!!!!

I have been working my little socks off this week in preparation for the Made in the Shade Springtime Jamboree. I always have lots of ideas for new things in my head and inspiration and ideas can come from many different places. So I thought I would share with you the inspiration behind one of my new designs. Take one vintage card and a pretty cup and saucer.


As may already know, I have a thing about birds, so I am always on the look out for dainty little birds I can use in my designs. I found this lovely vintage greetings card and knew I could use the swallow with the tiny envelope at some point. The cup and saucer I found at the auction, it was part of a set and I still have a couple of trios left for sale. The design is so so pretty, I have used the same flower on the blog background and my header for my online shop.


Using the bird, rose, some special words and a hand stamped heart I have created a pretty set of circle stickers. There are two sheets of stickers in each set and they come in a cellophane bag, so would be perfect as a little gift for someone special too. They will be for sale at the Springtime Jamboree this weekend or from the online shop next week, priced £2.00. If you can't bear to give them away you can use them as a finishing touch to a little card or pop one on the back of an envelope.

Spring is in the air!

Great news, I have just heard we have been accepted for the Made in the Shade Springtime Jamboree. Whoop Whoop!!!


The Made In The Shade Springtime Jamboree will showcase the work of over 30 local designer makers and creative businesses. Organised by the owners of all-new handmade gloryhole, The Maisonette in De Courcy's Arcade, Glasgow. Business partners Carrie Maclennan and Clare Nicolson are devoted to promoting and nurturing craft and design talent.

Photo credit: Prpl Hayes for Made in the Shade.

On the day, visitors can expect to be transported to a land of retro rebel housewives in hand-made aprons as they are treated to the sounds of rock'n'roll cool cats, honkytonkers and vintage drag on the decks.

As they explore the pick of over thirty stallholders selling products designed and handcrafted with love, customers can take part in the enhanced shopping experience by contributing to public crafting project, The Bunting Bonanza or by spending some time with the Made In The Shade stylist in the Not Now Cato! Vintage Dressing Room.

There will even be a DIY vintage-style photo booth set up for visitors to capture a snap of their day out! Very special goody bags containing handmade treats from designer makers, miniature art and other special gifts will be presented to early birds!

So why not come on by and say hello, its such a great event and love taking part. I always try my best not to spend my pennies, but it never quite happens.

I will be posting more info on the Springtime Jamboree and sneaky peeks at what will be on offer at our stall in the coming weeks. But will hopefully see you there! Lx

How does your garden grow

Although I don't really mind the winter months, I love it when it starts to feel like spring is in the air. My snowdrops are out and my bulbs are peeking through the soil. The search for my flower seeds and what vegetables we will grow in the garden this year has begun.

Longing for the time when we can sit outdoors and enjoy the sun and garden, I thought I would use these vintage seed packets to create some artwork so the wait didn't seem so long.

I couldn't resist them when I saw them and the real intention was to use them somehow in my gifts. But they were just too nice, I love the colours and it's quite amazing to think they are vintage. So I picked my favourites, which proved quite difficult and framed them. Most of the flowers are ones that I usually grow in the garden each year. The frames are now hanging in the dining room so I can enjoy my fruit and veg all year round.

Come In We're Open

We are glad to announce that we are officially open, come in and have a look around our brand new online shop. Over the coming weeks we will be updating the shop with some tweeks here and there. We have more handmade lovelies and a handpicked selection of vintage finds to add to the shop in the coming months. We hope you enjoy our new shop & would love to hear what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Leahx

The art of gift giving

I had finished making up my last orders that needed to be posted for their Christmas day deadline. I then had two days to create my handmade presents for this year. I really enjoy this part of Christmas, spending time creating my handmade gifts for loved ones. Not as many as I would wish I could make but hopefully I will allow myself more time next year. As Christmas day has obviously now passed I can share my handmade gifts with you without spoiling any suprises. It can be hard to give them away and always hope that I find the time to make a few special things for myself, but this never quite happens. It may be one of my new years resolutions.

This was for my lovely friend Kimberley, who had hankered after a real cat. This handmade one didn't need much looking after and also no feeding was required. The cat had a felt flower and tiny bell just incase she got lost. No name as yet but will keep you posted.

The felt birds were for my nephews down in London, a little hand made extra to hang on the tree and filled with money to buy a special gift with.

Each had a dainty little label stamped with the boys initials.

This was a pyjama case for a little girl called Teri, my good friends Sheri's daughter. I am affectionally called Auntie Leah or her fairy godmother. I made her a special dress for when she was christened. The pyjama case can be hung on a door or at the end of a bed.