Deer Berlin

I have been very lucky in my life to have visited quite a few cities and among my favourites is defiantly Berlin, Its streets where full of unique, creative bars and boutiques.  There where different districts, all with their own feel to them we had two weeks, so we did a lot of walking and really enjoyed discovering new things around each corner. One place we came across was a former butchers shop transformed into the coolest screen-printing studio/gallery, I'm saying butchers as they still had the meat display cabinet, but thankfully long gone were the bratwurst and pork chops replaced with handmade brooches and other cool things.  Along with a couple of screen-printed pictures I had selected out of a sample folder.  Brett spotted this t-shirt, an old champion shirt over printed with the image of this sweet deer stag.

Well it's been well worn and and is a little holey so not wanting to throw it out, it had to be re-invented somehow and not hidden away in a drawer.  Finally realising the solution was to make a canvas block, I had though about framing it, but framing is best done by the professionals in my opinion, and fabric goes so well on canvas blocks, so that's what I did today and here it is . . .

 Up-cycled t-shirt up-cycled into canvas art

First off I removed all the excess fabric from the t-shirt, using pinking sheers in-case you have a close edge, they will minimise fraying I had to take care to leave as much fabric near the neckline, so I had enough to wrap over the top edge of the canvas.

I then laid the canvas block onto the image making sure I could cover the entire image comfortably, I then removed a little more of the t-shirt fabric getting a closer shape still leaving enough to wrap the block edges.

 Turning over the canvas block, I used a spray adhesive suitable for fabrics to coat the block, It works like spray mount giving a covering of glue and the ability to re-position a couple of times, I find this better than staples alone, as you don't get warping of the image due to the staples pulling but you still get a nice smooth finish.

it took a couple of goes carefully peeling and re-positioning the fabric piece until I had it in exactly the right position. I then sprayed the edges of the canvas taking care not to get the glue on the front of the fabric, and the pressed the fabric along the edges.

I folded the corners once and then again fixing with a single staple.  I also put in one staple along each side of the back of the canvas, you don't need to do this as the glue is strong enough it just neatens everything up. I then trimmed any excess fabric off. and here you go t-shirt transformed

 A lovely piece of art better than being hidden away in a drawer

Pretty floral day

This morning I had this beautiful floral display to enjoy whilst drinking my cup of tea and enjoying the sunshine. I was given these lovely terracotta pots and I wasn't sure what to do with them, but I just thought they where lovely so I bought some flower seeds, filled the pots with some potting soil and possibly put too many seeds in each one (so they are a little cosy) and after 6 weeks or so they are making their début. What was wonderful  was the surprise I was already standing over them and I was so used to seeing them as green seedlings, and pop here we are . . . 

Later on I got in to town and I always check out my local charity shops and I found these pretty floral plates.  I recognised them straight away as Poole pottery, not because I am an expert in ceramics or pottery but its my home town, and I am familiar with lots of their designs.  The're such pretty floral pieces and an unusual shape they have a lovely soft feel to their glaze like smooth re-cycled glass. I shall be putting them up for sale in Under Milk Wood soon.  I also picked up some lovely vintage hounds-tooth Liberty fabric, and another bubblegum coloured pot for my collection.

My first ever post . . . Vintage bounty!

A bright and early start to the day as I headed out on a buying mission to my local indoor market and car boot sale.  The morning started with the news of an overnight sale! a pair of great retro Pillowcases of to New York! this geared me up for my mission to find some more lovely vintage pieces for my etsy shop Under Milk Wood It was a lovely morning with the sun breaking through the clouds, but being weary of the potential rain most of the stalls were inside. A relatively small turnout none the less proved fruitful for me.  After the market I managed a few of my favourite vintage and second hand stores too. And here is a sneak peak at some of my bounty. . .

. . . cute little trio of wicker hanging baskets, mustard vintage vinyl cassette case, great storage item for little things.  Modern pink pot is for me. reminds me of the pantone products with its white band, and its bubblegum so yum! Gorgeous lime green vintage vase I adore vintage colour glass and this is such a bright zesty colour. Three vintage brass candle holders the lady told me she had had them over 40 years, and I love these acrylic rosary beads, can't believe I nearly didn't buy them, I also picked up some colour cord from the craft shop so that I can make some jewellery with them. All laid out on this amazing vintage plaid-blanket-that reminds me of fruit salad penny sweets, with its juicy pink and orange colour-way.

 lovely acrylic rosary beads and colour cotton cord.