Mini Bags

Oooo these mini bags are so useful! I've done a few in this design before in different colours and they've been very popular.

They're so handy to put your lunch in or your book, or any other goodies! I use mine to pop my Persephone books in so I don't mark their lovely grey covers and I keep my graphic markers in one too as they are rather fat pens!

You can get them in my Folksy shop now.

In other news I am having a lovely Easter break but am rather frustrated by my lack of inspiration! Why is it that when I had no time to do things and I was tired from work I was desperate for more time, now i'm on holiday and I just can't seem to get the ideas going. So very annoying!!

I am eager to be creative and make things but I just cant get any ideas out. However I did make a lovely bag from some vintage fabric I had last week. Pictures to follow of that! I just HAD to make something. I am now on the hunt for some vintage 50s fabric so I can make cushions for our 40s/50s front room. No luck in the charity shops so far, keep your fingers crossed for me!

My first tag! I'm rather excited!

I've been tagged! For the first time ever, i'm so excited, tho i'm not sure who to tag as I don't have many friends, here goes tho!

Here's the rules:

1. Respond and rework: Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add more one question of your own.

2. Tag eight other people.

Here goes...............

What is your current obsession? Shrinkles. Remember those? More about those soon!

Coffee or tea? Definitely tea, the name should say it all. I don't drink coffee as I get migraines.

What’s for dinner? Mmmm lasagne

What would you eat for your last meal? Oh jeez, I don't know. I love food. Probably roast dinner, Lamb preferably.

What was the last thing you bought? Food shopping. Last off the conveyor belt was baking potatoes I think.

What are you listening to right now? Wimbledon coverage.

What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? Black velvet 80s jacket with sequinned shoulders. I don't wear it v often. Its a bit much really lol.

What is your favourite ice cream flavour? Ben & Jerry's chocolate fudge brownie.

What do you think of the person(s) who tagged you? I don't know her very well but i'm very excited about any blog friends. And I appreciate being tagged.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? This is a toughy too. Probably Southwold Harbour Inn sitting outside in the sun with a nice cool glass of pimms and my Chris.

Which language do you want to learn? I'm rubbish at languages so I have no desire to put myself through that again!

What is your favourite colour? I love colour, so to pick one is pretty difficult but if I had to it would be pink.

What is your dream job? I would love to make money from being an artist and creating what I enjoy. One day I really hope this could be true. I do love lecturing so I think i'd do some of that too. As pocket money (haha!)

What is your worst habit? worrying! I am a big worrier!

If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on? Vintage finds!

Do you admire anyone’s style? I admire loads of people's style, check out Lookbook.nu I get lots of inspiration from there.

Describe your personal style? I think someone I know could describe it better than me. A friend's partner once said 'how does Jess manage to look like she's covered herself in super glue and jumped into her wardrobe and still look good?' i've calmed down a lot since then! I think I just look like me.

What are you going to do after this? From looking around I think I better tidy.

What are your favourite movies? Currently, Che Parts One and Two and Amelie. I've seen a lot of really good films this year.

What is your favourite fruit? Pineapple.

What inspires you? Englishness, domesticity and the countryside.

What's your favourite book? I don't really have a favourite. I love Haruki Murakami and i've not read a bad Persephone so far.

Do you collect something? Too many things, vintage homewares, old tins, fabric

If you could change your name to anything, what would you call yourself? I actually really like my name. I am Jessica which I do like, but I think i'm definitely Jess. Sometimes Jessie, i'm not a big fan, but it depends on who says it.

What is your favourite smell? Bed in the morning. Or a warm cat (yes for you non cat people I know that sounds off but I hope you cat people will get it)

What are you most proud of? Finally finding my own style and liking what I create.

How many times do you press the snooze button before you get up? I press it once if I do it at all, I do tend to get up tho, i'm quite the morning person.

Cats or dogs? Cats. In a big way.

What’s your biggest fashion mistake? When you've been as bonkers as me when it comes to clothes the list is endless.

Complete the following: Love is… for us, never arguing and being constantly silly and not feeling stupid for it.

What is your guilty TV pleasure? Oooo i don't know. Dolly Parton!

What are you reading currently? Marianna by Monica Dickens

What did you want to be when you grew up? A geologist, a teacher and a journalist.

What is your biggest regret? Not doing a textiles degree. But I wouldn't be so well rounded a lecturer now had I not done a fine art degree. So i best get over it.

Tag! You’re it:

Strolling Sue
Blueberry Park
Thoughts Of The Common Reader
Claire Palmer Designs
Debbie's English Treasures
Sal's Snippets

Play along if you fancy it, don't worry if you can't be bothered.

Waiting for another sunny day

The other weekend when it was really sunny and lovely I sat in the garden listening to Radio 4 and doing my knitting. The only thing that was missing was my deckchair. You just can't relax properly on a wooden garden chair for sitting at the table.

I eventually went and retrieved my deckchair from my parents' house last week. Unfortunately by that time the sun had gone away! So yes that is carpet you can see, now grass. That little pile, my knitting, persephone book and bag of drawing equipment is waiting there. Waiting for the sun.

In the mean time i'm busy designing more prints, cutting more stencils and printing more bags. And making art too!

Completely Wonderful

I have a new Persephone book! And I was lucky enough to be given Miss Buncle's Book by Nicola Beauman as we had a brief chat last night after she gave a talk at Suffolk Book League.

Several months ago I found out that Nicola Beauman, founder of Persephone books was to be a guest speaker. I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of April 8th ever since. And when it finally arrived I was lucky enough to be suffering a migraine and vertigo. For a split second I considered staying at home. But I went. And i'm jolly glad I did.

Her talk was very interesting. She discussed what made her want to start Persephone, her love for women writers, the shops and the books and how their unique style came about. She was charming, spoke so wonderfully, was funny and frank. She answered questions from the audience ranging from how she chooses the books they publish to the financing of the publishing house and cost of the books compared to your usual paperback you buy on the high street.

The books are often found through recommendations from customers or friends, Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day was the favourite book of a customers' mother. Part of the charm of the shops is how cosy they seem and how it appears to be a small business with a personal touch. Nicola proved last night that that is exactly how it is. There is only a small workforce (they currently have a work experience girl with them named Persephone!) and the mail orders are sent out from the shops with a punctual postman at 3:30 everyday.

Nicola herself is also charming and friendly. I spoke to her briefly about how I discovered Persephone and she asked what I do. I talked about how I planned to read Miss Buncle's Book next but hadn't finished Marianna or Miss Pettigrew so must finish them first. She was kind enough to give me the copy of Miss Buncle that she had brought with her. Asked me to let her know what I think of the book and asked my name. A lovely evening. Even with a splitting head!!