♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ A Little Moulin Rouge @ VHL ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

These pictures appeared on my Facebook wall a few days ago. Taken by the wonderfully talented Sharon Holloway of  Vintage Hair Lounge, Southampton.  Based on the Moulin Rouge a window display was created using the products they sell and a few hats in the mix for good measure...

Check out their Facebook page to see more or follow them on Twitter.

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♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Vintagenie Christmas Fair ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

What a great day. I picked up Binkypops early this morning and we set off to have stalls at Vintagenie’s Christmas Vintage and Handmade Fair at the Penta Hotel in Reading. I usually dread these days due to the amount of boxes and bags I have to take, finding a parking space and generally being on my feet all day. I shouldn’t whinge about it because I appreciate all the positive comments and attention my work gets at these events. After all, the reason I do it is to show it all off. However today was very different due to the exceptional organisation from Lou and Anna of Vintagenie. Space sorted, directions sorted, parking sorted it really was the easiest it has ever been. Here are a few pictures from the day. I had to post one of Stephanie's stall as it just goes to show how very different we are. I wish I could turn up with one bag and be done :)

 The chaotic presentation skills of Soobird here. I had more than I thought and was really happy with how it looked. Now to find an ornate free standing mirror just to finish it all off.

You can probably see what I mean... sadly I forgot to get some close up shots of her jewellery, check out her shop to see.

Here we have Shaz of Oddsox with her wonderful sock creations. I couldn’t help purchasing a snowman badge... along with a ton of other bits from the fair.

The Penta Hotel was a great venue, lovely large and warm room. We all had plenty of space which made a nice change from the norm. Often we get crammed into tiny spaces which makes it quite difficult. At the front there was a performance area where a few local (highly talented) musicians took to the stage to perform for us. Hat’s off to the Burlesque performer. She must have been freezing!

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♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Comic Book Clip ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

One for the geeks out there. A fancy flower created from a comic I pinched off Darren... I’ll pay attention to comics now I have something to do with them.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Christmas Top Hat ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

 

I forgot to get these pictures up of the latest Christmas addition to

the Soobird collection. Inspired by the Christmas cake my nan used to

make I thought it would make the perfect head piece for this season.

Taking it along on Sunday to Reading, I am sure it will get lots of

attention. It’s currently in my Etsy shop...

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♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Vintagenie Fair ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

This Sunday you can find me at the Penta Hotel in Reading, UK. It's
going to be a cracker of a fair! Vintage, handmade, Burlesque and more... oh yeh, mince pies and mulled wine!


Click here for more info https://www.facebook.com/events/147331632026140/

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Charming Magpies ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

The latest creation, ready to make it’s way to Charming Magpies, a charming little vintage shop in Winchester. I am really excited about this partnership as I have so many ideas for bits and pieces that will feel right at home amongst the patterns and designs of the vintage clothing. My favourite of course, tweed. Any opportunity to create some tweedy type items and I am on it. I think being able to use feathers I have found or that have been given to me by students who go pheasant beating at the weekends makes it that bit more special, and personal to.

Anyway, this is the first of many... and it is available in my Etsy shop.

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♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Flowers to be framed ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

I had a request to create 3 flowers in black and white, one large and two to go either side slightly smaller. Three black mounts are currently being cut to size at the Eastleigh Picture Framing Gallery just around the corner. They were very complimentary of my work and also gave me lots of advice, which I appreciated a lot!

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Latest project ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Well, when Sharon at the Vintage Hair Lounge contacted me about the Southampton Boat Show in September I couldn’t contain my excitement. This is a theme I can run a mile with. I won’t go into too much detail now because I really should be making some spectacular hair pieces for the event but I had to share a few ingredients I discovered in my box of tricks...

Perfect...

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Porlock ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

So.. we had a scenic drive down to the coast to visit Darren’s dad and Eileen in their new house. Both are keen gardeners so I knew we were in for a treat. I got a bit sad (not in a grumpy way, in a geek way) about the Eucalyptus tree in their garden. It not only reminded me of my time in Oz but also Borneo. As a textile artist the patterns and colours just stood out. I think I was stood looking at it for a good hour. Now that is sad.

We had been to Porlock Weir before. I never get bored nosing around the windy little streets looking at the gardens and the cottages. It’s a gorgeous little place, just too quiet. Not sure I could live there but appreciate how others could.

After dinner at a quaint little pub in Porlock Weir (I highly recommend the Steak & Ale Pie and Mash - WOW) I was introduced to possibly the best thing I have ever seen. It’s what I aim to have, decor wise, one day. I am familiar with the Miller’s Antique Guides, my parents have every single one and are keen collectors of all sorts. Not like me and tat, they look for antiques and unusual pieces of glass, jewellery etc to add to their ever growing collection. So when Joe took me into the Hotel run by the daughter of the author of the Miller’s guides I knew I was in for a treat but never expected to see a hotel crammed, floor to ceiling with antiques and unusual bits and pieces. It was heaven. The taxidermy deer and 1920’s feel to the place was crying out Murder Mystery. I am not even a fan of Murder Mystery but if they had one there I would definately go.

If only I had my camera with me, my knackered old IPhone just doesn’t do the place justice!

I’d like a staircase like this... I felt like I was being watched.

What a fireplace. Jealous.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Booty Finds ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

What treats were found. Some nice old chap had a selection of oldy looking things and these tongs just leapt out. £1.50 and worth it just for the fact the box is red and yellow... sad. As for the jacket,you can always rely on Winchester car boot. For ages I have been trying to find a fitted tweed jacket. Just going to replace the buttons and all sorted, not bad for £4. Also got a skirt in a paler tweed, what a good morning it was.

As for the stacks of playing cards, well I am saving them for another blog.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Topper ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

I just wanted another picture to edit and I found one. I can’t stop myself, my galleries aren’t going to be the same ever again!

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Katie’s Hen Headpiece ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

The theme was Burlesque, the location was Bristol. Katie’s headpiece had to stand out from the rest of the Hens that were going to descended on Bristolthat weekend (and there were a fair few). It actually wasn’t that difficult, the theme was perfect and another member of the party had already had a headpiece to go with her custom made corset. It was a day of cocktails, gorillas, Hooters, corsetry, tutus and rhinestones. Brilliant!

The feathery pad was layered with turkey feathers to give it a luxurious finish. Goose feathers added a bit of oomph and the ostrich feathers and quills added that extra bit of burlesque type height that is needed in a hairpiece. My favourite bit was the pearlescent buttons and brads that were clustered at the base of the feathers and the rhinestones on the veil added that extra bit of sparkley glamour...

And to finish it off a touch of animal print, just because I know how much she likes it.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Introductions ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

I love being introduced to new people, new things and especially new APPS! I had this on my Iphone, I get lazy. I take pics store them on my phone and never get around to doing anything with them. VintageJelly commented on how she loved the Pixlr-o-matic, I have it on my phone but had no idea it was online... I absolutely love it. Especially when photographing my cards, gives them that old school, knackered look. Perfect.

I also dabbled in the #ff on Twitter. Never really had a clue what everyone was FFing all about, then Sharon from the Vintage Hair Lounge explained all. Today it paid off. Little did I know that there was someone only a few roads away from me busy making exquisite headresses from vintage jewellery. They really are something to behold. So after a bit of ‘oh wow’ and admiring each other’s creations the links were made.

Lovely to tweet you Jo of Jo Barnes Vintage ; )

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Inspiration ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Design Copyright: Soobird

Photo by ChrisMeany.com

An Alice in Wonderland UnWedding party in exactly two weeks and I am helping to create some one off pieces for it including the Mad Hatter’s Hat, cake stands and a few bits and pieces for the Queen of Hearts... these shoes are the perfect inspiration... I want them so much : )

Sandals (see more heart shoes) www.polyvore.com

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Queen of Hearts Buttonhole ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

From a private request through Etsy I was asked to create a Buttonhole to work alongside the Queen of Hearts. I personally really love it and now want to create one to mount on a vintage full size top hat...

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Custom Clips ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

♣ Lorna’s Peacock ♣

I was asked to create a small clip to be worn in the hair to match the dress pictured. The Peacock style design on the fabric was the perfect starting point. Goose, pheasant and crow feathers were added along with some beige/coffee coloured strips. The finished piece measures 13cm in length and is attached to a clip, making it suitable to wear in the hair or as a bag, clothing accessory.

♣ Elise’s Black and White Wedding ♣

Something small and discreet for her sister’s wedding, but still with in the Soobird style. This is a much smaller version of the Queen of Hearts without the red cards. On a simple snap clip it sits neatly on your head, however it can still double up as a brooch or clip by requesting a brooch clasp to be added. This design will be featured in my Etsy shop very soon, it got a lot of attention at school.

♣ Hen Do at Ascot ♣

16 pieces made in total for this Hen Party. Above is a simple design taken from the more flamboyant design of the Hen’s (picture on it’s way). Due to the request being to suit 15 ladies with differing tastes this suited everybody. The clip attaches to all hair types and again doubles up as a brooch. So those not wishing to wear it on their heads could still be seen as a member of the group. Each petal was backed with race themed newspaper articles in keeping with their theme and their venue.