♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ 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 ; )