Spring CRAFTfest closes...and back to work I go

Another week over and another CRAFTfest draws to a close. It's been another brilliant week with festers pooling resources to promote each other in all manner of social networking ways to make our event successful. Over the course of the week we had 3,899 brand new visitors viewing 31,315 pages of fantastic handcrafted goods by our stall holders. As always it's been hard work but a great buzz and most definitely worth it. Read more about CRAFTfest here

So back to the real world for while. What am I up to this week? I've been working on an order for a customer in the US who I have a sneaking suspicion is a bit of a fabric addict. She has provided me with some stunning prints to work with and I've loved working on this order for her as she's given me pretty much free rein to design and make pieces for her that compliment the fabric choices. I particularly love the rucksacks I've been making. Here's one hanging around waiting for the eyelets to finish the drawstring closure.

So well named this fabric "Happy Valley" with its cheerful colouyrway of greens and pinks and scenic print with nods to toile and willow pattern. I'll be finishing these off this week along with a throw, tote bags, cushions and some purses made with lovely vintage brass frames. Phew, such a lot to do!

If you would like to have something special made with your favourite fabric email gill@personal-space-interiors.co.uk with the details.

I'm Back!

Oh my poor neglected blog, how I've missed you...

I've been very busy indeed since before Christmas moving house and having the resulting lack of internet access until Tuesday but now I'm back and raring to go.

Curtains are the order of the day at the moment. I'm in the middle of a lovely order for a customer in New York who has been buying lots of fantastic fabric remnants for me to make closet curtains for her apartment. I love orders like this; make and invent as you go along. So watch out for the finished products and see what I've managed to eek out of the left over pieces. I'm thinking cushions, bags, rucksacks...

CRAFTfest has arrived!

It's Black Friday everyone and there's 10% off purchases over £20 on my website today. Some of our other stall holders are offering discounts too so don't miss out.

So how about some stall previews? Let's start with the homewares category and a look at MinXtures, Perfect Patchwork and of course Personal Space Interiors (me!)

MinXtures

Find more photos like this on Creative Connections

Perfect Patchwork

Find more photos like this on Creative Connections

Personal Space Interiors 

 

Find more photos like this on Creative Connections


Click here for Homewares  at CRAFTfest, the biggest and best online craft fair open 24 hours until Sunday 2nd December

Vintage or ultra modern style statement - it's a matter of personal taste...

Today I wanted to share some of my bespoke work with you; two commissions in stark contrast to one another.

First, a vintage style super soft cushion pad made to fit a settle. A settle is a bench seat with a high back, usually made for two people, and often known as a monk's bench.

My customer Kate had been lucky enough to be given a fabric stash, and I was just able to squeeze enough from her favourite fabric piece to make this cushion cover. It is a gorgeous ivory with woven stain thread floral posies in bronze. We talked about how Kate wanted the finished cushion to look and decided on a duck feather inner as this would sag softly with use, giving the lived in "Bagpuss" effect over time. I made both the inner and cover using a welted style to give the cushion structure and definition. Cambric was used to make the duck feather inner along with 3kg of duck feathers. Cambric is a special waxed cotton which helps to prevent the feathers poking through making a cushion with a longer life span. I made an extra cover using a gorgeous candy striped cotton canvas in pistachio and pale apricot. And when Kate feels like a change, we'll get to see the new cover!

****************************

Next, we have Laura's ultra modern designer fabric statement pieces.

Laura chose this Designers Guild Leopold fabric for her covered headboard, and had some pieces left over for pillows. It is a bold statement in a striking oversized geometric design in vivid chartreuse with black and metallic accents. The masculine print design is softened using pompom edging on the pillows, which also adds texture and frames the pillows perfectly. The use of black and white in the walls, soft furnishings and accessories creates a sophisticated yet witty and playful scheme.

*****************************

I don't think you could get two examples further apart in terms of the colour palette, design and finished effect. It just goes to show how widely individual tastes can vary and when it comes to interior design, your home really is your very own personal space.

*Thank you to Kate and Laura for providing the images used in this post*