Breakout the Barkcloth Bunting

So I had my eighth of eight cycles of chemotherapy last Thursday. Man was that hard work. 

Anyway folk have been asking what would I like to do to celebrate this particular milestone on the "journey". A glass of wine? A new head scarf? A holiday in Bora-Bora? 

Mini-barkcloth bunting garland

 Well they would be lovely thank you. What I've actually done of course might seem a little mundane in comparison but I have enjoyed it enormously.....yep I cut into the barkcloth called Darcey.

 Now Darcey is a magnificent fabric - unused and consequently super crisp and bright with eeeenormous ruby red and soft pink rose blooms - and well worth saving up for such an occasion. There is enough for just 4 lampshades including an x-large shade for a standard/floor lamp and a tapered ceiling pendant.

But then there was the scraps dilemma - too good to throw away. So I treated myself to the time to fiddle with fiddly bits and eek out some extra Darcey goodies.......like buttons....

card of 3 large Darcey buttons

 

 

 

 

...in two sizes.

carded set of 6 Darcey buttons

 And largely because of  my desire to wave off those pesky toxins FollyandGlee is now being stocked with celebratory mini-bunting flag garlands perfect for happier events!

Mini barkcloth bunting garland

 They are double sided so you can ring the changes and hang them to be seen from all  angles. 

Mini barkcloth bunting garland

But maybe the best bit.....they come with their own little spool of barkcloth fabric tape. This means you can hang them from their cherry twine ends with ease AND you'll have plenty left to use at whim.

Barkcloth fabric tape

I have really enjoyed good reports back from customers who bought barkcloth tape spools from me at the Selvedge Winter Fair and look forward to making more in the coming weeks.

Darcey Barkcloth Fabric Scrap Bag

 Last but not least there was just enough left for two more barkcloth scrap bags with Darcey as the focul print.

 

 

Darcey x-large retro drum lampshade

There is one more handsewn shade and stitched brooches awaiting the return of some feeling in my fingers but overall I'm elated at having had some studio time and barkcloth healing. 

Anyone else save up a favourite crafty pursuit for a special bit of me time? I'd love to hear. Have a wonderful bank holiday weekend.

x

TedandAgnes and some Barkcloth Squares

I was cheered beyond cheeriness to see what my GrannyChic friend Rachelle of TedandAgnes has been up to. My that gal is a whirlwind of activity. For some of us hosting a photo shoot for Country Living, not to mention recovering from a wet school holiday, would have been more than enough. But lucky for little Violet her mum added this gorgeous throw to her already gorgeous room. Check the castors on that bed - love em.

TedandAgnes

Especially exciting for me is that said throw is made up of some of my Vintage Barkcloth Fabric Scrap Bags - x3 @ 30cm squares of barkcloth loveliness ready for you to do with as you will.

TedandAgnes

 

Rachelle has kindly given some guidance on how she put Violet's throw together on her blog. I'm sure you won't need any tempting while you are there to hop over to the TedandAgnes shop. I for one am forever checking the latest stock of skirts and Rachelle's running workshops too from her beautiful Stitchery.

Baccara Barkcloth Scrap Bag

 Inspired? Well you can't beat Barkcloth for than authentic grannychic style. I've popped a few scrap bags in the shop this morning. All are original vintage cotton barkcloths from the 1930s - 1970s collected by me over many years. 

Polly Barkcloth Scrap Bag

 Barkcloth has a wonderful distinctive double open weave and nubby texture. Hardwearing but super soft and the depth of colour is unbeatable.

Aasta Barkcloth Scrap Bag

You will receive the 3 fabrics photographed with each bag given the name of one of the fabrics inside.  I'm sorry but there is a very limited quantity of each ie just one or two bags of each and once they are gone they are gone.  

Sailing Boat Barkcloth fabric Scrap Bag

If you need more do get in touch at hello@follyandglee.co.uk.  I'll update the FollyandGlee Facebook Album of available barkcloths over the next couple of days and will be happy to help if I can put a particular selection together for you - depending on availability of enough scrap fabric of course.

DearEmma's Distractions

This afternoon I have an important meeting with my oncologist and am terrified. A quiet morning staring out of the window patiently waiting for sounds of movement from the teen's rooms is too quiet - I need distraction.

DearEmmas Designs

I am reliably informed via Twitter that the herald of spring - a cuckoo - was heard this morning in Lewes despite the fact snow is settling on the Downs. In our own garden the bird life is noticeable by its absence - I did catch a glimpse of a couple of blue-tits but they were looking just that - blue with cold- and rather downcast.

DearEmma Designs

 Lucky for me that I have a lovely big box of fabulous applique panels from Cathy my clever friend at DearEmmaDesigns to work up into lampshades. Wrens and Blue-Tits galore all at their cheepy chirpy best. 

DearEmma Designs

 As ever they are a limited edition so hop over to the DearEmma website or facebook page to be the first to know when they are available or to ask about pre-ordering.

Wordless Wednesday - Weaving

Sunshine inspired - Virginia and a sister for Mavis

I might still have had to scrape the windscreen of ice early this morning but the sun has been out continuously since and doesn't it feel good?

Virginia £32

Maybe a little rash I know to reach for summery barkloths with roses in full bloom ...but Virginia did match my Easter bouquet from the boys 

 and I really didn't need any excuse to finish a younger sister for Mavis.

Mavis's little sister £28

 Rumour has it there's a baby Mavis on the way....

New Easter 40% off ShopLocket Bargains

Just in case you find yourself on a chocolate fuelled on-line shopping frenzy I have two more guilt free 40% bargains from the continued studio spring clean.

Bunny Boxes Win

The reality of a post chemo day is that it can be a challenge to anything more than flick a finger round the gorgeousness that lies within Pinterest all day. Determined to ensure I did something Eastery I had to make a choice: the annual simnel cake or a couple of barkcloth bunny boxes for my nieces mini-eggs.

As you can see the bunny boxes won out. Find the template here. I oversized mine by 150% and used off cuts of lampshade laminate rather than card to make them nice and rigid.

Last years Simnel Cake

My apologies to visiting family for the lack of simnel cake this Easter. Maybe I should make a "things I really should be baking" pinterest board and we can look at that together instead? Mr Hollywood's hot cross buns would be another contender.

BBC Goodfood Recipes

 How about you - what have you not made for Easter that you wish you had?