Etsy...

I've set up my own Etsy shop, finally.

Up there, I've loaded two baby mats.
I was unsure about the pricing, but I've been fair to cover costs and a small profit, minus my time.

I've been advised that Not on the High Street, is also good, but I'd rather not list the same items in two places. I'll try my luck with Etsy and we'll see what happens. It's all quite exciting.

In my lifetime, I've sold a handbag to a friend of a friend years ago, but I've never sold anything to a stranger. I've always given things as gifts. It seems rather bizarre to be selling items, but also so very exciting. That is of course, if anyone buys them. Well, in fact, regardless of people buying them, it's still exciting!

Dress Making

My friend Simone lives in LA and works for Alexander Henry Fabrics, every time she comes to visit, she brings me little gifts from their collections. This time, she brought me the fabric I used in the dress below, and the Frida Khalo fabric, to the right. Isn't it gorgeous, it's a deep turquoise, very vibrant and just purely adorable. Being given a couple of yards of both, was a dream come true. I love you Simone.

I had a hen do last weekend and due to being unemployed, I needed to conserve money, where I could. So decided that with the new fabric, I could be productive with my time and money. Out came Diana from retirement, and off I set. I measured the booby triangles, sewed them together. Cut four lengths of material, sewing two of them end to end, folding the edges over and ironing, then placed and sewed the boobs in place.

Eton Butterfly Print

Then I cut the lengths of the skirt and gathered them to be the correct size and sewed them in place. I was hoping to have a small open back to the skirt, but failed. I had far too much material, oops! I hemmed from 6 inches below the belt, and then sewed it all together and hemmed it. I also sewed the belt up properly. Made a quick couple of straps for the top half and popped them into the tops of the triangles.
Basically, it was really easy and took me about 4 hours to make. Isn't it cute!

It worked out really well, until about 1am, when one of my straps popped off, not so great! But all in all, it was fab and I was extremely proud to be wearing my own design. I'm extremely tempted to make a couple of summer tops in a similar style now.


Plus, I've been sewing for about 15 years now, and I've only just found out how to gather material through stitches. I guess it's true what they say, you're never too old to learn.

Too much option

Living where Tom and I live is pretty awesome. Not only is there an abundance of shops and market stalls,  awesome bars and pubs, and generally an extremely nice vibe all around, there is also, possibly, the most amount of restaurants.

We live close to Brick Lane, so automatically there are shit loads of curry and beigels. But if you go towards Liverpool St/Spitalfields, you've a whole bag of stuff.  Spitalfields is full of chain restaurants, if you fancy something well priced and predictable. In all of the side streets off Spitalfields, you'll find quaint little food bars and restaurants. Including, Japanese Canteen & Flying Burrito Bar both on Middlesex St (Not overly keen on the cactus leaf in a burrito), & Poncho8 which is the burrito bar I've not eaten at yet, next to Spitalfields.

On Commercial St, there is the good looking BoHo Mexica, & St John's Bread & Wine, which I'm dying to eat at, I want bread and wine!
Up on Columbia Road, there is a fab looking restaurant, that Tom & I are desperate to go to, called Brawn, there is something charming about it, perfectly sized, open planned, honest little tables and chairs, dim lighting, charmingly perfect. It reminds me of the Magdalen Arms, Oxford.
There is also numerous sushi bars, and Italian restaurants. I'm in my FAT element.  And I haven't even mentioned the two food courts and street market every Sunday in Brick Lane. Or the infamous curry house down in Aldgate East called Lahore Kebab House. Or the fact that our local, The Carpenters Arms, does awesome food. If you order something as simple as Potted Smoked Mackeral, it comes with a whole baguette of bread automatically and is delicious! I'm desperate to try the Escargot and chips. Yum!

Now, talking about pubs, we're within a close proximity to The Ten Bells, Commercial Tavern, The Carpenters Arms & The Pride of Spitalfields. Slightly further a field, are The Royal Oak, The Marksman & The Water Poet. These are just the ones we go to, there are about 4 off Spitalfields, in the back streets, that I often walk past and think about visiting.
One of our favourites, is The Pride of Spitalfields, it's a classic boozer. Extremely old school; carpet, curtains, dark painted patterned wallpaper, brass horseshoes, mega sized optics, cheap booze and one of the bar ladies has stepped out of Eastenders, it's perfect. We've seen British comedians in there. It's that classic typical little pub that is perfect, especially with the spilling on to the roadside for the smoking area.

Basically, I'm not wanting to sound smug, I'm just trying to say, that when I'm employed, as well as Tom, my bank balance is doomed! Although, my social life will be thriving, as will my waist band.

Naked Wines - Benjamin Darnault

I joined NakedWines about a year ago. I received £40 off my first order through BBCGoodFood, when I signed up with them, (which as a side note, is totally worth it, as not only do you get £40, you also get somewhere online to store your favourite recipes and also somewhere to submit them).

I'm not one to turn down a good offer, so off I went to NakedWines. The first thing I liked was that they support winemakers, who have found it hard to get distribution within the UK. Second, they deliver to your door (I know all wine companies do this, but it's a huge plus). Third, the website is perfectly interactive, where members can leave reviews and opinions of particular wines. Basically, there are lots of reasons I like them and chose to stick with them. I originally thought, if it's crap, I can leave, but it wasn't crap, it was great. Especially as this bottle, Minervois, was one of my first purchases.

Now, Benjamin Darnault is a genius with wine. Some how whatever he discovers/makes tastes like heaven. Tom & I adore the Minervois, ever since we had it the first time, the heavenly silky, cameral rouge has now become a standard order for us. I'm soon to order the Benjamin Darnault case, to taste all of his delightful discoveries.

This month, I got in the Celtis Australis, it's just as gluggable as the Minervois, a little fuller, but equally as rounded. Basically, if you're going to spend money anywhere, and would like a tasty wine and some thing that is purely delicious, order Ben's wines from Naked Wines, if nothing more...

Being a Dental Receptionist Pt. 1

I got sacked today (I've never been sacked before. I've always been the dependable, considerate, trustworthy, loveable employee), it sucks. Well it doesn't massively, as I kind of really hated that job, as in really disliked my role. The people, were generally lovely, but the job, urgh!

I was working as a dental receptionist for a small practice. The owner was the head dentist, who was a lovely woman, reminded me a lot of my mother but she wasn't keen on listening to others, as it was her practice and things were done her way, which is fair enough, I suppose. But for businesses to move forward, you need more than one thinking person to assist that progression. And the way this business was run, it desperately needed a rethink, and reorganisation.

The office manager was a lovely asian lady, who for the first week I believed didn't like me, but then I realised she was so over worked that she wasn't able to be friendly. In fact, I found out that she was so over worked that she's sorting stuff out at the weekends when the practice is closed, which is ridiculous. Not only was she working 10 hour days without lunch breaks, or breaks at all. She was also working at the weekends?!

There was also, the Spanish dentist, Alfonso, who got a lot of Spaniards and latinos in, although it seemed at times that this was more a thorn in the owners side, than a gimmick which paid off. I'm guessing because Spaniards are a passionate country, who don't pay for missed appointments?! I've no idea, but they were occasionally flaky and didn't see why when you've given 24 hours notice, you should still pay. I'd always try to explain that we had a policy of 48 hours but it was hard. I felt very sorry for Alfonso, I didn't think he deserved the shit he got at times, or should I say the shit he didn't know he got.

The Hygienist who was a charming Scottish girl, who in my interview I really liked but soon realised after I started that she was more work, than play at work. I think it's safe to say she took the stress that the owner held and tried to support her 100%, to help her relax, it never worked from what I saw. The owner is one of those kinds, who will always be stressed even when she doesn't need to be. She has too much weight laden on her shoulders, most of which is self laid, but I'd never suggest that to her.

The two dental nurses were from Eastern Europe, I really liked one of them and kind of liked the other one. One was friendly, saw work as a need for money, had a dry sense of humour. The other one was a total "mother", young but took everything as her responsibility and asked me about 6 times a day "what you doing?", whenever I wasn't at my desk.

There were also two technicians, one was a sweet foreign guy who was shy and, well, sweet. The other was a grumpy bastard, who lacked any social skills and was just plan rude, horrid in fact! If he was a welcoming party, he'd be goose stepping! OK, so that analogy might be a little harsh, but he was extremely unpleasant and did nothing to try to make others welcome, or put nerves at ease. I guess that is why he was stuck away in his little box.

In my interview, I was asked if I was willing to be flexible, which of course is a "yes". Then told that the job was £20,000 perfect, not ideal but pretty good for a job that is 42.5 hours a week. The office manager then enters, I'm now informed that it's £7.50 an hour, (since when am I on an hourly rate?), and that there will be a bonus of £400 a month, if I can get the head dentist and hygienist's diaries up to 90%, (say what?!), I ask if I'll be cold calling, I'm told not at all. But, since when, is being a dentist receptionist, a sales position? I am so confused. I agree to start the job from the following monday, welcoming any form of job.
(I never realised getting a job could be this hard. I should have but?! It took Tom nearly 3 months and a lot of bullshit agency seminars to get a job through a friend. I mean, what the fuck is the point of recruiters anyhow?! And their crap "hot air balloon game bullshit", which fucker came up with that one, I'm guessing an American from the "new age of corporation"!).

Delicate Paper Lace

This is how talented I wished I was. I adore these and think Julene is extremely creative and careful with a scalpel, I'd wreck everyone in seconds, I remember my hours of cutting at college and always ruining it right at the end. If I could, I would, but for now, I'll just adore her works of art!

Julene my hat is off to you, your very steady hand and your creative mind.

Wells Interior

My friend has a business where he hangs extremely beautiful wallpaper. Here is his website, Wells Interior.
I'm completely in awe of the flowery wallpaper and especially the one to the left. Each flower is embroidered on to the paper. Isn't that precious and darling?! One day, I'll have enough money to employ Mick to come and paper my house with such lavish paper, until then I'll stick to photos of my friends.

Birthday Bunting

I really like making bunting. I've made loads in my time, this string were for my friend's birthday last year. Previously, I've made pink bunting, and for some reason, when I make it, I appear to go over the top and make miles of the stuff. The pink string are about 10 metres long. This one is about 8m, or more?!

My friend recently commissioned me to make some for her pub, so I set about making sexually neutral (yes, there is such a thing) bunting. It's made from my scraps box, which cleared out a huge amount of material, and in typical fashion I made two lengths of 13 metres. Opps! What can I say, I really enjoy making bunting. Or should I say, I really like my sewing machine and the relationship I have with it.

If anyone would like to commission some bunting; if you've a scraps box you'd like me to use, or just a colour palette. Please email me here.

Growing Shit Pt.2

I've had some issues of late with my darling herbs.

Firstly, the Mint got mouldy, it was gross, white moss and black speaks grew all over the leaves, it was horrid. I tried to treat it with Baking Powder, alas, it failed, so had to cut it right back to the roots. Sad, sad times. It seems to be recovering well, small growth, but growth. Can't wait for it to get back to full health, I keep on coming across recipes with Mint, sigh and then substitute, and funnily enough Chives don't replace Mint well.

The Coriander has recovered, finally. Took repotting in a larger pot and lots of fresh air and water. It's even started to flower, which is a little too exciting for me, after seeing it suffer for so long. But it has now spread it's sap everywhere, but I guess it's all part of the growing.

The two tea cups have started to sprout now. Still no idea which is which, but?! They are looking healthy, although the Coriander has dropped sap on one of them (so it looks horrid), but it'll cope, poor little thing. My mum visited, our flat, the other day and started trying to rub the teeny tiny leaves to identify which was which, isn't she adorable.

The success story is the Basil, it's kicking arse (well since the Mint fiasco happened), absolutely incredible. The leaves are huge and tasty. We made some amazing Basil Oil with them, which we'll be doing for Christmas presents too. Might have to start freezing it though, so it doesn't waste away.
I'm still enjoying it so much! If only my window sill was bigger.





Update (1st Sept): The Coriander contracted greenfly, very upsetting after the new spurt of growth, etc. Decided to throw out and start from scratch. Poor thing.
Plus, due to sun rotation, the two small cups died also, bad weather, etc all resulted in total failure. Stupid work and not being at home to make everything perfectly well watered and sunned. Here's to the rest of them! Fingers crossed!

Tissue Paper Peonies

I found a link to these Tissue Paper Flowers and did exactly what she suggested and am now surrounded by beautiful tissue paper flowers, much to my partners annoyance (the flat should be 50/50, not effeminate), but you can't deny that they are extremely charming.

I had a play with mixing different coloured papers, cutting to be different lengths and different shapes at the end. I think the pointy ones look best, a little like Dahlias, although the wavy ended ones look charming too.
The red one to the right, had different length petals, so it's flatter, than the other ones. It has a very nice shape from the side, which is more traditional to your average opened rose.

Why not try yourself? One pack of tissue paper should make eight rather large flowers, and you don't have to have eight sheets per flower, it's all about the final look, so play about.

Plus, I'm making 30 odd for my friend's wedding reception, to match the wedding bunting I'm making.

Creative Outlet

Just a little FYI.

I've been blogging for years and years, and stupidly I've never set up a separate creative blog, until now. From now on, when ever I want to share things I've made or created, I'll be posting them on Pipsy Designs, and possibly, posting the links to my etsy store, where things can be bought.

Plus, I've transferred the items I've made and posted on here, to there. Just to keep it organised.

Street Art / Graffitti Pt.2

PLUS!
Reading on through Street Art, I discovered the name of the "suicidal bankers" artist. They are strewn around East London and kind of charming. Here's the article about Issac Cordal.
On Ezra St, there are two. One opposite Beyond Fabrics Sewing Shop and the other above the cafe.

Ezra St, E2

Street Art / Graffitti Pt.1

Calvin St, E1

Quaker St, E1

Here on Brick Lane, we are surrounded by tons of street art.

There are many kinds. We are located extremely close to famous ones, by Banksy and Space Invader, to name a few. But, my personal favourite is a guy* who pasted photocopies on the wall, then paints the shadow underneath on the path. I've no idea who he is, or what his name is, but I appreciate his efforts. May he continue his  good work!

Brick Lane, E1

Cheshire St, E1

Corbet Pl, E1

I just find them so so charming, not obtuse or in your face, just simply placed and hidden. I think they are great and I love discovering them, there are also two others up towards Columbia Rd, which I've yet to photograph, they'll arrive soon, I promise. I'm not sure why I like them so much, maybe because they are only 6" high and discreetly placed.


After finishing writing this, I googled LondonStreetArt and found this freshly updated entry about Pablo Delgado. Who is apparently, the man who' art I've been admiring. Well. I. Never!

*I'm being presumptuous, who isn't to say he's a lady.

Baby Mats

Baby Rhydian & his mat

Now that I've reached this certain age, lots of my friends are getting married, or having babies, or both. I like to make presents for them all, as it's more personal and charming. A year or so ago, I made a really awesome present for some friends who were expecting, it was an effective, and lovely present, that my friends loved and have been using ever since. A baby mat. I now make them for everyone, as they are just so pretty and practical.

It's simply a brightly coloured, padded mat for the baby to lie on. I use modern brightly coloured fabrics (100% cotton). The first two I made, I backed with this fabric, as I had an abundance of it (stupidly am running out now, I must restock). Recently, I've been using anything brightly coloured and fun. I love making them, so much. They are so pretty and give instant impact, visually and on a practical level.

My friends had twin girls, so I made this mat for them, it's dimensions are: 38.5" x 23". It's back with the yellow floral fabric used for two of the squares.

I'm hoping to get some up on my etsy account soon, in the mean time, if anyone would like one, I'll happily take on the commission. On average, they are 23" long and about 20" wide, but if you'd like them in a different size, colour, patterned or plain, etc. Please email me here.

Updated: April 2013

Two recent mats -

Stupid Stupid Taxing System in Britain

Tom and I moved to London, we've found it quite hard to get work, which sucks! We thought it would be a lot easier, stupid us.

I've been employed and paying tax since I was eligible, ten odd years. I've also worked numerous second jobs that I was paying emergency tax on, even though I was only earning £15,000* a year in my main job. Now that we need a little help, we're not eligible?! Even though we've been paying tax all our lives, we're not even considered as "in need".

Tom might not be allowed to receive Jobseekers, as I have a part time job which equals 16 hours a week, I earn so little, that for the first time in ten years, I'm not eligible to pay tax = £400 a month (not even enough to pay my rent). But due to this job, Tom might not be in a position to get a helping hand, while he continues to search for a job, and he's actually looking, not sat on the sofa smoking 20 fags a day watching day time TV. He's gone to every effort to get help and alas, he's not worthy?! Due to my pathetic part time job income and the fact he's been paying tax since he left university!

When he went for his interview, they gave him a huge lecture about how he'd need to be looking for jobs in a 50 mile radius, etc. And yet, I know people who have been on jobseekers for years and years and have no intention to get a job. It's a fucking joke!

Most of the time, I'm extremely considerate and level minded about "the system" but this has pissed me right off.

I was told about 'Working Tax Credits', tried to see if I was eligible, but due to being judged on my previous tax year (when I was working full time), I probably won't be. Even though I wasn't earning that much. Oh and the stupid HMRC website, as always crashed when working out if I was eligible, like last time. Bloody typical.

I'm really really irritated. It's complete bollocks!

*I've always felt that there should be a minimal amount of money you should be able to earn, across one, two, three, etc. jobs, where you can use your tax code for all of them. Say, that across these numerous jobs you are earning £15,000 or less, you're allowed a flexible tax code, which can be used across all of your jobs. This would help parents and young people and would encourage people to work harder. I'm stuffed, if I get a second job now, I'll be emergency taxed regardless of my earning £4,800 in my first job. So, I get screwed and loose out. Where as someone earning £20,000 a year in one job is better off. It's bull, total bull!

I'm completely compassionate to why people don't declare certain jobs, it's completely understandable! Good for them!

It's the typical situation, we middle people get fucked over and the people above and below us, get helping hands to survive in life.

Update:
It appears Tom is entitled to a 3rd of the traditional weekly allowance. Which is interesting?!

Crossed the finishing line...

Now located here: Pipsy Designs - Upholstery Funtimes Pt.2

Upholstery Project Part Two

After being so active and so productive, I lost my decorating wind. Only for a week or two but it was enough for me to feel like a sluggish beast. Today, I finally completed our dining set. I fell in love with this material when I started at the shop, it was in the sale, which was a huge bonus. After ripping off the torn upholstery and additional padding, I hammered in the rusty nails till smooth (they were so rusty and small, there was no point in my trying to pull them out, I did try and caused a mess). Cut some quilting and the material to the right sizes, pulled taut, nail gunned them in place as a guide line and got the pins at the ready, with some nice trimming. Et Voila, my completed, reconditioned modern seats for the perfect dining experience!

We just need some shelves for my extensive dvd collection and we're done, done, done!

Apologies for the bleached, out of focus photo!

Chocolate Brownies Recipe

This recipe is from my childhood Osbourne cook book with some mild changes, and it has been making incredible brownies for 30 years plus... (As always, bear with me, as I embellish on this recipe depending on my mood).

Ingredients:

4oz / 100g Plain Flour
8oz / 200g Caster Sugar
2 Medium Eggs
4oz / 100g Butter
1/2 tsp Baking Flour
2 large bars of chocolate - 200g White / 200g Dark/Milk (depending on taste), I always use White and Dark, for a

Melt the Chocolate, Butter and Sugar in a Pyrex bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.
Sieve the Flour and Baking Powder into a large bowl.

Once everything is melted, add to the Flour, with the Eggs. Until it doesn't stick to the bowl, due to being too oily (if this doesn't happen, don't fret, it'll be fine). If you're adding extras, add them now...

Throw in a greased baking tray, it doesn't matter what size, as long as it all fits in. It will probably only rise one 3rd of the depth, or so...

Throw in the oven at 180c / Gas Mark 4 for 25-30 mins.
It will still be a little gloopy when you do the knife test in the middle, this is good. If it's still pretty gloopy, leave in for another 5 mins, it varies in all ovens.

Await till cool = yumminess!
If it gets a little hard/stale, heat up for 30 sec in the microwave, yumminess revived.



Now, I've done many different versions of these, (so just have fun, experiment):

Bashed up Walnuts/Almonds, etc
Only melted half of the chocolate, left the other half bashed up, for crunchy bits.
Honeycomb.
Chopped up Glacier Cherries.
One Orange Rind chopped up finely.
Weed was a popular choice to some of my friends.
Etc.

It's an easy recipe and fun to do various things with. Enjoy!

Impossible to fuck up Chocolate Brownies

Now located here: Pipsy Designs - Chocolate Brownies

Stringy Light-shade

Now located here: Pipsy Deisgn - Stringy Light-shade