Weekend treasure hunt...

Our weekend of treasure hunting began earlier than expected on Friday, when we popped out to Holt to get our holiday property, Nutmeg Cottage, ready for our next guests.  As we passed a shop on the High Street, this little beauty was just calling out to us from the window.  It was impossible to resist, so we didn't!  For the princely sum of £15, this small piece of local history was saved from being snatched up by someone else and has become the pride of Will's collection of typewriters.

The treasure hunt we were actually looking forward to was the annual Hethersett garage sale, where lots of people around the village have stalls on their driveways or in their front gardens.  A map is produced with a list of participating addresses so that you can wander around the village to discover the many interesting and varied bargains on offer.  Some people are looking to make a little money or just clear a bit of space and of course one person's junk is another person's idea of heaven!

Among (many) other things, we found some lovely basketry, a very old game of scrabble, a vanity case in almost mint condition and a pile of tattered and well-used ordinance survey maps.  The maps, as well as some raggedy children's books we found, will be upcycled into origami paper baubles and flowers and the baskets will be used to display some of our designs on our upcoming stalls.  All in all, we had an exciting, if exhausting, day of rummaging around in other people's belongings and we can't wait for the next one!

What did you all get up to this weekend?  LouLou & Will x

Making deliveries to sunny North Norfolk

We had the great pleasure of driving through the North Norfolk countryside in the glorious sunshine yesterday to deliver orders to two fabulous shops, Big Blue Sky in Wells-next-the-sea and M&A Cringle in Burnham Market.

Catherine from Big Blue Sky had placed an order for a selection of our lavender-scented hangers.  As you can see, there are mice, cats, Scottie dogs, dachshunds, elephants, Russian dolls and cupcakes - we enjoyed creating such a colourful collection of gifts!

Anne from M&A Cringle had reordered some upcycled paper baubles, which have proved very popular.

She also asked for some doormouse door stops, we had fun choosing fabrics for these last week!

We are now working on stock for our stall at Langley Daffodil Craft and Country Fayre, which is being held this Sunday 25th March from 10am to 4pm at Langley School.  Hope you have got sunshine where you are... LouLou & Will 

Keeping busy...

We have been busy this week, sewing a collection of lavender-scented hares for our Etsy and Folksy shops.  Next on the list are some dachshunds and elephants, then a few lavender mice - after that, maybe even a new design or two?

Will has been creating some more paper art this week, some for our online shops and some for a local gift and antique shop called Hodge Podge, in Hethersett.  This bright, colourful semi bauble has just been listed on Esty and is upcycled from a Clarice Bean children's book.

And here is a peak at the Alice in Wonderland semi bauble Will made earlier in the week...

What have you all been up to this week?  LouLou & Will x

A cosy day in…

Like most of the country, we were at the mercy of the weather this weekend.  We woke on Sunday morning to the sight of a beautiful white blanket of snow which would have been perfect at Christmas but was still breath-taking in February.  With all the usual food sources covered by snow and ice, the tree in our front garden became a buffet for the local bird population and the soggy looking crab apples were suddenly a popular delicacy!

The hen house we keep in the front garden for the ducks that visit us in the Spring was looking very festive but Dolly the campervan was feeling rather sorry for herself.  I’m not sure how she manages to look so sad but she does it well!

Will spent the day creating a new semi bauble in vintage Alice in Wonderland book paper, finished off with a gorgeous gold and black pocket watch button, while I made a vegetarian mince and vegetable pie.

We finished off a lovely cosy day by playing Scrabble in front of a roaring fire – bliss!

Did you have a cosy warm weekend too?  LouLou & Will x

Alice in Wonderland paper art

Will’s beautiful origami baubles, made with upcycled paper, make wonderful gifts for the person who has everything, because they are so easy to personalise for the recipient.  We collect old and unloved books, annuals, maps and music manuscripts which are then transformed into works of art that can be appreciated for years to come.  There is usually the perfect theme for anyone in our stash!

One such commission recently was for a girl called Alice, who adores Alice in Wonderland.  We found a dishevelled copy of the book earlier in the summer at a local sale and had been saving it for just such an occasion.  At first glance, the paper could have come from any book but on closer inspection one can see familiar words and phrases that are peculiar to a beloved story (for example, lines from the poem “Soup of the Evening”).  Alice was delighted with her bauble and claimed it was the best present of her whole birthday (after her new Blackberry which, to be fair, is rather difficult to compete with!).

Other recent commissions have included baubles made from images of Marilyn Monroe, The Cat in the Hat picture books, a Beano annual and UK map paper.

As well as a charming Beatrix Potter semi-bauble currently listed on Folksy, more gorgeous designs are in production.  I’m particularly looking forward to seeing one made in paper from an old Planet of the Apes comic book!  

They require a lot of time and patience, with each bauble taking:

• 6 hours
• 60 squares of paper
• 660 folds
• Half a tube of glue
• 50cm ribbon
• 12 buttons

So they are really a labour of love and dedication to upcycling, although Will feels a great sense of satisfaction when she has turned a worn out old book into something fabulous which will be treasured.  I think I will stick to sewing though!

LouLou & Will x