Latest creations - sewing needle cases

It's been a while since I've put any crafty creations on here. I have lots of WIP as I'm sure most of us have but I have just finished some needle sewing cases to go in my Folksy shop.

I like to try and use up scraps for some of my things and this vintage style case uses a fair few scraps and some bits of embellished rubber stamps.

I wanted to make them a bit more interesting and added some accessories and a little pouch with a needle threader included.

Next to use some surplus bits of my camping fabric. I thought these might make good gifts for caravaners or campers, it's always handy to take a needle, thread and safety pins on holiday!

Similar but in yellow and blue.
I like making needle books.

York Festival of Vintage

I made it to the Festival of Vintage yesterday. I ummed and aaahed whether to go or was I too busy this year, the weather was not encouraging me to go either as it rained all the way but I threw caution to the wind and went. All wrapped up for a chilly day and no sooner had I parked up and walked across a field to the racecourse and it stopped raining!

I always have a quick look at the vehicles before I go inside and I spotted these lovely vintage caravans and vans.

Off we go inside and the retro displays of loveliness never fail to delight me in reminiscing of old pieces of furniture we had when I was a kid. The little coffee tables with spiky legs, those sideboards with formica tops and sliding louvre style doors.

I then start to spot Hornsea Pottery on stalls and given that I have a bit of knowledge on the value of some of the pieces, they are very highly priced at this event. If anyone is ever on the lookout for Hornsea Pottery at a sensible price the place to go is Hornsea Freeport Nostalgia Day, Aug 25th, '14.

These Bronte storage jars were about £10 - £12 each which is quite high, 4 Heirloom eggcups were £10, also a bit high.

Next we have the black and yellow Hornsea Elegance cruet set, not sure of the total price.

Moving on I found this wonderful stall with some Scandinavian pots, out of my price range!

I loved this next stall, everything was just so groovy, colourful and flower powery and I could've bought any number of things.

There was a Festival of Britain book on this stall, another era of design which I am particularly interested in.

And look at the typewriters, makes my fingers sore just looking at them as I think back to learning typing at school!

I was very restrained with my buying as I was mainly browsing, here's what I got, a tiny little brass brooch with mosaic bits, I need to restore a few missing bits but I liked it for £3.

Only one piece of fabric bought, it's 1960's kitchen cotton and quite a nice size bit.

And for my last picture, embroidered linen. I found one very reasonably priced stall with all their embroidered tray covers £1 each.
A lovely inspiring trip out as always.

Easter 2014

Hope it's been a lovely Easter for everyone. Ours has been a bit mixed but the sun shone for Bob today so he spruced up his spring yellow bow tie for a trip out.

I've had & still got a bit of cold so have spent the Fri, Sat & Sun inside. Hadn't realised the oil was running so low last week and by Friday the aga was about out and all my Easter cooking and baking plans went out of the window with it. 
Fortunately the oil delivery came on Saturday and by Sunday heat and cooking facilities were restored!

I didn't mind staying in as the weather has been a bit on the grey and chilly side and I'm busy working on a project.

Felt a bit better today and the sun came out so off we went to York. I really wanted to get a picture of Cliffords Tower with daffodils but they had all finished, there are just a few bluebells on this pic.

It's Easter so we indulged in a lovely velvety hot chocolate at Spring Espresso.

There was a bit of a chocolate festival going on in York and some nice looking street food. I love these old Citroen vans, maybe I'll have a quirky van one day for a mobile coffee business.

Made the most of the nice weather with a walk around the city walls which I haven't done for a while.

I love some of the little houses and interesting urban street scenes you see from the walls. I will try to capture some other favourite snaps from different sections of the walls on another visit, the back of the Minster gardens being another favourite stretch.

Finished with a walk back along the river to the car. A lovely day only spoilt by some drizzly rain on arriving back.

Hornsea Pottery weekend and AGM - 5 & 6 April

Last weekend was dedicated to my fondness for Hornsea Pottery, to ooh and aah at lovely pots and maybe buy a couple of things for my collection.

This year we were actually at the old home of the pottery at Hornsea Freeport. On the Saturday the society members threw the doors open at one of the units for the public to come and see and buy original Hornsea pots.

These are some of the stalls being set up

The red arrow on this photo points to quite a rare tableware set called Ebony

I'm particularly partial to tableware as it's useful and I enjoy using it too. I bought a couple of Contrast soup dishes to add to my collection, they have a nice straight sided design

I also bought this bowl which was part of the Concept range I hadn't seen before and this splattered design is called Cirrus, it's a matt ceramic with a lovely, velvety feel and gloss inside.

One or two more stalls decked with decorative fauna and flora vases, pin trays, jewellery boxes, mugs and plates, so many items to feast your eyes on and all beautifully presented by society members.

On the Sunday we met again for our AGM which we always follow with an auction of sometimes rare pieces and then we let the public in again to buy more pots.

Here are some pieces from the auction table starting with some of the later items produced by Hornsea Pottery, the Lustre ware range designed by Robin Pavitt.

Some wonderful Muramic decorative plaques by the late great John Clappison and of course his very recognisable Heirloom pots.

Lastly a few nice vase samples, 2 rare ones at the back and the ship on the tall vase is hand painted, I think it went in the auction for about £50.
The eggs you can see on the pic above are some rare test pieces hand painted I think by the late Hornsea designer Alan Luckham, I didn't get a very good look at them though. 

We had a lovely 2 days of nostalgia and for any lovers or collectors of Hornsea out there I can tell you you haven't missed out as there will be another Nostalgia Weekend up at Hornsea Freeport at the August Bank Holiday weekend with an expert from the telly attending on the Monday 25th to do valuations. The event will be bigger and better than last years.

The Hornsea Pottery Collectors' and Research Society is always keen to have new members and it's only £15 per year single (£18 family) with 4 newsletters and a chance to attend meetings and selling events. You can find details on this informative website run by our committee secretary.
We have a Facebook page too, just search Hornsea Pottery Collectors and you'll find some fascinating pictures and information. We tweet too!

http://www.hornseapottery.co.uk/