I did it on my own

Yes indeedy, I cannot believe I have done it, as I've said before I'm not very computer literate.I'm waffling I know, but really, I've shocked myself.As you know I recently opened my Artfire studio,well that got the ball rolling so today I've opened a blogshop http://rubyredtinyshop.blogspot.com/

Iwill be having lots of lovely vintage items on offer as well as my handmade stuff. I've just put a few items on at the mo and I'll be adding more tomorrow,in fact throughout the week!

My tiny shop is our spare room, it used to be our guest room but I've redecorated it, cotton white, to make it look bigger and we've put in some new book cases from Ikea, I shall show you some photos this week as I'm just adding the finishing touches in red pale blue and pink.We've put in a pretty chandelier too so its a lovely light to work in now.Don't forget the Giveaway, I shall be making the draw on Wednesday evening and I shall post the parcel off to the lucky winner on Thursday.I'm happy to send overseas too so feel free to enter.All you have to do is leave a comment on this or the previous post.Good Luck!

Shall we have a giveaway?

I think we shall! I'ts a very dreary day here today, so lets do something to cheer us up!

Not sure what I'm giving away yet but it will include something vintage and definately something handmade!Please leave a comment on this post if you would like to join in and I'll include you in the draw.We'll do the draw next Wednesday shall we! That gives us a week.

When I had a stall at Burford 2 Saturdays ago I met Julia from http://vintageheaven.blogspot.com/ What a lovely lady, I could've chatted for hours.It's a bit of a surreal conversation though when your telling someone, you love how they've painted their bedside cabinet, yet you've never met before! Julia can crochet too the clever thing! Lovely to meet you Julia!

The photos today are from my lovely Karen's stall.We have stalls together in Witney, she sells all sorts of jewellery but this is just a snippet of her vintage collection.Isn't it wonderful!

I'm off to make some star garlands for Artfire

Hey, thanks for all the lovely comments you leave me, really appreciate it!

See you soonRachel x

Changes

I've decided to make a few changes in my life, they seem quite big for me.

Firstly I'm going natural, in the cleaning department that is.I'm fed up with sneezing every time I clean, yes I know that may be the dust, but I think it's also the chemicals too ! I don't think it will be easy but I've made up my mind and I'll be ordering from here later http://summernaturals.co.uk/.

The second decision I've made is to sign up to http://artfire.com/ I've dilly dallied about this decision for a very long time.In fact last year I was talking about joining Etsy but I just didn't get around to it.For one thing I just didn't feel computer literate enough to do it.My family are brilliant but I can't keep asking them to help me every time on the computer.The other thing I was worried about, what if no one likes my stuff, how embarrassing! Anyway I've gone for it,I joined Artfire and then it took me a while to pluck up courage and list some stuff! Surprisingly it's quite easy to use, even I can do it!I'm so excited and pleased to have done it,can't believe how much time I wasted just thinking about it.Fingers crossed for a sale in the next few weeks!

Rachel x

New Fabrics

I fancied buying some new fabrics to inspire me but didn't want to part with a lot of money so off I went to the boot with my friend Karen The first is a lovely soft cord.It was a girls dress and cost only 20p!.I think I might make some girly purses from this fabric.

This is a lovely crisp cotton that was a blouse.This was '3 items for a £1'.I've already used all of this fabric!

This fabric was a dress from Next with the tags still on and was only a £1! So was this one too!

Lovely crisp cottons again.

A lovely soft cotton, looks like Ticking.

This is my favourite fabricSo pretty, but not very much of it as they were trousers for a 4 year old.

I'm off to do some sewing, have a lovely day everyone!

Rachel x

VERY ADDICTIVE

Bought some of these new biscuits at Sainburys while they are half price.What can I say?

VERY ADDICTIVE Their shape reminds me of incense sticks, or sparklers.They taste very nice, it's the texture and crispness I like, and of course the chocolaty taste!

Rachel x

Remember the Cath Kidston tea towel?

Here it is now

Here it is on my stall

You can see a little bit of my faded flowers cushion too.

The Diddy Cupboard

Let me tell you about the diddy cupboard.When I was a little girl, we used to go and visit my nan and grandad at the weekend.In their living room was a little knick knack glass fronted cabinet.You know the sort that people bought after the war.My nan and grandad didn't have anything valuable but they kept little souvenirs in it, stuff that their own 5 children had bought for them.Well me and my sister thought the BEST thing in the cabinet was a souvenir that my 17 year old uncle had bought my nan.A rude mug, which was the figure of a lady with wobbly boobs which jiggled up and down when we leaned against the cabinet! This was the highlight of our visit we'd rush to the cupboard to see who could wobble them first.My nan called it the diddy mug , 'Are you wobbling them diddies again'.Hence our name for the cabinet.I remember my grandad kept the sherry glasses in there too, for a little tipple!

Sadly my nan died nearly 14 years ago and then my grandad a few years later.When I was asked if I'd like anything from the house, of course I asked for the DIDDY, no not the mug, the lovely cupboard, it held such sentimental memories for me.Do you know, I never knew what became of the mug, unless my uncle had it back.I don't think my sister's got it hidden away for a secret wobble!

I've painted it cream and lined the back with fabric.

The top of my little cupboard.The Cath Kidston notelets were a mothers day gift from my lovely daughter who is away at uni.It brought a tear to my eye as I opened them, as she knows I love the style but I won't pay the prices. Also I know she hasn't got much money and she still bought them! The gorgeous Russian doll is a lovely gift from my sister who stayed with us at the weekend.We both love the same style.How lucky am I!