Sad Day

Very very sad news my darling black labrador Ralph drifted off to sleep today, he was the reason for this blog, he will live on in my heart and on this blog, god bless you Ralph love you always xxx

Unusual Windows!

Well this was a bit if a mind bender! Making triple pleated curtains for an angled window! Well glad to say it went well and i'll post pics in next few days.

Memories....

Saw these gorgeous curtains today in Harrods in the furniture department, took me right back to being a child, I remember my Aunty having the same chocolate brown velvet curtains made, I think my Aunt's house inspired me into making curtains, she always had them hand made which was very extravagant in the 80's for an average family, I also remember seeing in her house the first austrian blind, I was amazed a bunch of cords would pull a piece of fabric into such an amazing shape! I promptly bough my first Rufflete Austrian blind Kit and made one out of an old sheet! That was when it all started.

Blinds

Here are the pics of the roman blinds I made for my cousins daughters bedroom and bathroom, need to remember my proper camera, iphone isn't great! Hope your all having a great weekend!

Art Deco

Went to my favourite place today Florin Court Charterhouse Square London where Agatha Christies Poirot lived! I would love an apartment here, the block even has a swimming pool in the basement! Art Deco Luxury!

Snow again?

Well I left a little bit of snow in London Monday morning, to find a bit more in the country! Luckily the New glass has been fitted to my log burner in the workshop so it has been nice and toasty the last few days!

Lampshade Making

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGzlew6skSs

This looks like fun! has anyone had a go at this? I think I might order a few, can't wait :-)

Spray it!

Really pleased with this spray paint! Not sure what this was meant to be! But it always looked like a lampbase to me, found a push fit bulb holder the type used to convert wine bottles into lamps, with a bit of tweaking managed to fit into the small hole in the top! Unfortunately it was not drilled all the way through so couldn't hide the flex! Just need one of the huge white linen shades from ikea to finish!

Bedroom makeover!

Starting to think of my bedroom in the country! Sold the huge repro mahogany chest of drawers on ebay and replaced with the Ikea Hemnes chest i've had my eye on for ages! Found these wonderful black and cream knobs on ebay! They remind me of liquorice Allsorts!

Finally found the courage to spray paint my mahogany curtain pole grey! So pleased with the result, found a great wallpaper too and think i'll stick with Grey stripe fabric for curtains as I have it already! Just need to choose paint for below dado rail! More pics to follow.....

Getting there!

I have managed to make one of the three curtains needed for the sitting room windows, will try and make another this weekend!

Love this App!

Love the apps on the iphone, this one is called picstitch and it allows you to make moodboards etc. here is one for my bedroom in London, wallpaper is now up! Just need to find curtain material and headboard.....

For me!

Maybe I might get round to making my own curtains over christmas!

Long Time....

Well I am ashamed to say it has been 6 months since I last posted! I decided tonight to have a quick catch up and read a few posts I always like to pop in on 'Silver Sewer' and check things are going well in her life, and it's very comforting too see that this lady posts every day! I wish I could be that organised!

My only excuse is that so much has happened in the last 12 months, the business is going well, just churning through my last order before christmas! Should hopefully be finished Wednesday! Thurs and Fri off me thinks! catch up with the last few christmas things!

Well signing off now,  however I shall post a pic of my last curtain job tomorrow all packed up and ready to be hung!

Sorry for not posting in ages been so busy with work I've hardly had a second! Here is a lovely Picture of Durdle Door to cheer you up taken last weekend when I managed to escape for a few days!

Arrived!

Well the long awaited day arrived my new Janome 1600P Arrived! It was going to be my return to work encouragement, but a bad bout of flu gave me such aches all over my body I went back to bed for 2 days and extended my christmas holiday! However I did manage a few test runs on the machine one to check speed, and one to check how many layers of fabric could it sew, thankfully iit passed both with flying colours! So far i'm impressed Very Impressed, almost looking forward to work Monday morning and giving it a real test run!

Taking Stock

I decided that when I start back in January I want to start with everything new, the Machine is now on order, and quite frankly the last time I bought a decent pair of scissors is longer than I remember, The last pair of Fiskars I bought cost about £14.00 today they cost a staggering £26.00!!!! I also invested in a £16.00 sharpner, I did hesitate but thought i'd give it a go.....well i'm quite annoyed to be honest that £16.00 sharpner has returned my 15 year old scissors back to as new condition.......I could have saved £26.00!!!! LOL

New machine!

Well some very heavy interlined curtains saw the end of my faithful Elna, well not the end i'm sure a good service will have her running like new again! but it has proven since I sold my Industrial Brother machine, the Elna is being put under too much pressure, after lengthy investigation I have decided on the Janome 1600, if anybody has one I would love to know what they think of it! Hope your all having a great Christmas! X

Hello Everyone

Sorry for not posting been so busy with work which is great, but hardly have time for anything else! Here are a couple of pics of some Roman Blinds iv'e just finished for an Interior Design shop based in the town I live.

Quick Update

Just in case you were wondering what i'm doing, I'm still up to my eyes in work! here is a recent job 2 pairs of curtains 4 widths per curtain and over 13ft Long!!! I will try and post something more interesting shortly!

More & more curtains!

This embroidered silk fabric was beautiful! and made up so nicely with a natural bump interlining. They also had a nice broad border of plain silk on each edge. Bagged up and delivered!

Going well...

Well just a quick update so you don't think i've forgotten you all! Here are a few pics of the curtains I have been making, some of them finished some of them bagged up to be delivered, it's all going very well! I seem to have more work than I can cope with, and hopefully if it carries on I might be able to get an extra pair of hands to help! I am working weekends and evenings but it's worth it, I forgot how nice it was to be in control of my time again, I have even been able to meet friends for the odd lunch date! I am now starting to take pics of every project that passes through the workroom, I will start posting these regularly.

Some News........

Dear Bloggers I am pleased to announce that as of next month I will be going back into business as a Curtain Maker! The workrom is nearly finished, Business cards and web-site being set up! Perhaps not the best financial Climate but hey nothing ventured nothing gained! I will update you with more info over the next few weeks!

Lark Rise To Candleford

Don't forget all you period costume drama fans the new series 4 of Lark rise to candleford starts tonight BBC1 at 8pm! my blog is starting to look like a TV listings! Sorry news on the new work room coming soon!

Upstairs Downstairs

Did any of you start to watch the new series of Upstairs Downstairs? I have recorded them all but as yet have not watched any! So for those who have and also remember the 70's series how do you think it compares?? Is it actually the same house that they used last time??

Merry Christmas!!

Just a quick message to all the wonderful people I have met on here, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!

Sorry for not posting for so long! In the last few months there have been a few ups and downs, and I have also moved address! Will tell all in 2011 when i promise to blog at least weekly once again!

Merry Christmas from me and Ralph Xx