Tea of the week: Stacey Earl

Teacup designs by young surface designer, Stacey Earl - the top photo is her mood board for her final year collection. Very pretty, right? They aren't available as wallpaper or fabric yet, but I think Stacey has a great future ahead. I think they would make really pretty cards, too.

I'm taking a blog holiday this week as I am in the final stages of launching my own little business, and I've realised I can't set up an online shop, work full-time, finish some other writing commitments and write this blog all at once (my weekend progress on hanging my plate wall was zero.) My shop should be all ready to go by Tuesday or Wednesday - and I'm feeling quite organised, so check back next week for a big launch competition!

In the meantime, if you haven't visited already, please take a moment to visit my lovely advertisers; Boutiko, Le Petit Boutique (+ blog Le Petit Oiseau too), and two which are brand new; The Catskill Kiwi and Bright New Things.

Five Friday Faves

A slightly tech-y roundup today:

Love love love the photo collages on this blog.

I'm definitely still learning, so I need to pay attention to the brilliant Photoshop tutorials here (a blog with gorgeous, dreamy photography.)

Free fonts.

+ Happy first birthday to this shop (I love their product styling.)

Sadly I didn't win the giveaway, but I think these porcelain rings are pretty special.

Hope you have some lovely plans for this weekend. I am excited, because this evening I am going to the V&A Summer Fete. I have bought some plate hangers too, so there's a chance I will hang my plate wall this weekend. Enjoy!

Photo via Flickr.

Lisa Mason's photo fabric

Scot Lisa Mason takes old photographs and found objects and integrates them into her hand-woven Ikat wall-hangings, using transparent monofilament thread. Email Lisa for further details if you are interested in commissioning something personalised.

Two doily hearts

' Life would be rubbish without you' print by Kiss Her (via Design is Mine.)

Pretty peonies for some newly engaged friends.

Wednesday workspace

A nice story. This evening I met a friend to walk part of the way home from work. We usually part halfway, when she crosses Lambeth Bridge and I run on (I live quite a few miles further away). Today, for a change, I walked over her bridge towards Vauxhall, intending to take the train home. She invited me to her new house for a drink, which I hadn't been to before.

Are you still following? Anyway I left and decided to walk towards Kennington tube station, which I have not been to (at ground level) for about five years. Then, a good friend happened to drive by on his way home from work, spotted me from behind, picked me up and we went for an impromptu dinner at the Bonnington Cafe, which is one of my favourite places to eat in London.

A total result. Just like spotting a perfect Wednesday workspace first thing in the morning without having to source one myself. Which also happened today, when I saw this organised office (look at all those lovely baskets) on Brown Button.

Photo by Laura Resen.

Ceramic letters

More inspiration from another recent graduate. Personalised ceramic letters can be commissioned from Leanne McAllister.

Orange Pekoe winner

The Orange Pekoe afternoon tea winner, generated by random.org, is comment 17, Caroline from Patchwork Harmony - who is very conveniently moving to SW London soon.

Thanks to everyone for their comments! I have actually managed to line up a few other afternoon tea giveaways, so stay tuned.

Photo (of coffee, not tea, but it is the same cafe) via Flickr.

Tea of the week: Goose Chase Design

Tea prints, also available as cards from Goose Chase Designs.

Five Friday Faves

A bicycle image I just adore.

Love this idea for wrapping (and I'm going to start looking out for scarves in charity shops, for my own interpretation of this.)

Gorgeous ceramics - another contender for my plate wall?

Any post which mentions ephemera has me hooked - one of my favourite words.

Sweet French replica book boxes.

Enjoy your weekend, one and all. I know I still have to announce the winner of the Orange Pekoe giveaway - on Monday, I promise.

Photo via Flickr.

Lovely Lovely

Lots of pretty lace, gingham and ribbon-inspired designs at Lovely Lovely.

(via lovely new blog discovery My Black Book.)

London love: Beth Retro

Beth Retro's Flickr and Etsy shop have lots of blog-friendly images, with balloons, poppy fields, and pink lemonade, but it's these fairy lights images which transport me most into another world, one where I swoosh around in a full taffeta skirt all day.

And the bottom image? The lights look like a slightly wonky heart shape to me - but I might be getting carried away with the romanticism of these photographs. Beth's Etsy shop will soon be offering notecards and coasters of her dreamy images - so add her to your favourite shops to be in the loop.

Vintage Finds: The Bucket Tree

The very talented Artemis of Tales of a Junkaholic recently opened a vintage shop, The Bucket Tree. These are just a selection of her items - isn't that pear amazing? The colour of the skin looks so authentic. Artemis has educated me about lots of issues - first it was about the existence of Kate Kanzier shoes, and most recently she has inspired in me an appreciation of vintage zips. I'm not sure I feel spiritually enriched by either of these discoveries, but it is good to keep on learning...

Kim Robertson

Soft and shiny - metallic printed suede notebooks from Kim Robertson. And isn't that blue and black the perfect colour combination for a slightly spooky night owl?

Wednesday workspace

White floors and white walls make this room look tidy, even when there are open drawers and a little clutter. I love the old-fashioned sewing machine.

(via Ellmania, via We Heart It)

Photographer Jan Baldwin

As I sit in a darkening room, watching the last signs of sun fade away for the day, I feel the colours I'm swathed in are very like those in these photos by Jan Baldwin. I love the subtle lighting in these images, but there's something about these photos which makes me feel a little forlorn, as if the party's over and everyone has fled from the scene.

Natalie Moore Ceramics

Last weekend I went to the New Designers Show in Islington. There were lots of inspiring young designers, full of enthusiasm about their work and hoping that someone is going to sign them up to be the next big thing. These plates by Natalie Moore were among my favourite items. I think the designer should get herself organised and set up an online shop - there would be a huge demand for her pretty lace, crochet and deconstructed plates. My Nina Invorm plate arrived last week, so my plate wall is almost ready to be hung. Natalie's plates make me think I need just one more, to make my collection seem like a carefully chosen collection of art, strategically curated, and not just a random selection of car boot sale junk.

Rose & Grey

As part of my ongoing campaign to tidy up my flat, I have been looking for a crate or large wire basket to keep weekend newspapers in. When I saw this crate on wheels from Rose & Grey I was thrilled as it is exactly what I am looking for. I'm sure no-one is interested but I am making great progress after 33 years of mediocre results - my magazines are filed in Muji box files and today I came very close to wrapping up leads in plastic bands and labelling them with what they are for (camera, scanner etc.) One of these days I am going to be totally organised.

Until then, I'm easily distracted by a little shop surfing and the crate discovery was all I needed to peruse Rose & Grey further. There is a selection of larger items of furniture (including a few ornate dog beds, but I can't go there, even though I'm sure there is a market) but also smaller, more affordable items like these below.

1. Rustic wooden crate on wheels 2. Make your own tapestry cushion kit. 3. Vintage glass cake stand. 4. Retro thermos flask.

Tea of the week: Emma Cassi coasters

Pretty lace coasters by Emma Cassi (via Concrete & Honey.)

Five Friday Faves

Oh, the perfect spot for lounging.

Pretty collage scrapbooks.

I have to draw the line at wedding blogs/magazines, but I do love this free book label for the spine of a wrapped book (via Brown Button.)

Would you ever go home if you had a playhouse like this one, with adorable patchwork curtains (via Knack.)

Love this record keeper's kit.

Hope you all have a fun weekend, whatever you are doing. I am going to a Salad Club dinner and am hoping to go to the New Designers show on official blog business (ie just me, on the lookout for some inspiration.) Oh, and don't forget there is still time to enter the Orange Pekoe giveaway.

Photo by Emily Hunt.

Vintage Vacations

A selection of fabulous interiors from the holiday homes available to rent from Vintage Vacations.

A short quiz. Can you match the interior with its location; a converted mission hall, an Airstream trailer, a holiday park chalet-style bungalow and 'the shack'?

Not too challenging, is it? I think my target destination would be one of their Airstream trailers - as long as I could leave any companion and be alone for an extended period each day, to prevent caravan fever kicking in...

via Colour and Sound.

Folksy Four

Be still, my heart - you can't imagine how much I love these kaleidoscopes from Sam Samson, made from reclaimed bobbins - Ruth, I thought of you...

Hand-printed knitting notebooks from Plain Jane Textiles.

Crooked Man Vase from Penny Spooner Ceramics.

Lavender sachets from Ragged Roses - I admit that buying this kind of thing has never crossed my mind, but these are so delightful that I'm preparing a place in my bottom drawer straight away.

Rachel Smith photography

Love this photograph by talented British photographer Rachel Smith.

Lulu & Nat

I absolutely love embroidered fabrics - and these cushions and throws from Lulu & Nat really hit the spot. Their vibrant colours especially appealed to me during our scorching summer, when I entered a new, colourful era - which may be over. Nevertheless, I am very tempted by their cheery range of pillowcases; perfect to brighten up a neutral environment, or as a clashing co-ordinate for the more colour-brave.

Lulu & Nat have a brilliant range of bedding for a baby's room too, which are a little different to the ubiquitous blue and pink options. Everything is handmade in India, using traditional embroidery and printing techniques.

Giveaway: Afternoon tea at Orange Pekoe

A real treat today; the lovely Marianna of Orange Pekoe is offering a giveaway of afternoon tea for two. Orange Pekoe is my favourite London tea shop - light and airy inside, serving around 50 types of teas, and decorated with enough lace and old crockery to satisfy all my vintage cravings. Orange Pekoe was crowned London's best tea room in Time Out's 2008 Food and Drink awards - click here for its 5 star review.

To enter, please leave a comment stating who your perfect afternoon tea partner would be - real or imaginary. Please don't enter unless you are able to go - the voucher will be valid for 12 months from today. For anyone planning a visit to London, Orange Pekoe is located in Barnes, close to the river and about 25 minutes by train from Waterloo station.

The winner will be selected at random at the end of next Wednesday, 15th July. Good luck! Statistically, there will be fewer readers eligible for this giveaway, due to location, so any entrants have a higher chance of winning!

Jo Heckett ceramics

I am fascinated by anyone who has the patience (and the eyesight) to make small things. Jo Heckett sells a large range of small things made in porcelain,which are often made with vintage stamps. Her wares include pastel-coloured magnets, jewellery and lots of options for personalised wedding favours etc, as well as letters such as the 'love' picture above, which I think would look beautiful in a baby's room. She has an Etsy shop, too, for those of you who would rather shop in USD. I am working on a blackboard/magnetic board project (if anyone knows somewhere in South West London which will cut wood/metal to size, please let me know) so the pretty butterfly shapes above (also available as a magnet) particularly caught my eye.

Eskil

The perfect summer tray? I can just imagine myself taking my lunch outside on one of these bright and cheery designs. They are the handiwork of London-based Swede Emilia Ljungberg of Eskil Designs, and are available at Bouf.