Vintage Event Middle Farm

It was terribly cold at the weekend event but everyone involved worked very hard to make it a great success. Some absolutely gorgeous things but I was very restrained; I am after all decreasing my vintage stock not adding to it. Honestly.

One purchase from Faded Rose Vintage. If you look closely at my expertly captured atmospheric image you will see 'him' on the top shelf left. A push-along Wire Fox terrier. 

To fund my purchase I sold some old favourites, who have gone to really good homes. Well, the squeals from the ladies who bought them make me think they have anyway.

Actually, the Polish rag doll is still with me at the moment, but she is currently looking for a new home before Christmas. Ebay are helping her with that.

I was a bit sad to see Mrs Bunny go, I mean look at that nose. But I must be brave and only keep the things I totally love and can't live without. No nonsense.

Perfect Antidote to Celebrity/Reality TV.

Now don't get me wrong, of course I love modern technology, otherwise I couldn't be a blogger. But the things I love to share through my blog aren't very often related to technology. Unless I'm highlighting a bargain or a wonderful opportunity I have discovered through an e-flyer or newsletter.

In truth I would dearly love the world to slow down a bit. And I do worry about the way the 'youf' cannot seem to function without being attached to an electronic device.

It all has to be extreme non-stop stimulation. But what are they actually getting from it? Except the need for yet more stimulation.
It's a very passive form of entertainment which never seems to satisfy.

I feel the same way about all the 'shouty' TV programmes too. Can we all just calm down a bit please. Yes, wake up and smell the coffee but take some time to drink it and enjoy it. Simple pleasures are best.

I was totally chuffed to spot an article in 'The Week' magazine about a 'slow tv' movement, right up my street and a perfect antidote to all the shouty programmes I loathe.

The Norwegian state broadcaster, NRK, cleared it's entire prime-time schedule for a live, nine hour show on knitting. Yes, knitting.

The aim was to beat the world 'sheep to sweater' record. With a team of people shearing a ewe, spinning the wool and knitting a jumper. They didn't quite make it in the time. But hurrah the show was really popular.
Slow TV is a big movement in Norway. Since 2009 they have enjoyed ten hours of footage from the top of a train, twelve hours of a burning log fire and eighteen hours of salmon spawning.

I'd love to see something like that on British TV, but I can't see that happening any time soon. I totally agree with Stuart Heritage (The Guardian) "watching Saturday night TV in Britain is like being trapped in a burning cell with a crying, attention-seeking lunatic who screams and punches himself in the face whenever he thinks you're about to look away".

I would like to champion a 'Let's Get Real' campaign. Read a book, take a walk, cook, craft, mix with real people and talk to them.

Well I Didn't Know That

image via altfg.com

I was astounded to discover recently that Hollywood movie star Hedy Lamarr was a women of great depth and intelligence. Tis true she was a beauty, but surprisingly she was also a visionary inventor.

I chanced upon an article here, it is most remarkable. She was an early pioneer of wireless communications, playing her part in World War 2 against the Nazis. And it has been speculated that without her work we wouldn't be enjoying the benefits of Wi-Fi today.

I'm full of admiration for her and wonder how I had never heard of this before.

There is today a Hedy Lamarr Foundation that aims to deliver educational and inspirational information that promotes self - discovery and social accountability. I'm not sure if this is something she put in place or whether it has been set up in her memory. Either way I feel she would have approved. What a woman.

Barbie Snippets

I love this slightly mad jewellery by Margaux Lange. Although some might see her work as freaky or gruesome, I think it's imaginative and fun. Perhaps I'm just a little bit more eccentric than most. Not a bad thing in my book.

Introducing Lizzie Shrimpton

I can't believe it was as long ago as March that I made a start on my first felted doll. Poor felted beauty has been languishing in my knitting bag along side the bare bear's Fair Isle. This week I have been working on both projects. Tuesday night I set myself the task of finishing felted beauty's face and making her a body.

And here she is sitting on a chair borrowed for her debut from vintage Barbie.

She is mainly needle felted from wool tops, including her hair which is from the delightfully curly Wensleydale sheep. Her body is made from fabric scraps, stuffed with wool tops. She is indeed very sheepish. I did a little rudimentary stitching for her lips and eyelashes and her stockings are made from some off-cut cotton tubing that I purchased at the Guild exhibition last week, 3 balls for £1.00.

All in all I think she has turned out mighty fine for a first attempt. Now to make her a perfectly pretty dress. I'm thinking a small ditsy print would be best, possibly Laura Ashleyesque.

This is my first thought.

Not that I have a clue how to make a dress of any sort really but nothing ventured nothing gained.

Extraordinary Folk

You know how it is sometimes, you see an image and it just makes you happy. Here are my top three of the day.

Jim Henson & Bert

Charlie Chaplin

Bjork