Lampshade Love

The other day I had an urge to learn how to make lampshades, it was a ping of inspiration from nowhere that made so much sense that I have no idea why I havent done it sooner! And I knew just who to call…

I met Ruth McAllister of Quincy Lampshades last year at the Lionheart Magazine Launch, her lampshades are bold, beautiful and modern and her successful business is an inspiration, she also teaches lampshade making in Bristol and Bath. I took along my Mairin Flora fabric and in three hours I had a gorgeous drum lampshade, Ruth is a wonderful teacher; generous and passionate about sharing the lampshade love. I enjoyed every minute and keep looking over at my finished beauty and smiling!

Christmas Steps Artisan Market

Saturday 1st December 11-4

As Petals Fall will be on the steps again this year, so come and say Hello!

I Love the Christmas Steps Artisan Market in Bristol, the beautiful cascading steps full of local handmade crafts, twinkling lights, mulled cider and jolly music . it’s the perfect place to pick up some unique Christmas gifts, soak up the festive cheer and you can also feel all warm inside in the knowledge that you have helped to support local independent businesses and crafts people. I always try to get my gifts this way as well as giving homemade offerings, the frantic high street is often quite stressful and I’m sometimes left with a feeling that the big business of Christmas is a greedy overfed monster. In fact this year my family are only giving gifts that have been homemade, so I best get busy!

x

Salad days

This weekend was full of sunshine;  my little sister came to visit, we strolled in our t -shirts and remembered what summer was like, we climbed a spiral staircase to the top of a tower, we hatched plans for a new adventure, we bought new books and we ate good food.

“For the first time in my life I was out of the sight of humans. For the first time in my life I was alone in a world whose behaviour I could neither predict nor fathom: a world of birds that squealed, of plants that stank, of insects that sprang about without warning. I was lost and I did not expect to be found again. I put my head back and howled, and the sun hit me smartly on the face, like a bully.”

Laurie lee – Cider with Rosie

Spring!

Cabot tower

At the top

The sister and the Mister

Market trading

On Saturday I set up my little stall by the water at the Harbourside Market, It was such a beaut of a day, the sun was streaming and the boats were breaking the early morning ice…

My ‘Home is wherever you are’  and ‘I wanted to tell you..’ cards went down really well and it made me smile each time someone bought one to think of little messages of love being shared.

Here you can spy some of my *New* embroidery hoop frames, coming to the shop soon.

Flower of Bristol

Lionheart Launch

Last Sunday the mighty Lionheart magazine was launched into the world, and what a wonderous day it was. After months of waiting I was finally able to see the fruits of Helen Martin’s labour. It was everything I imagined and more; elegant simplicity gracing the thick matte pages, beautiful illustrations, photography and design, talented people, truly interesting features, poetic words, it is a treasure and I can’t recommend it enough, visit the Lionheart website to buy your copy online.

The party was so much fun and I met some brilliant people as well as enjoying time with old friends, highlights included; delicious pizza’s made by my Husband Will, the best cakes ever from the lovely Kimberlee of  The Homemade Mama, a lampshade demonstration by Ruth of  Quincy lampshades, A live illustration (of me!) by the very talented and lovely Gemma Milly and an epic craft session that was loved by all.

The perfect venue – 40 Alfred Place, Bristol

The beautiful front cover; Illustration by Gemma Milly, typography by Holly Giblin

Roar

Happy customer: Lauren

Photographer extraudinaire : Stella Mason

Chef extraudinaire: Will

Happy crafters

Gemma modelling her mans craft triumph; a lavender moustache!

Live Illustration by Gemma Milly (photo- c/o Stella Mason)

I’m honoured to have contributed (I also did the page titled ‘Treasure’)

Tenderfooting

On Saturday I was at a little Christmas market at Tenderfoot – a lovely shop in Bristol that is full of treasure, they stock a huge range of products from Bristol’s local handmade artists as well as hosting crafty events and workshops. I had a wonderful day there selling my wares, drinking mulled wine and enjoying the jolly atmosphere, Lori the shops co-owner is one lovely lady and another of my inspirations for ‘dream following’.  If you are in Bristol their shop is definitely worth a visit.

Tenderfoot blog

My little stall.

Looking forward…

Amazing jumper

This week I have been plagued with a dreaded winter cold, now I am better I am looking forward to being at Tenderfoots ‘Yule Love It’ Christmas market on Saturday, lots of lovely unique Christmas gifts on offer, including my wares, and mulled wine and mince pies…

I am also looking forward to the Lionheart Launch Party on Sunday, Music, craft, cake – made by the wonderful Homemade mama, Lions, joy, homemade pizza, aaaand we’ll be able to see the magazine in the flesh – SO exciting. There will be a lampshade demonstration by the very lovely Quincy Lampshades at 3.30pm, which I cant wait to see. I will be doing two crafty workshops at 4.15 – Moustache making, perfect for the photo booth, and sew your own lavender bag/ christmas decoration. At 5.30 there will be a live illustration session by Gemma Milly which I also can’t wait to see! And from 6pm onwards; good music and sparkles.

The weekend after all this action I am looking forward to a weekend off for my Birthday celebrations and some time with the Mr, and then it’ll be Christmas; I’m wishing for A novelty jumper, Christmas films, cheese, mulled wine, board games, an open fire and most of all some snow, it was magical last year:

Christmas market adventures

This weekend was As Petals Falls trading debut;

Saturday at the Christmas Steps was wonderful, such a charming setting and warm community and we were very lucky with the weather..

On Sunday we packed our merry selves off to Bath for The Makery‘s Christmas Craft fair, It was joyous to be based in the wonderful Makery Emporium for a whole day, such a magical place if you like being a crafty fox in your spare time and get excited by beautiful fabrics, buttons, ribbons…

The two petals hard at work!

** Thank you to all my lovely friends and, of course, Mr W who came along to support us**

December:

December is here; Cold weather and wooly hats, I will turn 27, It will be my second Christmas as a wife, but best of all… it is the month I have launched my business. The tiny beginnings of something I hope will grow to be beautiful and successful, it feels wonderful to have big hopes, wonderful, scary and right.

I will be starting with 4 Christmas markets this month and then launching my online shop in January. The first market is this Saturday on the Christmas Steps in Bristol, this is perhaps why I’m feeling festive so early this year, Today I’m planning to venture into the back of our garden to find our tree from last year and adorn it once again with some lights.

Here are some seasonal inspirationals I love, to begin the festive month:

The cutest advent calendar from Snug

‘Fashionable Christmas’ cards from the V and A  including one of my favorite illustrators Georges Lepape

Pretty handmade owl decorations from Lula Handmade

‘Sailing home for Christmas’ card by Anna Searle

Christmas Lights dessert plates by West Elm

The Makery Christmas Market

Another date for your diaries petals:

The Makery Christmas Market , Sunday 4th December 11-5, 16 Northumberland Place, Bath.

Bath is such a lovely place to meander, especially in the winter months, I find its old-fashioned charm perfect for getting me in the festive mood and The Makery shop is a place I always visit, a cave of crafty treasures that never fails to inspire. This year they are holding a Christmas market on the top two floors of their emporium with goods from lots of wonderful makers, including As Petals Fall. Also the first 250 buyers receive a goodie bag containing fabric from The Makery, a Mollie Makes subscription and other treats, so make sure you get there early!

Hope to see you there x