Canteen Girl

'Ello Ducklettes,

When do you decide a collection is already too big and doesn't need adding to?

That's my question for the day. This comes after planning to use my Woods Ware this weekend - The weather's not looking good, so the picnic is not going to happen and that day out on Monday is looking doubtful (it's an outdoor event with fields and walking involved), so I thought it'd be nice to bake a cake and use my favourite crockery...

But it was packed away, so Ma being the intrepid explorer went under the stairs into the cupboard to go and find the two boxes of Woods Ware - Two boxes later and some was missing, so back into the cupboard she disappeared, and found another three boxes! Five boxes jam packed with plates, bowls, tureens, cups...

Even with 21 dinner plates, 18 cups and 5 tureens (and the rest!) I still don't have a full collection :(

It doesn't look like much when it's neatly stacked, but I'm dreading the thought of re-packing and re-housing it all.

The one thing I'm really missing (apart from coffee pots, toast racks, egg cups...) is the guide/brochure to identify the various pieces. I saw one for free online, but didn't save the picture and can't find it again (!), so some of the pieces are, as Toyah Willcox sang, a mystery!

I'm trying to decide whether or not to open a canteen... Any vintage factories need a canteen, plus girlie to run it? Have Woods Ware, will travel!

Anyway, I thought you might like to see it all it it's glory before it goes away until Christmas! I'll show you the cake when I've baked it, plus the other treat I have in store.

Have a lovely evening,

Jennie xx

A Proper Oufit Post - At Last!

Blimey, is that the time? It's been a busy old day, so I shan't keep you long.

I've finally realised the sun is out to stay a while, so dug through my suitcase to find something suitable, will the desire to wear something I haven't won for a long time.

Yes, I know this is an awful photo, but it made me laugh I looked through them - I have a touch of hayfever and my eyes are watery, it's driving me mad, but you have to laugh at these moments... right?

The sporty skirt is 1930's (I believe), with three pleats in the back, fancy like. I've owned it for two years and this is the first time I've even tried it one!
The jacket is 1950's and also the first outing, after being owned by me for four/five years... Bad Jennie!
The jumper was hand knitted by myself from a circa 1941 pattern. It's actually the irst jumper I ever made, and yes, the first time I've worn it!
The tennis shoes/pumps/pimpsols are from last Summer, very much worn and loved.
The bag is circa 1940's and woven straw... Yes yes, the first outing, and owned for three years or so?

My hair is awful, apologies. I did manage a quick curl but was rushing this morning. I did, however, start the day with red lipstick... I think that may now be on a tea cup!

Anyways, after lunch I headed back out to go see someone special, I'll be introducing him sometime in the next week.

In the meantime, check out this little beauty, found in a charity shop at lunch time. The tongue pulls out to be a tape measure! His original price is one the bottom, 4/11.

Toddling off

Jennie xx

Christmas Presents - Hairstyling Books

Apologies. Once again, I promised a Monday post, and nothing came. When I get home on Mondays, I'm exhausted, uninspired and really cannot find the energy to anything other than drink tea and watch the Gilmore Girls. So no more promises for Monday posts, but if I do ever find that energy on a Monday, call it a treat.

I did, however, make a list of post ideas! So I have at least a month's worth of posts to write, but not on a Monday!
So enough of excuses and my ramblings, here are some present ideas:

I love recreating 1940's hairstyles, and so enjoy sitting down with a book or two and figuring out how I'm what I'm going to practice next. So these are books I really want this Christmas:



Style Me Vintage by Belina Hay - £7.49 (Amazon)




Stage and Screen Hairstyles by Kit Spencer - £15.54 (Amazon)



Vintage Hairstyling by Lauren Rennells - £27 (Pin Up Parade)


Vintage Hairstyling is a book I own, though mine's the first edition with a different cover. A really great book which is in constant use. My favourite thing about it, is that the styles are shown step by step, so you don't feel like you've missed a few steps. Plus, the pictures are in colour!

I was thinking of including 1940s Hairstyles by Daniela Turudich, but as it's out of print, I didn't think it would be fair. I don't own the original, but have a PDF copy. Again, a very good book, with some really useful cutting diagrams.

I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow! This is a big deal, I haven't had it cut for... months! This means that when I've restyled it, I can finally change that horrid profile photo!

Happy styling, Jenny xx

Sewing For My Supper

Tis that time of year again, shops already have an aisle of Christmas gifts and food, and I'm yet again in a panic because my brother is just so hard to shop for.
I also find that despite my best efforts, relaxation is impossible to find. I'm always sewing my little fingers to the bone to make sure everyone gets their order in good time.. I should maybe explain here that I make little felt brooches, mainly for shops, and they don't order one brooch at a time, no, a small order tends to be around the 50 items mark, and these brooches are hand cut (with scissors of course, I don't have multi-tool hands!) and hand sewn!

So this year, I'm trying to be one of those superwomen, who have everything planned and come Christmas are super relaxed and laughing at the rest of us! I'm already a little behind, but I can catch up, and this is how I'm going to be spending the holidays watching old films and drinking cocoa without a care in the world:

1: I'm going to make a big order of felt, before I need it! This way, I can't run out..
2: I'm going to dedicate days to doing one job at a time; cutting the shapes, sewing the eye etc etc
3: Ask my buyers to make their orders early so they hopefully won't rush me come December
4: Set up little boxes for each item so I don't need to rummage through my big sewing basket
5: Make a great big list of things to do, and get ticking - I love lists!

Reproduction 1940's Scottie Dog Brooch in green

One of the most stressful things I've found this Autumn is finding out that someone is copying these dog brooches, and not very well - If you're going to copy an animal shape, don't make it look like road-kill!

I spent ages tweeking this pattern, from an original 1940's design, I have developed it to be my own - It took nearly a year for me to be happy with the finished product, so I'm sure you'll understand why I'm so annoyed.

I've already emailed one stockist and I'm making a felt order tomorrow morning.. I'm already making progress.

I must be off, I have a few hundred dog shape to cut!

Jenny xx