Lights of my Life

I recently bought 2 new lampshades. I have been searching for the right shade for a vintage base I bought a while back. Another great purchase from All Mod Cons.

I found the perfect shade on the Jorja Wilkinson Design site, I got in touch and asked if I could have the 'poppy' pattern in a bright orange colour. I am so pleased with this shade. It's a modern design but all Georgia's designs are influenced by the wallpaper and ceramics of the 1960's so it felt like the perfect match for my vintage base.

I also spotted a shade for a base I had in the bedroom that I had also been looking for. I love this repeat pattern, it's called Fizz and goes perfectly in the bedroom.

Love Lemon x

What Katy did next....

So here we are 11 weeks after I gave birth to our gorgeous baby boy. It feels like a lifetime ago, yet we are still settling into things and getting to know the new member of our family. Although bath & bedtimes are still what I call 'meltdown' time we are managing to get out of the house slightly quicker and generally getting used to being a family of 4!

I have managed to fit in a break to London to have some time off and see my closest friend for a catch up as well as seeing my family. It was a great weekend. I even managed to visit Spitalfields market and browse the vintage stalls after a great breakfast at The Breakfast Club.

On the crochet front, I have managed to make 2 snoods as presents for my friend and sister in law. I wanted to have a go at using a bigger crochet hook and wool. I haven't exactly got loads of time to spare with a new baby and toddler but I managed to make these in no time and really loved the chunky wool. I used Sirdar Big Softie which is a really soft, snuggly wool.

I found an easy to follow pattern (I am a BIG fan of easy to follow patterns) on Carly's blog. I decided to use a bigger 12mm hook for mine and a cheaper option to Rowan Big Wool as I mentioned and I just made them to the desired width.

I also finished off my second baby blanket as a present for friends who had their baby girl a few weeks ago. I loved working with these bright colours.

I am now desperate to learn more crochet and improve my understanding of patterns. I am working on setting up a local crochet, knitting and sewing group to hopefully learn more and share my skills.

Love Lemon x

Vintage Market Sep 12

A few weeks back now I went to yet another great vintage market here in Suffolk, this time in Woodbridge. It was such a lovely sunny day to browse the stalls.

I bought 2 items pretty soon after I arrived. A bright red vanity case, with gorgeous purple lining in great condition.

I also bought this vintage metal tray, I really liked the pretty floral pattern and although I was originally looking for a square tray this actually goes well in the corner of my kitchen.

I wanted to share a few tips on vintage shopping that I like to follow, I hope these are helpful...

1. Have an idea in your head of some items you need/want for your home before you go to any markets/shops. I could so easily get carried away with ornaments and fabric when what I really need is some storage or a mirror.
2. There are a variety of prices for vintage items, I always have a budget and try my best to stick to it.
3. Check for marks/stains etc. Vintage items are used and can have some marks and signs of ware and for me this adds to the character but be sure to check that it's not too worn or marked for your liking.
4. Check sizes of furniture/curtains/fabric/mirrors so that they fit in the space you have in mind. I made the mistake of not measuring up for some curtains I needed meaning I missed out on a great vintage pair recently. If you want to make something with vintage fabric then have an idea of how much you need. For example for a cushion a 45cmx45cm would be enough for a 40cm cushion and you could also use a plain fabric for the back if there isn't enough.

Let me know of any great finds and markets you have been to recently.

Love Lemon x

Baby Boy

As some of you may know from me mentioning on here and twitter I was due on September 10th and my baby boy arrived at 2:17am on the 11th. We are thrilled to have him here and loving being a family of 4 now. I had a quick labour and gave birth in water, I was very pleased to have the birth I wanted this time!

Meet baby Joe:

I am taking a few weeks to get used to my new role of mum of two boys! I have lots of post ideas and looking forward to sharing some vintage finds from a recent vintage market I visited so I will be back soon, wish me luck!

Love Lemon x

Love & Heart Hoops

I know embroidery hoops are becoming more and more popular for displaying work and fabrics, I really like the look of them.

So I bought 3 small hoops with the idea to group them together. I stuck with a love and hearts theme and used mostly black, white and red to go in the bedroom. I really like how these look on the wall:

It's such an easy way to add some colour and detail to a wall. I like the idea of just grouping some brightly coloured fabrics or personalising some with letters for gifts too, it feels like the options of colours, sizes and ways to use these are endless.

Has anyone else used these at home in a similar way? Here is a great example on Pinterest.

I have linked up with the Pinaddicts, check out what others have been making this month here.

Love Lemon x

Craft Projects Sep 12

This weekend I have been working on completing a few craft projects on my list. Of course there are always more ideas and projects floating around my head but for now I am going to relax before baby comes and it may be some time before I get a chance to dust off the sewing machine again while I get to grips with being a mum of 2!

This week I have also been doing lots of washing of tiny clothes and blankets ready for baby too.

My first project was to complete some bunting I wanted to put up in the dining area, I decided against curtains as I love looking out onto the garden and we aren't overlooked but the window needed something and I really like the colour the bunting adds:

I then made a cushion for the sofa bed in the boys room after finding this great moped fabric. I did the back in a bright red with white stars. My little boy seems to love it:

I know I promised a tutorial on how to make cushion covers. I will get around to it but for now this is a good one to use Cushion Cover Tutorial.

I know some of you will of seen this already, I was so pleased to take part in this months Style at Home magazine, I made a few comments and tips on some of the articles and had a little photo in there, it was really nice to have my name in print and give some advice and comments on interiors. I would love to do more.

Love Lemon x

Quirky Interiors

On our recent week away to Norfolk we stayed in a friend of a friends house. The house was packed full of nick nacks and themed rooms, vintage wallpaper, fabrics, mirrors and prints on the wall and bright colours. Every surface full of odds and ends, stones from the beach, vintage ornaments, handcrafted items and candles. Even the kitchen had a bright red vintage oven and retro shelving units. It was inspiring but also very manic!

It got me thinking about interiors and quirky styles. For me the house was a nice holiday home and I loved some bits, particularly the Paddington Bear bedding in the kids rooms that was exactly the same as I used to have as a kid, however I'm not really sure I could live there full time?

I have always been a bit of a tidy freak, I like things to have a place and I don't like clutter. However I love pretty vintage things and lots of colour and I feel like my style has changed a lot over the years. I wouldn't ever say I liked bare walls or sideboards but I always kept it limited to a few key pieces. Now I just want to fill my home with pretty colourful things, fill the walls with prints and bright colours and use fabrics and blankets to add texture and colour to sofas and armchairs. These days I find myself buying vintage or retro inspired items for my home that add a lot more colour and interest.

I love this poster inspired by vintage Scandinavian design by Jan Skacelik, you can buy this along with loads of other great posters from his Etsy shop.

The quirky house in Norfolk certainly got me thinking and inspired me not to be too concerned about clutter and think of all the pretty things and collected items along the way that can really make your home individual and unique. Pictures and photos of places once visited and people you love. Collected items that always make you smile. Handmade crochet blankets and bright fabric cushions that invite you onto the sofa.


Here are a few other inspiring interiors that I found online, firstly showing particular love for Danish design again:

Lots of colour, texture and prints on the wall, yet this room still looks fresh and everything perfectly placed. See more of this home from What We Do.

I also love the feeling of luxury and glamour in this vintage styled interior:

Photo

I saw these on Indecora online magazine, great quirky style and vintage pieces.

I also have a Vintage Interiors board on Pinterest where I collect inspiring photos.

Love Lemon x