The bike of my dreams

Thank you to the talented Saskia from Spring Cottage for letting us know what she has been getting up to with our oilcloth. She has made these fantastic covers for her bike seat and basket and I am so jealous! You can read about how she did it at her lovely blog site Spring Cottage

In love with...

We are in love with this new batch of specially commissioned brooches! They are glittery, shiny, glossy and utterly beautiful. Available in 3 colours, my current favourite is the midnight blue but I tend to change my mind every time I look at them. I have been wearing one constantly since they arrived and have been stopped by strangers on almost a daily basis asking where I bought it. I have a feeling they may be our big seller in the run up to Christmas, just hope we don't run out of stock!

A sunny Sunday finds me thinking about aprons and asparagus..

This morning the sun was shining, the sky unbroken blue, cherry blossom everywhere and birds singing, a glorious day after what has been a chilly and blustery week. Most days like this would call me out to the sea or the woods but today S was out with the car and so homebound I was and I have spent a peaceful day pottering around, listening to the Archers, cleaning the kitchen and doing two lots of washing, stewing some rhubarb, feeding the birds and then watching the birds, having a whole bunch of asparagus for lunch and generally a lovely time. Carrying on the 50's housewife vibe this afternoon I felt compelled to look online for china tea cups, doilies and aprons.. and it was my search for aprons that brought me to this lucky discovery which I must share with you.. Kim from Calamity Kim makes the most fantastic, beautiful aprons and quilts and bags I have ever seen - they are true works of art and I am in awe.. In fact her whole blog is a joy and I will be an avid follower from now on.. You must check it out yourself but here is something to whet your appetite - her amazing Frida Kahlo apron!

An alternative to recycling

I have so much craft stuff! It is hard to keep my tiny work room organised but I do like to be organised so I love new storage ideas but I like my storage to be pretty! I have found a really cheap and colourful way of organising my pens, pencils, paintbrushes, knitting needles and crochet hooks and also to make a little vase for a posy on my desk.
It is so straight forward it hardly needs explaining but here goes.. get an old tin can (the ones with the easy open tops are best as no sharp edges) wash and dry thoroughly. Select a pretty piece of oilcloth (approx 20cm x 10.5cm). Using a glue gun secure one of the short sides down, wrap oilcloth around tin and glue in place. You're done. Then make another, and another.. it's addictive! Nx

Viva office

I'm nosey! I love seeing other people's workrooms and studios. Here is my own office/refuge/place for hoarded things and treasures..

Viva decks out Lovebox Festival

Those of you who attended Lovebox Festival in London on 18-19th July will probably have seen our oilcloth and papel picado banners on show.. We supplied a lovely mix of oilcloths for table decking (emerald green hibiscus, yellow hibiscus, red strawberry, aqua rose and light blue mums) as well as over 90 metres of banners!

Mexican Wedding in Cape Town

Viva la Frida would like to send warm congratulations to Mrs Phillipa Mohr and Mr Mark Mohr who were married at the Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town on 15th June 2009.

Phillipa contacted us a few months ago to see if it would be possible to send a roll of our oilcloth to Cape Town, South Africa. After looking at various options to get it there and lots of emails back and forth it was eventually dispatched to Phillipa's sister in the UK who then travelled to Cape Town with it.

We love a bit of romance here and so I was thrilled to see some of the photos from their big day! Absolutely beautiful!