Delving into the Past

If I had to choose a museum to get lost in, it would have to be the V&A. I love wandering around the galleries and it doesn't matter how many times I visit, I always find a treasure I haven't seen before. Rather than doing everything in one day, I tend to pop into the museum whenever I'm in London and choose one or two galleries to explore. More often than not, I'm drawn to the textiles and jewellery galleries!

In the next few months there's not one, but two exhibitions that I can't wait to see at the V&A! Grace Kelly Style opens in April, but before then there's Quilts 1700-2010, which starts in March. Here's a sneaky peak at some of the quilts that will be on display...

At the End of the Day, 2007, Natasha Kerr © V&A Images

Natasha Kerr created this piece as a tribute to her grandfather who was interned during World War Two and was released to carry out essential hospital work. Incorporated into a flag identity, it's made from antique French bed linen.

To Meet My Past, 2002 Tracey Emin, The Saatchi Gallery, London

Tracey Emin used embroidery and appliqué in this installation to illustrate periods of pain and despair. I think it's interesting from the point of view that it shows how a quilt can be used to store personal and collective memories (although I think I'd be more drawn to record happy events).

Liberty Jack, 2008, Janey Forgan © V&A Images

I love this quilt. I've seen it so many times in pictures that I'm really looking forward to finally seeing it 'for real'.

Ann West (detail), 1820 © V&A Images

Ann West's quilt features scenes of biblical and everyday life and is exquisitely detailed. It's thought to have been intended as an educational piece for children.

Bishops Court quilt, 1690-1700, Unknown maker © V&A Images

Until the V&A's experts did a spot of date testing on this quilt, it was always thought that the future King Charles II slept under it as he fled from the Civil War. It's more likely that the quilt was made nearer 1700, so the Royal connection remains a bit of a myth.

Elizabeth Chapman (detail) 1829, © V&A Images

Thought to have been a marriage commemoration between John and Elizabeth Chapman, the V&A discovered that the poem on the front of this quilt is actually a macabre epitaph connected to the tale of a dentist who didn't do quite as he should have done when his wife passed away.

George III reviewing the troops (detail), 1803 - 1805, Unknown maker

© V&A Images

This coverlet documents significant military and naval events as well as everyday life and includes self-portraits of its maker in some of the well-known pictures.

Do let me know what your favourite museums are...I love discovering new places to visit!

Making Time for the Small Things

I've long been a huge fan of the fabulous Australian zine, Mixtape, so rather than keeping it as my little secret, I thought it was about time I shared it!

It's a fabulously inspiring read, packed with articles about crafting and all sorts of other lovely things. According to the talented people who create it, it's 'a collision of craft, eco-cool and pop culture kitsch'. Mixtape's strapline sums it up brilliantly...it's all about 'making time for the small things'. As soon as my copy plops on to the doormat, I give myself a bit of time off with a mug of tea and read it from start to finish!

People from all over the world contribute to Mixtape, so there's always lots of interesting bits and bobs to read about (and it's interesting to know what other craft lovers are up to around the globe). It also makes me want to pack my bags, head for Australia and go and see for myself what their exciting craft scene's all about...there's certainly a lot of talent down under.

The next issue is due out on 22nd February and I'm very excited to report that a little piece I wrote all about the joy of buttons will be featured!

Fabric, Glorious Fabric

Can it really be the start of February already? Where did January go?! The snow has now been replaced by rain, but far from being down-hearted about our country's climate, I'm cosying up in my workroom with the heating on and mug of hot chocolate close by, working on all sorts of articles and projects.

For the March issue of Sew Hip, I wrote about Cynthia Mann and her company, Fabricworm. Cynthia creates the most gorgeous organic cotton fabrics...here's a sneaky peak at the first two pages...

The March issue's on sale now (and also features the next installment in my journey through the history of twentieth century fabric design).

Time to go and put the kettle on again I think!

Happy Wanderings

Mr Treasure and I went for a pootle around the pretty village of Bosbury yesterday. It holds a special place in our hearts as it's where some of Mr Treasure's roots are (so to speak!) I thought I'd share a few snapshots of the village that appealed to me in particular.

It was rather colder than we'd anticipated and I was jolly glad that Mr Treasure had a spare warm coat in the car that I could wrap myself up in! I always think sun on snow looks pretty (although, to be honest, I think we've had enough of the stuff for one year).

I was rather taken with the shapes of the metalwork on the church doors. With all its flowingly curvy lines, it would be a great pattern to try in machine embroidery.

This made me laugh out loud!

I love the lettering and design of this sign. There's something very pleasing to the eye about a script typeface!

Red telephone boxes never fail to make me smile. They're so quintessentially British and I love their bright colour.

When we were last in Devon Mr Treasure and I had cause to make a call from a phone box (on account of being in a pocket with no mobile phone reception) and we got in the most awful pickle. It'd been so long since we'd had to use one, we'd completely lost the knack of how they work. Not only did we have to rummage in our pockets to find enough loose change and then remember to wait for the line to buzz before we could dial the number, we then did that classic thing of talking extra fast when we heard the beeps! I feel very nostalgic when I think of the days when mobile phones weren't commonplace...I always carried 20p in my pocket when I went to school in case I had to call Mum to tell her the train was late (or that I'd forgotten to feed my goldfish)!

Light Up Your Life

It had never crossed my mind to make my own lampshade...I've always just popped to Laura Ashley or John Lewis when we needed a new one. However, after discovering this book I think things might be about to change!

It was the cover of Judy Lake's The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life that grabbed me...the colours, the fabrics and the thought that I too could create something with the fabric scraps that sit in a basket by my work table hoping they'll one day be put to good use.

The glossy pages of this book are full of the most inspiring photos of what you could make, as well as giving you great instructions, tips and some helpful step-by-step photos. Judy has a really friendly writing style and after reading just the introduction, I felt entertained, inspired and thinking that perhaps even I could have a go at making a lampshade! It's always reassuring when a book has a good start...and this one has a good middle and ending too!

I thought the 'Whimsical Floral Embroidery Shade' was fabulous. What a great use for a vintage table cloth that's perhaps a little worn (the only way I could justify cutting up a vintage embroidery to myself!) or unused. This design would fit perfectly into the house in the country that I often daydream about!

My favourite type of trimming in the whole world is ric rac, with pom poms coming in a very close second. This is therefore my perfect lampshade as it features both!

There were so many lampshade designs I wanted to show in this post, but in the end I had to choose my tip top favourites. This is definitely one of them. Who knew a vintage tea towel could look so elegant?! I love the idea of taking something ordinary and making it into a piece for the house that could take centre stage somewhere.

This lamp made me smile. I love wooden toys and these blocks are so colourful...never mind making this for a child's nursery, I'd happily have this one in my work room!

This book not only shows a basic lampshade-making technique, it also provides a wealth of ideas for easy, intermediate and advanced shades. There's a great section on 'The Language of Lampshade Making' at the start of the book, which talks you through everything from shapes and supplies to fabrics and trims. As a complete beginner, I found this book to be very reassuring and encouraging.

Feeling utterly inspired, I think I'm going to have to have a go at making one of the lampshades in this book...as soon as I can stop myself from flicking through the pages to look at all of the photos again!

A bit of info...

The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life

by Judy Lake with Kathleen Hackett

Published in the in 2009 by Potter Craft (distributed in the UK by GMC Publications)

ISBN: 978-0-307-45232-0

£19.99