A good mornings work!

A good mornings work!

Kittiwakes, is a beautiful gift shop in my village of Braunton , selling gorgeous items for your home, that once ventured into, you can't fail to be inspired! http://www.kittiwakes-shop.co.uk/ Kittiwakes took a complete range of my new cards, all handmade with a little bit of vintage something. For sale at £3.00 each. Do pop in to have a look.

I had a rather inspirational weekend , as William's sister came to visit. She was so full of ideas and ways to move forward that I am almost fit to burst. One important factor is that, I must keep on blogging as I have had my 3,000 hit in 6 months!!

My lovely son Harry went off on his first leg of his travels today. Bath, to see his girlfriend Anna and Izy his sister, and then onwards to Canada, where he will be picked up by my great friend Marie and then up into the mountains to ski for a month. Miss him already!

Bias cut!

This gown in my workroom at the moment is so exciting and really rather clever!
The bodice is cut on the bias of the silk, which means across the diagonal of the fabric, this creates a natural elasticity which stretches and then springs back into shape. So for this design you can create amazing results , which look incredibly tight and flattering. The fabric actually breathes with your shape and although, when it is first put on it feels tight, after a few minutes it starts to mould to your natural shape. It is a design that lends itself to body shapes that are long waisted, pear shaped if worn with a fuller skirt,smallbusts and waists. It creates an amazing hourglass figure!
I have finished off this gown with a wrap over skirt that opens slightly when you walk. And a huge hand tied knot on the hips......So Elegant! Its made in a beautiful Tia Silk, but I have made it in an array of colours, so its not just for Weddings. Why not a Red Carpet too!!
It is featured in Wed Magazine this month.

All in pink!

I have been looking through my photos of old dresses and found this wonderful picture taken many years ago... so its very vintage! but not far off the current trend of today.
This was one of my first dresses ever made. Iced pink silk Dupion gown with a hand painted Organza fichu neckline, with a delicate rose trellis design. Of which James Hare Silks went on to buy the design from me and printed many hundreds off metres. I love this huge hand tied bow detail falling away onto the skirt. The back was finished with tiny button detail and a small puddle train. This needs to be revised, maybe I'll redesign it with a little bit of 2011 input.

Another detail that made me chuckle was my lovely models fringe!

This weekend I have been inspired by my daughter Izy's drive, she works so hard and never stops once she see's a clear way. I love it when she comes back home to use all my stuff and we can get all creative....come back soon Izy!

Cards!

I'd thought I'd show a few more of my card. I'm getting quite carried away, which is completely satisfing although a little indulgent, as real sewing is needed to be done!

Bits and Bobs!

Feeling like spring can not be really that far away! I started to think about Valentines Day. I came up with a lovely idea of making cards with all the little bits and bobs I have laying around.

If you look closely you can see all the different things, feathers, shells from Barricade Beach, flowers, tiny rose buds, Vintage lace etc etc. I ended up making 25 cards all needing a home. I'm now off to see if anyone wants to buy them, however they are all really one offs, I'm sure I could do something similar or to a colour scheme. For sale at £3.00 each. They would of course make a beautiful keepsake Wedding card. Watch out for more to follow!

South West Bride Magazine!

Great excitement today as I have 2 pages in South West Bride magazine which is out now at £4.50.

The whole magazine has had a complete makeover and looks really classy! I'm delighted they featured this gown, Rachael, made in a gorgeous Dark Ivory Taffeta with vintage flower detail on the shoulder and low bodice. I love the crossover front on the detachable bodice and waterfall skirt falling away into a train.

Things are looking good on the magazine front with the fantastic write up I had in Wed magazine, and 4 dresses featured. All I need now are the orders!

Vintage Silk Velvet bag.

I had fun with making this little number, it may not look much from this photo but ......

This bag is made from a 1920's silk velvet panel from a dress I have had tucked away for many years. The silk was used from an inverted pleat called a godet , it is inserted in the skirt like a pleat, of which I have 2 more! The velvet is rouched with a bias cut floral strip inset towards the top. I have lined the bag with cerise pink silk, which really does catch your eye.

I love reusing vintage fabrics, this was a real find. I'm always interested if anyone has fabrics hanging around, I could bring them back to life!

Spring Lamb by Flora

This Christmas holiday certainly has not seen the 'Fricker' family idle.
Flora has been extremely busy painting a lamb in her unique style of mixed media paints and glitter. She chose an eye catching spring theme.Flora was chosen by her school to paint this lamb, she had to submit several designs and was lucky enough to win the chance to take part in this project along with 2 others.
This lamb along with many more sheep and lambs {about 200] will be on view outside Exeter Cathedral later this year, all painted by artists from the region. You can view Elephants in London, Lions in Bath and other animals around the cities of Great Britain.
It is a huge privilege for Flora and we are very proud of her. 'Bbbbarbie' by the way, took about 15 hours to paint and glitter and Flora was in her own little world for many days. Watch this artist, shes going places!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone who reads my blog! We had a very lovely Christmas with my family spent at Buckland Cottage, although it has been really rather freezing we have managed to stay upbeat and have some fun. This picture of us all is taken on Christmas day, it was so nice to be all together. There is something so magical about still having a little one around as Alice 's excitement did rather rub off on certain members of the family.

After far too many days away from my workroom, I feel the need to be creative, so after a mass cleaning this week I will start the New Year with gusto and lots of positive drive.

William has been working all over Christmas on his next book, so that is rather exciting.... watch this space for regular updates, Harry has worked none stop at a rather fantastic Bistro in Instow called the 'Instow Arms' its certainly worth checking out,yummy food and a lot prepared and cooked by Harry! Flora and Izy have been doing their art projects, some fantastic pictures to follow shortly and Alice has just loved being at home and keeping us all amused!