vicky trainor

the filing cabinet interviews #0001

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000Z

vintage . weddings . DIY . crafty

"the TIFF experience" . organisation

planning . romance . beautiful . love

intricate . outside-the-box . styling

Well, given that a day trip to Tuscany isn't really the sensible option....I'd have to say a day on the Suffolk coast with my family. Starting with fish and chips and a little shopping in Aldeburgh, then on to Southwold for a walk along the beach and pier with an ice-cream. Maybe rent a beach hut for the afternoon? Oh and then off to the Adnams shop to purchase a tipple or two for the evening.

Rochester. It's a place steeped in history and, whilst it doesn't always get the greatest wrap in Kent, it boasts the most stunning Cathedral, castle and connections with Charles Dickens. My favourite shops are Fieldstaffs (the ultimate shop bar none) and Hometown, my crafting mecca.

image credit - eye imagine photography

image credit - devlin photos

image credit - emma case

It's got to be Paul's hot chocolate and a large pistachio macaroon. Seriously indulgent but they do the best hot chocolate outside of Italy. Fact.

Last year a very special magazine came into my life. Mollie Makes. THANK YOU! Finally a crafting magazine that appeals to the younger generation as well as the old, it's made it sexy again! Now I am back to knitting and embroidery and loving this new lease of creativity it's giving me. Most of my weddings have a handmade element to them anyway but it's wonderful to take my creativity away from bridal from time to time.

I really can't think of a title soundtrack because that's literally TOO hard,
however, this track would introduce the opening credits.
'Mr Magic' by Amy Winehouse,
from the album Frank, which I wish I'd written.

And to play me? Naoimi Harris!
(I get the Halle Berry comparison all the time but I think Naoimi is a better actress!)

Image credit: Gossip Rocks

I am and have been obsessed with Lobster and Swan for some years now. Jeska and I have had the opportunity to meet once at a bridal event I did and she ran a competition to win my styling for a photoshoot last year. She is so talented, her vision and creativity is enviable and I'd give anything to snoop around her house....oh and meet her kittens!

Oh that's such an unfair question - I have so many! Do I really have to pick one?! Hmmmm ok....then it has to be this beautiful tumbling mound of ranunculous, without doubt my favourite flower, they look like delicious scoops of sorbet ice cream. I'm drawn to bright colours that pop and I love the composition of this photograph.

Again, really difficult to choose. I'm going through another roots music period in my life
(I used to play folk violin when I was younger) so a couple of my top 5 right now are:

But I'm a funk, soul girl at heart...

http://www.grantrileyweddings.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/grantrileyweddings

http://www.grantrileyweddings.blogspot.com/

www.pinterest.com/vintageplanner

twitter - @VintagePlanner

Introducing 'The Wedding Institute'......

2012-01-29T18:33:00.000Z

There's a little new buzz of excitement coming to the North East/North Yorkshire...

Introducing to you....

The Wedding Institute at The Village Hall

Creative . Vintage Inspired . 'Colour-fully' different

A wedding fair experience that will leave you inspired.

Tea room and fabulous music too....

Sunday April 29th 2012

12-6pm
Saltburn Community Hall, Saltburn-by-Sea, North Yorks.

Tickets £5.00 pre-registration only

Available from end of February

only 170 available

If you are a bride to be who would like to book tickets

email info@vickytrainor.co.uk

and I can email you when the tickets go on sale.
Website coming soon!!

Facebook
Twitter

pinboard palettes

2012-01-29T13:50:00.012Z

the studio is full of colour for a bright floral season

...getting back to the drawing board for the

new printed stationery collection available March 2012.....

just because - i fancy some company!!

2012-01-27T08:49:00.004Z

They're here - The Workshops and Play Days - I am opening the doors to my home studio - fancy a day or two or three or four to be creative, make your own version of The Vintage Drawer or are you a business in need of a little guidance - pages above for you to browse!! If you have any questions at all please email me at info@vickytrainor.co.uk so who's coming for some fun!!??

studio details - The Filing Cabinet Interviews.....

2012-01-26T12:53:00.004Z

I love reading, but these days the idea of burying myself in the pages of a good book is something that only tends to happen when on holiday. The extent of my reading consists of me scanning the pages of the Sunday supplements for a maximum of 15 minutes before I go to sleep. 15 minutes is all it takes for me to fall into a deep slumber, it is all my brain allows before I am unplugged and in re-charging mode.

I scan these pages in delight, searching for fabulous imagery, little quirks of information, new influences, recommendations, food (love reading about food), reviews, interesting music and most importantly interviews. I love those one page interviews. The ones that give you an insight into the world beyond the day job. I am nosey (full-stop). I am the type of person who likes to walk the dog in the early evening, on a winter's night, just so I can see how people have decorated their sitting rooms - I love how the same built house can look so different depending on the characters of the people who live in them. (I know I shouldn't really admit to that!!)

You may or may not know. But this is my first full year of actually been able to run my business as a normal working person, my Mum duties have now reduced during the day. My youngest daughter, Mia, started school full time last September. So, since January, my little blog has changed. To extend my nosyness there will be a new start to the week over here called "The Filing Cabinet Interviews". An idea I initiated on Sunday morning and by Tuesday morning had 34 ladies and gentlemen all committing to this little project. For the remaining weeks of 2012, every Monday, there will be someone here to take you on a different journey to new places of interest, new music, new influences and a little visual indulgence. There's stylists, gallery curators, wallpaper designers, writers, bloggers, wedding planners, ice-cream van owners, dress designers, bakers and cake makers, photographers and people who are just simply 'fabulous'......so spread the word for me won't you!!!? and I will see you here on Monday at 9 o'clock in the morning for file number one..... who will it be????? Have a guess in the comments below and win yourself a 'love brooch' from The Vintage Drawer if you get it right!!!!

armchair journeys #12

2012-01-25T09:00:00.001Z

'The Start-up Wife' - Emily Quinton

I know a lady, well I say I know her, I feel as if I know her. I have yet to have a conversation face to face but I have followed/admired Emily Quinton closely (without stalking I may add) for what seems like a fair few years, although it may only be a cluster of months. I adore Emily's photography, not only her weddings but also her beautiful floral art prints. I am desperate to learn more about my camera so I can indulge in attending one of her courses. It is an aspiration at least. But most of all I love how she shares her life, just wonderful little whispers of her beautiful family. What is the most delightful thing is that Emily has recently began a new blog - 'The Start-up Wife' - as a work at home Mum I love seeing other people's 'coping' mechanisms, how other families operate, to hopefully be inspired, to feel the same, to see that at times, when I think my own family isn't normal, there I see everyone else spinning the same plates. So The Start-up Wife is where I'd like to take you this week, all tooked up in your armchair with your laptop on knee and a warming cup on the coffee table....

Here's how the name for her blog came about....

"My name is Emily and some of you may know me as a photographer. I am also the wife of a wonderful, very smart man and together we have three beautiful young children. When people ask me what my husband does, I often stumble. Right now he is the co-founder of a very successful start up in London, He is, you might say, a start-up addict. He's brilliant at coming up with ideas and making things happen. This is both amazing, exciting and brilliant, and scary, stressful and often risky.
We live the start-up life, the entrepreneurial life. He's the part that goes out and makes fabulous things happen. I am the part that stays at home and keeps it all together. It's not easy. It takes a huge amount of energy, guts, risk taking, love, trust, strength and above all a belief in each other."

image credits - Emily Quinton

the making table

2012-01-24T16:19:00.005Z

...a little bit of french love for the cotton and herb collection...

pinboard palettes

2012-01-22T09:15:00.000Z

....my latest obsession is yellow. From mustard to canary, I just can't stop being drawn to it....

So when I was in Yarm last week, making a delivery, I walked passed Carl Banks and these little pom poms squeeked 'hello'. The colourists are right, yellow does make you happy. So I advice you to pop out right now and buy some yellow flowers and see if it works for you!! And if you do, let me know what you bought!! And can I just say how lovely it was to walk into this florists and be greeted with smiles - smiling is infectious!!!!

the business, my family and me...

2012-01-21T14:28:00.002Z

This week I was interviewed by the lovely Annabel from Love My Dress for her 'Inspirational Women in Business' feature. I was thrilled to be asked and you can read the interview here. You may want to make a pot of coffee as I do warble on a bit!!...But if you read this blog and are thinking of starting up your own business you may find it a helpful read (especially if you have a family!)...

Image credit: Katie Byram

just because.....

2012-01-20T07:45:00.002Z

.....I thought you may like another peak!

....one of the last photo's taken on the shoot last week....

image credit: Becky Mitchell

studio details

2012-01-19T16:23:00.012Z

...this is how the studio looked today. Orders for packing, linens for sorting and dried flower petals that are remnants from last weeks photo shoot. They look so delicate and beautiful in their natural fading colour...and amazing with the orders from The Blossom Petal and French Corsage Collections...

armchair journeys number 11

2012-01-18T09:30:00.000Z

...this little journey that you are about to embark on is into the fairytale world of French born stylist Emma Cassi. Her beautiful lace and beaded jewellery are works of art. Her blog is a creatives haven, a place that you could stay all day, reading, indulging into her world, her influences, her studio, her life.

I promise you that you will always want to return to be inspired, to be amazed at her patience in her craft, to excite the eye with her intricate detailing....

the making table

2012-01-17T11:52:00.013Z

...table numbers being freshly baked for the shop and a few hoops and brooches are about to be sent down the M1 to London for fame and fortune to a magazine photo shoot...it's a glamourous life being an embroidery hoop you know...

pinboard palettes

2012-01-15T09:30:00.002Z

Today the studio looks amazing. It looks amazing because for once it isn't busy with layers of fabrics, printed cards, threads, furniture at awkward unpassable angles. I have had a crazy week, and although I love nothing more when the studio is bursting with colour and 'stuff' - my eyes crave blank walls and space while I return to orders, projects and the making table.

The week is planned and I am now currently finalising the colour palettes to a new collection to be launched in February. I always adore grey, my walls are painted in Lamp Grey and I love how it seduces any colour that crosses it's path from translucent peppermint greens to bright lipstick red. I bought these paper lanterns from Northern Lights Interiors just before Christmas, they hung amongst large paper snowflakes. The snowflakes are now gone and they have been left to hang in the studio. I love them. I love them that much that they are now the influence to my new collection as well as the yellow wardrobe that is currently renting a space in here (while I clear room in the girls 'den' although it may stay)....

The roses came home with me after the photoshoot, and they reveal new colours every day. I keep photographing them every few hours as they change and the light in the studio changes...

But a strong influence for the new palettes

is my continued obsession with the floral paintings

of Vernon Ward' -

I am aiming to fill my living room walls with his work.

who/what inspires you?

just because...

2012-01-13T09:06:00.000Z

...just because I like to share and couldn't wait.....!!

So here you are -

the 'sneaky peak', 'little snippets', 'a teasing' of images

(only a few mind-but these are the pics even only I have seen)

...from the first 'biggie' shoot we have ever styled that took place this week....

everyone involved is now exhausted (but in a wonderful way)

and are frantically spending today catching up with their business's,

general chores, my house doesn't have a clear surface (even the floors)

would love to know what you think...........

(we are hoping you like them!)

Have a lovely weekend ....xx

image credit - I give you "the fabulous, the gorgeous, the wonderful Becky Mitchell...."

Studio Details

2012-01-12T14:34:00.001Z

I was finishing tidy the venue this morning from the photo shoot and found this on the window seat... a sneaky peak of part of the set......(a creation by one of the little bridesmaids)....

armchair journeys number 10

2012-01-11T12:30:00.001Z

... short and simple and very french today -

beautiful new collection from Laure de Sagazan

I am currently collecting anything lace or crocheted,

so this little armchair journey led me to 'love at first sight'...

day tripper....

2012-01-10T23:33:00.003Z

...some of you may know that I have been organising a photosoot for a little while now... today has been styling day-tomorrow is when it gets seriously serious....... models, make-up artist, hair - eeekkk ....
I love this - this is what we saw through the window (from outside) as we said night night to Rigwood ...

The Making Table

2012-01-10T12:30:00.000Z

I can't begin to tell you what has travelled through the making table this week. Still haven't finished but not sleeping will take me back to my college days of working through the night! I am working on a photo shoot which I am styling today, this very moment, as you are reading this, ready for shooting tomorrow. It is amazing the detailing that is required but it has been really challenging bringing it all together from the very first moodboard to now having a studio full to the ceiling of everyone's beautiful hand made items that have been donated with kindness.
So here is a little glimpse into a new reception stationery collection all based on old haberdashery yarn cards. Here is the seating plan from this collection, and the idea is that it is a collaboration between yourself and I to make together. So I supply you with the personalised haberdashery cards & pins, and you source your own backing fabric, mountboard and any decorational trimmings you wish to use. So if you like the idea of being involved in the making of your stationery this is one little way that you can show your creative side! This is also open to the other Printed Collections where I can supply the individual card panels only and then you do the rest!!!! Simple!.......

Can't wait to show you little peaks of the shoot. I'm taking my camera along so will sneak some images while no one is looking!......

Pinboard Palettes

2012-01-08T12:30:00.001Z

...whispering golds, oyster shell white,

victorian creams, water and denim blues,

cucumber green and just one single paint brush

of warm faded lilac...

just because...

2012-01-06T13:00:00.000Z

...my other new years resolution is that I have amrapali wallpaper

from designers guild on my wall by June -

the piggy bank is 20% full - 80% empty

studio details

2012-01-05T14:11:00.012Z

Here is the new addition to the blog - 'studio details' where every Thursday I'll show you little snaps of how the studio is currently looking, maybe something special I am working on, or just one littel detail I want to share - who knows what this year is going to bring..... so here is this week's treat...

The studio is full from ceiling to floor, skirting board to skirting board......and why?...well, next week I will be styling the photo shoot that I have been researching for the last three months, Excited? Hell yes!! Anxious?? of course! Life currently is a haze of mood boards, information overload, tasks, lists, emails, phone calls, collections, deliveries..........I am loving it - it is going to be fabulous. A wonderful team from the wedding industry has got together to help make my eclectic soup of floral heaven come together. So you see here the studio table filled with the detailing of my extra large collaged ribbons (will be for sale from mid January) specially made for the shoot.....the last few images are currently of my hall as this is the only area where my portbale walls will fit......so enjoy the first studio details and let me know what you think!???????....

armchair journeys no. 9

2012-01-04T15:31:00.021Z

...well my new year's resolution to this little ol' blog is being kept and here I am ready to show you the first of the armchair journeys for 2012 (will be every Wednesday if you want to keep stopping by). If you are new to here the armchair journeys are places of visual indulgence that I find myself arriving at on my little internet travels that I want to share with you!

So...Here is No. 9.

I felt a wave of floral love (and equal envy when I discovered these wonderful creations by Louise Hedley of Sohomode (you can read more about her here...). I keep visiting her blog and floating around her Etsy shop because.... (a) I adore her dresses and love the palette of each collection she makes...(b) I love vintage shapes (c) fabric envy (d) I love clothes swaying (at the moment blustering) on washing lines (e) I love the photographs too - all pegged in rows - works of art displayed - I would love my hall to be filled with just these photographs alone - if there were a few coins in my purse I would also love my hall to be filled with these dresses...(f) I wish to own one for every day of the week (g) If I didn't have this little floral business I would work for free in Louise's studio (would also mean I would have to move to Manhattan - which isn't a bad thing) (h) I better stop at h or I would float through til June simply gushing about each and every one...

So, off you go, tell me how long you were there. I have spent quite a while, I can tell you, when I should be organising a 'floral love' photo shoot of my own...... and if like me you fancy treating yourself then you may want to see her available collection over at Etsy... If you buy one please don't tell me - jelousy can make a woman do crazy things.....

Thank you to Louise who kindly gave me permission to show you all her wonderful tea's...

Hoopy New Yur!!

2012-01-03T09:10:00.005Z

Good morning. First day back? The school run was testing this morning - had to battle with wind and rain, but it was a clear reminder that we are still embedded in the winter months after hibernating in the warmth for two weeks.
I have written my annual 'wish list' notebook of all the little details I want to achieve and change. Lots of exciting plans. New Designs (arriving in February), a fabulous photo shoot that is taking place next week (will post little snippets here and more details to come), I don't normally exhibit at wedding fairs but I am attending a few this year and will keep you posted of where I will be and I am also organising with my gorgeous friend Becky Mitchell a Vintage Wedding Fair in Saltburn-by-Sea in April. One of the little notes in my book is to post here more often. Last year was such a busy year and I didn't get to post here too often, with the addition of Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook it is a full time job just managing all three!!! And of course they are addictive. So keep popping back every few days and I will try to ensure that there will be something new to inspire your creative side and take you on a journey to other designers/makers I have met on my travels (by foot and online)......I have already discovered new people whose work makes me go all 'sherbety' inside. Ideas are whirling around my head which I need to get drawn and painted out to start the new drawings for this year. The style of the new collections are 'handpainted florals' - here's a sneaky peak to the first. The seed was set when I was asked to produce a collection for Wedding magazine earlier this year (see here). Watercolour, brushmarks and pencil detailing all printed on a watercolour base card. This collection hasn't even been named yet!! So if you are a bride who is searching for a little bit of 'floral love' you may want to sent me a little note, I am a stationer who works on her own (with a little bit of help at times here and there) who is a textile designer by trade, who loves colour, loves florals, loves projects, loves styling, loves vintage and generally loves all that is stationery. I work with card and linen - have you seen my collections?

http://www.vickytrainor.co.uk/

So I am about to start Day 1 of what appears to be a very eventful and exciting year. What are you looking forward to the most?

A FLEETING SHOPPING SPREE

2011-12-30T17:58:00.003Z

...a little treat before we enter 2012. I have lots of new hand made pieces about to be popped on the shelves of my little vintage shop, The Vintage Drawer, mid January. Before I do this though I need to make a little space. Do you fancy a last little spend, a fleeting shopping spree, then take advantage of 15% discount on anything that takes your fancy.....all you have to do is type in the following code at checkout

TOOMUCHCAKE

offer is available until midnight on 1st January 2012

Click here to open the shop door...

xxx

it's christmas eve's eve!!!

2011-12-23T07:48:00.003Z

"have yourself a very vintage christmas"

The studio will be back open on 3rd Jan,

however I will be answering emails during the festivities,

so if you are taking the time to do a spot of wedding planning

and you have any questions regarding the printed collections

or the vintage drawer I will try my very hardest

to answer your query within 24 hours...

x x x x x x

Image Credit: Christmas in the Studio taken by Becky Mitchell

Christmas Coffee Morning 2011

2011-12-18T16:22:00.018Z

...a crazy, hoarding, uplifting, testing, busy, charming, floral, exciting, direction changing, life learning, exhausting, vintage inspiring, energising, printed and embroidered kinda of year....

Some weeks have blended into months due to the nature of the diary and the demands of being self employed. Sometimes having to sacrifice family time to meet deadlines, working into 'silly o'clock' when all you want to do is sleep, days having to be an accountant when all you want to do is get your teeth into designing or finishing an order.....but nothing can match being your own boss. Every morning I start the day feeling energised, as each day is different, interesting and challenging. The last two years, since I became a designer/maker of stationery full time have been so rewarding. One of the rewards that I hold dear to my heart are all the new friends that I have met as I have been step-stoning my way from month to month. So a few weeks ago I decided to open the studio doors and hold my very first Christmas Coffee Morning a small gathering of new friends and people I desperately needed to catch up with. Thank you all so much for popping along and making this mad ol' stationer a happy one....and thank you for helping to eat lots of delicious home baking and thank goodness for Marks and Spencers!! Oh and I can strongly recommend Betty's Christmas Tea Blend.......

So here are a few pics of the morning taken by a special little lady who I love dearly, who also happens to be a wonderful photographer - the one and only Becky Mitchell....

This is my last post of the year and I promise to be back with more frequent posts next year - lots of new exciting ventures to document. Lots of inspiring images, me on my travels, new designs and colour palettes, a few little special offers, a few twists and turns, exciting collaborations, and a vintage fair that I will be helping to organise....

So I wish you a wonderful time with your friends and families, wrap up warm, love and be loved, fill your house with laughter, good music, good food, flash those fairy lights, mark what 'you' want to watch in the Radio Times, write your wish list for 2012, and ensure you put on at least 7lbs in pure indulgence, mine tends to be accumulated through posh crisps, baileys and a whole christmas cake to myself (I love marzipan), so deck your hallways with bells and holly and I will leave you with the christmas song that is my 'christmas guilty pleasure' So before you go and leave me and enjoy your christmas I want to know what is your 'christmas guilty pleasure song'..................

WINNER of the Christmas Love Giveaway!!

2011-12-09T12:42:00.003Z

...Thank you all for entering..Yeyyyyh I am pleased to announce that the winner is 'Witchmountain' - if you would like to contact me on info@vickytrainor.co.uk with your address and I will pop the goodies in the post to you in time for christmas! The winning comment was selected using Random

Afternoon Tea of vintage pastels....

2011-12-06T16:05:00.007Z

...my goodness, apologies but I haven't posted over here for a couple of weeks....my 'to do' list just got in the way.... but here's a little order I have been working on this week.
January 'finally' sees the launch of two new collections for 2012 (which I have talked about here on the blog for a couple of months now). The Collage Collection and Afternoon Tea. Here is an early order placed this month for a set of thank you cards from the Afternoon Tea collection. It comes in an extensive range of vintage pastels (as you can see here) and each one is individual decorated with appliqued pieces of floral fabrics and pearl buttons - Invitations & Thank You Cards are £4.00 each. Samples are already available and you can email me info@vickytrainor.co.uk to request a sample pack - each pack consists of an invitation or thank you card and place card and is £5.00 which id refunded when placing an order (let me know if you have a specific colour theme)....

When Vicky met Daisy

2011-11-21T12:26:00.009Z

Once upon a Time at a fabulous soiree in August Vicky met Daisy.

A friendship blossomed, and we have chatted, laughed,

nagged and pestered each other ever since

Well yesterday, through thick dense fog and wonderful A1 roadworks

I went to meet Daisy as well as the wonderful Mrs Scoops.

Non stop chat and general mischievousness filled the day.

And I love them both dearly.

Well what has that got to do with these photos I hear you ask??

Well, Daisy is actaully Ali,

but she runs a fabulous little business in Warwick

called Daisy Cupcakes,

and in a little beautifully wrapped white handbag box

was these three gorgeous hand crafted bundles of sweetness.

So here they are and I couldn't resist phtoographing them this morning.

Ali can also send her little iced pretties through the post to you.

How fabulous is that!!!!

(cupcakes can be bought in sets of six)

(oh! And the stationery is mine - obviously!!)

The Vintage Drawer Christmas Love Giveaway

2011-11-10T12:57:00.006Z

love . love . love

Back in January I launched only one new collection for 2011 and this was named The Vintage Drawer. It is my little guilty pleasure that I cannot put down and sometimes have been known to take on holiday with me. I adore sitting in my studio working on clients orders, making new pieces for the vintage shop and coming up with new little ideas while stitching in a world of my own.... I am a very happy ol' stationer - and it is this happiness that I want to parcel up and giveaway to you to say a really big thank you for your support, kindness, stopping by every now and then here at my little blog, leaving gorgeous messages on Facebook and finding new friendships in the wonderful world of Twitter

So here's a little set of pretties from the shop shelves of The Vintage Drawer, would you like to have them all as an early Christmas present???? Then one of you shall!! All will be wrapped in tissue and popped in one big parcel and sent directly to you in time for the festivities!!

All you have to do is complete the following sentence by filling in the blank space and leave a comment at the end of this post.

"Dear Santa I promise to be ..................... this christmas"

The winner will be randomly picked on Friday 9th December 2011
Please be warned I may repeat your comment over on my facebook page
or over at twitter so please ensure that
all naughty words used are spelt correctly.....

PLEASE NOTE ANYONE CAN ENTER
(will post overseas too!)

Right you fabulous lot - make me laugh with your comments

...a travelling...

2011-11-04T08:05:00.002Z

for those of you planning ahead - I will be with my stationery at Mrs Scoops and Little Miss G's wedding fair in Crook Barn nr Milton Keynes on Sunday 26th February 2012 - wave if you will be there.......xxxx

from wedding cakes to larder shelves

2011-11-02T09:27:00.006Z

now on the shelves over at my little vintage shop

Pretty ribbons new to The Vintage Drawer, to decorate your vintage inspired wedding cake, to drpae around your lamp (looks lovely on an evening), to pin to your plate rail, or pretty up the shelves to your dresser....a few more will be made this week..... lots of christmas stocking fillers and cards over there too......xxxxxx

lines of pretties

2011-10-19T22:07:00.010+01:00

... these lines of pretties will be introduced to the vintage drawer in days over on the vintage shelves of my little online store. They take rather a long time to make so prices will start from £17. I am also in the middle of stitching together a few more metres so the little collection will keep growing. What are they for I hear you cry!!! Well lovely people they are for anything/anyone that you feel needs decorating. Will look stunning wrapped round your wedding cake as a pretty tier ribbon or tied around a pretty little vase or two or as pretty choker style scarf ties... I would love to know your thoughts as this is a very new addition to this collection of linens. Or what you would use them for yourself. They currently look fabulous draped over my floral print on the studio wall and will find it very hard to remove them as I want to leave them there forever.....I have also just wrapped the length that I have nearly completed this evening around my lampshade and it looks wonderful..... The list of uses is endless....

a studio snapshot

2011-10-14T09:01:00.001+01:00

army trucks, petticoats and lipstick

2011-10-10T12:47:00.018+01:00

"Meet Lisa...this lady is very special".

As most of you know I launched The Vintage Drawer Collection in February this year and Lisa was my very first client to order from the little range of linens back in those early months. I can't explain my excitement when I had a sneaky peak at her wedding album last month, beautiful photographs taken by the loveliest lady Hannah Millard.

You can see more from Lisa & Ric's forties styled day by popping over to Rock n Roll Bride, here Lisa talks about her day and her ideas.......a day of true love and a little boy named 'Bear'.xxxxx

seventies child

2011-10-06T18:14:00.009+01:00

On my way home from Whitby last weekend I bought bunches and bunches of statice from the local car boot sale. The lady was wonderful, sat amongst home grown produce that made me a tad envious. But when I got home, woven amongst the statice, were tiny little clusters of everlasting flower. You know the kind, that looks as if they are made from tissue and that you used to make calenders with when you were in infant school for your Mum for Christmas (that is if you were a 70's child like myself). They always had that dried almost compost like smell - I can re-affirm that that aroma is still as everlasting as the flower itself. But I have fallen in love with the seventies passion for anything dried and floral and I will now be on a mission to fill the house with all that is dried and musty - I wonder if a previous love for spider plants and macrame hanging baskets will return.

a window of whitby

2011-10-02T15:07:00.028+01:00

...a little break was taken this weekend, Mr Hunter was celebrating forty marvellous years of meandering through life! An over night bag was packed and we went to Whitby as Mr & Mrs and not Mummy and Daddy. We sauntered through the very busy cobbled streets. Wasn't it hot!! We picked the wrong weekend, everybody was out, the sun had his hat on and his showing off brought out bikini clad women and bare chested men laid out on the small scattered beaches which looked rather odd in Whitby, I have to say. Not being sun worshippers, I wore a scarf and Jamie wore a shirt and jumper - I think we may have stood out a little. So here is a little window of Whitby......

...the following were taken very early this morning -

heavy cloud, rain, and not a soul about...

what a difference a day makes, 24 little hours.......

NEW afternoon tea collection......

2011-09-24T11:59:00.008+01:00

...if you follow this blog you will know that September is my design 'New Year' - it's where I look back and reflect and start to bring all those ideas that have only been scribbles in sketchbooks to life and new collections are launched.

So here is the second introduction for 2012/2013 (click here to see the first). It is a combination of a printed card with small areas of fabric collage as decoration from vintage and retro fabrics. The base colour can be produced in a colour of your choice but must be a pastel/deep pastel shade. The price for this range is from £4.50 per invitation, this includes the envelope and your guest's names typed into the insert. This collection will not be avaialble to see on the web site until November but orders can be taken for this new collection from today. You can contact me at info@vickytrainor.co.uk to discuss the collection and any ideas you may have. Sample packs are available for the price of £5.00 and includes an invitation and a place card. The £5.00 charge is redeemable against orders over £250.00.
You can also have any wording of your choice printed onto the front too and will also be available as a thank you card. I also have a range of greetings cards that is currently on the shelves to purchase over at my Etsy shop.

10% discount over at The Vintage Drawer store

2011-09-20T09:10:00.006+01:00

I have been working like the busiest bee to stock more snippets of linens over at The Vintage Drawer store. So yesterday I decided to offer all my followers of this little blog, twitter and facebook a little 10% dicount on any purchases made before midnight on Sunday 25th September. There's lots of items, from wedding reception products, to birthday gifts, greetings cards, gifts to yourself, christmas stocking fillers, crochet brooches if you fancy re-vamping your winter coat or cardi....all you have to do is enter LINEN in the coupon code box at checkout....

Click here to pop to the shop...

vintage love

2011-09-18T13:57:00.017+01:00

...new additions to the greetings card collection over on the Etsy shop shelves...
The new catalogue of invitations from the card version of The Vintage Drawer collection
will be available beginning of October, (see previous post here for details)
let me know if you would like to see a copy once ready by email me at
info@vickytrainor.co.uk

armchair journeys #8

2011-09-05T23:36:00.029+01:00

...I have not posted an 'armchair journeys' for a while - the reason - well, this is a collection of posts to introduce you to places that I like to visit when I sit and browse through web sites, not knowing where one will take me and where another will lead me to - and the problem is I have simply not had a moment to indulge in being extravagant with time, as there's been no spare minutes or hours, which is a good thing as it means I have been busy being a mad ol' stationer.

However, September for me is a research month, where I re-collect my thoughts and plan for the seasons ahead, new marketing ventures, new samples to produce, new collections to design, new products to explore.....

So here it is armchair journeys #8: kristen marie.

Let me introduce you to Kristen Tourtillotte, a wedding and portrait photographer based in Seattle - a bit long distance I know - but these fabulous photographers are willing to travel. If like me you fall in love with her work, then the price of a plane ticket may be something to consider.

Kristen's work is so beautiful, capturing all the emotion, the intimacy, you can almost hear the conversation of the people in the photographs, feel as if you can tell the time of day from the light captured.....

...so I contacted Kristen and she has kindly given me permission to show you a snippet of her work here on my blog. When I first discovered this amazing lady I spent nearly an hour on her site during my first visit, so you have been warned! So pull up a chair, a pot of tea, and enjoy, be inspired, be moved, take your time and travel through the months that are stored in her photographic log.....

The NEW Vintage Drawer Card Range

2011-09-05T18:48:00.012+01:00

Well, it is the first week of my research and design month - today I have been working on the introduction of a card range to The Vintage Drawer.

(1) a card invitation range so clients can have the option to select between this option and the linen invitations or a mix of them both. Each invitation will be decorated by hand so each card is unique and different. So if you require 40 invitations you will select from the e-catalogues 40 seperate invitation covers. The price for these will be £5.00 and includes the insertion of your guests names and envelope.

(2) introduces the new line of Vintage Drawer greetings cards, again all hand made and each card a one-off. Each design includes a blank insert with a watermark print on both sides and envelope and will be £3.85. Available over at Etsy from Wednesday. From 'birthday' to 'vintage love' to 'anniversary' to 'wedding day'............ - lots and lots and lots of choice for all occasions. So this is one good reason for following this blog and stopping by every so often - you get to see the 'new ideas' first. I'd really love to know what you think. There will be a few more larger images available to see over on my Facebook page in The Vintage Drawer Album.

If you would like to receive a sample of the new Vintage Drawer card invitations please email me at info@vickytrainor.co.uk and I will send you payment details as there is a charge for this sample of £5.00 which is refundable against any order placed.

potter and sew packs

2011-09-01T08:53:00.005+01:00

I am a hoarder. A collector of all things with a haberdashery twist. I potter and sew and then potter some more.

It has come to the time where I need to re-organise and sort. The result is the creation of these packs that are now available over at Etsy (they can be found on the bits n bobs shelf). A handful of sewing treasures for those who also like to potter and sew, perfect for the 'diy bride'.....

lavender and pins

2011-08-31T13:58:00.010+01:00

Here's a little selection of the lavender pillows that have just been posted on Etsy. They are fabulously multi functional. I have four. (1) I use as a pin cushion, every time I add or remove a pin I smell the gentle scent of lavender...(2) I have one that sits under my pillow at night and has a few drops of lavender oil every evening to help send me into a deep slumber (3) I have 2 hanging in my wardrobe - I have had a fair few woollens attacked by those blessed moths - moths hate lavender - so they hang, watching over my cardis day and night....Each lavender pillow comes with its own decorated fabric lined box - so great for a gift too. If you would like to use it as a pin cushion - let me know at the Etsy checkout and I'll a few pretty pins to the box for you.....

Bride & Groom

2011-08-30T23:14:00.004+01:00

been busy stocking the shelves again over at Etsy - new Bride and Groom place name sets

love brooches

2011-08-29T10:49:00.004+01:00

the teeny love brooches are now on the shelves at Etsy and are £7.50

(inc cushioned box)

a perfect sunday

2011-08-28T10:46:00.005+01:00

I have the day off (yeeaahhh!) well I have, my printer hasn't...
Sooo
I have been up early baking scones and almond cake, roasting peaches, the sunday lunch is prepared and the table set...

A proper Sunday, lots of food, a few tipples, the Sunday papers and good company....

Have a lovely weekend....let me know your plans are you resting or being totally naughty this bank holiday??...........

teeny weeny brooches

2011-08-25T12:09:00.003+01:00

new little teeny brooches made for the etsy shop - just about to decorate their boxes a their new homes and then they will be for sale on the shelves - hopefully by the weekend.....

Below are three hair accessories that were created yesterday, new shape perfect for bridesmaids or a gift....again will come in their own little decorate cushioned box and be for sale by the weekend.....

A19-A1-M1-M42-M5-M6-A6-M1-A1-A19

2011-08-23T21:36:00.004+01:00

...16 days ago we set off for a fortnight of gorgeous family time, caravan on the back, map in hand, enough sarnies made to open up a cafe on the layby. I have never needed a holiday so much in all my days as this one. It has been wonderful, I feel as if we have been away for a month. Time seemed to stop. Thankfully. Normally you go away and the clock seems to have a terrible habit of hurtling very quickly from morning to noon to night, but for once, this time, it didn't. I have read books (that hasn't happened for a long time - due to the early mornings and late nights - the joy that self employment brings); I have read all magazines that I had been hoarding to inspire me to re-decorate my home (I have now on my return finally ordered paint)...

...sat up, very very late with Mr Hunter, wrapped up in old crochet blankets with gin in hand, (trying to laugh at the fact that our holiday money had already been spent on day 2 due to a collapsed jockey wheel on the caravan and an exhaust that had waited til we were on our holidays to eventually fall off), we stayed up like teenagers until the moths forced us to go to bed, this is what happens when you camp in the middle of forests.

We got lost in Warwick (how does that happen??!!) we were trying to go South to Oxfordshire and ended up on the M5 heading north to Birmingham - never using AA route finder again!!!

After years of living on a north eastern coast where there is always a 'nip' to the air and freezing sea fog to protect you from the beaming summer sun, got incredibly excited to hit the humid air of the Dorset coast....heaven. Spent time with family that was truly special and then we luckily departed Dorset the day before the heavy rain and floods hit. Although I adore the sound of the rain on the caravan roof...

A quick night stop at Tewkesbury and then finally resting in Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire to basically eat lots of lovely food, far too much cake, lots of organic cider and fruit beer, (all from their wonderful farm shop) - had quite a few wrestles with wasps-hate what they do to my anxiety levels, then leaving on the last day with only£1.67 left in the purse - enough to buy a pint of milk on the way home.

So now I'm back in the studio - so sorry it has been a little quiet round here - the Etsy shop is now open - so apologies to those who emailed whilst I was away in need of a snippet of The Vintage Drawer. Lots of lovely mentions while I have been away too so a little thank you to Annabel at Love My Dress, Emily Quinton, Bridal Musings & Katy Howieson. Thrilled to have a selection of products from The Vintage Drawer to be featured in Cosmopolitan Bride and the Printed Collections in Wedding Ideas Magazines this month (I'll post these on my facebook page shortly).

So now I am well rested and not allowed a break 'til next May I consider this week to be the start of my New Year. Lots of new products to be placed on Etsy over the next few weeks along with starting the design process for new printed collections - all will be documented here. Don't forget to follow me over at Facebook and Twitter (if you are not already) - you can see the links in the right hand column. I'll be also re-starting the Studio Treats which I ran last year - so if you are currently just browsing for stationery you may want to keep popping back as each month there will be a different offer before we step into 2012.....see their are advantages of following this little blog!

Below is the start of a few new little teeny brooches that will be available soon over at Etsy....right back to the To Do List.....

120 little bookmarks

2011-08-04T20:15:00.016+01:00

Once upon a time in March I received a little email from Annabel of Love My Dress to ask if I would possibly look at making something special from The Vintage Drawer Collection to pop into the Soiree goody bags (the soiree, by the way, took place last night, and there's just one word fab-u-lous). So since that point I have been hand making 120 little bookmarks, when ever a minute was spare, each one bespoke in it's own little cushioned keepsake box and numbered as a limited edition. I was that attached that they even came on holiday with me, to my little caravan, where I sat in my deck chair sewing little pieces of haberdashery taking joy in creating each one differently. So here's a few pics taken over the months....can you spot yours??????? I am collating a list of all you new owners of a little decorated linen out there to complete the journey - identify yourself and the special limited edition number either here in the comments, over on twitter or facebook.

There's also a little selection of pretty bookmarks over on the shelves of my Etsy store.........

The vintage drawer's day trip

2011-07-27T09:09:00.013+01:00

Feeling a little heady today, a bit to do with spinning plates, to do lists on rotation, central heating on at the end of July, the desperate need of a holiday and the excitement that one week today I will be starting the long process of getting ready for the Love My Dress soiree at The Baltic - I am filled with child like excitement......

You may, or may not know, but I opened a little Etsy shop a while ago, mainly to start the process of spreading the word about my new collection The Vintage Drawer - take a look there's lots to see..... wedding and non-wedding hand made pretties all perched on the shop shelves.... Well this little collection is goin on a day trip to The Designer's Markeplace at Middlesbrough Town Hall (The Crypt) this Saturday - 30th July doors open at 11 'til 4pm. So come and say hello - I will be behind the stand that is full of pretty linens and floral posies and will be bringing with me door signs, bookmarks, brooches, hair clips, lavender pin cushions, sewing cases, and anything else that is lying in the drawer......soo will I see you there??????

flat linen menus

2011-07-22T08:22:00.006+01:00

all numbered out...

2011-07-17T19:46:00.008+01:00

...a little note to let you know that I have just placed a small selection of table numbers on the shop shelves over at Etsy... They start from £8.00 and are great to mix with the place cards from The Printed Collections too....I am also starting to gather a small collection of table names starting with cities as seen below. These can be made to order with your own personal table titles...

1, 2, 3, 4 tell me that you love me more....

2011-07-16T08:46:00.005+01:00

..flat linen numbers...

£12.00 each, email me if you would like more information.

info@vickytrainor.co.uk

place names and china cups

2011-07-14T08:25:00.005+01:00

Good morning all - can't believe we have arrived at Thursday already. The week has flown.
I've been busy this week working on printed collections from Cartmel, Winter, Vintage Rose and sat in 'sewing corner' working on a couple of orders for The Vintage Drawer.

I thought you may like to see these lovely little linens about to go to their new home. Their tie has been placed to one side as Lisa will be tieing them to the handles of pretty china tea cups. The place name ties are £4.00 each and they have a fair few uses!! Firstly the obvious function as a place name for your table setting, we have also produced a little set for a client who will be wrapping them around the stem of all of the bridesmaids bouquets, another who has purchased a set to tie around her gift boxes. (more images of place names can be seen here). Whatever their use all I ask is that your minimum order is for the qunatity of 10. I also have bride and groom sets of the flat linen place names over at Etsy and these are £8 per set.

Right, must dash, I have an appointment with a sewing case....

a few more pics can be seen over in The Vintage Drawer album over at my Facebook page...

I want paper hair

2011-07-08T09:45:00.005+01:00

Accordion from boohoowu on Vimeo.

This is an absolute delight, start your weekend on a high by watching this 'work of art' by Royal College of Art Graduate George Wu. Detailing is stunning....
Discovered via one of my armchair journeys while visiting the inspirational blog Peagreen

thrilled - I tell you - thrilled!!!!

2011-07-07T08:53:00.004+01:00

hello!!

I haven't posted for a while. Been a bee that has been a little busy.

Now you may have noticed this icon already on the right hand side - and you may have clicked and voted already - and if so - I thank you with all my heart - I really do appreciate your support.

I was a little shocked, surprised, excited, when I received a letter from The Editor of Perfect Wedding magazine to say that they had selected me (in their opinion) as one of the top five stationers to be nominated for the Best Wedding Stationery Category in their 2011 Awards. Eeeek!! I was quite blown away - little ol' me working away in this tiny studio was up for an award - a 'national award'!!!!

Now comes the big part guys 'n' gals - I need your votes!!! And your friends votes, and your families, and all your followers on facebook and twitter to get behind me and vote for me (if you think I am worthy!!) Spread the word and make this little ol' stationer a happy one.... The winner will be announced in Perfect Wedding magazine on sale in the awards issue from 7th September!!

You can click here to vote or the Awards icons here on my blog. You will be taken to their voting page, you will need to vote for each category and you also have the chance to win a Spa break too!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!

P.S. I have a new facebook page which you can visit by clicking here...

and follow me on twitter here....

and I have lots of new bits n bobs over at the Etsy shop....

Phew - that was a bit of a promotional moment......

any time, any place, any where...

2011-06-26T10:04:00.008+01:00

...the latest introduction to The Vintage Drawer collection are these pretty hair clips.

Perfect for your bridesmaids, or wedding gifts for your bridesmaids and guests (see the Etsy store for other gift ideas), a special birthday gift to someone you love, to simply say thank you, or a small indulgent present for yourself.

I generally wear mine while gardening complete with wellies and pruning shears. So you see - any time-any place-any where.......

These are currently for sale over at my Etsy shop

the peonies have left the building...

2011-06-25T20:20:00.001+01:00

glossy bloom and tissue faded poms

2011-06-22T13:15:00.006+01:00

I always try and have flowers in the studio, sometimes they are nurtured, sometimes neglected (I say shamefully, but I blame it on the diary!).

I have loved, over the weeks, watching the different stages of the peonies. From blancmange pink glossy blooms to tissue faded poms - yet each stage is equally beautiful. They will remain in the studio for another week until each petal is a varied tone of tea stain....

Finally on Facebook!!!

2011-06-20T22:48:00.003+01:00

I know, I know, I'm about 7 years behind the rest of the world (what's new), but I have finally got myself a page on facebook, another network to get socially involved with - any excuse to not work. I have already posted a few images and will use this page to inform, entice and generally witter on in my normal fashion - so keep popping over and please please please 'Like' me - oh and tell your friends, people you may pass in the street, everyone down your local, your place of work to 'Like' me too.....you will make this stationer a very happy lady...... See my page here or there's a link down the right panel.... THANK YOU...and see you over there...

stitching and daydreaming

2011-06-18T19:27:00.001+01:00

This album is on constant repeat in the studio this week - perfect to stitch and daydream to.

brooches & buttonholes

2011-06-17T19:40:00.005+01:00

...here is a little game for you...spot the brooch....

A snippet of linen

2011-06-14T09:39:00.013+01:00

...if there is one thing that I love about The Vintage Drawer Collection it is that you don't have to be getting married to own a little piece of linen vintageness! Over the last couple of weeks I have been making products for planners, vintage china companies, stylists, magazine feature editors, photographers, vintage lovers from as far as Hong Kong, Austria, Canada, some have been custom orders through Etsy and some have been little requests via email.

If you would like a sign making with something specific - don't be shy - I put aside a few days a month to work on little commisions. So whether you would like a little business sign to hang in your studio, a 'meaningful' and 'poetic' word, or you have an idea yourself then let me know. I can produce the bookmarks with a special message for your clients to take away with them as a keepsake and I will be soon introducing little boxed birthday booklets where you can have a special message printed, or lines from your first dance song as an anniversary gift..........

This week I will also be placing a few new items on the Etsy shelves - so keep watching. These brooches have been added this week, although I am sure you know that as I have been 'banging on about them' all week!!!!

dancing with myself

2011-06-13T13:32:00.002+01:00

after the second school run of the day and during the hours of 12.30 -3pm you can find me in the studio..........

simple sunday

2011-06-12T12:00:00.002+01:00

...a relaxing Sunday, trying to have a bbq under a parasol, before it rains. It's amazing how many seasons you experience in a day living in the north east...we had hail stone yesterday...

love brooch

2011-06-10T14:17:00.004+01:00

...here are the first little set of brooches from The Vintage Drawer...I have my fingers crossed that some may buy as a different approach to the traditional button hole or as a simple but pretty little love token to friends, family or someone close to your heart. They will come in their own little button box so you won't even have to think of gift wrapping!!! Should be available from Etsy within the next 10 days. Prices will be from £12.00-£20.00. I am busy making myself one to wear for the Love My Dress soiree (perks of the job!)...

what a difference a week makes, 168 little hours

2011-06-09T21:16:00.010+01:00

...it's 9 o'clock in the evening, just finishing for the day. I can't believe the difference a week can make. Can you remember how I was boasting in my last post about how beautifully tidy the studio was, how I felt calm and organised and ready for my little holiday that was approaching.

Well I have returned from that holiday, had my head down and have been soooo productive all week (amazingly so), and I can't begin to tell you the chaos that I seem to have been working in (organised chaos that is). I haven't dared to take close ups and I have selectively chosen the tidiest looking photos.....thank goodness you can't see the piles of boxes under the tables. I thought the photos of the flowers in the studio would give a good impression!!!

Here's a little game for you. Can you spot the:
empty packet of revels.

this evenings soup bowl.

my red handle scissors (lost, I last saw them on Tuesday!)

Time to put on my fairy outfit and wave my magic wand or should I put on my pyjamas and close the door til the morning?

cleansed, toned and moisturised...

2011-05-27T14:41:00.017+01:00

...every month or so I get to the point where I have had enough, brain ceases to a hault, there's a malfunction. I can't think straight any more and all my lists don't make sense as I can't compute their order.

Wherever I turn in the studio there is STUFF. And being a hoarder there is a lot of STUFF. Order files, orders in holding files, account files, bowls of buttons, tins of buttons, card, envelopes, piles of magazines read, piles of magazines still to read, mail inbox, mail outbox, linens laundered and ironed, linens just arrived in the service wash pile, packing table, production table, 'whatever it fancies being today' table.

So today I have cleansed, toned and moisturised every nook and cranny of this studio. It feels good to look around and see surfaces, tidy surfaces, no clutter, everything in its place. There's even tiny vases full of snippets from the garden, the smell of roses and beeswax combined. I am now at peace with the workplace.

Have a lovely weekend, hope you have something naughty planned (let me know if you do)....!

second stage of my working day

2011-05-24T19:00:00.004+01:00

...early evening, the light in the studio is beautiful and calming, the house is so quiet, no distractions, I have a clear mind (finally) and I can wander through tasks at leisure as I start the second stage of my working day...

embroidered tambourines...

2011-05-20T12:16:00.002+01:00

...have been browsing on ebay (when I should have been working - don't tell the boss) and thank goodness I did - this has made my weekend - embroidered tambourines - unfortunatley a little out of my price range...

pink lemonade and paper straws...

2011-05-20T07:05:00.005+01:00

...oh the glamour of it all, yet another pretty little linen sign packed its bags and tottled off to another photo shoot...

Here is the work of wedding planner and vintage stylist Kate Fletcher. Kate has been hoarding vintage treasures since childhood, so you can image her collection - from furniture to typewriters to mannequins and fabulous glassware. You can see more of Kate's styling here and she also has a lovely blog called The Stockman Diaries.

Gone are the days where you would simply line in rows your refreshments and desserts on a table. Its all about vintage layering!!The beautiful images you see here are by Charlotte Griffiths who is a documentary food and lifestyle photographer. So if you have a 'project' and need a photographer she may be the lady you might just want to get in touch with...

...and you see those fabulous desserts and macaroons - they are only made by the talented Dr Tim Kinnaird - sweet artistry...

...these reception signs are available from our little shop over at Etsy...

Or after viewing the products over at Etsy you can purchase direct from me here at the studio, just quote the title of the piece(s) in an email and I'll pop across an invoice with the payment details...

armchair journeys #7

2011-05-18T11:20:00.010+01:00

...on many a Thursday evening I travel round the globe searching for new finds, an image, an object that makes me stop in my tracks. I discovered these beautiful re-claimed pieces and have revisited and revisited, Swarm Home ever since that evening.

The craftmanship by Leslie Oschmann is stunning, I love how she has re-worked old and damaged paintings to re-invent them as pieces and extend their life further. As you all know this is how I spend my time in the sewing corner of my studio . I would love to own one of her bags, not to use, but to just hang on the wall, almost taking it back to its original function. Total admiration and inspiration, for not only the concept, but also how she makes you see the paintings differently to their original intention, a sliced vase of flowers, a stripe from a landscape, people taken from distant landscapes and brought to focus in a locket.....

booklet of deliciousness...

2011-05-17T11:09:00.007+01:00

If you follow this blog, the great thing is that you get to see more from the collections than can be shown on both web sites!! You also get to see the new introductions....

These images are from the new size menu booklet (size medium) and are £15.00 each....

feel quite horizontal

2011-05-16T13:22:00.010+01:00

...how was your weekend, are we fresh as daisies?

I have spent quite a few weeks working every day and finally had a bit of time off this weekend, it was treat weekend, all about the girls. Problem is, I have now had a little too much fresh air and feel quite horizontal. Sometimes I am not very good at taking time away from the business, as it can take a while to build back the momentum. So I am now counting down the days to the next venture over the doorstep, lots of walking, bbq's, deck chair sitting, magazine flicking, duck feeding, sleeping, oh and some bloody sun would be nice!....Can't remember the last time I saw some sun where you could wear something floaty and not knitted. It is the north east coast and our summer tends not to start until September - but finishes in September too - the delight of sea mist and breeze stops any rays from hitting the garden of no 17.

So completed an order today, set the printers for the orders this week and then finished the little bitty jobs that have been waiting patiently. Here are a couple of new signs that are going up on Etsy today. I had a few purchases last week where people preferred to buy direct, which is fine, just let me know which sign you would like and I can email an invoice through detailing payment options. Annnddd remember we are holding a discount for May - 10% off - just type in VINTAGELOVE1 at the checkout.

vintage life

2011-05-11T12:59:00.001+01:00

a few more pretty linens posted over at Etsy.....

shelves stocked

2011-05-09T07:55:00.006+01:00

...been working hard over the weekend to fill the shelves of the new Etsy store. We have opened this to mainly sell a selection of items from The Vintage Drawer Collection, thought it would make it easier for some of you to be able to view all of the reception signs and door signs and we may even place a few bookmarks, lavender pillows and sewing cases on there too. Buying is simple, you will only need to register once with Etsy to open an account (if you haven't already)and you will also need to register a paypal account at the same time. So browse at your leisure and enjoy....

Oh and one last thing, if you are reading this blog we would like to give you 10% discount on purchases made through Etsy for the whole of May. All you have to do at checkout is type in the coupon code: VINTAGELOVE1

Remember though, if you have your eye on something, you may not want to hang around as each item is a one-off and cannot be re-produced!!!!........Even if you are not getting married or having a celebration you may want to treat yourself to one of the door signs such as 'boudoir' or 'vintage love' or 'the studio'........

a feisty sunday

2011-05-08T14:17:00.002+01:00

I have sat sewing quite alot this week, occasionally flicking through my cd collection that is taller than my house.....I saw a clip over at Lucy Ledgers blog which (a) made me and my girls sing and laugh but also reminded me how much I love this album by Feist (memories of travelling through the windy roads of the Lake District). I love how music is a diary. I also love this video......

armchair journeys #6

2011-05-06T10:34:00.008+01:00

...at the beginning of the year I promised to take you on many an armchair journey. Places that I visit when the house is quiet, the kids are asleep and I can explore.... I am back on track. There has been so much to do lately that I have had very little time to meander through my favourite places.

Pia Jane Bijkerk is beautiful. Her styling is beautiful. Her photography is beautiful. She inspires and educates the eye in many layers. Her collections, the places she visits, her work, her play, her inspirations, her little 'back street' shop finds........endless pages that keep turning and you don't want to leave. So when you too have a quiet moment, an undisturbed moment, stop by her site and blog and be prepared to be there for some time...

I am patiently (excitedly) awaiting her new book 'My Heart Wanders' - you can order a copy here......

I remained patient and polite

2011-05-05T17:27:00.012+01:00

...it's been one of those days today, when you take three steps forward and then 50 leaps back. I had a strange bombardment of marketing sales calls asking pretty much the same questions, all sounding as if they were reading off a script, and telling me it would only cost an arm and a leg to advertise with them. This is really not what you are wanting to listen to when you have deadlines on your deadlines...... But I remained patient and polite but in my head was swearing obscenities as each call was delaying me trying to earn money and not spend it. (If I wanted to be frivolous I would throw my well earned money at a luxury set of Jo Malone and Toast's complete collection of kitchenware !)...

Then Royal Mail decided to lose an order between Teesside and Cambridge so I re-made the order this afternoon to limit any unnecessary stress as my clients wedding is Saturday!!

I dream of being able to afford to employ a PA to do all of the niggling, chasing, errands. To listen to sales people, argue with royal mail's customer service, to mend (I'm always mending), to make a good cuppa, to throw a sandwich in front of me when I realise I haven't eaten since Tuesday, to remind me to pick up the kids from school, to remind me that I do infact have children, to remind me when it's my husband's birthday, and most importantly remind me to have a sense of humour on days like this!!!

So I leave you with a few pics of the latest reception signs (there are many more that have just been freshly baked). The new reception signs will be available from next week along with a fab-u-lous collection of new door signs....I will be opening the doors of my new Etsy shop next week too. So you have two options to either buy certain products over there or email me to see the brochure sheets - Etsy will be the quickest if you are in a bit of a hurry.......

I'm off to make dinner, fridge is empty apart from an aubergine, yoghurt and an inch of salami...where's Nigella when you need her..............never mind 'let them eat cake' pour the Chablis...

Grandma was on the sherry,,,

2011-05-03T20:28:00.008+01:00

...all the bunting has been taken down, marquees and gazebo's dismantled, tablecloths washed and anything homemade with a union jack is put away in a box until the diamond jubilee and olympic celebrations next year.

I didn't want to do a post on the Royal Wedding as there are plenty of images circulating on many other blogs. But I did want to direct you to the most fabulous collection of photographs that I have seen so far of the DAY itself. They capture the spirit and emotions of the day so well and there is a certain quality to some imagery that almost takes you back to another time and era. They were taken by Fanni Williams of Fubumedia and can be seen over at Love My Dress and also Fanni's blog, you 'must' stop by.....

...I didn't go over the door step on Friday, I didn't think I would get terribly excited about the wedding, but I was hypnotised and drawn in for the celebrations, my two little girls were fascinated and then lost interest at continued 5 minute intervals, Grandma was on the sherry from 11, husband outside dancing between barbeque and the persistent sea frets which eventually turned into rain, I was trying to catch the 'important bits' between being the 'hostess with the mostess', Nana T was doing a running commentary and grandads were bbq watching...it was simply gorgeous that we were all together...
...the rest of the weekend I have been catching up with sample pack production, which you will see over at studio snippets tomorrow. I arrived at the post office this afternoon armed with my parcels, created a little bit of a queue behind me, which you really don't want to do on pension day!!....

...oh and while I have your attention, above is a little commission produced for Pippa. We are now producing little 'for the day' reception signs that can contain your names and date of the wedding to place on your table or around an attractive artefact..... Prices start at £18.00...

the union jack's a flying...

2011-04-29T00:01:00.001+01:00

...celebrate together...
...families, communities, loved ones...

and if you are buying, mine's a ginger wine and soda
with a sprig of mint.
Cheers everyone!!

...for that romantic novel...

2011-04-27T12:07:00.010+01:00

..here are the new additions to the brochure sheets for the vintage 'love quote' bookmarks. They come with their own little cushioned buttoned box and are £6.00 each. A perfect little gift or that special little indulgent accessory to your romantic novel. We also produce these as favours for your guests and can include a personal quote of your choice or your names and your wedding date, there is no extra charge for this but we do ask that the minimum order for a favour order is for the quantity of 10 or more. If you would like to view the current brochure sheets or place an order for the vintage bookmarks then you can email me at info@vickytrainor.co.uk

"oh what the hell!!"

2011-04-26T14:06:00.009+01:00

...I have, for what seems like an eternity, been saving for a new camera, 20p here, £20 there. Birthday Fund, Christmas Fund. So when I finally bought my gorgeous, beautiful and perfectly formed (can you tell I am in love yet) Canon on Saturday I felt quite shaky, flushed, a little bit naughty at the indulgence of it all, and very thankful. I have been 'very' patient with the savings process. Many a time I have talked myself out of the possible purchase as I have analysed accounts and the bank balance and bought more practical card and paper stock instead. 'But' after working endless hours, days and weeks since 1996 thought "what the hell!"....so here I am - 'me and my camera' - 'friends for life' about to go on many a journey together - all I have to do now is work out how to use the bloody thing (as you can see below)....anyone able to offer me free tutoring out there, and I mean FREE as I have spent all my money on my Canon and all the accessories that I didn't budget for.....!!!!

"Grace & Glamour"

2011-04-22T07:25:00.035+01:00

...back in March I received an email from the gorgeous Charley of the inspirational blog London Bride to ask me if I was interested in working with her on a little project that herself and FO Photography were currently working on. Of course I was absolutely thrilled...

"With a current focus on vintage, shabby chic and rustic wedding inspiration, Funmi and Adrian of FO Photography and Charley of London Bride were keen to work together on something different and came up with the concept of a perfectly pretty and utterly glamorous bridal shoot - Glamour & Grace. Taking place at the stunning Warren House venue in Surrey, the location was the perfect backdrop for the shoot with it's beautiful landscape, and grand chandeliers. Ballet has been a growing influencing trend amongst weddings so this was incorporated into the day with the styling and also through the use of natural light-filled photography that portrays the ethereal and graceful appearance of a bride".

After listening to their ideas and making notes and scribbles a collection of samples were created from both the The Vintage Drawer Collection and The Printed Collections. And so a box of 'pretty' was sent in a southerly direction...

...unfortunately I wasn't there for the shoot at Warren House, so can't give you any background gossip but if you would like to find out more about the photo shoot and to see more photographs from the day then pop over to London Bride and FO Photography's blog - you may want to put the kettle on before you do! Let me know your thoughts on the shoot or contact me if you have a little idea of your own that you would like to have a chat about !! Working on little projects like this (a) keeps me out of trouble and (b) makes a little ol' stationer very happy!!!!!! Enjoy!...

...floral styling by Pollen Nation...

hair and make up by Kaz Fernando

hair accessories from the fabulous Flo & Percy

...something sweet from Tempting Cake

bridal gowns from Charlotte Balbier

bridesmaids dresses from Two Birds Bridesmaid

Stylist - Charley of London Bride

Venue - Warren House

Photography - FO Photography

Florist - Pollen Nation

Hair & Make Up - Kaz Fernando

Bridal Gowns - Charlotte Balbier

Bridesmaids Dresses - Two Birds Bridesmaid

Hair Accessories - Flo & Percy

Cake & Biscuits - Tempting Cake

Stationery & Embroidery - Vicky Trainor

Models - Chloe, Lucy and Nancy

I couldn't physically do it!!

2011-04-21T08:48:00.014+01:00

...I love making the reception signs, especially when working on more bespoke items such as 'Pimms o'clock' above. Here are the latest to be added to the collection that are in pre-assembly point. I will be trying to work and build a new Etsy shop later this month, or probably more realistically May!?!

All these ideas whirl about, but it is frustrating that your brain works quicker than your hands. And time, time is always against me. Not too sure if it is due to the fact that I now have more in life to juggle at the gorgeously ripened age of 42 than I did when I was 28, or that I used to be able to work through the night - (massive bonus) - without it altering concentration levels the following day in the slightest and still be fresh faced in the morning!! Now I couldn't 'physically' do it, even if I wanted to - I tend to be asleep on the sofa by 10pm and I wouldn't describe myself as having a fresh face in the morning even after 20 hours sleep!! My beauty regime at the moment seems to consist of a hair brush, lipstick and a pot of coffee (which I know should be a 2 litre bottle of water)....

ironing, Inbox and sea mist

2011-04-20T17:00:00.006+01:00

...the unpacking has been done, the smell of Fairy non-biological is floating through the air and the ironing pile haunts me no matter which room I am in. I have spent the day being chief admin clerk and have finally, well almost finally, got to the bottom of my Inbox. I can't begin to tell you how good that feels. So tomorrow is the first 'official' day back to work where I will be actually making something. So while everyone on Twitter boasts at how wonderful the weather is I am about to walk to the shops surrounded by sea mist and it's chill.

I just wanted to say a little thank you to the wonderful blog Emmaline Bride (everything for the handmade bride!!) for their post on the invitations from The Vintage Drawer and also to Junk Shop Bride for posting one of our little 'smile please' reception signs (and to Carrie Bugg for the use of the fab pic)

...and on this wednesday afternoon I am a little excited about a post that will pop up over at London Bride tomorrow where you will be able to see small glimmers of the stationery (particularly the embroidered hoops) in a photo shoot called Glamour & Grace - a little feature will appear here too next week....

unpacking

2011-04-19T17:57:00.002+01:00

...I have been away with my family for just over a week - carried away down the A1 with the caravan on the back to Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire...

...I have exhausted the National Trust card, eaten all of the homebaked cakes we made, flicked through my little store of magazines that I have been hoarding for the last couple of months, eaten good food, eaten naughty food...drunk too many flasks of coffee and syrupy ginger wine (by the glass and not flasks)...

...so once I have answered all emails, listened to the answer machine and opened the post I will be back on track - I'm just hoping someone else will do the unpacking, washing and ironing....

image credit: old classic car

a little addition to the vintage drawer

2011-04-07T11:46:00.013+01:00

...we introduced the vintage drawer to the big wide world in February and we have had such a wonderful time working on this collection since then. We have been working during the last two weeks on these pretty little seed pouch creations for Lauren (you can read the story behind these pouches in a recent post here).

First the covers are cut from our stock of linens and the backs are taken from our little pile of vintage printed fabrics and are then matched together (for life!!). We then printed "violet may" on each pouch.

...the violet seeds were collected and wrapped in buttermilk tissue...

...some covers were further decorated with vintage and retro haberdashery finds...

...and then all were hand sewn togther...

..here's the first batch that we made above and below - all laid out ready to be packed...

...so we have decided to introduce the seed pouches to our collection. We can place most varieties of seeds into the pouches, we suggest you enquire first as some seeds can be more expensive than others and the price may rise a little. You can have the choice of having the pouches decorated further with buttons, flowers, and pretty pieces of vintageness and a special word, or your names printed onto the front. Perfect little favours for your guests to keep, plant and nurture.

You could also opt for one of our decorated button boxes that would also contain a flat message card (you can choose a suitable design from our printed collections). The nature of this collection is to "re-cycle" and "up-cycle" and all our boxes are made from recyclable materials.

PRICES:

Embroidered Seed Pouch - £4.00

Embroidered Seed Pouch with added vintageness detailing - £4.75

Button Box & Message Card - please add £2.75

Minimum order is 10 pouches if supplied with button boxes

or 15 if you require seed pouches only.

Let me know if you would like to know more or have any questions regarding the vintage drawer collection. You can email me at info@vickytrainor.co.uk

sample day

2011-04-04T20:17:00.002+01:00

too good to be disciplined

2011-04-01T19:53:00.004+01:00

...I am not complaining (especially with the financial climate being the way it is)!!! B U T.. due to being busy I have had to cancel all planned fun for the next few days due to deadlines on my deadlines!! Being particularly organised and working to lists (within lists) I cannot end a day until all tasks are put to bed.... I was supposed to escape today and go for a meander around Stokesley market with friends, 'do' lunch, and spend endless hours in charity shops. Sometimes I think I am too disciplined for my own good (or too good to be disciplined)!! The back of the hand to the forehead and feeling quite sorry for myself worked as friends brought round a pretty bunch of garden snipped blossom and cake (with cream and jam and everything in it).... oh and a pretty floral pin tray.... so in the end it was quite a good day...

...I now have a weekend appointment with a sea of signs to be further embroidered and embellished, I'll be the one on Monday with a thimble on each sore finger and a glazed expression on one's face....have a great weekend what ever your plans...what are your plans by the way?????

plants, places and lemon drizzle

2011-03-30T19:30:00.007+01:00

...two gorgeous things have happened to me today, the first was being handed a lemon drizzle cake - deliciously homebaked by my friend Fiona as a pick me up (been working long long hours!!) - I would show you a photo but unfortunatley it was too late it was devoured by The Hunter Household (Mrs Hunter (aka me!!) may have had a couple of slices)...

The second was to receive a postal surprise from my mate Catherine - Plants & Places by Angie Lewin arrived today as a little thank you and I have only just opened it - I cried (blame it on exhaustion and lack of fresh air!!). Not only because I have been wanting (needing) this book for so long but because it was such a wonderful and unexpected gift.....

...what have I been up to today??? - pinking with sheers, stitching, embroidering and mending linens (with the help from Mum) making more invitation booklets, preparing signs before embellishment and selecting the linen square pieces for these pretty little favour seed pouches that we are making for Lauren. We have printed the name of her grandmother 'violet may' on the front and each little linen pouch will contain violet seeds - wrapped in tissue for her guests to plant in memory of her grandma. We think this is such a simple and beautiful way of remembering a loved one on such a special day...