Monday 6 December 2010

Vintage Patchwork Hottie




Pretty and practical, this microwaveable hottie pad has been treated to a wonderful cover patchworked from stunning original vintage fabrics in little 2.5" squares, the fabrics dating mainly from the 1940s and '50s. It is backed with pure cotton quilt batting and has been machine quilted in a diagonal pattern.







The reverse of the hottie cover is made from a tiny pink and white gingham cotton with a HenHouse label. The cover has pink bias binding trim to the front edges and a loop with a pretty vintage button to close.

Instructions for heating the hottie pad in the microwave are printed on the hottie pouch itself and are VERY SIMPLE (typically, you place the pouch in the microwave and heat for approximately 2 minutes depending on the power/wattage of the microwave.) They are a much cleaner, easier and safer alternative to hot water bottles, dispensing with the need for boiling water and smelly, perishable rubber! They should last for years (I've had mine for over 10 years!) although replacements can be bought for approximately £6.00 so this is an item to last a lifetime!

A wonderful and completely unique gift - for you or someone special!






The cover complete with hottie pad is priced at £32 plus P&P:

P&P UK: £3.50
Rest of the World = £7.00

(The hottie pad is quite heavy.)



Tuesday 9 November 2010

Ring of Posies Cushion



I was inspired by a beautiful piece of vintage embroidery (probably dating to the 1930s) to create these divine and completely unique circular cushions. A real labour of love but so worth the results!





I have taken a lot of time to piece together a myriad of beautiful floral cottons (over twenty different ones!) to create a gathered backdrop to the gorgeous embroidered centrepiece.





The reverse closes with a pretty gingham ribbon drawstring.





This gorgeous cushion comes complete with a very generous new feather filled 18" circular cushion pad. I have but two of these for sale so they can certainly be described as very special and unique.

Each ring of posies cushion is priced at £46 plus P&P. One sold, one available, many thanks.

P&P:

UK = £4
Rest of the World = £11

Feedsack Heart Cushions



Make your bed look this snuggly and gorgeous with some unique HenHouse cushions!


I was inspired to craft these beauties from my growing stash of absolutely gorgeous vintage feedsack fabrics. These pure cotton fabrics were popular in the 1930s and have the most lovely patterns and glowing colours. I have paired them with simple, fresh white cotton to show the feedsacks off to their best advantage. Each cushion is quilted with a pure cotton batting layer and has been hand quilted with Perle thread.





Each cushion comes complete with a new quality feather cushion pad. The reverse of each cushion is crafted from white cotton fabric with a feature fabric strip across the opening which closes with real mother of pearl buttons.






The large 18" square cushion is priced at £46 plus P&P. The rectangular 12" x 16" cushion is priced at £42 plus P&P.

P&P per cushion:

UK = £5 (square) or £4 (rectangular)
Rest of the World = £11 (square) or £9 (rectangular)

Jingle Dangle Christmas Quilt



All the family can get together and snuggle under this very special Christmas themed quilt. It is crafted in a traditional square block design with feature star-pieced blocks interspersed. The fabrics I have used are a gorgeous range of bright and fresh cottons in delicious colours. Christmas fabrics can be so old fashioned but not these ones, which perfectly blend Christmassy patterns with vibrant colours in a really fresh and eye-catching way.





This special quilt measures a generous 48" x 68". It makes a very large sofa throw and is large enough to fit across the foot of a king size bed (or covers the top of a single bed entirely). It is backed with gorgeously soft and tactile red cotton flanelette and it has the finest quality "Dream Puff" batting inside which has a high loft making it super cosy but is very light weight, even warmer than wool. It really does give a quilt a gorgeous snuggly feel.





This lovely quilt is also easy to care for and can be machine washed on a gentle 40 degree cycle then line dried. A COOL iron may be used (so as not to flatten that delicious batting in the middle).





The quilt had been quilted both "in the ditch" (outlining each block) and also in a diagonal star pattern through each and every block.






The finishing touches are some jolly red dotty binding, all 232" have been traditionally hand sewn for a truly professional finish, and of course, a signature HenHouse patch on the reverse.






QUILT NOW SOLD, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Please read the (boring but necessary) small print as regards posting policies in my right hand side bar.





This is an heirloom piece to be brought out each and every Christmas, instilling warm memories in your family, to be passed onto the next generation...




Thursday 7 October 2010

Baby Cot Quilt




A wonderful gift for a new baby, is this traditionally handmade quilt largely made in beautiful Cath Kidston cottons bearing images of Stanley the dog, planes, trains, boats and cowboys, a true heirloom piece to be loved and treasured.






This quilt is made entirely from new cotton fabrics. The batting inside the quilt is the highest quality pure cotton without any glues and the quilt is backed with a snuggly blue flanelette and bound with bright red polka dots, keeping everything pure and natural for baby. The quilt is washable on a normal machine cycle and preferably line dried. Minimal shrinkage may normally be expected on first washing which will give that pretty crinkled look so desirable in vintage quilts.





The quilt measures approximately 40" x 48" to fit a standard sized baby cot.






This quilt is priced at £90 plus P&P of £6 in the UK, £12 overseas. Insured postage is available at extra cost, please enquire at time of ordering.

The original quilt has been sold and quilts are now available on a commissioned basis. Depending on commitments at the time, one can usually be despatched within one-two weeks of ordering.

I can also make baby girl quilts of the same design but using pretty pink and flowery fabrics.

Tuesday 24 August 2010

Crochet Rolls



Take your crocheting experience to new levels! Every time you open up your dinky crochet roll, you'll feel cheery when you see the beautiful array of patchworked colours inside with all of your hooks tidily stashed away. This roll is crafted from quality 100% cottons (Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler, Heather Bailey etc) and linen with batting sandwiched in between for strength. There are 12 pockets which should be plenty for the average range of crochet hooks. I have designed a little flap to close over the top to prevent your hooks from dropping out, too. The exterior is in a stunning cotton fabric, choose your fave, and has pretty but practical ribbons to securely close your roll up. Crochet is the ultimate portable craft and now you have no excuse for not taking your crochet with you everywhere you go! Would also make a wonderful gift.

Approximate size (with upper flap folded in): 8"H x 11"W (rounded to closest inch.)


£22 each plus P&P.

P&P
Mainland UK = £1.50
Europe =£2
Rest of the World £2.50















All crochet hook rolls have been sold, Many thanks. Look out for the next batch...


Friday 25 June 2010

Vintage Style Stitchy Postcards



Fun and original stitched postcards will bring brightness and cheer wherever you choose to place them: are you lucky enough to have your own camper van or beach hut; do you want a reminder on your sitting room wall of the time you spent in London or Paris; do you just think they're jolly groovy and you're going to find a place to put one!

Each stitchy postcard measures approximately 6" x 7.5" and hangs from a natural candy striped string. The postcard is sandwiched with cotton quilt batting. The main panel is vintage white linen which is adorned with an abundance of pretty applique flowers and scenes, vintage-style hand embroidery and perhaps some vintage or modern trims and buttons.

A lovingly hand-made one-of-a-kind stitchy postcard can be all yours for £18 (post included to mainland UK, plus £2 P&P anywhere else in the world).

Choose away from this remaining selection (updated 14/10/10):



Vintage Flower Power... Life's a Beach





Cath K Polka Dot... Jetsetter




Romantic... Roses are Red




Get them while you can...




Sunday 13 June 2010

Vintage Dinky Cushions



The choice is yours, these pretty little cushions can either be pretty and practical and function as a pin cushion or as they are filled with some ultra fragrant Provencal lavender (as well as polyfill to make them nice and bouncy), you can use them to scent your drawers or just to sit prettily.

One side has a lovely crocheted flower with a raised design, crafted from 100% natural yarns, and the reverse is made from beautiful vintage fabric.

Each measures approximately 5" square and is generously stuffed.


This photo shows the front crocheted sides of the cushions...




This shows the reverse. The colours of the fronts and backs are designed to co-ordinate.





Priced at £10 each plus P&P.

P&P:
UK = £1
Europe = £1.75
Rest of the World = £2.25


No 1 and no 3 have been SOLD.

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Vintage Union Jack Cushions




Rule Britannia! Jolly up your home or your garden with one of my super special and unique cushions inspired by the classic union jack. Each one is completely a one-off in the best possible way!

Each cushion has a stunning vintage fabric as its background in shades of classic blue. These fabrics originate from Europe and date to around 1930-'40. The stripes are in various pretty modern cotton prints and each has a finishing flourish with an eye catching central detail.

A feather-filled cushion pad is included (measuring 12" x 16"). The reverse of each cushion is made in white cotton with a vintage fabric feature strip and contrasting buttons to close securely.

£40 each plus P&P.

P&P:
UK = £3.00
Europe = £4.00
Rest of the World = £6.00


Reverse view:


Currently available for sale:

Cushion One




With a gorgeous vintage barkcloth rose at the centre.

Cushion Two




With a very pretty vintage hand embroidered heart at the centre.



Friday 19 March 2010

Flea Market Cushions



Liven things up a bit at home with an injection of "flea market chic"; cushions that are pretty and eclectic at the same time. You certainly shall never see another the same!

Available for sale:


ONE - Vintage garden.

This cushion is a scrumptious mix of vintage printed cottons, reproduction 1930's style cottons and painstakingly hand sewn English paper-pieced hexagons! Really pretty and fresh. It measures 16" x 16".

£36





TWO - Spring Fever

Another generous 20" square cushion which took a gorgeous piece of vintage fabric adorned with sprays of tulips as its starting point. This has been combined with a lovely vintage hand-embroidered panel and more vintage cottons (with a bit of modern mixed in for a fresh touch). A string of hand-sewn English paper-pieced hexagons completes this pretty cushion. Perfectly pretty.

£40







The Nitty Gritty

Each cushion comes with a new feather-filled cushion pad. I would recommend dry cleaning these cushion covers if required, as they feature patchwork and trimmings (but the choice is yours).

A discount of £4 will be made if you require only the cushion cover, without the feather insert. Please contact me for revised postal charges in this instance (sometimes useful for overseas customers, typically it will cost £3 to post only a cover overseas).

P&P add:
UK = £4
Overseas = £10

Thursday 18 March 2010

Sleepy Owls



Can you possibly resist these cute little owly faces? Each owl is crafted from cosy and cuddly flanelette (certainly brings back warm memories) with their eyes and tummy patch in pretty florals and spots and feet and beaks in toning felts. Their eye lashes are hand stitched.




Generously stuffed with new fluffy polyester fibrefill (conforms to current safety regulations), their appliqued patches are securely blanket or satin stitched.

Sleepy owl measures approximately 9" tall and 10" wide, perfect for little (and grown up!) arms to cuddle (just ask the Muchkin!)


Sleepy owl can be purchased for £20 plus P&P.

P&P:

UK = £2.75
Europe = £3.50
USA/Rest of the World = £4.00






Is there an owl to whom you would like to give a home? Maybe...


Owls currently available:

Mungo




Delilah