Pretty Shiny Things...

 

 

Last week was all about the bobbles, so it is only fair that this week is about the baubles… and my, what beautiful baubles they are! Well, I think they are beautiful- even the super tacky ones have charm, and will always find a home on my ever shrinking Christmas tree of tat.



 

Ready to marvel at my baubles?

 

I have no idea if these little critters are Christmas decorations or not, but they came with some vintage decs (on separate occasions), so Christmas decs they will stay!

A charity shop find from last year. Just look at them. How adorable they are...

 



^ A few mammy had spied...

^Another of Mammy's recent finds.

 



 

Oh so shiny...

 



Snazzy, eh?

 



Simply strange...

 

My much loved bauble people.

Little Miss is ignoring Mr Man this year, and Mr Man (with his cool hat) is looking a little startled- perhaps he doesn't like the way I have placed him on the tree... ouch!

 



 

This Father Christmas is all arms and legs, and looks rather simple (he takes after his owner!).

 

Sidney, the Saucy Sweep is on the 'Tree of Tat' and is a new addition. See how he is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the egg cosy angel.... he even has his stepladder ready!

I think he's probably a charm for a wedding, but never mind....



All is welcome on my tree!

 

A very delicate and precious glass birdy. 

 

And lastly my Christmas bell- it even tinkles!

 

***

 

I still have quite a bit of Christmassy stuff to turf out the cupboards- vintage fairy lights, wrapping paper, cake decorations and a few other odds and sods- so watch this space....

 

TTFN,

 

Tupps xxx



Baubles and Bobbles!

 

 

Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! The Christmas tree is up and decked with an abundance of baubles!

I’m also up and covered (thankfully) in woolly baubles- a little less sparkly and pretty, I grant you, but still marginally dashing in its own way… I hope?!

This is my most recent knit (we’ll forget about the Swimsuit, as it still needs a few finishing touches!), and was started and finished back in August/ September.

I’m struggling to remember back to August, so I have no idea how long it took to knit- All I know is that it didn’t take me too long!

I must admit that I was a little daunted by this pattern. Yes it is a simple pattern to knit, but oh! All that stocking stitch! Have I ever told you that I HATE knitting stocking stitch? Well, I do. I have shied away from it from the word go. I have a great fear of a mass of uneven stitches, and often had trouble in the past with keeping the plain knitting looking nice and even. Luckily I managed to keep the knitting in this jumper relatively neat. Be proud of me people!

 

I used a couple of balls of Stylecraft Life from the stash. I thought this pretty purple would be a rather nice addition to my wardrobe.



To the detaily (I know, not a word!) bits....



 

Pretty bobbles around the neck- so cute!

 

 

 

^ This stocking stitch is SO neat for me! 

 

And I just adore the lattice and bobbly bits...sigh.

 

The sleeve showing a bit of the twisted rib...

 

 

I bought modern buttons for the Jumper-Cardigan as it needed 11. Ugh! Eleven buttons to sew on- that was fun... NOT!

Close up of my jingly jangly bits.

***

 

And FINALLY  (sorry) three showing me baubles off...

I'll be back soon with some more Christmassy bits (vintage of course!) and perhaps even a RAF Friday!

 

 

Cheerio for now,

 

T xxx

Smile for Santa...

 

Here are a few jolly ‘Santa’ snaps from my collection. I’ve been saving them up for this very merry month. Mind you, on closer inspection- I’ve zoomed in and everything- I’m not at all convinced that any of them are the real Father Christmas! Still, they are rather fun…

Nice bit of set dressing going on here- very good for dating this photo!

Rather like his choice of outfi, too. Well who isn't a fan of an oversized buckle, eh?...

 



This Santa didn’t much care for the tailored look.

He knew that a lot of fabric could cover a multitude of sins...

 

 And  finally, this Santa likes to keep pictures of us all....

 

 

Here's to the next time,

 

Tupps xxx

Thoroughly Modern Tupney!

Oh golly! I should have posted this two months ago… what am I like, eh? Forgetful, obviously!

I’m having one of ‘those days’, so I’m not really sure what to say about it (Confused. Me? Not much!!!) other than it’s a 20s style cotton dress! See how I’m struggling here. Yes, today is not a good day for words, writing, or.... well, anything actually!

 

***

In the summer I went all 'twenties' obsessed again and hankered after an appropriate outfit. I had no fixed pattern for the dress, which was just as well seeing as I didn't have enough fabric to use with any of my patterns. So, I took the bodice from one and the skirt from another. Also, as I was little unsure what the size of a 'small' lady equates to in 20s patterns!, I decided to put the pattern pieces up against an original that actually fits skinnyribbles here. Well, the last thing I wanted was to go to all the trouble of making the dress, then end up looking like I'm wearing an oversized pillowcase!

Anyroad, it turned out I'm indeed a small lady in ye olde 20's patterns- worth knowing, eh?!

 

...Is it just me or does she have a small head?

 

The original pattern called for velvet and lace (yeah, not great for summer), and had a gathered skirt.

I didn't have enough for the skirt, so I used a different pattern for inspiration and then pieced the skirt together. Actually, I far prefer the box pleats... well, on this style, I do!

 

 

 

Teehee, being all bashful in front of Mr Gnome...



There is something so liberating about this style of dress- nothing to restrict, cling or fuss about. It truly was perfection in dress form for the heatwave we were having at the time. Having said that, it did take a while to get used to it. I felt positively naked at the start… thankfully, that wasn’t the case and I soon found its 'roominess' quite the novelty in the heat.  

I absolutely adore the large collar- it reminds me so much of the one my Great Grandmother is wearing in this snap. <3

Collar lined with vintage net...

 



Detail of the armhole facing and pleats on the shoulder....

 



Outfit details:

Dress - A Liberty type print from stash (A Mammy charity shop find)

Shoes - Original 20s. £2 bargain flea fair find.

Scarf - Original 20s/30s. Gift.

Brooch - 20s ( Another Mammy charity shop find)

 

The whole outfit probably cost £5 at the most!

 



 

So, do you like? Or do you prefer my usual 30s/40s spin on things?

I shall now leave you with a relatively modern ditty. It’s rather jolly, isn’t it? No idea why I'm sharing it though!

Anyhoo, I may have to listen to this a few more times to buck my spirits up a bit.

Hope you are all well and 'Tickety Boo'...

TTFN,

 

Tupps xxx