The Importance of garters and a 15% off treat

I wanted to share with you a bit about wedding garters tonight, so often the forgotten last minute accessory for a bride. I often get a look of panic from a bride when I ask has she thought about a garter yet. And still they remain the best selling item for me as lets face it ladies, tradition is important to us on our wedding day no matter how modern we may be.

The origins of the garter are fairly bawdy. Traditionally the bride wore this and it was removed by her groom as a symbol of her lost virginity on the wedding day. It was tossed to the male members of the wedding party to bring them good luck. A bit like the tossing of the bouquet tradition. Anyone remember the horrid scenes at Brittany Spears wedding when Kevin Federline removed her garter with his teeth??!!




I like to think that my brides prefer to keep it a little classier- like Hatty pictured below in her gorgeous Claire Pettibone dress and alongside her bespoke garter I made to match.



So on Sunday 18th SeptemberI will be at the Vintage Wedding Fair in Harrogate and I am offering all you lovely brides to be who visit me 15% off my handmade garters all day. I will be in room 2, pretty much as you come through the doors so pop in and say hello. Do bring cash please as we are unable to offer card transactions that day sadly.

I will be unveiling the brand new collection on Sunday but here are re a few treats from last season to wet your appetitie.



The above collection exclusive to the White Closet. West Didsbury, and displayed in their lovely windows








The Sian Silk- oyster silk taffeta with vintage lace trim, grosgrain ribbon and pearls.




The Lucy May- Satin ribbon and gold vintage lace with a cute covered button and bow trim




The Evelyn garter above is available to buy the the wonderful White Room in Sheffield's georgian quarter. It is a great style for your ladies with slimmer fit dresses.

Garters make lovely mother-daughter and bridesmaid-bride presents and are an easy way to incorporate your something blue. My sizes are standard but if you prefer I can make to measure a special bespoke piece for you. Remember they are all one off unique pieces anyway!

Looking forward to meeting you all on Sunday!

A yummy afternoon

Just a quick post tonight about a lovely surprise occurence today. Whilst spending a bit of time tweeting at lunch, the wonderful Dish Ran Away with the Spoon were offering a box of their new recipe cakes for autumn to the 1st 8 people who tweeted back. I jumped on that, never one to pass up cake. So later that afternoon armed with 2 friends and 3 babies we descended on the shop for tea and cake. In between ensuring out little ones didn't completely wreck the gorgeous shop ( I must say the lady in charge was very very tolerant of it all!) We managed to sample a lovely Blackberry muffin and an Apple and custard muffin (my fave) I still have the 2 delightful looking slices above at home to sample. I think one is choc and mint and the other is a spicy honey buttercream cake. Hubby is off out, what is the bets when he returns there will be nothing left!! I can confirm the cupcakes were delicious!

On a more serious note I do know the owner Anna Gill and in fact work with her so I feel bad that I won the cake! Anna does wonderful afternoon teas and I work with her on my private and hen parties in the northwest. Along with Sharon from For the Love of Vintage, who provides the full vintage crockery tea set, Anna can whip up an amazing spread to compliment your afternoon of vintage fascinator crafting avec moi. My pics above hardly do her cakes justice so here are a few more professional shots!



We are already getting 2012 bookings so get in there quick you brides to be. If you want to know more about what we can do for you please feel free to visit me at my upcoming wedding fairs for or take a look at the website.

Cake is calling me...shhhhhhhhh

We continue to fascinate with the fairies this Autumn

Afternoon all, a post about my new class schedule today. I have been spending a little time streamlining the classes of late based on all your lovely feedback forms you have so kindly filled in for me! So here is what I will be up to in the next few months

I am continuing to work with the wonderful Airyfairy cupcake boutique and be a part of their programme of classes at The Classroom on School Lane. There are so many to choose from so do have a look at their website. My vintage accessories based classes are scheduled in as follows

7pm Wednesday 12th Oct - Marvellous Mini Vintage Headresses
A 1 hour 30 mins class where we learn some basic sewing skills and ways to embellish a mini fascinator base/comb to create something kitsch, cute and unique.
£20 inclusive of all materials and your finished piece.
This is a perfect introduction into how to make headresses and is great for the not so confident or never sewn before kinda gal. Look at what you could take home with you!





7pm Wednesday 2nd November- Shouting about Shoe Clips
A new 1 hour and 30 min class where we use vintage clip on earings to make unique updates for those plain ballet flats you are sick of the sight of!
£20 inclusive of all materials and your finished shoe clips
Shoe clips were really popular in the 50s and 60s, favourite eras of mine when ladies where so elegant. Used to embellish and update plain shoes. No need for a new pair for this year's Xmas party girls- just update with shoe clips! Take a peek at some of my bridal shoe clips below for inspiration of what you could make at the workshop. You are very welcome to bring your own earings to use if that is what you would prefer.






7pm Tuesday 29th November- Fabulous Full On Vintage Headpieces
A 2 hour 30 min class just in time for the Xmas party season. This would make a brilliant girly Xmas present or party activity too for the Xmas period. We go more in depth in this class into how to fabric cover your fascinator bases, make birdcage veils and use millinery finishing techniques in addition to using fabulous feathers and sparkly buttons and trimmings
£35 inclusive of all materials and your finished pieces

All the classes include all threads, needles, scissors and fabric glue and we have loads of fun trying things on, looking in the mirror and posing retro style! Tea and yummy cake is available from the Airyfairies at the start of the class. Please enquire if you would like me to run a private party for you at the Airyfairy boutique- I can do so alongside their afternoon tea service. Great Xmas party idea!

Talking of parties, I am already getting bookings for March 2012 Hen parties! Take a look at my webpage here for details on this and how to book.