A 'Craftacular' Christmas in Cowal

There’s no denying it-Christmas is on it’s way whether you like it or not! So how can you make your gift shopping pleasurable, and dare I say it, fun? Well, on the 5^th and 6^th of December there are two events that should sort out your gift ideas but in the most relaxed and delicious of surroundings. For two days only you will be able to get your hands on some of the best, most innovative and divine handcrafted goodies in the West of Scotland. We’re going all out for the most ‘Craftacular’ Christmas ever-think innovative, inspiring, unique, fun and all made with care and attention to detail. Think ‘Handmade not High Street”.

Kicking it off in style the delectable Glasgow Craft Mafia pay another visit to the Cowal of on Saturday 5^th December. Head down to Inver Cottage for some serious ‘eye candy’-choose from all manner of delights from the following fabulous designers and makers - Covetables, Pumpkinsputnik, Askingfortrouble, Rosies Retro Styling, Girl Industries, Sarey Poppins!

And if that wasn’t enough!! Sunday 6^th December sees the 'Creggans Xmas Cracker’! Come to the fabulous Creggans Inn in Strachur, Argyll for delicious Sunday Lunch then stay and browse the stalls at the Indie market which include the rainbow effect, Fresh Berry Designs, Pure Therapy, Carrot Coriander, Bute Crafts, and many, many more!! In addition be soothed by the DGS Heavenly Choir and, if all that wasn’t enough, we’ve even got our own Beauty Angel on call for a bit of pampering (appointments direct, contact Kate - 01369 860160) and a vintage style tea room going on-now what a way to make your shopping a little bit more fun! Food, pampering, stylish gifts by the bucket load-A Merry Christmas indeed and all within a scenic hours drive from Glasgow!! For further info contact 01369 860279.

Nice One!

Thanks to Lynne from Autonomous Artisans for the lovely piece about my up-cycled hotties made from vintage blankets and fabric. There are lots of lovely things on their blog to-day and the common thread is the Autonomous Artisans Flickr Pool-go and have a look-choc full of marvellous, handcrafted treasures!

The Great Blanket Project Begins.....

After a lot of thought and contemplation over many cups of tea, I finally started to make in-roads into my stock of vintage woollen blankets. To my delight and surprise they have been easier to work with than I had envisaged and the finished product looks great!
A you can see from above, I've started on Hot Water Bottle covers, each one decorated with a cute vintage fabric pocket on the front into which one slips a matching Lavender Bag-mmmm, warm and soothing, always a good combination, especially in light of the rubbish summers we're having!
I kept the original label (see top of post!) and took some photos which I'll use for labeling them up-hopefully nice it a nice, interesting retro feel. Next on the agenda, baby sized, fabric trimmed blankets, totes and cushions!

Here we go! Part 2

So, where were we....

2009-looking forward to making some in-roads into my stock of vintage fabric. I was lucky enough to score a vast amount of vintage woollen blankets (see pic below-that's only about a third of the total haul) when a local fishing lodge changed hands and the family were clearing out the house and garages. Lots in a pretty poor state, but lots in good repair. So, they have now been sorted out, professionally laundered and are ready to be cut, trimmed, appliqued etc, etc.
So, over the next few weeks I will be transforming my 'stash' into hot water bottle covers, bags, cushion covers, all enhanced with vintage fabric applique detail plus baby/adult blankets with fabric trims!!

And to help me do this, my lovely family, spurred on my most excellent mother, bought me an Overlocker for Christmas-how exciting, until I opened the box and looked at the instruction leaflet! Aghast and more than a wee bit frightened by what I saw, I packed it all away again. I keep peering at it nervously, as it sits, accusingly, under the kitchen table. I will be steeling myself this weekend to have another go-the alternative, of course, is to bribe my Aunt Moira (dressmaker, seamstress and soft furnishings guru par excellence) to come up for a couple of days and give me a crash course in Overlocking!

Watch this space or visit my shop at http://www.therainboweffect.etsy.com to catch up with whats new from rainbow world.

Next-What Jean Found in The Charity Shop!

2009! Here We Go!!

Blimey-been a while since my last blog! So I'm going to do it in two parts -
here goes.....

Part 1
2008 was a busy year-the 'rainbow effect' range expanded to include vintage inspired and trimmed blankets, hats, onesies, tee-shirts, bibs and bags! I used a couple of different methods-firstly, transfers, heat-pressed on to garments, using a variety of different, vintage images-Dick and Dora, vintage Russian children's illustrations, 50's sci-fi. Secondly, I rediscovered my passion, dormant for a few years, for vintage fabrics and clothing and began to stockpile some fab vintage fabrics to applique on to garments or trim blankets with!

I was lucky enough to be gifted a sewing machine from my Mother-in-law, old, but trustworthy and in great working order. Now, not having sewed since Domestic Science (remember that?) at school it took me a few days of poking at it, plugging it in and generally being a big wuss, before I bit the bullet and actually tried sewing something. Hurrah! It all came flooding back and I went 'sewing crazy'. You can see some of the results at http://www.therainboweffect.etsy.com.


And so some of my ideas came to fruition and I was very pleased with the results!

In October 2008 I was delighted to be accepted as a member of the Glasgow Craft Mafia-a fine and upstanding organisation promoting contemporary crafting in and around the fair and funky city of Glasgow. They have a great site, with lots of fab crafters/makers/artists on show, well worth a visit - http://www.glasgowcraftmafia.com. Additionally, I joined the Creative Entrepreneurs Club at the Lighthouse in Glasgow and did some groovy indie markets there in October and December.

A busy 2008 - so what's coming up for 2009? Well, I just go and have a cuppa and get back to you (very) shortly with Part 2! Until then......

We got a 'Vintage' thing, goin' on!!

Less blurb and more info. New vintage inspired range-teeshirts and jim-jams with delicious vintage applique motifs (Dick and Dora, cowboys, 50's space rockets to name a few), lavender scented baby (and adult) sleep pillows, vintage trimmed vintage blankets, cute beanies!!



All items unique, handcrafted-gorgeous 'heritage' gifts for babies, kids and adults. You won't find anything half as much fun, as cute or as kitsch in the shops. And Xmas just round the corner....what could be better, gifts to swoon for-mm-mmmmm x