Flying the Flag!

We're pretty patriotic here at Vintage Home and are proud to fly the Union Jack! (Apparently, I am informed that it is only called the Union Jack when flown at sea, when flown on land, it should be referred to as the Union Flag!) But I digress! I think it's a wonderful design and you will have seen some interesting versions of it this season, both on the fashion scene and in the world of home furnishing! We have been playing around with some bag and cushion designs and thought we'd share them with you. Here is a super-size shopper, it's proved very useful for trips to flea markets and antique fairs! It has some lovely detail in it and is made from several vintage fabrics - and not just English textiles...!


This gorgeous old 1940s fabric with pretty blue poppies and yellow foxgloves against a stunning red background is French!

It has been lined with the same pretty English barkcloth we used for the windows in the clock house, and there are a couple of handy pockets for those essential bits and pieces.

I added this pretty pansy brooch as a finishing touch and I'm keeping a look out for some more colourful old brooches - this is such a bright and cheerful bag so I think it will become a firm favourite!

This is our cushion version of the Union Jack.


This is made from some really lovely old fabrics and crochet trim. It was a new addition to the website but has now been sold, although we may be adding a new design soon!

Before I go, I must thank Sairer, who very kindly named me as one of the 'Five Blogs that make her Day!'

My apologies for the delay in responding Sairer, I am really chuffed to have received the award! I would also like to thank every one for the amazing response to our recent website updates; we are busy preparing our latest goodies for the shop so I think I had better get back to work - have a wonderful week!

In an English country garden...

So far we have had a very rainy July and it hasn't been possible to spend as much time in the garden as we would like. This morning was fine and dry so out came the camera! The sun was a tad shy at times and kept disappearing behind the clouds, but we managed to capture some of our abundant roses and exuberant flora! Our lavender is looking wonderful this year - if you enlarge the photos you will see a very welcome visitor...

This rose is a beautiful and prolific rambler which would probably take over the entire garden if we let it!

This is a lovely spot to sit, just outside our garden studio, surrounded by the rambling rose. Do you like the Union Jack cushion? Many months ago, a friend suggested we make a floral one - lo and behold floral Union Jack cushions started appearing everywhere! We decided on something a little different and it is perfect for resting your head whilst reading!

Here is one of our lilies, the scent in the evenings is wonderful...

Every year I wonder why I haven't planted more of these cottage garden plants, perhaps next year I will add some of the soft pink variety as a subtle contrast...

I cannot remember the name of this striking flower, but we have filled our hanging baskets with it this year...

It's a good year for apples - here are our 'cookers' our other trees are laden with 'eaters'!

This is an iceberg climber, a new addition to the garden. It was planted in memory of our 'old lady' cat, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago, aged 20.

We also planted a very pretty shrub rose called 'sweet haze' and a particular favourite of mine, the very old rosa gallica 'versicolor' (sometimes called rosa mundi.) I always think of it as the raspberry ripple rose! They were heavy with blooms a week ago but there were none to see today, if they produce any more I will take some photos.

I will leave you with this photo of an old knife sharpener; you fill it with water and turn the stone to sharpen the knife blade. It belonged to Mike's grandfather, who was a very keen gardener.

I hope you have enjoyed the photos. We will be updating the website over the next few days, but I hope to get out in the garden too - I have heard rumours of sunshine... Have a great weekend!