Material World by Perri Lewis

OOh a new craft book!...When this beautiful book arrived in the shop, everyone couldn't wait to get their hands on it. 
Material World by Perri Lewis:

   (and not just because we have a lovely little mention in the book :)

Perri Lewis, writes about contemporary craft for the Guardian, Daily Mail, Company and a selection of modern craft magazines. Its an exciting book about modern craft, something that we at Millie Moon love.  On the back of the book is the statement "Craft just got all grown up"

Some of our favourite designers, Amy Butler, Tatty Devine, Rob Ryan and Kaffe Fassett are among the many who have contributed some of their wisdom to this book. 

Reading through the book, it is very well set out, with easy to follow chapters that make you just want to read the whole thing like a novel. But it is also split into easy sections so that you can refer to the section you are interested in and come back to the fab projects in each section.

The book covers a wide variety of crafts including:

• Decoupage,
• Printing,
• Encrusting, 
• Cross stitching, 
• Quilling,
• Millinery,
• Embellishments,
• Paper cutting,
• Leatherwork,
• Macramé,
• Patchwork
• Jewellery making, 
• Tailoring
•  and Appliqué.

Lots of things I have never tried before but am going to have a go now! I really fancy trying the tshirt dress project below.

Each section has hints and tips by experts in their craft to help perfect those skills and there are also lessons to help you create your own projects rather than following a set pattern. 


A really lovely book, thank you to Perri for our mention in it.  We have copies of the book for sale in both the shops. Pop in and take a look.

Rachel x

Introducing Caroline Frances-Payne

Hi my name is Caroline, my passion is colour, Patchwork and Quilting.

I became interested in quilting when I lived In germany. I made a little jacket for my small daughter with material already quilted. They had some fabric in this gift shop in the town centre. I was enthralled by the little patterns on the fabric and would spend hours creating garments.




After a move back to England, ending up in Tidworth, I would get hooked on Readicut rugs but the passion for fabric was still burning.

We moved to Frome in early 1982, after a few years I was invited to join Frome quilters, thats when the passion really too off, I became a fan pf appliqué and would love to cut out loads of 'Sunbonnet Sues' using fabrics from a lovely little shop in stoney street. My girls got used to me frequently visiting and buying fabric which was small and dainty. My passion for colour came later when on a workshop by Carole Lizbeth I was blown away by her bold use of colour. I was hooked. Next came a workshop with the legendary Kaffe Fassett at the American Museum in Bath and I was overwhelmed by his thinking. From 3 simple templates you could achieve anything. It was all down to the pattern and colourways of the fabric.

Then along came Millie Moon to Catherine Hill. Vibrant and bright and full of colour. Glorious quilting fabrics on my doorstep. I soon became a regular at the shop and the girls offered me the fantastic opportunity to share my love of colour. I have now been teaching patchwork and quilting with them for 4 years. Each group, new and nervous is a wonderful challenge to me, I love to see them develop into positive people each week and by the end of the course the look on their faces says it all. Its lovely to see that the joy of such a craft is not lost forever and we can make this happen by introducing them to patchwork in many ways and watch it grow.

    

I live in Frome with my husband Charlie and our 2 Jack Russell's, Doris Day and Moo Cow. I sew everyday and get my fix of colour and creation. Come and join me.

By Caroline x

Carolines next beginners Patchwork and Quilting workshop begins on Wednesday 13th June 6.30-8.30pm for 6 weeks in Frome.

Caroline also runs an 'Introduction to Patchwork' workshop once a month. The next available is;
Wells:  Sunday 20th May 10.30-2.00pm
Frome: Tuesday 19th June 1.30-4.30pm

Caroline is also available for 1-1 tuition

Call the shop to book your place. 

Millie Moon meets the ladies of Wells WI

On Tuesday 3rd April, The Millie Moon team pulled up in front of the beautiful Wells museum, ready for our evening with the lovely ladies of the Wells WI.  Arms filled with sewing machines, fabrics and of course my little speech, I think we were all a little nervous.

Once inside the impressive building, the two rooms we were allocated were quickly transformed into Millie Moon demonstration and workshop space. In the demonstration room the team showed their skills. We had:

Angela - Freemotion embrodiery

Anne - Dressmaking

Vickie - Home accessories

Caroline - Patchwork and Quilting
In the workshop room Gaynor was doing paper crafts and myself and Becki made jubilee corsages.

As the ladies gathered the time came for me to stand  up in front of over 70 ladies and make a little speech about 'Millie Moon and how it all began'. Luckily it went ok and I quickly handed over to the team. 

   

It was soon a buzz of activity as all the ladies moved from table to table to see the demonstrations and take part in the workshops. The ladies were all lovely and very enthusiastic. All chatted and asked questions about all aspects are craft and sewing. 

The two hours flew by really quickly, all of us were tired and hoarse but we left very happy. It was a really fun evening and so great to see the WI still going from strength to strength. 

Thank you to Wells WI for inviting us and we look forward to seeing you all again soon. 

Also a big thanks to the Millie Moon team Caroline, Anne, Vickie, Angela and Gaynor for coming along and supporting us. You made it a great success!

We will be at the next meeting of the newly formed Frome WI on Thursday 17th May... 

Rachel x 

Make and Cake Evening 26th April

I still have Tuesday's where I pinch myself; I can't quite believe I'm part of  the Team  for my favourite shop.  It get's even  better this month as I'll be spending an evening at Millie Moon with my friend Tamsin of Tea 'n Cake, running our first make and cake evening.  I'll get to combine two of my favourite pleasures; sewing and food!
The "make" will be different each time we run these evenings, our first is  a Vintage Style Tea Cosy as we felt it teamed the two enterprises together nicely and it felt a particularly British item; relevant for St. Georges week and the whole 2012 vibe.

I'll be providing a choice of  fabrics, in kit form, so you'll have the instructions to go forth and multiply Tea Cosy's once you've made your first with us!  The kits themselves would make great gifts I think. Please visit Tamsin's blog where she describes the format of the evening:  http://www.teancake.co.uk/index.php/events/

  Phone Millie Moon or pop in to book a place, I look forward to seeing you there!
By Vickie the Fromemaid

Jo Lucksted - local Ceramicist

The lovely Jo has been doing ceramic button workshops at Millie Moon for about two years. Every workshop books up very quickly and people love making the unique and individual buttons. We also sell her beautiful buttons in both shops, the Alphabet buttons always popular. All the ceramic buttons are washable and look great on those hand knitted cardigans, cushion covers or decorating a bag. The most recent addition are the buttons created for the Royal Jubilee. Hand painted Union Jack flags and crowns, a beautiful and unusual souvenir. 

In

Workshops

In her button making workshops Jo shows you a range of techniques which you can mix and match to make your own buttons or decorations. No previous experience is required, just bring an apron and any textured items such as lace, jewellery or leaves to impress into the clay to produce something totally unique and personal. 

    Course costs cover all equipment and firing charges.

The images below are from a recent Ceramic button workshop held in our Wells shop. The group made a fantastic range of buttons! 

 Here is a selection of their work

For Spring 2012, Jo is bringing a new workshop to Millie Moon. On Saturday 5th May Jo is going to run a ceramic jewellery workshop, giving people a chance to create beautiful ceramic jewellery for themselves or as gifts. Here are some samples of the Jewellery. Places are very limited on this workshop so book quick. 

    Jo has her own studio/shop on Town Street, Shepton Mallet.

From here she produces amongst other pieces, figurative ceramic sculptures reflecting themes of religious and mythological influences.  She has also recently ventured into working with textiles, producing wall hangings and cushions that tap into current interior design trends.

"Growing up in Somerset has provided me with a wealth of inspiration-my main body of work (that is to say the figures of angels, kings and queens) was directly influenced by the sculptures in Wells Cathedral.

Even as a teenager going to school in Wells I appreciated the history in my environment and often visited the Cathedral where I could handle the carvings and stonemasonry.

I also grew up in the village of Doulting where as a child I used the church and graveyard, woods and St. Aldhelm's holy well as part of my playground so on reflection it's no surprise that my work contains religious and nature inspired themes." 

Jo currently has work exhibited at: 

Latitude50 - St.Ives, Ginger Fig Gallery - Taunton, Rostra and Rooksmoor Gallery - Bath, Gallery on the Wey - Upwey, Blue Moon Gallery - Tunbridge Wells, Pelham House Gallery - Cowes, The Guild - Somerton, Serena Hall - Southwold,Cambridge Contemporary Arts - Cambridge, Heart Gallery - Hebden Bridge

Jo is a member of Somerset Guild of Craftsmen

Source www.jolucksted.com

 Jo also sells her ceramics in on etsy and folksy http://folksy.com/shops/joluckstedceramics/   http://www.etsy.com/shop/jolucksted 

Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic fabrics

I am not sure when Rachel Ashwell first appeared on my radar but I have been an avid fan for quite a while. I love to drool over the beautiful furnishings and fabrics and dream of owning a house that is completely furnished with Shabby chic. Unfortunately my house, my kids and my husband would not allow the beautiful girlie pastels so I keep dreaming over the fabulous website and Rachel's inspiring blog.


In January this year I was lucky enough to take a trip to New York City for my birthday. On my list of 'must do' , was to visit the Rachel Ashwell store in Soho, and... yes I did! 
Oh my, it was heaven. Gorgeous plump pillows, eiderdowns, feathers, grown up spaces... 'sigh' (My husband did venture inside but only for a few moments and then left to wait outside). 


When I heard the news that Rachel was launching a fabric range 'Treasures' Shabby chic, I knew we had to have it in Millie Moon. Its such a different range for us, Millie Moon is well know for its bright and bold prints but I twisted Becki's arm that it would be a wonderful new addition.





Well the time has come and the FULL range has arrived in store. With 32 bolts of shabby chic pastels now available in both shops. I feel a quilt coming... Maybe I will finally be able to have my own little grown up space, or at least be able to hide under a shabby chic quilt with my book and a bar of chocolate and shut out the madness for a little while. 


Rachel x 

also new cross stitch and embroidery kits just arrive

Pleas take a look at the website and blog, you won't be disappointed 
www.shabbychic.com
rachelashwellshabbychic.blogspot.com

Gorgeous Spring time TILDA

Hello its Angela here, Look they have done it again, Becki and Rachel have been shopping and just look what they have picked up…………..the gorgeous new range of fabrics by Tilda.  Delightful Spring washes to coax you out of hibernation, Spring evening projects and sewing here we come. They are in both shops now for you to drool over. Based on the 1950s theme the fabrics as always with Tilda are beautiful and vintage without being too twee. The great thing with Tilda is that all the accessories that are designed to match the fabric ranges. There are craft papers, ribbons, stickers, brads and new in the beautiful little tassel trim. Millie Moon also has a couple of the kits and tin boxes which match the range. 

(Here’s a bit about the background to Tilda and how they came about…well I was curious.)

"Tilda is a craft brand started by the Norwegian designer Tone Finnanger in 1999.

Tilda is most known for the whimsical, comical and naive characters in the form of animals and dolls. Tilda's world is without a doubt a feminine one, and the most recognisable features are the faces, with two dots for eyes and rosy cheeks."


Sourced at:

http://www.tildasworld.com

Take a look at the beautiful website www.tildasworld.com for more ideas and inspiration 

Just take a look at our fab new patterns in store by 'Charlie's Aunt'; vintage inspired bag patterns created by Emma Brennan. http://www.charliesaunt.com/ All packs include to-scale patterns and instructions with easy to follow diagrams.

Poacher's Bag - inspired by British Country life in the 1940's.

Gershwin and Ellington Clutch Bag - inspired by 1930's style clutch.

Home Guard Clutch Bag - inspired by 1940's wartime envelop clutch bags with added miltary styling.

Melford Messager Bag - inspired by the 1940's ARP warden bag.

I have my eye on the Poarcher's Bag.........with all my projects maybe I will treat myself and save this sewing project for a raining day.

If you would like to get your hands on these gorgeous patterns do pop into store or call us on (01373 464650) and we can hold one by for you.

New Riley Blake in store.....

Just look at the gorgeous Riley Blake fabrics 'Fly a Kite' that have just arrived in store. I was so excited I just had to share. Perfect to cheer up a nursery or a patchwork quilt, I can also see them as funky stool covers....aaah the possiblities are endless.

Lets take a closer look......

New Michael Miller fabrics have also popped into both shops. You ought to see them, they are quirky and fun, and they would add character to any project. Perfect for the 50's Skirt workshop with Alexandra 'Make me a dress" in the Wells shop on Sunday 19th February. I have already decided on the cherries for mine. The bar-b-que print will be perfect for those fathers day aprons.

New arrivals!

There are few new arrivals in the shops that we thought you might like to see...
First up are these delightful prints from Riley Blake:

The combination of orange, blues and browns is fresh, and would be perfect for any number of sewing projects for little (or big!) people.

Secondly, we are now stocking these delightful blue, white and red print fabrics from Westfalenstoffe:

I have the perfect quilt design in my head for these - they have a beautiful Scandinavian feel to them.

And last but by no means least, we are now stocking a range of the hugely popular Colette dress and blouse patterns:

If you read any sewing blogs, then you are bound to have seen some of these beautiful patterns made into gorgeous dresses. Here are a few of my favourite examples of finished Rooibos dresses:
Lladybird
Gertie's
Ruby Slippers

If you would like to get your hands on any of these items, then do call the shop (01373 464650). Did you know that you can now leave details of gifts you would like to receive? The perfect answer if your friends and family aren't sure what you might like! Just ask in store to add some items to our gift list book.