how to tie a bow

 

 My handmade Liberty print bridesmaid dress collection was inspired by a visit to the V&A Grace Kelly exhibition with my Mum in the summer.  Nearly every dress had a beautiful big bow on it. 

But when it came to actually tying the bows I had a nightmare.  My Mum (a couture dress-maker) reassured me that she used to have exactly the same problem - which used to exasperate her boss who had to tell her over and over again.  She patiently taught me and left me with example bows but every time - ribbon in each hand I'd nearly be in tears.  She lives in London and it's not easy to explain over the phone. 

(I do wonder if it's a dyslexia type thing.  Mum has dyslexia and though I have no problem with my reading I'm terribly in the car with left-right directions, as my husband will testify.)

But by the power of You Tube I've discovered this fabulous video by this American gentleman's outfitters 'How to Tie a Bow Tie'.  It's brilliant and I could listen to his gentle accent forever.

So for any customers - this is how you do it!  Simple.

my sewing cups

Sewing and drinking tea is a hazardous activity - the obvious risk is spilling tea on a dress. My sister, Emma, bought me this beautiful bone china cup and saucer from Liberty for Christmas & I dropped my pin cushion in it!

So I'm now keeping that for downstairs best and have gone back to the slightly less attractive but eminently more practical insulated mug that our friends Tim and Angela gave me. My tea stays hot for ages and the lid means no spills.

(In case you're wondering about the choice of gift, Tim is a solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins' Cairo office. And his talented wife Angela is the creative force behind the best pyjamas in the world - Angelily)

cabbages and frocks

Packing the van (I love our Mitsuibishi Delica - not pretty but practical) to head down to London for the Cabbages & Frocks Christmas Fair on Wednesday. Hubbie's come up with an ingenious way to hang my dresses using dowelling rods, climbing ropes and carabiners. I knew that adventure sports background would come in useful one day!

Do come along - the more the merrier.

PS I'll be selling frocks, not cabbages.

sample sale starts today

My sample sale of handmade Liberty print clothes babies, little girls and little boys starts today!
Liberty prints from £9.99 and other fabrics from just £2.99 (plus p&p)

And Angels and Urchins winter edition's features my Liberty print 'Phoebe' baby dress in their pick of the "loveliest dresses this winter."

I love the new website MumsRock - for mothers with attitude, to shop, share and rant. And I'm delighted they are featuring Peak Princess in their Shopping Bible. "Our newest favourite fashion crush (for kids) is Peak Princess who take the prettiest Liberty patterns and cunningly make them into cute-as-a-button dresses and tops for girls."

win a Peak Prince outfit for your little boy

So many people entered Daisy Green's competition to win a Peak Princess dress that I'm offering another prize - this time your choice from my new range for little boys - called of course 'Peak Prince'. It'll be launched at the end of October. Click here to enter and click here to take advantage of my preview prices on Liberty print culottes, dungarees, shirts and rompers.

Daisy Green is all about sustainable living without preaching. The magazine's staff describe themselves as a cross between The Good Life and Sex in the City! What more could you want? It's all online and well worth signing up to their newsletter.

we make london

......offers designers the opportunity to sell directly to buyers and offers buyers something unique and timeless in today’s fast-paced, throwaway world of mass production.

Their blog's currently featuring a behind the scenes peek into Peak Princess Palace.

Their next event will be in London on the 5th of December, 2009. So please come along for some handmade shopping.

when: SATURDAY 5TH December 2009 11.00am- 5pm

where: Chelsea Town Hall,
Kings Road, London, SW3 5EE

peak prince meets peak princess

If you're lucky enough to live in Leeds or Sheffield you might already have received your copy of the new free lifestyle magazine called Boo for parents and children (0-12). It's glossy and a perfect handbag size and packed with ideas about places to go.
Their debut autumn edition features my forthcoming Peak Prince romper.

tatum's arrived!

The lovely people at Liberty have just delivered a bolt of beautiful Tatum print tana lawn cotton. It's deep chocolate brown with pink garlands. Scrumptious.
I'll be using it for all my autumn/winter designs.

heave charlie mouse!

I've been busy this afternoon making a denim version of my new 'Charlie Mouse' culottes using Liberty's cars prints.

And congratulations to Carole Denney who's won a Peak Princess puff sleeve baby dress in the Daisy Green magazine competition! She's chosen the gorgeous red floral check Liberty Millie print.