Long Time No see....

It has been ages since my last blog!  The reason is I've kind of been in transit. 

 

My life has suddenly become split between the UK and the US and on Tuesday I will be making my fifth trip across the pond this year!  Phew!! that's a lot of air miles and do I wish I had been collecting them! Also had a couple of weeks in the beautiful virgin Islands...

for a spot of snorkeling.  Met one of these beauties...

 

AND ONE OF THESE!!

 

I didn't realise he was a STING RAY at the time....just as well else I would not have spent the wonderful moment with her/him for irrational fear of being you know what!  They're beautiful elegant creature and swim through the water so gracefully and peacefully.

My jet hopping has also explained why my Etsy Shop and Website have also been opening and closing rather randomly over the past few months.  But to solve this I have now decided to bring some stock over to the US on my trip on Tuesday, this will allow the Verity Hope dresses etc to remain available AND at US shipping prices!  Well, that's when I work out the adjustments which may take me a week or so once I've sorted myself out. 

There are going to be lots of changes ahead this year for the MALPHI range.  The signature Verity Hope Dress is staying along with the Bloomers and Dana Ashley Dress but I'm sourcing a new wonderful fabric (secret for now) which I'm very excited about!  It will allow for lots of flow and will be extremely comfortable and adaptable.   Along with the new fabric the dresses will also be made up in slightly larger batches, no more being  OUT OF STOCK constantly hurray!  It's been wonderfully challenging to keep up with demand particularly with all the different colours and sizes so I'm really looking forward to having the range made 'out of house' and be able to provide more. 

Back to the short term...I will be bring over to the US the last rolls of the current Linen/cotton fabric and make up the last dresses and bloomers in that line.  I hope I have enough fabric left to get at least one colour in each size (S M L XL) out over the next month both on the ETSY site and www.malphistyle.com.

One thing I cannot bring over is my beloved Bernina 950 sewing machine as seen here....

 

It's a beautiful robust industrial machine which has different stitch adjustments unlike regular industrial machines which usually only have straight stitch and zig zag.  The machine and I have had our ups and downs at times, particularly when trying out new threads....My Bernina is extremely choosy about thread but over all we've worked well together and have become understanding friends.  Maybe I may be able to bring it over to the US eventually but I'm not sure about the voltage and how that would work...any advice there?  Maybe I can get some sort of UK 240v to USA 120v transformer but the motor is so huge I'm not sure...duh? 

Anyway.....I DO NEED SOME ADVICE ON A SIMILAR MATTER...PLEASE?!!  I'm going to have to purchase a temporary sewing machine to keep me going in the US just so I can finish the current batch of dresses and get them out as soon as possible.  I'm not looking to spend huge amounts of money because of already owning the Bernina 950 but I do need a portable machine that is ROBUST and HEAVY DUTY.  There are so many Singers, Janomes etc to choose from but I'm worried I may wear out the domestic motors too quickly as I sew a little beyond the hobby use.  What I have spotted is this machine...

 

It's an Omega 7142.  Now I haven't really heard of this make too much but I'm guessing it's from Asia and I think it's connected to Necchi, MORE INFO HERE.

I'm interested because there is a seller on EBAY who has been selling these machines for around $300. They're a Power Seller with 100% feedback and have sold hundreds of them.  What I like is the fact that it seems to be a heavy duty domestic machine, able to sew through multi thick layers including leather...

 

Has all these features:

• Solid All Metal Bobbin Hook Drive (no plastic gears)
• Powerful 1.1 Amp Motor (Canada & USA, 120 Volts)
• Easy to Operate Color Coded Stitch Selector Dial
• 108 Stitches Capability
• One Step buttonhole
• Sews with One or Twin Needle (included)
• Traction Motor Belt Drive (avoiding slipping)
• Free Hand Quilting & Monogramming
• Case Cover Included
• Patchwork Quilting
• Sewing on Buttons
• Sewing in Zippers
• Satin Stitching
• Straight Stitching
• Zigzag Stitching
• Appliqué
• Bar Tack
• Top Stitching
• Zigzag and All Stitch Width Control Dial
• Stitch Lenght Control Dial
• Upper Tension Control Dial
• Presser Foot Control Knob
• Needle Threader
• Built-In Fold Away Carrying Handle
• Snap-On Accessories For Fast Feet Changes
• Bobbin Winder with Automatic Stop
• Instant Reverse Lever Easy to Access
• Feed Drop for manual Embroidery and Monogramming
• Convenient Built-In Light
• 2 Spool Pins
• Thread Cutter
• Free Arm Sewing
• Flat Surface Sewing
• Convenient Accessories Compartment

And apparently offers an ALL METAL (Japanese made) BOBBIN HOOK SYSTEM driven by METAL GEARS:



Sometimes lesser known brands we see in the West are HUGE in Asia aren't they and other BRANDS only seem unknown to us because they haven't been marketed in the west. That doesn't necessarily mean they're not as good as Singer or Brother etc.  I wonder sometimes if these brands saturate the market too much and perhaps little lesser known treasures might be just as good or even better but just don't get a look in?  I have contacted one lady who wrote a wonderful blog about purchasing her Omega 7142 from the same Ebay seller, she seemed really delighted so a few months on I've contacted her to see how she likes it now.  Read her lovely entry here: BASED ON A TRUE STORY.

Oh boy! it's going to be a big decision but I am always drawn to 'out of the box' marketing and just feel that just because some goods have less 'brand awareness' in some parts of the world doesn't mean they must be inferior, it just means the advertisers haven't decided yet that we 'need' that brand. I'm sure Singer's advertising budget must be huge!

Any thoughts, advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated?

Love Susannah x

Ooops! a week late!

Hello!
Just to inform that my website and ETSY shops will be closed for one more week.  I was due to fly back to London on Monday 2nd February but because of the snow my flight got canceled.  That's the first time that's ever happened and it snows so rarely in London!  I should be resuming sales on 10th February if all goes well.  Stock is really low at this time of year but I have enough fabric to do a few more batches of the current colours; Loganberry, Moonlight, Forest and Brown and then I may try my first batch of Black.
 

I'm planning to scale up production this year particularly with the Verity Hope dresses and Bloomers and have sourced a potential manufacturer.  They seem to have an ethical approach with their workers which is really important and are very approachable.  Having the dresses made up in larger batches will free me up to develop more designs and work on existing ideas so it's definitely time for a move in that direction.  I'll also be able to have specific fabrics sourced as I'd love to produce the dresses in a range of prints and perhaps Jersey fabrics at some stage.

Has anyone received their copy of apron.ology yet?



 I can't receive it until I'm back home in the UK but can't wait to see the other aprons in there. 
I'm so thrilled to be featured in the first edition.

and hope the publication spreads the apron bug!!



Had a peak at the previews and this beautiful 'Fleur Apron' caught my eye. It's knitted!!



and this 'Simply Lovely" floral apron..,.



both beautifully designed and I love the colours!

Hope to be back in production very soon!
Malphi X

Latest Aprons!!

Top of my list of To-Dos when I return home in a few days is a photo session for the aprons I've just completed.  I've been doing them on and off over the past couple of months in between the Verity Hope Dresses etc (the next thing I must get to re-stocking!!). 

My favourite projects are those with no pre-planning.  I love just starting with either a colour or in the case of these aprons....a shape.  When I cut the dresses and other aprons out I'm left with so many interesting shaped pieces of fabric which are ideal for pockets, parts of a frill or a waistband etc.

I love random colours which some how find a way to blend in with the next.  I find if I give too much thought to the way something is going to look before I've even started it some how takes the excitement out of the project.  I thrive on the unknown....and seeing something develop in front of me.

Maybe it's because you use a different part of the mind when it's allowed to roam free.  If I'd sat and thought about the colour combos too much I probably would have found every reason not to put the colour peach against a deep red for example, or a deep peacock green with pale turquoise but when I just let my higher mind take over without judgment or 'buts' THAT'S when I know it truly comes from me.

 

These aprons will be available very shortly...

Susannah x

aka MALPHI

www.malphistyle.com

Everyone Welcome Especially Apron Addicts....

APRONS APRONS MORE APRONS...OH I DO LIKE APRONS.  HERE ARE SOME MORE TO SHOW OFF.

HOLLY RUN FOR IT! APRON

She ducked...she dived...and dashed as fast as her little chicken legs could move...over the stream and across the valley but still no one caught her!

Precision patchwork makes this frilly apron a treasured dream.

 

   APRONOLOGIE™

PINK 'N' PERKY GINGHAM APRON

Be a cheeky monkey with this perfectly pretty gingham number.  With side pocket trimmed off with red and pink rose.

    ETSY

A LA CAMPAGNE  HALF APRON

With decorative red flowers and an antique hue c'est un tablier magnifique!  Feel the wisps of the French countryside come to life as you skip around in this number. For the imaginative at heart only.  I made this one myself from an old table cloth and runner.

APRONOLOGIE™   

A pretty little number with hand appliqued flowers and leaves. Trimmed off with cotton lace and a very handy pocket.

 

HENRIETTA'S PATCHWORK SMOCK

Oh what a pickle! Oh what should she wear! 

Put it together and skip in the air!

This delightful patchwork smock is truly one of a kind. Worn with or without the belt with two deep pockets to hide treasured finds! 

  MALPHI

MRS YAKKI MARKET APRON

a dozen eggs
3 bananas
loaf of bread
Mrs Beaten's jam
a box of radishes
feathered hen
something tasty for supper

APRONOLOGIE™

LEAF CASCADE HALF APRON

Get in amongst those leaves and see what you find!

Flamboyant white flowers cascade down this vintage wonder.

 

And last but no means least to finish off may I show off this beautiful apron I bought from Annie's Attic on Etsy.  

She makes the most wondrous original aprons using hand embroidered linens and scrumptious prints including Amy Butler.  I had my eye on this apron for ages...then succumbed!  You can follow her happenings on her BLOG and Thrift Shop Annie.

Here are a few more of her wonderful designs to drule over...

 

 

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY APRON SHOWCASE!!

Susannah

aka Malphi x

Apron Showcase

As I'm going to be away for the next couple of weeks I thought I would showcase some more aprons from my collection.  Some I sell and some I keep.  We had great fun shooting the pics at a local country Estate owned by a Duke.  I'm not a friend of his I might add but hope to be invited over for tea one day!  The local gardeners must have thought it a bit odd to see me diving in and out of various aprons and leaping into their vegetable garden but I think it made their working day more memorable!

 TEA WITH MYRTLE APRON SMOCK

"Tea for two except for you and a couple of teacakes please...
Except for you may have some water and a bit of cracker".

Quaint Paisley design exploded over custard cream.

 APRONOLOGIE™

MINTO BOHO APPLIQUE APRON

A pretty little number with hand appliqued flowers and leaves. Trimmed off with cotton lace and a very handy pocket.

ETSY

FRANKIE'S CHANCE GINGHAM SMOCK

Frankie got a chance, she pondered, she knew, this gingham wonder had that lucky charm!

 

PATCHWORK PROMISE REVERSIBLE APRON

"I promise that I will do my best,to do my duty to God,
to serve the Queen and to help other people
and to keep the reversible patchwork apron law"

MALPHI STYLE

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY APRON SHOWCASE!

Much ado about EVERYTHING!

I hope everyone enjoyed themselves over the festive season.  I have so much sewing to get on with now after a busy period.  So low on stock with EVERYTHING! especially the Verity Hope dresses which sold really well over Christmas.  I'll try and get all the sizes out again as soon as time allows.  I have a couple more runs to do in the current colours: Loganberry, Moonlight, Forest Green and Brown before it'll be time to order a new colour of two for Spring.  I'm already thinking about that...thinking I may finally succumb to black as I have a 'floral' idea to go with that...think French???  and may even do some bloomers in black to match.  I've also had many requests to bring back the red (Ruby) colour so am giving it serious thought.  Red would also fit in well with the theme I'm thinking up.  But anyway back to NOW....I'm going to be unavailable the last two weeks of January so that will explain why the sites will be lower on stock for the next month or so.  But hopefully by mid February all the sizes will start to appear again.  I can't wait to get some more Bloomers out....there's been a long delay with the fabric suppliers so again we're looking towards late Feb early March before I can get the sizes out again.  All in all it means A LOT of work ahead!  

Apron.ology™ by Stampington and Company is coming out very soon!  Feb 1st is the launch date I believe.  It'll be strange seeing one's own aprons featured in a magazine.  Does anyone else have an apron appearing in it?  I'd love to hear.  In time for the launch I've managed to squeeze in some apron time.  I'm making individual one of a kind ones.  Here's a sneak preview...

 

Hoping to do a photo shoot next week to show them of properly...that's if the temperature goes up a bit!  Will be mighty chilly to take the pics the way I want them standing in zero degrees!!

Elspeth has some good news to share too...

She and her friends are going to be featured in Art Doll Quarterly sometime in the Summer!  They've flown off to California for their big trip and I'm sure will have lots to talk about on their return.  I just hope they'll want to return home after all that Californian sunshine!!

Bye for now,
Susannah x

Christmas Greetings...

Have a lovely Christmas!!



Frohe Weihnachten

 

Joyeux Noël



Feliz Navidad



Честита Коледа



Vrolijke kerst

God jul



Hyvää joulua



Ooops!!!

Boots an' all...

I don't know what I would do without my wellie boots and spotted these rather wonderful rustic looking racks...just what I need!

This lovely cast iron rack can be found at Dibor a lovely website selling French style for the home. The rack is currently £89.00 and measures 64x76x34 cm.

 

But I'm rather loving their Wellie boot bags too.  They're made from tough durable jute cotton and priced at a much less painful £19.95.

 

This is a rather nice rustic wooden boot jack from greenfingers.com Made from pinewood and priced at an even better £12.71.  Strange price but I suppose that's because of the recent drop in VAT.  Anyway I rather like this one because of its originality and those bristles would come in very handy after a muddy walk along the river.

Queen of Wellie boots in my eyes is Ilse Jacobsen from Norway.  Her range is just to die for.  You could wear these boots in the town or country and they'd be just perfect.

 

There are so many colours to choose from (I particularly liked the brown from last season) but have a look at these aqua ones!

 
Rather scrumptious indeed!!

Another Year Passing...

I know December has only just begun but already I'm drawing the year to a close in my head.  Overall it's been a pretty good year...not a fantastically full of fun year....it's been all work and no play but that's okay because I've enjoyed the work and growing my business.  I wanted to share with you a few of the things that I've enjoyed over the year, things that got me through, lifted my spirits when needed and put a smile on my face. 

First off is the album Grace and Gratitude...

by the wonderful Olivia Newton John. I must have listened to these songs almost every day this year on my ipod whilst out walking.  Her latest work is so uplifting and centering and I love the meaning behind the words.  Instrument of Peace is my favourite track on the album, it's an adaptation of a prayer by St Francis of Assisi. I think the words say it all...

Instrument Of Peace - Lyrics
"Where there is hatred,let me bring love, Where there is doubt, let me bring faith
Where there is falsehood, let me bring truth, Where there is pain, I'll comfort you
Where there is silence, let me sing praise, Where there's despair, let me bring hope
Where there is blindness, let me bring sight, Where there is darkness, let me bring light
And with these words I speak, Grant that I may not so seek
To be heard but to hear, To be consoled but to console,
Not to be seen, but to see, To be loved but to love
For when we give love we will receive, When we forgive love, we'll find reprieve
It is in dying we'll be released, Make me an instrument of peace."

Next on the list are my Barbour Jackets...

A Barbour wax jacket is an old friend for life and makes even the rainiest of days a joy to splash about  in....

Fully waterproof and oh so absolutely British.   A day wouldn't be a day if I didn't sling one on at some point....with a pair of Wellington boots of course!

I was finally joined this year by Elizabet Bizelle™ made by Joseph Szekeres...

 

Elizabet will soon be joined by her Sister Kotalin...

 

and their Russian Cousin Svetlana in a few weeks time...

I re-read my favourite book of all time:  Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda....

I first came upon this spiritual classic about 15 years ago and read it again for must be about the sixth time whilst out in beloved India this April.  This book changed the way I look at life forever.  If anyone is in need of a spiritual boost or guidance maybe SRF is for you.

One of the nicest days out was with my younger Sister Nin.  We went on a day trip to the Cotswolds just before she left to live in the US....

 

Although The Cotswolds are truly one of the most scenic places in Britain, I have to say that Arlington Row in Bibury was one of the creepiest places I've ever been to!  It looks so picturesque in the picture above but the famous row of houses were incredibly dark and there didn't appear to be any street lamps.  We were there in the late afternoon when the light was still up but goodness knows what it must be like after the sun goes down. I just didn't want to stay there too long to find out.  If anyone would care to disagree with me about the creepiness of the place please do...maybe it was just me? and of course they are people's homes so apologies to anyone who may live in one!

And lastly I have to thank Michelle and heather for their wonderful team work to put together my new navigational banner.  Michelle makes the most wonderful designs for banners etc and Heather is a whiz at the coding and is also a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  Together they make a fab team. You can check the work they do out here:

Laycock Designs by Michelle and Blogs by Heather for blog set up and maintenance.

NEW DOLLY!!

I've started on a new doll this week...

Well it's not completely new because I started making a similar one last Christmas...

but never got around to finishing her clothes so poor thing has been sitting around in limbo land.  She's based on a doll pattern by Barbara Schoenoff and is one of the nicest doll shapes I've seen.  Barbara uses the pattern as a Queen Anne doll but I think it lends itself well to one of those old peg dolls or Tuck Comb Dolls of the 18th Century...

Now the drawback for me is that I have to paint the face on.  Painting the body is fine...

I guess anybody could do that, but paint and brush are not a good combination for old muggins here...it's just not a blend that bonds naturally.  I don't have shakey hands and I can see the image of the face I want in my head but something just gets lost in the translation.  I'm like that with drawing too...distinctly under average!  Three dimension fine! No problem I could play with cloth all day but ask me to draw anything beyond a button mushroom (those I can draw!...yippee!!) and it's just not going to happen.  Theoretically I should be able to draw as there was a professional Cartoonist in my family but the gene was hopelessly lost when it got to my Mother who is equally hopeless.  Anyway, as a result it means I have put poor dolly no name through a lot of trauma in her first year.  She's had two coats of different coloured flesh and two faces AND is soon to be stripped of her face again!!  This was the first face...

Now it came out better than I thought but that was probably because I chickened out and actually drew the face on with a fine liner pen. The drawback of using the pen is that it smudges when varnish is put over it.  You can see here what happened to my other Tuck Comb doll I made...

She's also got a another friend coming when I get round to finishing her....

Anyway back to Miss No Face...the biggest problem though was that she just didn't look at all how I'd envisioned she would...I wanted her to have an ancient elegance like the Tuck Dolls have but instead she came out looking like an angry head Mistress.  There was nothing for it....she simply had to go!  I smeared a whole tonne of Gesso over her and had a second attempt.  This is how she looks at the moment... 

I much prefer the colour of her skin, it looks more aged now and less like a white china doll....however....I don't think I like this face either!  It's the mouth!  Look at it!  

I quite like her eyes but they're a bit too small and nondescript.  I want her to have a personality but she's still not right.  For some reason I was able to paint the faces of my Black dolls just how I wanted them to be...

they have expression and personalities but perhaps that was because I was painting on molded felt so the brush wouldn't slip.  With this current doll I have nothing for a guide and I don't quite know what I'll do yet.

Poor thing, she's not going to have a clue who she is in the world if I paint over her face again.  I'll keep the rest of her body the same if I can try and match the paint...or part of me is tempted to make her into a clown face or something.  Or I could try and just alter her mouth because I suppose her eyes have a sweetness.  Anyway...perhaps if it's not raining at the weekend that might be when I do it...Any tips on painting faces or what I should do?

In the meantime this is the new doll I've started on...

As you can see she looks rather like a faceless ET at the moment....perhaps best kept that way!  I'm thinking actually that I might make she/he/it into maybe a rabbit or mouse or something because the head has turned out to be a rather strange shape to be human so a pair of long floppy ears might be looming but I still haven't decided yet...pause for thought... XXX

Phew!! I've finally finished!

Phew!...I've finally completed the last two Verity Hope Dresses in the new colours...Loganberry and Forest.
This is the Loganberry....

 

Now it's a question of having all the sizes in stock....oh how I wish I had some little Elves to help me!  Wouldn't that be so nice to wake up in the morning greeted with a chirpy "good morning" by some little friends with smiley faces ready and eager with thread in hand. 

But in the meantime I'll get the full four sizes out as soon as I can over the next two weeks.  The Loganberry is similar to purple but less blue and more muted if you can tell by the swatches...

   

I don't produce many dresses in each size because of my Elf shortage which is why they're quite often not available along with the Bloomers.  This is the Forest...

I have a tiny amount left of the Ruby and Atlantic...

   

so after making some more apron kits up will see if I have enough to do a couple more dresses in those colours too.

I'm guessing sizes large and x-large would be the best sizes to do.

I'm dying to make an apron (or two) and have such a large pile of fat quarters, scraps and trimmings all waiting for creative inspiration.  I'm also feeling a doll making session come on as a result of my search last week.  I dug out this little friend I'd started a few years back....

and to my joy I'm further on completing his/her friend than I'd thought.  Just the hair is needed on this one...

 

It usually happens this time of year.  I suddenly get hit with so many ideas.  I've been dying to make some dolls out of papier mache too.  Has anyone used one of those pourable ones?  I've heard that Li-qua-che is supposed to be good but they're really hard to find in the UK.   Can you sculpt with them too or just cast does anyone know? I really like Julie Arkell's work.  She's one of the leading folk artists in the Uk....

I first saw her work at an exhibition in London last year and fell in love with her style.  Particularly her papier mache rabbits...(oh and that apron she's wearing)...

She uses the traditional form of papier mache.  Oh and I love the cloth watches she makes out of old vintage scraps...

She holds workshops in and around London and sometimes abroad.  I am dying to go to one....otherwise I think I shall burst!!!

I'm going to have to try really hard not to jam up.  What I mean is...you know when you just have sooo many projects all trying to squeeze through and then you end up either not doing any of them or starting them all and not completing....(hence the dolls).  Another reason why I need my little Elf helpers!!

They're Safe and Sound!!

The first thing I want to say is that I got a reply from the buyer who bought the two dolls that I made Winifred (in yellow) and Milicent (left) and then regretted selling. 

Well it was good news and bad news.  The bad news is that they're not for sale but the good news is that it's because the buyer said she loves them so much and doesn't want to part with them!  It is good news because I was so happy to hear that they went to a home that really appreciates them and is taking good care of them.  They're both together and obviously being looked after very well and the buyer sounded very kind, so although they won't be returning to me it's made me feel so much happier and I'm glad I asked.  I feel inspired to maybe start making them again and do have a few that I never finished....it'll be a nice Winter evening project and this time I won't be selling them!

On to Malphi news....

The first Verity Hope Dresses for this season are now available on Etsy and www.malphistyle.com.  As previewed before this is the Verity Hope Dress in MOONLIGHT....

It's available in four sizes...

They're in very limited numbers and I'll be adding the remaining sizes as soon as I can along with the Bloomers in OATMEAL...

They're also available in four sizes...

Size	S	M	L	XL
Waist	26"-28"	30"-32"	34"-36"	38"-40"
Hips	35"-37"	38"-40"	41"-43"	44"-46"

This is the new darker BROWN Verity Hope Dress...

If a size is not available I'll try and replace it within a few weeks so do keep checking back....

Size	S	M	L	XL
Bust	34"-36"	36"-38"	38"-40"	42"-44"
Waist	26"-28"	30"-32"	34"-36"	38"-40"
Hips	35"-37"	38"-40"	41"-43"	44"-46"

This is the line up of colours that are already out or coming out:

             

     Moonlight                     Brown                     Loganberry                 Forest              Oatmeal (Bloomers)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

New Verity Hope Dresses coming very soon!

It's been a long time coming but my new line of Linen Verity Hope Dresses are finally on their way!   I have four new colours for the Winter months: a deep blue called moonlight, deep forest green, loganberry and the brown was so popular I've brought it out again but slightly darker.   I'm so pleased with how they're turning out.  Here's a peak at the Moonlight...

 

The new dresses vary slightly from last season.  These ones have higher frills, no bow and the arms are slightly looser around the elbow.  I love experimenting with little ways here and there.

I'm hoping to get the Moonlight in the Etsy shop as early as this week along with more Bloomers.  They'll be available in four sizes: SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE AND X-LARGE and the BROWN will then follow.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Bust	34"-36"	36"-38"	38"-40"	42"-44"
Waist	26"-28"	30"-32"	34"-36"	38"-40"
Hips	35"-37"	38"-40"	41"-43"	44"-46"

I have so much I want to work on including some more Dana Ashley Dresses (a more casual Verity Hope minus the frill) out of some amazing prints I picked up in London last week.   Here's one I've just finished which is now on Etsy and on RUSTIC CHIC.

It's a size Medium in a soft touch cotton with a subtle satin sheen. 

We took the photographs locally this time down by the river.  I don't know why I didn't think of that location before...the flowers were still out in full bloom in some places and it felt like summer.

I'm thinking of incorporating Paypal into the main website www.malphistyle.com to make it easier with the currency and I know I always prefer the familiarity of Paypal.  A project on the 'To do list'.  Would love to hear from anyone who does use a Paypal shoping cart on their own website and whether they would recommend it over another?

I just had to show you this apron!  I didn't make it but it epitimizes everything I love about aprons!  Feminine, cheerful, floral, floaty, dreamy...

I added some little buttons here and there sewn with green embroidery thread to match the tiny leaves.

 I was getting it ready to put in Apronologie™ but I love it so much I've decided to keep it!  So many aprons and dresses pass through my hands that you forget sometimes to treat yourself now and again and enjoy the things you love.   A few years back I made some dolls and still regret to this day about selling them. 

Here's little WINIFRED....

 

and darling MILLICENT....

I knew at the time when I was taking them to the post office that I was really going to regret letting them go.  Fortunately they both went to the same home.  Two years have now passed and I STILL think about them so it's time to TAKE ACTION!   I made a grand decision last night!!!....I've actually contacted the buyer!!!  I emailed her last night to let her know that I would be very interested in buying them back if she ever wanted to sell them.  It's a long shot, they may have moved on already...and I know they're only dolls and there are far worse problems in the world but since I have that chance then I SHOULD TAKE IT!   Haven't heard back yet but fingers crossed!! X

Apron Showcase 1

I absolutely adore aprons! half, full, vintage, war time, frilly, practical...there's always room for another so for the next week or two I'm going to simply show off  aprons that I've gathered on my new Apronologie™  site.   A showcase of Aprons! 

(APOLOGIES TO NON APRON LOVERS BUT I HOPE YOU CATCH THE BUG!)

MADDIE'S PUDDLE VINTAGE APRON

Is it a splish or a splosh or maybe a squish?
The little puddle duck on this vintage wonder will have the answers.

APRONOLOGIE™

TIFFANY REVERSIBLE HALF APRON

" Oh whata ta do ta di today ata minute or two ta two,
A thing distinctly hard to say and harder still ta do!"

Flirty reversible apron with pocket and bow decoration.

MALPHI RUSTIC CHIC

TROPICAL TEA POT APRON

Show off your tea pot collection with a touch of tropical elegance. Throw the odd pineapple in why not! Two nice deep pockets on front.

 

    APRONOLOGIE™

I LOVE APRONS!  DO YOU?

New Dresses in Floral Prints....

It's always nice when you can finally see the end result of a lot of hard work.  I've finally managed to get together the new batch of Verity Hope Dresses this time made from a variety of prints.

This first one is called 'Promenade Des Fleurs'. 

There are oodles of tiny meadow flowers sprinkled over a forget me not blue background and the fabric is a medium weight cotton.

It's my absolute favourite shade of blue and has everything I like in a printed fabric.  I only had a little bit of fabric so could only make one.  It's in the Etsy shop and I'll be putting all the dresses on the website over the next few days.

Next is 'Meadow Bed'. This print reminds me of the tiny flowers scattered over the floor of a wild field. Okay I'm dreaming a bit but I love being around fields and the outdoors in general and love prints that reflect that. 

It's nice to be girly and the dresses can be dressed down over jeans.  Again I could only make one of these but may have enough fabric left to produce a wrap top...we'll see.

Next is a very Wintery fabric.  It's made from a fine wool.

I made two of these in different sizes.

Last but not least is the cream of the crop. 

My Dana Ashley Dress in a floral LIBERTY OF LONDON print.

 A Dana Ashley is the same as the Verity Hope dress with the three bust darts except that it doesn't have a frill.  It's more of a casual wrap over.  Some one told me they using theirs as a wrap over in their dance class.

I absolutely love Liberty fabric prints.  They use bright mixes of colours without being garish.  I know a small shop in London where they stock rolls and rolls of past season Liberty prints.  I drule over them each time I go but even though they're last seasons it's still sooo expensive.   I'd love to see the warehouse where they get it all from.  Better still I'd love a trip around the factory where they print it all and then be directed to their sampling section. 

It's a bit strange but I'd actually love a holiday going around a load of different factories and seeing how things are made.  Has anyone seen 'How It's Made' on the telly?  I think it's so interesting to find out what the products we use every day have to go through.   Modern machines are amazing, I remember they said it took less than a minute to produce a pair of Jeans!  It was true, the Denim just shot through the machine quicker than lightning.  I suppose it would have to be that fast with all the Jeans on the planet.  By far the most useful item ever known to man!  My favourites are Wrangler and Lee. 

My new Linen arrived a few days ago in the new Winter colours so over the next weeks the dresses will be coming out along with more Bloomers...hold on to your hats and thanks for stopping by xx