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Hello,
For the Christmas period all Verity Hope Dresses are now just $99 and all convertible warps $89 in the ETSY store.
We only have a few sizes left in each style before the entire range will change so it will be on a first come first serve basis.
I hope to have the new Wedding range ready shortly after the new year.
Enjoy the season and be merry! x
There are many multi-way convertible wraps available to choose from and we hope you enjoy our version which features a fun ruffle around the edge finished off with lettuce edging. We have produced it in limited numbers using a soft jersey stretch fabric.
The leafy print has a tropical feel, perfect for strolling along a beach listening to the soft breezes whispering through coconut palms. Here are just some of the many ways they can be worn:
SARONG
KIMONO
TOGA
HEAD SCARF
WRAP SKIRT
Continue reading "Convertible Multi Way Dress Skirt Wraps" »
I'm going to be going overseas again soon so have been extremely busy getting as many dresses made up and in stock before leaving.
I had a mountain of beautiful cotton lawn fabric I'd collected last year from London with pretty delicate tiny flower prints along with some mini black and white polka dot fabric...always a favourite....
and also a Java print from Indonesia....
I decided to make some apron style wraps with the fabric...the kind that had a nostalgic war time feel...
I imagined an old 1940s wooden ironing board with a lady standing behind in her cover up protecting her day wear.
Most of the versatile wraps have satin bias edging and are looser fitting than my regular Verity Hope Dress line.
Speaking of which...VH is staying but will be transitioning to a new look for 2010. The current sleeveless variety currently listed in my shops will be the last of the linen line.
Maybe not forever and ever but at least for a few years probably....
It's because I have found a new fabric that I am very excited about and will be developing a mix and match range based around the signature Verity Hope dress...
Each piece will be interchangeable to allow an effortless versatile wardrobe ideal for relaxation and vacations...
I can't say anymore yet but hope to get some preview photos up around October time or a bit sooner. A first photo shoot is scheduled in California in September which I'm very excited about! Will keep you posted!
Lots of love,
Malphi x
All current dresses are available on Etsy.
Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth by Pam Ayres
Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth,
And spotted the perils beneath,
All the toffees I chewed,
And the sweet sticky food,
Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth.
I wish I'd been that much more willin'
When I had more tooth there than fillin'
To pass up gobstoppers,
From respect to me choppers
And to buy something else with me shillin'.
When I think of the lollies I licked,
And the liquorice allsorts I picked,
Sherbet dabs, big and little,
All that hard peanut brittle,
My conscience gets horribly pricked.
My Mother, she told me no end,
"If you got a tooth, you got a friend"
I was young then, and careless,
My toothbrush was hairless,
I never had much time to spend.
Oh I showed them the toothpaste all right,
I flashed it about late at night,
But up-and-down brushin'
And pokin' and fussin'
Didn't seem worth the time... I could bite!
If I'd known I was paving the way,
To cavities, caps and decay,
The murder of fiIlin's,
Injections and drillin's
I'd have thrown all me sherbet away.
So I lay in the old dentist's chair,
And I gaze up his nose in despair,
And his drill it do whine,
In these molars of mine,
"Two amalgum," he'll say, "for in there."
How I laughed at my Mother's false teeth,
As they foamed in the waters beneath,
But now comes the reckonin'
It's me they are beckonin'
Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth.
See my apron collections at www.malphistyle.com
Mia Half Apron.
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?My my, just how much I've missed you
Why, why did I ever let you go?
My my, I could never let you go.
A one off wonder inspired by the colours of Italy!
www.malphistyle.comby Pam Ayres
Yes,
I'll marry you, my dear,
And here's the reason why;
So I can push you out of bed
When the baby starts to cry,
And if we hear a knocking
And it's creepy and it's late,
I hand you the torch you see,
And you investigate.
Yes,
I'll marry you, my dear,
You may not apprehend it,
But when the tumble-drier goes
It's you that has to mend it,
You have to face the neighbour
Should our labrador attack him,
And if a drunkard fondles me
It's you that has to whack him.
Yes,
I'll marry you,
You're virile and you're lean,
My house is like a pigsty
You can help to keep it clean.
That sexy little dinner
Which you served by candlelight,
As I do chipolatas,
You can cook it every night!
It's
you who has to work the drill
and put up curtain track,
And when I've got PMT it's you who gets the flak,
I do see great advantages,
But none of them for you,
And so before you see the light,
I do, I do, I do!
Hello
It's been ages since my last posting but I've finally got some new Verity Hope Dresses and Bloomers listed on www.malphistyle.com and on ETSY. I have a small batch of them in each colour and size.
I decided to do sleeveless dresses this time for a change and have kept the Bloomers more minimalist....
My favourite colour VH dress has always been the Blue (atlantic) so I couldn't resist a few more of those...
and the beautiful weeping willow tree...
Then pink for a new colour...
a nice summery shade and easy to wear...
and lastly the ever popular deep red (ruby)...
The red shows up quite bright in the pictures but it is a beautiful deep rich red colour...
They will be the last Verity Hope dresses that I'll be doing in the linen and in the different colours, the style isn't going away it will just be changing and evolving to a slightly different look in the future.
Here's Malin from Sweden wearing a custom made Verity Hope Dress and Bloomers in white linen. She sent me this wonderful picture of herself in her outfit posing outside her delightful gift shop in Sweden! She has wonderful gifts and treasures and you can see them all here: www.unikkollektion.blogspot.com.
Thank you so much Malin for sharing!!
Bye for now!
Malphi x
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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.
MINTO BOHO APPLIQUE APRON
A pretty little number with hand appliqued flowers and leaves. Trimmed off with cotton lace and a very handy pocket.
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"
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY APRON SHOWCASE!
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
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!!
