Ahh what a week! Real Life is a bit of a shock to the system this week, having spent the past seven days being wined and dined and generally spoilt in the most idyllic rural retreat! It's been an absolute joy to opt out of the rat race for a bit, but it's impossible not to be inspired when you're in such beautiful surroundings: I'm not sure how these ideas will feature yet, but I can feel a whole countryside of ideas bubbling away in my subconscious - it's a delight :)

Oh and a couple of them were just too amusing not to share ;)

It had been so long since I'd had a proper holiday, and as much as I adore hatting I didn't take any work with me whatsoever. But the world of mad hatting had other ideas... Rocke That Frock is an absolute GEM of a vintage shop - if you're in the vicinity: go!!! And frankly the whole surrounding area is so raw and unspoilt at this time of year (we went for days without seeing another soul as we tramped through the countryside - if it floats your boat too then I'd highly recommend it!) that frankly it's worth a visit in its own right.

Daisy Rocke really knows her stuff and has a network of superbly stylish vintage suppliers - if she wasn't so lovely it'd be too easy to envy her ;) She's got a treasure trove of top quality, unique pieces from all eras at thoroughly reasonable prices, including a fab range of vintage hats, and we soon got chatting... and then Daisy produced this glorious Victorian hat stretcher from the window. About ten minutes later it was in the car (along with two suits and a cotton bomber ha!)

Meet Olive the Hat Stretcher: her namesake is the equally elastic Olive Oyl - couldn't resist ;)

I hate being ill. The first day of Camp Duvet on the sofa is always a novelty, but a full week is interminable, especially when I was struggling to fit my three alter egos' (Work:hats:Real Life) in anyway!! So thank goodness for knitting! It still needs stitching together, but I think this will be just the ticket for remaining chic and warm whilst walking our latest house guests this week ;)

It's all GO again this week, with an enquiry from a Coco Rose customer, and a new hat hopefully on the way into the window. Admittedly it makes for a slightly stressful Monday evening, but I can't complain, and in the absence of wine (c/o my antibiotics - humph) hot chocolate is seeing me through!

Finally, since the blog is happiness focused, here are some other things that have kept me smiling over the past couple of weeks... It's the simple things, eh? :)

Handmade Harbour is guaranteed to chase away the cold dark nights until next time. Meanwhile, I'm off on a secret birthday adventure to countryside cottage next week (EXCITING!) so after some serious R&R I'll hopefully look less like my patron saint The Mad Hatter in time for the next blog! Stay cosy my dears! x

It's been a bit of a frustrating fortnight - I'm really struggling to balance work and hatting successfully, and when I have made the time to get into the studio, I seem to be lacking inspiration somewhat.

Tricky.

I spent at least two hours last week eliminating, one by one, every fabric and feather dressing I could think of for the green felt tipped brim... and I'm still none the wiser as to what to try next!

I also spent an hour or so binding metre of thick wire in green thread (patience!) to make a creeping ivy branch... before returning to the original sketched design and sewing the layered leaves straight on to the tweed! Argh! Maybe I should just start trusting my instinct again, because even though I took the scenic route, I am pleased with the final hat.

I also spent a happy if rather bedraggled Sunday at another Perfect Brides Wedding Fair (Nailcote Hall this time), with the ever entertaining Sue Graley (how I'd get through all these fairs without her I really don't know!)

I can always rely on Handmade Monday to keep me focused and positive though - if you're feeling gloomy in this revolting rain, do yourself a favour and check out the this week's haul.

And I'll hopefully have a bit more to show you next time! Wish me luck... ;)

ps New Wings for Old Things is out now! Follow the link in the side bar to get your copy! Woop!

You know you're in The Zone (for better or for worse!) when you're even dreaming about work... In the last post, I was having trouble manouevring the oversized bubble crown onto its tipped brim, and was planning a trip to see Rose to Sort It Out.

And then, and I kid you not, I dreamt how to fix it...and it WORKED! Not a stitch in sight!

The dressing / decoration / icing on the cake is often the bit I enjoy the most, but the construction of this hat has been fulfilling in itself too! I've just got to add the petersham edging to cover the wried brim, and then I'm thinking a great big pompom resting in the dip in the brim over the eye - potentially leather but maybe feather...or maybe I'll dream up something else entirely! ;)

I've also been block making this week, I'd forgotten how much fun / messy it is! This forties style pillbox is a really versatile block, but I originally started it for this trailing ivy design. I made the leaves a few months ago, originally with a silk hat in mind, but with the crisp edge to the morning sunshine last week, I'm feeling the Need For Tweed, and actually I think the contrast between the textures will be more interesting when it's done!

It was a lot more fun sharing a table with Sue too than being on my own, so we're doing the impressive Nailcote Hall next on 13th October too :)

I also decided to leave the pink simamay percher as it was, partly as a stylistic choice but mainly for time purposes, and let's face it - less is (nearly always) more dahlinks! ;)

It's currently living it up in Sue's shop as I type, let's hope someone falls for it like my mum did! ;)

I also ordered some more business cards this week from the lovely people at Moo.com and they've kindly given me this discount code to share with other creative types! I get credits in my account; you get 10% off your first order - what's not not like?! :D

So, that's in for another fortnight! I'm linking up with Handmade Monday as always so pop over and indulge your curiousity (slash nosiness) about what they've all been up to, and I'll see you in a couple of weeks!

As you'll no doubt have seen from my Twitter feed, the run up to the Perfect Brides Weding Fayre at St Johns Hotel was a tad hectic!! I finished this elegant peony in the nick of time on Friday night to join the bridal collection. It's already up there with my favourites, but as it's bridal I think I definitely can't lay claim to this for myself! ;)

The fayre itself wasn't a huge success, but neither was it a disaser: I handed out a few cards and there was some general interest and encouraging feedback (as well as some comedy moments when I think people forget that you can still hear everything they're saying, despite standing behind a table...! Bride: Mum! Look at that butterfly hat!" MOTB: "Erm, no." Bride: "Oh. What about that lovely daisy..?" MOTB: "No! I don't like that one either.") Still, it was definitely a good starter for ten experience-wise, and I'm pleased with the look of the stand. I made some great contacts too (including a wedding planner - I should really have thought about this avenue before ha!) and I'm feeling fairly pragmatic about it. Sue Graley was on hand with advice and a comedy turn in the sample photo booth! I'm sharing a stand with her at the Chesford Grange Wedding Fayre this weekend, and I've kept everything packed up from the last one so it should be a smoother ride on the way too!

Cupid has been in Sue's window for the past fortnight or so, complementing a gorgeous 50s style lace wedding dress (they must be soulmates!) so now it's time for a change - she's requested a 'big one' next... I was going to finish off the Monster Brim for her but I think I need Rose's guidance to wrestle the beast into submission, so I had a play with some dusky pink sinamay yesterday and suddenly...

This hat really designed itself! I love the abstract curves, and I think it feels very couture (dare I mention Stephen Jones!?) I'm toying with the idea of adding some deep pink and tan burnt pheasant coils, but I can't decide if less is more - watch out for the options on Twitter and Facebook later this week and help me decide please!

Rest assured I haven't forgotten about my winter collection... it's just taken a slight back seat in the run up to the fayre, but I'll be back on the case tomorrow night! The green felt tipped brim is coming along nicely, although I'm having a slight logistical nightmare with the oversized bubble crown vs the 22&1/2 inch head fitting... it's off to Rose I go I think! ;) (Honestly, any excuse!)

And with that, I'm off to fix a lining of sticky tape to the inside of my thimble to stop it falling off my freezing cold fingers every two minutes! If you need a winter warming pick-me-up, head over to Handmade Harbour and I'll see you in a fortnight!

As always after a break in between assignments, I'd forgotten just how hectic hatting can be when you're nine-to-fiving as well! As a result, there are only two new hats to show you this week, so I've gone off piste to show you another project I made since the last post too.

Whilst I would always prefer to be making hats, I can't deny that I'm loving my latest temp position. I've been working with the fabulous team at The Air Ambulance Service, writing the copy for their new charity craft book. The Air Ambulance's work is absolutely awe inspiring, so it's a pleasure and privilege to support this project - and the fact that it's been a lot of fun to boot is a massive bonus! The book's a beauty, and is out in October - it's based on breathing new life into pre-loved items you can pick up from their charity shops and is well worth a read, even if I do say so myself!! The only problem is that I've got so into the crafty prose vibe, that I'm always accidentally alliterating...

Landmark alert! This week saw my first order from a total stranger!! A red felt version of Rose Between Two Thorns has proudly adorned the window of the ever chic Coco Rose for the past couple of weeks, and on Friday I got a call requesting a blood red silk version...with a three day turnaround! Luckily I was London-bound for weekend bridesmaid duties (of which more below) so I popped into Broadwick Silks to get some glowing dupion - I even managed to limit myself to buying a single metre of the red and nothing more, it's a new record!

I'm taking the plunge and exhibiting at a wedding fair...on Sunday! The Perfect Brides Wedding Fair is at the St Johns Hotel in Solihull and is (I'm promised!) hugely popular (double cripes!) - AND it's free entry, so please point all the brides-to-be you know in my general direction! Much obliged! ;)

I'll let you know how I get on at the fair next time, keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for interim updates...!

Luckily the folks over at Handmade Monday have been as industrious as ever, so if this short and sweet post has left you wanting, pop over and check out what they've been up to. I'm back off up to the studio - I'm more manic hatter than mad hatter these days! - see you back here in two weeks for a thorough debrief!

Well, I've done it! Thanks to some excellent networking and encouragement by clients and friends of friends (or both!), my hats are in the windows of three of Warwick's most beautiful shops! First of all, I made a deep crimson version of Rose Between Two Thorns for the ever chic Coco Rose (but failed to take a picture in the ensuing excitement!). Lady Rachael is currently residing in the understated but uber cool Fascino Style, and Circus and Elton are showing off the in the Hollywood window display at the beautiful MOTB boutique, I Do (to celebrate Warwick Rocks Film & Food Festival).

Fascino and I Do are also going to help by offering a hiring service for the more extravagant designs - It Takes All Sorts and Three For A Wedding are also sunning themselves on the front counter in a nest of business cards and post cards! Huge thanks to Mary and Eleri for the introductions, and of course to the shop owners for their support too!

The shops are of course looking forward to Autumn / Winter trends already, and so must I... Grey is set to feature significantly this season, and I remembered a 1940's style bubble beret I blocked with Rose earlier this year but hadn't got around to dressing  yet. I've been dying to use the silk ties from my charity shop haul a couple of months ago, and this art deco print lent itself to a pleated plume perfectly. As always, I want to keep it (at least I'm consistent!), but it's hopefully destined for a Warwick window in the next couple of weeks (fingers crossed!!!)

As always, it's also been a fortnight of multitasking, and I finished off the white beaded sinamay button from the last post. I've so pleased with how it turned out - a shell edged lining takes a little longer, but I think it's always worth it, and the stitch is my favourite in my millinery arsenal :)

Champagne: White sinamay button with bead bubbles,
lined in white silk dupion

Back to a temp's life tomorrow, so if like me, you'll need a morning coffee break, head over to Handmade Monday and indulge yourself :) See you in a couple of weeks!

It's wedding season! I know this because my Facebook newsfeed is full of photos of friends of friends' weddings, and more importantly because I have had TWO orders in the last fortnight! Woop! I've also been working on the beginnings of a bridal collection...

I thought I'd left my deadline days back in The City, but it turns out I still get a kick out of a rapid turnaround, and frankly it's a lot more fun working under pressure when it's something you enjoy doing! Thank goodness for the S/S Collection - not only does it help customers to choose if they're not sure exactly what they're after, but it's so much faster to complete a new order when the design element of the hat is complete and it's just a matter of tweaking the existing template!

The first commission was a five day turnaround - Becky wanted Laced Up #1 in cream tangled sinamay with some additional feathers to style into her outfits for two separate weddings.

The second wedding is in the States, so those photos to follow next time, but for those of you flying to weddings in fairer plains wondering whether or not to hat, it would seem that carrying a chic hat box may significantly increase your chances of an upgrade ;) (And I suspect a baby bump probably also helps!!) ;)

The subtle sparkle makes it pretty versatile season-wise I think, I can imagine this little hat being just as at home on a winter bride as a summer one. Just the silk lining to do and it's ready for its close up! Completed photos to follow next time!

Daisy Daisy has been on display in Susan Graley's gorgeous bridal boutique for 6 weeks, so it was time to ring the changes. This nude silk and white sinamay button is simple but chic, and is currently in pride of place in the window :)

Finally, if you're stuck inside in this rather unwelcome rain this evening, why not pop over to Handmade Monday and see what everyone else is up to.

See you in a fortnight kids, who knows what colour my fingers will be by then..!!

Whoops! Been a bit distracted this week, mainly on account of having too much fun in the sun! I'm also running a teeny tiny bit late because I've been sewing like a mad woman to get these finished in time for the blog! And so, without further ado... :)

I've finally untangled my carefully pre-prepared (then 'filed' away daisies) and sprinkled them onto the veil! Veiling still perplexes me a little (I think another session with Rose is in order - any excuse to spend the day in her company!) - I get there in the end but it always takes longer than I expect to create the shape I want.

Still, worth the graft in the end I think; I like it's structured informality, perfect for a summer wedding!

Happy birthday Rachael! What do you get the girl who's got (almost) everything!? Why a picnic percher of course! I love this so much I *almost* kept it but now it's safely in its box and ready for the big birthday reveal! Please don't tell Rach - I want it to be a surprise!!

Strawberry Fields: Sinamay and cotton percher with miniature picnic hamper

Just two more deadlines this week - the hairclips have arrived for Sima's fancy wedding slide, and a new commission from the S/S Collection this morning (woo!) - thank goodness I haven't got a job after all at the moment! ;)

For now, as always, pop over to Handmade Monday and I'll see you next fortnight! :o*

Wowzer, the past three weeks have passed blink-and-you'll-miss-it quickly! Fairly short and sweet this week as a result, but I have mainly been sewing in the garden, making headpieces for ACTUAL CLIENTS! Hurray!!! :D

I've got a couple of mini commissions from ladies I'm temping with at the moment.

And so without further I do, I really am going to sew some daisies onto the bird cage veil for next time...! In the meantime, put your sunglasses back on, kick back and check out, as always, Handmade Monday's supremely talented brethren, See you in a fortnight  folks!