MALPHI tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1391035 2009-11-11T17:11:58+00:00 Welcome to Malphi's world! TypePad Convertible Multi Way Dress Skirt Wraps tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ee129b588340128757b2a34970c 2009-11-11T17:11:58+00:00 2009-11-11T17:11:58+00:00 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 SHAWL All wraps are available on ETSY for a limited time only. Please visit www.Effortless-Elegance.com to preview the new Effortless Elegance wedding and honeymoon range coming 2010... Malphi

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

DSC06951  DSC06945

 DSC06939 DSC06948

KIMONO

Convertible Kimono by Malphi

TOGA

Convertible Sundress by Malphi

HEAD SCARF

Convertible Head Shawl by Malphi

WRAP SKIRT

Convertible Wrap Skirt By Malphi

SHAWL

Convertible Shawl by Malphi

All wraps are available on ETSY for a limited time only.

Please visit www.Effortless-Elegance.com to preview the new Effortless Elegance wedding and honeymoon range coming 2010...

Re-Wearable Wedding Dress by Effortless Elegance

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/11/convertible-multi-way-dress-skirt-wraps.html Nostalgic Florals... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ee129b588340120a5095c12970b 2009-08-24T19:04:44+01:00 2009-08-24T19:04:44+01:00 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. Malphi

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. 

DSC06854

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....

Ex2bd  

and also a Java print from Indonesia....

DSC06841

I decided to make some apron style wraps with the fabric...the kind that had a nostalgic war time feel...

DSC06858

I imagined an old 1940s  wooden ironing board with a lady standing behind in her cover up protecting her day wear.

DSC06844

Most of the versatile wraps have satin bias edging and are looser fitting than my regular Verity Hope Dress line.

Ex2wf

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. 

Atlsellveless1Pinksleeveless2Redsleeveless1

Maybe not forever and ever but at least for a few years probably....

DSC06850

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...

Ex1fd

Each piece will be interchangeable to allow an effortless versatile wardrobe ideal for relaxation and vacations...

DSC06836

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.

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/08/nostalgic-florals.html One of My favourites.... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ee129b588340120a4c4f3a3970b 2009-08-06T00:24:00+01:00 2009-08-06T00:24:00+01:00 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 Malphi

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.

vintage aprons on a line

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'.

Vintage Cherry Apron

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.

DSC05393

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.

Vintage Apron with terry cloth

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!

vintage 50s crochet apron

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.

vintage red and white apron

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."

DSC05395

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

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/08/one-of-my-favourites.html Mia Half Apron tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ee129b5883401157241dfe8970b 2009-07-31T07:02:00+01:00 2009-07-31T07:02:00+01:00 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 Yes, I've been brokenhearted Blue since the day we parted Why, why did I ever let you go? Mamma mia, now I really know, My my, I could never let you go. A one off wonder inspired by the colours of Italy! www.malphistyle.com Malphi

Mia Half Apron.

Mia one of a kind apron by Malphi

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

Linen Apron

Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted

Why, why did I ever let you go?

Colouors of Italy Apron

Mamma mia, now I really know,

My my, I could never let you go.

A one off wonder inspired by the colours of Italy!

www.malphistyle.com
 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/07/mia-half-apron.html <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MalphiFrillsFrocksFancies/~3/7M4JbLxstnE/yes-ill-marry-youby-pam----ayres-yes----ill-marry-you-my-dear---and-heres-the-reason-why---so-i-can-push-you-out-of-bed.html" /> <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/07/yes-ill-marry-youby-pam----ayres-yes----ill-marry-you-my-dear---and-heres-the-reason-why---so-i-can-push-you-out-of-bed.html" thr:count="5" thr:updated="2009-08-08T12:59:50+01:00" /> <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ee129b58834011572317582970b</id> <published>2009-07-24T21:51:12+01:00</published> <updated>2009-07-24T21:51:12+01:00</updated> <summary>Yes, I'll Marry You by 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! www.malphistyle.com Etsy DaWanda</summary> <author> <name>Malphi</name> </author> <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Aprons" /> <category scheme="http://sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" term="aprons" /> <category scheme="http://sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" term="country" /> <category scheme="http://sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" term="malphi" /> <category scheme="http://sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" term="pam ayres" /> <category scheme="http://sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" term="poem" /> <category scheme="http://sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" term="verity hope dress" /> <category scheme="http://sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" term="vintage aprons" /> <category scheme="http://sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" term="washing line" /> <category scheme="http://sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" term="yes i will marry you" /> <content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-GB" xml:base="http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/"> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div style="text-align: center;"><span size="3" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;" /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Yes, I'll Marry You</strong></span><p style="text-align: center"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><strong>by Pam Ayres</strong></font></p><span size="3" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><strong>                                                                               <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/malphi/3752485345/" title="Vintage aprons on a line by Malphi, on Flickr"><img alt="Vintage aprons on a line" height="375" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/3752485345_ae309bbff8.jpg" width="500" /></a></strong></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>   <br /></strong></span></div><p style="text-align: center"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">Yes, I'll marry you, my dear,<br /> And here's the reason why;<br /> So I can push you out of bed<br /> When the baby starts to cry,<br /> And if we hear a knocking<br /> And it's creepy and it's late,<br /> I hand you the torch you see,<br /> And you investigate.</font></p><p style="text-align: center"><span size="3" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/malphi/3752482483/" title="Red and white gingham frilly apron by Malphi, on Flickr"><img alt="Red and white gingham frilly apron" height="500" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/3752482483_7d624232d3.jpg" width="375" /></a></span><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">Yes, I'll marry you, my dear,<br /> You may not apprehend it,<br /> But when the tumble-drier goes<br /> It's you that has to mend it,<br /> You have to face the neighbour<br /> Should our labrador attack him,<br /> And if a drunkard fondles me<br /> It's you that has to whack him.</font></p><p style="text-align: center"><span size="3" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/malphi/3753279244/" title="1970s blue vintage apron by Malphi, on Flickr"><img alt="1970s blue vintage apron" height="500" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3753279244_e0f64631c2.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">Yes, I'll marry you,<br /> You're virile and you're lean,<br /> My house is like a pigsty<br /> You can help to keep it clean.<br /> That sexy little dinner <br /> Which you served by candlelight,<br /> As I do chipolatas,<br /> You can cook it every night!</font></p><p style="text-align: center"><span size="3" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/malphi/3753278430/" title="Another in my vintage apron collection by Malphi, on Flickr"><img alt="Another in my vintage apron collection" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/3753278430_a63fbe2511.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">It's you who has to work the drill<br /> and put up curtain track,<br /> And when I've got PMT it's you who gets the flak,<br /> I do see great advantages,<br /> But none of them for you,<br /> And so before you see the light, <br /> I do, I do, I do!</font></p><p style="text-align: center"><span size="3" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/malphi/2958426021/" title="vintage country granny apron by Malphi, on Flickr"><img alt="vintage country granny apron" height="500" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2958426021_b0bf80bb32.jpg" width="375" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://malphistyle.com" target="_blank" title="Official Malphi Website">www.malphistyle.com</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="text-decoration: underline;" /><a href="http://malphi.etsy.com" target="_blank" title="Etsy">Etsy</a></p><a href="http://malphi.etsy.com" target="_blank" title="Etsy" /><p style="text-align: center"><span size="3" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><a href="http://en.dawanda.com/search?q=malphi&fields=product_tags" target="_blank" title="Dawanda">DaWanda</a><br /></span></p></div> </content> <feedburner:origLink>http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/07/yes-ill-marry-youby-pam----ayres-yes----ill-marry-you-my-dear---and-heres-the-reason-why---so-i-can-push-you-out-of-bed.html</feedburner:origLink></entry> <entry> <title>New Verity Hope Dresses Out Now!! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54ee129b588340115720f5f74970b 2009-07-16T22:13:06+01:00 2009-07-16T22:37:45+01:00 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 Malphi

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....

Bloomers by malphi

My favourite colour VH dress has always been the Blue (atlantic) so I couldn't resist a few more of those... 

Pale blue Linen Wrap Dress by Malphi

and the beautiful weeping willow tree...

Malphi Sleeveless Verity Hope Dress in blue linen

Then pink for a new colour...

A country walk in my Malphi dress

a nice summery shade and easy to wear...

Pink Linen Wrap Dress by Malphi

and lastly the ever popular deep red (ruby)...

Me in my Linen Wrap Dress by Malphi

The red shows up quite bright in the pictures but it is a beautiful deep rich red colour...

Red Linen Wrap Dress by Malphi

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.

DSC03082 

Thank you so much Malin for sharing!!

Bye for now!

Malphi x

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/07/new-verity-hope-dresses-out-now.html Long Time No see.... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-64795885 2009-03-29T12:37:57+01:00 2009-03-29T12:37:18+01:00 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 Malphi

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

Aeroplane 

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...

Us-virgin-islands-nature

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

Snorkeling-feature-2 

AND ONE OF THESE!!

Cayman-sting-ray 

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....

Workroom:me 

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...

A08f_1_sbl 

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...

3cda_1_sbl  

Has all these features:

7b7f_1_sbl

  • 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:

    A152_1_sbl

    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

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/03/long-time-no-see.html Ooops! a week late! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-62427557 2009-02-05T17:23:41+00:00 2009-02-05T17:23:41+00:00 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 Malphi
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.
Loganberry100  

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?

CVR_APR0209_lg

 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.
Malphi rustic chic apron g13

and hope the publication spreads the apron bug!!

DSC04786

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

060_061_APR0209

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

ARN_all-3

both beautifully designed and I love the colours!

Hope to be back in production very soon!
Malphi X
 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/02/a-week-late.html Latest Aprons!! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-61415612 2009-01-31T08:00:00+00:00 2009-01-31T08:00:00+00:00 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 Malphi

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!!). 

DSC05854 DSC05875 DSC05855

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.

DSC05871 DSC05859 DSC05860

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.

DSC05865 DSC05866 DSC05858

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.

DSC05862 DSC05863 DSC05869

These aprons will be available very shortly...

Susannah x

aka MALPHI

www.malphistyle.com

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/01/latest-aprons.html Everyone Welcome Especially Apron Addicts.... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-57303401 2009-01-24T08:20:00+00:00 2009-01-24T08:20:00+00:00 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 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.

DSC05577  DSC05575 DSC05579

   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.

DSC05401 DSC05415

    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.

DSC05427 DSC05428

APRONOLOGIE™   

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

DSC05419 DSC05425

 

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! 

DSC05497 DSC05498

  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

DSC05518 DSC05523 DSC05521

APRONOLOGIE™


LEAF CASCADE HALF APRON

Get in amongst those leaves and see what you find!

Flamboyant white flowers cascade down this vintage wonder.

DSC05585  DSC05586

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

DSC05495

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...

Annie 1 Annie 2 

Annie 3 Annie 5

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY APRON SHOWCASE!!

Susannah

aka Malphi x

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/01/apron-showcase-3.html Apron Showcase tag:typepad.com,2003:post-57302851 2009-01-17T08:00:00+00:00 2009-01-17T08:00:00+00:00 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! Malphi

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.

DSC05512 DSC05514 DSC05517

 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.

DSC05417 DSC05418

ETSY

FRANKIE'S CHANCE GINGHAM SMOCK

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

DSC05510  DSC05511

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"

DSC05601 DSC05602 DSC05597

MALPHI STYLE

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY APRON SHOWCASE!

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/01/apron-showcase-2.html Much ado about EVERYTHING! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-61002356 2009-01-07T18:23:29+00:00 2009-01-07T18:23:29+00:00 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 Malphi

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...

DSC05852  


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...

Elspeth new eyes

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!!

Best pics for selling - 042

Bye for now,
Susannah x

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2009/01/much-to-do.html Christmas Greetings... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-60000034 2008-12-21T10:20:00+00:00 2008-12-21T10:20:00+00:00 Have a lovely Christmas!! Frohe Weihnachten Joyeux Noël Feliz Navidad Честита Коледа Vrolijke kerst God jul Hyvää joulua Ooops!!! Malphi
Have a lovely Christmas!!

Vertep2

Frohe Weihnachten

337812243_fabb0b4060  

Joyeux Noël

O-silent-night-holy-night

Feliz Navidad

Niko

Честита Коледа

2078147849_6a8cb5e7ec

Vrolijke kerst
Papa noel
God jul

Xmas2006-0015

Hyvää joulua

A Christmas Carol

Ooops!!!

Papa-noel-chof

http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2008/12/christmas-greetings.html Boots an' all... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-59997756 2008-12-14T15:49:15+00:00 2008-12-14T15:49:15+00:00 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!! Malphi

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.

Canvas2 


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.

Canvas  


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.

LS3858D_l


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.

3_7  

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

Rub1tyrkis_norm 
Rather scrumptious indeed!!

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2008/12/boots-an-all.html Another Year Passing... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-59202302 2008-11-30T23:10:49+00:00 2008-11-30T23:10:49+00:00 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. Malphi

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...

Grace

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...

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

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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!

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

Liz  

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

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

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

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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....

Village  

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.

 http://malphi.typepad.com/frills_frocks_fancies_by_/2008/11/another-year-passing.html