the tiny atelier

Moving On Up

2012-11-07T22:05:00.006+00:00

For some reason it had never dawned on me to let both followers and new readers that I've moved to a new blog.

Fawn & Deer is a Life|Style|DIY blog not too different from The Tiny Atelier.

I wanted a fresh start while pregnant (bambino is now 3 months old) and the name is also used for my new Etsy shop, selling self designed and handmade jewellery with accessories coming soon.

Check out the blog HERE and the shop HERE.

You can also follow me HERE on twitter, HERE on pinterest and on instagram @fawnanddeer.

Thank you for following, reading and commenting on this blog and I hope to see you at my new home soon.

To Market, To Market

2011-11-20T21:58:00.001+00:00

What better way to get back into blogging than with a post for our good friends at Stour Space. There's only two Designer's Markets left before Christmas and just a couple days before you can grab some early presents this coming Saturday 26th.

But before we get into the crafty goodness and handmade goodies that will once again be available at the Space (as well as the plethora of designer makers now on-board) let's catch up on a few little changes over at Roach Road.

First things first, a bit of a face lift has taken place since last we visited...

Plus the edition of The Counter, an awarding winning cafe that has joined forces with Stour, serving up yumminess to all...

[www.thecountercafe.co.uk]

And one major change - Rebecca, Stour Space founder and director, went and got herself all married Up in Sweden (with a reception at a later date at Stour obviously!) so big congratulations to R xxx

Now on to the really good stuff - a sneak peek at what and whom you can expect to see at the end of the month...

Firstly, a designer/maker who's previously made an appearance on the TTA blog - 'Miwary' was evolved from Japanese crafts and English countryside shabby chic. Making accessories in East London, 'Miwary' has become so very Alice in Wonderland with fabric teacups, tiny felt boot brooches and sleeping baby bunnies...

As well as selling via etsy, markets and the online shop 'Miwary' also retail at 'Queenie & Ted' boutique on Columbia Road, who also just happen to be making an appearance at Stour this month with their own range of unique upcycled clothing. With fine art backgrounds, Linda Gray and Kally Laurence use vintage fabric, trimmings and buttons to create quirky fabric motifs from teapots to caravans and then work them into pre-loved garments...

If you prefer to do it yourself rather than have someone bring the craft for you then check out the goodies available from Emma Patterson. Normally heading up creative think tank 'Ickle M', the team behind 'craft+nana', Emma can be found selling finish it yourself Moss Terrariums and cute cake greetings cards...

For great little stocking fillers plus gorgeous handmade underwear (bookmark their Etsy page on your fella's laptop if you can't drag him to the market) check out Neeksie for sleep masks, heart hair clips and the aforementioned undergarments...

If you can't make it to the Designer's Market this month make sure to pop along on December 17th for festive goodies from the Stour Space collaborators or check out Stour Collective throughout the month for a showcase of work from over 40 of their in-house artists.

New Season Top 5 Picks: Uniqlo

2011-09-26T21:56:00.000+01:00

A/W11: Uniqlo

[The Tiny Atelier]

Extra Fine Merino Long Cardigan £29.90

Ultra fine Merino wool for less than thirty quid?

Available in four colours, our favourite is this this deep dark Dijon of a mustard.

Boat Neck Long Sleeve Stripe Tee £14.90

We love us some jersey here at TTA and what could be better than cream and chocolate Breton-style stripes?

Heat Tech Skinny Fit Straight Jeans £34.90

Everyone should have a good pair of skinny navy jeans in their wardrobe, especially when the colder weather hits. This pair have an added advantage that will help stave off the big chill even further - the Heat Tech technology actually creates heat from your body's own moisture, keeping you even toastier!

Cable Infinity Scarf £19.90

The snood (last winter's must have wardrobe staple) is given a luxurious twist in a cable knit wool blend, here in chocolate brown. It's length also means you can loop your arms through to wear as a shawl/cardigan...

Wool Short Duffle Coat £69.90

When you have no choice but to face the autumn wind do it in preppy style with this hip length duffle in forest green, a perfect offset to navy, mustard and chocolate.

The Little Shop That (Finally) Was

2011-09-24T00:34:00.000+01:00

While my parents gave me the middle name 'Marie' I'm pretty certain it should have been procrastination! I can't remember how many months it's been that I've been saying I would stock The Tiny Atelier shop again, and this time do it properly, but it never happened...until today.

With two weeks holiday from work coming to a close, and a lack of things to do thanks to my still healing ribs, I grabbed a few photos and started uploading. The whole store, layout, fonts, banner etc was already done so it was pretty quick and easy.

Hopefully the weather will be OK tomorrow so I can go out into the back garden with the cat (who is now under supervision due to climbing and getting stuck up a fence - the whole adventure ending with me up a step ladder so he could clamber onto me and then hide in my coat!) and get some more snaps and upload while the F1's on.

For now, here's a quick snapshot of the store's homepage or just head over their and take a look for yourself :)

Visit the shop!

Recipe: Herby Mushroom Pasta

2011-09-15T23:16:00.000+01:00

For lazy sofa days (like I'm having today - chest injury plus cold = not fun) when you've still got to create something yummy in the kitchen this is the perfect recipe. Not only does it use all fresh ingredients (no pre-made sauces here) it takes no longer than 10 mins including prep...

YOU WILL NEED:
250g sliced mushrooms
150ml vegetable stock
3 tablespoons cream cheese
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons wholegrain mustard
Handful of chopped parsley
Black pepper
Butter

Pasta

RECIPE: (serves 2 with a little leftovers - reheats well for lunch the next day)

First sautée the mushrooms and garlic in the butter. Rather than using a garlic press (which never seems to work out for me) or attempting to chop it small enough I use the small side of the grater...works a treat. Once the ingredients have softened and started to go slightly golden add the veg stock and keep the heat at a simmer. Add the mustard and LOTS of black pepper and stir through. Once the stock has reduced slightly then add the cream cheese, stirring quickly to create a sauce. Once the pasta is cooked (per packet instructions) add the parsley to the mushrooms. Drain the pasta then add a little at a time to the sauce mixing to coat.

Hello Liberty

2011-09-15T21:49:00.000+01:00

This has to be one of my favourite fashion collaborations - Japanese icon Hello Kitty and British institution Liberty of London. Using a mix of new prints and ones archived from the 30s the collab has brought about a range of products from cosmetics through stationary to alarm clocks and jewellery in the world renowned ditsy florals with a HK twist - Kitty Town features all of the Sanrio characters in a quaint English countryside setting, Music Festival sees Kitty playing her favourite instruments, Apple Tree features one of HKs favourite foods, Kitty Wonderland is a fantasy world with all of Kitty's favourite toys while Karenkubo is an adaptation of an original 30s print.

Launching exclusively at Liberty from September 26th.

'One Night Stand' - Oh Marc, You Minx!

2011-09-06T21:34:00.013+01:00

While nail wraps have always followed fashion's ever changing trends, and designers have already collaborated with the manicure market (think Giles Deacon and Wah Nails) Marc Jacobs has been the first to design a full collection of designs, with Minx. The series of wraps, named 'One Night Stand', are all limited edition and use colour palettes seen in Marc's own a/w 11 collection...

Devine Collaboration

2011-09-06T16:43:00.002+01:00

It's a double design duo collaboration from one of the fashion world's most renowned print makers and one of London's most outlandish handmade jewellery businesses - Eley Kishimoto and Tatty Devine have teamed up to create a collection inspired by EKs latest work. Titled 'Batmosphere', 'Rush' and 'Starstruck' the collection is a mix of necklaces and earrings using heart, star and bat motifs in Tatty's signature coloured and mirrored perspex, chunky chains and swarovski crystals.

Starting at £27 for the bat necklace (The Tiny Atelier's favourite icon of the range) the collection can be purchased from Tatty Devine Online.

Fall In To H&M

2011-09-04T14:50:00.000+01:00

I ♥ H&M when it comes to their autumn/winter stock and this season is no exception. However because I'm ~~trying to focus on~~ really focusing on getting as much of the homestead decorated/organised as possible and organising the business, buying into the brands array of mustard, stripes and tweed (think Annie Hall, geek-librarians and equestrain prints) will have to wait. Instead I'll sate my appetite with a few of these luxe-for-less accessories...

Ring £3.99

Earrings £5.99

Necklace £6.99

Hair Clip £2.99

Bracelets £3.99

Socks £6.99

Polish £1.99

5 A Day

2011-09-01T21:03:00.000+01:00

So last Sunday I did my first ever market at Humber Street Fruit Space in Hull - we didn't really know what to expect (we certainly didn't expect to be outside which caused a few problems with the pricing cards and framed sign) but they day as a whole was really successful so I'll definitely be doing it again at the end of September and, fingers crossed, some other fairs/markets before the end of the year. The ultimate dream...to do this full time (I worked out that if I sold at two markets a week with as good a sales as Fruit would earn me the same as my 36.5 hour job!)

Inspiration In The Strangest Of Objects

2011-09-01T19:57:00.002+01:00

Vintage Keyholes/Escutcheons

Vintage Decanter Labels

Vintage Ceramic Doll Parts

Amy Antoinette Guest Blog

2011-09-01T19:31:00.002+01:00

A few weeks ago I read a post on beauty/fashion/lifestyle blog Amy Antoinette asking for bloggers to send in posts to be considered for guest blogging while Amy was on honeymoon. Super excited to say that my post made it through and appeared on the site on Monday. Click here to read the post in full - it's all about last minute summer clothes shopping and the still on-trend bargains to be had via online stores.

Enjoy ♥

Emerald With Envy...

2011-09-01T18:01:00.001+01:00

...of Lulu Frost designer Lisa Salzer's overflowing with vintage apothecary drawers!

Oh Mon Dieu

2011-08-14T17:08:00.000+01:00

Does Karl Lagerfeld without his glasses remind anyone else of Roberto Cavalli dressed as the Chanel designer (even more so than before)?

Tutorial Trio - Three Days Of Nail Art

2011-08-06T20:58:00.000+01:00

Three quick nail tutorials then I'm gonna put a short term hold on the mani's as this 'bit of everything' blog is quickly turning into one all about nail art...

Left hand thumb nail in H&M Preppy, other nails in Miss Sporty (no 340, a kind of deep cherry) with a heart on the thumb in the darker colour - created by dotting the three points of a triangle with a kirby grip then continuously dotting to join them together and create the shape.

Red nail polish is Revlon Cherries in the Snow, grey polish is Mavala The Elle Grey (free with this months British Elle) - I used the red colour on the nails I would be wearing a ring on.

Nails Inc in Basil Street (my new favourite nude) with both pinky fingers edged in clear diamante (from a Poundland nail art kit).

Three Seperate Days, Three Nail Ways

2011-08-06T20:51:00.000+01:00

Three quick nail tutorials then I'm gonna put a short term hold on the mani's as this 'bit of everything' blog is quickly turning into one all about nail art...

Red nail polish is Revlon Cherries in the Snow, grey polish is Mavala The Elle Grey (free with this months British Elle) - I used the red colour on the nails I would be wearing a ring on.

Nails Inc in Basil Street (my new favourite nude) with both pinky fingers edged in clear diamante (from a Poundland nail art kit).

When Life Gives You Lemons...

2011-08-02T17:08:00.002+01:00

...don't make lemonade. It's time consuming and that time would be much better spent doing a little online shopping (or in my case window shopping) on the Internet superstore that is ASOS. I set myself a little £100 challenge...

Warehouse Full Midi Skirt £14

Cheap Monday Boyfriend Roll Sleeve Shirt £33

Triple Finger OMG Ring £10

G-Star Breton Stripe T-Shirt £33

Boyfriend T-Shirt £10

Pictures Of Pictures

2011-08-02T13:18:00.001+01:00

Photographer Ben Heine has kick started a new craze...Pencil vs Camera is an ongoing collection of photographs of scraps of paper filled with pencil doodles held over a real world image creating a whole new graphite world...

Winehouse Style Lives On

2011-08-02T12:54:00.000+01:00

While I in no way want to glamorise the way Amy Winehouse chose to live and end her life, it is undeniable that she was one of the greatest singers of our time as well as a British style icon. Winehouse's look will surely now live on in the thousands of imitators who take inspiration from her retro 1950s pin-up style, now even more so as ever before...

Adriana Lima. Love. 09.

Brooklyn Street Style. Mr Newton.

French Vogue. 08.

Backstage. Chanel. 07.

(1983-2011. RIP)

Vintage Bathrooms

2011-08-02T10:30:00.000+01:00

Fingers crossed in a few weeks we'll be installing a new bathroom suite into our house. Our current one is very bog standard (non-purposeful pun there) and cheap but we have been given a freestanding bath and pedestal sink so all we will need to buy is a new toilet. If the bathroom stays in the room it's in now then we'll just do a little touch-up decorating - it's quite spa-like with white floorboards, white muslin curtains and sand coloured walls and giant tiles. If, however, we are able to move it to the smaller 2nd bedroom I'm thinking a cosy vintage look will be in order - especially since this room houses one of the two original fireplaces. The space where the sink would go would also allow us to have a vanity unit! And I'm thinking of lots of extravagant, over-the-top details - chandelier light fitting, heavy pile cream carpet, vintage mirrors...Ooh the possibilities...

♥ the metro tiles, the vanity unit, the deep plum wall, the venetian glass mirror ♥

♥ vintage serving tray filled with bottles, jars and vintage trophy cups for storage ♥

♥ the vintage trolley filled with rolled up towels ♥

♥ the painted towel rail and the freestanding shower ♥

♥ the organised baskets and vintage ladder as towel holder ♥

Black Suede Disco Ball

2011-07-31T20:19:00.000+01:00

Another day, another nail tutorial try out from Makeup Savvy.

This was super easy, though time consuming to do - you're never going to be able to do this neatly which is a plus in that you don't have to have a steady hand and a negative because it takes an age to clean up between each coat. But boy is it worth it for the finished result.

The polishes I used where Revlon's Grey Suede, Miss Sporty's Black and Rimmel's Disco Ball (a mix of purple, blue, silver and holographic glitter).

You'll also need a make-up sponge for the stippling coat...click here for the original tutorial.

The original nails had a much greater volume of glitter but unfortunately I didn't have OPI to hand and Rimmel was the only glitter polish I could find on short notice.

The stippling is also something I will definitely be playing around with for other nails soon but for now...

Recipe: Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup

2011-07-24T16:54:00.000+01:00

When you need warming up or a little home comfort there's nothing better than a big bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup...I'm pretty certain it should have 'food of the gods' classification. There's no exact science to this recipe, the beauty of it being you just chuck everything in a pan and let it simmer. Serve with warm bread or crispy vegetable spring rolls.

YOU WILL NEED:
4 spring onions
3 chicken stock cubes
2 carrots
2 tbsp soya sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 chicken breast
1 small red pepper
1 small can sweetcorn
Rice noodles
Salt & pepper

RECIPE: (makes two large bowls)

1. In a large pan place the stock cubes, soya sauce, sesame oil, a little salt and plenty of pepper. Fill 3/4 full with boiling water and simmer on a low-medium heat

2. Top and tail the carrots, cut in to quarters length ways then chop in to chunks and add to the pot

3. De-seed the pepper and chop in to small chunks and add to the pot as well

4. Slice the chicken breast in to strips and cut into mouth size pieces and add to the stock

5. Add the drained can of sweetcorn

6. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes

7.Slice the spring onions (include as much of the green stalk as possible) and break up two big handfuls of noodles (you can use wide or thin rice noodles), add to the pot, stir and leave for about 5 minutes until the noodles are cooked (less time if using thin noodles)

8. Before serving taste the stock to check for seasoning and then enjoy!

Vintage At Vintage

2011-07-24T00:44:00.000+01:00

As of yesterday The Tiny Atelier handmade with vintage jewellery is available to purchase from Vintage Cafe in Hull!

The back room is host to a monthly rotation of local artists, photographers, crafters and makers and for the next for weeks my frames filled with charm necklaces, earrings, rings and brooches will be there...

Plus this Wednesday the cafe is hosting a Cake & Couture evening - £2.50 a ticket with a free drink and something yummy to eat. I'll be there selling everything on the wall plus a few other pieces alongside handmade and vintage clothing and some amazing photography!

Edible Gardening In All Its Forms

2011-07-23T17:56:00.000+01:00

While I'm not by any stretch of the imagination what you would call green fingered I do like fresh herbs when I'm cooking (I've also started making my own flavoured oils but more on that another time). After managing to bring a forlorn, reduced section basil plant back to life with a new pot and some sunshine I decided to actually try the whole process from scratch by planting some parsley seeds. Needless to say I buggered it up to begin with and the boy had to remove some of the too heavy layer of soil and placed over the top but they seem to be doing OK so far...

Flourishing little basil plant originally purchased for 39p from Tesco

Parsley sprouts watched over by a little gnome

Both of the planters have their own terracotta engraved name tags which we found dumped in the back garden when we first moved in.

Finally I had to show off something my mum just made. She makes cakes, cupcakes and cake pops for a living and was asked by a friend of mine to do some cupcakes and pops with a gardening theme...

Vanilla sponge and frosting with sunflower, carrots, gardening gloves, seed packet, rose and watering can with pumpkin (all made by hand)

Ladybird, bumblebee and strawberry vanilla cakepops

Neither A High Nor A Low

2011-07-23T17:29:00.002+01:00

As promised here's what I picked up yesterday...

Midi skirt!

So I did say I was looking for a black one over any other colour but when it's made of jersey and priced at 75p you can't really say no can you?

[worn with TS Boutique vest, 3 quid battered belt and Casio watch]