The Great Interior Design Challenge - the morning after the night before

hello!

did you watch it last night?

I think the whole series is brill, such a great format.

I filmed the episode back in September, hence the tanned glow and tiny frocks, so it has been a long wait to see the final cut and also to keep it a secret from you.

I have been very controlled in not immediately blogging last night but I always find that a nights sleep is best, particularly when one is on the wrong side of merry.

What I want to get across in this blog post is just the bits that the time constraint forced out on the TV show. There are elements of the design that are important to me and therefore important that I talk about…if you know what I mean. I am not being all serious about it (fat chance) it is just in my head and it needs to come out.

I sprayed the basic Ikea table trestles green. I left Ricardo a little note on the typewriter

  Firstly, let me tell you what my take on Interior Design is, without using Wikipedia, and don't forget I have no experience and no training. This may soon become obvious ;-)

In my mind it is all rather simple.

 Do what the client wants, make their ideas look ace and design the room and its furniture to suit the way they live/use the room. That is basically what I did.

Ricardo wanted a new minimalist look. He did NOT want the hidden storage. We removed the double wardrobes, a massive job might I add. It certainly looked hard work from where I was sitting (with my cappuccino).

I knew that he wanted a grown up desk area and I knew from the start that this would be the perfect space for it. 

The desk would double up as a relaxed eating area because obviously, his table and chairs were now gone (god knows where?).

 I added vintage school stools, that stacked, and could easily be placed around the table for an impromptu gathering. Ricardo looked like an impromptu gathering kinda guy.

I absolutely have to point out that Sophie Robinson mentioned Ricardo had nowhere to place his unsightly bills and paper work, Uh, 2 filing cabinets right there!!

I added some wooden shutters to the window.

This was high on Ricardos wish list.

The sofa (we will hit on that elephant in a mo), is a sofa bed, guests would sleep in this room so he wanted the ability to black out the window. I think the shutters were fab and I know Ricardo was delighted.

I was really keen to add an industrial style light.

I made this using a very basic and low cost mechanics inspection lamp, and added an up to date wire shade. I spray painted the lamp to a dark green shade to tie it in with the other lights.

I am going to make one of these for my house.

The total cost was £18 and you get a really long flex which enables one to hook it and hang it wherever one pleases. I am a great fan of hooking and hanging.

My up cycling appears a little, shall we say half hearted….it probably was, BUT, in my defence with the whole creative thing, I had very little scope to be as creative as I would have wished.

Ricardo wanted very little colour, no pattern and definitely no florals. I was itching to get a stitchin but it forced me out of my comfort zone and I loved that about it.

The TV stand worked brilliantly for all its simplicity and it looked pretty good. Luckily the judges agreed.

From a functional point of view, Ricardo had the problem of lifting his TV out of the way every time he opened up the sofa bed. His new fancy pants, moveable media unit (its getting serious) was the perfect solution. I think he was planning on getting all creative with the crates once we had shipped out so its all good.

The wallpaper…..oh god the wallpaper.

What a hoohaa!

What was I to do? paint the walls grey?

I liked it, I love a bit of drama.

If you are into a bit of faux brick, firstly keep it to yourself and secondly pop on here and you can buy it for just £20 a roll.

the ladder was a hit!

I did buy Ricardo a new sofa within my £1000 budget. It was a second hand find but it was cool, it was a sofa bed and when I was told that he would like to keep his existing one I was not amused.

This soon passed as do most of my emotions.

I had to make the best of the sofa but I know that it would have looked a darn sight better, and more polished, had I got my own way but lets face it, I got my own way with the wallpaper so I really can't complain.

Overall I thought it was a truly great experience.

I got fantastic feedback on Twitter etc

You have been utterly amazing and I have realised more than anything that I have the most wonderful family and friends.

Big congrats to the winner of our heat Luke, well deserved and Dee, if you could only see everything that poor, lovely woman had to cope with you would've cried for her. She coped so well.

My builder Johnny was a diamond, I miss him and I also loved my camera man Charlie. I hope they read this and know I appreciated them.

I am now drawing to the end of my most important speech. If you have read to this point without dozing off then I will send you a free gift ;-)

Thanks for reading. x

lets see Ricardo one more time!

Oooh Betty Peg Doll collection

Hello!

I have been busy over the last couple of weeks trying to decide on what to do next on a creative level.

Maybe wanting a change, and to get away from woodland creatures - not literally!

If you have followed my blog for a while you will know that I love peg dolls, always have.

My little peg doll kits are always a hit at the fairs and they make great gifts for teachers and friends so I decided to extend them into a little Spring/Summer range

I have recently been slightly more involved in Pinterest, using it for boys bedroom ideas and inspiration and I just love all the peg doll creations, some painted to look like a family, some the characters in Star Wars and some just very simple….a bit like mine.

I am sharing my makes today in the hope that you like them and that you can give me some honest feedback. 

I think I am pleased with them.

All my cushions are made using wool fabric and good felt (v.important).

I like the fact that I can make them to suit individual people and families. Quite good as a wedding gift?

night night

create your own style house front
dog tooth fabric handle

use the chalk pen on the inside of the box too!

The pics above are my fave creation.

It is a mini, carry along suitcase doll house.

It is painted in blackboard paint and will come with a chalk pen.

The design on the outside and the inside can be tailored to the owner of the house case.

It comes with the family members of your choice and in the future it can be added to.

I just like my case to be opened on my sideboard.

I am hoping it will appeal to big people and little people.

Finally I have tweaked my peg doll kits a little to fit in with my new range (hark at me with a range).

I will be adding all these items to my Etsy shop today and then hoping for the best!

Thanks for reading and I hope you like x

Maurice - Pop Up Shop

                                                                          Hello!

The last few days have been just a little hectic.

I have had a trip to Harrrogate, a Secret Tea Party, A Lo-Fi Christmas Party, a trip to the Manchester Christmas Markets but more than anything I have been working with Maurice, out on the drive.

Maurice has been a bit redundant since the weather turned chilly.

I was finding it hard to look at him through the window…all neglected and lonesome.

but then an idea sprang to mind, a most brill idea.

Could Maurice become a little mobile shop for an upcoming special event?

Could that event be the Vintage Village Christmas Market weekend spectacular?

After a chat and a coffee with Mrs Vintage Village maurice and I were in. 

I have not been so excited about anything in quite a while!

Maurice would get a new special Christmas coat

Maurice would spill vintage treasure from his door, suitcases, mirrors, toys….

Inside he would become a sleek, retro inspired gift shop.

He would sell the best PRINTS

His little sliding doors would be slid right back to reveal pretty pottery and retro plastics.

Now let me tell you something in a bossy fashion if I may (I'm going to anyway).

I have kept a lot of treasure in my secret treasure chest, out of sight of my camera.

The pictures you see above are a mere taster of what is to come, mere snippets of how Maurice will look on the day.

I will be at Vintage Village, with Maurice on Friday, Saturday and of course, the biggie, Sunday

You absolutely must come and visit us.

Here are all the details for The Vintage Village Merry Little Christmas Fair

It is not to be missed!!

Come and say hi, there will be a spare seat in Maurice if you need to rest those weary shopping feet.

Thanks for reading. x

New Shop!

so, this is what has happened...

after much deliberation, I have decided to be a brave teddy, and open a Big Cartel shop

Etsy has never really worked for me, I think that the stuff that I sell gets lost among its huge expanse of shelves, shelves that reach all around the world, lets be honest

I am going to keep a few things in my Etsy shop but I really feel the need to move along a little

I have just struggled, for approximately and hour to add my domain name to the Big Cartel shop, I will only know for sure that this has worked in 24-48 hours (or so the big gigs at 123-reg tell me)

maybe tomorrow I will be able to type in www.ooohbetty.co.uk and I will be magically transported to my brand new shop

please pray for this to happen, I need all the help I can get!!

not too sure how it will all work out?

will the 'cushion needing public' find my new shop?

lets not worry hey

here are the new cushions I have made and these are the pics I have used on Big Cartel

 your feedback would be muchly helpful

obvs, I will be adding my badger cushions and fox cushions before the week is out, they are so nearly made, just the boring bit to do

I have made them using some rather nice autumnal woollen fabrics that are just perfect for cozying up ones sofa

I am also planning on creating new design critters and characters

these are still a work in progress but they will replicate the characters on all my cushions

lastly, as I do feel like I am wittering rather, I am going to be selling vintage homewares in the shop

only things that I really love and would really like to keep myself ;-)

watch this space and watch out for the new link that will hopefully (god willing), transport us magically to the new Oooh Betty premises...PLEASE WORK

thanks for reading. x

Lo Fi Dreamkeepers

Last week I was most happy to be asked to be a part of one of the LoFi craft groups in a more official capacity.

As you know, LoFi night is my most fave night of the month.

I get to sit with my friends, eat nice food, chat, and create something fantastic.

I have learnt a lot of new skills...needle felting, patchwork and I have met some very special people.

a little bit of inspiration courtesy of Nico and an extract from the BFG

Nico aka Ms Ophelia Button and I decided to make 'Dreamkeepers"

After seeing so many beautiful dreamcatchers around in shops, craft magazines and the like, we chose to give the idea a little twist, and not only catch our dreams, but keep them in a safe place forever.

hard at it

 Nico and myself did a practice run at my house, helped along with pink lemonade and chocolate cake.

The design that worked best was to build up the dream in the lid of the jar, decorating the actual jar with paper or fabric.

The jar could then be screwed in place over the lid.

My jar contained one of my Fimo figures of an old lady, happy and healthy and wearing her hair in a bun. I also added a pretty mug and a sweet little cake (things that make me happy). 

Most importantly in my jar was a little silver typewriter and an Oooh Betty book.

My biggest dream is to write a book.

The typewriter was one of my mums charms, given to her when she got her first job at the Daily Mail in Manchester.

not so hard at ;-)

Some of the LoFiers glued their trinkets into the jar lid, others created a floating effect using cotton or wire (I used wire).

One of our favourites was a girls dream of having big hair....brilliant!

work in progress

 Between myself and Nico we took fabrics, buttons, trims, trinkets, doll heads, beads and lots more.

nature inspired dream keeper

It was so interesting seeing all the dreamy creations.

Even Mr Betty got involved in the practice session and created a travel inspired dream keeper.

favourite things dream keeper (Ms Beths)

Belle and Boo/ Nico and her bunny Pantoufle

dreams of a healthy old age, tea, cake and an Oooh betty book...by me

I can't wait to find out what we will be making next month and I am also hoping that I get asked to be a LoFi helper again sometime in the future.

If you want to read the official Craft Mafia LoFI post you can find it here

You can also use the link to find out all the Manchester Craft Mafia events.

Thanks for reading and I hope you feel inspired to dream x

Hard At It...

Hello!


Today I have spent pretty much all day holed up in my new, bijou work room.....more on that later.

What have you been doing I hear you ask.
I have been busy making foxes I answer politely.
Pesky little foxes might I add.

               And I have been making boxes for those pesky little foxes. 

        

I have also been busy developing my new kitty packaging and all will be revealed tomorrow, if I have time. I do need to focus on Saturdays fair and OOB (other Oooh Betty) and I will be having a major conflab tomorrow which will require seriousness, coffee and I am hoping some of her world famous lentil soup!

The fair is all about crafts and vintage. There is also a record fair for the blokes (this is how we sell it to them).

It is being held at 2022NQ which is on Dale street, Manchester in the Northen Quarter. A very trendy part of town which suits as I myself can sometimes be trendy when the need arises.

We will be appearing in all our glory (not naked, are you mad?) from 12 onwards and we have some cool stuff....sneaky pre peek tomorrow.

Talking of sneaky pre peeks, and on to my bijou workroom, I have caravan news.

Maurice is complete!

Mr Betty and I worked ourselves flat out....not like that you filthy lot...

I am only ready to give a peek at the mo.

Not too sure why? I tell you everything!

Maybe I need to keep it for myself for a bit ;)

I'm not sure.

I will be talking about Maurice a lot more very soon but what I can say is that I absolutely love him.

He has heat, he has tunes (radio 2/radio 6M) and I can pop in to the west wing of the house and get hot tea whenever the mood takes me.

I can't wait to show you around properly.

Thanks for reading and I must add, being the serious business type woman that I am, my foxes are now available in my https://www.etsy.com/listing/111866088/fox-in-a-box shop.

I need to take better pics when the light is better (probably sometime next July) but I thought I would pop them on the shelves anyway...just in case. x