Homemade by Ros Badger

Pop up Christmas Sale poster

2011-12-04T15:48:00.001Z

Christmas pop up shop invite

2011-11-29T07:45:00.000Z

ITS LOVELINESS INCREASES 9TH & 10TH DECEMBER

2011-11-25T12:50:00.002Z

MY NEXT POP UP SHOP WILL BE ON FRIDAY 9TH AND SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER

just made lots of hand printed Christmas cards

to buy them and many more treasures visit

www.itslovelinessincreases.com

POP UP SHOP May 6th 7th & 8th

2011-04-27T07:20:00.000+01:00

Busy busy busy....buying new stock and setting up my next POP UP SHOP, another outing for
Its Loveliness Increases
May 6th 7th & 8th.......

As part of Dulwich Festival open Artist's Houses. I will be selling a collection of art, antiques textiles and beautiful ephemera.
Please pass this information on to anyone in the London are that may be interested.

My space

2011-03-20T21:13:00.001Z

http://www.myspace.com/564711833
Click on this link to hear my daughter singing her own compositions on My Space.
This is a picture of her modelling for Little Badger about 9 years ago....

Prince's Foundation Eco House at the Ideal Home Show

2011-03-10T17:28:00.000Z

For the past 6 weeks I have been working with brilliant set designer Christina Moore creating stylish interior textiles using only vintage and found fabrics. These pieces are now on show in an eco house designed for the Princes Foundation, on display at this year's Ideal Home show at Earls Court exhibition centre London, from 11th -27th March.
Christina has been the interior designer on the job, sourcing antiques from fairs across the UK, finding British designer pieces and generally pulling together the look of the house. I have been lucky enough to be part of her 4 woman team along with artist Thomasin Smith and stain glass expert and interior designer Dee.
All of my pieces upcycle old fabrics. I have made roman blinds, bolsters, cushions and rugs as well as a pair of patchwork curtains for a teenager's bedroom using denim, vintage pyjama fabric and ticking alongside fabric dyed with woad in France last October. I have also made a wall hanging of an owl from one of Thomasin's design.

I am waiting for official photographs, which I will post later, but here are two cushions taken when still work in progress.

I cut down this old tea tray cloth and made it into a cushion having first chain stitched 'cheeky' to gently subverse the tweeness of this piece!


Hand embroidered 'Love' onto a pure wool cushion made from an old Welsh blanket

patchwork owl from an illustration by Thomasin Smith

As soon as I have more images I will post them here...

Finally back

2011-02-17T17:44:00.000Z

After months of not posting I am back but before I start posting again
here are some images of my last sale the weekend before Christmas.
Better late than never....

The snow came down just as the sale began adding to the festive spirit and luckily not effecting sales!.

Hand Sale

2010-11-17T14:26:00.000Z

I am taking part in the delightful HAND SALE shop at 20th century Theatre

291 Westbourne Grove (off Portobello road) W11

Thursday 18th November, Preview evening 6-9pm

Friday 19th 10-8pm and Saturday 20th 10-6pm

Its Loveliness Increases December Flyer

2010-11-05T18:04:00.004Z

Re-Inventing Textiles & Woad.

2010-10-15T13:38:00.001+01:00

So I am back, after a wonderful week teaching 'Re-Inventing Vintage French Textiles'
at Chateau Dumas in the hamlet of Auty, SW France.

I had a wonderful group of students from across the world, from Perth in Scotland to Traverse City Michigan USA. (a place I now want to visit).

The pictures speak for themselves but one of the highlights was the dyeing with Woad on Wednesday 6th October, led by the wonderful Denise, who has reminded Toulouse of their heritage.

Before.....

Have a look at Krishenkas blog where she tells the story in full.

I have been asked back to lead two more holiday courses in 2011 so do have a look at the website and sign up for details. There are two major publications publishing pieces about the courses early next year so get in early!

I will see you there.....

Its Loveliness Increases (again)

2010-09-20T17:41:00.004+01:00

My next pop up shop dates
NOvember 18th 6-9pm
November 19th and 20th
as part of Hand shop at
20th Century Theatre
Westbourne Grove
London W11

December 3rd 4th and 5th and 17th and 18th.

www.itslovelinessincreases.com

I have acquired lots of beautiful things to sell and will continue buying between now and the sale dates.

Please spread the word and ask friends to register their interest by emailing
treasures@itslovelinessincreases.com

RE-INVENTING VINTAGE FRENCH TEXTILES

2010-07-11T15:58:00.002+01:00

In October I will be leading a week long residential workshop titled Re-Inventing Vintage French Textiles at the spectacular Chateau Dumas in South West France. Inspired by Homemade, (which now has an American publication date November 2010) I have adapted ideas and created lots of new projects mostly using the Chatelaine's wonderful collection of vintage French fabrics, lace, labels and buttons. There will also be a trip to a local market, visits to brocantes and a day spent in a wooded glade in the grounds dyeing fabric using the traditional method of woad dyeing If you are interested in the course or indeed any of the courses run at Chateau Dumas, email enquiries@chateaudumas.net or visit the website. Meanwhile...... A few strange things happened while I was there which made me think that my wonderful friend Elspeth Thompson was with me in spirit. On my first evening I noticed 2 old copies of Interiors magazine in the library. I picked one up at random, (July 2008) and it fell open on the page showing a feature on Elspeth's railway carriage home. Then later that day while wandering around the chateau I saw a vintage book 'The Week-end Book' published by Nonesuch press in 1928 ,a forerunner to Elspeth's own book 'The wonderful weekend book'. How I wish I could ask her if she knew about this book or if it was the inspiration. Adieu....

ITS LOVELINESS INCREASES

2010-06-30T22:01:00.001+01:00

The Byrds - Ballad Of Easy Rider

2010-06-10T11:49:00.000+01:00

Dennis Hopper

2010-06-10T11:09:00.003+01:00

I was so sorry to hear about the death of the brilliant Dennis Hopper Here he is 6 years ago with his then wife Victoria and daughter Galen wearing a LITTLE BADGER Easy Rider T shirt that I designed as part of my childrenswear range. Flame on Dennis

its loveliness did increase...

2010-05-11T18:02:00.008+01:00

I couldn't find my camera to photograph how beautiful everything looked at the start of the sale day on friday but here are some images taken later... A vintage cobalt blue pharmaceutical bottle from the 20's or 30's note the CHERRY flavoured poison label! whatever does that mean? Candlesticks by Carolyn Brooks-Davis, director and designer of hats for 25 years. Fred Bare Untitled oil painting by the ever gorgeous and talented Mary Mathieson currently responsible for the incredible window displays at the I love gorgeous shop in Ledbury Road London W11 Peppi Taylor's wonderful jewellery. Figs on a pewter plate (still for sale) A regency chair used in the film Bright Star and sat on by the lovely Ben Wishaw who played Keats.

ITS LOVELINESS INCREASES, POP UP SHOP

2010-04-28T09:22:00.011+01:00

ITS LOVELINESS INCREASES Is a new pop up shop created by Ros Badger; designer, stylist and author of Homemade. www.rosbadger.com Karen Long; designer and prop buyer for films most recently Bright Star. http://www.brightstarthemovie.co.uk/ among others. We have used our extensive design and styling experience to select a diverse range of unexpected objet d'art, antique furniture, textiles, lighting, vintage clothes, jewellery, paintings and much more. All items are for sale, styled to inspire in Ros' home in North Dulwich, London SE24 . May 7th 10.30am - 6pm May 8th 11am - 5pm Prices range from £2.50 to £1500 contact me for the address. All friends and friends of friends are welcome. Spread the word please.

ELSPETH THOMPSON

2010-03-31T07:17:00.012+01:00

JUNE 1961 - MARCH 2010 WONDERFUL, GRACEFUL,BEAUTIFUL, INSPIRING, GENEROUS,TRUE,UNDERSTANDING, LOYAL, CREATIVE, JOYOUS, PEACEFUL, CALM ELSPETH, GODMOTHER TO MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER. ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS. I WILL LOVE AND MISS HER FOREVER.

Sadlers Wells, Peacock Theatre.

2009-10-07T12:02:00.004+01:00

This weekend I shall be leading 'before show' family workshops to coincide with the Mischief performance at London's Sadlers Wells Peacock theatre. Goody bags will be available to make at home or better still come along an hour before the show and use the materials to make 'mad' characters like these. Pin them to the large foam character in the stalls bar and the most creative will win a prize.

Alternative craft

2009-09-23T12:35:00.014+01:00

Here are a few pictures of my stand at the alternative Craft fete. taken by NIgel Aono-Bilson whose wife Hiroko was exhibiting her wonderful Blue field collection on the next stall. Do look at the Home live art site for lots more images from a wonderful weekend. It was a huge success and one I hope to return to next year.

I have a stand at this event on September 26th where I will be selling copies of my signed book and a few other homemade bits and bobs.

For the second year in a row, innovative live art and performance company,Home Live ART, presents a riotous weekend of artist’s, craft and produce stalls, performances and participatory activities which re-interpret the traditional village fete for the urban environment of the National Theatre. At 12pm each day the Fete will be opened by a special Guest Star from the National Theatre…. Saturday will revolve around a vibrant stage programme - including a mass ukulele jam, contemporary barn dance, participatory skipping & hoola hooping and a spectacular bird of prey demonstration – alongside a wealth of fun, participatory fete based games and interactions that bring our traditional craft making practices into the 21st Century. The Legendary Miss Amy Lame invites you to make a pom pom for peace, while you can brush up on your knitting, sewing and craft skills.

Re-Inventing vintage French textiles

2009-09-17T16:53:00.004+01:00

This week I had a meeting with ChateauDumas and I have confirmed that I will be leading 2 residential workshops in 2010 titled

RE-Inventing Vintage French Textiles.

All guests stay in the Chateau which is in Auty, a small hamlet north of Toulouse .

The studio workshop is in this old gatehouse.

For more information please contact lizzie enquiries@chateaudumas.net

I am also involved in Sophie Conran's Temple Guiting project. I will be making christmas decorations at the first house party event in November along with Sophie, Maxine Clarke and Nikki Tibbles from Wild at Heart.

MAJORCA

2009-06-08T20:12:00.010+01:00

I love Majorca At the end of May while on holiday there I discovered an amazing FREE gallery in Soller with an exhibition of ceramics by Pablo Picasso and beautiful paintings and etchings by Joan Miro. My other favourite place in Majorca is Deia where Robert Graves lived and is buried. This rock at Cala Deia is nicknamed Henry Moore's rock. On the last day I found this 1950's (rather non-PC) tray in the apartment where I was staying, it seemed to match perfectly with the retro shop sign and post box I had seen earlier in the day. Happy days.

BOOK LAUNCH

2009-05-20T15:44:00.011+01:00

Finally...... Some pictures from the Homemade book launch. English champagne from Chapel Down in Kent, served by Martha and two of her teenage friends. Homemade Elderflower cordial made in early Summer 2008 in old lemonade bottles in front of a jug of foliage from Elspeth's seaside garden. It was also my birthday and a friend gave me these amazing chocolate buttons. VV Rouleaux, with it's ribbons, bows, feathers and trimmings couldn't have been a better choice.

Thanks to

2009-05-11T16:38:00.003+01:00

Thanks to The women's room for putting Homemade on their book list. I love the look of the papered parlour their feature from May 7th. I will be dropping in there before long. The Papered Parlour, 10.30am-6pm, 7 Prescott Place, SW4 6BS, 020 7627 8703

2009-04-28T15:02:00.010+01:00

Despite being a few days before the official publication date Homemade is now in bookshops and is available from online bookstores. Thanks to all who have made it possible but especially to Elspeth. Elspeth and I talked about working on a joint book project for many years and finally this is the fruit of all of those conversations. We have combined our talents and this is the result. Illustrating the way we both live. Economically yet stylishly and without costing the earth. Thanks to Ben for capturing all of our ideas so beautifully with his amazing photographs. I hope you will enjoy Homemade as much as we have enjoyed making it.

The school trip

2009-04-27T16:05:00.007+01:00

My youngest daughter has gone on a 4 day residential school trip. I found this book by Arthur Ransome, of Swallows and Amazons fame. I love the maps and diagrams I hope it may inspire her. splotchers....... I hope there isn't too much blooding going on!

I love beach huts

2009-04-13T10:49:00.007+01:00

especially if they are faded and distressed. The gaps are where huts washed away in a recent storm. Cromer Norfolk

Easter, Simnel cake and Trug

2009-04-12T11:30:00.005+01:00

Easter trug With only 2 weeks left to the publication of Homemade here are a few more pictures to tempt you. You can also see some of our other Easter ideas on Elspeth's blog. Simnel cake Ben Murphy, photographed all these Easter images over a year ago. He uses a slightly different name on the book as these photographs are not his usual style.

Rodchenko, Popova and Sonia Delaunay

2009-04-06T17:18:00.008+01:00

The Rodchenko and Popova exhibition at Tate Modern on London's south bank didn't impress my daughters much, but I found the show interesting, particularly Popova's textile designs. These exciting patterned fabrics were mass-produced in Russia around the beginning of the 20th century. Printed with harsh, bright colours they were unlike anything being produced in the West at the time. They became commercially successful. Indeed all Moscow was wearing clothes using fabrics designed by Popova without ever knowing that they were 'designer'. I could clearly see the similarity with the work of Sonia Delaunay whose designs I became aware of in the early 1990's. I created a series of hand knits for Betty Jackson, based on some of Delaunay's prints.

Easter

2009-03-25T22:19:00.007Z

With Spring finally here and HOMEMADE ready to hit the bookshops on May 5th, here are two taster ideas for Easter.

Mist

2009-02-20T21:55:00.007Z

Chapman's Pool. Mist is rising.... and decsending

I love this sign So modern........

Saul Steinberg, Dulwich Picture gallery and the telephone box

2009-02-20T10:18:00.010Z

While in Dorset this week I spotted this weather beaten telephone box on the seafront in Swanage. There are very few of these design classics left standing on the streets of Britain. In 1924 the Royal Fine Arts Commission invited 3 respected architects to submit designs for a telephone box. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott won. He was a trustee of the Sir John Soane’s museum at the time, and the shape of the roof of the Dulwich Picture Gallery mausoleum, my local gallery, influenced his design. Last Sunday saw the end of one of the most exciting exhibitions Dulwich Picture gallery has ever hosted.

Saul Steinberg

Illuminations. One of the most inspiring illustrators and artists of the 20th century, the show was amazing. Some of his most iconic images were on display.

Valentines....

2009-02-07T10:06:00.019Z

Do you or don't you send valentines? I do....but it has to be Homemade. ......except for last year. Having just been commissioned for the Homemade book, I was tempted on Etsy.com to buy this delicious Rob Ryan print for my sweetheart of 25 years, an investment me thinks. Over the years I have received many beautiful Valentines from my true love. Strawberry jam toast lovingly cut to spell I love you; Poems hand written and painted onto old postcards but my all time favourite has to be the one that Elspeth wrote about in her Wonderful Weekend book. A polaroid photograph of a heart, with his shoes on one side and mine on the other. So romantic, expressing more than any words, walking the same road, each a half of the whole. Simple ideas are the best. I love this heart shape that I found fossilized onto a rock while walking in Dorset. Buttons or shells threaded onto fuse wire then shaped to form a heart. Or this wooden heart with a crackle paint effect. Paper cutouts, not quite Rob Ryan but still beautiful when lovingly crafted. I have knitted and sewn and I have baked heart shaped cakes, all for my valentine. My latest labour of love is adapted from The Homemade book. A take on the traditional victorian sand cushion. The making ethic has now naturally passed to my teen treasure, albeit in the manner of creating a photograph. . Already a bit of an old hand and teaching her Mother new tricks, this was last year's model, I love the "my funny Valentine" music on the piano. I wonder what she will produce this year.

4 miles from central London

2009-02-02T12:51:00.012Z

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? -J. B. Priestley

Knitted coat hanger pattern

2009-01-29T14:03:00.019Z

Covering an old wooden hanger brightens up your wardrobe as well as stopping clothes from slipping off. Inspired by 1940's make do and mend and remembering seeing similar hangers in my grandmother's wardrobe when I was a child, I wrote a pattern for my book, Instant Expert knitter.This is based on that pattern. There is also another version in my new book Homemade. This knitted coat hanger cover couldn't be easier to knit. A simple length of garter st (knit every row), without any shaping to confuse a novice knitter. As well as the yarn you will need: a wooden coat hanger, mine measured 45cm long and 2cm wide and some dried lavender. My local health food shop sells 25grms of dried lavender for 40p, an absolute bargain. I used 4 ply mercerised cotton as I like the sheen but any 4ply yarn, cotton or wool would work, approx 20 grm. Thread for embroidery and knitting needles 2.75mm (UK 12) Pattern With 2.75mm (UK 12) needles and your yarn, cast on 17sts and work in garter st (knit every row) until your strip measures the length of your hanger when slightly stretched. cast off. To cover the hanger, find the centre of your work in both length and width and slip over the hanger hook. Stitch the strip together on the underside of your hanger with a neat catch stitch. Sew both ends. If you want an instant finish, Wrap the hanger hook with yarn securing it at either end with a blob of PVA glue. alternatively cast on 38sts (measure your hanger hook and adjust accordingly if this seems too long or short), work 4rows of garter st. cast off. Fold the piece around the hook and sew edges together so that the hook is covered, catch to your hanger cover to avoid hook cover slipping off. Knitted lavender bag With 2.75mm needles cast on 22sts and work in garter stitch for 4 rows then work in st st for 20cm, work 4 rows garter st and cast off. With a contrast thread embroider in chain stitch a motif onto the front of bag. a heart, flower or an initial are a few ideas. Fold the bag in half, cast on edge to cast off edge, and sew both side seams. With a crotchet hook make a 30cm chain, thread this through the top of the bag, approx 2cm from top.. Fill the bag with lavender or pot pouri then pull crotchet chain tie to secure the bag,tie in a bow or knot and hang over the hook of the hanger. Other ideas Be adventurous and thrifty at the same time by using up odds and ends of yarn and knit a striped cover instead of plain, you can sew in the ends at the same time as sewing the seam. If you are a beginner and daunted by the lavender bag, you could sew a bag from a scrap of vintage fabric and attach that to the hanger instead with a piece of ribbon. www.dried-lavender-bag.co.uk sell lavender on line This beautiful hand made embroidered silk coat hanger was given to me by Sarah Stuart when I ran my mail order business Little Badger. We sold these exquisite hangers and this remaining one hangs in my youngest daughter's room with a favourite dress hanging from it. This orange hanger is a particular gem, it belonged to my beautiful friend Em. It is tightly knitted in chunky nylon yarn, very 1970's, but so well made and such a fab colour that it's a beauty. I am always on the look out for hangers, whether with knitted or fabric covers or occasionally I have seen painted ones. I have found many over the years in thrift/charity shops and at Portobello market, my favourite Friday morning hunting ground. This is my most recent find, probably mass produced, as it's definitely not hand made, but lovely colours and a sweet idea to sew pretty little crochet flowers along it's length.

Burns Night

2009-01-25T14:21:00.011Z

Tonight being Burn's night means Neeps 'n' Tatties and a Macsween's Vegetarian haggis in my house. I am going to try Henrietta Green, of Farmers’ Markets fame, swede and horseradish mash as an alternative to my usual separate dollop of mash and neeps. Use equal quantities of neeps(swede) and potato,1 kg of each will feed 4 people. Floury potatoes work best, Cara, Desiree, Golden Wonder, King Edwards, Maris Bard, Romano are all good. Boil separately until soft. Mash, adding lots of butter and creamed horseradish to taste. Don't forget the wee dram of scotch whisky and to read Robbie's Ode to the Haggis.

My Homemade life

2009-01-24T18:44:00.009Z

Inspired by my close friend Elspeth Thompson I have decided to try and post regularly on this blog. Elspeth and I have finished our book, HOMEMADE, published by Collins on May 5th. Homemade Gorgeous Things To Make With Love is a beautiful and timely book that celebrates the current revival in making things. including more than 70 original and inspiring projects - from unusual ideas for Valentine’s Day to fabulous cushions, foolproof jam, summer bunting, the perfect beach bag and homemade Christmas decorations. This blog is about what inspires my Homemade life.

Seaweed

2008-03-04T13:14:00.002Z

Seaweed