The Winner is...

The name drawn out of the hat this morning as the winner of my little giveaway is.....

Sharon at Bluebells & Lavender!

Please let me have your address details so that I can send your copy of the Jeanne D'Arc Living magazine!

Ali x

My gift to you ~ Jeanne D'Arc Living Treat

Long time no speak....

So, by way of a little treat to my fellow bloggers, followers and customers to say thank you for your continued support and comments, I have a little giveaway...

The current, most lovely and inspirational issue of Jeanne D'Arc Living magazine!

I have been selling this gorgeous publication via my website and at fairs for just over a year now and have built up a great following of subscribers and regular customers ~ thank you for loving it as much as I do!

This is a really inspiring issue. Sometimes I look at beautifully styled photographs of interiors and feel that they are unachievable in our real, often less than perfect lives and homes, but this week I decided to experiment and tried to re~create some of the ideas in the magazine. OK, I know my house is not on the same scale and I probably don't have the same budget either, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could take just a little inspiration from the pages and bring the concept to life. I used items that I already had in the cupboards or in stock ~ here are my interpretations of the photos...

Photo ~ Jeanne D'Arc Living

Photo ~ Ali

I have this Edwardian silk bodice already hanging on hooks in my dining room and just moved it to an old grey painted cupboard for the photo...

I loved this collection below of vintage candlesticks ~ I have a selection dotted around the house and tucked away so gathered them altogether to recreate the look...

Photo ~ Jeanne D'Arc Living

Photo ~ Ali (the fireplace in my dining room)

We have a conker brown leather sofa in the kitchen, normally piled up with old French floral pillows, but liked the idea shown in the magazine of using simpler linen cushions with old printed text and remembered what I had in stock waiting to be photographed for the website...

Photo ~ Jeanne D'Arc Living

I just need to source an old leather trunk or suitcase for a coffee table to complete the look...

Finally, I loved this feature on how to transform a printer's tray. I have a couple of these that I use in my workroom to separate beads and buttons. Before Christmas I reworked this smaller modern wooden tray and used old wallpaper, book pages and white paint.

Photo ~ Jeanne D'Arc Living

My own effort!

If you would like to win the latest issue of Jeanne D'Arc Living magazine, just leave a comment at the end of this post ~ the giveaway is open to all wherever you are in the world. To be entered twice and double your chances, just post a link back to this page and mention my blog and don't forget to let me know!

The giveaway closes next Tuesday 31st January at midnight and the winner will be announced on the 1st February.

Good luck!

Ali x

In print...

BBC Homes & Antiques magazine January 2012.

I got my copy yesterday...and I'm in print! I love this magazine so am really pleased to featured in it ~ especially the Christmas issue... I won't bore you with all the photos here!

I have added some lovely new hand~made & festive stock to my website to coincide with the feature...

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?.....

Ali x

The Vintage Christmas Boutique

Here I go again....

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, in the lane, snow is glistening, a beautiful sight, we're happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland...

The second Vintage Christmas Boutique is almost here and the house is currently being turned upside down in order to transform it into a festive vintage emporium! I am comforted by the sight of my favourite decorations finding their familiar little spots in the house ready for the season. I can't help it, I love this time of year, a whiff of cinnamon & cloves and I am away with the elves...

I have been busy making some special one~off stockings, decorations and cushions using my favourite textiles and trims and have sourced some unique hand~made goods that definitely cannot be bought on the high street! Added to this will be an eclectic mix of antique & vintage treasures along with some exclusive Scandinavian pieces from Jeanne D'Arc Living ~ what more could a girl wish for? Well, maybe a home~baked cookie or two with a cup of warm chocolate?

All are welcome, please contact me for an invitation and further details ~ more information can be found at the Vintage Christmas Boutique blog.

Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd December 2011. 10.00am ~ 4.00pm.

Ali x

Angels Gather Here...

Angels Gather Here...

This Friday 4th November at the Cozy Country Christmas Fair held at the home of a very talented friend of mine along with some like minded souls offering vintage and homemade delights. Chris and Dawn will be creating a cozy Christmas cabin ~ take in the aroma of cinnamon and woodsmoke, evergreen and fresh apple pie, whilst shopping for unique gifts and decorations. Not to be missed! I shall be visiting late in the day and hoping that everything is not sold out...

Open from 8.30am until 6.00pm ~ entrance is free but donations greatly appreciated for the charity 'Williams Fund'.

The Warren
14 Oval Way
Gerrards Cross
Bucks
SL9 8QD

Other fairs this week...

I shall be having a stall at a private sale hosted by Little Mann Classics on Thursday 3rd November from 9.00am ~ 2.00pm. Lots of Christmas goodies, stocking fillers, childrens clothes, jewellery, cards & wrap, gifts and decorations. Held at Setherum House, 93 Benham Park, Marsh Benham, Newbury, Berks RG20 8LX. Supporting The Elizabeth Foundation (helping deaf children and their families).

On Friday 4th November I am participating in the Holiday Craft & Gift Fayre at Ascot Racecourse. Hand~picked Christmas shopping! Open from 9.30am until 3pm. Free parking, refreshments on site. For further information www.awbs.org.co.uk.

Hope that you can come along...

Until next time
Ali x

Jeanne D'Arc Living New Books

I have not made a secret of the fact that I am in love with the style and beauty of the Danish company Jeanne D'Arc Living ~ I have been selling their gorgeous magazine for a year now via my website and have a loyal following of subscribers to whom I am very grateful for sharing my passion!

This year, to whoops of delight, the highly covetable and collectable book 'French Atmospheres' was translated into English and I am the only seller in the UK offering this title along with 'Amazing Retreats' which was published just last week. I have just a few copies left ~ they are available in limited quantities only and printed in small batches (not available on Amazon!)


I also have a very small quantity of their softback magazine style 'Christmas' book translated into English from their original Danish book 'Jul' ~ jam packed full of the most gorgeous photographs of the festive season.


The Christmas issue (no.8) of the Jeanne D'Arc Living magazine is out on the 11th November ~ the most popular edition of the year, and I have just listed it on my website for those wishing to reserve a copy in advance!

All of the Jeanne D'Arc publications can be bought via my website at www.bettyandviolet.com along with a small selection of their Christmas decorations and homewares.

I will have examples of the books with me this weekend at The Vintage Bazaar in Frome ~ looking forward to this great event again!

Until next time, Ali x

Just a perfect day...

Hand~made brooch purchased from Viv at Hen's Teeth just as we were all packing up for the day at The Cotswolds Vintage Fair...it seemed very appropriate!

I don't think any of us were anticipating the number of visitors that found their way to our village hall in the Cotswolds countryside, but I am so grateful that they did ~ a big thank you to each an every one of you that came and supported us and made purchases!

The venue was a picture of vintage loveliness ~ every which way you turned was a fresh display of unique goodies from the past mixed in with beautiful hand~made treasures from our talented stallholders. Truly amazing...

Hand~made china label from Rosie's Armoire.

My thanks to all of the stallholders for taking part and making it such a unique event! Lots more pictures taken on the day can be seen at thecotswoldsvintagefair.blogspot.com.

I am inspired to make the next one even better ~ watch this space...

Ali x

Vintage Fair This Saturday!

Time to set off and join us if you can at The Cotswolds Vintage Fair this Saturday 27th...

There will be 35 sellers offering original vintage & antique goods alongside a carefully selected range of handmade treasures inspired by the past including homewares, fashion, furniture, textiles & trims, china, kitchenalia, books, toys & games, jewellery, ephemera and much more!

Lavinia's Tea Party will be creating a vintage style tea room offering homemade cakes and sandwiches, served on the prettiest vintage china and weather permitting all set up outside overlooking the most glorious Cotswolds landscape.

Doors open at 10.00am and entry is £1.00. If you happen to have a copy of the August issue of Homes & Antiques magazine, we have a special offer on their events listing page which means free entry ~ just bring the page with you!

Toddington Village Hall, Stow Road, Toddington, Glos GL54 5DU.

Full details of the event including stallholder & visitor information, directions to the venue etc. can be found at The Cotswolds Vintage Fair blog.

Hope that you can make it!

Ali x