Monday 30 January 2012

Patterned pavements

If only they made pavements colourful and patterned here! When I was wondering around Buenos Aires on my recent South American adventure I could't help but notice really pretty patterned tiles everywhere...on pavements, door steps and courtyards. I just made the place look so lovely. They have all aged so well too...I reckon they must have been there for over 100 years.

Thursday 26 January 2012

My favourite shops in Buenos Aires - Part 2

Following on from my last blog post on the beautiful Casa Chic boutique in Buenos Aires I wanted to share some pictures of another one of the gorgeous shops I found on my travels.


This one is called...........
Cualquier Verdura
..........and is in the San Telmo district of the city. The shop is made up of several different rooms each themed around a room in a house. And the best part is everything is for sale! 

This looks though to the 'kitchen' - really love the distressed look on the shutter on the right

Wednesday 25 January 2012

My favourite shops in Buenos Aires - Part 1

Now that I'm in the process of planning my own business venture into the crafty creative world I'm finding I look at things in a whole new light and try to take inspiration wherever I can. At the end of my South American adventure I was surprised to see so many really beautiful shops in Buenos Aires. I managed to take lots of pictures and thought I'd share some of my favourite shops with you. Its places like these that get me so exited about planning the lay out of my own shop and studio. 


The first place is called Casa Chic and is actually a hotel which has a 'rustic chic' boutique on the ground floor. The place smells divine...has funky chilled out music in the background and has the most gorgeous displays which feast the eyes with all things chic. At first it did seem a little like visual overload as there was so much packed in there...but everything piece from the clothes to the home accessories as lovely. 

Monday 23 January 2012

The start of something BIG!

Today has ended up being quite a landmark day for me...in a hugely positive way!!!

We finally found out, after almost 4 months, that Birmingham city council has granted us planning permission to turn this building in Moseley....




......into a retail unit where a fantastic new fabric and haberdashery shop and craft workshop/studio will be created. We plan to bring all the best and most gorgeous fabric and haberdashery supplies to Birmingham and inspire and teach budding crafters new skills in a wide range of short courses and workshops.


I am now dedicating myself full time to the project from the renovation of the building to the business planning and set up. 
Today was my first day on the Business Enterprise Course with the Princes Trust Charity who are giving me so much help and support...and it has been great to network with all the other entrepreneurs too. So all in all...a great Monday!
Stay tuned to the blog or sign up to the newsletter for all the latest developments on this exciting venture...

Thursday 19 January 2012

Vintage and antiques galore in Buenos Aires

Before I visited this amazing city I didn't realise how many antique and vintage shops there would be. It was so interesting to wander around. Some were full of posh and fancy antiques with huge price tags, others were more jumble sale like where you had to rake around more, which I think is more fun anyway. 





Monday 16 January 2012

Knit graffiti in Buenos Aires

Last year I saw a few pics via twitter of the Stitches and Hos group and their knit graffiti antics around Birmingham. 

Then while wandering around the Palermo district in Buenos Aires I spotted some knit graffiti there too! so thought I'd share some of the pics I took.  It seemed like it had been there for a while which is really nice to see. Unfortunately the ones put up around Kings Heath disappeared pretty quickly. 

I love this one, its like lots of spider webs

The colours of this one look awesome, so bright!


I say more knit graffiti required...a great way to brighten up any street!! 

Saturday 14 January 2012

Back to reality

After 7 weeks of adventure in South America I made it safely back to the UK on Thursday. Now that I've waded through all the laundry, hovered up all the dust, stocked up the fridge and chucked out all the junk mail I finally feel ready to get stuck into my new full time creative life! 


Before I left for my travels I resigned from my day job as a physiotherapist and now a completely new adventure begins. I am planning on opening a beautiful fabric and haberdashery shop in Moseley, Birmingham in an amazing old mock tudor building that I will bring back to life again! 


The building has been vacant for over 6 years and previously used as a boys club since the 1920's. As soon as the council grant up planning permission the site will once again be a hive of activity as we renovate the building and turn it into an exciting creative hub


As well as a selection of gorgeous fabrics, trims, buttons and other craft supplies we will offer a fantastic range of classes and workshops so we can spread the crafty handmade bug.  


So stay tuned to my blog or follow me on twitter for all the latest updates on how the business plans are coming along as well as snap shots of of my South American adventures!