Vintage Kitsch at Pilfered

I have to hold my hands up and admit that one of my biggest time wasters is sitting on Facebook.
I know, it’s usually a pointless feed of nonsense and other folks moans and woes. But sometimes you come across something like this that really, really catches your eye!

I know; gorgeous isn’t it!! Does it remind anyone else of certain lovely Pin Up lady?

How about this adorable set of bottles?

Or these terribly pretty ceramic pin up vases?

So being the frightful nosy poke that I am I just had to know more about these super creations.

I contacted the lady responsible (who turned out to be simply lovely and is called Jenna Greenwood by the way) and asked if I could feature some of them on this little blog. I also asked her one or two questions which she very kindly answered.

Mumma Bunny   What is the name of your Company, how did you come up with it and where are you?

Jenna   Pilfered! It came to me when I was trying to explain that I ‘pilfered’,  bottles and jars from recycling bins to paint. I’m based in Bradford, West Yorkshire

Mumma Bunny  Do you work from home or have a studio?

Jenna   Home...much to my parents displeasure (they are forever tripping over tea pots and cleaning up after me!)

Mumma Bunny   What made you start Pilfered?

Jenna   I am a Medical Photographer by day and missed getting my hands dirty! I have an art and design background and prior to being a photographer, almost ended up on a fashion design degree before retraining at the last minute.  I try my hand at most crafts...jewellery making, photography (less nowadays as it’s my job) and painting anything I can get my hands on!

Mumma Bunny   Where do you get your inspiration from?

Jenna   Anywhere and everywhere...50s kitsch, animals, circus themes, food and my childlike imagination!

Mumma Bunny   Do you have any plans to expand the range to include textiles or furniture?

Jenna   I would love to try larger scale items like refurbished furniture but currently don't have the space!

Mumma Bunny   What are your dreams for the Company?

Jenna   To be able to leave my full time job, have my own workshop and maybe a trusted assistant to mould Pilfered into a much sought after, collectable and well loved brand.

The very talented Jenna will take your forlorn and unloved China, Glass or even Mirrors and turn them into these lovely pieces of art.

Just perfect for your dressing table, kitchen, sitting room; in fact I think I would put them anywhere. That’s the beauty of them, you get to pick from a range of things she has available to be made beautiful. 

Not only that but she also has a marvellous selection of transfers such as these for you to browse to make your choice even more personal. 

Was there ever anything more perfect for a girly prezzie?! (Not that any special days are coming or anything like that of course...)

You can find Pilfered and Jenna on Facebook where she takes orders and you can have a peek at more of her work. You can also buy pretty things ready to deliver online.

Everything is modestly priced in my humble opinion but she has kindly offered my readers a further 10% off an order until the end of October, hurrah! As she has recently added some Halloween themed items this couldn’t come at a more perfect time. Just quote the code Newpal1 when you place your order.

Thank you so much Jenna for taking the time to talk to me about your work and of course I wish you every success with Pilfered. Here’s to seeing it sold nationally very soon!

Love,

World War Twee?

So penned by Tanya Gold in the Telegraph last weekend.

Apparently, the current trend for Cupcakes, baking, home making and other such domestic delights are really not her cup of tea so to speak.
Well that's fair enough, we are, after all entitled to our opinions and she actually gets paid for hers.

But this article strikes me as just a teensy bit offensive. Just what is it so much that she objects to? It all sounds just a tad like jealousy to me. After all, for years women have been employed in typically male orientated workplaces. They have donned suits, heels, blow drys and mobiles to do battle in a male environment. There wasn't really much option to be a 'Professional' before was there?

Over the last ten years, with the rise of the internet and social media, women now have many other ways to earn. They also don't have to make the choice of work/home life should they choose not to. The lines are blurring and I think it's a jolly good thing.

If a woman wants to stay at home with her children or indeed without children and earn from the comfort of her kitchen or craft desk who is Tanya Gold to say that she shouldn't? Does this imply that the 60's never happened? It's as though she is suggesting that these very talented and creative women have somehow 'sold out'.

Surely the very ethos of feminism is choice and freedom for women? Am I missing something here? Does the fact that I choose to stay at home and am not terminally bored mean that I have let 'the girls' down?

She is scathing to women that don't put their careers first. She accuses Michelle Obama of hiding her light under a Cupcake stand and describes Samantha Cameron & The Duchess of Cambridge as 'models of almost insane domestic submission.'
These accusations are clearly not true. Michelle Obama is no stranger to rolling up her sleeves as proven by her Kitchen Garden at the White House and her workout with Desmond Tutu last week & her working on a playground.

Samantha Cameron cut her working hours when she was expecting her last baby, after the death of their son and to help her husband with his campaign. Now she dares to design handbags. Handbags! How dare she, such evil things. Why aren't you all carrying sack cloths you silly, vain creatures.
Are these actions really worthy of such an attack?

As for the Duchess of Cambridge; she is new to her Royal life. Love her or loathe her she is behaving impeccably. I would suspect that she has seen the mistakes previous Royal wives have made and is anxious not to repeat them in the glare of the worlds press. Does that really make her nothing more than 'a prop for her royal husband, like a talking, if very photogenic, cushion'?

Other comments such as 'cupcake mania', enforced domesticity', 'playing with sprinkles' do nothing to dispel the myth that women who work at or stay at home are docile, imprisoned or just plain silly. Which is just PLAIN SILLY in itself.

Perhaps La Gold should visit some of these women who make, bake, decorate, look after their families, do their books and run their websites late into the night?

Maybe 'Retro Feminity' is on the rise. Just maybe it's a smart option for the modern women who really do want to and indeed can have it all. Maybe women are remembering or just realising that it's ok to be pretty, a mother, have gingham curtains and earn a bloody good living too.

Personally, I love Cupcakes. Sprinkles? Sprinkle away.
I think it was time these militant feminists realised that sometimes, you actually do catch more flies with honey.

Would love to know what your thoughts are,

Love,

Things to make me smile!

Other than the children of course ( before I am chastised ) obviously they give me the biggest smiles...even at 3 a.m.
No, these are the material things that I have added to my growing collection.
I have decided the house needs cheering up, especially now all of the lovely Christmas decorations have gone. I have 'taken over' the Kitchen and Dining room and given them a much needed facelift and have been keeping my peepers open for pretty things to complete the transformation.
My local charity shops have been particularly obliging, I seem to be able to spot exactly what I want! Maybe it was always there before and I just didn't see it? Anyway, I am rather pleased with my new Vintage treasures; Mr Bunny is too as I am being very thrifty.
I have developed a love for coloured glass, I can't think why I didn't see it all before. Green especially is gorgeous. I found these only last week and I just know they are going to look wonderful filled with Daffodils.

Aren't they pretty!
I also found this. I am not quite sure what it will be used for. It's too small for fruit really and a little wide for flowers. Am sure I shall find a use for it, it was too nice to leave on the shelf.

I think my favourite find was this adorable little piece of Crown Derby. It was an absolute steal frankly, apparently it's hard to find. It does have a little crazing to the glaze but I think it just adds to it's charm. It was only when I took it to show Grandma that she reminded me she had a matching piece; a jam pot that belonged to her Nanny! I knew it looked familiar.

When I spotted this sweet tray I had to have it. Aren't Hydrangeas beautiful? I love how happy this is, it has already been put to good use and the price was no more than pocket money.

Oh, have just spotted the wall behind it -ughh. That was before the facelift, it's much brighter now!
I also found a few other bits and bobs that are dotted around, I am really pleased with them all and I think the Kitchen is looking especially nice.

I shall have to make pastry now!

I really will have to stop buying for a while; I am running out of shelves and cabinets to store things. Maybe I just need hubby to put more up for me? The ones he put up are already being put to good use as you can see.

Well I really must dash, it's so lovely today - almost sunny enough to use the washing line ( I did say almost)
Hope the sun is shining wherever you are,

Love

'Tis the Season!

Well almost anyway! Can't believe it's been four months since I had the time to sit and blog, darling Grandma has been very poorly plus we had a fabby holiday over in Mallorca but those are for another time. Can you blog about your holidays two months after the event? Is there some sort of 'blog etiquette that says once it's gone, you've had your chance and blown it. Am sure one of my lovely readers will know and tell me off if there is!

But as the 'C' word looms towards us am getting more than a little excited. DH has put up a lovely new craft area for me and I have been a busy bunny painting the kitchen. Eeeek! It's soooo lovely, all red & aqua and very retro.Anyone who knows me knows that I am a Vintage nut, music, clothing, dancing etc and have been collecting some Vintage lovelies recently - at bargain prices, promise lots of pics soon.
Anywho, more on that another day, it's nearly Christmas!!!!!

Can you tell I'm just a bit excited? Have been browsing online and found some really fab & cheery things for Santa to put in my stocking - not that my stockings are big enough for some of these prezzies ahem. I may be ample but am not quite QE2 proportions just yet - that comes after Christmas ha ha...

I would be an over excited Bunny if I got this on Christmas morning!
Isn't it divine? I have no idea how much it is and I don't think Santa worries about such horrid practical things
as cost. Just the fact that it matches the new kitchen and I would squeal is enough don't you think?

If he can't manage one of those this will do very nicely. My fridge has been a faithful friend for some years now and it has definately seen better days. This one is just perfect, although it does just have an ice box at the top. Not sure it will be big enough to feed six but maybe will have to ask Grandma how she preserved veggies & such like during the war then I wont need to buy frozen ones! That's what I'll tell DH anyway...

I just love these too - perfect for Birthday teas - you could probably cut out sandwiches with them too don't
you think? Either way they are very cute & small in price so would make great stocking fillers.

Not forgetting these, perfect for drying up after Christmas Dinner. Actually I think they are too nice to
use so I may have to get one and put it in a frame somewhere- am sure there is bare wall somewhere just waiting to be cheered up in this house!

 They have far too many nice things on that website - I am just keeping my fingers crossed for a pretty vintage phone from there this year amongst other things.

There is a slight theme running through this post - I am unashamedly patriotic. And so is my house now, well at least the Kitchen & Dining room are. Am loving collecting all the Vintage & Retro pieces for them, they are so very cheery! Or as my friend in blogland "Happy loves Rosie" says

Promise to keep the blog updated more now and post lots and lots of lovely pics,
Bye for now, love