Monday 21 November 2016

Bollywood & Beyond



It's truly horrible outside, it's been lashing it down for hours, freezing cold, dark and windy but you'd never guess from these photos. With the glow from my riotously colourful patchwork, it's always sunny in our house.


I thought I might have been in danger of blending in with my surroundings, sitting on the chaise in my quilted patchwork maxi, but I think that you can just about make me out. 


My fabric stash is running on empty so sewing was a no-no this weekend. Instead I had a massive jewellery sort out and made some earrings with the cast-offs.


I'd had these Tiger beer bottle tops stashed away for ages and combined with some 1960s images of Bollywood goddesses, Helen & Sharmila Tagore, pinched from the internet & printed out on photo paper, a rusty Lamani tribal necklace and some broken earrings bought in Mumbai I made these (I say me, Jon did the drilling, I'm not great with intricate stuff).



Ta-dah! I'm going to have to drink more beer so I can make more....it's a hard life!

WEARING: Bri-nylon blouse (made by me using a 1970s pattern & vintage psychedelic fabric ), Vintage quilted maxi skirt (Vintage Village @ Stockport Market Hall), 1980s Finnish-made suede boots (bought from a blogger), Urban Outfitters neon & perspex belt (present from Liz)
In other news Frank's been for his check-up and is booked in for pom-pom removal on Friday. The vet reckons he's about three years old and in remarkably good nick considering he's been living rough for at least a year, he's also very impressed with the size of his plums. We've had him chipped and keep following him around the house saying, You're my cat now, in an evil League Of Gentleman way. Poor boy. 

See you soon!

Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday and Natalia, Tina & Beate's Midlife Fun.

78 comments:

  1. Poor Frank and his Pom poms haha.
    Thank goodness for such a riot of colour on your blog Vix we all need it. It's horrendous here too. Poor Frida is outside on the lane, even if I could lift the garage door it would probably get whipped away the wind and rain are so strong.
    I'll be glad when the mad welder is back tomorrow, I'm sick of being Billy no mates. How's Gilbert progressing xxx

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    1. Hasn't it been vile? The rain has finally stopped here, hooray!!
      New Gilbert's coming along nicely, Jon bought an original 1970s wood effect interior from eBay ages ago. Eagle-eyed me spotted some sticky backed plastic in Wilkos in the identical wood print and now it's pretty much perfect! xxx

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  2. Cool new earrings! You're so multi-talented!
    Frank is fortunate to have such a cheerful and warm new home.

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    1. Thanks, Bobbi! I'll remind him of that when i'm trying to squeeze him in the cat carrier on Friday morning! xxx

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  3. We had a dark and stormy night this week, and when I dragged my sodden self into the kitchen I affronted three bright-eyed rescued cats who resented my dripping on their warm dry fur. Wowr, yourselves, you feline freeloaders!

    Back on the cozy covers, Frank, and "[lick] 'em while you got 'em."

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    1. Cats, you gotta love their disdainful furry faces! xxx

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  4. Yes, a shite day here today as well!

    You are indeed a very multi talented lady. I love the earrings and what a wonderful reuse of tiger bottle caps - good beer, too!

    I did have to look hard to see where the you began and the sofa ended but what a fabulous skirt The top is wonderful but just the thought of bri nylon sets my teeth on edge. You certainly brighten a very dull day up!

    Good luck to Frank in his new home you are very kind to have adopted him - or did he adopt you? I expect you'll never know...

    xxxxxxxx

    Hope the week goes well and the weather cheers up!

    Veronica

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    1. Thank you! Honestly, bri-nylon is fine to wear, it's cosy as soon as you put it on, no need for a vest!
      I don't think we had a choice in the matter, Frank decided to move in and that was that. xxx

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  5. it's all about dangly bits today then! poor old frank, but he will be less likely to roam now he's had the chop; the dangly earings are fun, very Bollywood.

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  6. Frank will fit right in, I am sure. He definitely chose you, knew there would be no dreadful kidlets pawing at him at your house, only has a tortoise and other cats to deal with :)

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    1. He's got sense! I dwouldn't want to live in a home with small children either! xxx

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  7. Are you going to keep his pom poms in a jar? We used to keep our cats goolies bizarrely in jars but that's because Mum was a vet nurse and I was a wannabe vet (

    Suddenly aware the internet must think I an strange...)

    Those earrings look great, clever you!!! Love your Vix camouflage! Xx

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    1. When I was doing my research prior to my first hip replacement, I read about patients who'd taken their partly amputated femurs home with them to perform some sort of burial. Eeeek! Frank's pompoms are very impressive, one is black and the other white, but I think I'd prefer to keep them as a precious memory! xxx

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  8. Love, love the new earrings, you and Jon are so masterful at creating. And your quilted skirt is fabulous. Perhaps you can tell Frank he's to be "tutored" rather than, ahem, "neutered." Hugs and peace, xo

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Tutored sounds much less ominous, Patti! x

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  9. That surely is a sight for sore eyes (in my case, quite literally). When you have a colourful home, somethow the sun is always shining a little bit. Love the quilted patchwork maxi and those earrings are fantastic! I'll be thinking of Frank and his pom poms on Friday ... xxx

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    1. Hope those eyes are a lot less sore today, Ann!
      Friday's going to be a logistical nightmare, Frank's being snapped and Stephen's going for a check-up. Two wailing cats in the van! xxx

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  10. You're not going to turn Frank's pom poms into earrings are you?!?!xx

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  11. Brilliant Bollywood bottletop earrings, you could start a whole new line for Kinky Melon. Poor old Frank...I'll expect he'll forgive you in a day or two. x

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    1. Thanks, Fiona! I don't think he's too keen on us after yesterday, god help us on Friday afternoon! xxx

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  12. I just popped in to have a read and the photos that greeted me cheered me up no end. I love the bright colours, the patchwork (on the upholstery and you) and the chandelier. Good luck with the removal of Frank's pom_poms! 😊
    Sally xx

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    1. Thanks, Sally! After Storm Angus I think all us Brits need cheering up. xxx

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  13. The first time post-surgical Frank tries jumping up to your bed there's going to be a blood curdling scream and a look like he could kill you in your sleep-but he'll forget soon enough.

    Great earrings! I'm not a creative person and it would never be something I'd think of doing but I am so glad artistic people like you make these wonderful things-the world would be a dark place populated with the dull likes of myself.

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    1. He's already given us a moment like that, he decided to piss on Jon's side of the bed (with him in it!) on Saturday night! He must know already! xxx

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  14. I adore and admire your patchwork anywhere - clothes, home decor, it all looks splendid! Your new earrings are great fun too! How kind of Frank to adopt you and how kind of you to take such a good care of him!

    Thank you for linking up with Midlife Fun - you really couldn't do better than this post just in time for Klimt inspired theme! Serendipity at its best. Much love!

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    1. I didn't even think Klimt until I shared my blog on Facebook and a friend who doesn't read blogs compared the photo to his art! Freaky! xxx

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  15. Ha ha! Your story about Frank is hilarious. Mind you, he might not think so.

    The earrings are fantastic!

    All that patchwork is like a warm hug.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. He was sitting behind me when I wrote it, I'm sure he knows. He's been giving me daggers all day! xxx

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  16. Lovely earrings! And I'm glad to hear Frank is now officially one of the family! :)

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  17. Helen & Sharmila Tagore are my glamour goddesses!
    Your colorful decor is the most festive & cheery thing I've seen in a long time.
    Get well soon, Frankie!
    xox

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    1. You've got great taste, Bibi! Helen and Sharmila were cool chicks! xxx

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  18. Wow, I just adore your patchwork creations. With the blinds closed, it looks like a patchwork room! Xxx

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    1. Thanks, Jess! Some consolation for having to close the curtains at 2pm! xxx

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  19. thinking about that miracle of frank coming in after the loss of polly.... cat magic!
    love that pictures of you playing chameleon in your "gemütlich" living room! i would like to put on my most colorful clothes and accompany you for beer and crafting earrings :-)
    stay warm!!! xxxxxx

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    1. Cats really do have a sixth sense.
      I'd love for you to accompany me on a crafting session with added beer, we'd have a blast. xxx

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  20. I did chuckle to see how well camouflaged you are...not many can do that against a patchwork background! My version of battling a grey day was donning my trademark scarlet lippy ;-) I like your description of Frank's pompoms. We call them marbles here at GBT...when we took Humphrey to be done they knocked him out and then rang us to tell us that he'd already been done! In our defence he was a rescue cat with a very thick coat and you really wouldn't have been able to tell! Arilx

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    1. Yay! Bright lippy is always good!
      Poor Humphrey. We took Frank to be checked over before booking him in. We've never seen him spraying and he wees sitting down, not normal tom cat behaviour. xxx

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  21. It makes me happy just to see your house, it looks so warm and cheerful. Your black hair picks you out, it sets you off amid the colour. Someone with more muted colouring would definitely get lost against the patchwork.

    Frank will love being your cat.

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    1. It's definitely a bright (and hopefully) welcoming house. I couldn't live in one of those white, minimalist open plan houses the style mags love.
      I hope Frank will love being our cat, he's definitely a bit pissed off with me today. xxx

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  22. I really can't imagine why they call your area the Black Country....

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    1. That's why I keep the curtains shut! xxx

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  23. It is always such a pleasure to see the insides of your house! So unique, beautiful and colourful! The earrings turned out super pretty!

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  24. It's been miserable hasn't it? I don't mind the cold if it's sunny but this is so dreary. Poor old Frank, I hope he forgives you!

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    1. Hasn't it just? Cold and sunny is fine, you can dress for it and after a session of leaf raking (me on Saturday) you're soon boiling hot! xxx

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  25. lovely camouflage, dear lady, you rock!!!, mwahaha all that patchwork is fabulous, you look fabulous!!! and love your chandelier too!
    Poor Mr. Frank, but now he's going to live in a warm lovely home, I think he's not going to miss his pompoms!
    besos

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    1. The kind of camo I like, psychedelic and not khaki!
      I keep telling Frank the same. xxx

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  26. I can just make out your raven hair against the patchwork explosion behind you ;)

    I'm so happy Frank is an official member of the household. I'm sure he will get over the loss of his "plums" once he realizes he's got a warm place to sleep, treats, and lots of love.

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    1. I hope so, too! He's been a bit off with me since his first trip to the vet yesterday! xxx

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  27. If there was a prize for best blogger earrings of the year, you'd win. :D

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    1. Thank you! I do love a ridiculous earring or two! x

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  28. You're the perfect anitdote to this depressing wet and windy weather Vix. I love this hotpotch of colour - it's right up my street. You look wonderful, inspired x
    Anna
    www.annasislandstyle.com

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    1. Hello, Anna and thank you! Anything to relieve the misery of this weather. I'm not a winter person! x

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  29. I blend in with anything beige or camel colour - better to blend in with colourful patchwork. My patchwork is coming on, I shall finish it on Sunday. Got a double duvet cover for the backing - £4 so not too bad.

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    1. I'm dying to see the finished patchwork, Maureen. £4 is a bargain! xxx

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  30. Colour, colour and more colour! Absolutely gorgeous, I love your patchwork chaise longue, curtains - and you, patchworked, also - never get tired of seeing this bright, warm part of your home, Vix. Clever use of bottle tops! xx

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  31. A riot of colour for a grey day, thank you!! Very cheering. I have to admit I've been wearing a lot of black, like I'm in mourning for the good weather or something! I'll try and brighten things up a bit, it certainly does lift the spirits to see nice colours. Great job on the earrings, you really have such a creative flair. xx

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    1. Another horrible day! I'm so over winter already. It takes a real effort to wear brights when it's so gloomy and even more so when you've got a proper job. Mind you, with that lovely new old coat of yours I don't blame you for getting your wear from it! xx

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  32. I just love that first photo of you - its so timeless and could easily have been taken in the Sixtes. I've got a beer bottletop project planned too: a windchime for the summerhouse. Though its planned for next year as I need loads of tops for it, so we're on a beer mission!

    Had to laugh when I read about Frank's nuts! Hope his nut-job goes okay...meeowch! xxx

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    1. Oh! I like the sound of a beer bottle top wind chime! Lidl's tequila-infused beers have a bright blue lid with a big yellow sun, you need a crate of those, I reckon! xxx

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  33. What would I do without you? You always make my day, with your colorful posts and sense of humor. It's almost Thanksgiving in the US, and I am very grateful for you and your blog. xoxo

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving, my lovely friend! It's a joy to have you in my life! xxx

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  34. Love the warm colours, it's amazing how much cosier it makes a place, I couldn't imagine living in one of those trendy stark white homes that seem to be so popular. Love the earrings too, would never of guessed you'd made them!

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    1. Those greys and whites might look okay in magazines but I can't imagine a more sterile and uninviting place to be in the winter months. xxx

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  35. There was I woman I knew of who made her clothes out of Sanderson fabrics. She really did blend in with curtains and sofas!!
    I love this skirt-fab colours.
    Good news about Frank. He's fallen on his feet walking into your home!!
    Zxx

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    1. I've got a Sanderson print dress I made but I wouldn't have used it as upholstery fabric, it looked far too frumpy!
      I keep telling Frank how lucky he is! xxx

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  36. I love how colourful your home is! Bright colours are definitely needed in the winter months xx

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  37. Pom pom removal made me giggle! I'm so glad you're adding another kitty friend to your family. The earrings look great! I wish I could share some of my stash with you, I have plenty to go round!

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    1. Thanks, Trees! I'd have about 50 cats if I could! x

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  38. Oh I love it. Sunny and merry mood. Perfect for klimt :)
    xxxxx

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Lots of love, Vix