ellie & ooma

New Creations...

2012-02-17T10:29:00.000+01:00

I have a huge stash of fabrics and what I love doing the most is putting them together: seeing how colours change when you put a print next to another, balancing the combined colours for the eye, créating inspiring print combinations. This is the part that I really enjoy everytime, so I've opted to work more like this for the new collection of creations...so here is my version on Patchwork. With fluo colours thrown in, mismatching of prints and an attempt to break the rules traditionally seen in patchwork, here's a peek at the results...

Deep blue and fluo pink

2012-02-16T17:48:00.011+01:00

After a trip to l'Aiguille en Fête in Paris last week (where of course, I spent far far far too much money), and a chance buy at a book sale in my little girl's school, I am newly inspired and motivated to do new things/ to concentrate more on my product offer...here's the inspiration, and watch this space for new créations! Check out this wonderful book Poucette (Hans Christian Anderson) illustrated magnificently by Charlotte Gastaut...

Boutique Ephémère, Paris 18é

2012-01-30T15:38:00.007+01:00

Been a bit absent lately, but here are some photos from the Boutique Ephémère where I took part back in December, at the Boutique du Bon Coin in Paris...

Salon des Créateurs (2ème Edition Noël), Andilly 95580

2011-11-29T12:24:00.008+01:00

This weekend, the 3rd & 4 th December 2011, I'll be organising and exhibiting at the Salon des Créateurs in Andilly (95580). 25 crafters and designers will be alongside me, from every domaine, and there will be workshops all weekend with skilled artisans. Saturday night, we are open late until 9pm and will be joined by the Gospel Choir, Les Voix du Thelle for a fabulous concert.Stop by and say Hello! For more info visit the officiel website : http://www.associationaucomptoirdescreateurs.blogspot.com/

Address: Salon des Créateurs, Complexe Polyvalent, 73 route de la Croix Blanche, 95580 Andilly

Salon des Ateliers Créatifs, Pontoise

2011-10-11T17:47:00.001+02:00

Last weekend I was exhibiting with the Comptoir des Créateurs at the Salon des Ateliers Créatifs, Pontoise, alongside 8 other crafters from many different domaines. With the association, we also set up all the decoration for the entrance of the salon. Here are the photos...

MarieClaire Idées: ellie & ooma as guest exhibitor with Ebullition

2011-10-04T13:53:00.000+02:00

I was invited a while back to make a crafty creation for this years Création et Savoir Faire Exhibition ( Porte de Versailles, Paris, 16th - 20th November 2011) by the Parisian design collective Ebullition (thankyou ladies!). The theme being "la chambre de mes 15 ans" (roughly translated, "my bedroom, way back when I was fifteen"...), I worked this summer on three cushions in the form of vinyl records, hand-embroidering each record label and including favourite song titles from the eighties...see the photos below, but here is the link to the officiel MarieClaire Ideés website, where my work has been published....

2011-09-16T10:21:00.000+02:00

Next weekend I'll be testing new products on sale at the 1st ever Salon des Loisirs Créatifs in Poissy, France. I'll also be putting on an 'atelier' (craft workshop) for kids - Create your own magic wand! For the programme of other workshops and inscriptions see here.
I'll be launching my first ever creative kit for kids to do with mother, coming soon!

Personalised cushions

2011-09-01T14:57:00.002+02:00

Finished this order a while back: multicoloured lettering on prune coloured linen background. If you'd like to order one for your child's room, contact me directly for a price quote.

Paper Mobiles

2011-08-27T17:12:00.000+02:00

Haven't been posting for a while as time has been short - loads of new projects int he pipeline and here is one of them! I'm loving working with paper right now and printed paper is even better. These mobiles are made from printed paper discs and will be available to buy online very soon. Everyone is different, of course : shown above are Liberty flowers model, Japan, and Hearts and Flowers.

Les Fées Bricoleuses...

2011-04-28T09:48:00.000+02:00

Some photos from this weekend's sale at the Boutique du Bon Coin, Paris - thankyou Marie who organised the event (association Les Fées Bricoleuses)!

Easter Sale in Paris 18é with Les fées Bricoeleuses!

2011-04-17T11:20:00.002+02:00

Next weekend, from friday to monday, I'll be taking part in a boutique sale organised by the association "Les Fées Bricoleuses" in the 18th arrondissement in Paris at the boutique "Au Bon Coin", 30, rue Montcalm. Come and share a nibble and a drink on friday evening during the opening night, or pass by and see what's on offer during the weekend! For information, visit the official blog by clicking here! (Métro: Jules Joffrin)

Darling Buds of May

2011-04-04T13:15:00.001+02:00

With Spring in the air, inspiration for my crowns have a distinctive Apple Blossom feel... line embroidery and silk flowers adorn fresh white cotton or coloured grounds with co-ordinating interior fabrics. Every little girl can now become a darling bud of May, with three slogans: birthday girl, princess, or flower girl (or fée des fleurs for those who like the french touch)! Made-to order in white, mauve, pale pink or pale green.

Photos from Les Naturelles, Montmorency (95)!

2011-03-31T11:14:00.001+02:00

Last weekend my dragons and cushions found themselves under the artisans tent alongside others exhibitors from the association Au Comptoir des Créateurs and the design collective, Ebullition. I for one had a great time - the ambiance was great, we all had a good laugh together and the organisers (mairie de Montmorency) were fantastic. Here are a few photos...

My stand (above).... and below a few details of my favourite things...

Extraordinary cakes & biscuits from Purple'Art

Mobiles and Wire work from Dame la Lune

Hand-painted ceramics by Isabelle Gauvain

Mum Sweet Mum knitting my slippers order!

New creations...kid's crowns!

2011-03-18T08:50:00.000+01:00

Ready for next weekend's sale, I'm busy sewing kid's crowns for the birthday season in bright co-ordinating fabrics. They will be on sale alongside my kid's magic wands (watch this space)! Here's a sneaky look...

New exhibition next weekend: Les Naturelles, Montmorency (95)

2011-03-16T20:51:00.002+01:00

I will have a stand at a new venue next weekend, in the 'creation' tent (if you please!) during Les Naturelles in Montmorency. Friday afternoon, and all day saturday and sunday twenty 'crafty' women get together to present their creations to the public, many putting on creative workshops (inscriptions imperative) for the general public to try their hand, including hand-painting on ceramics, jewellery making, knitting and crochet, paper maché, scrapgarden kits and more! Besides the prescence of many farm animals (great for the kids) we will find ourselves alongside other artisan exhibitors such as gourmet foods and delicacies from different french regions and much, much more!

Patchwork Cot Bumper

2011-03-11T13:41:00.004+01:00

A recent made-to-order cot bumper...hope you like it Karena!

'Mitaines' for Ooma!

2011-02-28T13:21:00.010+01:00

Took to knitting during the holidays after discovering a pattern for fingerless gloves for myself. Ooma wanted of course to be in on the whole thing and wanted a pair ready for monday morning - mine are yet to be finished but here are Ooma's...in pink of course!

Little Rock Tunic

2011-02-15T13:18:00.010+01:00

Bought this great book (Tuniques pour Petits et Grands, Hachette) and decided to get creative during the holidays with Ooma! Fabric and colour combinations chosen all by herself....model Esprit Rock.

and here is the finished product....

Mobiles!

2011-01-27T11:38:00.006+01:00

Recent creations have taken the form of mobiles for kid's and adult rooms alike, with birds swinging on a perch surrounded by fabric lovehearts, and metal cutout motifs. Some became decorative objects for Christmas, with people hanging them as table decorations for the festive season. Here are a selection...

December Craft Sales

2011-01-01T19:30:00.003+01:00

A number of new product lines for christmas (linen gingerbreadmen christmas tree decorations) and a few photos of stock from recent sales during december...all hand-made by me!

Photos from our Christmas Craft Market!

2010-12-29T16:17:00.004+01:00

Photos of my stand at our Christmas Craft Market in december in Andilly, France.

Christmas Crafters Market, ANDILLY (95), France. 4/5 December 2010

2010-11-18T14:15:00.002+01:00

Here it is...the official poster for the Christmas Crafter's Market that I'm organising through the Association Au Comptoir des Créateurs, and with lots of help from the local mairie d'Andilly ( the village council). 22 crafty exhibitors will be displaying and selling their hand-made créations, in their own mini-boutique booths for the weekend of the 4th and 5th December 2010. Hot wine, tartiflette, and creative activities for the kids, a crafty, fun and Christmas ambiance assured! Please support our design and craft community by visiting our website here or coming to do your christmas shopping at the fair!

Christmas Crafted Mobiles

2010-10-10T19:02:00.007+02:00

Starting to get organised for the Christmas Craft Fair that I'm organising in the village where I live (but more about that in another post sometime)...I've been working on some handmade mobiles for grown-ups this time round (although versions for kid's rooms are also in the pipeline), with the emphasis on rich, retro, yet unusual colour combinations for christmas. This first attempt is in a dark grey damask print and lime spotted fabric, with hints of natural linen...hearts and stars, snowflakes and christmas wishes to hang in your entrance hall as a modern, yet homely christmas decoration.

My favourite chair

2010-09-28T13:43:00.001+02:00

There was this old 1920's/1930's club chair kicking around the house when we first moved in 7 years ago...I loved it but it needed restoring. This summer saw the restauration project finally come to life and it is now the inspiration for a colour makeover in the lounge! Hence the newly zipped-up fuschia pink velvet cushions!

New creations...3D floral floor cushions!

2010-09-20T12:13:00.006+02:00

The newest creations to creep out of the studio are mostly for girls...apliquée flower cushions in various patchwork colour combinations. Some flowers are placed centrally and others are more haphazard in their positioning, sorry boys, these are seriously funky but feminine! I have some ideas for male equivalents so watch this space...!

2010-09-16T12:04:00.002+02:00

Beautiful evening...the view over Paris and the sweet little village where I live. This kind of evening reminds me why we settled here, spent so long doing up this house, and of all the things we want for our kids...puts everything into perspective really.

Sleeping Buddha

2010-09-06T16:13:00.002+02:00

Beautiful wall paintings and decoration inside the temple of the sleeping buddha (Bangkok)

Motifs from Thailand

2010-09-06T15:38:00.003+02:00

Been away from this blog for a long while, but now my resolution for the new school year is to get it back on track!!! So, here is the first collection of inspiring things I found whilst on my travels this summer. Beautiful motif inspiration from Thailand (Bangkok and Koh Samui)....

Then and Now

2010-05-04T09:53:00.008+02:00

Yesterday marked the sixth birthday of Elliott....where have those six years gone? So much has happened to that little boy since then. He has already lived a lifetime, and I'm sure he could write a book about it all. So much for someone so little. He has been a brave little man, a fiesty fighter and shown us really how to bounce back after a trial, even if he manages it perhaps more sucessfully than us at times! Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Soft-skinned darling, little monster lovely, your infectious laughter and fits of giggles will always outweigh moments of doubt, when we wonder what to do as parents, how best to teach you and how best to make life good for you. Your affection consumes us and draws the rest of the world to you, you cheeky little pickle, facing life full on at every moment - thankyou for teaching us how to live too...

Birthday bash!

2010-04-11T18:07:00.004+02:00

Happy 4th birthday to ma petite poupée chinoise.....a happy (but very tiring) weekend was had by all - fun in the garden on the new trampoline, with little friends in the sandpit, fancy dress and loads and loads of birthday cake! Ooma Millie was the star of the show dressed up as a clown and big brother Elliott showed us all what he was made of in his home-made Hulk costume. Far too much champagne drunk by mummy, but never mind, it kept me sane during the whole weekend!

Happy birthday my little one!

Kokeshi Cover, Cushion and Doll

2010-04-06T09:29:00.003+02:00

Another recent order, this time for little Suzie...

2010-04-02T15:31:00.006+02:00

My baby is all grown up! The month of March saw the first of Elliott's milk teeth drop out - or rather bashed out by his little sister. It had been wobbling for a while, and then in a moment of heated babble between brother and sister, Ooma took the bull by the horns and whopped her brother straight in the teeth. So the tooth was out, albeit somewhat prematurely, and tears were streaming down both faces. A memorable moment...not to mention yet another lesson in self-control from mummy. Finding the tooth took a while, but eventually smiles were redeemed when said tooth became the conversation and Elliott realised that he could actually earn some real money out of this...

Oh Gappy one...

Ooma, the guilty party (although not looking particularly guilty actually)

Snuggling with the Dragon...

2010-03-29T09:06:00.004+02:00

Another order finished recently, a personalised baby blanket for Timothée with a dragon appliqué.

Inspiration from Marrakech

2010-03-26T11:37:00.005+01:00

I've always loved the geometric floral patterns and colour schemes found in the zellige tiles of Marrocco. They have something wonderfully modern about them, the colours somehow seem almost hand-made and they remind me of the insides of glass paperweights. I love the way also that I am reminded of Venice - something remarkable about the way the two cities resemble each other. The fortuny influence, glass lanterns, little cobbled streets and the labyrinth of the Médina, the dark mysterious nature of the walled palaces and the highly decorated motifs. Both cities amaze me and inspire me so much!

In love with Liberty of London!

2010-03-25T11:14:00.005+01:00

A project finished a while back for a good friend and one of my best neighbours, here are photos of a personalised baby blanket and frog, done in my favourite of favourites, Liberty fabric, teamed with a crisp white cotton. Gives me all sorts of ideas about a collection in white...

New products...Kokeshi Dolls!

2010-03-23T10:02:00.005+01:00

After a very, very, very long break...I am back at my computer ready to show the latest things that have been rolling out of my studio. These first lot of photos show you my latest project/new product - my Kokeshi dolls. For the moment they come in two sizes (medium and big), and please feel free to contact me for more details. They will be one of my new creations that I will be launching at the Message Bring'n'Buy sale this sunday, the 28th March 2010 at the Evergreen Levallois Hotel, between 1pm and 4pm. All sorts of things for kids will be on sale - second-hand and new goods in a Anglophone environment...come and say Hello, I'll be at stand 41 just at the entrance door!

New cushions!

2009-10-15T13:51:00.009+02:00

Here are the latest personalised cushions that I have created...hoping that Jackie enjoys the results of her winning voucher...

...and thankyou to Emily for coming up with the wonderful idea of adding a motif, or animal on the side...I think you'll agree it kind of finishes off the whole thing.

Cornwall gardens #2

2009-10-06T14:00:00.005+02:00

More photos from beautiful Cornwall...although when we were there it rained constantly, the gardens of many cottages on the coastline were fascinating (probably looking so good due to the wonderful rain)...many tropical plants grow in the area apparently due to the micro climate. Here are photos of the gardens at St Micheal's Mount (taken looking down, hanging over the turret edge from the top of the castle) and the little black number is called an aeonium (I think)...simply exquisite!

Fruit 'n' Veg

2009-10-02T15:20:00.007+02:00

I've always been fascinated by the sense of order, the layout and the prettiness of vegetable patches. I have been talking about creating my own for some time now...still haven't got round to it but maybe this winter...

I'm at the inspiration stage though and where better to start than by sharing some photos of the international vegetable patch at the Eden project, Cornwall. This wonderful working exhibit grows plants and veg from all over the world and boasts many unusual crops that we find in many international recipes. It really gave me loads of inspiration to create a World Veg patch for the kids to learn about food for different seasons and food from unusual places...kind of broadening (hopefully) their tastebuds! I'm still at the design stage (love that bit, that's probably why it's taking so long), but for now, here's the Eden project version...

2009-09-28T16:24:00.004+02:00

A special post as it was his birthday today, this was me and my dad way back in the flaring 70's...still think about him everyday and wish he could have known my little ones...

Made-to-measure cot bumper

2009-09-28T09:28:00.006+02:00

Another order finished, this time something a little more unusual for me...a baby's cot bumper with appliqué flowers on a white cotton ground...

Paper Patchwork

2009-09-24T09:16:00.007+02:00

Just finished decorating an Ikea chest of drawers which I bought years ago when pregnant with Ooma and it has been home to all of her clothes ever since. For her new bedroom I wanted to turn it into a key furniture piece, so I got to grips with a pot of black satin paint and some beautiful printed paper that I found at decopatch and whilst shopping when we were in holiday in Cornwall. The result is a kind of patchwork of floral and graphic motifs, in fresh, young colours with a kind of chinese feel due to the black lacquer effect of the very adult black paint (quite daring for a 3 year old's bedroom)!

Pink Haze

2009-09-23T09:27:00.009+02:00

After months of repainting, rethinking and reorganising, Ooma's new bright pink bedroom is finally finished! Pink walls, pale hot choc paintwork, big spotty hand-made (by me) curtains, and some great stickers called 'owl and company' which the kids and I stuck up together, and wall-to-wall carpet flooring to counteract the annoying audio effects of a old squeaky wooden floor (being fitted as we speak!)...can't wait to see her little face when she moves in this weekend! (Elliott is already asking,"Mummy, when are you going to redecorate my room, I want it bright green with dinosaurs everywhere!")

New Bags!

2009-09-22T12:29:00.002+02:00

Here are a selection of latest creations...personalised children's bags going off to England and somewhere in France. Hope you like it Claire!

Rentrée reussite!

2009-09-10T10:31:00.007+02:00

So here I find myself, home alone for four days a week, for the first time really in five years....and now I'm breathing, deep breaths of fresh air and enjoying calm reflection time for myself and general pottering around the house. Still miss the kids though by the end of the day!

La rentrée went really well, compared to other years, even if Elliott has turned into a little home-made bomb of excitement just waiting to explode every time he steps over the threshold of the class room door...in my newly-found zen-like state, I tell myself this shall pass. He is happy to go though and to be with Ooma this year seems to have reasssured him.

Ooma on the other hand has taken it all in her stride and has seemingly entered herself straight into moyenne section, referring at home in the evening to her same-age peers as 'the little ones who still have a sieste'! She loves to be part of Elliott's world, and according to the teacher the retrouvaille at lunchtime between the two is impressive and endearing...

Anyway, more importantly there were no tears and sadness this time around and that has been a relief for us all. Here are Ellie and Ooma on their first day back at school...

Happy Birthday Miss Phillips!

2009-08-08T14:44:00.004+02:00

For Ivy, who celebrates her birthday today...we remember when you came to visit us for the first time...have a lovely day my dear!

Personalised cushions

2009-08-07T21:38:00.003+02:00

Motivated by an old friend's kind comments via FaceBook today (thanks Lindsay), I am posting here some pics of recent projects as the website awaits rethinking and finishing....it's very difficult to show all the possibilities when everything I do is unique and hand-made! So I've decided to use my blog also as a kind of gallery for now, and here are some personalised cushions that I did for a client a few months back...

Love is in the air...

2009-08-02T10:45:00.003+02:00

Happy Anniversary mon amour! 12 years today! And each year just gets better...lubya!

Baby blankets...

2009-07-22T16:09:00.006+02:00

My latest commission orders are finally finished....I've just unplugged the sewing machine! And here they are for you to see! Made in cotton and polar fleece-backed, they seem very popular as newborn gifts; to swaddle and keep baby warm, for those first trips out in the pram, feeding in the fresh air, or just as a reminder of baby's name, when you might forget in those first few days at home, as three instead of two (only kidding)...

Eye candy from Cornwall

2009-07-22T10:19:00.007+02:00

Just back from holidaying in Cornwall.....loads of rain unfortunately but beautiful shops thank God! Found my hunger for fabric and motif satisfied quite nicely with wrapping paper and card gems from Chez Williams and Roger La Borde at First Press.

2009-07-07T23:06:00.001+02:00

Just back from Disneyland and am completely wiped out.....off to England tommorrow with the children and Monsieur. Back soon.
xxx

Someone's been sitting on MY chair!

2009-07-03T18:54:00.010+02:00

I've always been fascinated by small furniture for the little ones of this world and since becoming a mother, I seem to have started collecting kid's chairs (much to my husband's despair). When I see one I am constantly surprised by the way style and design works it's way into our lives at such an early age...for me these objects represent the history of design and are sooooo collectible simply because to collect the real thing would be not only too pricey for most of us, but also impossible to house, and these little miniatures are perfect pieces of a bitter sweet combination: the simple nature of doll's furniture combined with the grown up world of retro design and style...

The kids love it when I bring home an old little chair which needs repainting, I love restoring it, changing it's colour and adding a little cushion to match, and Monsieur Seb just rolls his eyes again...

This little red chair I picked up is my most recent bargain, I added the cushion. It reminds me of Goldilocks and the three bears...I love it! It will probably go up for sale at some point on the website, when it is up and running more....probably by the end of the year.

Dreaming, designing, dragons...

2009-06-30T15:39:00.002+02:00

So finally, Blogland beckons, and I'm very excited about the whole thing... I'm a stay-at-home-mum, looking to stay sane during the school holidays and share my ideas, crafty creations, things that make me laugh, things that inspire me, and things that I find touching. It is about my life here in France as an English girl (although at 35 years of age, I'm not sure I can still call myself that), as mother to Elliott and Ooma, and as darling wife of 12 years to 'Monsieur Seb' (the reason I came here in the first place). It is also the accompanying journal to my creative venture and my website (www.ellie-ooma.com) ...making handmade creations for kid's rooms...cushions, covers, bags and softies inspired by the whims of my own two little luvlies! I'm a fabric hoarder who loves to sew and make things and a wannabe kids' interior designer (maybe soon, who knows?) who's simply dying to get started on this motherly/crafty/family/girly/hopefully inspiring blog...

First up is a photo of recent craftworks that I have become known for amoungst friends, family and fellow Englishwomen in Paris. It all started a year and a half ago when Tata Catherine asked me to help her make some Christmas presents for the children she looks after... and my dragons were born...

Finally, the blog is up and running!

2009-06-30T11:17:00.000+02:00

OK, at last....I have finally set up my blog space...it will probably be a bit slow at the beginning but soon, I will write more and explain what I'm doing and why I'm doing it...Watch this space!