Folksy Upcycle Competition

Folksy, the UK online marketplace for buying and selling stuff, are running an Upcycle Competition. The idea behind it is to make something new from second hand/charity shop stuff which will be sold at auction on 7th December 2009 in aid of Sue Ryder, the healthcare charity.

I'm not a natural crafter so I've been seeking inspiration for quite a while. I don't sew and my knitting skills are pretty basic so I decided to stick to working with paper. I've been interested in making books for quite some time and so finally thought I should attempt an accordion photo book. I've never made one before so it was a bit of a learning curve but there are lots of handy tutorials available online.

For my accordion book I used some recycled kraft paper that was used to wrap a parcel. This means it's a bit crumpled, folded and marked in places but I think that adds to the charm! I then made accordion folds at carefully measured intervals to give the book it's shape. I didn't want to be too ambitious so I decided to make 8 openings for displaying items. I wanted to use the photo book to display some of my vast collection of vintage dog playing cards and postcards. It was difficult making the final selection but I knew that it would have to include a tribute to Caesar, Edward VII's favourite fox terrier. I have a postcard that shows him walking in the procession at Edward's funeral in 1910 (although the background has been edited out) and thought this would be perfect!

Once I'd decided on the items, I made templates the same size out of cardboard and used these to decide the exact position of the apertures. Using my bone folder (one of my tools from my real job as an Archivist!) I scored an outline on the reverse. I then made diagonal cuts using a scalpel and carefully folded the paper back. I then placed the cards in position and folded the paper over to hold them in place. I rather like this technique as it means the postcards are interchangeable.

I found some lovely old tweed material in a second hand fabric shop and had just enough to cover the front and back covers with it. As a final touch, I cut out a Scottish Terrier from felt and stuck it on the cover, along with black ribbons to enable the book to be tied flat, when not on display.

There are some beautiful and very creative entries to the competition which you can see by clicking here.

New Forever Foxed Tea Towels!

I'm very excited about my new tea towels. They feature the Forever Foxed signature Terrier screenprinted in vivid green, blue and red outlines on a lovely white linen/cotton mix tea towel.

Currently available in my Etsy (US$)and Folksy (UK£) shops; better snap them up quick while stocks last!

Toulouse-Lautrec's Fox Terrier...

I'm sure most of you are familiar with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's Post Impressionist images of the people in Paris around the fin de siecle. Did you know that he also painted and sketched dogs too?

I was intrigued to discover a letter that was recently up for auction in which Lautrec mentions buying a fox terrier.

The letter reads:

"I have just bought a Fox Terrier at the London pound. At the end of five days, the dogs are either killed or sold. The Queen wants it that way.

So for ten shillings I've got a
dog worth at least 5 Louis [100 Francs]. It would be very nice if you could send the errand boy to fetch it at the Gard du Nord tomorrow, Wednesday, at half past 5. Give it a drink, feed it and so on, and send it on again from the Gare d'Orleans to the following address: M. Victor, Cartage Contractor at the Langon Railway Station, Langon, Gironde, COD. In fact, I don't need to tell you who he is. Thadee will be responsible for enlivening the stay of this poor animal, who is named Judy, after Punch's wife. Inform Victor with a short telegram at Verdelais so that he will not fail to be there. I think I’ll be back about the 15th. I’m eating perfectly good grill[ed meat] and shall work a little, from a sense of duty. Salaam-aleikums to Thadee. Greetings to the friends and you".

The letter dates from 5th June 1894 and is written by Lautrec while staying at Morrell’s Private Hotel in London to his friend, Alfred Natanson.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to find out any further information about Judy the Fox Terrier. I wonder what became of her...