New Season Knits

Winter is a comin' and here at Cissyface Vintage you will find some great wooly wonders to keep you warm in the comin months. We have great styles in a wide variety of colours so please pop over and have a browse!

The kindness of others

A few weeks ago my friend Claire, her cousin Laura and I all went to a day sewing class over the Tay bridge in Newport or Tayport (I can't remember which one is which lol). The course was run by Claire and Laura's aunty Beatrice and some other lovely ladies. We all set about cutting and pinning and stitching and by the end of the Laura and I had produced the same skirt in different fabrics and lengths and to everyone's admiration Claire had produced this lovely bag. Helped and guided by Isabel, Claire had managed panelled sides, a gusset, handles, a button closure and a lining! Not bad for a day's work!

Fast forward to Tuesday...

Claire had given me an amazing bag of goodies from her granny, who always spoils me with bits and bobs from her sewing/yarn stash and there was also another bag with something in it... I asked what it was and Claire said the card inside would explain all. Inside the carrier bag was this beauty!!!

It was a replica of the bag Claire had made on the sewing class and the card read: We made this bag for the exhibition and would like you to have it - Isabel, Beatrice, Mary and Marjorie. How completely thoughtful and kind of the ladies to think of me :) it really made my day and just shows you how lovely people can be!

A hopeless romantic...

and then one day when I least expected...

Here are some photos of my all time favourite mug that I have stashed away in a cupboard because I am too scared of breaking it! It was part of a charity range of mugs by Elle Decoration/Shelter and one of my favourite artists - Rob Ryan. I came across it yesterday and it reminded me of what a hopeless romantic I am at heart.

Rob Ryan's papercuts are amazing and are always super lovey dovey and not what I woulds usually like, but his work completely charms me! You can check out his website by following the link here.

North Rock Gallery

We are delighted to announce that our work is currently part of the new SPICE exhibition in the beautiful North Rock Gallery in Lerwick, Shetland. For anyone near the area, the bricks and mortar gallery is a lovely space packed full of amazing goodies - definately worth a visit!

The good news for everyone else is that they have a sleek online shop for you to browse in the comfort of your favourite armchair with your feet up and a nice cup of tea! Visit the online shop here.

We wish the lovely Suzanne and Mark all the best for the new exhibition and urge you guys to take a peek ASAP!

Here comes Autumn...

As we all start looking forward to the romance of colder nights, wrapping up warm and snuggling by a roaring fire we will be launching some of our new AW11 lines and to kick us off I am pleased to let you guys know that we have some fabulous new Recycled Luxury Tartan Snoods available on the site, RIGHT NOW! I have been wearing one of these on the odd occasions where the temp has started to drop and I have already had some lovely compliments. I always seem to guess the ever changing weather wrong at the moment and you never know from one hour to the next to expect sun, rain, wind... at least this offers the wearer a quick change from summer outfit to autumn outfit in one piece. Here is a photo of the Black Watch option, but it also comes in the bright red Royal Stewart tartan.

Recycled Luxury Tartan Snood £25

Crochet!

I have finally conquered my mental block with crocheting! Thanks to the wonder that is Youtube and one very bored Saturday night, I knuckled down and set about learning a basic granny square...

The first attempt was the plain peach square you can see in the photo above and there was a lot of pausing, rewinding and unraveling that took place, but all in all - not too shabby for my first square. I then progressed to merging rows of different colours (like the top square in the above photo) and that is what I have been wanting to achieve forEVER!

I carried the coloured square on and I want to continue until it is big enough to be a cushion cover with a matching square for the back. I was using a really soft cotton yarn and I am really happy with how the pastel shades work together. I have more crochet projects in mind (now that I can actually crochet), including a snood design and a scarf design that I have in mind. I have already bought some great colours of wool and started the snood so watch this space for updates!! :)

Perth Summer Craft Market

Well... What can I say about the market last Saturday??? It was WET. Very wet. Extremely wet! Anyway, here is a photo of our (in my opinion) beautiful stall. This was taken in the morning just after we had finished setting up and in between two of the many showers of the day!!

This is a bit of a close up of the table and our very PINK colour scheme we had going. It definately made the stall "pop" and I think the vibrant background highlights the products well. You can also make out the signs that we had spotted about the place. There are always lots of questions about the products and not everyone is forward enough to ask so I made sure there was lots of info available for the more shy shoppers! A personal favourite was the sign for the Vintage Teacup Candles that said: "Please feel free to sniff me, I smell lovely!" Isn't it nice that they like to talk to the customers!

This next photo is of 2 things... firstly, one of the heavier down pours and secondly it is of the 2 nicest stallholders I met on the day. The left stall is Diana King Jewellery and the stall on the right is It's Only Natural. I will say no more than to strongly suggest you check out the links and have a look at their work!

I would also like to say a HUGE thank you to my good friend Claire who got up VERY early to brave the elements with me, helped me with the stall and most inportantly tried her best to keep the day in good spirits (even when the weather got soo bad we were both clining onto our platic curtains for dear life to keep the stock dry)!!

Finally, I will leave you a photo (sorry about the quality) of the river... yes I said RIVER that had overflowed under our stall. We managed to try and keep everything as dry as possible, but I do feel sorry for other stallholders on our side of the street who weren't able to manage the weather as well as we tried to.

Busy times!

Well, it has been a busy few weeks to say the least! I have a huge event coming up and have been working solid to make sure I have enough existing stock and some new goodies all ready to go!


Here are some of the gorgeous little scented hearts I have been making today! They are all made from recycled tartan kilts and are scented with Lemongrass so they are perfect for: room decorations, radiator warmers, pin cushions, drawer scenters, hanger scenters... the list is endless really! They will be new items at Perth and will also then be added to the website! Along with these, I have used the same tartans for some really lovely bunting (I am feeling all patriotic now)!

Here is one of my favourite designs which is the two heart version. Each one is hand cut, hand sewn and that adds to the shabby chic look and feel of them. I have already been hanging them everywhere I can think of so I will have to make sure and keep some for selling! I think these will do great nearer Xmas for presents as they really are cute, practical, eco friendly and have that Scottish edge too :)

Speaking of the upcoming Perth event, we have recently had our new sign delivered! I LOVE it! What I didn't think about though was how to hang it! Silly me assumed that it would come with eyelets already in it, but I guess not! Fear not, I am sure I will come up with a solution before the big day! I really am loving the white/hot pink colour combo and have also added in some light grey for our stall colour scheme so it's gonna look very girly and chic!

Lastly I have a little sneaky peak of a prototype of the new packaging we are excited to put our Recycled Vinyl Record Cake Stands in. The finished version also has THE coolest vintage tie handle and some lovely branding :) I am really proud of these and they are how our stands will come from now on. 100% recycled cardboard pizza box, a recycled vintage mens tie and the bubble wrap inside is also all recycled from local shops. Woo hoo!

Right, that is only a snippet of what I have been up to, but my sewing machine is calling and I have lots still to do so I will say goodbye for now and update you again soon!

P.S. I am planning to do a photo diary of our day at Perth so for anyone wanting to see the real side of fairs, people who are new to the craft scene and want to know what to expect or anyone just interested in seeing how I like to approach an event can have a look at my day, step by step. This is if I remember!!! Anyone who knows me will realise that the most likely outcome is that I will remember half way through the day so you will only see some of it!! haha. Memory like a sieve!

SPECIAL people & SPECIAL places

Just another one champion sound

Me and you about to get down

Who the hottest in the world right now

Just touched down in London town...

There are some people you meet in your life and places that you travel to that just stick, they are right up your street and you just get them/it. Well for me, Ann Marie and good old London town are examples of those! I have known Ann Marie for many years now and although she is not a friend I get to see or speak to often, she is one that will ALWAYS be around!

Here is probably one of the first photos there is of the two of us. Bootiful, aren't we??? lol. Well we have decided to have a bit of a reunion in one of the best places on Earth (can you guess where?)... London BABY! We haven't finalised when yet, but I am already so so so so so excited! Expect photos galore, some Nandos and very very touristy activities including the musical of choice (already decided on) SHREK!! I CANNOT WAIT!!

Why do I always want to make things BIGGER?!

Hellooooooo everyone! How are you all on this rainy Thursday?! Today the rain has spurred me on with a very productive day so I am quite thankful for it. Please excuse my chubby, pale digits and chipped nail polish and feast your eyes on my new CHUNKIEST EVER KNITTING NEEDLE BANGLE!!! Much patience and a little TLC is needed when making the bangles this thick, but I honestly love love love them! I don't have many, because as always it depends on what I can get my grubby little paws on, but I have got a few to list on the website. I have grabbed this turquoise one for myself as I just couldn't bare to see it go, but it's sister will be up for grabs along with some baby blue, green and yellow ones. You can just see some of them at the very top of the photo below.

I have also been working on my usual knitting needle bangles and have managed to make a fair few today! Since the new offer started, the sales have rocketed so I will have to go hunting for more needles ASAP! I am also going to list some of the dainty, thinner bangles in mixed colour sets that will be coming along to Perth with me in July. If anyone wants to grab anything before it gets listed or fancies a set of the thinner bangles, give me a shout and I will be happy to get something sorted for you!

Hi, my name is Crystal and I am a Knitoholic!!

Knitting is always something I have been interested in and could knit a basic stitch from a young age... that seemed to be as fas as I got though! Until recently, I had to ask my mum for help if I wanted to take on a knitting project! This was not good enough and after deciding to take the bull by the horns I have advanced ALOT over the last few weeks/months.

I have been wanting to do some knitted scarves, accessories and other bits and bobs for this winter after I made some things last year that were admired alot and now I have the skills to develop my ideas! I think because I am fairly new to knitting I am able to try new things and make my own patterns without overthinking things too much. If they work its great, but if they don't I am always still learning from mistakes and the best bit is that if something doesn't work - you can unravel the piece and reuse the yarn! Yey!

I am certainly not a traditional knitter and have been exploring french knitting on round looms, knitting boards, the newish craze of extreme knitting (which is the huge green/purple knitting in the photo), combining different techniques and trying different materials to use as yarns. As you all know, I love to recycle old t shirts and I have made some scarves by knitting the jersey as yarn and they really are a treat! Super soft and chunky, just the way I love my knitting!!

Below is one of my creations from last year - the Gertrude Scarf. It can be worn as a scarf, doubled round and tied like this as a cowl. Especially in this cherry red, it reminds me of Little Red Riding Hood in winter! It is knitted on a round loom so the knitting is double thickness and extra warm! What do you think?? I can see this coming back for this winter with a few tweaks here and there.

I have also been knitting myself a jumper, but as I get very easily carried away with new ideas I have the front, back and half a sleeve so far... who knows when I will get the motivation back to finish it when I have lots of new things to learn??? I am sure once Autumn/Winter arrives and everything gets very chilly, I will be rushing to get it ready to wear ASAP!

Anyway, enough about knitting!! I understand that my knitting rambling will not exactly be riveting to all!! My next step in the knitting saga will be fair isle and tackling cables and I plan to take on crochet basics very soon so watch this space for more updates!

A new look for the blog and a GREAT new offer on our website!

Hello everyone!

I know, I know... I apologise for the lack of blogging over the last while! I always struggled to keep a diary when I was younger and I guess this is the same kind of thing. I promise to do better! I have given the blog a nice wee makeover with some lovely grey accents (I have a secret love affair with the colour grey - my studio is a great mushroom colour) and hopefully that will spur me on to continue blogging more regularly!


It is quite shameful that I am so bad at blogging seeing as I love to read blogs and follow many inspirational bloggers and crafters on here. I think there is great comfort in reading about someone else's life and recognising similarities with your own. I have never studied art/craft/design/business (I actually studied Scots Law at Dundee Uni many years ago) or any of the other things I undertake on a daily basis and sometimes feel like I am reaching about in the dark and making lots of mistakes. Whether they realise it or not, the online bloggers are a great support. I am quite a quiet character and often struggle opening up to people or building relationships in person so would never be able to find out the things that people often divulge online. Simply knowing there are other people out there, with the same creative passion, with the same dreams and goals and knowing that we are all working so hard to get to those dreams is amazing.


Before I get too carried away, I think you understand what I am trying to say! Anyone out there who can relate - please feel free to get in touch or follow my blog to see how my journey progresses!


The only other thing I want to mention today is the great new offer I have just launched on the website! Our Knitting Needle Bangles are one of our most loved products and we know that people love to stack them up and wear lots at once. Keeping this in mind we are now excited to offer our customers a 3 for 2 offer on them! They come individually packaged in our beautiful little origami gift boxes so are great for no stress presents or why not keep all 3 for yourself???? We'll let you decide!

3 for 2 on Knitting Needle Bangles

Amazing little origami gift box now available for all smaller items!

Handmade Origami Gift Box £1.50

Come Dine With Me/Vogue

A quick question for you all: Did anyone else happen to notice a familiar face from Come Dine With Me in the pages of V.. V... V... VOGUE this month?!

Tiffany the BEAU-tiful Chihuahua

Nothing vintage related today everyone, but I did want to take the opportunity to introduce you all to wee Tiffy. Our good luck charm here @ Cissyface Vintage and this is a photo of her doing what she does best.... chilling!

Pop on over to the online shop because we have great new things appearing everyday just now. Teacup candles are back in store, as cute as ever and just in time for Mothers Day.

Ciao,

Crystal x

New vintage items now available at C=V

Vintage Shoes £12

Vintage Black/Gold Necklace £8

Vintage Shoulder Bag £6

Vintage Buttons in Gift Box £5

Back in stock! Vintage Scarf Corsages in beautiful spring colours!

We know how much you all loved our gorgeous upcycled corsages last season (like Alma pictured above), so we hope you'll be pleased to know we have been busy sourcing pretty scarves for this seasons batch! They are back and better than ever in great colours and prints to really bring a WOW factor to any outfit!

Here is the first of the seasons new pieces and isn't she lovely?! Pastel shades on what was once a strong linear pattern. Looks almost like a flower blossom and really, really pretty!

Recycled Vintage Scarf Corsage/Brooch £14.50

Also want to know a juicy little secret?? We are busy making some of these lovely corsages into headband fascinators!! Very chic, fun and perfect for standing out from the crowd.

Let's look forward to spring/summer...

We are sick of the dreary weather and the dark nights here at Cissyface VIntage, so we are gladly looking forward to the hints of spring that shall be coming our way soon. We are proud to introduce some new designs and we will also be bringing back some Cissyface favourites in gorgeous sunny colours!

Recycled Zip Cuff £9.00

Cotton String Necklace £8.00

Summer Vintage Button Necklace £10.50

Valentines Day Range

Here are some little beauties from our product range which are perfect for any hopeless romantic this Valentines Day! Plenty of other items are available on the website, including a lovely DOUBLE SIDED Valentines Day card!! Why not have a look at Cissyface Vintage now?!

SAMPLE - Lauren Necklace

A one of a kind, sample piece is now up for grabs at Cissyface Vintage. I have decided to sell some of the items I have created while exploring new ideas and techniques and the Lauren necklace is the first. A bargain at £20, this is sure to be a great addition to any wardrobe. Grab something truely unique before its gone!