Sweden here I come.

I'm preparing to go to Sweden to photograph the next catalogue for Van Asch and also to see my godchildren and get some Christmassy shots. So, apologies to all you Swedish folk, but I'm praying for snow, just a little bit will do, and hope that everyone there has started to get their decorations out and houses lit up so that I can bring back some lovely photos of how they style for the festive season.

My last visit was for the Midsummer festival, so it couldn't be more different but as the Swedes like to embrace their roots and traditions I'm expecting great things.

For Midsummer we made wreaths to wear on our heads from flowers and foliage we picked in the hedgerow. As I'm about to write about making Christmas wreaths for my column in Vale Life, I was reminded of this. The best props often come from nature itself, at no cost, particularly if you live in the countryside.

Heres my god-daughter getting her wreath together.

We weren't alone, everyone throws themselves into these traditional festivals, this lady came in full Swedish national costume.

Young and old alike, the hand made garland is a must.

I will try to keep my eyes open for anywhere I can get props, either if we pass a Lopis or a charity shop. Lets hope that my host needs some things for the photo shoot because then we can call it "work" (guffaws loudly). Then, of course, I can do a Sunday Prop Shop with my Swedish finds !!

Locations are still being discussed but we normally go and stay at this beautiful old farmhouse with relatives.

Can you imagine how cute these traditional houses will look with a smattering of snow (please please please let it snow).

Our other regular location is this castle hotel, its called Gorvalns Slott and is just on the outskirts of Stockholm. 
The rooms are all individually styled with amazing furniture and colour schemes. They are good customers of Van Asch and have the cushions dotted around all over the hotel on their sumptuous and decadent sofas.

In the corner of each room they have these gorgeous heating devices, its like a fancy chimney and was used to warm the house. I wish oh wish we had those here, they are always decorated so beautifully. Most are antiques now, I'm not sure they work anymore.

Heres another of these masonry stoves, they are more than just a chimney and actually recycle the heat in a very efficient manner before exiting the building. It's all very technical. 


So in the words of the song "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" and put some wood in that corner stove while you are at it.

Folkski

My latest project, which is all entangled with lots of other things I'm doing, is launching a new company called Folkski.
You can find them over on facebook and there are links to ebay where the first items are being sold.

Folkski has come about by meeting my new neighbour Tatiana who is from the Baltic. I visited the USSR in 1978 with my Dad, at that time they were closed to outside visitors unless you booked with Intourist who organised escorted trips around the country.
It was to be one of the greatest adventures of my life. We travelled all over the USSR from top to bottom on internal Aerophlot planes (held together with tape and string I think) and experienced all aspects of this vast country. Not jut Leningrad and Moscow but also down to Tashkent, Samarkand and right down to the Afghan border. This tweaked my interests in arts and crafts from far flung places. 

My interest in folk art from the north of Sweden, across Estonia and over to Russia has propelled me into wanting more authentic items and when I told Tatiana she researched how to get some of these items that we can bring to the UK. The Babushka scarf has the most fabulous colour combinations and patterns, particularly the large roses on black.

The wool is extra fine and as they are large they can be worn or used to adorn furniture, we plan to make cushions and lampshades at some point too.

Whilst I still have some props bought in Russia on that 78 trip, I did manage to find a few things in charity shops and around in the uk at excellent prices.

The lacquered spoon, still with its Russian makers sticker, was bought for £1 in a charity shop in Bucks.

This glorious Scandi vintage light was less than £10 in another charity shop nearby where I live.

As a collector of Dala Horses this one came home from Sweden with me and the tin clockwork Russian toy came from e-bay.

I have also started cutting stencils and decorating furniture influenced by the colours and patterns in these scarves, all using Annie Sloan paints. These stylings will be unveiled in the new year at the launch of a special project that Annie Sloan is beginning. 

Meanwhile, Im on the lookout for more Folk Art from the frosty north and furniture to makeover. Hopefully another trip to Sweden while the snow is on the ground and maybe next year to Estonia.
Folkski are also investigating how to get felt boots at a reasonable price so more of that to follow. 

Until then "Dasvidaniya" from me x

To buy a scarf from Folkski please look on ebay from the following seller : click here 

Furry Props

I thought that for #Sunday Prop Shop this week I would post some photos of "when animals want to get in on the action". Wherever I go theres always some furry friend whose head ends up popping into shot. As I live with four cats then this is a regular occurrence if I'm shooting in my house, but it also seems to happen everywhere else I go.  


This was a shoot for Sophie Ray. Our lovely friend let us use her house and her old piano. Scooby the labrador just sat there, like he thought he was supposed to, and would not move until tempted by a biscuit from his mum.

At another friends house, Jane's enormous bull-mastif (soon to be a star of tv show 'Antiques Road Trip') just had to investigate the cushion I was photographing. 

Nelson's head is so big it could block out the sun. More biscuit bribes were necessary to move this behemoth. 

The summer pics in Sweden (below) where Boycie probably posed better than the girls, a shoot where everyone was bribed with cakes.

And then there are my cats, above Aston is wondering what I'm doing. Below, Coco (who is blind) just decided to settle herself on the bed and I didn't have the heart to move her. I was amazed that neither of them didn't just sit in the middle of the blanket as its so cosy and warm.

Here's Emily who didn't realise that this little shetland pony was watching her every move. 

And then sometimes a furry prop makes an appearance and its just the shot you need, even if you hadn't planned it.

What's the old adage "never work with animals or children". 
Mmmmmm .... seems like the animals have different ideas.

Click click splosh.

I thought I would just add to the post below with some pictures of the weekend shoot near Lewes where we were continuing to photograph some crocheted items designed by Nicki Trench for Designer Yarns Noro wool.

It was a very early start, the sun had just risen and the view from my lovely B&B was double aspect, the mist was rising but it wasn't raining (like it had been the day before) so we hoped for a promising start.

Our lovely location was at Beshlie Grimes house/farm. Beshlie writes great books about making your own booze. Have a look on Amazon for Beshlie Grimes Making Wines. 

I can't show you the finished projects in full so heres some teasers.

Someone must have listened to our prayers because the sun peeped through and for a few hours we had lovely light. 

Later in the day we had a planning meeting about the next few shots, including those for 'what we call' Jam Hats. Such Fun. 


Click one ...
Just a little update of whats happening with me right now. 
I am still working on a design for a sock pattern that should be a good beginners project, so I'm knitting it, undoing it and trying out different ideas until I feel that its a good one. Heres the first prototype. Once I feel I have it nailed I will post the pattern here with information on how to do it yourself.

This is knitted in Aran wool on circular needles and I while I love a snowflake pattern on a sock, I think it took too long and I want this to be something that the knitter can see a quick result with. I'm loving the wools made by Drops, the wool above is their alpaca mix called Nepal.

Click two ...

I'm midway through photographing a book of crochet patterns using Noro wool and designed by Nicki Trench. 

and ... splosh.  

Soon there will be a new company launch for unique items from Russia and the company is called Folkski.  Combined with the launch of this company will be some new looks and the 'splosh' is the sound of paint being used in the room sets. We hope to bring you some fabulous colour combinations using Annie Sloan chalk paint. 

And this little lady is the Folkski mascot, wind her up and watch her go (sounds like me doesn't it)!

Big Jugs

I have big jugs and I cannnot lie. In fact, Im very proud of my big jugs, they are an asset to any stylist and photographer and useful on so many levels.

Big jugs can be used in many ways, either to divert the eye or as a way to disguise and cover up a less attractive feature.

I have used my own big jugs in may photo shoots and when they aren't being put to purpose I just have them around the house as decoration.  Luckily for me my 'other half' likes big jugs too and gets quite excited when I produce a new one.

This week I added to them with an Art Deco one which I found in a charity shop.

Sometimes I ask for advice about how to decorate them from my local florist Wild Orchid, Lorraine often has ideas about how to make them look seasonal, she has some lovely jugs herself, you should check them out if you are passing. 

flowers by Wild Orchid

The older they get the more you appreciate and look after them.

Sometimes I dress them up to look Victorian or Country Rustic. I love to play with them and see what is the most eye catching.

My big jugs have even featured in magazine shoots like this one  for Homes and Antiques, the September issue.

So impressive a statement is the big purple jug that it was photographed twice.

This one was used recently to hide a radiator and add a splash of colour in a shoot Im doing for a yarn company. 

My jugs tend to go up and down in size but I find the bigger the better. Im sure you have all seen my small ones anyway in other photos.  Im still looking to add to my collection with a pink enamel one from France to match the Lavabo in my bathroom.

This blog post was sponsored by good old British innuendo and "Carry On" educational services. All photos and jugs are my own; the exclusive property of Janice Issitt.

Mollie Makes issue 32

Ta Dah !  Heres the issue of Mollie Makes that I am in. 
In this months issue you can see why I collect Dala Horses and also make your own in felt. Can you see that banner to the right, ok, click on that and it will take you directly to where you can order the magazine, either a subscription or just the latest issue, which looks like this ...

I made these mini Dala Horses from felt but in the magazine you can see how to make a larger one and it also shows you how to do the embroidery stitches.

Nearer to Christmas I will show you how I plan to use these mini ones as decorations, I may attach them to a garland for the fireplace or hang them on the tree. They are fun to make and you could really just stitch whatever pattern appeals to you most. 

In the article I explain what they mean to me and the history and symbolism behind them.  

At some places in Sweden they have giant ones that you can sit on. I haven't made it to the factory or the museum yet and hope that on my next trip I won't bore my friend Rachel too much with these treks.

Perhaps I should  tell her they have an amazing cake shop next door :)

My thanks go to Gunilla and Hans-Olof who helped me with this collection and who cook me the most amazing Swedish food whenever I visit. The last trip was for Midsummer Festival and thats when this photo was taken of me wearing a flower head garland. I really want to visit at Christmas but need to find a cat sitter.

Scarlet Gunilla Rachel and Isabel with me all ready for maypole dancing, Swedish style.

Don't forget folks, a Dala Horse isn't just for Christmas its for life !

People I Admire II - Kaffe Fassett

I have just now watched a great programme about knitting on BBC Four, and it reinforced quite a few things that I have for a long while thought, plus it was a jolly good history of knitting in the UK.

As a nation our love affair with hand knits became really tweaked when in 1922 the Price Of Wales wore a fishermans fairisle jumper on the golf course. Only a painting of him wearing it remains as a colour reminder and you can see that on fellow blogspotter Tweed And The Gentlemans Club. 

It was Coco Chanels approach to comfort that revolutionised womens clothing, and it was to the UK that she came to source soft Jersey knitted fabric.


Since the minute I took up knitting, which actually was only just over two years ago, I wanted to knit fairisle, plain knitting seemed just too boring and whilst I don't mind the odd cable, its not the the fancy stitches that interests me but the way to bring lots of colour together.  This, I discovered, is exactly the same reasons which started a life long career for Kaffe Fassett.


My awareness of Kaffe and his work has come and gone over the years. He first came to recognition when in the 1970's he worked with Bill Gibb. Some pictures of his work can be seen on The Womens Room blog, I can remember buying some lovely things with his designs on in the 80s, like a tea tray and some tapestry kits. Just recently I fell in love with some patterns in a Rowan pattern book, only to discover that Kaffe had designed the range, inspired by Russian Matryoshka dolls. He seems to regularly quote the same inspirational colour pallet as I love too.

Kaffe Fassett treats knitting like his canvas to create colour, an exquisite textile artist, working not only in knitting but also tapestry and patchwork. 

In the documentary it is described beautifully as a bohemian romance of complex colour patterns, a poem of colour. 

When asked "why is colour important" Kaffe answers "this question is as if colour were some strange freaky thing, it astounds me, like asking why is breath so important. To me its air, the air of my soul".

My personal constant musings are regarding colour and hand crafting. I nearly laughed out loud when in this documentary they said that many a woman had been bought a knitting machine by her husband for it to only stay in the box. For my own other half, looks at me knitting or hand sewing and says "Im sure you could get a machine to do that". And like many husbands before him, he is totally missing the point. I own three sewing machines and prefer to hand sew even on large quilts. And as the lovely ladies on the tv show can qualify, there is something so satisfying about the repetition and growth of a hand made piece. Turning a ball of yarn into a garment, made to measure in colours of ones own choice.  

The scarf above is a design from that Rowan book by Kaffe and the socks are an adaptation of that.

I love this Rowan yarn called Felted Tweed because the colour range is so beautifully reflective of the colours of heathers, heathland, autumn leaves, some muted and some jewel like.

this was my first fairisle jumper, I can see loads of mistakes, but who cares, not me.
The yarn is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.

 You can google up scientific studies on the health benefits of knitting and heres a quote to explain why we love it
(you won't understand until you have a go) and no, dear hubbies everywhere, doing it on a machine is just not the same.

"The main reasons for knitting commonly related to it’s rhythmic, repetitive nature and its ability to relieve stress, induce relaxation and manage emotions, particularly for unwinding after work. It also helped people who had anxiety disorders. Some occasionally found knitting stressful, but this related to trying to tackle a project which was beyond their means or having a tight deadline to reach. It was felt that knitting had meditative and ‘zen-like’ qualities – it was described as ‘soothing’ ‘restful’ or ‘spiritual’. 72% of respondents knitted more than three times a week and there was a significant relationship between the frequency of knitting and feeling calm, happy and confident.
Of those respondents who suffered from depression, 81.5% stated that they felt happier after knitting with 54% of those saying they felt happy or very happy after knitting. Compare this with comments made about antidepressants – “Knitting makes me feel happy – antidepressants just numb all my senses”– and you get an idea as to just how powerful and effective knitting can be as a tool for wellness. Colour and texture also impacted on mood with texture having more of an affect – 24% indicated the colour of the yarn affected mood and 46% stating texture did. Touching something good makes you feel good. 


Mental health problems are often developed by people who think too much, over analysing, anxiety, not being able to stop certain thought processes.  I can verify that the concentration in knitting takes you out and away from that head space and whatever your reason for taking up this great hobby, it doesn't matter. Once you start you will be hooked. 

Autumn arrives.

This week I have been taking a LOT of photographs, even more than usual, of things made from wool for a little catalogue - and that is all I can reveal.

It was fabulous timing as I had just started to look at doing a bit more knitting again and planning out my colder weather projects, the ones you do under a blanket with a roaring fire next to you. Several times since moving to the countryside we have actually been 'snowed in' as the gritting lorries fail to get out to us. It's probably not as bad as I'm making out but when they tell you on the news to only do "essential journeys" then, nothing seems essential unless you are starving or needing a hospital. I digress. 

So with the nip in the air and the cats starting their usual trail of muddy footprints all over the house, I thought I should change the house over from its summer style. The light delicate rugs changed, the eiderdowns got out of storage, the fireplace ready and some nice warm and orange tones in foliage to arrange. 

And these just happen to be all the things I needed to decorate my photographs. It was also an excuse to buy some lovely heathers and interesting vegetables. 

Im sure when most people bring home pumpkins and such, they intend to do more than carve a face in it, in this house neither of us can cook so more often than not the buying of gnarly gourd shaped edibles is due to the needing of a prop in a photo. 
I shall try and put these in some sort of soup perhaps.

Just in time some conkers and acorns could be found on the ground.

My mood references were natural history. 

If anyone can suggest what to do with the pumpkins that doesn't involve much skill in the kitchen, do let me know. I can update this post with the results. Until then, they shall stay in a rustic basket looking nice and decorative.