Chloe Croft at Spirit of Summer Fair 2012

Chloe Croft's portraits of exotic flamingoes and tigers, and pets such as love birds, cats and dogs are made from mosaics of tiny strips of coloured paper. You can buy the originals, or screenprinted versions on prints, lampshades, cushions and blinds from her website.

handbags by Harriet Sanders at Spirit of Summer Fair 2012

I last spotted Harriet Sanders at the Spirit of Christmas Fair last year (it was the yellow Classic handbag that I liked the look of), and she was back at the Summer Fair with some new designs: Tie clutch, Matinee Bag and Matinee Purse (left to right) in pretty palest pink. Harriet's bags are handmade from ethically produced leathers, which are incredibly soft - and she lines the bags in constrasting coloured leathers. If you need a handbag for summer outings and parties, you cannot go wrong with The Classic bag - you'll like the soft leather, curved design and (for me, crucial) over the shoulder strap - the difficulty will be choosing which colour.

The Tie clutch and the Dicky Bow clutch are made using recycled ties, so each one is unique

fantastic orange suede lining

some Matinee Purses

The Classic - I do love a good turn-catch on my handbags, and I like this design! Inside this slim bag there are three internal sections, and two smaller ones - very handy if you are like me and cannot find your keys, purse or oyster card amongst all the other 'essential' stuff you carry around.

purses and keyrings

Messenger bag - new for this season - which has shoulder straps and a long cross body strap. Again there are three compartments inside - this bag has good capacity!! (essential in choosing the right handbag)

Romney Marsh Wools at Spirit of Summer Fair 2012

A pile of Romney Marsh Wools blankets at Spirit of Summer fair

Kristina will be taking her Romney Marsh Wools next to Chichester Cathedral Festival of Flowers 7th to 9th June, and Wealden Times Midsummer Fair 14th to 16th June

Best Jubilee things at Sprit of Summer fair

Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with these good things I found at the Spirit of Summer fair.
I like this Hope & Glory range from Heyland & Whittle, packaged up in Union Jack boxes. Heyland & Whittle, based in Surrey, handmake soaps and other lotions and potions, and also scented candles (normally I run a mile from these things which fry your nostrils, but the H&W ones smell delicious: their range includes neroli and rose, or citrus and lavender). You can find the complete Heyland & Whittle range on their website - they are also stocked at Fortnum & Masons on Picadilly, and John Lewis.

This tea-towel is by Have A Gander who are based in Kent - the design is inspired by a playing card...more Have A Gander designs coming up in another post.

Damselfly - dresses for girls - Top Pick at Spirit of Summer Fair

Damselfly, my Top Pick from the Spirit of Summer fair, make the most exquisite dresses and skirts for girls aged 2 to 12 years.
Inspired by early 20th century vintage style, these handmade creations are made out of beautiful silks of every sort, hand dyed in a palette of delicious sorbet colours (think: eau de nil and shell pink) and embellished with fine details. These elegant clothes are sustainable and environmentally friendly - organic cloth is used where possible, and everything is made in Shropshire, using the 'whole garment' system so that seamstresses work on one piece from start to finish to ensure consistently high quality.
Damselfly's clothes conjour up a Midsummer Night's Dream, Swan Lake and John Singer Sargent's 'Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose'. These dresses are for special occasions, but your little Peaseblossoms and swan princesses may insist on wearing them all the time (cute with wellies, no?).