King Tut Tour Takes Over North America

As one of history's most gossiped about characters, King Tut has proven that fame is certainly more attainable after death. Throughout 2010 the latest exhibition of antiquities from the boy king's tomb is touring North America and creating quite a stir. The tour started in San Francisco and visits Toronto, Denver and New York City before retiring back to Egypt. The exhibition isn't the only reason King Tut is making headlines lately - a few weeks ago a much anticipated DNA test result was released.

For decades scientists have pondered the cause of King Tut's death. However due to the results of the most recent DNA test, theories of murder and scandal have all gone out the window and it appears that the king died of complications from a broken leg aggravated by malaria. It may not be the most exciting revelation ever, but it couldn't have come at a better time as the latest exhibition of King Tut's belongings tours North America.

Although the King Tut Exhibition of the '70s set new records, the latest exhibit, 'King Tut and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs' hopes to be a hot contender. It includes an outstanding array of Tutankhamen's burial objects. In addition to 50 objects straight from Tut's tomb, there is an array of other Egyptian artefacts from the 18th Dynasty. This 'Golden Age' of Egypt spanned one hundred years and produced some of history's most impressive antiquities. The exhibition also features new forensic studies of King Tut's mummy. The cause of his death is explored from CT scans and visitors can also look the king in the eye - or rather that of a life-sized bust created by forensic specialists.

When the original exhibit launched at the British Museum in 1972, 'Tut Mania' was born. People queued for over eight hours just to see King Tut and his treasures. Since then, Tut Mania remains ever present with visitors already tallying around 4 million. The new exhibit features iconic pieces as well as never-before-seen objects. It's definitely worth a trip even if you aren't located in one of the cities on the tour.

Vintage Fabric, Quilting, Sewing?

Christmas is over, and so the hard work begins. I am currently back at college, and the work has started to mount up. There are designs to make, projects to think up and craft materials to source. Thankfully, apart from the constant supply of tea that is fuelling my life, i have managed to stumble upon a local company who sell beautiful vintage buttons and vintage fabrics. It also seems to be the escape from the darken days with lots of colours, and pattern and a familiar sense of chirpiness - Spinsters Emporium is my new love.

My new found love saved my from valentines day, by inspiring me to dust the sewing machine down and get to work with the projects that I've been meaning to get around to. All my Christmas money has gone on vintage fabric and craft packs. I am going to tell you straight here the craft packs were made by Gods. 1 pack can include a beautiful collection of vintage fabric cut offs, ranging from floral fabrics to retro fabrics, or vintage buttons, or even embellishment ideas. There is so many wonders, i believe i lost my breath for a second! Today the idea of quilting popped into my little head, and nana will be proud. With the help of spinsters emporium, and a rebirth into quilting, spinsters everywhere can make anything! I have recently purchased, Cuter than a daisy vintage fabric pack. Plus all the products come with adorable, fun loving names!

So, basically its time for quilting, and I am a little nervous about this venture, so a book has been found which is also at Spinsters, in other lovely stuff. Do they have everything you would ever need? Yes, my friend, I believe they do. Quilts have always fascinated me, but they are such an expensive thing to buy. My nana had a beautiful quilt that envolved patchwork, and little embellished delight; there is nothing more beautiful than something handmade. She was in the era of make do and mend but i believe that we to are in the new era of make do and mend, we may not need to make do, but I am a simple soul looking for simple ways of being happy this is happiness.

Etsy is bursting at the seams with patchwork, handmade delights, and I hope one day that I will be able to sell my happiness to the people of the world, the spinsters are the makers, looking for a chance of love, in spending the joy. Recently I read an article of quilting involving the upcoming exhibit in the V&A, and what was fascinating was the young groups of girls who would share patterns and ideas for making a huge quilt! Any one of there who would be my friend? Wanted: quilting fabric, vintage fabric, a steady hand and a good sense of humour. Contact me on.... haha the spinsters personal ads.

Preserving Antique Furniture Part 1 - Patina and Why You Shouldn't Disturb It

The point of restoration most often discussed, sometimes argued but rarely agreed upon is patina. There is no real right and wrong but there is a very strong sense of responsibility on our part for conserving our past in a sympathetic manner and not disturbing more than is necessary. This does not always please the customer, especially those who call on you with a piece of furniture that is pristine condition and in need of no more than a good clean and wax. We explain the way we would approach the restoration of that article and they say "No! I want it stripped, sanded and refinished- I want it looking new again."

Then, a long silence and an attempt to dissuade the owner from causing irreversible harm to the piece of furniture by removing its well-worn finish or patina.

Patina, as defined in the dictionary, is "a gloss produced by age on wood", which is probably oversimplified, as this does not take into consideration the role of the millions of scars, scratches and bruises, along with a gentle discolouration of both the polish and the faded upper surface of the timber. With rustic or primitive furniture the paint will mellow, being rubbed through on busy areas such as around edges of cupboard doors, handles and the edges of work surfaces. Then there is the build-up of human body oils which are present as darker regions around handles, finger grips and key escutcheons; and subtle variations in colour about the feet and plinth from a gradual build-up of both wax and dust, as well as in quirks, hard to access areas and tarnish-coated brassware such as handles, locks, hinges, escutcheons and castors etc.

Patina is an overall summation of all of these factors and more that gives a piece of furniture a warmth and character that no restorer or polisher can re-create in a short period of time. If you have anything like this, treasure it -it is the ultimate. Add to it, nourish it, but for goodness sake, try never to disturb it. Care must be taken to retain as much of the old as is possible. Disturb only if there is no other choice but to make repairs to polished surfaces because a piece of furniture must be workable and useful. Patina holds a fascination for the true collector wondering who once used this piece and what they were like. Did they care for this piece, or was it just a utilitarian piece? These years of use should not be lost, as it is like tearing pages out of a hook of history if the patina is removed.