plump pudding

Green Fingers

2010-06-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

Well, after promising the earth in terms of blogging, I let myself down. I was distracted by the garden and the fact that it has been sorely neglected. There was no excuse any more and that's where I have been spending all my free time.

The photos are deceptive. The flower beds are meant to look bare as I have been forking and digging out crocosmia and some other yellow flower that have totally taken over the ground.

And what a nightmare job it has turned out to be. Bags of the bulbs and roots have been taken away by the council recycling people. I know that there will be a few bulbs etc left but I am hoping that they will be easy to get out next year and I have (hopefully) halted the invasion!

New plants have been planted instead. Now all that is left to do is to sit on my new bench and wait for the new plants to flower.

Still on the green theme, I bought this lovely felt bag thinking it was an old one. 1940s or possibly 1960s. Took it home and nopw can't decide.

Do any of you ladies agree with me? I know it's difficult to tell from a photo. But what do we think> New/Old?

Old or new, Dulcie certainly took a shine to it!

To keep or not to keep ..............

2010-04-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

Having been relatively restrained in the book buying depatment lately, I decided to have a browse on line and see what took my fancy. I already have a book by Kaari Meng and love it - so that was the one that went into my shopping cart.

And don't ask me how/what I did but I also ended up buying this book:

The Kaari Meng book that I really wanted has turned out to be the one that I think I shall be sending back. Although the photography inside is lovely, the project are beautifully photographed and made with equisite fabrics but all very basic. So it's not for me.

I am more impressed with the book that I accidentally bought. There are some ideas in there that I haven't tried before - but I think I may end up sending them both back. Shame as I was really looking forward to a new read. Any recommendations gratefully received.

But these lovely patterns are definite keepers

Aren't the illustrations just divine. And not as eye catching but certainly worth buying is this one

I suppose it balances out: two books out, two patterns in.

Left Behind

2010-04-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

I was so busy the day before Love Vintage that I completely forgot to collect the embroidered pictures from the framers.

I picked up two embroidered pictures on my travels - very beautiful but completely filthy! The linen was stained and brown, the glass was filthy and the backing of the pictures was practically non-existent.

I took a chance on them and bought the pair. Several hours later the linens came up beautifully. That left just the frames that needed work.

So off I went to the picture framers and tried not to cringe as I took out the manky frames. The worst part about it was telling the lady that one frame needed new glass and PLEASE could I keep the mounts (as they were just the right side of shabby chic)! Oh, and could they add new backs and hanging string please.

But the end results were worth it. Shame they didn't make it to Love Vintage.

But there will be other events. So Cinders will get to go to the ball ..........................

Back with a bang

2010-04-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

Well, what can I say? I lost my blogging mojo for SO long and hopefully it has returned to stay.

Nothinjg like diving in at the deep end and update my sorely neglected blog with photos from Love Vintage which took place last Saturday. It was a glorious day and the sunlight streamed through the windows of the Victorian school.

We had a wonderful selection of stallholders with just one thing in common: vintage.

So there was something for everyone. What more could someone who loves vintage ask for?

I was very restrained and only succumbed to a lovely chenille bag. I was lucky enough to be given some money for Easter and this bag fitted the bill perfectly. The contents of my handbag have been whittled down and transferred into my new bag.

So I would like to apologise my long absence and hereby do solemnly swear to blog more often. But in the meantime, please enjoy the photos ............

Success!

2009-11-23T09:50:00.000-08:00

That's it. After months of planning the day of Love Vintage has been and gone. And thankfully it was a very sucessful day. The night before was a sleeplesss night which meant that I was up and at the hall long before everyone else started arriving.

The doors were opened to the public and the waiting began. Thankfully there wasn't too long to wait before people starting coming in and looking at all the stalls. Then Maggie and I could breathe a sigh of relief.

We had 14 stalls all in and here is a selection of some of them.

A small portion of my stall with some of the vintage goodies that have found new homes

Maggie's stall which was also severely depleted by the end of the day:

Here's the lovely http://thewasherwoman.blogspot.com/ Liz who travelled to us with all her vintage goodies.

Helen had a wonderful selection of kitchenalia

Yet more gorgeous kitchenalia from Nest Living

As well as these and the other stalls, the other draw was the tearooms. The tables all beautifullt laid with vintage tablecloths from my personal collection, flowers on the table and all served on vintage bone china. A perfect way to end a shopping spree!

We had a fabulous day and would like to thank everyone involved (the stallholders as well as the customers who came through the doors).

Which means we are planning another Love Vintage Fair. Love Vintage 2 which will be held early next year.

If would like to have a table or find out more about Love Vintage - please get in touch. And if you have any photos that you took on the day, I would love to hear from you too!

Pretty Pictures

2009-10-13T09:05:00.000-07:00

I know this is the second post in quick (for me!) succession for the Love Vintage Fair, but it is time to start really advertising the event and to get some posters etc ready for the event.

My friend and co-organiser came over and promptly started to re-arrange and dismantle my dresser and display cabinet. We ended up with some fabulous shots but in the procedss there was some chaos.
Nothing too major - but all my carefully placed items were put here, there and everywhere and possible items gathered from all over.

We have decided to print out postcards to distribute as well as posters and general flyers. The thought process behind the postcards was to make them as appealing as possible so that people would want to keep them after the event as well as maybe having them on show on a noticeboard.

Here's the sweet girl who is on the front of our postcard

We also have a collection of vintage and made items that Maggie so artfully put together.

And although this was done yesterday and the postcards have been ordered and the poster is in the process of being sorted, I can't bring myself to dismantle the composition just in case!

So what do you think of the photos - any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Do you think we have the "feel" of the event right?

Getting Ready

2009-10-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

It's not that long until the Love Vintage Fair (Saturday 21 November). We have a wonderful selection of stall holders including Melanie who has a beautiful shop called Forever Vintage in Penarth. Which means I have to make sure that I have enough stock for my table.

I have been like a magpie, accumulating items here and there, wherever I see them. I thought you might like to have a sneak preview. So here goes:

First up a vintage 1950s cat string holder. I have a row of three of these and a dog in my kitchen wall.

Vintage Pomanders - what's not to love about these?

Next is a rather random selection of objects that caught my eye. Vintage saucers -just waiting to be filled with pretty gifts and hankies. This is only a small collection and I will be adding to it. So please keep popping back to see and hear more about the Fair!

Kitscherama

2009-10-03T07:28:00.001-07:00

You know how sometimes you come across items that just err on the right side of tasteful? Well I think the mirror that I bought at the boot sale last week, fits that criteria completely.

It is a 1950s/1960s - not entirely sure which era - metal work mirror. I spent a minute or two looking at it and debating whether I wanted it and tentatively asked the price.

When the response was £1 that clinched the deal. So into my bag it went and it finally was hung in the right position today.

Not sure how everyone else in the house feels but I love it. And the green leaves seem to go perfectly with the eau de nil polka dot Swedish blind in the bathroom. The next thing on my To Do list is to hang two Victorian painted mirrors that were also bought last week at the boot sale. I think I may give Stephen a day or two to get used to this mirror before I dare hang the others!

Surprise

2009-09-20T10:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a long day. Determined to make the most of the Indian Summer we are having and use up the pot of fence paint I found yesterday clearing out the shed, I have been out the garden all day. The fences have been painted and plants cut back ready to be dug out to make room for new ones.

The main impetus for all this work started with me buying a rusty old wirewirk planter. And so the cleaning/sorting fenzy begins. It started (and ended) with the jet wash. Don't you just love them?

The wrought iron table and chairs were jet washed prior to re-painting (not today at some point in the future). Then of course I moved on to the floor. We have been in our house 7 years and it was a revelation today that the crazy paving is slate and the pointing inbetween is pale.

After that I got a but carried away and ended up jet washing anything and everything: the wooden table and chairs in the back garden, the plastic guttering and clearing out the accumulated moss inside. And last but not least the paths. I just can't believe what a difference it makes - the floor is so much cleaner.

A much more enjoyable job was to plant up the pots I already have. The stand still looks a little bare, but I shall remedy that with more pots and flowers. But right now I am off for a well earned rest and a cup of tea!

Sunny Days

2009-08-20T01:21:00.001-07:00

After a few beautiful sunny days, we have the rain back - which means bad light for photographs.

So rather than dwell on the awful weather that we are having (again), I thought I would share photos that were taken a few days ago when the weather was good.

Dulcie and Arthur sunbathing together:

and vintage linens drying on the line. Sunny days indeed.

Love Vintage

2009-08-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

It's finalised. We have booked the venue - the old Victorian school in Wenvoe. And as I mentioned before, the date is Saturday 21 November.

Stalls are filling up but we have some spaces left. One of the stallholders is Melanie from Forever Vintage and Lizzie from the Vintage Washerwoman .

So if you would like a stall - please get in touch. Look forward to hearing from you!

A Heartfelt Plea

2009-08-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Back,
Please get better soon so that I can wear my new shoes:

4 inch high wedges. What more could a girl want from her footwear?

Beachy Keen

2009-08-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

I did say that my display cabinet is slowly but surely filling up. And here's the latest addition: a vintage shell box.

It was bought with the intention of selling it on, but once I got it home and placed it in the display cabinet, it slotted right into place.

In fact it slotted in front of a vintage Enid Blyton book I bought a few weeks ago. Can you see why I bought the book?

It's Dulcie and Arthur. Bit of artistic license there!

As well as the shel box, I picked up this Fortnum & Mason oilcloth bag. The polka dots called out to me and I couldn't resist.

And onto another topic completely, we have taken the plunge. The date has been set and a venue booked: Saturday 21 November at the community centre in the village (Wenvoe). I am struggling for a name but the event will be a combination of handmade creations and vintage loveliness.

Now I need to start finding the exhibitors!

Incapacitated

2009-08-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

So much for my posts becoming more regular! It has been a combination of school holidays and a bad back. Thankfully it's something I haven't suffered from before, but last week I was putting a box into the dresser and my back just gave way!

It necessitated a phone call to the Doctors and Stephen collected my prescription for me: anti-inflammatories and painkillers. Several days later, things seem to be getting better. Hopefully there won't be too many more days shuffling and hobbling around!

On a brighter note, I did a little Etsy shopping and treated myself to a necklace from a seller in the States. I didn't have to wait too long and this is what arrived.

Such pretty packaging. And inside certainly didn't disappoint.

It gets better .....................

Retail therapy can certainly go some way towards aiding recovery!

Digressing completely, you can't miss the current blogland vintage and handmade fairs lovefest. And isn't it always the way that there is never anything like that here in Wales?

A friend and I were moaning about this fact and are thinking of putting on an event like that here in Wales. But before we do, I thought I would see whether there would be a demand for this type of event. Well, what do you think? Please comment and de-lurk and let me know your thoughts. Who knows, it could become a reality.

Filling Up

2009-07-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

Remember the display cabinet that I posted about a few weeks ago? Well slowly but surely I have been finding small items to fill it with.

Nothing is valuable and nothing has cost more than £1 - which has been good new for my miniscule budget.

The fun part has been in finding the items for the cabinet - all thifted and all vintage items. Things that are too small to be put on a shelf on their own but look so much better when they are placed together.

The most recent has been a Pierrot clown that I found in a local charity shop for 50p. I initially thought that it may have been a lavender sachet but when I took about the grubby white silky "puffball" at the bottom there was only stuffing inside.

It was only a 15 minute job to use the original as a template and make a new puffball using a beautiful faded cotton pillowcase that I found a few weeks ago at the carboot sale.

She still looked rather bare after I had attached the fabric to the china head.

Out came a reel of vintage ribbon and a broken diamante earring - and doesn't she look the belle of the ball?

I thought I would show the display cabinet as it is now. A little fuller than before - but there is still come room left! Watch this space!

Treasures

2009-06-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

As it was a lovely day, weather wise. yesterday, I popped to a local car boot sale/market. I wasn't expecting much, but came away with a bag full of jewellery bits and pieces.

Everything was piled into a vintage suitcase.

I left the suitcase as it wasn't anything special and it was the jewellery I was interested in. So a deal was struck (after all it would have been churlish not to haggle) and everything was tipped into my shopping bag.

After running over and trawling through the contents, I made the executive decision that I ought to buy the whole kit and caboodle.

The yesterday evening I started to sort through the jumble. There are individual diamante earrings, beads and buttons galore. And was I glad I bought everything. Included in the jumble are necklaces that have been broken but the beads have been kept. A quick search on Amazon yesterday led to a jewellery stringing book being purchased as I would love to be able to restring the necklaces (It's hideously expensive to have it done at the jewellers). Now I just need to untangle the jumble of necklaces and decide what can be restrung and what will be used in future projects.

Pretty as a Picture

2009-06-17T11:38:00.000-07:00

My new skills projects are finished - and it wasn't too painful either. In fact the most difficult part was choosing the fabric combinations. Very difficult when you have boxes and boxes of fabrics to choose from!

I managed two designs: a sailing boat and cupcake. After all everyone loves a cupcake don't they? And having opted for a cupcake design, I decided to go with vintage Laura Ashley as the main fabric.

I used some very delicate vintage 1940s (I think) cotton for the top of the cupcake and topped it with s vintage button.

With such a girly bias, I felt that I ought to make something for the boys. Which meant that a sailing boat was next up on the sewing machine.

Red are blue is such a traditional nautical colour scheme, but it always work so well. And of course there had to be a vintage button embellishment.

I have developed the bug for this machine embroidery malarkey and no can't wait to try some more designs. But in the meantime, I have pictures sitting in my studio and looking for new homes.

If they catch your eye and you could see one in your house, they are in my Folksy shop.

New Skills

2009-06-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

For quite some time I have been wanting to do some freehand machine embroidery. After all I have the machine but didn't have the foot for my machine. I spotted one on e-Bay, bought it and a few days later had all the kit I needed to start.

Of course, I didn't and this project has been a LONG time in coming, but I have made a start and so far I am pretty pleased with the results.

Apart from the machine foot I had all the fabric I needed already and the most difficult part was deciding which fabrics to use.

I have to admit that it was a bit unnerving at first - but it seems more a "getting the hang of it" kind of thing. Quite liberating after using the sewing machine in the traditional way.

The project is almost finished. It just needs a little finishing off and it will be ready to post next week. See, I am trying to get back on the straight and narrow with posting regularly!

After using one button for the project, I felt perfectly justified in buying a small pot of vintage buttons on one of my charity shop trawls. After all, I was a button down wasn't I?!

After

In Season

2009-06-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

The car boot sale season is now well underway and I thought I would take full advantage of the beautiful weather today and visit a local market/bootsale.

Unfortunately there wasn't much there for me, but I did buy a charming cupcake ceramic trinket box. When I got it home and looked underneath, there was a Marks and Spencer label stating that it had once held chocolates.

It's perfect for my dresser and sits nicely next to the Allsorts jar that I bought some months ago.

Dulcie was on the prowl when I was taking the photographs and managed to sneak in to the shot.

The kittens have all been rehomed: one to a friend, one to the friend of the lady that works in our local vet and the two tabbies have gone to their new home together - which was very comforting. She initially did look and call for them after they had left for their new homes (although I tried to make it as stress free as possible and rehomed them over the period of just over a week) but really has settled down well without them.

She has also discovered a love of Arthur and after a few nights of her roaming around the house and waking us all up with her howling, she is now shut in the kitchen at night with Arthur and that has solved the problem. Hope I haven't spoken too soon!

And now she is starting to come out of her shell and settle in. And in true Siamese style, she may be small and delicate but she has a voice like a foghorn! She just walks around the house making the most horrendous noise - but I find it very endearing. Stephen doesn't though; especially when he is trying to watch TV and it is getting drowned out by Dulcie. At this point even poor Arthur doesn't know quite what to do with her.

On Display

2009-06-09T08:48:00.000-07:00

Well - what can I say? Where have I been? Not entirely sure of the answers. The time just seems to have flown by. Plus I lent the boys my digital camera and they lost the charger - which meant I couldn't take and upload photos.

But the charger has been found and I have finally taken some photos of my "new" display cabinet.
I had mentioned to a friend that I wanted a display cabinet (the stumbling block being Stephen's lack of enthusiasm) and about a week later she said that she had been driving home and spotted the cabinet at the side of the road with a "Free - take me if you want me" sign taped to it. How could she leave it there? It came to my house and sat out the garden for a few weeks, whilst I let Stephen come to terms with the fact that it was coming into the house. And there it sat.

Deciding to take the bull by the horns, I started painting and a few days later, the display cabinet was finished.I plumped for Farrow & Ball paint as it always looks beautiful when painted and was lucky enough to find the lilac wallpaper for a measly 50p in the Laura Ashley batch end bargain bin.

Admittedly the cabinet is still looking a little empty, but that just gives me an excuse to find some little objets d'arts to put in it. I've started with the two terriers which were a Mother's Day present from Keanan.
Stephen is less than impressed - to say the least. But I just love it. And the best part of it all for me is that it cost under £10 in total. And of course there's the ongoing fun of looking for items to put in it. I'm sure that one will be an on going saga!

Kitten Update

2009-04-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

I've just come back from the vet - it's nothing serious.

The vet thinks that the infection is a result of a bite - from Dulcie. Possibly she went to pick up the kitten and didn't get the right spot. That sounds plausible as she accidentally bit me when eating some chicken from my hand. That became infected and was all swollen and full of pus.

The vet took him into the adjoining room and cleaned out the infected area. I was practically in tears as I could hear the little thing crying. He had an injection in his tummy and I have to take him back for the next 3 or 4 days for more injections until it's cleared.

So we were all stressed out - but hopefully he's on the road to recovery! Unlike my wallet!

Meet the Babies

2009-04-06T07:56:00.001-07:00

Dulcie's kittens are three weeks old this week and the change is in them is incredible.
They've gone from being happy squashed in this little bed with Mum, to trying to get out whenever possible.

Much to Dulcie's dismay I removed them from the bed (which was in a HUGE box) and put them in the box itself. The kittens loved it. Arthur was rather bemused by it all.

I do relent and put the bed back in for the evening as I would hate to think that the kittens are cold! But the fun they have learning to walk and then trying to chase each other is such entertainment.

Although sometimes it is just a little too much .................

I am off to the vet this evening as the tabby has an infection on her tummy. I have bathed it for a few days and although the swelling has gone down, it hasn't gone completely and there is still a small amount of pus. (Hope you're not eating your supper when you're reading this)!

I am hoping that it is something simple and inexpensive. I found out after Dulcie had given birth to the kittens that she was infested with fleas - that she kindly passed on to Arthur too. They have both been de-flead and I don't think the kittens have caught them. But there's a possibility that it was a flea bite that got infected. So Dulcie and the four kittens have to be put into a pet carrier and taken to the vets.

Fingers crossed it's something that's easily cleared up.

Special Delivery

2009-03-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

The kittens have arrived! They arrived either Tuesday night or during the early hours of Wednesday morning. There are four in all and I was really surprised at how big they are and they have so much fur. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but Dulcie is such a good mother.

There is an all black one, a black one with white socks and white gloves and whiskers that remind me of Dame Edna Everage's glasses, a pale grey tabby and a tabby. I knew before hand that the kittens would not be Siamese, which meant it was fun to see their colours when they arrived.

She has made her nest in the bottom of Keanan's wardrobe and they are all quite happy in there.

Their eyes are just beginning to open and from day one you could work out which one was the most adventurous/bossy! That honour goes to the black and white kitten.

Now we just need to look after them for the next 8 weeks or so and in the meantime start looking for homes for them all. Enjoying them whilst we can.

A bun in the oven

2009-03-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

Not me - but the newest addition to your family. You may remember poor Bertie was knocked over and killed. Well after that I decided there would be no more outdoor cats for us and started doing some research about cats on the Internet.

After reading about them, I fell in love with Siamese cats and set my heart on one. But for me there is the moral dilemma about buying a cat from a breeder. Which set me off to look for adult cats that needed re-homing. As you can imagine there aren't that many plus the fact that we have Arthur the dog narrows that down even more.

So when I spotted an advert for an adult Siamese that was looking for a new home due to a house move, I was interested. When I called to chat about her and her owner informed that she thought the cat was pregnant, maybe I should have decided against going to see her. But I did.

Which is how we have ended up giving a new home to Dulcie (nee Suki) and two year old Siamese who is due to give birth in a few weeks to kittens which will be half Siamese, half moggie. The decision was made prior to rehoming her that we would not be keeping the kittens, but will find them good homes.

So here she is, Dulcie girl. A little timid, but settling in and enjoying non-stop kisses and attention. Not to mention cooked chicken!

Blooming Marvellous

2009-03-03T01:36:00.000-08:00

It was busy at the car boot sale this weekend - lots of buyers and plenty of sellers too. And I managed to find something that I have been after for a while. Not actively looking at the car boot sale, but longingly looking on line and in some mail order catalogues. And I was lucky enough to see one this weekend.

A silk orchid - one that actually looks real rather than "artificial". I looked at it, walked away as it had white flowers. Had a little think, walked back, bartered a little and then popped it in my trolley to take home.

It was one of those purchases where you just know that you are going to kick yourself and regret it if you don't buy it. So I did and boy, I am glad I did.

I was also lucky enough to spot some vintage haberdashery and various bits and bobs that I can use to make corsages etc with. On their own stalls they didn't seem to add up to much, but placed together they become more useful and beautiful.

It went from the beautiful to practical: two large new and unused spools of thread. Just £1 each. Which is less than half the price I have paid in the past.

All in all, a rather good boot sale.

Half Baked Idea?

2009-02-26T05:46:00.000-08:00

There is a good reason why I haven't blogged (again) for a while. I have discovered knitting. Not the capelet that I had every intention of making, but cupcakes.

Much to Stephen's amusement I have been sat in front of the television, knitting needles in hand and with my knitting bag with assorted yarns next to me.

Admittedly the first few weren't that great but I have been practicing and have now got them down to a fine art. But the look on Stephen's face when the cupcake was sewn together and sprinkles and a cherry added, was incredulous.

But you know what, I think this is just a man thing. He just doesn't get it - neither do the boys. This is the disadvantage of living in a male only household.

But am I going to let this deter me - no. So to add to Stephen's general view that I have lost the plat, I made cupcake boxes to pop them into. After all the devil is in the detail. And if you are a practical kind of person they would also be ideal as pincushions.

So now all I need to do is to prove Stephen wrong. That people will like my cupcakes. And I do hope that they do. I have knitted up a batch and until they are sold, I have no reason to knit anymore. And heaven forbid I have to sit in front of the TV without knitting anything!

Tempted - they're here! Please, please give me a reason to start knitting again!

Birthday Gifts

2009-02-11T03:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my Mother's birthday and as we usually do, we all went over after school for supper and to give presents.

I don't know whether anyone else has parents like mine, but they are very difficult to buy for. They have everything they need, and if they needed anything they would go out and buy it for themselves. Which makes it not so good for buying gifts for them.

My Mother had admired my doorstop - which was made to stop the 1960s fully glazed doors from smashing into the wall everytime Arthur crashes through them. And I was lucky enough to buy a bundle off upholstery and curtain fabric a few weeks ago. A quick rifle through the bundle and I found the perfect fabric.

It is a very heavy weight chenille and I did wonder whether my sewing machine would be able to cope with four layers of it - but it did. Filled with several kilograms of sand - very heavy.

I was brave enough to go to the boot sale this weekend and whilst pickings were very slim, I did manage to find this pedestal (?) which I thought would be perfect for display. It is not finished yet, as I undercoated and then just about managed to scrape enough paint from the bottom of the Farrow & Ball tin to paint it. A little distressing is on the cards and then I think it will be finished.

The other present was made during my pottery and ceramics class - which I just love. It was made using a mould and terracotta clay. My mother loves her garden and I thought this would look charming propped up against a wall or peeping out from some flowers.

Thankfully she loved them all!

Bertie

2009-02-09T01:13:00.000-08:00

I have been missing in action for the past week and this has been due to the fact that Bertie was knocked over and killed in the same spot that Maudie (our other rescue cat) was killed last year.

I have decided that it's just not fair to adopt rescue cats when we have lost two. Whether or not we adopt a rescue cat that has always lived indoors is something for us to think about.

In the meantime we are all missing Bertie

Tulips from Amsterdam

2009-01-28T06:49:00.000-08:00

After all that I said about he lack of "knick knacks" in the house, I brought one home. Courtesy of the charity shop. She looked so appealing, how could I leave her on the shelf?

What really clinched it for me is her face - it was so pretty, that straightaway I could see the perfect spot on my dresser for her. Plus I just has enough money left in my purse for her and a rather natty striped cardigan. I was determined not to spend any more money than was in my purse - so no dash out to the cashpoint.

So here she is in the spot that I envisaged for her - between a vintage china jug and 1960s eggcup. And guess what, there's still some more room for more objets trouves!

One of the perks of living in a small village is that you get to chat to people. Popping into the shop last week, the owner gave me a slip of paper with the telephone number of the lady that used to work in the Post Office. She had been given some fabric from a friend's Mum's attic and wondered whether I could use it. How could I resist? I collected the bag of fabric yesterday - the label gives a glimpse of what's inside.

Inside there was a jumble of fabrics that had previously been made up into dresses. They have either been cut up or there are tears in them that make them unusable. Perfect for scrap and small projects. All they need is a good wash and then I can have fun re-using them.

Faking it

2009-01-19T03:47:00.000-08:00

I needed to buy some hollowfibre at the weekend and popped in to Dunelm which is where I usually buy it from. They had a sale on, so before I bought the stuffing, I had a look round the shop.

As a person who isn't into knick knacks. I came out with my basket full. They had beautiful silk flowers, which were realistic as well as reasonably priced. I bought several. Here's the first. A silk magonolia which is now in the bathroom in a corner where an orchid failed to thrive.

I spent ages debating whether to get the red or cream - but in the end the cream won. I must have had such a look of concentration on my face (not to mention being stood there for such a long time) that another customer came up to ask my advice about silk flowers and their arrangements. She said I looked as though I knew all about silk flowers!

I also succumned and bought this charming ceramic rose - the perfect size to sit next to the magnolia.

And yes, there is more. I bought two silk orchids. To combat the fact that the orchids always look very bare when the flowers have died. I usually pop them on a windowsil out of sight until they flower again - but not more.

No more looking dowm my nose at silk flowers for me. In fact I keep popping into the bathroom to have a look at the magolia. I am now a covert and they really do add some much needed colour to the house.

Shabby yet chic

2009-01-15T23:24:00.000-08:00

During Christmas and New Year and with some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket, I spent an afternoon trawling Etsy. Not looking for anything specific, but I wanted a drawing/painting or a print.

Sometime later, I found what I was looking for and a minute or two later, she was mine.

How could I resist? Even befor the painting arrived, I started thinking about what frame would be the best. And luckily I already had the frame. It was bought from the car boot sale (where else?) in the summer. In a strange coincidence I bought this one and a smaller frame from our old health visitor. She said that she had found them in her attic. I bought them both, brought them home and gave them a lick of paint.

So as soon as the painting arrived, I knew that this would be the perfect frame for it. The very same day I was in the framers choosing a mount. I was in the shop for about half an hour, umming and aahing. Cream was too bland, as was white. The cobalt blue that the lady suggested was lovely, but a bit too bright. Finally I settled on grey - but did I want a white stripe cut around the mount. Decisions decisions. After deciding I left the shop, not too sure whether I made the right choice.

I collected the painting yesterday and thankfully the grey was the right colour. I tried to keep the arrival as low key as possible and just placed it casually (!) on the plinth in the place of the painting that used to be there before. Only difference this is about three times the size of the old one. I don't think Stephen was too impressed as he said it was too big. Too big - are these objets d'art ever TOO big?

Anyway, she's here to stay now. I think this calls for more knitting, so that I can sit on the sofa and gaze lovingly over at her.

Due Care and Attention

2009-01-15T00:12:00.000-08:00

The knitting has started - and finished - and started again. This is a whole new area to me, which means inevitably mistakes happen. As I was knitting the capelet I kept looking at the photograph in the book and wondering why mine wasn't looking the same.

After putting it to one side and looking through another pattern, it dawned on me what I had done wrong. It was the stitches. I had knitted garter stitch when is should have been stocking stitch! It has all been inravelled and I have cast on again. Thank goodness this is an "easy" knit. I think I may have given up by now otherwise.

Still, I am going to perservere, if only for the fact that the wool was so damned expensive. So watch this space as hopefully there will be a finished photograph posted soon.

Yesterday I met up for a coffee with a friend to celebate her birthday. She she is someone who sews and appreciates handmade, her birthday gift was one of my corsages : in a fairisle pattern.

She is also possibly my only friend who would appreciate magazines that were thrifted (and which I have read before parcelling them up for her)! After all, you can't leave Elle Decoration and Country Living behind in the charity shop can you?

And really going the whole hog with the handmade, a birthday card featuring a removeable badge with a vintage image of a cat (for when Jo gets her own cat one day). Thankfully she was thrilled with the gift.
No rest for the wicked though. It's back to the knitting for me!

New Year - New Skills

2009-01-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to try my hand at knitting for some time now. In fact I have owned the Rowan book for about two years. A lack of confidence and the fact that the balls of wool were £6.50 each (!) had made me reluctant to buy the wool and have a go. But I bit the bullet and bought the two balls of wool needed and huge 20mm knitting needles.

The plan is for me to knit a collar /capelt type thing. Well, that's the plan anyway. I have made a start and found that the needles are very large and quite unwieldy, but I am perservering. If for no other reason that the wool was so expensive!

I did have a photo of the book and the wool etc all ready to go, but Blogger is playing up and won't let me upload them - sorry! I'll try another day.

The only photo it will let me upload is that of some books I bought on my charity shop trawls. Fluffy chick lit for 30p each. And they are sitting on a polka dot scarf that I couldn't resist.

No doubt I will be back with my knitting saga and asking for some help along the way! Wish me luck ............

New Year Bargains

2009-01-01T06:07:00.000-08:00

Although I am not what you would call a big consumer of material items, there is one shop that is guaranteed to lure me in: Laura Ashley. Only when they have a sale of course. So it's no surprise that I succumbed and came out with a few purchases. Only small purchases though.

I was very good and looked through all the sale fabrics, but none caught my eye. Only this jacquard fabric which wasn't in the sale - but I knew that it would be perfect for the study chair. I was very mean and only bought half a metre. Thankfully it was JUST enough. And I do mean just. I may be lucky to squeeze a fabric lavender heart out of what's left. But I am pleased, it brightens the chair up fits in with my other Laura Ashley purchase which was wallpaper.

I am not a wallpaper person and all the walls in the house are painted off white and cream shades. I prefer to add colour with my vintage bits and pieces. The idea of papering a feature wall appealed to me, and this was the reason behind my visit to Laura Ashley.

After spending about 30minutes in the shop looking through the wallpapers, I decided against paying £25 for one roll and just as I was waiting for the fabric to be cut, spotted a batch end roll in the remnants box. It was reduced from £1.50 to 50p. Well how could I resist?

Now please bear with me as it is VERY difficult to photograph paper which has a pearlised sheen in our bad winter light.
You may not be able to see it, but the wallpaper is gold and has a prealised finish with a floral and bird pattern. It was my very first attempt at wallpapering and although it isn't perfect I am pleased with the end result. The walls and woodwork were also painted and with the addition of some new plants, voila. A "new" study.

On that note, I will with you all a belated Happy New Year!

2008-12-18T04:42:00.000-08:00

After a LONG absence, I have returned to the blog. I think regukar blogging is the answer, otherwise I just get out of the swing of things.

But back I am, and I thought I would show you some of the decorations that we have around the house. Stephen has been complaining that it doesn't look very Christmassy, but when pressed can't define what "Christmassy" looks like. I disagree, it's my idea of Christmassy. Which wouldn't be complete without some vintage glass baubles - but out of harm's way in a vintage cut glass bowl.

This year I have found myself more drawn to vintage and second hand decorations - which I have been lucky enough to find on my travels. I couldn't resist this handknitted mouse, which was mine for the princely sum of 20p. She sits guarding yet more glass baubles and has so far escaped the attention of Bertie.

After looking through the Internet, I decided that this year's Must Have decoration was a bauble wreath. I didn't have enough glass baubles and went down the new and plastic decorations route - which is a much better bet in our house. What with Arthur, Bertie the bauble killer and the boys. I am hoping that it will survive a few years.

It didn't take as long as I thought it would. The most difficult part was starting to place the first few baubles. After that the glue flowed and it all went well. The supercritical part of me says that it needs a few more baubles on the left hand side to even it out. So I will be adding a few more.

Tonight is the last Youth Club of the year. Which means Christmas Bingo and chocolate coins. So my afternoon will be spent laminating the bingo cards and cutting up the images for the caller. Roll on Christmas!

Something to Show for It

2008-11-19T05:15:00.001-08:00

Do I have something to show for my time away from the computer - well, Yes I do! Bet you thought I had been slacking! Well, admittedly, there was a little of that. But there has been some sewing as well.

These lovelies are the first things to have been finished. They are made entirely from felted wool that has been recycled.

Each corsage has a vintage button in the centre as an embellishment. This means that although I may have made a few of each colourway, each brooch in unique. The only new item on it, is the brooch back. I just love these and they are more heavy weight than normal corsages which means they are perfect for coats and jackets.

I have ventured into new fields and tried something different with my next items. I have loved the idea of making jewellery and have been wanting to have a go for some time. I am really pleased with the earrings and they will be making their way into Christmas stockings and gifts.

There are three designs - I thought I would keep it simple!

This is my first attempt at jewellery and I would appreciate some feedback as to whether I've got it right.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

And lastly, not a new item but I haven't made them for some time. Greetings cards : both birthday and Christmas.

Each card is made with a detachable badge - this can then be worn after the event. It would lok great pinned to a bag or coat.

Enough of my rambling - here's the last photo of the Christmas cards

Now that was a long post!

A Little of What You Fancy

2008-11-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

I met up with two school friends today in Cowbridge. We primarily met up for coffee, but I was a little early and made a beeline for the charity shops. There wasn't a lot that caught my eye, but I did spy these Christmas baubles in the shop window.

They were the princely sum of £2 each - so I bought all three. I did think that they were new goods that the charity shops buy in, but they have a Lene Bjerre label on them and a price ticket of £8.99 each (!) which was marked out and £2 written on a separate label. Not a bad buy - just need some pretty ribbon ready to hang them up with. It also seems like Bertie has taken a shine to them!
I feel a bit of a hypocrite posting about my next purchase here. I have moaned about Cath Kidston before and the fact that there seem to be more items with her prints on them than without. What next CK toilet roll?

Anyway, I has seen these in the catalogue and thought they looked rather sweet. And they still looked rather sweet in real life. After about 10 minutes dithering, I caved in and bought myself a pincushion.

Looks rather good though doesn't it? And of course I NEED it for my works in progress!

I just couldn't resist

2008-11-06T03:14:00.000-08:00

Back again after a half term break. Thankfully the weather was good which meant that the boys were outside with their friends most of the time. There was a trip to Oakwood for Ethan and Halloween Trick or Treating for the boys. So a good time was had by all.

I did manage to squeeze in a trip or two to a charity shop and spotted the most delightful doll's crib. How could I leave it languishing there?

I couldn't so it came home with me. And later that night, it had received a new matttress and bedding.

I dug into my fabric stash and used an animal circus print. I have had this for some time and it was just waiting for the right project.

And running the risk of over eggging the pudding, I just had to add a felt blanket and ticking mattress.

I had such fun making over this project. My life is so rock and roll - NOT. I am now thinking of friends with girls who would rather a wicker crib rather than the usual plastic ones. So this little crib will be on the look out for a new owner.

Other than indulging in making dolly bedding, I have been doing some sewing with Christmas in mind. Not yet finished, but here's a sneak peek in the meantime.

Facing the Fear

2008-10-22T04:23:00.000-07:00

I have been sewing for more years than I would like to remember. But there's one thing that I've always shied away from - zips.

Call it irrational, but the thought of them has terrfied me and I've never even attempted to put in a zip. After having a pile of zips in my workbasket for the past few years, I decided to take the plunge and make a dent in the pile.

After some head scratching I think I have cracked it!

The size of the zips dictated what could be made with them. So I went for small zippered change purses. This cheery print seemed an obvious choice.

To add some detail there are boxed corners.

And we all know that I can't leave alone, so I have added some embellishment in the form of grosgrain ribbon and a removeable badge.

And for all of you that haven't mustered enough courage to tackle zips, you can always take the easier option of getting yours from here.

Celebrations

2008-10-17T04:43:00.000-07:00

Next week is the last youth club before Halloween and as the Village Hall organises a party, we are having Halloween Celebrations rather than a full blow party. But these things tend to escalate don't they? Which is why I found myself volunteering to make trick or treat party bags for the children with the fabric that belongs to youth club.

Not just any old fabric, but horrible polyester. It is truly awful and usually I wouldn't even contemplate sewing with it, but needs must and all that. The bags have been sewn together and I am now waiting for some black ribbon to arrive to act as ties.

Please excuse the photo as black fabric is very difficult to photograph.

Looking forward to Christmas, I was lucky enough to find a box of vintage Christmas decorations (there was a hint on the box!)

Inside the box is filled with vintage decorations.

And just to ram home the sheer loveliness of these decorations, here's a close up!

Spare Parts Rip Off

2008-10-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

I have a few sewing machines - until yesterday I had three. One Industrial machine and two Janome. One of my Janome machines was bought second hand and didn't come with a foot controller or a power lead. A new power lead was cheap enough to buy.

I have managed by swapping the foot controller to the machine that I was using at the time but a friend was coming to the house to do some sewing and I needed two machines. Off I trotted to the local repair shp, but there he didn't have the part. No problems, he would call Janome and find a price. Which he did. £54 plus carriage! For a foot controller!

How can companies justify that kind of price for something which is relatively simple. Faced with the choice of paying over £60 for one component, I opted to buy a second hand machine which cost just over half the price of the replacement part.

Meet machine number 4:

Admittedly not terribly pretty. But it does the job - straight stitch and zig zag stitch plus a few others.

And sitting on the machine is some vintage fabric that I just couldn't resist. Blossom barkcloth in a cheery yellow.

Not sure what it's destined for, but when has that ever stopped me bringing home more fabric?

And proof that I may have too much time on my hands

One titivated bulldog clip. It was just an excuse really to use my favourite word of the moment!

Lost in Time

2008-10-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

I just don't know where the time has gone since my last post. It's not as though I have been doing anything terribly exciting!

I have now tacked together my skirt and lining and the next dressmaking lesson, I think I shall have to attach the waist band.

My tuck shop duties have expanded and take up a lot more of my time that I originally anticipated. There is now Halloween celebrations to sort out and also trick or treat bags to make.

I have also helped at the bi-annual jumble sale. Yesterday afternoon was spent sorting out the jumble and this afternoon was spent selling it. But you know me, not one to pass up an opportunity to grab myself a bargain, I managed to grab a few.

I thought these bowls would be perfect for hyacinth bulbs and a Christmas gift.

I just couldn't leave the vintage tablecloths behind could I? They have all been washed and just need an iron, but thankfully they are in perfect condition.

My last finds weren't from the jumble but I managed to find four vintage aprons which are still in their factory folds. I just couldn't bring myself to wash them and lose that new crispness. There are assorted patterns/prints and this is just one of them.

These ones aren't for keeping but are destined to be sold. After all what would I do with four aprons?

Serious Stuff

2008-09-25T03:36:00.000-07:00

At the start of the new school year, I was roped in to help at the village youth club. I am now officially in charge of the tuck shop. What a chore! For someone who loves sweets, this is an ideal post (I am even talking in an official capacity!)

One of the downfalls of being a faffer is that I just can't leave anything alone. After manning tuck last week, I decided that the whole thing lacked something. Something I have made up for this week.

I felt I lacked a certain gravitas - after all, I am in charge of tuck. Let's not beat about the bush here. After having a chat with Keanan who informed me that I would embarrass him beyond belief if I wore a full apron, I went with the half apron (with Keanan's consent).

Also popped into the youth club bag, ready to go, is a table cloth for the tuck. After all, I can't stand there in all my finery, with my wares displayed on a old chipped formica table can I?

Back to School

2008-09-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

Today was week one of adult education classes. Although I sew, dressmaking is not a skill I possess. Because I can sew, I have joined Dressmaking for Improvers.

The first part of the project was choosing the fabric. I picked up a vintage duvet cover over the summer holidays with the intent on using it to make some bags. But after having a good look at it, decided it would be better used to make a skirt with.

After today's class the pattern pieces have been cut out. Next on the agenda is the lining fabric. And I am hopeful that I will be able to take the skirt and lining into class next week, tacked and ready to sew.

The pattern?

I chose it as it is relatively simple: 6 panels and there is a zip. A zip has always been something that eludes me. So I can't wait until I finally get taught how to insert a zip.

Roll on week two!

Weighty Issues

2008-09-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

After all that awful weather during the summer holidays, this week has been glorious. I've even managed to dry washing on the line!

So it's ironic that I have started thinking about Christmas presents. But needs must and all hat. I decided to go down the practical route and make two doorstops that I managed to squeeze out from a remnant of chenille fabric.

Although I have kept the doorstop a manageable size. it still took some filling. But that's one present down. After making one for someone else, the thought occurred to me that I should have made an extra one for myself. Arthur careering through our fully glazed door is a regular event in our house.

So it's back to the sewing machine for me!

Small but Perfectly Formed

2008-09-12T03:59:00.000-07:00

Not talking about me here, but bunting. Although I do like the larger flags that are usually associated with bunting, I thought that smaller ones would be more suited to inside use. After all what little summer we have had, has been and gone.

So to try and prolong summer I have raided my quilting cotton stash and made up some bunting in smaller, more appropriate prints. And just in case you don't want to keep the bunting up all the time, a handy drawstring bag to store it in when it isn't being used. After all no one wants grubby bunting.

And because once I started I just couldn't stop, I have added an applique detail made using vintage fabric and a mother of pearl button.

As the bunting is slightly smaller than usual it's perfect to hang up inside the house - mine is hanging on my dresser permanently. The drawstring bag means it also makes a ready wrapped gift.

And just in case you may have missed the hint, it's on sale here!

Bits and Pieces

2008-09-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

Not a very inspired title for this post - but it sums up just how things are are the moment. Flitting about (sewing wise) all over the place and only a few things to show for it.

I am rather fickle with my pincushions and regularly make new ones that are flavour of the month until I get fed up with them. After seeing these felted pincushions on Betz White's blog, I was thrilled to discover her book in the local library. How could I not check it out?

Out came the box with all the felted sweaters in and I finally finished choosing the wool and made two pincushions. One for me and one for a friend Jo.

I have decided to learn some new skills this year and with that in mind, have signed up for dressmaking classes. As I am able to use a sewing machine, I have been told to sign up for the Improvers Class - am now having serious doubts about my ability. Making bags/pincushions/cushions etc, no problem. But clothes?

So it was with the course in mind that I bought this piece of vintage fabric on my charity shop trawls. What is it destined for? Not entirely sure at this point in time. But maybe a duster jacket. I think I am going to have to see how the dressmaking course pans out!

And also on my travels I found this hand knitted lion.

How could I leave him there? He is destined as a gift for a friend who has had a baby. I thought the little lion with a small tote bag and maybe a book. Which means another one to add to my To Do List.

Finished Project

2008-09-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your tips on how to move photos to where I would like them. I would never have thought of copy and pasting/click and drag - that would have seemed far too simple for me!

Anyway, I thought I would show you all my (finally) finished dresser that I won on e-Bay eons ago.

Not a job to be taken lightly. Apart from the fact that the dresser is about 6 feet in length and apporximately the same in height, it needed two coats of undercoat and two of Farrow & Ball eggshell. Each coat took me about 2 hours to do as there are so many damn fiddly bits. A wee bit of pride has kicked in though as I am very pleased with the end result.

As the dresser is so big, there is plenty of room for the "treasures" that I am likely on find on my trawls. Plus the board games and pencils etc. are also stored away. And there was a distinct tone of superiority in my voice when I told Stephen that there is enough room left over to put in extra food etc at Christmas time and birthday. Of course we have always managed to squeeze it all in somewhere before, but I wasn't going to mention that. And I can guarantee that I am not going to be re-painting this again soon!

Bags of fun

2008-09-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

Well, better late than never I say. Remember the bags I posted about a long time ago when (a) I was still with Typepad, (b) still had a working digital camera and (c) didn't have a dodgy Internet connection? No? Well, I have vaugue recollections.

But I did managed to get outside inbetween showers and photograph them. Here they are:

Remember summer? Well it may well have passed us by, but it is here in all it's full glory on this charming linen bag.

SOLD - THANKS!

This bag certainly is zingy

I just couldn't resist putting this gorgeous vintage embroidery panel together with vintage velvet

I think the floral bag with the detachable corsage is my favourite and unfortunately I only had enough fabric for one bag

SOLD - THANKS!

The penultimate bag is this sweet (couldn't resist that!) bag made using vintage liquorice allsorts fabric

And lastly a darling little bag, made using vintage fabric that I have hoarded for at least 4 years.

And because I wasn't quite as daring as I hoped, but still daring enough to try out something new, they are all up for sale here!

Bear with me

2008-09-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

OK - please bear with me until I get used to Blogger. As there are some great blogs I love to read that use Blogger, I thought I would too.

The last week of the school holidays has passed so quickly and now Keanan is back in school tomorrow. After spending an obscene amount of money on school shoes for both boys, Keanan's school uniform is laid out ready for tomorrow. Ethan isn't back in school until Thursday.

We managed to get on boot sale out of this weekend - and it was surpisingly good. Or not (according to Stephen. It just depends on your point of view!). I found a card and a half of vintage Welsh Lady keyrings - HAD to have those. I am sure they will be incoporated into something.

I also bought a plaster Virgin Mary statue. Poor Stephen was NOT impressed. His comment was along the lines of not even being able to go to the toilet in peace without being watched! Mary has been placed in the cloakroom windowsill, which means that you can see her as soon as you walk through the front door.

I did try and post a photograph, but subsequent photos kep appearing at the top of the blog post. Something for me to work on .............