Not created but found

Hi I don't have anything creative to share today although I have a couple (ok more than a couple) of projects on the go that aren't quite finished - but soon. So instead I thought I'd share some of my recent finds.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw this 1978 Horsea mug

And I had to have this owl when I spotted him at Deal market.

(When we bought our current house the bathroom suite was this colour!)

I've been longing for a pair of clogs for ages and while these aren't quite what I was looking for I was more than happy to give these Scholl clogs a home.

A Chance Glass like cake stand and some very orange De Luxe Shu-maid shoe shapers. The lady in the shop commented that they were a very good colour match although I don't think I'll be using them at the same time.

And lastly a knitting pattern and bias binding. This haul also included some very vintage seam binding but it's already in use as I've used it on some recent cards.

If you would like to see more vintage finds pay Vix a visit at Vintage Vixen she really is the Queen of all things vintage.

The Romance of Reading

I have many things to be thankful to my Mum for, being able to knit, my love of sewing and all things crafty, being able to trim my own fringe and knowing how to colour my hair to cover those greys........but something I really appreciate is my love of reading.

As a child I have memories of Saturday afternoon trips to the library or spending my pocket money in the local book shop buying an Enid Blyton Secret Seven to add to my collection. I also spent my pocket money on buying Matchbox cars but that's another story.

I recently bought some secondhand childrens books. The covers in themselves attracted to me but the title also caught my eye. The Romance of Reading. I sent one of the books, Happy Hours to Julie as I knew she'd love it too. I kept Merry Moments and when I flicked to the back of the book I found a school stamp. The very same primary school that my Mum went to. Did she read this book I wondered?

Click on picture for a clearer view

I'd started thinking about how lucky I was to have someone who encouraged me to read from an early age when I saw a news item this week. A survey has recently been carried out which found that 1 in 8 children had never been inside a book shop, 1 in 5 had never received a book as a present and 1 in 3 lived in a house in which there are no books. It saddened me to think that there will be a whole generation of children who grow up without knowing how much simple pleasure there is in reading a book. I must be getting old!

So when my Mum recently asked me what I wanted for my birthday you won't be suprised to hear that I asked for a book to add to my already bursting collection.

Lucky Me

Hi have you discovered Lucky Jackson and her 365 Lucky Days project? Today is day 148 so I apologise right now for not mentioning it sooner. But today I have a good reason to because I have admired these amazing pieces of stitching for 148 days and just recently Lucky has made some of her embroidery patterns available to buy. My finger hit that 'buy' button straightaway, well once I'd dithered over which one.

In the end I went for Vintage Dress Love.

Do you remember the Skirt I recycled? That's what made up my mind in the end as I thought I'd make something for my Mum as it was her skirt from the 70s that I cut up. To colour the shoes I carefully coloured them with promarkers.

I may well be visting the shop again to buy Polaroid Love and Boot Love

Before I go I thought I'd share a couple of my favourite pieces from the Lucky 365 days project.

Source: 365luckydays.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Blondie from Bombshell Week



Source: 365luckydays.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Batboy

Aren't you impressed that one of these masterpieces appears every single day?

I am.

Another day, another bag

Hi. I've made yet another bag but I just couldn't resist.

It's from the latest copy of Mollie Makes from a pattern by Little Tea Wagon. I don't feel too guilty for making another bag as I used up some offcuts and didn't buy anything new.

In fact this is the second bag I've made from the vintage yellow fabric (yep old curtain) as I have a well loved swing bag made from it too.

This bag has some miles under it's belt as I've taken it on holiday every year since I made it.
Being fabric it makes the perfect beach bag as you can throw it in washing machine when you get home.
Anyway back to the new bag......

I added a few extra pockets on the inside as I can never find my keys so I have room for my phone, house keys and car keys. Even the lining was an offcut I picked it up for 45p.

I had a mini hexagon flower all ready to applique as well as the butterfly and I'd had the denim 'ruler' ribbon tape for ages but I was brave and snipped it. The lace trim had been taken from a linen tablecloth and I bought a whole length of it. I'd been wanting to use it for while but couldn't find the right project. The same went for the East of India label 'Sewing Mends the Soul' but I was happy to sacrifice it as the last finishing touch to the pocket.

If you fancy a go at making your own messenger bag run to the shop and pick up a copy of Mollie Makes or failing that Little Tea Wagon has some very nice ones in her Etsy Shop

A Purple Patch

Hi. Are you a fan of purple? I didn't think I was until I read the first post in Julie's new autumn series - Purple Phase. She made me realise there are many more shades than just plain old purple. Not that there is anything at all wrong with plain old purple.

As I started to look around I found that I had been drawn to purple more than I thought. In the little bit of stitching I'd done to practice some embroidery stitches, made into a lavender bag. See? Lavender, more purple.

.....in the buttons and vintage cotton I'd plucked from their charity shop shelves.

And look at this lovely bit of hoop stitching that I pinned recently.

Source: tumblr.com via Amanda on Pinterest

You really don't get much more purple than that!

High Hat Anyone?

Hi I'm back to report more on my recent finds. I've found the perfect thing for keeping all my hexies in check. A very battered vintage leather sewing case.

From the outside not very interesting but when I looked inside it was a whole different story.

A pocket to keep hexies safe, scissors safely stowed and what definitely caught my eye a metal bar that unscrews to store cotton reels. No more rolling off the table when your back is turned. To find some empty wooden reels stored inside was a real bonus and I left one as a spacer in between my more modern reels.

I also picked up this little treasure.

I had a quick flick through in the shop and had to stop myself laughing out loud. I bought it mainly because of this.

Come on hands up who wants a high hat?

I can just see one in the navy and white fabric I bought and you'll notice she has a matching dress too. No don't worry I won't but if you receive an odd shaped parcel from me for either birthday or Christmas be very afraid.........or perhaps you'd prefer a jaunty beret.

Take One Sheet....

....and turn it into a vintage inspired apron.

In the shop I mentioned in one of my recent posts I discovered some really lovely vintage aprons. They had a great shape to them almost tailored. I had a vague memory of a vintage pattern I'd bought that was for a full apron so I set about finding it and adapted it to make my own pattern.

After carefully working out how much I needed to use of the sheet for my in progress quilt, I so hope I have that right, I cut out the apron pieces. There are two sections which make up the front and two smaller sections at the sides which give an a-line shape.

You might notice the hexies that I stitched around the bottom edge. They are odd ones that I wouldn't have made into flowers at least that's what I'm telling myself! The pocket is made from a crocheted doily, at last I've been brave and used one. I collect these things and then can't bring myself to use them. Stupid really.

The finishing touch is a yo-yo topped with a covered button. (There goes that glasses case, I'm steadily getting through the yo-yos I stitched for that)

Apologies for the creased look in the photo but after going to all the trouble of making it I'm determined to wear it even thought it has received some strange looks and comments around the house.

Happy creating

Oh Happy Day

Oh happy day could refer to the fact that I have tomorrow off work so the weekend starts here but in fact it relates to a card I made using a recent download from Silhouette.

It also features some yummy tape I bought from Cath Kidston. Yep I got way too excited when I spotted that.

It was a bit like when I first walked into a shop on Wednesday that has just opened in my area selling vintage goods. I don't think the shop assistant could get over my enthusiasm for a wooden cotton reel. In fact I was so excited I had to pay a return visit today, I'd been dreaming about this fabric.

Luckily for me it was still there today. The photo doesn't really do it justice but it's a striking navy and white combination. The piece of fabric is so large that I could probably make myself an outfit top to toe - but I'll resist that urge. I have a few smaller projects in mind.

On my first visit I picked up a plain white cotton sheet which has helped me come to a decision with making my quilt. I've opted to use plain white hexagons between my coloured flowers. After I've sewn these together my next decision is whether or not to have a plain white row in between them or to have an odd coloured hexagon thrown in. I've also downsized my original plan and I'm now making a smaller more manageable sized quilt. Of course I could change my mind again, I'll keep you posted.

Vintage Recyling

Recently my Mum's been having a clearout and she came across this skirt.

She had been keeping it for many (many!) years to recycle into a patchwork project. Unfortunately it never materialised so she reluctantly passed it to me. I had scecretly hoped that maybe one day she would get bored with moving it from one place to another and donate it to me.

Although it was a long time ago I do remember my Mum wearing this skirt, so what to do with something that to me is precious. At first I didn't want to take the first snip but as I've got over the whole ripping, sticking, cutting books thing it wasn't too hard to overcome. Once I'd taken the frill off I realised that it could be the perfect size for making a scrappy cushion. There is enough that I could make one for my Mum too. But what about the rest?

Well if any of you follow the wonderful Effie at EfemeraInk you'll have seen the beautiful shoes she made recently. Perfect. But how could I display them? Then I remembered the 12x12 box frame I'd bought but it turned out to be not nearly deep enough so I had to think of something else. What about mounting them to a canvas? So I did.

So what else do I make? I really need to try and find a photo of my Mum wearing the skirt so I can scrap it. I'm also thinking of making my Mum a crafty tote for her new craft room which prompted the big clear out. What about a journal, memories to hold new memories?

So if you have a piece of clothing, fabric or children's outground clothes that hold memories for you think about turning them in something else you can treasure and use rather than being hidden away.

I just hope my Mum approves

Vintage Finds

Hi I've just come home from a bit of charity shop browsing and look what I found.

Some old books for an altered project I'm that's in the planning stage, a couple of small pretty glasses, vintage packaged bias binding and a table cloth. The whole lot cost me £6.70.

It seems a bit mean to call it just a tablecloth as it really is a work of art. Hand crocheted and pieced cotton it must have taken ages to make. I nearly didn't buy it but I'm so glad I did as it's a pretty good fit for my outside table. I don't think everyone in the household will be as excited as I am about my find though.

I now feel the need to plan a tea party. I can see another Pinterest board being set up with hours of associated browsing. At least if I do have a tea party it will have been time spent productively. I'll let you know ;-)