Thrifting, Stitching and Printing

It has been somewhat of a mixed bag this weekend, plans that I had in mind were mostly stuck to but there was times where I was very much distracted. Nicely distracted I should say.

The distraction was mainly a second hand / antiques / thrift market...Aladdin's cave, call it what you will. Its near to the flat, walked past it a few times since I moved to Farnham but never popped in, until I was somewhat full of curiosity (I blame the sunshine) yesterday that I went in on my way to get food shopping. 

Its' totally bonkers place, multiple floors, nooks and crannies, stairs leading to floors and rooms leading this way and that. It's one of those places that the first time you go in your utterly overwhelmed. Which is why by the third trip this morning, it feels so much easier to navigate and to get a grip of the layout, sort of. It is also one of those places that having an idea of what your after is rather handy.

 In my case, at the back of mind was that I was after a small console table for the hallway. It needed to be skinny, practical and perhaps as an added bonus something I could put my own mark on it. So whilst stumbling about Bourne Mill Antiques I came across many items that would have fitted the bill but I was drawn to this little beauty, only £24! Bargain! 

Needs a damn good sand down and some attention as there are a few knocks but when the weather warms up I'll take it down to my folks to sand it down out in the garden, and gloss it...what colour you ask...hot pink. A major pop of colour in a somewhat darkish hallway.

Popping back this morning with my mum, who I knew would love the place too, saw me pick up a little glass jam pot and spoon...like you do. Goes with some other glass pieces I picked up in Boston. Oh and also my gloves, because apparently I had left those behind when nipping back for the second trip to pick up the table. I thought I was going nuts this morning trying to find my gloves.

This has got my teeth gnashing to get on with the hallway, I've had a good few months to deliberate and I think I am on the cusp of knowing what I want. Electrics are set to be sorted soon, just need to make final decision on the wall colour and gloss, then it will be the carpet. Can't wait! Determined to get all done by the Summer. 

Phew, anyway, flat bits aside I have actually been doing other things. Such as designing and making an ATC card for a swap group I joined this month. Once my swap partner receives it I will post a picture here.

I've nearly finished my placements, just finished cutting out the bias binding so now it's just a matter of sewing that on, then at last I can put away the winter themed table mat and use them, hello spring.

Oh, I nearly forgot to say that earlier this week I nipped over to the Boxpark, a pop up mall in Shoreditch, which is near to work to pick up an order from Moo.com's little store. The order was a small print run of postcards to see what the pictures of my embroidered quotes will look like in the flesh. They've not come out all too bad but a little dark, so a reprint is on order. I'm not the world's greatest photographer and sadly I just don't have the kit. 

Depending on the reprint I'll make a final call on what I will want to have printed on greetings and postcards. Which would be one of the things I wanted to get done this year, nice that I've been sticking to my plans.

That's about it really, slightly bushwhacked this week, and it will be same again this coming week. On the newsletter I mentioned the release of a new pattern on the 1st March, and I am determined to stick to the date!

Want it Wednesday: Animal Obsession

I think we can safely assume that I am somewhat obsessed with anything animal related, in regards to artwork. I just keep finding the most wonderful things that I want to adorn my new flat with. The hallway is going to be adorned with animal pictures, taxidermy (real - ethically sourced, of course and faux versions), prints, etchings, and I even hope to stitch something special for the hall too.

Yeah, I know I am not in it yet! But it's nice to be dreaming about what the place is going to look like.

Grey walls, white detailing and second hand wooden furniture.

Bring it on!

Speeding onwards

This year is really starting to fly by. My holiday has been and gone in a blink of an eye, a year in my job has felt like only a month, and my best friend's wedding which was only last week already feels like a distant memory. And yet it's not over yet, I still have two craft shows to do. It is my plan, my intention, to get some new bits ready for it though how I am going to get it all done before the 26th is anyone's guess. I can but hope!


On top of this I have been making more Tilda bits, I know I should be concentrating on shop stock but sometimes I like to break and really I am making gifts for cherished friends and family. Oh and for the flat.....


This lovely Princess Angel is a second in a pair, you might recognise the style Tilda again, her sister went to my best mate and this one is for my little flat. 

I've made an angel goose which is going to my mum which will hopefully stop her trying to nick Calico the Angel Pig. Hopefully she will like it I wasn't too sure about the Liberty print I chose for the feet and wings?


The next gift is for my other best mate's mum  (the one that got married - Mrs M), who has been making me a tea cosy from a pattern on Raverly and in return I am making her a Tilda figure, but she doesn't know what. I shan't be saying here! It's a surprise. 


I also have a wee decoration that I want to make for my part of the stall at the craft show that utilises a wee metal bucket (got to stop saying wee) that made up the wedding favours for my friend's wedding. It's perfect for me to make a tiny Christmas tree, Tilda has a design which I think would work perfectly, just need to decide on my fabrics, Liberty it is but not sure on the colour yet. 


In this mess somewhere is the gift for my friend, and bits I am making for the show! What you crafty folks up to? And are you coming to Guildford Craftacular? 

Project finished!

How it was looking this afternoon
Just sewing on the press fasteners

Nothing quite like finishing a project for your own abode, I always feel slightly smug when I finish a project when its for me. Because frankly I rarely make anything for me, and to make something that's for me and practical frankly its almost a myth. Here we are an end of the bed thingie (I have no name for it) with pockets, done and dusted! Go me! It's now willing me to finish the experiment I had with the net curtain in the livingroom, going to finish it today, or at least get a fair whack of it done, so far I have two buttons badly sewn on and doing nawt.


Of course it does make me feel bad at the same time, I wanted to make some more things for my shop but I honestly don't know what to make. Which I feel sad about. So I think I'll get on with the mini patch work sampler and see where that takes me.


What wonders have you made?

Done!

 

Bedroom tidy...for a change.
End of bed hiding thingie put to use.

Sunday Stuff

Take one set of grim looking net curtains that are dirty, and with holes in them...and completely take them down. Sadly can't ditch them (I will have to put them back up when I leave the property..) 

Then muck about with the idea of having a cafe style net thing going on instead, spend far to long staring at net curtain get more than you actually need and then muck about most of the morning trying to decide whether or not you actually made a wise decision.

I'll be honest I am still unsure, and I am now thinking that a natural coloured muslin may have been nicer but for the time being I will stick with my original choice. Ah well it doesn't actually look to bad, I did have it all gathered up but it looked hideous. So it stays up. Now I work on my original idea and the reason for thinking a cafe curtain would be nice was to make it a bit more jazzy...

By adding buttons in colours that match the tie backs and  done in a tasteful way I was thinking about adding the odd crystal highlight..too much? The buttons I like, and I think I will actually carry on with that idea and add them, the crystals not so sure.

Now I am going to pause here cause I've been pottering about all morning I am about ready to chew my hand off. This after I am going to prep my project for the afternoon, add the buttons the net curtain and make some coasters. Go me!

Pictures and a further post to follow.