Car Boot Treasure

 

I had a lovely stroll around Stickney Car Boot sale this morning, which was quite a large one considering the overcast sky and the predicted rain forecast.  Luckily it didn't rain and we had a lovely stroll chatting to my Mum as we wandered.  We also bumped into my niece and her family and caught up with all the family news so that was quite nice.

 

I got really lucky with a big bag of apples for 50p that since arriving home has been made into 4 bags of apple sauce for the freezer.

 

I also bought carrots for 50p from a man who had surplus from his allotment so that was a good find and enough there to freeze some for stews as well.

 

I got a big bag of kindling for £2 perfect for the stove and I thought a really good price.

 

10 die cast vehicles for £1 was next on the list, perfect to top the car box up as the Grandchildren take a few home every time they visit.

 

We stumbled across a stall selling craft things that had once been sold in a craft shop that had stopped trading, a very busy stall as you can imagine.  I managed to secure some yarn and buttons, I know I didn't need either but (there is always a BUT) the price was too good to walk away from.  The yarn was 50p per ball.  Could you have walked away? 

 

I then paid 50p for 3 odd balls of grey Aran...bargain!

 

The buttons were Minnie Mouse wooden buttons that I fell in love with and perfect to use on a red cushion which is what I have in mind for the red wool.

 

Finally some Christmas paper chains, perfect for the Grandchildren to do if visiting near Christmas and at a bargain price of 10p.

 

All in all some wonderful bounty,  some wonderful company and a healthy stroll, what could be better?

 

See you soon.

Indoor Autumn Preperation

I have been really good with preparations indoors this year and have started ticking off the list already.  I must exercise some self discipline and finish the outside jobs.  I went shopping this morning and ticked off two things on the list, a kindling bucket and candles.  A more distinct Autumn smell and colour was needed.  The kindling has already been sourced and stored.

I need to make an appointment to get the boiler serviced, it has a full service history so it would be a shame to let that go.

 

The quilts on the beds need to be changed from summer weight to a heavier tog and  then as the season gets cooler the sheets changing to flannelette from cotton.  I have already added blankets/throws to the end of the beds to use as and when.

Summer hats need to be stored away and replaced with cold weather hat/scarves/gloves.  I already have the perfect place to store them so that should be an easy job.

Some of the throws on sofas/chairs need to be changed or added to give a more Autumnal feel and to use to wrap napping children.

Some new floral arrangements need to be made to replace some of the summer offerings.

The biggest job of all is to sort out the wardrobes, changing the seasonal clothing over and getting rid of clothes that I no longer wear.  The hardest job of all is to sort out the shoes, I am a great fan of the summer flip flop and sandal.

 

A couple of hours making a few Autumn décor alterations and I should be done.  I wish I could say the same about the outside.  How are your preparations coming along?

 

See you soon.

Autumn Preperations

Autumn is upon us, the nights and the mornings are getting colder.  The light is starting to fade earlier each evening so time I think to prepare for Autumn.

First thing that needs to be done is make a list using the list note book, a gift from one of my daughters.

The mini green house needs to be emptied, folded down and stored ready for Spring.

The barbeque needs to be cleaned and put away, but I still have the wonderful memories of some lovely meals shared with family and friends.

The garden furniture needs to be folded and stored.

 

We live on the East Coast of England about half a mile from the beach and the North Sea, which makes for a very blustery season.  Everything needs to be tied down or put away otherwise you will be chasing it across the fields.  The children's toys need to be stored also.

This temporary bed has been amazing for the wonderful lettuce grown and enjoyed everyday, a must for next year.  It now needs emptying and storing away.

The logs need ordering and chopped ready for the multi fuel stove.  It makes for a cosy evening toasting your toes in front of it, the most wonderful feeling ever.  Even better when sipping on hot chocolate on those cold blustery days.

 

Several bushes need to be cut back and some plants stored over the winter.

 

We are blessed in that we still have some produce to harvest, leeks and beetroot, so that bed cannot be cleared but the rest can.

So that's the list for Autumn for outside I now need to make a list for inside, but that's another post.  Have you done your Autumn preparation?

 

See you soon

Wedding Update

The projects for the wedding are coming along nicely, everything is nearing fruition.  The lists have been managed extremely well and the relationship between myself and my daughter is still wonderfully intact.  She is thrilled with all that her Dad and I have done and as we have started to put some of the projects together the better it looks.

All that is left on the list is:
   - assemble wreaths
   - embellish bags
   - wax wood
   - embellish vases
   -confetti cones

So today I started work on the vases.

Using vintage crochet lace, hessian and jute twine the top of a vase was embellished.

Where it will sit on a wood plinth that has been sanded but waiting to be waxed.

A quite striking centre piece for each table, matching the coasters and making a wonderful statement.

One down only another nine to go.  The list is getting shorter...

 

See you soon.

Bearing Gifts

My daughter and grandson visited this weekend and came bearing gifts, a beautiful chest of drawers. 

I have given it a temporary home in the entrance hall until I decide where to put it.  I have dressed it with a vintage hat stand , a couple of my winter hats and a plaque.

I love it already and think it could be useful to have somewhere in the hall to store all those hat, scarves and gloves that end up in a basket at the bottom of the stairs.  Time will tell...

We had a wonderful time crafting together and working on the plans for the wedding whilst Bertie was in bed.

Bertie too had a holiday of his dreams doing all of his favourite things.

2 sessions at Tiny Tots Village, the soft play centre once on Saturday and another session before heading home on Sunday.

A trip to the park for a run around and to feed the ducks.

Sandcastles built on the beach and a ride on the donkey.

Finally a trip to the fairground.  A wonderful weekend had by one and all, some wonderful memories to treasure.  Hope you all had a good weekend.

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

Vintage Pattern

I have a vast collection of patterns, mostly vintage that I have collected over the years.  I love looking at them and imagining the life they had before residing in my craft room.  Wondering who used them and how the finished project looked like fascinates me.  I have many patterns that include sewing, crochet, knitting, cross stitch and tapestry, many will never be used but I love to collect them.  I store a lot of them in recycled binders that look quite attractive now that I have covered them.

I also have a couple of vintage wooden boxes that I store sewing patterns in, they make me smile when I look up from my table when I am working.

The patterns I am going to showcase today are 2 sewing patterns for boys both designed and manufactured in New York but bought from The Street of Shops at Renningers Mount Dora Florida for a $1 per pattern.  A real bargain when they contain so much history of an era gone by.

Well used patterns, that will probably never be used again but I feel I am preserving and loving a pattern that would probably end up in a land fill site.

 

Hope you enjoy looking at the patterns as much as I do.  I have my daughter and grandson visiting this weekend so I must get on and get his favourite toys out.

 

See you soon.