paper

So you've probably already worked out that I am a bit of a hoarder... not only do I have an overwhelming fabric stash, but I also have a bit of a paper addiction. This can come in handy though, as I found this past week when Bella and I were making her party invitations.

I have a few folders that are just bulging with all the papers that I have collected over the years. Whenever I design an invitation for someone, I always get extra paper 'just in case', and then pop them into my folders. I have that 'can't throw it away, as it just might come in handy one day' disease, so there are even folders full of paper bags and kraft papers of all different grams and shades!

I also have bags full of scraps from the vintage children's books I use for my upcycled envelopes. I just can't seem to throw them away in case they'll be useful one day.... although I am wondering if I should take a leaf out of Heleen's book and have a big sort out and start up an Etsy shop for all the wonderful bits and pieces that could do with a new home....

old curtains

I found the most amazing old kitchen curtains a while back, and not wanting to be greedy(!), I just purchased one drop. I knew I would repurpose them into something, but as my studio is only small, and my fabric stash seems to have taken on a mind of it's own, I just couldn't justify the space to a stack of old kitchen curtains.... 

After many hours of soaking, washing and hanging in the sun, this morning I managed to finally cut in to them. I made the folklore bag, by Lauren Booth from this book. I even managed to re-use the curtain lining as the bag lining, and a magnetic closure from another old bag I found and cut up (for the lining fabric) a while back. I am really pleased with how it turned out - considering how terrible I am at following patterns/instructions!

It is a little bit smaller than I had imagined, so I have popped it in my shop here. Luckily I still have plenty more of this fabric to make a larger version for me!

This morning I had a wander through the Takapuna markets. I was on a mission to get some fresh ciabatta and salad greens for dinner, determined not to stop and buy anything else... but these gorgeous Black Peter cards called me over and ended up coming home with me.

Aren't they divine?

lonely old chair

I have a bit of a thing about chairs... not sure why as I don't spend a lot of time sitting down! Always on the go doing this, that and the other... you know how it goes.

Anyway, I saw this lovely chair in the Hospice warehouse the other day looking very sad and lonely.  I just knew it had to come home with us... Bella "Mum, where is that chair going to go"!!

 

  

  

When I removed the grubby old vinyl cover all that was left of the original cushion was powder! I still have to give it a bit of a sand and polish, but I got a new bit of rubber, cut it to size and this morning I recovered it with one of my favorite pieces of nani IRO fabric from the antique label.

 

 

This old chair now has pride of place in the corner of my studio (but is already laden down with a pile of paper work that has no where else to be at the moment!!). I just have to figure out how to keep sticky, chocolatey fingers off my beautiful new cover :-)

vintage love

I've just finished off a few new coin purses - haven't quite got as far as listing them all yet , but this one is up in my shop.

This gorgeous vintage fabric was an old pot holder... so old that when I unpicked the seams the wadding inside just floated out - it was powder! After a good soak and wash it has come up really well. I just love the mis-registration on the old fabrics, and the simplicity of this pattern really appeals to me.... I toyed with keeping it for myself, but I really don't need another coin purse...

Taking it slow

I don't feel as though I have achieved a lot this week... Isabella has had the week off school with tonsillitis, so we have really taken things slowly... and it has been lovely! (If you ignore the sleepless nights and grisly kids!!)

Yesterday we spent an hour or so creating sand saucer gardens... I can vividly remember doing this as a kid and it was so nice watching Bella enjoying it so much too. She created quite a few wee masterpieces, but this was our favourite!!

Tomorrow is Halloween, and although we don't really celebrate it here in New Zealand I have certainly been more aware of it now that Bella is at school. She missed her school Halloween day/after school party today, but hopefully should be ok for the Halloween party she has been invited to tomorrow night.

We spent a bit of time making her 'witches' outfit at lunchtime whilst Lucy napped.

We got a layered chiffony singlet top from a thrift shop for $2, and I was lucky enough to find the motherload of black tulle at another thrift shop a few weeks ago for a mere $2 (we are talking almost a whole bolt of black tulle for $2!!)... so that worked nicely. My little helper and I sewed the layered tulle onto the singlet and then took to it with scissors (the fun bit) as Bella was quite concerned that a witches dress should not be at all pretty (even though she wanted tulle... O to be 5!)

Please excuse the pink leggings in the photo! She promises me tomorrow she will wear her black leggings underneath! At least she wont need any witchy make up with the pale skin and bags under her eyes from being sick all week!

On another note, it is the Devonport Craft Market on Sunday - 10am - 3pm at the Devonport Community House, 32 Clarence Street, Devonport. Hopefully I will be a little more organised by then!! I did manage to sort my crayons into colour groups this morning to pop into my (thankfully) completed crayon rolls!

Revived

We are back from a lovely weekend away. Gorgeous sunny days, lots of bike riding, walking, sand castle building... so nice to get out of the city and enjoy a slower pace for a few days! No photos to post..., I hunted for my camera the whole time I was away, couldn't find it anywhere - as we drove into the driveway at home I found it in the glovebox!

I found some gorgeous vintage bits and bobs whilst away - they are all being washed and dried today, but here is a sneaky peak of some of the vintage aprons, tea clothes and sheets all drying on the line!


Lucy and I found these sweet little flowers this morning. I might use this for my screen printing tonight...


Hope you have a lovely afternoon xx

Bag

Just a quick post today - I wanted to show you the pics of my bag. I finished it off last night, hand stitching the handles on whilst watching tv... a lovely relaxing way to sew!

I used the handles from here, the lining is an old pillow case, and the outside fabric some curtain fabric samples.


This book arrived in the post today. I am off to make a cup of tea and have a leisurely browse through it.

xx C

More Thrifty Finds

As I was on my way to the fish shop this morning I walked past the Hospice shop and thought I would just have a quick wee look... (I couldn't just walk past without a little squiz!). Anyway, I found this sad, stained, torn little bag today and immediately thought it would be great to rip apart and reuse.


The outer fabric was stained, torn and drawn on, plus it was glued to a manky old foam, so I couldn't save that, but I managed to salvage the trim, handles, catch and even some fabric from the lining.


I also made a cute little sundress today out of a vintage pillowcase (also found in the Hospice shop). So quick and eay to make, and it was nice to have a little time to sew today and end up with a finished product! I didn't quite have the 'right' ribbon for the ties, but these will do for the sake of the photo - tomorrow I will hunt down the perfect ribbon!

Stay tuned... xx C

Sunny Friday

I have just ordered this book. I can't wait to get it - will hopefully inspire me to do a bit more sewing. I have not done much crafting lately... busy just being a Mum... maybe I will find a bit of time to sneak away and finish some of my projects this weekend!!
However, I have managed to list a few new bits and pieces in my shop this week - cloth journals, marble bags, lavender bags, kids sketchbooks... A task I have been meaning to tick of my to do list for quite a while!

I found a couple of cute wee things in a thrift store the other day... a pillowcase, and duvet cover... I already have plans for both - so watch this space!

Little one awake and calling for me, so better dash - off to enjoy some of this gorgeous weather!

xx C

Feels like Spring...

What a beautiful few days we have had. The weather has been so deliciously sunny and warm with clear blue skies (ohh, and freezing nights). We spent the afternoon at the beach (with just about every other Aucklander I think!) kicking a ball around. The girls had a wonderful time and now can't wait for summer - only about 5 months away !!

On another note, I found some more seriously gorgeous vintage books the other day for a whopping $1 each!! Their condition is far from great, but the illustrations are so divine, I promise to put them to good use - watch this space...


C xx

Thrifty finds

I popped out to the library earlier to pick up this book which I had on hold... as I was driving home I went past the Salvation Army store and saw their truck unloading. I couldn't resist having a quick rummage...

This is what I found today:

1. Ms. Klondike, by Jessica Ross. Published in 1977 by Viking Press in New York.
I am in love with yellow at the moment, so it was rather fitting that I found this fabulous 'yellow' book! Unfortunately it has been scribble on, but the illustrations are lovely. I have a few ideas for re purposing this so watch this space!


2. Bits and Bobs.
A new fruit bowl... The vintage cutlery are to become my new herb garden markers... I already have some pretty flowers sitting on my desk in this new jug... love it! And call me a sucker, but I just couldn't resist this simple plate...


3. Clothes.
And finally I got these 4 items which are to be turned into some fabulous new creations... The 'crystal' buttons on the top were too gorgeous to resist (who can resist buttons?), and I thought the top itself would make a great journal cover, the is soft with an interesting pattern... the fabric on the black floral tunic is so gorgeous - soft and floaty. It has already been claimed and will become a lovely summer skirt for Isabella. The other two skirts are rather large and the fabric is in great condition, so they will become a few kids skirts too.

I will post some pics once I have completed some of these projects (mind you I have so many others on the go I can't promise it will happen quickly).

C xx

Tartan Thursday

I have just been out to hang the washing out (hurray for the sun!) and noticed how depressed my garden looks (I can't even bring myself to take a pic to post for you, it is THAT bad!). It has been totally neglected lately... in good need of a mow, and a weed, and about the only thing looking vaguely happy in my vege patch is the parsley... need I say more. Well, that will be the weekend job, as long as the sun remains shining.

Back to an area that I have been doing something... I found this old skirt in an op shop the other day.
And just loved the fabric. I knew it would be great for the girls, so it is now this!Snuggly and warm for winter!