Wednesday 2 October 2013

Couldn't Sleep For The Whirring Of Inspirational Cogs

'Tis the season to be nesting....tra la la la la, la la la laaa

Ooo there's so many many things I want to be playing about with at the moment. I have ideas and thinkings and plannings and not enough hours in the after work day. Man and I are working flat out at the minute, due to some massive understaffing issues. We've had 3 whole weekends together this year, and so time is precious. We try to get out of the house when we find we are both not working at the same time, but the window of opportunity is often so small, that we don't get far. Now I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. We are very lucky to be working, and overtime is a luxury that we reap benefits from....so we soldier on!
On Friday, man finished a nightshift, and I wasn't working until the afternoon, so we packed the babies off to school, and had a little walk into town. Man is just as eager as me to have a good charity shop rummage. I gotta love him for that. So rummage we did.


I had planned a revamp for this little madam, but actually, now she's home, I think I like her....just as she is.




We stopped by the local primary school to support the Macmillan coffee morning a friend if mine had organised....and bumped into one of my book club ladies, and had a great talk over tea and cake.....



And on the retreat home, we popped into the Vintage Shop we are lucky enough to have on a doorstep, owned by a fabulous lady called Carole, who oozes the passion she has for the bygone.



She had some lovely remnants.....



Perfect to have on hand following my sewing machine lessons!



I'm still on 'straight line' practise.....



And we could absolutely not leave this little pair behind, although the debate rages on as to where they be hung. I'm not a driller, after a terrible mishap with a wall and a candle sconce some moons ago, so I fear man will win the battle as he has the drilling upper hand. We'll see.







What a beautiful teal colour. I love it.

I've also gone into battle with my toilet roll basket!



Before



During



After



Last night, I was pretty exhausted after a double shift, and so relented up the wooden hill to my bed, when suddenly I was thinking about my rocking chair and how I suddenly and desperately needed to paint a little ditty on it. I could not for love nor money get off to sleep for what seemed like an age. I set straight to it after work and dinner and laundry this evening.



I printed out my ditty so I had something to copy. On some wood, I've been able to lay the paper over the wood, trace the words with a sharp pencil, to then remove the paper and find the letters indented in the wood, giving a template, but the gloss in the rocker was too old and hard, and so I went free hand.







This is how man found me on his return from work tonight. Doesn't everybody create in a onesie and a hat??



A coat of protective varnish is needed now, and she's good to go. She sits at the front of our house, for when I feel like a read or a cup of tea, or a watch the world go by moment. The girls asked what I'd do if I did indeed find that someone had taken up my offer to sit a while, and a stranger was rooted in my rocker one morning. I'd hope I'd put the kettle on, but I fear I might swear instead. 

























21 comments:

  1. now that's what i call a full day!!!!!!!!!!! you've made me tired just reading it ...... you did well with all your finds and how lovely you have a partner that likes to go to shops mine gets a headache whenever we go near a shop!!!!!!!!!!!! luckily he does redeem himself by being a thoroughly nice chap who worships the ground i walk on (i may be exagerating the last bit!!!) hope you have plenty of sits today xx

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    1. Lynne, yesterday was even busier!!! It involved my car breaking down, and unexpected trip to the back of beyond, and unplanned auction sale and a call out at 2:30am this morning. It's all go here!
      Oh I loved how you described the redemption of your partner! Long may the worshipping continue....
      Man is jut as excited as me to go hunting, which makes it a whole lot lovelier that we go together. We are lucky girls indeed! X

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  2. If you are sewing a seam the easiest way to keep it straight is to line up the edge of the fabric with the edge of your presser foot. If you are sewing further into the fabric ( ie not at the edge) you can put a bit of masking tape further over to the right on the bed of your machine as a guide to follow - does that make sense!?!

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    1. Yes it makes complete sense! Thank you! I love that you took the time to say x my youngest daughter did most of the lines on the hankerchief, but neither of us are too good. I guess practise makes perfect! Masking tape is a great idea xXx

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  3. Some great finds ..I have a thing for old lamp shades but I do like the little blue cupboard very much...

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    1. Hi Amanda! What do you do with your lampshades?? I've got a opulent I'd like to stitch remnant patches on,and then I plan to have a collection suspended from my bedroom ceiling, falling to different heights. X

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    2. I collected large to small took the fabric of and coved with different coloured paper, joined them together, hanged it on the ceiling...large to small to make a Christmas tree, coved in lights and decorations. After Christmas I kept the small one and put it on the lamp with little birds tied to the frame. Have collected a couple more since then to have more tiers on the tree this year.

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    3. Sounds fabulous! Do you have photos on your blog??

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    4. Only started my Blog in April this year, should have some photos some were....will dig them out..I'll let you know if I find them.

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  4. Loving the teal duo... I just love a bit of distressed paint! Nice remnants too, look like sandersons, the red piece is really striking. Did you spray the basket if so did you use a gun? I ask because I'm wanting to buy one and would appreciate any advice on what to choose. Cx

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    1. Hey you x I think the blue is Sanderson, not sure about the red. It's gorgeous though, really plush.
      I used a can of spray paint for the basket, and it went on really nicely. What plans do you have?? I've never used a spray gun. Do tell!!! Xxx

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    2. I've never used one either but I'm told they are much quicker to use and you get better even finish on uneven stuff... I want to use chalk or other eco paints on basket weave stuff and suitcases. Did you send me your address? I've got seeds but no email. Cxx

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    3. I haven't done it yet! I'm rubbish. Bit of a crazy week. I'll hop on it now x

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  5. Hi Jo ... some beautiful treasures indeed from your walk into town :-) My Mr doesnt enjoy thrift shopping so I either go alone or with girlfriends who love to rumage. Your lampshade is gorgeous. My friend took the fabric cover off hers & then wound strips of fabric round it then suspended a vintage cup inside it (slightly hanging down below) then put a birds nest/tiny eggs into the cup. It looks amazing. I have a photo of it should you decide you would like me to email it to you. Happy crafting with your treasures. Do persevere with your sewing - it will all come together soon for you. Julie x0x

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  6. I'd love to see the photo Julie! My email is josoap80@yahoo.co.uk
    Ill be sure to keep up the sewing practise, thank you xXx

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  7. Hi jo...I love your chair...you have great taste...night working must knock your inner clock for six??? No wonder you are up at odd hours painting?? I would be too If 'cos I get an idea then I'm off no stopping me... looks like you are the same!!

    I am not a morning gal although I dream of being one!

    bestest weekend wishes to you and yours....

    daisy j xxxx

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  8. great chair,I love the little blue cupboard!
    Izzy x

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  9. You are a gal after my own heart. Love everything here, the pink pleated lampshade is gorgeous and so are the teal twosome. (I love a piece of shabby painted furniture) What plans for the fabric remnants? Fabulous rocking chair idea, details like this make such a difference to a home.

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    1. Oh thanks Fiona!! I would very much like to make a patchwork bag with the fabric....a kind of giant bag (as I carry all many of rubbish around with me, and am much more suited to a suitcase than a clutch!) I'm meeting my sewing friend tonight for a patchwork lesson, and am really badly looking forward to it. I think the sky might be the limit when I know where to start! Xxx
      Thanks for saying hello.....I love it when that happens xx

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