~Finished projects & Knitting Book Giveaway~

The good thing about time off in the Summer is the opportunity to catch up on the myriad of unfinished sewing and craft projects.  I called into Me and Mrs Fisher for tea and yummy lemon drizzle cake last Friday, and was talking with one of the owners, Hannah, about how I feel I've lost my motivation and crafty mojo lately. It's all about time, priorities and opportunity... I have to say my first week off hasn't see me go far at all, but it means I have rediscovered my sewing machine (under the piles of stuff awaiting eBay listing, ironing and paperwork...)  So many projects I have got started - half- made dress, odd wristwarmers (all unfinished), hexagon patchwork, tea cosies as well as my dresser to finish painting...
Anyhow, I completed this name bunting for a friend to give as a Christening gift....

...using some Cath Kidston stone paisley, Ikea Rosali dot and Laura Ashley fabric.
I also repurposed a piece of hexagonal patchwork that I'd once used on a chair, to make this cushion which would be lovely in a caravan or VW Camper...

Then finally, my favourite thing...I bought this Liberty fabric ages ago; I absolutely love it and decided to have a go at a Summer top.  I used New Look pattern 6895, which features 6 tops with gathered necklines, bias binding trim, ruffles and fabric flowers (eeek!)  I am getting a bit braver and re-learning the proper way to do things.  I also used a vintage button and the  'Made with Love' ribbon, bought from Me and Mrs Fisher as a label...

Here's the finished article...I love it!

And for a crafty-mojo celebratory giveaway, I have this lovely book....
Knitting Classic Style by Veronik Avery
which has 35 patterns inspired by vintage fashion, with some lovely photographs.
All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment below by Sunday 12th August 12 midday, and for an extra entry,  please cut and paste my message -     Knitting Book Giveaway at Lavender Attic at http://lavenderattic.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/finished-projects-knitting-book-giveaway.html - Please let me know you have tweeted about my giveaway.
Many thanks and good luck!

~Simple Pleasures of the week~

As the pennies are tight at the moment I say *hurrah* for the simple pleasures of day-to-day life (the ones that don't cost the earth and make you smile even though you feel stuck wading through the treacle of life...)
My simple pleasures of the week....

Having a chutney-making day - using ingredients I already had plus some green tomatoes from the garden...

Knitting a tea cosy for a small teapot ...

Teapot 50p charity shop, wool from my stash

Blooming roses in the garden, not decimated by 

rain...

Rosa 'Life Begins at 40'

Rosa 'The Pilgrim'

Baking my favourite double-chocolate brownies on the cheap...

Sainsbury's Basics Chocolate 30p a bar

I used 3 bars of chocolate, which cost less than a pound. It's Belgian chocolate with 52% cocoa solids and tastes as good as always (there were tears fighting over it I can tell you!)

And...

...getting all the washing dry on the line.
(Sad but true; it's a simple pleasure for me.  In my opinion tumble-dryers should be un-invented. As should plug-in air fresheners...grrrr....just open your windows and get some fresh air circulating...whinge over...)

Hope you're finding some simple pleasures in your week too...x

~Dresser Envy~

Dresser Envy is something I have suffered with for quite a few years now; exacerbated by sneaky peeks and glorious transformations of dressers on the blogs I follow...

I've always coveted Steph's lovely dresser at Curlew Country...

Picture from Curlew Country blog

 I loved Scarlet's thrifty transformation loaded with Hornsea Pottery at Tales From Beyond The Nook...

Picture from Tales from Beyond The Nook

And I adore Kazzy's dresser at Country Rabbit - so much loveliness to peek at!

Picture from Country Rabbit blog

Well,  lucky me - heaven knows that I don't have the pennies to buy one - I now have my own dresser ripe for transformation!  

It wasn't thrifted; it was gifted -  from generous friends renovating their kitchen. 

 Here it is...

 It's lovely and solid, with oodles of storage.  I have bought a tin of F and B Estate Eggshell in New White, but my other materials I already had - some F and B Ball Green emulsion, some finishing wax and half a roll of Cath Kidston wallpaper.  Here's a sneaky peek...

I'll carry on during the Summer holidays tackling it in manageable chunks! The main body will be New White, with Ball Green on the inside and back. 

One more day at work then roll on Summer!

~Monday's Thrifty Find~

I'm sorry I haven't been posting as regularly as usual, but like many people I find June and July extremely busy, both at work and with family and home commitments.  Thankfully it's nearly the summer holidays - I am sooooo lucky to work term-time - I can't wait to go to the seaside in the caravan, Chateau H.
We had a family party on Saturday evening, which thanks to the heavy showers had a squelchy and muddy festival feel to it.  Gorgeous sun one minute, and huge raindrops the next! I am still cleaning up now! Daughter L was 17 last Wednesday as well as this week being the birthdays of Small Dog and OH.

My clever Auntie J kindly made the cake for L as a surprise, as well as lots of lovely cupcakes.

I had today as a day off to catch up with myself and popped into

 Tadcaster this morning to go to the butchers with locally sourced meat

Devine Meats. Butchers. 10 Bridge Street, Town Centre, Tadcaster, LS24 9AL

I indulged in 20 minutes of thrifting in the Yorkshire Cancer Research charity shop and as well as some old pearls and beads, and some Johnson's pastel crockery, I found this gorgeous black dress which I think is vintage 1980s ...

It wasn't priced and I guessed at the size (as it has no size label) - but it fits brilliantly.  The photo doesn't do it justice - the sleeves are really puffy and are lined with stiff organza. The price of my new LBD was £5!

I love a good thrifting find to cheer me up!

~Dress reveal & Birthdays~

Thanks to Magie at Teacups & Bunting blog for asking to have a peek at my Dress #2 that I mentioned in my previous post...I'm too shy and dissatisfied with photos of myself actually wearing the dress, but here it is without me in it...

I used some black cotton dress fabric with ditsy pink and grey roses, bought from Boyes for £3.99 a metre, but I actually used the reverse of the fabric for a more faded vintage look.

You can see the brighter fabric inside better here...

...I prefer the faded colours. I wore it with this pretty rose necklace and a thin black belt and patent shoes.  It did look nice I have to say, thanks in no small part to some good solid foundation garments!

It's also Small Dog's 2nd Birthday today...

Bless his little cotton socks.

He is so funny and good company.

Happy Birthday!

~Giveaway Results!~

What a busy weekend! I made a another version of this dress  to wear at my friend's 40th birthday party yesterday - sewing the zip in and hemming it about 2 hours before the party! 
It's also time for Giveaway results...Many thanks to all the new followers and lovely comments; I've enjoyed a bit of blog-hopping to visit you this week too!
I numbered comments 1-31, then added 32- 44 for those who had made an additional bloggy link. then I used a Random Number Generator.

The winner of the Giveaway is...

Number 9 - Amanda from Crafty in the Med blog.

Well done!

Please email me your address and I will post the goodies to you in sunny Spain

Thanks again x 

Sally