~Chair Makeover using Laura Ashley Eggshell~

I have 2 job applications that I need to complete post-haste but I am painting and waxing things instead! It's half-term so as usual I have a 'to do' list (which is not wholly achievable!) but I have managed to complete this chair makeover.
Thought I'd give this paint a try as it is cheaper than F&B and I liked the colour. It's Laura Ashley Water-based Eggshell in Duck Egg (750ml for £13.99 from Homebase or Laura Ashley)

I have to say it's a thinner consistency and doesn't have the opacity of F&B eggshell but the results are fine.  Here it is...

...and with a new chair seat - yes, more Sanderson - I'm getting very predictable.

It did take 3 coats, rubbed down with wire wool inbetween, and a final coat of Colron Finishing Wax.

It's destined for the sewing room, so it will fit in nicely I think.

 

~Simple Pleasures - new cushions~

Well it's been tipping, literally tipping down with rain all day here in Yorkshire so I took the opportunity to sew some new cushions for the sofa.
I like to swap cushions and blankets around as I get bored!
The rectangle one is made from a lovely pink linen tweed I got from Fabworks in Dewsbury, fastened with 2 big buttons.  The front of the others is vintage Sanderson fabric I found recently in a charity shop in Helmsley. I love the pinky tone of the background.

The quilt on the back of the sofa was made from odds and ends and I blogged about it here in January 2012.

It doesn't take much time or money to do this, recycling cushion inners, zips and using fabric I've accumulated.  It makes the sofa much more comfortable...

 

Don't you agree, Small Dog?

See you soon x

~Garden peek~

It's raining, thundering and lightening quite heavily here tonight, so I'm glad I took some photos yesterday before all my plants get flattened...I love May and June in the garden before floppage and crispyness occur...
My back garden is a teensy small space as with most newer houses  (I wish housebuilders were forced to include allotment-sized plots) with poor soil and poor drainage, so most plants are in a built up bed at the back. I've been here 8 years now. The backgarden had the ambience of being on a ship's deck when we moved in - all badly-done decking and rope handrails - really awful.

A little look around then...

I love alliums, I had some at the old house too.

 They're planted with a large fatsia, a standard holly, aquilegias, geraniums,

sisyrinchium and euphorbias

I do like the combination of purple and lime green

 

 

 This is my secret corner behind the garage...

 This potted clematis is the best it's ever been this year

 I like mirrors in the garden and a few mosaics, tiles and statues...

 ...and old rusty fireplaces with mirrors behind them.

 Cut and come again salad leaves in a sunny spot...

 And my lovely fragranced 'Life Begins at Forty' Rose by the back door...

Then my picnic table (cheap ebay buy 4 years ago) painted willow green along with a metal bench and scrollwork green chair for sitting out in the warmer weather.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed that little look at my garden.

See you soon xx

Yarn Shop Day & simple pleasures

Yarn Shop day was Saturday 3rd May - did you visit a wool shop? I did -  I visited Needlecase at Tadcaster, which I've blogged about before. They had a plentiful supply of tea and cake going on, as well as a knitted flowers workshop - however I just popped in to purchase some wool and a pattern to knit for my new niece, expected in July. I bought Sirdar Snuggly in this blue/purple colour and some mother of pearl buttons...

The pattern is a chunky aran type cardigan with bobbles round the yoke

 which I'll do in a 6-12 month size.

 

Jack and I went to give Laura a lift home from the coast and took the dog for a long walk at the seaside.

Hornsea beach - I love it.

Definitely my 5-year plan to live there.

The tide was coming in and the sound was so calming.

Pebbles, pebbles, pebbles...I could look at them all day!

I made this chocolate cake today - just a Victoria Sponge with added cocoa and chocolate chips topped with leftover Easter egg melted chocolate and filled with fresh vanilla cream

It was gorgeous!