~Downstairs loo revamp with Craig & Rose paint~

Well, it's half-term, which means 'a project' for me...the downstairs loo was last decorated when J was in reception (and he's at High School now) so it was looking a bit grotty, plus it had all got a bit 'busy' with shells, pictures, shelves, ornaments...I am feeling the need to have a bit of a clearout and a pare down of my belongings...
I love using Craig & Rose 1829 Chalky Emulsion and their period colours.  I used Deep Sung Cream on my hall stairs and landing.  It's about £24 for 2.5 litres but it's pigment is so dense it covers great, and I've also used it to mix with eggshell to make my own furniture paint. This time I used Craig & Rose 1829 Chalky Emulsion in the authentic Elizabethan shade of Saxe Blue...

The mirror was given to me by my Mum which I painted in in white eggshell and the blind is a faux-Roman which I made a couple of years ago. in a remnant of Laura Ashley fabric.

I recently bought some cards of old British Rail posters from the 1950s of my favourite places and have reused an Ikea frame and hung it above the cistern...

Just 'glossing' of door and skirting boards to finish tomorrow morning!

~Encore de Wristwarmers~

This trusted and loved pattern from   Churchmouse Yarns and Teas has made a reappearance, this time to make a birthday present for my best friend's birthday.  Modelled here by daughter L, with her glorious nails - I couldn't subject you to my hands which are those of a scullery maid from Downton Abbey...

Knitted in the round with wooden heart buttons from eBay

Small dog was desperately trying to get in on the action...

"Look how photogenic I am!"

Excuse my bedding flapping on the washing line behind...

Vintage Vicki blogged about the emotional guidance scale earlier this week. It made me realise, apart from 'appreciation' (for life, family and health) on the positive upward spiral, all my current feelings and thoughts are on the downward spiral. Including some not very attractive attributes I have to say.   I hope this accounts for my bloggy absence without too much explanation, but as I keep being told (if I had a pound for each time I would be rich!)...."You will get there..."   

~Bedspread Upcycling~

I found this fab double valanced bedspread for £3 in a charity shop this week.  Nostalgic memories of the early 1970s of sheets and blankets and bedspreads...prior to the duvet revolution!

Late 60s early 70s quilted bedspread with valance 

This is a close-up of the quilted top - who else can remember having a 'housecoat' or dressing gown in this type of wadded fabric?

I thought about selling it on eBay but decided to chop it up upcycle it into a mini-quilt eiderdown. Don't be too cross with me - the valance has also given me yards of floral fabric for bunting and aprons! These small quilts are so good for camping, as an eiderdown on your bed or just as a sofa blanket.

I use a single duvet ( a light 5.5tog cheap one from Dunelm approx £5) chopped in half and hemmed. So one duvet makes 2 quilts.  This gives a size that will sit nicely atop a double bed. I then cut out the quilted top, allowing 1.5cm seams all round, and backing fabric (I used a vintage flannelette cot sheet).  Sew along three and a bit sides, leaving an opening to insert the duvet. Zigzag edges, clip corners and turn rightside out.  Slipstich the opening.  

I place securing handstitches in each corner through all the layers, and also sew buttons through the layers, to stop the quilt moving around and also to give the appearance of an eiderdown.

Here it is on my bed finished...