~Car Boot finds~

After a very busy week, which ended with a job interview that was a bit scary  :)   - just a quick post to share 2 finds from last week's car boot sale in the village...
Firstly this lovely double duvet set, Cath Kidston-ish for £2 and it's like new. Very pleased with it for a spare set.

And this lovely kitsch Babycham (?1950s) deer for 50p. She's just looking around

for somewhere to live...

 

... can you see the cross look on her face because the drinks table
                                 is full of Gin, not Babycham?

 

~Easy Knitted Teddy~

Using this pattern from Yorkshire-based knitting yarn company King Cole, my spare minutes this week have been spent making a teddy for a gift.

King Cole Pattern  9008
3 sizes of bear on 1 pattern

I've used some cream DK soft yarn to make Alba Bear; a 1st birthday present for a friend's grandaughter...

I made her a cute Cath Kidston neckerchief - mainly to hide my dodgy sewing when attaching the head! I stressed a fair bit before embroidering the face.  I didn't want to make Scary Angry Bear and be responsible for giving a child nightmares, so I split brown embroidery cotton into 3 strands and think the result is less harsh than using wool. 

You've got to feel sorry for Small Dog however, who is trying to launch himself vertically at

the kitchen dresser to get at the finished teddy.  He is in love and would like to keep Alba Bear all for himself.

~Charity Shop finds~

How lovely to finish work on a Friday and know it's a Bank Holiday!  I went to the hairdressers after work to get my colour done and popped into my favourite charity shop - it's an 'old lady' type of shop (which is infinitely preferable, more interesting and cheaper than a rebranded posh type with laminate flooring).
First find in the bric-a-brac boxes on the floor...

 ...a Washington pottery large bowl; cream colour with 22kt gold pattern.  This is my new fruit bowl!
I then went inside and had a rummage for vintage patterns- none that appealed today as they were all 1980s batwing and shoulder-pad hell rather than 1960s - but I did find this vintage cotton braid trimming (perhaps for a lampshade?)

"A pound for 'em both love, is that okay?"
"Oooh yes, ta very much"
There are still bargains to be found out there, keep the thrifting faith!
I'm off to the seaside this weekend to spend some quality car-booting time with my Mum, so hopefully will have more to share next week.
Have a lovely long weekend!

~To Cath or not to Cath Part 2~

Back in May 2011, I wrote about looky-likey Cath Kidston floral wallpaper and how after much deliberation I decided to spend the extra pounds on the real thing. 
So here is 'To Cath or not to Cath'  dilemma no.2 ; I absolutely love Cath Kidston pyjamas... 

Image from www.cathkidston.co.uk

...and would dearly love to own a pair if money were no object. Gorgeous they may be, but I would feel poorly spending £50 on some PJs, it just wouldn't seem right to me- a bit too self-indulgent (and I'd probably spill red wine down them or wash them accidentally with a black sock or something)

I've spotted these looky-likey floral PJs in Sainsburys Christmas magazine...

 ...for the reasonable price of £14.  Pleased to say the OH took the (heavy) hint and has bought me them for Christmas!

~Finished Make-Do-And-Mend Dresser~

If you remember back in July in my
  ~ Dresser Envy ~    post I started the renovation of a dresser for my kitchen which looked like this....

I used any old leftover cream and white matt emulsion to give it all 2 coats of undercoat, with sanding between coats with either wire wool or fine sandpaper.  Then the shelves and back were painted in F&B Ball Green leftover emulsion, and then waxed.  The drawers and cupboards were lined in leftover Cath Kidston wallpaper from my bedroom, and the main body had 2 coats of F&B New White eggshell.  I was under pressure as we've got some friends coming for a meal on Saturday and I didn't want it half-done.  So here it is seen in it's fairylight glory...

 I haven't fully decided what to put where; OH says it's already *too busy* ...oh dear!
I love the green alcoves and wall paper...

It does feel good to get it finished; it was a bit of a 'Forth Bridge' project, but worth it!

~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!

~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!

~Keep Calm and have a Giveaway~

It's anything but calm at the minute in my daily life and I'm sorry to say regular blogging has been a casualty. I have got a few finished projects and ones in the pipeline to share later this week,  but firstly I'd intended to have a 1st Bloggiversary back in early June, so here it is now...

♥ A canvas bag from the famous Yorkshire Betty's tearooms
♥ St Eval Orange & Cinnamon tealights
♥Keep Calm and Carry On magnet
♥Lavender Attic bunting made from Cath Kidston fabrics

I'm happy to post anywhere in the world so as many people as possible can enter..
 In order to join in please become a follower and leave me a comment below before midday on 1st July.
 For an extra entry, please cut and paste the giveaway photo as a linky on your blog, and let me know you've done this.
Good luck everyone!

~Happy Birthday~

Firstly thankyou so much for all your lovely comments on my last post and to new followers too!
Not sure where time this half-term is going to - I know I'm fortunate to work term-time only but it's hard to get anything practical or creative done when the kids are off too. Whinge over...
Yesterday was my birthday! We had a family day of lunch at Pizza Express then the joy of seeing the new Muppet movie. I loved the Muppets as a child of the 70s, and the theme tune brought nostalgic tears to my eyes.
I baked myself a chocolate cake with cherry jam and fresh cream...

Multiply the candles by 7, and you will have the correct number!
My favourite card, courtesy of one of my brothers. What is he insinuating?!

Generous gifts from lovely friends and family...A new CK bag...

Enough smellies for the next 12 months!

Some seeds...

Some beads...

...And a lovely read!

Lovely presents - I am very lucky.

My mood definitely lifts when I reach mid-February...the sun is out today, I hope it's warmer where you are too.  I'm off to do a bit of gardening now!

~Snowy Yorkshire~

There's a decent fall of snow outside so thought I would show a couple of photos as I've enjoyed snowy pics on other blogs today.  Small Dog loved the snow last night and ran excitedly in and out of the back door chasing snowballs. He's a bit more tentative today...

and has refused point blank to go for a walk, despite wearing his anorak, as the snow in the street is chest-level for him. Brrrrr! The view from my sewing room is this...

...it could almost be a Swiss mountain chalet, but it's actually in Yorkshire. This chalet-type building used to be a Farm Shop/ Greengrocers when I was a teenager. When we moved in 5 years ago, it was selling French brocante and vintage goodies, which was really lovely, but it's closed now. The snow-covered yard is used for caravan storage.  It wouldn't be everyone's favourite view, but I adore the vintage (1960s?) green static caravan. I'd love to move it into my garden and deck it out with curtains and bunting in green and pink roses fabric...
I've got some sewing finished this afternoon.  A small log cabin cushion for my nephew J, who will be 6 tomorrow.

His bedroom is CK Cowboys, so I hope it will fit in well.  I used fabric and buttons I had in already.

I also made this bunting for my cousin's baby daughter E, using the Laura Ashley trellis fabric I used in the previous log cabin panel, vintage pink wool fabric applique letters, and mini suffolk puffs in scraps of a Robyn Pandolph fabric, plus a couple of vintage buttons.

I need to post this off to Chester tomorrow, along with some other eBay parcels as I've sold a few vintage bits and bobs this week.
Now it's time for some stew with homemade bread rolls...

Hope you're warm and cosy wherever you are!

~The Versatile Blogger Award! ~

Thanks to Anne at Marmalade and Catmint, and Patricia at A place for everything for nominating my blog for this award!

The idea is to;

•  pass on 15 newly discovered blogs...
•  thank and link back to the award-giver...

• and (eek!)share 7 things about yourself!

There are so many lovely blogs out there and so little time! I try to keep up as much as daily life allows me, so forgive me if I forget anyone! Some are very recent finds, some in the last few months...

So here they are...15 lovely reads...

http://anne-marmaladeandcatmint.blogspot.com/ (Back at you Anne x)

http://aplacefor-everything.blogspot.com/ (Back at you Patricia x)

http://myeastcoastlife.blogspot.com/

http://slowlivinginafastlife.blogspot.com/

http://greenrabbitdesigns.wordpress.com/

http://pinkmilkjewels.blogspot.com/

http://vintageatthecornerhouse.blogspot.com/

http://vintagesquirrelkatie.blogspot.com/

http://countryrabbit.blogspot.com/

http://sparrowsyard.blogspot.com/

http://www.happyhomebird.com/

http://eviesgran.wordpress.com/

http://munchymedic.blogspot.com/

http://oldpolicehouse.blogspot.com/

http://poppycockcreative.blogspot.com/

About me...

1  Favourite biscuit - Fox's Ginger Crunch Creams.

2 As a 15-18 year old I loved The Smiths.

3  Favourite flower - Roses...as a new gardener I originally preferred

perennials but love of roses comes with age!

4  Guilty pleasure - baking whilst singing along to 80s music on Absolute 80s radio.

5 Love cooking and feeding people!

6 Covets vintage caravans - I just want a cheap old one to tart up a la Cath Kidston.

7. I'm a born worrier and over-thinker.

~Thrifty quilt TaDa ~

Thankyou for all the lovely comments on my last post - I think we're all floral fabric addicts, and it's clear that there are lots of us with unfinished projects too!
Today whilst 9 year old J used all the blankets and cushions in the living room to make 'Yoda's Hut' (?!?) I escaped upstairs to finish my quilt, first sewing achievement of 2012!
I'm proud it's not cost anything to make;  a real make-do-and-mend affair, I love it though it's not perfect and a bit wonky in places! The backing fabric is an old sage green cotton sheet that I was given - it's really good quality, soft and well-washed.  The padding is an old synthetic single duvet cut down to fit with the raw edges zig-zagged on the machine.  It'll be easy to machine-wash when needed. I then machine sewed the patchwork to the backing, leaving a gap to slip the duvet in - I slip-stitched the opening...

Then pondered about whether I should quilt through the layers...Eventually I decided to just make 6 suffolk puffs (or yo-yo's) out of some lovely Robyn Pandolph paisley fabric. Each suffolk puff has a vintage mother of pearl button at the centre, which is sewn through all the layers to keep the padding in place.

So here it is on my bed....

Overboard on the chintz and florals do you think? ...Never!

I think it'll be a lovely snuggly lap quilt when I get my caravan...

All the fabric has been bought second-hand - the Sanderson curtains were charity shop bargains last year and the Cath Kidston and eiderdown fabric were York car boot sale finds. A nice way to use and look at your very favourite fabrics.

Then I had a cuppa and a slice of this...

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend x

~Hopes and Aims for 2012~

Sorry before I start, but I have the feeling that my January blog posts will all be a bit all over the place and scatty; as that's how I feel as I settle into the new year ahead of me, and try to resist the temptation to make huge unsurmountable 'to do' lists...
Some of my hopes and aims then for 2012...

• that I see the 'to do' list as 'Sally will try to do' not 'Sally must do'  - as there are only so many hours in the day and only one of me (thank goodness!)
• To carry on growing veg, especially my beloved tomatoes - would love a small greenhouse this year if I can manage it, must get looking on eBay and local notice boards. We even had fresh parsley and rocket out of the garden on Christmas Day this year...

Bonkers weather though...not sure it feels right that calendula and rhododendrons are blooming in early Jan here in North Yorkshire...

Ah well, their poor petals will be scattered by morning with these 70mph gusts again.

• To continue to spend less on food, use leftovers, minimise wastage and shop around for value.  I don't profess to be the most frugal of shoppers all of the time, but I do try.  I followed the reduced-sticker staff round the supermarket tonight and got some bargains for the freezer! And I did a big freezer cook-a-thon with leftover cooked meat and veggies yesterday.
• To not buy any clothes for myself this year. This is one for me and my husband too, not the kids - as we have enough clothes and do not need anything.  Oh, the only thing I do need is to lose half a stone so the lovely clothes look okay on me! - I'm trying with the eat less move more too.
• Contine to thrift, car boot and recycle, including with my crafting and sewing this year.  I have a massive fabric stash that needs using, not admiring. No more fabric purchases.
• Lastly, I will get a caravan.  Main hope for family getaways and jollies this year. No big pipe dreams  just a little second-hand tourer that I can fix up with Cath Kidston loveliness, blankets and vintage treasures.



And lots of bunting of course!

What are your hopes and aims this year?

~York Shopping & Cath Kidston treat~

Gosh it's cold this weekend. No snow here yet though; just a keen frost. Small Dog has needed his cosy jumper, even in the house...

I've treated myself to some new fleece welly liners from Seasalt - my favourite shop when I'm in Cornwall.

They were half price in the pre-Christmas sale - £7.50, free P&P and I got a free jute bag too. Free P&P is on until midday tomorrow (Monday 19th December) which is last chance to order for Christmas. My Festival Hunters are now 4 years old and have scrubbed up well for another year.  They've withstood allotment digging and are so comfy, even on long walks.

Yesterday we ventured into a twinkly and Christmassy York at 4pm - daughter L was at work and son J was at a party/sleepover - so it was just us two which is rare! We had some hot fruit punch from a street stall and wandered round the pretty streets ...



Minster Yard/Low Petergate,  York

...managing a decent stop-off in Cath Kidston in Stonegate, where OH treated me to this beauty...



Cath Kidston Carryall Bag - Stone Country Rose

It's a shopper, but big enough to use as an overnight bag. I love their pretty Christmas paper bags too.

Off now to do a bit of wrapping!