~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.

 

~Helmsley visit~

We had a lovely day trip on Friday to Helmsley, North Yorkshire on what was the warmest day of the year so far!  Helmsley is a traditional and quaint market town on the River Rye, and has the ruins of a 12th century castle which is open to visit with an English Heritage visitor centre. Here are a few photos of the day...



 ...it was market day and this statue in the centre of market square is apparently of Lord Feversham.   Great selection of stalls - fruit and veg, collectables, haberdashery etc...
Daffodils still in bloom...

 

 

Plenty of independent food, craft and antique shops...

 

as well as a few charity shops.  The Oxfam was particularly well-stocked and well-priced.  This 2m x 1.5m piece of Sanderson vintage roses fabric was £1.99

 



And of course the castle and the English Heritage visitor centre.

 - you may also notice I'm a bit obsessed with period doors and doorways...

 

On my travels I usually come across a little café I would like to run, and this one was no exception...

 

We sat outside CottonHouse, in Barker's Yard for an Earl Grey and a Mocha.

This sunny courtyard of shops were converted from the stables.  As well as being a coffee shop, they also have this lovely haberdashery

 and sell locally handmade crafts...crochet, cards, appliqued t-shirts, bunnies...

excuse my reflection in the window!

www.cottonhousehelmsley.co.uk

 

A lovely day out in a beautiful part of Yorkshire. Enough to do and see to warrant a weekend break.

Have a good weekend x 

 

 

~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...

~York Festival of Vintage~

On Sunday we went to the vintage event at York racecourse - a fantastic day out and well worth the £8 entrance fee.  Lots of vintage homewares, furniture and clothes to coo at and covet.  I wish today's cars were as aesthetically pleasing to me as these old Ford Anglias. I could just hop into one with a headscarf and some red lippy on...

I got my fix of eiderdowns...

Of course, as usual at these things, too much loveliness and too little pennies - but I did buy a vintage Butterick blouse sewing pattern for £7, these recycled crocheted flowers for £3...

This linen floral fabric for my standard lampshade project.  A bargain at £4.50 I thought.

Three pairs of sugar tongs...

Daughter: "Do you really need those; you already have some?"

Me: "Yes"   (For my vintage tearoom/B&B of course)

It's also interesting to look at the work of vintage-inspired crafters and designer-makers.

Daughter L loved this memory quilt and took some inspiration from it for her Textiles 'A' level

I also met Kelly Reagon, the designer-maker of 'Martha and Arthur' , vintage-inspired children's wear.  Kelly has used her talents from the fashion industry to create a range of well-made gorgeous garments for children.

Childrens clothes in gorgeous fabrics

Kelly behind her stall,   pinafores and dresses in florals and  plaids

Martha and Arthur are in the process of creating a website, but can be found on Facebook or via the contact details below

Now I am off to carry on cutting out my prototype vintage blouse!