~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!

~Catching Up, Baking & Charity Shop Karma~

After a busy here-there-and everywhere week, I have a day off to bake tomorrow in preparation for Saturday's afternoon tea. Just making some teacakes now, so can't stay long...
A quick blog catch-up and say hello (and thankyou xx) to new followers of my blog.  Also thanks for great comments - I'm still losing comments that I try and leave, frustrating to say the very least, but I am keeping up to date reading all your blogs. A message to Jan on the lovely blog Stand and Stare about the perils of crochet... I agree with Scarlet that YouTube is good for tutorials, also VideoJug, just search the name of the stitch such as 'treble crochet'.  I have given up (shame) as I find my crochet inadequacies far too difficult to face! Knitting for me!  My attempt at a granny square ends up as a tight tension circle, which my small dog could wear as a beanie hat. Let me know how you get on Jan, and I might feel more inspired to have another go!
After some disappointing charity shop visits, which we all have had recently,  I had a good day yesterday.  I visited the deli/cheesemongers/cafe  Love Cheese on Gillygate in York (@LoveCheeseYork on Twitter) to buy some local cheese and noticed a charity shop next door...   Of course I went in.
I got this Laura Ashley cardigan for a reasonable £3.50.

 Charity shop Karma I believe, as I coveted it earlier this year in the actual shop and couldn't afford it.  It's part of their nostalgic 'Archive' collection which is ....'a range of dresses, shirts and cardigans using prints from a bygone era. Beautiful bird, butterfly and floral prints reference this season’s passion for Botanicals, with delicate vines, sprigs and roses'
So chuffed with it.  It's a tad too large but never mind. So I'll pass my good fortune on, and inform you of the lovely things in the RSPCA charity shop on Gillygate, York. Highly recommended and Happy Thrifting!

~Thrifty weekend & joining a knitting circle~

I've really tried to cut down on my food shopping bill - which is hard with a hungry OH and 2 growing children-  but I do try to take on board all the fab advice from frugal and thrifty blogs.  I'm not brand-loyal or supermarket-loyal; for a big stock-up shop I just go where's convenient at any one time, or as I see special offers.  However, for the last month I've had Sainsbury's vouchers for £8 off a £40 shop each week.  I've used the voucher every Saturday and have concentrated on spending as near to £40 as possible, on some fresh items, staples such as tins of beans and tomatoes and also Christmas food & wine that has been on offer. I've used the local Sainsbury's in Tadcaster, which is only small but costs me less in petrol.
On the Christmas pressie front, I've used my Boots Advantage card points to pay for aftershave to give as a present. I'm still on with my knitting too...if I know you and you're female, then you're either getting a homemade teacosy...



Another Christmas Pud cosy made from leftover wool, machine sewn felt holly leaves and felted holly berries.
On a vintage thrifted teapot.

 ... or wristwarmers (I've made a few pairs now).  Also this weekend in the supermarket frozen raspberries were 3 packs for £5, 1.2kg in weight. With a 1kg bag of jam sugar and 300ml of port, I've made lovely festive jam, by the method I've blogged about before,  in the microwave - quick and easy.    It made 6 and a half small jars which will be presents too.

I also resisted the temptation to shop, albeit at a Vintage Fair in Leeds.  Even though I love this particular fair I stopped myself by thinking about the cost of petrol, frosty roads, needless spending on stuff etc. 
Instead I did something good for the soul and went along to a knitting circle whilst I was in Tadcaster, at Needlecase . I'd chanced across this lovely wool and craft shop last month...

Needlecase is run by Jean and Judith, who are mother and daughter, and are passionate about knitting and needlework.  They also offer crochet and knitting workshops see here.

 Lots of lovely yarns and patterns, plus haberdashery, kits and craft supplies, and some ready knitted items to buy...

I had a lovely chat, cake and cup of tea and did a fair bit of knitting (only went wrong once because I was nattering) and will definitely go again.

Needlecase Limited,
22 Kirkgate, Tadcaster LS24 9AD
01937 830 422 
Open 9.30 - 3.30.  Closed Wed and Sun.

~Saturday Thrifting Bric a Brac~

Despite wanting to attend Leeds Corn Exchange Cornucopia food festival today, due to being semi-hibernatory and tired lately I couldn't muster up the energy. Have had a quietish day, food shopping and a mooch around 3 favourite charity shops.
Today's finds are mostly bric a bric in nature- the best 3 are below...


Imperial Bone China Trio £2 - Local charity shop

 And this teaset; it's incomplete, but has a cake plate, milk jug & sugar bowl - love the Autumnal colours...


Ridgway Pottery Queen Anne Bone China teaset £3 - Hospice charity shop

and last but not least, a Boden linen jumper - slightly snug for me in a size 10, but good for layering...

...for the grand sum of 50p, I've left the price tag on to prove it! Like a lot of you fellow thrifters, I find you can still get some astounding good-luck-bargains,  though pricing is very hit and miss. It must depend on which volunteer is sorting and pricing that day and I also find that different charity shops are good for sourcing different things.  This jumper was hanging on the rail next to a washed out long-sleeve New Look
t-shirt for £2.50!?! Bizarre, but that's half the fun isn't it...

~Warm Thoughts of Knitwear~

I'm in accordance with Steph at Curlew Country that even though we're apparently due a bit of unseasonally warm weather, as far as I'm concerned the leaves are falling, Autumn is coming, and consequently knitwear is on my mind! Earlier this week I received this lovely package...

'a really nice delivery from Cornwall' indeed, from Seasalt, one of my favourite shops. Myself and a friend ordered 6 pairs of their fab 'Fluffies' which we first discovered  in Padstow in June. They were 3 for 2, and we shared the postage. One pair for me and 2 for my daughter L at Christmas. Toasty warm feet all round!

Also included was their 'look-book' which had me coveting more knitwear, especially this Nanna Knit Scarf and Rekindle Jumper...

Visit Seasalt online here and if you are in Cornwall at all (lucky lucky you) they also have a discount outlet at Unit 17, Kernick Business Park, Penryn, TR10 9EV, near Falmouth open 10-4.30 Sat and Sunday. I can recommend it - well worth a visit.