~End of July catch-up~

This last couple of weeks have whizzed past settling into the summer hols. I shall be speedy and succinct with a few photos thrown in...
Jack and I visited a PYO farm (Spuds and Berries near Selby see here)  The strawberries are nearly over but I wanted a few for some jam - PYO used to be the economic way to do this but I have to say the price of fruit per kilo was very expensive.  Picking fruit was part of my childhood; living in a Yorkshire village surrounded by PYO strawberry and raspberry fields. I think Jack enjoyed it (not exciting when you are 12) but I enjoyed showing him anyway so maybe it offset the cost a bit!

 

Nice set up with the strawbs on table tops for accessible picking, and rows of raspberries (a few ready) and blackberries (loads ready). The Farm Shop is nice too though we only bought some Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil

 

 

I'm making Chutney, Jam and Pickles as and when I can - the cheapest tomatoes I have found for chutney have been from Aldi.  I save my own tomatoes for eating as they're too tasty to put in chutney.  Looking forward to getting more donated glut fruit and veg from family and friends too.

 

 

 



I have finished my Polka Dot top, from the free Prima pattern I blogged about before.  This one fits much better - I made it a bit longer, adjusted the back darts and added a bit to the side seam.

 The invisible zip for the back cost more than the flipping fabric but never mind. A top for less than a fiver isn't too bad.

Much neater this time around!

I have been crocheting these flowers to make garlands as Christmas presents and also for my cousin's daughter who is visiting from Australia.  Fab way to use up odds and ends of yarn.  The pattern I based them on was from My Rose Valley blog (which is my current favourite blog to sit and read I just love it) and it can be found here

I'm also having a rationalising of cupboards/wardrobes and selling stuff on ebay to make some pennies. Holidays also give me the opportunity to visit different charity shops and have a rummage.  Latest find is this Early's of Witney white cellular single blanket, which was £2 and is like new

No expensive holidays here; just a couple of days away this weekend, and odd days here and there at Filey and Hornsea, with maybe some cheap camping in the Yorkshire Dales thrown in.   I've lots of odd jobs and decorating to do as well as crafty stuff, so I won't be bored -  though I'm sure my life might not be exciting to others it's what needs doing and I can't afford to pay anyone to do it!
See you soon x



~Gingham Shell Top~

I'm struggling with both money and time at the moment, but have managed odd half hours this week to make a top for myself. Have lost a stone and a half so I need some new work clothes but have no pennies :(

I get a free paper pattern each month with my Prima magazine subscription I got as a gift at Christmas.  This month's is this top and skirt...

 It comes as a full size paper pattern (great), but printed on 2 sides, so you have to trace some pieces off (not so great - grrr!)  I think the sizes are small too (Bust 34" Waist 26" for a 12) but I cut out a 12 as I'm usually a 10/12 now.

I used 90cm of cheap gingham (£2 a metre) so in effect it was a toile to see how it fitted.
How I wish I had a mannequin!
( If anyone's great aunt Gertie is getting rid of one please let me know.)
This is the finished top...

It fits okay but is snug on the waist/hips and is also quite short.  I'm going to add half a cm to the side seams below the bust darts on my next attempt.



 

Didn't have the requisite concealed zip so made do with a normal one, but it looks okay; although I look like a broad shouldered weightlifter in this photo.

 

 The edges at the top of the zip are a tad wonky, but isn't that what cardigans are for?

It will be fine for work.  When I am office-based I have to wear black and white as a uniform, which is at worst morbid and funereal, and best, like a Betty's waitress!
Next attempt is in this polka dot cotton...

Has anyone else been sewing clothes this week?

~1960s Drawers- finished!~

Here are the finished drawers I blogged about last week.
This first photo is the best representation of the actual colour and finish.  I have distressed the edges and the finish is silky smooth. It's worth taking your time to rub down between coats to get a good result.  I love the chalky finish and different colour hues.

 

I had a trauma picking the handles - bringing loads home to try from Blossom & Walker in York...

 

 

...before going back and settling on the turquoise flower embossed ones (£3.99 each)

 

Here's how I did it;

Rubbed down the drawers to provide a key.

Wiped the surface with a damp cloth.

Painted the legs with 3 coats matt white spray paint.

Coat 1: 'Deep Sung Cream' matt emulsion

Coat 2: Paint mix - I mixed Craig & Rose 1812 'Saxe Blue'  with Wilkinson 'Spearmint' matt emulsion testerpot and added the Molly's Paintbrush chalk additive as per directions.

Coat 3 and 4: as above - rub down with fine glasspaper between coats.

Then when fully dry, distress with glasspaper both fine and coarse to show the base coat.

Coat 6: wax with Colron finishing wax and buff well.

 

Then I lined the drawers by wallpapering them with this neutral polka dot wallpaper...

 

They are currently residing in my bedroom and look quite nice with the CK wallpaper; but in my head they are destined for a hallway in a seaside Victorian terrace with stripped floorboards and white walls!
This is the whole thing - do you like the shape? They were originally a dressing table as the back has markings where the mirror was attached.

 

Thanks for popping by and see you soon x

~Fabric Notice Board~

The Summer holidays are here and I'm tackling one day at a time, decorating, cleaning, planning and generally sorting out. I have separated from my husband, who is moving out to a flat nearby this week; all reasonably amicable but nonetheless upsetting and difficult.
Today I'm off to the Yorkshire seaside; my favourite East Coast - Hornsea, Skipsea, Bridlington and Filey to have a few days with J and my Mum. Can't wait to blow the cobwebs off!
This week I gave the kitchen a quick spruce up and wanted to cover my cork noticeboard. The wonders of the t'internet never disappoint for a free tutorial - I found mine here on Mary Poppins blog - and set to work sing some Clarke and Clarke Dotty fabric I had left over from kitchen blinds. I used brassed paper fasteners rather than tacks and used white grosgrain ribbon (about 6 metres) plus some wadding that cost £2. Here's the finished result...

~Car Boot Sunday and catch-up~

I've been very remiss with  blogging lately, I think because there is complicated family stuff  going on here - my mind is so occupied and befuddled there is no room for any creative thoughts at the moment.  Trying to stay positive and looking forward to the 6 week hols to spring-clean my head!  Maybe it's the weather too; I find the normal going to work and doing housy stuff is difficult - it's too hot for me, I end up like one big grumpy, sweaty freckle!
On a positive note, L's 18th Birthday vintage tea party in the garden went well.  The weather was so hot it was 'cracking the flags' as we say in Yorkshire.  Haha I have to say that although some tea was consumed, the tipple of most was Pimms and some homemade elderflower cordial. I'm such a ditz at the moment I have deleted all my photos of the party, the garden and the cake without uploading them to the PC.
L then went to Amsterdam with 10 friends for 3 days, which I found hard as I do like to be in control of everything. She had a fab time and is back now :)
I got up early today and had a quick drive to the local car boot which has relocated to a new venue, but isn't half as well attended as before.  However, as well as a bright red showerproof cagoule for Small Dog, I found this polka dot terracotta jug for 50p...

I'm imagining this lovely jug at some point in the future on a seaside windowsill filled with daisies!
Also a white pottery chicken for £2...

 Bye for now, enjoy the sun and see you soon. x

~Simple Pleasures of the week~

Nearly the end of the school hols - I've been busy this week running here and there, at times feeling guilty for not achieving many of the jobs on my 'to do' list, but I have had a good Spring Clean and cupboard sort out.  The last few days I've been reminding myself to be realistic and take one step at a time and reflect on what I have achieved; whilst also taking time to enjoy small things...

Simple pleasures of the week...

Red toe nails...

Polka Dot flip-flops £1.50 Primark

My feet are smart even if I have gardeners hands! 

Updating son J's bedroom to be more grown-up...

Cushion made from Ikea teatowel 2 for £1.99

There's been some sewing time...

Vintage fabric cushions on the go...

Making a cushion for my daughter's friend who is moving to Scotland in 2 weeks...

Floral front

Wool plaid back

Flowers picked from the garden...

Foxgloves in the garden...

...and quality time and laughs with friends and family over the Jubilee celebrations, involving a glass or two of this...

Thanks to everyone for their comments on my last post about the caravan trip - Carol pointed me in the direction of Lucy at Attic24 with her 'Connievan' revamp which was lovely to read -  and reassuring that there are others out there like me who love lots of crochet and chintz in their caravan! Oh, and my wrist is much better thanks - a bit *pins and needlesy* but otherwise okay. We didn't get away this weekend due to the rainy and windy miserable weather, also daughter L is out in York for a meal tonight and I didn't want to be away...