scrap-a-rama

As you probably know if you have read many of my posts, I have a certain fondness for scraps.

Truth be told, I love a good scrap pack. I bought one just the other day.

They’re like a lucky dip, full of variety and excitement. It’s such fun putting the scraps together in different combinations. An inspiring excuse to mess around and get the creative juices flowing.

I also find it very difficult to throw away any of the scraps I produce.

My next stall is at the Secret Garden Craft Fair in Sherwood next month. Sherwood is where I used to live and is also home to The Textile Workshop where I do all my sewing classes.

Sherwood peeps are a pretty crafty crowd.

I thought they might appreciate some choice scrappy goodness from my stash… so I’m going to contribute to the happy scrap-a-rama and make up a few scrap packs of my own to sell on my stall.

After all, my vintage fabrics are likely to be new to the Sherwood punters and I do have some nice bits, though I say so myself.

I’m going to do five inch squares in packs of ten for £3.00. Scrappy goodness enough to make a cushion cover front – with a bit to spare.

Or sufficient pincushions to stash the most enthusiastic collection of pins.

Or to add some cute pockets to some summer t-shirts. Or… or…

I could go on…

And it will also mean that I have something to tempt those people who always come up to your stall and say they’re going to go home and make something similar themselves, rather than buy what I’ve made.

So there’ll be no excuses and no escaping modflowers’ vintage fabric web (*evil chuckle*).

Genius!

patchwork pretties

I’d been meaning to make some nine-patch cushions for a while.

I got a bit “cushioned out” a while ago and couldn’t quite bring myself to make any cushions of any sort. I thought a bit of inspiration was called for. Which was where Pomme de Jour’s lovely charm squares came in handy.

They certainly did the trick – I had been itchin’ to stitch’em ever since I first set eyes on their myriad floral loveliness. And didn’t I have a lovely time trying out lots of nine-patch combinations!

However, as my stall at the April Fête was at a very family-orientated event and I’d sold out of tweeties, I thought I’d better get a few of those finished first.

But now my patchwork pretties are done.
Just got to get round to updating my shop now.

These two pretties will be making an appearance very soon… possibly even today, if I can get the washing done first

✿ Update:

 

Well, I’ve got the washing done (it helps that both lad and his dad are away for a couple of days, so no new socks to add to the pile) and these two patchwork pretties are now on sale in my shop!

square deal

I got a parcel in the post yesterday. Always cause for celebration!

But this one, although small, was anticipated with particular joy as it came from Pomme de Jour.

If you haven’t come across Tanya and her amazing emporium before, pop over to her shop or website and take a look. She stocks an amazing collection of colourful vintage finds from France, which are guaranteed to make you smile.

My parcel certainly did! Much needed on this cold, snowy, wintry day, I can tell you.

I took advantage of a generous 25% discount deal and ordered one of Tanya’s amazing charm packs of 1970s cottons.

And look what I got…

They look so pretty all laid out on the floor that I don’t want to put them away.

As yet, they are not earmarked for any particular project.

But they are so gorgeous that I know I won’t be able to leave them alone for long.

Tanya even included a little free gift – enough of these pretty hexies to make a pin-cushion…

Now that’s what I call a square – or should that be hexagonal – deal! ♥

faith and generosity

I may have mentioned before – I absolutely love the internet and the lovely people you can meet there.

When I left my job a couple of years back I was sorely lacking in faith in people. I felt severely bruised and confused having been on the receiving end of a bad situation.

How things change…

Yesterday my cheerful postie delivered a parcel from bloggy friend Bee, of The Linen Cloud.

Inside was this beautiful book… a most unexpected gift!

I have followed Jane Brocket’s blog for ages. Her photos are so perfect.

And coincidentally, I had been thinking of asking for this particular book for my birthday.

Bee noticed that I had pinned a couple of images from it to my quilting and patchwork pinterest board and as she had a spare copy, she thought of me!

Take a look at some of the beauty within…

Praise be to the internet and the restoring of faith in people.

And huge and heartfelt thanks to the generosity of a friend, whom I have yet to meet.

pretend patchwork paradise

Guess what? I bought another “frock for a fiver” from the Baklash bargain basement.

Whoops! I only went into town for some practical shopping.

I tried to stay away, really I did, but I had to walk right past the door to get to The Bead Shop, where I buy my jewellery-making bits and bobs.

So the situation was hopeless from the start really.

And yes, I also have to admit, somewhat shame-facedly, that it is made from those man-made fibres again…

But look! Look! It’s pretend patchwork! 

Once that fact has been fully absorbed, the question is how could I not buy it?!

Never mind the stain on the front. Or the few little pulled threads here and there. Or the fact that it could probably do with altering – and washing – before I can wear it.

These things are immaterial when you’re lost in pretend patchwork paradise.

worth queuing for

Well, I made it to the vintage fair yesterday!

I couldn’t believe the number of people queuing outside when I got there, just fifteen minutes after opening time.

Young and old, male and female, trendy and – ahem – not-so-much, outrageous and ordinary, it seems there’s nothing quite so enticing as the prospect of a roomful of old clothes and second-hand knick-knacks to prize all sorts of people out of the house of a Sunday afternoon!

Just take a look at these lovelies and you’ll see what I mean…

I’m no exception to the lure… and I copped some lovely things, for not-very-much money. I could have spent so much more.

I did try on one frock, but, assisted in my willpower somewhat by the fact that it was just a tad too tight around the hips, I managed to restrain myself.

I did find a few little bargains though…

Firstly, a nice tank top:

I do like the look of a fair isle tank top over a frock!

This one had previously belonged to the (male) stallholder and had been knitted for him by his mum when he was a teenager, from a 1940s pattern. Somewhere I own a photo of my own dad wearing something similar…

Secondly, a scarf to add to my bedspread-in-waiting collection:Thirdly, this embroidered felt knick-knack:

“What is it?” I hear you ask. “I have no idea!” is my reply. But my plan is that it will be unpicked and the two halves will become a couple of little pockets on some future garment project.

And finally… I saved the best until last:

Aren’t they gorgeous?!

I’m not quite sure what I will use these two lovely patchwork pieces for yet, but who cares? I’m sure they’ll come in, as my mum used to say.

So I didn’t go home with any 1960s shoes. And unlike most of the throng at the fair, I didn’t buy a frock.

But I think my little treasures were well worth queuing for nonetheless.