Clean up the House

Today the sun has been shining and it really has given me the cleaning bug.  I have hoovered, dusted, cleaned the windows, scrubbed wallpaper of the walls, washed the front door frame, cleaned the step and washed the roof.  What, washed the roof.  Yep.  I really was in the mood for a good fettle.  Would you like to see the results.

See clean roof, clean windows, shutters, step and gables.

Isn't it lovely.

Two up and two down.

The windows are tin and have tiny catches that really work.

Ready for a little decoration.

Nellie and I were in town today as Nell had another hospital appointment.  The plus side to this is that the hospital is not a million miles from good places to have lunch, browse individual shops and several charity shops.  Oh and a wool shop.  Nellie has been a little bit out of sorts recently with one thing and another and today I gave her a challenge.  I said I would provide her with some wool/supplies and she could make some items with it ie. tea cosies, egg cosies, granny square cushions, dolly blankets.  She is going to open a Folksy/Etsy/Ebay type store and try to see if she can make herself some pocket money.  Anyhow we headed towards the Wool Baa, it was shut, then we had lunch at the Greedy Greek.  Yum.  If you are in Sheffield pop in for one of their wraps.  We had falafel and salad and it was delicious.  On the way back to the car we stopped off at St Luke's Hospice shop.  We didn't go on the way to the wool shop as we were both needing the loo.  We were just about to leave the shop when a lady walked downstairs with the doll's house.  I stopped in my tracks and nudged Nellie.  I then followed the lady and she placed the house on a chair and an elderly lady had a quick look.  Damn and blast it I thought.  She has already got a buyer.  I bet she comes and buys all the doll's houses blah blah.  The lady glanced and then walked away.  I almost ran over and said 'can I have a look please before you put it in the window'.  It took me and Nell about 10 second to say 'yes please'.  We were so giddy.  The lady in the shop was delighted that it was going to a good home and she said that she had seen me follow it down the shop.  Just think if we had gone in on the way to the Wool Shop we would have missed this beauty. 

Nellie and I are delighted with our new home and can't decided whether we should repaint the outside or not.  We are going to decorate the inside with floral papers, pretty bedding, tiny granny square cushions etc.  So what do you think - to repaint the outside or not?  Answers gratefully received.

We had a quick look on the internet at is was made by GeeBees of Hull arounf 1950/1960.

Oh I forgot to mention our real house is a tip and in desparate need of a good fettle but I will not be washing the roof!

Lamp Light

Whilst on holiday in Cornwall I bought a lamp stand and shade to 'do up'.  I painted the lamp base with Annie Sloan paint in Paris Grey and then pondered what to do with the shade.  As usual I forgot to do a before photo. The lamp base was dark wood and the shade a coolie style.  I decided the shade wasn't quite right and when I got home I searched various charity shops until I found one in the right shade.  It cost me a whole 50p.  The base cost £1.  As I was deciding how to cover the new shade I thought I would take photos as I went along and do a tutorial of sorts.  So here goes:-

One shade with yukky trim

Old yellow glue and bad fringing

I prised the fabric from the shade it took some doing.

A naked shade

I removed all the trim 

along with bows and fringing

the shade was made from two parts so I carefully unpicked the side seams

I used some vintage barkcloth fabric and cut out the pattern on the bias for stretch when I make up the shade

I didn't cut out the scallops - too tricky.  Then I hand stitched the two pieces together.  I fitted it onto the shade and it was a little baggy so I took one side seam in.  I then carefully stretched the fabric down the shade and hand stitched the top of the fabric to the shade.

I then pinned and stretched the bottom edge of the fabric so I could hand stitch it.

pin and stretch

stretch and pin - few ouches

I then stitched tiny stitches to attach the fabric to the frame

This is how it looked when it was all stitched up

tiny stitches

I trimmed away the excess fabric

Ta Dah - one super grannytastic revamped lamp - ready for the dark evenings.

How pleased was I - very - I might add a bobble trim or some ric-rac around the bottom - I will wait and see how I feel about it in a few days.

Lamp light

Well not yet it's not got a plug yet or a bulb but they are only minor details. 

Total cost - Lamp base £1 - Charity Shop

Shade - 50p - Charity Shop

Barkcloth - £1 - Car Boot

Bargain and it only took me one evening to do.  

Please note this is probably not the best/correct way to refurb a lampshade and it probably doesn't meet Health and Safety regs - although K has just said that he thinks it will be fine with a low watt bulb.

Just for your information Lamp Light by David Essex was the first single K bought.  

A bit of Stitching

Tonight I have mostly been making these:-

 

Lots  of  hexagons



 Hexies all in a row

All lined up

I am still not sure what I am  going to do with them I know I want to use a different fabric for each one but not sure if to make a few cushions or a small lap quilt.  I have used some of  my feedsack from America (via ebay), some vintage fabric I have picked up here and there, some from old clothing from CS and CB.  This is for my next batch  - I have admired it for long enough now - it's time for it to be used up - well only a tiny bit for this project.  

CK fat quarters bought from York

I'm going to sign off now - blogger is being a bit naughty and won't play nicely - then again it may be just me.

Good night

Oh my goodness I have no idea what's gone wrong but I don't know how to put it right - any ideas? - sorted thank you Sally.





Gonna party like its my brthday

I can because it is.  I have had a super day.  Pressies this morning, family and friends calling around.  I had decided what I would like to do for my birthday.  A trip out to here

The Antiques Centre Newark

The Antiques Centre in Newark.  Its great fun having a good ole root around.  I bought a few bits today some sheet music, a box of old haberdashery for £1, an old map of Sheffield and sewing pattern.  We then had a quick walk around Newark and I got these in a charity shop.




Two little deer sat in a ring box

Then off we went to enjoy this - yum yum.

Can you see K trying not to get in the photo - I did get some strange looks whilst taking this photo - do other bloggers find this.  It was lovely.  The place is Reg Taylors garden centre which is just outside Southwell.  It has the cafe, plants, gift shop and a swan sanctuary (I think) we worth a trip if you are local. 

After enjoying this we went into the centre of Southwell to a shop called Nellie in the Shed.

I can't get this the right way around - sorry you will have to adjust your head instead.

It has all manner of spiffing stuff but I went especially for some Annie Sloan paint.  I am going to paint my old fashioned dresser in Old White.  I don't  know if you have heard of this paint but you do not have to do any preparation - you heard - no sanding, no priming, no nothing.  Can not wait to get started.  I will do some before and after shots - well if it turns out ok - if it looks like a dog's dinner then you will hear nothing  I will pretend it didn't happen.  After Nellie's we had a little look around the shop's there are lots of independent shops but we just nipped into the charity shops.  I bought a dolly.  She was in the window and as soon as I spotted her and saw the price ticket I said 'oh she is going to be mine' 'you must be joking' said K - 'watch this I said - it's my birthday and I will get her if I want' - yes I was being bossy - it is allowed on your birthday.  Here she is.  The Girl's hate her and have said they will do lots of horrid stuff to her eg. cut off her hair, burn her toes and suck out her eyes with the hoover.  The latter is impossible because Jimmy the Hoover is deceased - he bit the dust (ha ha - that is a joke) last week.  She is beautiful, really she is.

Don't you just think she is super.  A Welsh lady with her own outfit which is attached to her with safety pins and she has shoes and socks and PANTS.  I think she is fab - every one else in the house thinks I am quite batty.  Even Dyl the Dog was intrigued and gave her a good old sniff.  She has a little tag on her saying dressed in North Wales by Welsh people I wonder if they noticed the stamp on the back of her neck which says Made in England.  I am not sure where she is going to live - I did threaten the girls that she could reside in the messiest bedroom - Belle did not like that idea and has already named her Chuckalina sister of Chuckie.  I hope she hasn't listened to them she will be afronted.

Next stop was Heath's Country Store in Ollerton a super duper shop that I have frequented for quite a few years.  It is packed to the rafters with wool, fabric and notions.  Here are a few photos - I love the patchwork lady and vintage quilts in the window display.

If you are ever in the area do call in you won't be disappointed.  Going to close now this Birthday Girl is a little weary.  Good night.








Cakes for Betty

Betty was due to return from her holiday in France on Sunday evening so I set about making her some fairy cakes to welcome her back.  Also she had not had a cake on her actually birthday - we tried Nellie baked her a large cupcake cake but alas it was not in the oven long enough and the middle was runny.  Disappointing but after a blast in the microwave it was delicious with custard.  Nellie is a very good baker and cook - she is dreadfully messy whilst she is doing it - but I suppose I can cope with that - I can, I can - actually I can't the mess is awful yukity yuk.

I have got some lovely photos but I can't download them it is taking ageeeees.  Any tips on downloading would be most appreciated.

Anyhow as Betty was going away the day after her birthday we decided it wasn't a good idea to make another one.  I did tell her that there would be something on her return.  Whilst in bed, not sleeping so well, ideas popped into my little brain.  Disney themed fairy cakes - the possibilities were endless.  I had a few ideas of my own and then I Googled - or Boogled - myself silly with all the ideas. 

I bought the cakes from Morrisons - thinking it would save me time - it did.  It also made is easier to ice they were all the same shape and size so I didnt have to bake loads of cakes to get the right shapes etc.  We had 12 each to decorate Nellie and Belle made theirs after I had done mine.  I had great fun but Belle got a little bored with hers so I finished them off with some ready made frosting from Morrisons.  A new line I think I didnt like it much it had a strange texture - taste not bad - but not as good as home made buttercream icing.
I was going to do a reveal here with a photo of the cakes but I can't seem to get the photos on here.  I will try tomorrow because I really must go to bed now I am fair tuckered.  (very tired).

Can you see this - I did it - I got a picture on and it only took seconds not half an hour - Great success

The alien from Toy Story

Drink me from Alice in Wonderland and a Fairy Wand



Can you see any more?

A toadstool from Alice, a fairy crown, 101 dalmations, mickey and minne and a glass slipper.  I had such fun.  Actually I think my bestest favourite is the top one with the tiny flowers and pearls and SPARKLES or if you are from Yorkshire  shunkley (don't know how you spell it).  

Well photos on but font is different and I don't know why.  Ah variety is the spice of life.

Been charity shop shopping today - so exciting - well for me anyway going again tomorrow with my friend Louise we are going to race each other around the market to get the best buys.  Ha Ha wonder who will win.  Will post about it tomorrow and show and tell my purchases