China and glass magic.

Just wanted to show you a workshop I have been doing with some girls from a youth club. We are planning a tea party for the Queens Diamond Jubilee and last week they made a selection of cake stands from a selection of china and glass I found in various charity shops. I had a really enjoyable time looking and searching for the perfect items for the workshop. Then afterwards I couldn't resist buying this blue glass dish I saw in another charity shop. I am trying it out on an upturned glass to see if I like it with or without a stand and of course I'll have to do a bit more hunting to look for the perfect plates and maybe a cup if I want to have different tiers.....a work in progress.

Car boot "treasure"

Mr D. went to a car boot sale last week and came back with this lovely coat as a surprise present and it wasn't even my birthday....... but it was his....... I especially like the buttons and the label inside with the pink bow and a chain to hang the coat up by. Of course I would always hang it on a clothes hanger.

Work progressed.

Remember this bag I was making the other week for my sister?

Well this is it made up in some vintage fabric with a longer strap so it can be worn over your shoulder.

Saw a lovely piece of wall graffiti in London the other week.

"Work in progress"

I'm sure I've mentioned before about my vintage fabric obsession. Even though it's threatening to takeover the house I can't resist buying more with the thought that one day I will "do something" with it. However when I think about "doing something" with it I panic about cutting it up and wasting it if I don't like the end result.
Finally I decided to cut some of it up and make a Japanese knotbag - a present/request  for /from my sister.
I drafted the pattern and sacrificed some less important fabric to try it out in first before cutting into some prime vintage, but the blanket material I have used looks nice and I might use that instead and add some crochet pieces instead......so still not used the vintage stash!!!

Weekend Hair.

Weekend hair and other treasures :)

Charity shop "Treasure"

Some things I found earlier this week:
yet another garment for the new baby......I tell you they are going to have to change her outfits at least 3 times a day to get the wear out of the mountain of clothes my mum, sister and I have gathered, not to mention anyone else's contributions.This is an irresistible little GAP baby coat, herringbone patterned velvet with flowery quilted lining.

and some technical and craft books with very nice illustrations and good clear instructions.

I do hope it's a girl!!

We (sis and I ) are expecting the arrival of a little niece in a few weeks time, Hope the scans are right - there is always a chance of error. I wonder if a little boy would look good in any of these outfits I have collected!! All have been charity shop purchases.

Nasty and nice!

Had a nasty shock today.... a letter from the taxman telling me I hadn't submitted my tax form and was fined £100. Now as far as I was concerned I'd paid it and had proof. I'd opted this year to file online as up until now I'd always done it on paper, but here's the thing. My assessment hadn't been submitted even though I had a submission reference number I hadn't had confirmation so technically it hadn't been filed. Let me ask you this Mr Taxman "If I hadn't submitted my form how would I have known what I needed to pay and why would I have gone the very same day and paid it?" ....and yes you did receive it because when I phoned you up you told me that I had paid it but I was being fined because I hadn't submitted my tax return. Which takes me back to the start.....as far as I was concerned I'd got a submission reference....
Sorry for the rant, I've had a headache all day.
Here's the nice bit. Look at these jolly little socks I bought for a soon to arrive babe and also this lovely little denim pinafore dress I found it is an Escada dress, real quality, imagine finding it in a charity shop.

             

So sweet!!

I bought these adorable little shoes from a charity shop some time ago and have kept them aside for a "special baby". I also found a lovely little skirt and some suede boots at the weekend. I also got this book from the library and am going to knit the little crossover cardigan. It was dark when I took the photograph, hence the atmospheric look

(-: Swedish Treasure :-)

Some lovely things brought back by Mr D from his trip to Sweden. I'm kind of hoping he did get me this book which I hinted about very strongly and even wrote down the addresses of where to look for it. Will have to wait till the 25th!!!!

Secondhand treasure

clothes swap coat, charity shop scarf and skirt, own knitted wrist warmers 

Last week I had some good charity shop finds - the gold shoes and skirt were on the "sale rack", yes it seems charity shops have sales too £1 each!! I can't imagine where I would wear those shoes but they look amazing. My sister does Argentinian tango and I suppose I had her in mind as a suitable recipient. The skirt is made by "Wealth of Nations"(don't know if this label still exists) beautifully made with fuschia pink silk lining. I'm undecided whether to shorten the skirt as knee length is my preference at the moment.
I dragged (not that she needed much persuading) my friend Jill to a clothes swap. I got this lovely coat which has immediately become a staple part of my wardrobe and Jill got a 70's cheesecloth maxi dress.
We swapped 2 skirts  - hope they have gone to enthusiastic wearers too.

Saturday finds

I was only going to the building society at my local shopping centre.... convenient but not exciting. Except for the charity shops four of them in a small area close together. I can honestly say that I never go there without going to the charity shops