flea market and charity shop finds

Last time when I showed the patchwork I forgot to show you the link.  Well there are a few as I mentioned on Pinterest under titles like postage stamp size quilts but the best one with super duper photos is this one, which is so easy to follow.

http://www.sewmamasew.com/2009/10/elizabeths-fabric-focus-quick-piece-tiny-squares/

I used (previously as I went along) one of my quilt die cutter to get all the squares the same size ....which helped a lot and I try to do this as I go along with fabric scraps . I now using the quilt dies to cut shapes and store them rather than having a baskets of scrap all over.  I throw very little away now too this way and it always means , well that's the plan anyway, I can do random patchwork when I fancy as I have squares and strips ready to go.

Well last weekend  a trip into town as the boys desperately needed haircuts...(finally that is when I told them they both looked like girls with long hair did  they agree to be very reluctantly be dragged from the warm cosy house!!) so did lots of other boys waiting patiently it seemed inside the barbers.. ,so with a "good luck " and a giggle we left them and headed off to have a look around town and knew we could take our time...bliss for girls  who like the occasional potter about in charity shops and the like.  Well we found these .....

and these (nearly washed and ironed) some need a slight repair and some will be cut up and given a new life somewhere.

these were "free" in a box and nearby a bucket for donations for the Lifeboats if you wanted, which of course I did...... Always a good cause especially living here where they patrol all the big beaches in the summer and give full day talks and safety advice to school children.  Anyway the linen has washed up and look lovely now they are pressed.  I have a lovely collection now and must use it.  I started collecting bits years ago when visiting flea markets in Greenwich after my mum said I could have lots of linen that had been my Nan's.  I know some bits are even my great Nan's as she was apparently a very accomplished needlework lady..sadly I never met her or even have a photo.  My mum always said I must of got my love of crafting from her as my mum and sisters go into a cold sweat at the sight of a sewing needle and thread !!

My new linen dollies and China need to find a  place on the dresser , that will be a big wash, dust and put away and re arrange project, maybe when I have a day with no other jobs to do.  Everything needs to be taken down and I always dread I will smash or chip something as I can be a bit clumsy  or "cack  handed" as my old mum used to say. 

I am not going to do a seasonal display on my dresser anymore , just display China and bits and bobs 

that I love.   I hope during the summer to do a little tea party for Little Miss and her friends and need to start to collect some China .....hence the bits above. The  bits ranged from 25p to £1 , no dearer and
a new stall opened recently which has mismatched China .... so we had a rummage and found something to add to our growing collection.  I say ours because Little Miss has even more
 enthusiasm than me and a keen eye when looking for chips and cracks.


I found this too, for £2 , oh I was a happy bunny, I have wanted one of these for donkeys years but they are always so expensive even in junk shops . I am keeping my sharpie pens in it but it too will end up on display on the dresser.

So all the above made me happy this week , also the fact we all had dental check ups and DH is the
only one requiring a small replacement filling.   A eye appointment at the hospital showed no further deterioration to little man's eyesight... just needed the surgeon to check him out this week and he  agreed  no surgery required at the moment, we can forget about that for another year...made me very happy..hate the thought of surgery on him.  He will need it one day but hopefully many years away.

 Lastly I have done as I planned and eased up a bit this week.  Over Christmas I noticed the house did not fail into chaos if the washing machine and tumble dryer were not constantly burrrrring in the background, floors were not washed on and off during the day as dirty paws usually seem to dictate.  Ironing is my pet hate , well it waited and we didn't disappear under a mountain of it and meals too were prepared and cooking shared including Little Miss who joined in (under supervision) more leisurely...and I liked it!  The Hoover still has a daily airing as a constantly moulting pupster with
black and white fur , well nothing downstairs seems to escape his fur as he moves from room to room and brushes against things...but I don't mind that.  Overall I am liking this more relaxed home...


I have been doing a little sewing for a swap but cannot share at the moment.  I have also started to
make some little labels for some gentlework/crazy quilting that I hope to begin with Little Miss. I have ordered some yo yo makers and charms and hopefully they will arrive soon to show you next time.  I do love vintage and hope to re cycle old damaged linen, lace and buttons into some sort of wall hanging/quilt...