Thrifty Goodness

After my clearout this week, I am pressing on with the clearing out.  Plus there always seems  to be something going on with the boys and school.


Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were the end of year school play: The Wizard of Oz.  And of course Ethan wore his tree costume.  My parents went the first night and brought the boys back home with them and I did my duty for the second night.




Whilst I do enjoy the plays, there is always an element of missing something as the boys go to a Welsh school and I don't speak Welsh.  My level of proficiency is enough for me to catch the jist of what they are saying - although there are parts that I just miss altogether.  Still that's the price I have to pay for not learning.

Last night was the last Youth Club for this term. Which meant a BBQ and a later finish for the children.  Keanan was in his party pooper mood and we watched How Clean is Your House whilst Ethan went out and enjoyed himself.

I am slowly making inroads into my sorting out of the studio and my lastest purchase is this vintage work basket.



It is a little grubby but the inside is all intact and not too bad.  I bought it with the intention of being able to  put a few sewing bits and bobs inside it when I need to take some sewing out and about with me.

My pear pincushion fits perfectly inside it.




Still on the pincushion theme, a pincushion in progress




Sarah from Pink Petal Designs   Liked my pear pincushion but I didn't have any of the blue wool felt left.  But I did have a large piece of this buttery yellow felt.  Which went perfectly with this vintage 1940s/1950s Sooty and Sweep fabric.

I need to finish this one up and show it to Sarah.  Let's hope she likes it.  Please mail me if you feel the need for a pincushion.  I can always put a few in the shop



This next part is for my friend Theresa who is convinced that the charity shops I go into, keep items back until I go in and then they put all the lovely items out for me!

I have had a beanbag order and needed to go and buy the fabric.  Killing two birds with one stone, I popped into a charity shop that sells furniture and bought myself a wardrobe for the studio - to be customised of course.  And in the charity shop opposite was this shelf.

The lady working explained that so many people had picked up the shelf, but were put off by it's distressed finish.  Which is EXACTLY what drew me to it.  Rather than inflict this on Stephen, it is destined for the studio.  But not before a lick of Laura Ashley's Eau de Nile eggshell paint.

More jobs to add to the To Do list.  Along with my wardrobe that is being delivered tomorrow.  Time to crack  open the paint.

 

  

Comments

[Alison]

Lovely shelf.
Alison x

[Elizabeth]

I love that Sooty and Sweep material - wherever did you find it?

[Jools]

Ok, First I have to ask, you have a charity shop that sells furniture? Lucky, lucky you! I'd ask you where it was, but then we'd be competing with each other to get the best bits! It's hard to believe that they didn't know that *distressed* was good!

I didn't know your sons went to a Welsh language school. Have they gone to a Welsh Language school from infants? How do they do? J started learning Welsh when we moved here 6 years ago and does better than kids who were born here.

Your work basket is really nice. All those folds and stitches in something that's not going to be seen unless you open the box. Lovely.

[rubyred]

What a lovely little workbasket and I love that shelf!You always seem to find such gorgeous things!I am having a clearout too! at the moment I'm at the stage where I wish I'd never started it as it's now untidier than before!!

[Jen]

Can't wait to see what it looks like finished! We have an Oxfam that sells furniture. I keep meaning to buy something and paint it, but when I see something I like I am broke and when I have money there's never anything I like. Typical :)

[Gill]

Love the workbasket, and the pin cushionss are so cute.
I'm convinced that when my friend goes into the local junk shop (that sells cheap furniture)they bring out all the best stuff just for her, and let her buy them for £5 or £10 a piece. Yet when I go in there's never very much on show; grumpy woman who scares me a bit is always working that day;and anything I do spot isn't for sale or has already been sold! Hmmm, think I'll have to go with my friend next time and get her to work her magic.
Remember to show us what you do with the wardrobe and shelf!

[rubyred]

Hi Samantha, I'm sure you must have been tagged before,but can I tag you please? bet you've got loads of interesting stuff to tell us!Thankyou for your lovely comments too,I really appreciate them!

[carolyn]

I'm with your friend they definelty save the best for you, great finds as always.

[Karen]

I love that Sooty fabric!!

[Barb]

I envy your boys being able to speak Welsh...I'd love to learn it, but the only Welsh person I know here on the west coast, is a doctor who lives in Vancouver and has a cottage down on the beach. We always know when he's in residence...he flies the Welsh flag from his upper balcony.
Personally, I wouldn't touch that incredible shelf...it's perfect as it is. Great find!