Fond farewells...

Our visitors have gone and I've been slowly wading through the mountain of washing and ironing that four extra sleepers in the house create. I'm one of those people who irons sheets so it takes a while. Luckily the weather has been kind and great for drying.

We had a lovely time with them. They went into London every day to do the touristy things. They've done more than I have which is shameful as we're only half an hour away and I spent many years there. The kids (10 and 7) had never seen a hedgehog before as they don't have them in Australia so she was a source of endless fascination.

Did you know that hedgehogs self annoint? No neither did I. When they eat something particularly exciting like a slug or smell a new smell, they puke all over their spines, contorting their bodies as they do so. It's bad enough watching her rip apart and devour a slug without her vomitting it up all over herself. I mean, I have to pick her up! The kids were groaning, ''that's so GROSS!'' quickly followed by, ''giver her another one!''

(Sorry if you're eating right now...)

Twilight (Gah! That name!) is off to the Hedgehog  Hospital this weekend to be placed in a pen outdoors as part of a slow release program. She is so fat, she can now be released for hibernation. We thought she might be too small in the begining. I'm sure they will find her somewhere safe and happy to live with plenty of slugs.
Anyway, here's my latest before and after...

before

Very hard to photograph!

She bloody bit me!

She's not even sorry...

I've also been busy clearing out the loft for a big eBay cull. So the nice tidy house is no more.

I've not been very creative this week. I'm not sure what my next assault on the house will be. So much to choose from. Headboard, kitchen, armoire, blanket box, wardrobe x2, tv stand, the list goes on.

Seeing as I've nothing remotely clever to show you, I will show you some recent chazzing finds... and unusually they're mostly clothes. Driving has given my wardrobe a new lease of life. I'm no longer governed by comfortable shoes and waterproofs! I always said that if I had a car I would waft about all day in cream cashmere. Well, that's not quite a reality but I was asked where I was going by one of the school mums! Which is a first. I hope Curtise and Vix are proud of me.

I got this folky Monsoon dress from the YMCA. It's like new!

I did try to do an outfit shot but I think you need a tripod or a willing partner and mine was away.

This velvet coat I actually got in the summer at a boot sale but I've been living in it...

 

It's a bit big but I don't mind. I got the little corsage from the vintage kitchenalia lady at the boot sale. 

And this scarf! Love at first sight! I'm looking forward to a chilly morning so I can wear it!

 

I can't knit or crochet but I love the finished articles!

I found this little tin at the boot sale...

Not sure if the 'poudre' is make up or something to do with paint but either way, I'm happy.

Oh yes, I did do one creative thing. I balanced a ginormous wooden spoon on top of the painted window in the dining room.

Giant spoon, 50p at a bootsale in York in the summer.

My husband asked why we needed to balance a spoon on a window.
I pretended not to hear him.

I'll try to get my arse in gear again soon.

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Car booty from York

You'll never guess what I found at yesterdays boot sale!

Continuing on with the patchwork theme...
The seller said it was vintage 60's. Upon closer inspection I realised it's probably made in Asia and not vintage at all.

Anyway it looks horrendous on! It's clearly a message from God that I must not chop up those curtains to make a skirt!

My other finds were more successful.

A pile of vintage kitchen linens...

An Ironstone gravy boat...

This is a tiny metal dustpan and brush for a child. Because you must train them at an early age to do the chores...

And last of all, and my favourite thing...

Not that I'm a big glove wearer...

...but I'm sure I can think of something else to go inside.

Anyhow, enough of all this shopping nonsense. I'm itching to get home, track down the radiator man and make some progress on the dining room! Time is passing fast and I need this room done before our visitors come in September. Mind you, there's nothing like a deadline to help me crack on.

Knick of Time Tuesday

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Car boot treasure...

My friend Theresa and I hit the boot sale this morning and I did really well. I mean, REALLY well.  I scored this little beauty for 20p. The sellers were astonished I wanted it and were glad to see it go.

 

Swoon! It was love at first sight... and it's actually not that little!

 

A bit of bird poo was no deterrent...

Look at that chippy loveliness! And dirt.

Best of all, I didn't get told off by the husband. I told him I would paint some lovely wordage on the glass and hang it on a wall and he said he ''gets it''. So thanks to Drew Pritchard and his TV show 'Salvage Hunters' my husband is turned on to architectural salvage! Progress!

Anyway, he couldn't tell me off for spending 20p could he?

I did get in trouble for buying a half bike that fits onto an adult bike as I'm still failing to teach my daughter to ride a bike. He didn't ''get'' that. Probably because we currently don't have an adult bike...but that is easily remedied!

And it was a bargain.

Still not quite finished this...

But it's coming along just fine!

Yes, I'm going hardcore again! The Marmite of furniture painting. Milk paint. Shield your eyes Curtise!

Happy weekend!

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Car booty and second hand scores...

Friday was flea market day and I wandered round several times finding a big fat NOTHING! I was going to leave when I pulled myself together and went round one more time. I thought there had to be something worth having in the entire flea market.

And there was.
Filled with dirty old tools I found this beautiful crate. (Well, obviously it was going to be a crate!)

''Boring!'' I hear you say.

But you are wrong! 

This is very NOT boring.

It's stencilled 'Parma Violet'. Remember the sweets that taste like perfume?

And it has the remains of an old label that says it was indeed full of Parma Violets  and came from Lever Brothers in Port Sunlight, Cheshire. And I thought they only made washing powder!

It was filthy and contained bird poo but I got it for a few quid. Can you see the date on the pic above? 6/1/11. So it's 102 years old.

Making it a very cool crate.

 I think it will live in my pantry. ( I did get the bird poo out and disinfect it!)

*[I have now done some research. It is a SOAP crate not a sweet crate! They did not make sweets...]*

I did well at this mornings boot sale. It was almost warm! I found a new coat  for my daughter with the labels still on... £2 and really thick.

Crocs for her in very good condition... £1

A fifties looking dress for her with the tags on... £1.

A beanie buddy cat. How could I resist that face?

And a balance bike that I'm really hoping will help her get over her fears. She has hypermobility and associated issues that give her physical difficulties...

I'm hoping it's not too low. If it is, perhaps she might feel safer being closer to the ground?

And something for me.

Some wooden boards for 'vintage' signs! Woo hoo!

We are due to have a warm bank holiday weekend! I do believe that's a first. I hope you all have a good one!

I hope to be back in the week with a project I'm working on...

Linking with Blackbird has Spoken; Op shop Show off

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Car boot sale in York...

My brother and I were up at 6.30 to hit the boot sale. What a lovely day it's going to be. It wasn't freezing for a change and the sun shone.

There must have been an auction yesterday as the boot sale was rammed. The best thing I found was a humongous set of Gaydon Melamine picnic/camping ware.

There's actually eight of everything apart from the cups and there are six of those. These are quite covetable among the camper van enthusiasts, and the vintage caravanners. I recognise them because we had some when we were kids. We had the Magic Roundabout set.

This lot was £8. A fraction of what they fetch on eBay...

I also found some unworn snow boots for my daughter to grow into. £2 a pair.

I stockpile good quality footwear for her so we never need to buy it at full price. I also got her a Disney Princess dress. Like we don't have enough of those!

We sped round the boot sale and went to a second one which wasn't even on. Stupid. We would've spent longer at the first one had we known. So that was a stuff up.

I'm sure we can fit in a charity shop or two whilst we are up here to make up for it. Happy Sunday!

Linking with Me and my shadow: Magpie Monday

and Blackbird has spoken: Op shop show off

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Boot sale bounty

I did the unthinkable this morning. My alarm went off at 6 and I went back to sleep. We had a disturbed night thanks to the teenagers next door and I just could not function.
I eventually got to the boot sale at 10.30 which is VERY late for me. The sun shone a bit but it was freezing.

Want to see what I found?

A very old childrens book with beautiful colour illustrations...

I'm tempted to cut it up...is that dreadful?

Yet another vintage chopping board. I cannot resist...

I love all the cuts in the wood...

This curiously shaped wicker basket? It will be given a paint treatment and possibly wall mounted somewhere.

 

And last of all this ugly table...

Not old, but very sturdy...

I'm seeing it with a padded top and painted legs as a bedroom bench...

rather like this? Obviously it will make the master bedroom every bit as glamourous as this one. I feel a trip to Dunelm Mill coming on, in a quest for foam...

And who has nicked the dolls bed today?

Fat Freddy. And he wants you all to know he's got plenty of room and he does not appreciate my rude comments about his weight!

Enjoy the bank holiday!

Linking with Blackbird has Spoken: Op shop Show Off

 Me and My Shadow: Magpie Monday

and From my Front Porch to Yours: Treasure Hunt Thursday

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