What would you turn this into?

I recently purchased a remnant of fabric from a charity shop for a couple of pounds, which I think is gorgeous and summery. It makes me smile.

But I have a problem in not knowing what to make from it... and am open for suggestions.

Here is the fabric...

It is a creamy white with yellow, black and grey flowers splashed over it - obviously! and feels a little satin like but withou the brassy high sheen effect.

It is approximately 5ft x 7ft in size.

I can hand sew and have a sewing machine (although I am not too experienced on this yet!).

I am thinking of something to wear preferably. What do you think...?

Two buses...

Well not quite buses, sewing machines instead... let me explain.

Some of you may know that I got myself a little sewing machine a few weeks back which I must say does the job required.

But at the time, I was also keeping my eyes peeled and hunting on ebay, freecycle and in charity shops too for a bigger, sturdier and more substantial piece of equipment.

Everything on ebay was going for more than I wanted to pay, the charity shops were dry and there was nothing occuring on the freecycle groups.

Then one day last week out the blue I had an email pop up on the blackberry. This email was a freecycle listing alert. It read 'Singer Sewing machine...'. I didn't ask what state it was in, what age it was or whether it even worked... I just said 'Can I have it please?' as quick as my fingers could type.

The nice people - Chris and Jules - replied straight away saying it was mine and could collect when I liked.

When I found their house, they kindly invited me in and told me that it was her grandmother's but it was taking up room and they were never going to use it and didn't even know if or how it worked.

They produced the sewing machine upon which I desperately tried to contain my squeals of delight and try not to jump up and down with excitement.

And her she is...

Original cover/case (no damage at all) and the original key on a little bit of string... can you imagine my excitement?? (nearly wet my pants!)

Beautiful...

And I discovered a sneaky hideaway with all these little goodies too :)

The only downside is that I'm not quite sure how to use it yet! There is a serial number on the side though - EG158798 and from the Singer website I have managed to get a certificate confirming that it was made in 1950. Not as old as what I thought but that doesn't matter at all, tis lovely! not sure how to track down the right instruction manual though... any suggestions?

Then... on Wednesday morning whilst waiting to get into work, I was browsing the t'internet on my Blackberry when another freecycle email popped up... 'Various household items, including... vintage singer sewing machine...' I'm thinking - MINE! prompt email sent straight back and I am collecting it this weekend!!! Again, not too sure what condition this one will be in but who cares right?!

I can't collect sewing machines though, can I?... the house isn't big enough :)

Rest of my haul

I didn't want to overload on Thursday's thrifty finds as there were quite a few! So here are the remaining two and an ebay bargain too boot! (well shoe) :)

So here is the rest of the beauties offered from Costa Del Solent...

Now this is indeed a bargain. A brown lovely Russell & Bromley handbag. There is no strap though, so I will have to use it as a large clutch bag or I'm tempted to fashion something for it.

I love this scarf. I think the pheasants are brilliant! especially as I have a gundog an' all :)

     

And these beauts were located on ebay. I have been searching for a sturdy pair of brogues from a little while. I have a couple of pairs already but they were from New Look and not very substantial. These are very sturdy, are real leather and have a wooden heel. They are 'used' and although the leather is slightly softened there is no wear to the bottom at all.

Enjoy the weekend lovlies :)

Addiction!

I fear that my new year's resolution to be more thrifty has started an addiction!

I was working from home today and had to nip out to the shop at lunch and decided I needed a little scour of the charity shops. And once again this has left me with a truly fantastic hawl...

Next faux fur gilet. This is actually sized for a 10 year old but fits my size 8 frame perfectly. I love it!

Zara wool cardi.

F&F 100% cashmere sweater. I felt this on the rail before I saw it. A real snuggle sweater :)

I have a really thing for brogues at the moment and when I spotted these brand new grey Clarks ones for £4.50 I couldn't leave without them!

This wicker picnic basket was immediately ear-marked for my new hobby and storing my fabrics. I only have a small collection at the moment and its mainly made up of scraps and pre-cuts for patchwork and quilting but this basket does the job perfectly.

Updates on January Monthly Makes

I had a slight panic at the weekend because I have been so busy and felt that I hadn't been crafting with the possessed-glaze that I had at the beginning of the new year. The difference being that I am back at work now and I work full-time. The last couple of week's have been a little full-on at work.

I have managed to finish the Cath Kidston Patch bag though...

             

I am quite please as this is the first thing I have sewn (bar buttons and odd repairs) in a long long time and I have to say that I really enjoyed myself. You may notice that I have substited the suffolk puff that is meant to be in the middle with a large blue button. I wasn't keen on the puff ;)

When I sat down to work on it I was amazed at how quickly it came together. However, when it came to sewing and hemming the actual bag I resided to the fact that I 'needed' a sewing machine.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter or read my blog will know that recently got myself a small sewing machine. I wasn't sure what to expect about it's quality and what I will be able to achieve with it.

I can however say that I have had a little play with it on scraps of material and got a little frustrated to say the least! Not wanted to be defeated, a little browsing and research about using sewing machines followed on the t'internet. I learnt a few key things and attempted another dual. This time I came out the victor.

I have a project lined up and I feel that the Beldray will be a vital asset. With my love of Cath Kidston, I bought a bundle of mixed Cath Kidston fabrics already pre-cut into 4" squares. I am going to endeavour to make a feature for a quilt cover. I fear that I won't have time to complete this Make before the month is out though, so am planning ahead for a February make :)

In the meantime, my make is two-fold. I signed up to Me and My Shadow's - Take One Jumper Challenge and the produce is going to be part of my January Monthly Makes.

Now this was my first time at felting, so off I went and I found myself a 100% lambswool sweater from a local charity shop. I felt a little bad as its by Jaeger but I justified the planned felting of said sweater as ok because it was three sizes to big for me anyway and it only cost £2.99. So I proceeded to whack it in the washer on the highest setting, followed by a hot tumble - as per the instructions that peeps had given me and I have ended up with a sweater that would easily fit a six year old!! (and duly felted of course)

As I said, I am not going to divulge my plans for the sweater but will post them as I go along :)

Thrifty Finds

I love a bargain and its an even better bargain if it is clothes or hobby related.

Although I am only in the office a couple of days a week the small town of Alton does offer several well stocked charity shops which offer great respite for an odd lunch hour.

These include Scope, Oxfam, St Michael's Hospice, Cancer Research, British Heart Foundation and Cardiac Rehab, all within a two minute walk of the office.

Whilst browsing my 'new' favourite shops during yesterday's lunch hour, I come across a couple of great finds at bargain prices.

I have been searching for a pair of smart 'winter' shorts to wear with tights and these Topshop green wool ones hit the nail on the head (so to speak) and they were only £4!

In a different shop, I found this gorgeous green Boden top for, get this... £2.50!! bargain! I wasn't planning a 'green theme' it just happened that way :) They had a couple of other Boden items but unfortunately they were too big.

In a different charity shop I found - Buttons, with a capital B! I'm not just talking a few small plastic packets like I have become accustomed too... I spotted a whole jam jar full of them little gems.

Since Christmas and my vigor to get more crafty again buttons have featured on the horizon a couple of times. I think I have become a little obsessed with wanting to collect more and more of them!

Anyway, I practically ran across the shop to the shelf they were perched on and swooped on them like a bird of prey!! There are all different colours and all shapes and styles of buttons - leather, plastic, wood and glass - ahhh my pretties!! But the best is yet to come... the price! I located a little white sticker stuck to the bottom of the jar - £1!!!!!!!!!!! :o I say no more :)

Now that I have about a jar and a half of buttons, I needed a bigger container. I knew I still wanted a glass jar but where could I find one so big. It wasn't until I was passing the local Fish & Chip shop whilst walking Rigby when I spotted the biggest glass Gherkin Jar ever (well - that I have seen)!! I promptly stuck my head round the door and asked my friend Perry (yes I know - first name terms with the fast-food distributors - not good!) when he next has an empty jar could he stick my name on it... two mninutes later I was walking along the road with a empty, clean, 10-inch tall glass jar - happy bunny :) The only trouble is, the jar isn't even a quarter full now! the button hunt continues...