Retro 60’s 70s Genie Bottle Charity Shop Finds

I seem to have started a bit of a collection of 60s/70s genie bottles. It started when I was looking for bits and pieces for my bathroom (before I finally decided to go with decanters). I found the amber one first for £1.99 and then the other three followed in very quick succession, at equally wonderful prices.

At the moment the shelf looks a little sparse, but perhaps one day it could look like the one above, however, that would mean an awful lot of very fortuitous finds, so far I have paid no more than £3 for any of them, but I have seen the prices they go for on e-bay, and I certainly can’t afford to pay that sort of money.

Finding a bottle with the top intact is also a bit of a find.

Green and amber seem to be the most common colours, it’s the blue, red and purple ones that seem to command the highest, and so, out of reach prices. For me though, it’s the fun of the find, so I just need to be patient and keep my eyes peeled and when I have a bit more time I intend to do some more research to find out more about them, shapes, patterns etc.

The funny thing is that almost as soon as my interest started I noticed this modern version on sale in Next, perhaps genie bottles are the next decor trend, I must ask Marc!

http://www.next.co.uk/search?w=genie%20bottle&isort=score&af=

Another Jewelled Mirror

This was the first crafty project I started about a month after I moved and will be a Christmas present for my stepmother Marcia.

I found the mirror base in one of my favourite Evesham charity shops, The Vale Wildlife Rescue Charity Shop, (http://www.vwr.org.uk/) I must pop in there at least two/three times a week, there is always a quick turnover of stuff which is always interesting and the prices are always very reasonable, which is why I have been able to find and furnish my flat with so many bits and pieces, which I hope to show you in following posts.

The mirror, which measures approximately 18ins x 14ins cost me just £1.50 and because of the finish I found that I didn’t have to spray paint it as I have done on some mirrors in the past.

A lot of the old, broken jewellery used came from Marc a while ago, along with bits and pieces that I had before.  The pink, plastic roses came from elasticated Poundland bracelets, and whenever I see them I always buy 5 or 6 at a time.

As per usual, I used E900 glue to stick on the broken jewellery and gems to the mirror frame.  It is a little on the expensive side, but it doesn’t help that I am so very heavy handed with it, however it sticks even the heaviest piece of jewellery with rock solid firmness.

I estimate that the mirror took me about 6 to 7 hours to complete, it’s filling the little gaps that always seems to take the most time.

I need to start collecting jewels again with renewed vigour as I now want to make a couple more mirrors, one for my spare bedroom and another long, narrow one for over the bed in my bedroom, so several trips to various Primarks, Poundlands and charity shops are firmly on the cards.

The Grand Tour - My New Bathroom And It’s Charity Shop Finds

The biggest surprise for me when I viewed my flat for the first time was the fact that it had two bathrooms, well, a slight exaggeration, it has a main bathroom off the hall and a shower room to my bedroom.  I’ll be honest, as there is only me living here, in the perfect architect world, I might have sacrificed the shower room and half of the very roomy bathroom for a small box (craft) room, but that’s just being picky.

 

Originally, I wanted to go mad (and to be honest, still do) and replace the ordinary, cream marble affect tiles with a whole array of Moroccan design tiles round the bath/shower area and above the sink.  But then, Lu the voice of reason (and an accountant) made me see sense, for the time being, at least, in pointing out that as there was nothing wrong with the tiles, the flat only being 6 years old, it would be spending money after good, especially when compared to the bathroom in her new house, (now thankfully replaced), which was quite frankly, a ***t hole!

So, for now, I am restraining myself, and “making do” instead with just a Moroccan style lampshade from The Range, which was the very first thing I put in the room, after repainting the walls calico from the original white and replacing the cream carpet with a more sensible vinyl floor covering. Discovering that the shade cast beautiful colours and shapes on the ceiling and walls was just an accidental extra bonus.

https://www.therange.co.uk/ceiling-lights/pendants/jewelled-square-pendant#109562

The shower rail and its curtain were then replaced by a folding shower screen, with having the babies staying over and having a bath, I thought it might be a bit safer than an ordinary flat glass screen.

With that, I could start all the frou frou starting with purple towels and bathmat to pick out the purple in the aforementioned light shade (but, with all the new patterned towels now available, I am thinking NEXT, perhaps in a weak moment, if the colours were right, I might just have a re-jig)  and then lots and lots of glass shelves (from Argos http://www.argos.co.uk/product/8333535). It then became obvious that I needed a mirror but what? Next followed a wonderful Ulrika moment, the old, copper arts and crafts mirror belonged to my gran, I can still remember it in her house from when I was a child and always loved it. It was also one of the very few decorative items I bought from The Castle, as I wasn’t ready to give it up, however, I didn’t have a clue where it could possibly go.  But after trying it fitted and it went!!!  I was thrilled.  A theme was coming together all be it in a very haphazard way.

Then, very spookily Aldi, up the road, had a promotion of copper bathroom accessories, which I naturally I decided to go for, especially after comparing prices elsewhere online. They had a matching mini pedal bin which was also duly purchased. My only regret is not getting the loo roll holder too when I saw it, so at the moment I am still looking for a free standing one, should anyone see one.

But, what to put on all those shelves?  Well, Evesham has a wealth of charity shops and over the weeks I managed to collect all these, paying no more than £1.99 of any, which I then filled with a range of different coloured bubble baths.  If I see any more decanters that are more ornate or I like more, they can easily be replaced.

The tea-light holders are also The Range https://www.therange.co.uk/candles-and-home-fragrances/candles/amber-mosaic-tea-light-holder#736992 and give out a very romantic light when I choose to have a candlelit bath!

The final touch was an Ingolf stool from Ikea, which can not only be used as place to sit or put your clothes on, but also as a table at the side of the bath, laden with treats when friends come to stay.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/chairs-stools-benches/stools-benches/ingolf-stool-white-art-00152282/

So, that’s my bathroom as it is for now …. but I am still not ruling out that this time next year, it might, just might, be retiled!  I always used to say “less is more”, but in this case perhaps “more could be even better”!

Wooden Gift Parcel Tags.

I found these wooden parcel tags in Poundland in Wolverhampton (sadly, Evesham does not have a Poundshop of any description, so I have to get my fix as and when I can!)There are six tags in a pack, in two designs, three of each. They are of a really good, substantial quality and I would have been happy to pay double, if not more for them.  They are perfectly fine to use as they are, but you know me, if there is an opportunity to add a little extra fiddle fart I will.

The tags measure approximately 3.5 ins x 2ins

I removed the original string from each tag and replaced it with a longer length of red and white bakers twine, to which I then added three jingle bells (The Works - £1 per pack).  On some I added small silver bells and on others a mix of larger red, gold and green.  Threading bakers twine is a bit fiddly as the colours sometimes untwine, but it’s worth it in the end. 

Top Tip - I used a darning needle to push the twine through the metal loop on the bell, trying to thread it through on it’s own was a nightmare!!!To add even more bling I glued a liberal smattering of gold coloured flat backed gems in between and around the stars already printed on the tags.  Just a couple of simple things that turned a plain and simple tag into something a little more special.

My New Craft Storage and Working Area.

My new flat is plenty big enough for me, in fact it’s positively roomy, but as I said the other day, I had to seriously downsize.  I have my bedroom with en suite shower room, a spare/guest bedroom, a main bathroom and a through lounge/diner/kitchen (in time,The Monkeys or I will gradually give you the grand tour).

Though I could have easily turned the spare bedroom into a craft room, I had set my heart on making a lovely, welcoming room for when family/friends came to stay, I live in a beautiful spot, which is too lovely not to share, and as such it really meant putting a double bed in, leaving no space for a work desk etc.So, I have had to compromise. I have put in more drawer units than any guest should ever need, but will (in time) house an awful lot of my craft stuff.

I also had two kitchen units fitted (minus the doors) one on top of each other at the back of a narrow storage cupboard off the hall. There was even a bit of space at the top to add another valuable shelf.

I am sure you can now see from these pictures just how much stuff I had to say goodbye to.  However, after a bit more thought, there is still room for a bit more re-jigging.  At the start of the New Year I am having extra storage, in the form of compartment shelving built at each end of the guest room. At the top of the bed end the compartments will be mostly for display and at the other end, above the existing drawers will be for more craft storage.  I already have my eye on a range of storage boxes from Ikea that I think will hold a lot of bits and pieces, while blending in with  the colour scheme, without looking too blatantly crafty.  http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/search/?k=tjena+blue

Well, that’s the theory anyway. the plans are all drawn up and I can see it all in my minds eye, I think it will work.  Then, hopefully, most of the stash in the hall cupboard can be rehoused and be much easier to get to, providing more storage for the more mundane household type stuff.

But where do I craft? Again space and storage were the main priority.  Almost all my furniture has come from Ikea and this gateleg table was no exception. I think I had a eureka moment when I saw it.  It fits perfectly to the side of my kitchen area, in front of the window with it’s wonderful view, and when it is down it takes up very little space indeed.On either side of the table it has three drawers, each contain the tools/materials I use all the time, glue, flat back gems, scissors, pens, etc..

And when I craft I just put up one side, or if it’s a big project, move it forward to open up both sides.  White isn’t the most sensible colour, but I now use a vinyl table cover all the time and am a lot less messy and careful than I used to be!’

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/tables/dining-tables/norden-gateleg-table-white-art-70290223/

Tiny Fairy House In A Bottle Christmas Tree Decoration

This Fairy House In A Bottle Christmas Tree decoration is really is tiny (dimensions below), as you can see by the penny next to it, and (if you could see me now), my cross eyes.  To start with it was a trial and error effort to find the right sized bottle, when I tried using the same bottles that I had used for similar projects the mushrooms were just lost and the proportion all wrong.  In the end I found some smaller bottles on e-bay which were perfect.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clear-Glass-Empty-Bottles-Cork-Container-Vials-Wedding-Favours-10-PACK-/301910091045?var=&hash=item8bdd87b790

The mushroom came from a pack from docrafts Tales From Willson Wood collection. They come in packs of 25 for around £2 (I think), mine were from The Range. All I did was draw a door, windows and some grass all round the sides using Sharpie pens and a not so steady hand.  It was a bit of a fiddle fart because of their very tiny size.

For the grass in the bottom of the bottle, I put a small ball of green Fimo clay, which I flattened with the end on a pen, again a bit fiddly until I got in the swing of doing them.

To position the fairy house in the bottle, again it was a trial and error operation until I had the idea of sticking a large needle into the top of the mushroom and putting a small blob of E900 on the bottom.  I gently lowered the mushroom into the bottle and positioned it, leaving the needle in place until it was pretty well set. By leaving the needle in for a while, I was able to reposition the mushroom if it moved.  When the glue set the needle was very carefully removed.

The hanging section of the bottle was made by gluing a silver jewellery spacer onto the cork and then screwing a tiny eye pin hook (also from e-bay) through the middle. A strong thread could then be threaded through the hook at a length to suit, with beads added for a little extra bling. Voila!

So Much Has Happened …….

Can’t believe my last post was on 2nd January and posts before that were pretty intermittent …… let’s just say it’s been quite a year in many, many ways.  So, to start off on a high note, yes, I finally got to go to The Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm with Marc’s partner Rick, it was everything we dreamed of and much much more!!!!

We were just like two kids in a sweetshop and there was much girly squealing.  We went to the Judges Final on the Friday night and were the first two through the door, the first two at the souvenir stand and the first two served in the bar!  On Eurovision Night we were in the stadium next door for The Eurovision Party to see it all again, this time on the big screen, it was just too WONDERFUL!  Next year in the Ukraine isn’t really a feasible trip, but our experience was so brilliant, I don’t think we would rule out going again when a country a bit nearer home gets to host the competition.

In April I became Nanny Nell for the second time to Master Bertrum Andrew (a brother for Iris), he was a little whopper, weighing in at 9lbs 13ozs. He is such a little star, with as gorgeous a temperament as Iris.  They are the best thing that has ever, ever, ever happen to me. And, knowing that Bertie was on his way made making my planned move to Evesham even more important, (more of that later)

Sadly, 2015 did not end and 2016 did not start well, The Duke’s father was given the news that he had bowel cancer on Christmas Eve.  A small operation that could have facilitated a larger operation later on sadly failed and no further treatment could be offered.  However, Colin was able to die peacefully and pain free in his own home a few months later, having received the most brilliant home nursing (sadly, however the same cannot be said for much of the hospital care he received).

In January my younger brother died unexpectedly from pneumonia.  Many of you will remember him from the posts I used to write featuring the gifts he “made” at his special needs centre to bring home. It was absolutely heart breaking, however no one could have prepared me for the implosion his death caused within my family. The cracks had always been there, but in the end sadly and with regret I had to make the decision to walk away and severe ties, only time will tell if the damage can be mended.

Then my own father died in May.  Again, it was a terrible  shock.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer but given a 98% chance of success  but that was not to be. He went into hospital a very fit and healthy man, having just mowed his large lawns, but after 4 weeks in hospital, circumstances lead to him not returning home. I could say so much more, but in the  end it wouldn’t achieve anything. He was given a wonderful farewell in a packed church with the most moving tributes paid to him by ex police colleagues, family and friends. In this life you reap what you sow and that was very evident that day!

And, in the middle of this and other things I had set selling Castle Greysquirrel in to motion and began purchasing a flat in Evesham, alongside my daughter who was also leaving The Castle to buy her own home!  I am so glad I started the ball rolling early in February because when I look at Evesham now I don’t think I could afford to move!

I moved with very little.  I seriously downsized and on finding my flat soon realised next to nothing would fit, and on moving, found that what little I did keep didn’t go either (much to Marc’s delight, who tells me I do the most brilliant carboot sale, in the comfort of my new hall).  I E-bayed like there was no tomorrow, filled all the charity shops in the area, had a garage sale one Sunday morning, sent Lu on endless runs to the tip and most days left a huge pile of stuff at the bottom of the drive for anyone who would take it.

And my lovely Craftroom? Moving to a two bedroomed flat, I would say that 90% had to go, oh no!  All I kept was the stuff I couldn’t be without, and then the rest was sold on e-bay (dies, punches, embellishments), boxes and boxes were donated to various charity groups (papers, and stickers), and some offered to friends. It was heartbreaking, but in a way if was also a freeing experience.  A chance to start again, but knowing that storage would now be minimal, so things bought now have to be with a “proper” project in mind and then used, if possible, in their entirety. It certainly makes you think about what you “really need”, for example before I had boxes of beautiful 12” x 12” papers but in reality were something  I hardly ever used. 

Anyway, on 8th June 2016 I finally moved into my new flat.  My stuff was kept in storage while it was decorated thoroughout and the carpets replaced by wooden floors. It came only with an Ikea TV console table thingy, a huge wardrobe that in the end I decided I couldn’t live with, an integral cooker, hob and a washing machine and I, in turn, brought a stool, a radio, bedding, a small suitcase and a borrowed double air bed.

I then acquired two camping chairs and a picnic table…….

….. and then after a month or so I started to buy furniture and move in properly what little I had bought with me.

It’s been a journey, in too many ways to mention, and I now wish I had taken a few more photos, however I hope to show you a bit more of what I have done in future posts.

I am not crafting on any sort of scale at the moment, I have only made a few decorations this Christmas, and as of yet, no cards. I think this will be the first Christmas in 20 years that I will be sending shop bought cards,  but fiddle fart wise I feel up and ready to start the challenge again.   

I don’t really take that much notice of Blog Counters or positions, but after 10/11 months of not looking and or posting  I couldn’t help taking a little peek and be amazed by the traffic I still get and for what projects. I am not promising a post every day, more like every few days, but lets see, I guess blogging and crafting are too much part of my DNA to give up completely.