In The Right Place At The Right Time ………. The Works

My apologies as there is not a lot of crafting going on at the moment, but I still want to keep Fiddle Fart rolling if I can   ……… so, to fill today’s spot I wanted to show you that some of my Christmas fripperies for our traditional Boxing Day Tut etc. are already in the bag.

I was in the right place, at the right time when I nipped into The Works in Evesham for a bit of a mooch and noticed a pack of sticky notes for 10p, which I thought would look rude if I didn’t purchase, but then I noticed that all the items in the central display were 10p each as well ………. so naturally I looked a bit closer.

In the end I spent three whole pounds, less than a large mug of my favourite spiced latte in Coffee #1.  The lady at the counter told me that her boss had told them to reduce all the out of date stock to get rid of it all…….. it was soooooo my lucky day, there’s enough for all my sacks, plus a few bits that I might chance on eBay, like the doggy coats.

Of the Zombie Science kit, (of which I got two) more later this week  …….. as I set one aside for half term shenanigans for Iris and Bertie.

This doesn’t happen very often, I am just glad it happened to me, I even managed to get two rolls of My Little Pony Christmas paper for 10p each too …… so when the time comes to get wrapping that will be in the bag too!

Three Counties Malvern Flea And Collectors Fair – May Bank Holiday

This was me after walking round the Malvern Flea and Collectors Fair last Monday, on what was the hottest day (at last) of the year, so far ……….

We got there early, just before 9.00am and left at around 3.30pm ……Lu clocked our steps and we had done 8km, with two sandwich breaks, no wonder I felt and looked as above!

As per usual there was much to see ……… with more stalls than we have ever seen there.

This small coffee table caught both our eyes, I think it was around the £30 mark. On closer inspection I would say that it had been covered, very carefully, with what felt like wallpaper. Looking at these pictures again with fresh eyes, perhaps it looks cheapened and weirdly kitcheny …… but it’s certainly an idea for if ever I come across a similar table for free or under a fiver perhaps.

This was Lu’s “one that got away” ……. a complete mid century dinner and coffee service for £50.  To be honest what she really wanted were the bowls as she is putting together an eclectic mish mash of her own using different designs of the same period. She has several sizes of plates and lidded serving dishes and said bowls would have fit in well ……. however, as she says, the fun is in the chase when you are looking for something you really want.

It’s weird how there always seems to be a lot of something in abundance that wasn’t so prevalent at previous fairs, this time around it was fairground signs, of which Lu was desperate for the Hook A Duck one, it would have looked perfect in her garden perhaps on her shed …….. next time, we’ll actually ask the price, if we see something similar again.

There were also so many old sewing boxes I lost count plus wooden afternoon tea, plate stands, for around £30 to £40.  I was half looking for a couple of tall, wooden plant stands, as I have decided my lounge/diner needs more greenery, but I don’t think I saw a single one ……….

I did however have my “Lourdes Moment”, as I do love a bit of religious kitsch, at £8 it was a bit rich for my taste, so remains a pleasure left once again for another time and another place, but someone must have been spookily watching over me during the week as I did find a boxed and unused candle from Lourdes for just 20p, in my favourite Vale Wildlife shop in Evesham …….it’s an omen!

There was also the bizarre ……. there was a tiny doll at the front of this glass case that bought back so many memories and feelings of my childhood, if I could have had a good delve, I would have definitely fished it out. As for the skull et al housed in what looked like a reptile cage, it’s given me an idea for a Halloween diorama.           

Lu and I both reckoned that Liberty looked uncharacteristically short and dumpy and must have suffered some sort of loss to her middle regions which must have been painful.  We also both love a painted mirror, always leaving me “thinking” that I should have a go, as I have a spare vintage style mirror in the hall cupboard I really have no excuse ……..

There was, once again, a whole plethora of wooden glass cabinets of different styles and eras that had the both of us oohing and ahhhing and wishing that we each had the room for one to turn into a “en trend” drinks cabinet …….. and with prices from as little as £15 to £30 …… it would have been an absolute steal.

We both spent more than we have in ages – I spent £14, a huge sum for me, although £7 of that was on a brand new, patchwork style jacket that I think originally came from either Wish or AliExpress, that I thought would be OK for the autumn school run when a coat is still too heavy, but the rest spent on fripperies and nonsense, without a shred of taste!!!

As I said before I need more greenery around the towers, so this pot filled the bill to put a small Poundland jade plant in (plant £1). The pot was also £1 but in a shocking state round the back but nothing a Sharpie pen and a lick of varnish can’t put right, although it will never be seen.

In contrast this huge terracotta painted plate/charger was in perfect condition and also cost me £1 …… I have put foam pads on the bottom and it is now the fruit bowl of choice on the dining table.

One of my “small” regrets when clearing my old house back in Wolverhampton was letting go of Tom and Lu’s mouse house boot lamp. At the time I couldn’t imagine it in my future home and neither Tom or Lu wanted it, so it went to the charity shop.  This house sort of fills the gap, from the same stall as the plate and was again £1.  The plug had been removed but the bulb fitting left, perhaps, one day I might see if I can have it all lit up again.

Lu spotted this monstrosity of a money box first, said nothing, but watched,  knowing that I have mum no taste, to see if I’d pick it up, I did, she knows me so well!

At £2 I was robbed good and proper. However, after some research it’s 1960’s/70’s, made in Hong Kong and sold generally in the USA. I am going to enjoy its pleasures for a couple of months (?) and then it’s going on eBay where I should get my money back several times over with luck.

And the sad and sunstroke suffering Kermit from the beginning of the post ………….?

Well, I couldn’t leave him there, he came home with me ………. he looks so forlorn, he just makes me smile …… does that make me a bad person? 

A Huge Thank You …….. And A New Project.

A huge “thank you” to Debbie who contacted me a couple of weeks ago offering me a “diamond knob” to complete my newly Decopatched  work desk, naturally I replied with a mahoooosive “yes please……” because I was having difficulty in finding one was just the right size ……….

Said knob arrived last week accompanied by a lovely card made by Debbie ………https://craftycreationsbydebbie.blogspot.com/………….

……. and as you can see, it’s perfect and so, so, sooooooooooooo sparkly!

It also got me thinking, I’d really enjoyed re-vamping the desk and after being with Marc and Rick at the cottage I was inspired to try and add more colour and “a bit of something else” to my lounge diner area.

Now, the side of my fridge freezer has been niggling at me for ages, I really don’t like the utility feel it gives when I am sat sitting on the sofa, it just doesn’t feel/look cosy or homely, if you know what I mean. What if I tried to disguise it a little bit? The area only measured approximately 24ins wide by about 10ins deep, what about a bookcase?

And then, low and behold, right on cue, I found this pine bookcase in The Georgian House, a second hand shop in Evesham. I measured it and then came home to measure the space again and think about it.  After a night of tossing and turning my lovely neighbour Kata and I went to collect it. Not a fly away £3 bargain like the desk, at £30 it was a risk, not a greatly expensive one I don’t suppose in the scheme of things, but I’ll be honest, seeing it in position, I’m not 100% it will work.

However,  I’ve embraced the task by giving it a layer of undercoat. Seeing it white, all be it very patchy, it looks ok (????), but the current idea in my head is to paint the sides and shelves in the same colour as my desk, with a paler turquoise on back panel …….. aghhhhhh, will it be too much?  My original idea was to Decopatch the two outside panels, but I thought that might look a bit random.  The next brainwave was to Decopatch the back panel, but not only would that be rather expensive, it might also “bury” any tranklement I put on the shelves when it’s finished, does that make sense?   Any suggestions would be very greatly received. What about Decopatched shelves?  Would that detract from anything I put on them?  Would it look too fussy?  Mores the pity, there aren’t many Decopatch/decoupaged shelves on Pinterest to use as a reference point.  What have I started?

I am thinking a few trailing plants in colourful pots on the top to hide the rest of the fridge freezer.

I am so full of doubts, it might have been easier to have just gone to Ikea for a plain and simple unit as I can already see me trying a few things and getting all frustrated before I am happy …….. and if after that it’s still not right, I might have to just let the idea go. I am giving myself about  two weeks to work it all out …….. so watch this space ………..

I’m Back ……..

Well, I’m back from a wonderful restful week with Marc and Rick ………

……. and judging from my tightening waistband there can be no doubt of where I have been as the food was glorious with both Marc and Rick being the most fantastic cooks, I am currently assigned to nil by mouth!

I’ll be honest, almost no crafting was done ……… Marc and I exchanged a few crafty bits and pieces …………

…… and I started off the diamond painting picture I got for Marc from AliExpress for his birthday, but OMG the pieces are tiny, with 40 different coloured tiles …….

…… if it ever gets finished it will be a labour of love and a flipping miracle!

The elephant in the room for the week was obviously the result of the Eurovision Song Contest …….. now, we didn’t expect the UK to do well, but null points(?) especially when compared to, in our humble opinion, the car crash of a song from Italy that eventually won the whole flipping thing. Admittedly they were always the bookies favourite, but we just didn’t get it.  The UK wasn’t robbed, but a couple of other countries were!

However, rest assured, we will all be together to do it all again next year, God willing, putting ourselves through the same agony no doubt, but well, it would be rude not to wouldn’t it?

Marc loved his sack of birthday presents ……… and he laughed and cried in all the right places, as I knew he would ………

…….. with the £2.50 charity shop hedgehog light taking prime position, under a shady tree in front of the veranda for all to see and admire!

My loungewear also drew gasps of appreciation and admiration as I flounce into the lounge on Saturday morning – sorry no photos …………

…….. as well as laughter, when I wondered out aloud if I’d perhaps peaked too soon, so early on in the day, rather than keeping the big reveal for just before Eurovision started ……….

…….. however, It’s all very casual at the cottage, so I continued to strut around in said £3.00 charity shop outfit for a few days more rather than get dressed properly, in turn saving on any unnecessary washing when I got home.

As you know I always come back from the cottage brimming full of ideas, however, for once, I turned down a potential project  ……….

……. in the guise of this super sized Ikea lantern, if I had the space back at The Towers it would have been mine, painted black and inside a diorama featuring two dressed skeletons, one standing, wielding a broom and the other sat on a chair holding a cup and saucer, both surrounded by glittery pumpkins and spiders etc. but it was just too big to store, perhaps if it’s still there on my next visit I’ll take the bits and pieces to do it, however, Rick was really keen to have a proper clear out, so it was destined for the tip if I didn’t take it.

The cottage has also undergone a few big changes since my last visit in July 2020, including a new bathroom and much changed bedrooms.

Rick is such a fantastic interior designer, his putting together of colours and textures and then incorporating memories and pieces from his family history, always has me sighing and experiencing serious design envy ………

……… like his mum’s flower fairy plates in the guest bedroom.  They also bought memories back for me, as I can remember being given a flower fairies book for my birthday before I could even read properly, a book long gone, but of which I will be keeping an eye out for on my many charity shop moochings. 

Naturally, I came home with a couple of ideas, I need more colour in my life ……… but of that, more tomorrow.