gadgets

Whilst looking for novelty stocking fillers for my three grown ups "children" I came across CSI cookie cutters  "gingerdead men" and a CSI towel......for daughter who is an avid fan of the series. Gingerbread men that have been partially nibbled, skeleton and zombie ones.....Gingernija men....cookie cutter nail polish shapes, hairdryer...lipstick...as well as kiddies TV and film favourites....transport, fish, tools....even cookie cutters for moustaches which seem to be the "in" thing. Flexible moulds for fondant, chocolate and ice.....robots, hotlips, sewing notions, pirate coins, scottiedogs .angels.....alsorts.....even....bullets and guns ! Surprisingly I think CSI deadmen cartoon-like shapes are OK but guns and bullets...no.
But, I got completely sidetracked by pizza cutters.......in all shapes and sizes......chainsaw....circular saw....trick cyclist monkey.....an acrobat....vespa style scooter and an Italian syle moped.....Marg and Bart slicer and grater....even a starship Enterprise ! and many more...... a plastic tenon saw cake slice, a Karate hand chopper for lettace......An alarm clock that you strap on your wrist and it vibrates you awake !! A lot were amusing to see but I wouldn't buy......
I did buy some alphabet cookie cutters that are double sided....one side cuts shape and the other impresses the letter.  .....I may not actually use them for culinary purposes..........I AM thinking of buying the Moustache cutters and impressers......again not for culinary purposes........can anyone guess what I might use them for I wonder.....Lyn already knows, I've told her....she said I don't need them.. !
Wishing you all peace and contentment for the New Year

books books books

These are ebay finds......as I have never heard of the titles or authors I never know what I am getting.......until they arrive...... I only think I know what I am getting....... All these are 15yrs old or more.
the crochet book has a really interesting cover....all freeform-y....the blurb listed all different types of crochet.....sounded quite exciting....an early freeform book ? yummy ! oops no ! it is very clear instruction book on how to do different types of crochet.....after initial disappointment....pleased with it.
Applique book....well it was the mother of pearl buttons on the front that seduced me ! Contents again not quite what I thought I might find.....but very interesting, origins, makers profiles, things to make.... so yet again very pleased with my cheap purchase. (with apologies to seller)
The Pat Olson books....well never heard of her either......but wanted something with painting techniques in like the American primitive style ornaments........step by step how to paint each one....... wish you could have seen my face when I opened these........my jaw dropped.......I couldn't believe it...........
..I......HAD.......BOUGHT......GLORIFIED........COLOURING BOOKS..............! Line drawings to colour in....like a child's colouring book, not a cheapo one, true....but not what I was expecting at all.......then the penny dropped.....like it said on the front of the book....they were PATTERN BOOKS...not what I expected....but in a way.....better than I expected....dozens and dozens of patterns to copy and use, some in several sizes.....really pleased with these.....even though the book is not what I thought it would be!!! As I looked through the drawings I was inspired, I had colours in my head, 3D shapes, wall hangings, applique style etc.....etc.
The moral of this story ? don't buy on ebay without actually having some idea of what you are buying, READ what it says on the book and especially.......don't buy on ebay with a glass of VINO in your hand......because next time....I may not be so lucky !lol

This one was published in 1977....its chock full of ideas. Yes some are dated.....but you just revamp them. It smells a little fusty so its being left open and pages turned occasionally in another room.

two ruffle trees and  a coat hanger tree, a maypole tree.

bottom right trees are made from egg cartons !
At the moment wool embroidered felt ornaments are "in" .......in 1977 they were "in" too! The shapely christmas stockings were in vogue then too.
When I get rid of some of the fusty smell I shall be going through the book seeking inspiration, sketching out my ideas for next years craft fairs.....lol

owls in the bargain book

I bought this old book for £1 from a charity shop...... it fell open at .....the wonderful owls..... so I had to have it. Typically of the 1970s early 1980s it dosn't have the detailed instructions we have got used to today.   ...a pattern to graph up...a small amount of text and the picture of three embroidered owls to be inspired by and copy in your own way. Wonder.....is that why I rarely follow a pattern ? Some really dated things in the book but plenty to revamp. Great find....

Unfinishable Project at The Knitting and Stitching Show at Harrogate

This project investigated the reasons why we had tucked away unfinished projects. Although many of us could finish what we or someone else had started......we didn't for some reason.....often not understood by ourselves......but through this project have confronted the shadowy spectre and survived.

In the second picture is a tapestry piece to celebrate the birth of my youngest son. I knew he'd be my last child, so, when I saw this Glorafilia kit in an ex-catalogue shop, at a hugely reduced price I bought it and set to work on it..........with a baby, time was one issue.......but also I didn't want to do it.......My friend, Judy, loved doing this kind of thing..... but after six months she gave me it back ....unfinished..... I had thought I'd make a similar one but in the 70s colours for my other two children so they all had one.......My son is now 27yrs old......I couldn't throw it away, thought vaguely about chopping it up and completing the remaining section......but somehow that wasn't an option.
Seeing it at Harrogate, half hiding behind another piece.....the penny dropped.....and now I know why I bought it and why I couldn't finish it. It feels good to know......

upcycling a blind

Neighbours and friends know to ask if I want something before they dump it......often the timing is just right ! it will just what I needed to make something....or it will "speak" to me ....and I know I will be needing it and it will be perfect....just wait and see.....sometimes I think...as all de-clutters tell you....I've had it X amount of time and haven't used it....take it to Scrap Store or dump it..... only to find a day or week later IT WAS PERFECT for what I am about to make...............gerr !

So this wooden Venetian blind ....given to me in an unopened state in (embarrassed...cough..cough)....2009......shouted at me NOW IS THE TIME.........
I love dismantling things.....and I soon had a pile of slats.....  Over the years I have made these stars with drinking straws, lolly sticks, cardboard strips, withies, twigs, bamboo canes, pipecleaners/wire threaded with beads and coffee stirrers and now wooden Venetian blind slats ! I lined up the holes so I could thread the cord through and thread buttons on..... didn't like it.....and couldn't work out how to decorate it. Normally I line up the ends of the sticks.....but the holes were there...and it might have worked. So I chopped off the ends with secateurs and made the smaller star. I wasn't too sure of the wood colour and tried and preferred the wood wash. I am quite pleased with the results. Then I tried making the ends meet and ignoring the cord hole because it could be covered or otherwise disguised, produced the larger star allbeit having wonky points which couldn't be "pointed"  I dismantled an old wreath to get the greenery and the baubles. Only the glue is new and the lime green bows....Lyn and I got a box of 600 for £2...need more ideas for lime green bows......Can't even give them to Scrap Store....they already have been given a couple of boxes!

I could see them being the frame for a "star shaped" Santa or Angel etc.....made some tartan circular wreaths and some raggy ones..... It's the fair tomorrow and I haven't got a lot done....so best try and finish what I've started.......
PS............  the fair was last night................the large star was snapped up as we opened....literally... the lady asked the price and then said to her husband...put your hand in your pocket and snap her hand off.........but not one of the little snowmen stars sold.....nor did any of the other wreaths I made.....strange.....may have been the new venue.....

halloween ideas

take the basic folded book spray black add broomstick, hat and cloak..... see July 25th post

 When I went to put the bird feed out.......I saw three spiders webs glistening in the pale morning light and I thought .......net curtains ! and went to grab my camera......

Open Studios day out with Lyn

Open Studios pamphlet. Lyn fancied a ride out to the beach for a blast of fresh air and the open studios event was a great excuse.....and she invited me along.....a welcome change of scene.....and activity.... So we headed out to Bridlington. Managed to get parked easily in the Harbour car park and the first thing I wanted to snap was the fishing boat that was out of the water for repairs... and the lighthouse outlined in the grassy bank.

love the one with tyres

On the way to the Spa to see the first lot of artists work  we passed this wonderful public art work, I think it is fabulous and brings Brid into the 21st Century (it had been looking a little run down) The Spa it's self has also had a make over and looks rather splendid now. We peeked into the ballroom and a dancing competition was being judged. In the past it had been a venue for many big named headlining acts. Lyn posted the art works on show on her blog Liniecat@Large. We stopped for a snack as there was a window seat available .....panoramic views of the south bay. Almost empty beach, tide out, sun dazzling....all emphases the vastness of the bay. I wondered about how to capture it in textiles......how to get the dazzle.....We went to Prospect Studios and saw more artists....so fascinating to see whats on the walls and bookshelves that influences them, and great to see that they are in use on a regular basis. Lyn has commented on the art work all of which I agree with. I shared a studio space where messages were left on notice boards and little work was created and the space used to dump stuff. Not good for the muse....

I couldn't pass this rusty gate..........took 15 photos and not one of the whole gate lol. Lyn snapped me busy taking pics of the gate with my carrier bag dangling from my mouth.........see it over on her blog ! Sometimes only two arms are not enough !

we also couldn't pass the charity shops....where I bought this.......it may be a while before I use it....so you'll have plenty of time to guess what I want it for........I'll give you a clue..not candles........

All in all a great day out. Thanks Lyn. We finished it off by going to Hornsea on the way back for tea......too late to see the open studios there......but there's always next year......Could go the next weekend it's open but 

somebody called Lyn has roped me in to demonstrate rag rugging at a music festival then.......

history wardrobe

hopefully you can enlarge this list, and compare to your own........it was compiled by a man....in case you didn't guess....in the late 1940s early 1950s........
Lucy from History Wardrobe came to do her Fabulous Fifties talk. We have already heard her Titanic talk which Lyn blogged about a while ago. (Liniecat@large)                                   History Wardrobe combines women's history and fashion in a humorous way, its a bit like Horrible Histories for adults ! Lucy collects vintage clothes, artifacts and women's stories which authenticate her talks.

She was dressed in a wraparound pinny with a headscarf tied in a turban, curlers and sported bright red lipstick wielding a feather duster and pretended to clean.....hence the list at the top....1950s was a time when women didn't go to work and was expected, judging by adverts and magazines of the time to be domestic goddesses striving for glamour even while she cleaned.......waiting on her man hand and foot......dutifully putting him and his needs before her own.... all humorously enacted with much face pulling... She touched on the above topic....I left it on it's side so as not to offend the sensibilities of anyone...lol... she quoted from the book......when she bought it....it fell open at the page it where it stated that the position described may not be suitable for grandparents .....as it may hurt their knees.......so she had to buy it to see what other gems it had...it even suggested that women rather than laying back and thinking of England....may even enjoy it !!!!! Just to digress a little here.... when I was about 7/8yrs my friend on the rare occasion we were allowed to stay in their house unattended.....showed me a book...that was hidden behind others in their glass fronted bookcase.....it had pictures and diagrams....traumatised me for life !!! Post WW2 the nation was encouraged to reproduce and Family Allowance on the second child was introduced to encourage young married to be able to afford it. Family Planning Clinics took on a greater role.

A toddlers liberty bodice on top of a modern Women's liberty bodice...when you think that the seams where there because they contained whalebone or wires as originally.....a throw back to baby corsets. A seersucker dress with smocking was a great favourite at this time. Dresses similar  to these I would have worn in the 50s. The one on the right is dyed with the new synthetic dye which are brighter and colour fast.

These corsets have straps on the inside and the outside...you'd need to get an hour earlier just to get into them and......they would't come off in a hurry....remember the suspender belt...a heftier version than the scanty things of today. I was prescribed a pregnancy girdle to support my back and the baby back in the 70s....blooming uncomfortable it was too. Yet body stocking as recommended by Gok are happily worn I believe....I am as nature made me.....big !

This dirndl skirt was made out of a tablecloth and lovingly embroidered......given to Lucy by someone who was in her audience somewhere else. People often made their own clothes....no one else would have anything like it....this lady said she still has the place mats that went with it !!

This lovely dress, hand made, each panel lined to stiffen it to get the right  "look"  It had a little red bolero to go with it Teamed with popper beads....remember them? There were several examples of flounced underskirts to go under it.

The story to this one was that the bride told her bridesmaid to go to London and buy a dress to wear......beautiful sweet pea colours, all hand painted silk gauze....

Loads of women tried this little jacket on.....YES we could handle....fondle.....try on....This style has just been back in fashion !

For the grand finale Lucy changed into a cocktail length glamorous gold halterneck dress. Hair swooped up in a french pleat wearing an AB crystal necklace, long gloves and stilettos....

Thanks to the top ranking Nazi's who wanted fashion for their mistresses the mainly Jewish Fashion Industry in Paris continued throughout the war......but the up and coming designers of London and the America after the war rose to prominence. The likes of Dior and Hartnell were making a name for themselves..................The talk covered all sorts of topics all shot through with the idea of Glamour.... which I remember as mainly as a child as "all fur coat and knickers". People "Dolled" up to go out leaving the bare floors and poverty behind at home seeking the illusion of glamour and a good time. People skinting themselves to buy a dress for the firms dance, going without food and bus fares etc....But all in all a great nostalgic night.

August Bank Holiday

On holiday during a very brief interlude when the rain stopped I managed to take a few snaps..... just outside the caravan....it was a short interlude...!! Another day on a visit to an antiques place....note the rain....I snapped these wonderful penny farthing  bike racks....I thought I had snapped a fantastic seat as well .....but its not on the camera......I know where it was I just can"t spell it !! OK looked it up...Alfreton.... And lastly...did I mention it had been raining? a number of roads were flooded on the way back.....Weird isn't it how you think you have the subject in the viewfinder....only find later you have half a picture of the subject and half of the dashboard in front of you.........Went to a wonderful cheap price bookshop near Buxton...spent £27 on 7 books....fantastic !