Stay Tuned

Having let the blog be a random scratchpad for a few months, it's time to become a bit more specific. I've been having a little think. What are the main things that interest me here? There seem to be three:

1) Vintage. I love old stuff. Old fabric feels better. Old china sounds nicer. Old stuff has a history you can feel in your hands. I'm addicted to seeking out new treasures and I'm going to share them with you here.

2) Repurposing and recycling. I've been trying wherever possible to buy/find/be given pre-owned stuff to make into new stuff I need. It's keeping stuff from landfill that still has some life in it, it means I don't need to have something else made, and hey! sometimes it saves me a bit of money (though weirdly, not always). I'll share some of my makes with you

3) Home made. I rarely buy new craft materials as I often find vintage notions and haberdashery on my treasure hunts (See 1), or deconstruct sweaters for yarn to knit with (see 2), but sometimes I use new supplies and these things fall into this third category. Like gardening. Or cooking. I'm definitely a learner at both, but I'll share my attempts with you here.

So, that's it. I'm trying to specify
Vintage. Repurposed. Homemade.

Please stay tuned!

Thrift Crazy

At Mum's for the long bank holiday weekend I have been merrily thrifting away my hard earned wage packet.
Something about the car repair bill, boiler service and kitchen tap repair I've had to pay for this week makes me want to spend some on little pretties. Of course, this is retail therapy thrift-style, so really wasn't all that bad.
Here are some of this weekend's pretties. This might be veeery picture heavy. For the full extent of my thrifting madness this weekend, see my Flickr pics!



Pretty Wedgwood plate. The pink and blue look so pretty together.
Here's a close up of the motto



I think this might be pretty old, but I'm no expert on Wedgwood backstamps. Anyone know?


Meakin Celeste platters. Two of


Alfred Meakin Thistle plates. Three of. I love love love these


Losol Ware plate. Know nothing about this. Except I like it!


Sadler Roses teapot. I'm not kidding when I say I've really not spent all that much this weekend. I can't possibly reveal my sources, but this teapot was less than 30 pence.


Such a pretty shade of pink


Two pink and black chrysanthemum cups


Turquoise teardrop shaped bowl.


Looks like something from Nigella Lawson, but I think it's older than that. Here's the back:


Finally, I think my favourite find of the weekend. Sadler mug:

Beautiful!

J&G Meakin Blackberry side plate

J&G Meakin Blackberry side plate, originally uploaded by ninethreeo.

Back to my love affair with J&G.
Last night's jumble sale turned up the following side plate, which I had to bring home to stay for a while with it's J&G Meakin siblings.
Such a pretty shape and design.

A bit on the side

My love of J&G Meakin pottery is obvious the moment you step in the door of my house.

But...

Sometimes..

I'm very tempted by a little affair with their brother, Alfred...



Alfred Meakin tea set


Alfred Meakin Cactus side plate (and Battenburg!)

Tuesday Thrifty Finds

Popped out on my lunchbreak for some recreational thrifting, and found these lovely buckle. Whole bag for a pound.



And just before I left, nearly overlooked: This cotton tape. One and a half reels for £1.



I have crafty plans for this...