Wednesday 6 August 2008

Bargain and boots

Yes I know it's been ages again. It's so difficult to get any kind of routine while kiddie is off school but I didn't want to say I'm going to have a blogging break during the summer. So, to catch up a bit...
My mega-bargain-that-was-slightly-expensive-really-but-will-be-worth-it-in-the-end arrived today. Yeah - the 25 metre roll of Bondaweb. Have been chopping up pieces that I already had and painting them this afternoon. My fingers are stained turquoise and ultramarine. I forgot what a pig Brusho is to get off!!! I also received a gorgeous Fat Face dress that I won on eBay. Again it was a bit more than I would normally pay but it was cheap for Fat Face and is so lovely now I have it. And it came in time for my hols. Yay!!
On Sunday Evie and I hit the car boot sale. I kept bumping into people I knew, not least of these was Megan who I did my C&G Patchwork and Quilting with. It was so fab to see her again and we were yacking away for ages (much to Evie's disgust). We lost touch at the end of the course due to family circs :o( M was selling off much of her patchwork stuff as she is focussing on her knitting and crochet now. The following 2 books were bought from her at a bargain price (she was going to just give them to me but that's not the idea with a boot sale, is it?).

The Helen Deighan one is brill and I can't wait to get stuck into some fabric dying again. The crochet one will be great to take to Cornwall with me as I'm determined to get this crochet lark sussed while I'm away.

The next pile of books were from The Works and another bargain book shop in Lichfield. This first one has some good ideas in it (even if the examples in the book are a bit cheesily done). So the Imagemaker and waterslide transfer paper will also be coming out in September.

These final two I bought because I love childrens books when they have fab illustrations. This fairy tale swap has got me all gee-ed up about mermaids again. I'm not actually doing The Little Mermaid for my partner but I've always wanted to make mermaid dolls. The illustrations in these books are just so 'textiley' that I had to have them for inspiration when I finally get round to my doll(s).
And while I'm on the subject of mythical watery beings... Jackie posted a pick of some of her older work not so long ago and it made me laugh. When I was doing my Foundation course I used her piece as a reference in my sketchbook at college. Here is the evidence - I was a fan before I ever knew her :o) An inspiration then and now.

Incidentally she has a great tutorial on her blog at the moment, for those of you who are terrified of free machine embroidery. There's a video and everything. Take a look.

And finally...

My birthday isn't 'til next month but I've just persuaded hubster to buy my prezzie. If you want to see what it is click on the link.

I am sooooo excited about this. We have got tickets for the whole weekend (although we won't be camping as it's only 10 minutes up the road from us - what a dream!).

The Waterboys

Hothouse Flowers

Seth Lakeman

Van the Man

Amy MacDonald

Irish dancing ( kiddie will be so pleased)

and they haven't announced who or what's happening on Friday yet...

13 comments:

walter and me said...

Lots of great books you have there, and wow, what a line-up for the festival. Wonderful b'day pressie! Here's to happy hols here in Cornwall. I hate to say it, but bring wet weather gear a-plenty. It's not cold. Just wet. Mmm. Maybe it'll perk up just for you> Hope so!

Sal said...

Hope you enjoy the festival.. and you behave!! ;-)

silverpebble said...

What a magic lot of books you have there. I'm becoming rather addicted to car boots and it's even better when you meet up with friends there!

Those boots of Jackie's really are stunning aren't they?

Rather envious of you going to a festival and the Waterboys and Hothouse Flowers - that takes me back!

I hadn't put you on my Google Reader and knew there was something missing! Remedied now...

Julia said...

What a great selection of books you got from the bootie sale!
I was checking out your Folksy shop last night and thought how great it looked :-)

artisbliss said...

You did well shopping at the car boot sale. Funny--that always makes me think of some burglar trying to get rid of his haul by selling it out of his car. I'm sure you don't consort with that type, though :-)

I have a mermaid doll pattern somewhere.

I love your new header!

saraeden said...

Hope you have a great time and that the weather perks up a bit !!

Sara x

Apryl said...

I lvoe mermaids... my dad has this vintage childrens poem book and one of the poems was about a mermaid's comb.. I cna't remeber the poem but the illustration was fantastic... under the water with flowing hair, with seashells, pearls and the aforementioned comb... may have to steal it next time we visit my parents.

M loves the waterboys...

liz said...

I'm a mermaid fan as well. Your books look good.

Adele Thomas said...

Linked to you via the message on my blog. Thank you :D I really really love your blog and if it's ok with you I would like to add it to my list of great blogs to read. I also very much love the music on your playlist and adore your boots for the sea nymph really great! Adele X

Jackie said...

I thought I'd left a comment here to say thank you for the link ..so here it is..thanks!I hope the festival weather isn't too bad.
x

Miaou said...

Lovely books! I particularly like the mermaid ones. I find childrens' books are a great inspiration. We used to have loads, which I got rid of when the girls grew too old for them, and I really regret it now!

Kate said...

I was looking at that digital bookie when the girls and I were in the Works outlet store in Evesham. I'm sure it was a fiver there! And I have always done my fabric dyeing in baggies - it's supercool!
Love Jackie's boots! I was telling Penny she could embellish some shoes for her prom and she gave me that teenage look! I'll show her!! xx

Jackie said...

Hi. I wanted to e-mail you (but couldn't find it)to thank you for your lovely comments. I was a bit down in the dumps and you cheered me up No end with all those comments. Thank you. Hope you had a great time in the Cornish Chalet.