I really should use an iron a little more….

I decided to take my friend charity shopping in Thirsk and Northallerton a couple of weeks ago. She’s one for sales but doesn’t seem to trust charity shops for some reason. Maybe she hasn’t had that miracle experience where you are rewarded for your endless trawling with the Perfect Thing, often found hiding on a rail of size 8 Rubbish Things.

This is what I came home with, (and didn’t have time to iron during the brief break in the rain I used to take photos)

I’ve worn this, can you tell? I love it so much – it’s only H+M and isn’t the most thick and durable of fabrics but boy is it cute. I love their prints!

I think I have a secret thing for blue and nautical. This top is a little low, perhaps made for an *ahem* bustier lady than I am. I’ll adjust the front when I have time.

A few things to put away for summer. I really like charity shops that don’t stash all the summer stuff away as soon as they see a cloud! While I’m on the subject, I hate charity shops that group clothes by colour. If I want a pair of trousers I might not know what colour I’m after, but I certainly don’t want to trawl the whole shop on the off-chance of finding a pair that fits me.

Right, rant over :)

More things for summer – I really should be looking for winter-wear but my bottom drawer is a foot deep with cardigans.

And a cute little hoodie for work. Only George from Asda but I don’t want the good stuff getting covered in clay!

So there are the things that I bought and they came to less than a crisp £20 – and what did my friend buy? Two work shirts. Ho hum, she’s not a convert yet. I should have known when I spent half an hour waiting outside Principles for her. I don’t even go in ‘real’ clothes shops anymore. The same item in different sizes and lack of elderly women has begun to scare me.

Beccy

My new creative space…

Finally finished! From this:

…to this…

…to this!

I’m so pleased. Would you like a quick tour?

You see those drawers in the middle there? Well, they used to house my clothes but they weren’t nearly big enough so I moved my clothes into a huge old chest of drawers and filled these with…

…yarn! Lots and lots of (too much) yarn. Is it weird that I stashed it by weight? That top little drawer is sock wool, 1ply, 2ply and 3ply. Below that are two drawers of DK, then worsted and aran, then a drawer of chunky.

My little desk is big enough to sew on and you see those little drawers on the left?

Well, the bottom six house all my pins and needles, scissors, sewing thread, buttons, embroidery hoops etc. etc.

And the top four house my knitting stuff.

Behind the curtain, under the desk, I have more drawers that contain all my sewing patterns (2 big drawers full!). There is also a drawer full of ribbon, trims and bias.

Above the desk there is a shelf of knitting patterns/books and one full of sewing books. The very top shelf has about forty 1950’s Homes and Gardens magazines. Inspirational stuff!

Well that’s it. It’s been a long, hard slog but it’s now a room I feel happy in - and one I don’t mind other people seeing. It’s organised too and I might actually finish that dress I started more than a few months ago…

Beccy

Crochet progress…

The blanket – my blanket – is coming along nicely. It doesn’t look that big in the photos but its about 3 1/2 feet long and 6 (ish) feet wide. 80 rows in and I’m much happier to be into the red. It was looking too cool and I needed the hot colours to make it happy!

I have 18 colours but I accidentally missed out a turquoise on the first run. Now I’m reversing the colours I’ll add it in - I don’t mind if its not perfect. I love the way it’s turning out with a few rows of strong then a few rows of paler colour. 

Can’t wait until it’s finished!

Beccy