During last week I drove up to New Plymouth to visit with my daughter. She has just moved there to live. We had lots of fun checking out the range of stores in New Plymouth -
(and cafes!) First of all we found a gift shop that was closing down and offered huge reductions on everything left in the store. I bought this lovely floral quilted cushion cover.
(I think I could have spent a couple of hundred dollars easily, but you understand I had to pace myself! LOL)
Then further down the road there was a florist who was closing down too, and again everything was reduced heavily. We picked up this painted chair for my daughter.
(There's something to be said for recessions!) The padded centre piece can be removed if she wants to change the fabric, but she says she loves it as it is. She has good taste - inherited I think!! LOL
I found a few old post cards to use in my art.
In the little suburb of Fitzroy we came across a small shop called Faded Fancy. It was very small, barely room for the two of us to both enter at once,
(and we both had to be in there at the same time!) and it stocked a whole range of lovely vintage linens, buttons, toys, kitchen items, in fact all sorts of old things. We rummaged thru every inch of every shelf! And after making lots of discoveries/purchases, leaving no stone unturned, as they say, I'm sure the store owner would have had to reorganize and tidy everything after we left!
Unfortunately I was so busy, trying to pace myself, and disbelieving my eyes I forgot to take any pics!! Next time I visit there will be photos. I promise!
Our purchases were wrapped in old burda pattern sheets. I didn't really want to unwrap mine!
Here are some of the goodies-
2 small beautifully worked hankies,
some lovely old and very soft cotton floral pillow cases,
and a little linen bag, not sure what this was used for,
Then down the road we hunted in a used clothing store and I found these two items.
This is worked in the palest of blue cotton.
(They have all now been washed and ironed using lavender water, so have the faint scent of lavender.)And of course what day wouldn't be absolutely perfect without a couple of stunning floral fat quarters!!
I was so excited with my finds, like a child with a bag of sweets!
Well off to smell the lovely lavendery laundry!! LOL
Carole ;D
my daughter has recently left all this for the countryside...........
meet Sarge!
Then further down the road there was a florist who was closing down too, and again everything was reduced heavily. We picked up this painted chair for my daughter. (There's something to be said for recessions!) The padded centre piece can be removed if she wants to change the fabric, but she says she loves it as it is. She has good taste - inherited I think!! LOL
I found a few old post cards to use in my art.
In the little suburb of Fitzroy we came across a small shop called Faded Fancy. It was very small, barely room for the two of us to both enter at once, (and we both had to be in there at the same time!) and it stocked a whole range of lovely vintage linens, buttons, toys, kitchen items, in fact all sorts of old things. We rummaged thru every inch of every shelf! And after making lots of discoveries/purchases, leaving no stone unturned, as they say, I'm sure the store owner would have had to reorganize and tidy everything after we left!
Here are some of the goodies-
some lovely old and very soft cotton floral pillow cases,
and a little linen bag, not sure what this was used for,
Then down the road we hunted in a used clothing store and I found these two items.
This is worked in the palest of blue cotton.
(They have all now been washed and ironed using lavender water, so have the faint scent of lavender.)
I was so excited with my finds, like a child with a bag of sweets!
Hi!
Linda also included some American magazines for me, mmmmmm, I'm still savouring them! lol. Also this little bookmark was tucked inside, it's lovely! Thank you very much Linda for the wee baby birds, I think your tag may just win for being cute!
Also to arrive was an ATC from Debbi in Australia, we swapped autumn themes. We both went for the minimalist approach by conincidence, hers is pretty cool eh?
Oh and I forgot to mention I had received some swiss chocolate, (from you know who!) but have stashed it for "in case of emergency" situations! (I have them often, so I'm guessing it's not going to last that long!)
Hope you are all having a fab weekend!
Patty also included a few bits and bobs for me to play with in case I get bored studying!!!
Amongst them was this gorgeous wee playing card, and when I turned it over there were the smallest jigsaw pieces I have ever seen in the wee bag! Double gorgeous!! Thank you so much Patty for your special tag, and an extra hug for the goodies you sent for me to play with!
Last night was freezing, today has been beautiful, a clear blue sky, very little breeze, and some warmth in the sun. A perfect autumn day.
But wait! There's more! Doreen enclosed a little tray cloth for me! I was so excited, it's beautiful, and all the little stitches are so perfect, I don't know how they did it. I can never get my stitches so neat and even! Thank you Doreen, and I'm sorry to say this tray cloth won't be cut to bits and added to art work, but will be added to my growing collection of linen treasures!
Well must off,
As Sunday comes to a close, I hope you have enjoyed or are enjoying your weekend.
This is Nathalie's tag, cool eh! Love the saying and the composition and the girls. Of course much nicer in real life!
And Nathalie slipped this into the envelope for me! WOW, couldn't believe it, it is so fine with tiny stitches! Really delicate. I just love it! Not sure if I'll want to use it or keep it, it's so gorgeous!
I'll keep you posted with the tag arrivals!
Well there is block number 7 finished. Only 2 more to complete. Yay!
The last couple of days have bought the most exciting mail I've had for simply ages! First of all here are 3 ATC's made by Annie over in Australia. The first look as though they have been felted, love the colours,
and this one Annie tells me was inspired by Fannie who is a master with the Neocolours. I think Annie has made a lovely job!
Well more yummy post tomorrow!
This is a piece of boarder fabric which I'm sure I can put to good use, and I couldn't leave these 2 florals sitting on the table!
And then there was this fabric, very retro! I have some ideas for this too!
Today I picked up my CPS mag to find there were 2, both arrived within a few days of each other. So some old art and some recent art lol. My QA arrived just before Easter which gave me some lovely Easter reading.
And the NZ Quilter mag was in so picked up a copy of that.
Well, it's a short week! Hope it's a good one for you,
