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Today I am off work for the first time in a while. I have many errands to run, which include getting hold of some wool for my next knitting project. First I have to pick which pattern to follow though...

I got all these for 10p each at my FAVOURITE charity shop. It's in Farnham and is simply called The Charity Shop. It's so cheap and full of gems, and my favourite bit is walking through the kitchen towards the back room and trying to work out which of the cups and plates are for sale, and which are for the shop volunteers to use on their tea break.

The haphazard shops are the best.

what treats!

Some lucky finds from a recent charity shop hunt.
A mini basket:


I might use it to take an apple and a banana to work with me.

And this letter file:


I love it very much and am now awaiting some nice post to fill it with!

hat trick

It's time to get knitting again.
innocent smoothies are doing their annual big knit campaign in aid of age concern, and this time I've heard about it in good time to send some little hats in.

I think i'll start knitting tomorrow,

x

look after the pennies

i found one



a while back i posted about how i really wanted a piggybank for saving up my pennies (pounds) and the other day i found this little fellow in a charity shop. i love the flowery pattern on him, and how his nostrils look like commas. cute. hope i don't get too attached or i'll find it tricky to smash him when he gets full up.

i'm collecting 2 pound coins at the moment so if you have any spare then do send them in :-)

i realised today that i never posted a picture (or did i? correct me if I'm wrong) of these wonderful handcarved stamps i picked up at glastonbury festival:



i haven't got round to using them for much yet but I'm sure they'll come in handy (they are so nice!)

x

a few new bits

floral tin from oxfam - 79p (i think i'll use it for storing thread & ribbon


pretty little fat bird - 50p (i like to hold him in my hand)


this bow was from a stall at glastonbury - it was the only one there that looked a bit like old ladies curtains so i had to have it.


these finger puppets were £1 each from glastonbury.
i wish, i wish, i wish i knew how to make them - there were so many there (derek bought a yoda one). if anyone has any knitting patterns for cute finger puppets or any links to any then please let me know and i'll be ever so happy!

x

longwinded

time for a mammoth post

i have got a lot to mention today and lots of bits and bobs i've been meaning to post for a while. firstly some wonderful swap packages i have received of late:


top: the super pack it up small package i received from gabriele - lots of lovely strawberry, cherry and apple goodies, so great! - thanks again gabriele.

and below that: thanks to avital for this lovely package for the coloriffic swap-o-rama. such a thoughtful and personalised selection - i love it all!

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alongside receiving lots of lovely post i've been knitting lot of easter chicks, which are now up in my etsy shop:


now, i'm not sure how likely these little folks are to actually sell but i thought i'd test the waters of etsy and see how it goes. i also got carried away knitting and didn't know what else to do with them (as my friends and family were on the receiving end last easter and i doubt they'd fancy another batch)

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back to things i've received in the mail:


a few weeks ago i helped out my friend matt with some cd packaging ideas for his band 'a neat science' - and he sent me a copy of the design he put together.
it's a limited edition cd release and i think it has a lovely handmade feel to it with a printed canvas case and a nice brown luggage tag label - i bet they'll all sell like hot cakes! and very kind of him to credit me for helping with the design as he did all the hard work really.

and talking of cd designs, here is something i knocked up for a one-off cover design for a new single release by a band called stained glass heroes:



The band is releasing a new single and there will be a limited edition of 500 7" vinyl singles pressed, all designed by different artists - which is quite a nice idea i thought! so i've sent off my entry now, and you can look at some of the designs already received on their website. very nice.

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in other news, i went on a nice trip to the local salvation army thrift store the other day and picked up this pile of goodies:


i especially love the green spotty fabric and the floral pillowcase - makes me think of springtime! which is kind of appropriate as it is feeling very much like spring is in the air around here at the moment, the sun has been shining and i've even been thinking about digging out my sunglasses as it is so very bright - lovely!

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anyway, i must go now as this post has taken me quite long enough (though i do think i have more things to say that i have forgotton about) - it is now a whole day after i began! and no, i haven't been sitting here the whole time, i've been to the pub for a banana split and a glass of wine, and to london for a nice pot of tea and museum visit - so i have been quite a busy girl.

and now it is time for a rest - well, sort of, i'm off to the cinema to see the illusionist. i hope it's a good'un,

have a nice weekend everybody!

x

i just couldn't resist

i've been shopping again - tsk indeed - but i had to really as i have signed up for both the coloriffic swap-o-rama and the pack it up small swap this month.

i haven't any pictures to share of things i've bought/made for the swaps yet (they'll be along soon though) but i did manage to accidentally buy some stuff for myself whilst i was shopping, which i will definately share:



^ these pillowcases were 50p each and are so very nice - - -> i am not sure what i am going to use them for yet, maybe some more attempts at purses, or within some illustrations somehow...we'll see. in the same charity shop (which is actually called the charity shop and is the best shop around for rummaging for goodies) i also found this book, for only 50p! i was quite excited when i found it as even though i already have a copy it will make a perfect gift (possibly as part of one of my swaps) as it is delightfully designed. super.



^ i also found these glasses - which were 95p for a pair and are very nice - i'll make sure to post them up in the thrift thursday pool for this week.



^ i got two of these bowls for £1 a while ago now but only just discovered them hidden in my room (i still haven't unpacked all my stuff after moving house, tut) - anyway i thought they deserved some publicity as they are very sweet. perfect for entertaining "crisps or nuts anyone?" heh.

and last but not least i bought this cute little stamper for 50p yesterday:



how sweet!

and here is the stamp it makes:

x

too much shopping

yes, i have been out spending money again (which is very naughty) but i don't feel quite as bad about spending when i am doing it in charity shops, and here are some of the nice things i've gotten hold of this week:




i bought the lovely pink patterned fabric and the miss muffet doll pattern in barnardos and found the gingham bag in the blue cross shop (what good finds!)...the doll pattern is especially pretty and the colours and patterns used throughout are oh so nice. here are some close-ups:



today i also paid a visit to a monthly craft/antiques market held nearby at the farnham maltings and look look LOOK what i found:



what a terribly nice jam pot. i just couldn't resist. my mum bought a really nice flower patterned plate from the same stall - yum. i am not sure if i will actually use it for jam, maybe i could keep sugar in it? (just to be nonsensical) or maybe some buttons? we'll see...right now i am just happy to have it sitting pleasantly on my windowsill.

x