ANGLESEY ALLSORTS

'Cool and Trendy' Thrifty Snippet!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Just thought I would share this with you - Son number 1 - 23 yrs old going on 7yrs - thinks its Sooooo Cool!

The weather being so cold - well! what else can a girl do but sit and browse the web for interesting ideas to share!

This is what you need for the project!

Yes! I can see you are intrigued!!

I found this whilst browsing a Blog -myzerowaste.com, its written by a family who have manage to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill to one small bin full for the whole year! Have a read - its a fascinating story.

Anyway - you know the mantra Reduce Reuse Recycle, well this is a way of Reusing those Tetra Pak boxes (fruit juice and whatnot) - because they are difficult to recycle, mostly they go to landfill, and well all know that is 'Bad'!

So - take your empty box - cut off the ends - wash and dry.

Fold the side in and crease.

Measure about a third of the way up, fold and crease.

I ran the but of the scissors along the creases, to help make a lasting crease.

Trim off the upper third (on side of box) to make a flap.

Staple the two middle pieces together, to make two pouches.

Trim the flap into a pleasing shape.

Put a hole in the flap and pass an elastic band through it, and loop the band as shown.

You now have a trendy little purse for holding cards and loose change!

Fasten the little purse by looping the elastic band around the whole.

Its not terribly big, but holds a cash /library card or whatnot, and a bit of change - just the thing for children's lunch/pocket money!

I thought it might be a nice activity to do with older children.

Give it a go - and help save the world!!!

Just A Few Snowy Pics!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:40:00 +0000

Just had a bit of a play outside today with the camera - its so unusual for us to get any snow here, I thought I should capture the moment!

So here's a few pic's for you.

I don't really like the cold wet stuff, I had plenty of it as a child, but even I have to admit that when it first lays - it is quite sparkly and magical!

Front of our little cottage, even the lane looks white - not much traffic today!

Remember the little fir tree I replanted - it looks as though its been dusted with icing sugar!

And the magical 'Fairy Princess' chair in the garden!

No need to water today!

Just look at the fresh green underneath all that chilly snow!

The last of summer!

I liked the colours of the bark against the white, white backdrop of the world.

Uncas - a happy dog usually, he's part Husky (but I don't think anyone has ever told him!) - not too keen to go out in the cold stuff!

And the chickens! doing sterling work - still laying, only two eggs today, but a wonderful treat. I thought the cold and dark would have knocked them off laying. Mind you they are snug and warm in their little hut. What with hot mash for lunch, grain, layers pellets, fresh veggies and the odd bit of Chinese food to tempt them they have a cushy life! They looked at me in disgust yesterday - their drinking water had frozen over, so they had to have fresh, slightly warmed water to refresh them!

They are all tucked up in their little hut now, I can see them through their window looking out at the white world - I wonder what they are thinking!

Thrifty Snippets!

Washing Soda - wonderful cleaning power!

I have been using Washing Soda in my washing machine for a few months now, it works just as well a all the fancy laundry detergents, at a fraction of the price - 48p a bag I think I paid for the last bag.

I keep it in this old tin (so it doesn't go damp) - I put 3-4 tablespoons in the powder section of the washer, I use cheapo laundry conditioner, just to give the clothes that extra nice smell really. Just a drop - half a cap full of the conditioner, and wash at a lowish temperature for colours - 40 degrees, and it works just fine.
Whites I do wash at a higher temp, but colours - we we don't really get clothes that 'dirty' do we - its not like we work down the pit! Its more just freshening them and getting the odd baked bean juice out of the t shirt!

Well if it was good enough for our Grandmothers - an all that!

And the washing soda is is inexpensive - give it a go, you've nothing to lose, just buy the odd bag. I think even Tesco sell it, not that I use tecsco much, Wilkinsons sell it too, and most hardwear-y kinds of shops - Stermat is our local.

It can be used for all kinds of cleaning, I use it for just about everything - there will be loads of advice on the net - just Google it!

xx That's it for now -stay safe in this icy wet stuff! xx

Who's On Board For A Thrifty 2010?

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:39:00 +0000

Well! that's it then, out with the Old in with the New, and all that.

A brand spanking new year! Here's wishing you all whatever you would wish for yourselves!

I'm not making any New Year's Resolutions - I can never keep them. Lets say I hope to do better in all areas - more crafting, better thrifting, better money management, healthier living - all the usual really.

I do hope you all had a good Christmas/New Year break - it makes a change doesn't it - a bit of feasting, spending time with family, general jolliness. We did.

We even got our little bit of snow - some of it is still hanging about.

We just had a couple of inches, nothing much really, but once it had frozen, thawed a little and frozen again, conditions underfoot were treacherous!

So much so that I went to the local supermarket and bought some bags of rock salt to scatter on the paths. I really don't want to be falling down - I have a good track record in that department ( Hubby P is convinced i do it as an attention seeking ploy - well last time I had two hulking ambulance men come to my aid! ).

I must say, I was very pleased with the service I got at the supermarket - when I went for the salt. There was a young man there who loaded my trolley for me, he assured me the bags were very heavy and I really should have help (strange really, I am beginning to feel that bit older - did this young man see me as an 'older lady' ?- I suppose he did! I did have a granny hat on! ). Anyway, I sent a message to his manager, I think it is so important to give a positive response, to say you appreciate good service. So often we are so quick to complain about shoddy service.

Just before the snow, I set up this little indoor garden,. The little cloche/glass house was a Christmas present from the family - how well they know me!

We had looked in the Garden Centre for a very small fern, or something similar, but there was nothing suitable, so I pinched a little one from my hedgerow (there were lots, I took only a little). The fern is still a little too big, but it looks pretty, and can you see - peeping out, some little 'pennies' of navel wort amongst the moss.

Its nice to have a little bit of fresh green to look at, lets hope Spring is not too far away!

Thrifty Snippets

This year I am really going to try hard to make my pennies stretch. It shocks me sometimes - how costly it is, just to live!

So I am looking at all and every way to save money and not waste anything. I thought I would blog my foray into Thriftyness, then perhaps we can share ideas and experiences, I think reading lot of your blogs, a lot of people are of a similar mind. It would be nice if you could either leave a comment on you thrifty ideas or slip it in your own blog ( I know a lot of you are anyway) What we need is a community of Thrifty Seekers - all there to help and inspire one another!

So today's Thrifty Snippet - Lidl was selling Brussels sprouts at 36p a big bag, I bought two, peeled them, saved the outer leaves for the rabbits and chickens (its so hard to find green stuff for them at this time of year) and put the prepared Brussels in the freezer.

As you can see, I had them a few days before I got around to dealing with them, and they were getting past their best - note to self - get on and deal with the fresh veg!

Whilst at the animal feed place getting my rabbit feed, I bought a big sack of Pony carrots - huge sack for £1.99. and really fresh, clean, tasty carrots.

I emptied the veg basket, and all the odd bits and bobs left from the Christmas week - half a butternut squash, half a Swede, some slightly withered onions a few parsnips etc, I chopped them all up, with plenty of the carrots and bagged them up as soup mix, and put them in the freezer.
Nothing is to be wasted, the animals eat all the peelings, and the carrots are cheap enough to feed to the rabbits - and they do love a fresh carrot!

Whilst on a thrifty mission to 'deal' with the veg, I emptied the fruit bowl too. I peeled and chopped all the slightly wrinkled apples and pears, added a few blackberries from the freezer, and made a Thrifty crumble.

Yummy with a tin of custard found at the back of the cupboard!

I know really what I am doing is just common sense, and what our Grandmothers did

without even thinking about it. But i think we just get so lazy, food is so readily available, and relatively cheap in comparison to other things, so we take it for granted, a lot is wasted, shocking really. As my Grandmother use to say - just think of all those little Children in Africa! Starving they are - what they wouldn't give for your crusts!

I don't know if that is very PC, but its still as true today - and what Grandmother's say always has a ring of truth about it.

xxx Take care for now xxx

Not A Single Flake!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Hope you are all keeping warm, listening to the wireless most of the country has lots and lots of snow - not a flake here! I tell a lie there were half a dozen drifted gently down, as I was feeding the chickens.

We never get very much here - too near the sea, but we have a lovely view of the Snowdonia Mountains - they of course are soon glistening with the sparkly white stuff!

Hubby P has been 'girding his loins' ready for the big chill. Armed with his thermal long johns, cod liver oil, woolly scarf and bakers cap pulled well down, he's ready for whatever comes his way!

Last night he came home with a van load of wooden pallets - they came his way via Barry the the lorry driver. Apparently pallets are a bit like gold dust, everyone is wanting them as cheap/free firewood. At one time you could pick them up everywhere - it just shows how people are short of money, going back to the old days of thrifting, free firewood an all that.

Last week he found two van loads of wood - someone was having a new roof so he came away with the old timber - lots of nails in the ash, but it burns well enough!

Anyway Hubby P has his pallets so I guess the weekend will be spent sawing them up, they will make the 'posh' expensive logs go a bit further!

Thinking of expenses - and looking at my bank balance! Yikes! I realise - as usual I have gone a bit over the top with Christmas presents and whatnot - well I probably always do - I like to find nice things for my little gang of friends and family.

I feel I have wandered away from my good thrifty intentions - become a bit lazy in my ways - so time for a shake up, get the indulgence of Christmas out of the way, and look at our lives afresh.

Every penny is so hard to earn, I want to make it go as far as possible!

I have been lucky enough to join a friend in ordering from a wholesale, wholefood catalogue - so lots of good wholesome things on their way, nuts and cereals and the like - things that will store well.

And Porridge! We love porridge in the Allsorts household, and its so good for you.

I bought a little bag yesterday to put us on until my big order comes. We all had some for breakfast, the chickens have oats sprinkled in their mash, and the dogs have any leftover porridge mixed in with their food.
When I was younger and working on farms, the shepherds always gave their dogs porridge, they said it did them a world of good - Oats the wonder food!

As I said no snow - but very cold, sunshiney but cold'

All dressed up for the weather - Hubby P says I have more skins than an onion!
I like to be warm! I wear leggings, woolly socks sturdy boots and a long warm skirt - and a coat when I venture outside to do my chores and feed chickens and bunnies.
I took the camera with me today - it was nice and sunshiney!

Remember the old wash tub - well I transplanted one of my Fir trees into it - I have reared this little beauty from a 6" baby, I bought to put in a little Alpine garden I made in an old kitchen sink - that was many years ago. As you can see its grown a bit since then. I will put some spring bulbs around its feet.

These little Honesty seed pods, or Silver Pennies, are standing bravely against the cold and wet. They look so pretty shining in the sun.

Still one or two roses - hanging on.

When we first moved to Wales I was amazed that we still had roses in December, it is so mild here compared to Lancashire from whence we came.

It reminded me of this little verse I found somewhere.

'God gave us Memories

That we may have

Roses in December'

I think that is so sweet!

A splash of colour in the pond!

The fish are not too bothered what the weather throws at them!

You all take care now, this white stuff is okay, but can be a hazard!

xxx

Are You Ready? Will He Be Comming To Your House??

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:06:00 +0000

Hi Folks!

Are your ready for Christmas? Or more importantly are you ready for the Big Freeze the weather men are promising us! Why is it we always get caught unprepared when it is winter for heavens sake!

Richard brought this lovely wreath home from work today, a friend of his makes them from all the lovely things growing in her garden - its so pretty!

Friday saw the delivery of a load of logs - we will be ready for any cold snap they care to throw at us!

Rich and I stacked them - what a job! Its true what they say about wood warming you twice - once when you cut it (stacking it was enough for me!) and again when you burn it!

At least we wont be cold - mind you the wood man was saying there has been a 40% increase in people buying/using woodburning stoves and its difficult for him to find enough wood for all his customers. No doubt the price will go up!

We stack it up in the inglenook to dry off a bit
, and burn it along side a mixture of free, cheap-y, salvage wood, to make the expensive logs go a bit further.

Little 'ol Christmas tree has been potted up, and a few baubles flung on it - looks quite festive!

I dug out the old fairy for atop the tree. She is as old as me, although she has a makeover last year and now looks quite smart. For years she only had one arm - doing our bit for Diversity, and Employment for the Disabled. However due to the wonders of modern prosthetics she now has a nice new arm - although we've misplaced her wand! maybe Father Christmas will bring her a new one.

Much Jollity, and Merry Making over the Weekend - Hubby P's Birthday, just a family bash - but a houseful!

Here's me - nothing changes - height of the evening and still I am caught with a brew in hand! (cup of tea if you're not from the north). I have sort of got out of drinking - although i am partial to a drop of something warming in my tea!

All four lads managed to come, first time for 5 years they have all been in the same room at the same time! This modern life - I don't think it helps family relationships, we seem to be flung far and wide, we talk on the phone, and exchange photo's and whatnot. But its not the same as all being together - having a real good hug and a laugh!

Hubby P had a real good time - he had cake and everything!

Sunday the lads went off to the beach, and brought me back a present!

A lovely bit of driftwood for the garden.

The beach was lovely - just a bit cold!

The tide must have been really heavy to have thrown such large chunks of trees well up the beach.

I liked this last photo - Father and son, they even walk alike!

We had such a nice weekend - its nice to make the effort, to be together, and make memories!

There were people we missed, but they too, were there in our hearts.

xxx Take care now xxx keep warm xxx

What Can A Girl Do - But Make Soup!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Well Hello there folks!

What a wet,wet, wet week - I think we've been almost washed away! And yet again this morning I woke to the sound of yet more of the wet stuff. Hubby P - Bless him, brought me my cup of tea in bed and said 'If I were you I would stop there - its awful wet again!'

For two pins I could have taken him at his word, and hidden under the duvet all day!

But - much to do, and first things first - a big pan of soup to make. I live on the stuff when its cold and wet, its so warming, and I like to make it colourful - cheery!

So its a bit of - its raining - make soup!

Time is marching on - I can no longer pretend Christmas is ages away. We have the boys coming at the weekend, so all Father Christmas's things will have to be wrapped so they can be sent to F Christmas. All the little ones are getting excited!

I saw some cute little trees at the car boot sale, I will only have a tree if they are rooted and small enough to go in a pot. Then I keep them for couple of years bringing them in for Christmas, until they are too big for the pot (then they go in the garden), and I start again looking for a baby tree! Mind you the last couple of years we haven't had a tree - well not in the conventional sense, I think last year I decorated our little bay tree.

Its quite a little cutie -the tree. Just waiting for the rain to stop then I can hunt out a big enough pot and plant it up!

All this cold weather and the chickens are feeling it, its about this time of year that I start doing hot mash for them, I like to think it helps keep them warm and well nourished.

I have an old pan for the job, and each day I boil up all the potato and veg peelings
and any old scraps, when they are cooked through I drain them and give it a mash up adding any old bits of bread, a few oats maybe, old cereal -anything really, to dry it off a bit and make it a bit more interesting. I have found they like rice and noodles, and bits of fruit - apple cores and the like.

I give it to them whilst its warm, and they tuck in! Billy the rabbit is always first at the dish - he likes a bit of mash!

Speaking of the rabbits, we bought two new ones at the weekend.

This is Smokey - Smokey Robinson

And this is Whitney! She's a bit shy at the moment!

Of course you know Dusty - she's doing really well - a happy little soul!
We decided to get some more rabbits because - well I enjoy looking after them, and talking to the Pet Shop man the other day, he said he would be happy to take any babies (he cant find any locally to sell) - so I thought it might be a nice hobby, rearing little families of bunnies for people to have as pets. I think it is important that children get the opportunity to get close to animals, to learn to care for them, be sensitive to their needs and responsible for their pet.

I know having pets was a big part of my childhood, and still I like to share my life with a rabble of odd ball chickens, rabbits, dogs, and one very superior cat!

Not a lot on the Treasure Hunting front. Car boot sales are full of glitzy Christmas stuff!

I did find a few bits, these were thrown in a pile of what I think was old theatre costumes. The lady stall holder sells wonderful Vintage things, usually a bit too expensive for me. I think she was having a bit of a sort out,and heaped all the costumes and whatnot in a corner - the sign said 'All £2' - so I just had to have a rummage!

As you can see I found a wonderful vintage ermine collar - now I know its very Un -PC to wear fur these days, but back in the day this would have looked just fabulous!
I will display it on one of my mannequins - in the bedroom where it won't upset any visiting vegetarians or whatever! lol!

I think the Spats are a fairly modern day version, they are made of a soft stretchy fabric - they are something I will wear, and of course the pink scarf - is just so very me!

***************

Much excitement in the Allsorts Household - not only have we just had three family birthdays in the past week, which entailed much dining out and general jolliness.

But the Master of the House (well he can be this week!) - Hubby P has a major Birthday this Thursday - Yes its the big Five O for him!

Not that he wants any fuss, and when asked, NO! - he does not feel - THAT OLD!
Its just the creaky knees, sore arthriticky shoulder, failing eyesight, bad back and generally expanding waistline that give the game away!

But we still love him! Boys are coming over at the weekend ( they live away and all have those inconvenient things like jobs and work during the week!) - so we will have a little merriment on Saturday. Families are just the best thing! don't you agree!!

**************

That all for now folks! xx take care! xx keep warm! xx

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:26:00 +0000

Hello there, hope alls well with you!

Just a catch up post, I don't know about you, I seem to be so busy trying to sort out this Christmassy thing! What gifts to find for everyone? I am sure everyone has got far too much of everything as it is!

I've just been outside to see what the 'greenery situation' is - I usually make Christmas wreaths and bits and bobs of decoration from greenery in the garden and local hedgerows.

The Rosemary is putting on a fine show, it is even having a go at flowering!

I espied Charlie cat amongst the plants, he's in Hubby P's bad books at the moment.

On Saturday evening I had taken some steak out of the freezer to defrost for Sundays lunch, I put in a dish and covered it well with a clean teatowel. We returned home from the Car Boot Sale to find the house in uproar as Richard was trying to get all the 'guilty parties' - cat and dogs out of the house so he could clean up the mess. Charlie had been on the kitchen worktop, managed to get at the meat,get the packaging off, and dragged it through the house - dripping blood! Yuk! and was happily sharing it with the dogs when Richard came home!

Hubby P was not amused - he had to have pie for Sunday lunch!

Big decisions were made this week! Due to the digital switchover thingy, we would have had to get a freeveiw box of something similar, so Hubby P started looking on the net at the different types and repeatedly shouted to me (sat in the other room reading)' this one does this, this one does that, do we need it to record?' etc etc! Eventually I was tired of all this rubbish' about things that a) I really don't understand, and b) I really don't care about.
'Look' I said 'for me you could throw the thing out of the window - we don't watch it!'

And so the discussion began - result - no telly!
We treated ourselves to simple record deck so we could sit and listen to our 78's and LP's.

And money saved from paying for the TV licence!

Excitement of the week! Treasure at the local carboot sale!

I bought a chair! Not just any chair! a wonderfully old, comfy,'if only I could speak' chair!

It was an exhilarating, thrilling experience - we -Hubby P and I were stood with the rest of the throng of people waiting for the House Claerance Guy to unload his van. Now usually I stand back - people are pushing and shoving to get near enough to see in the boxes -its a bit mad!

However I espied this chair being carried over the heads of the 'throng' - Wow' - I thought!

So I pushed my way towards the guy with the chair and got hold of one side 'let me help you' I said, he put it down and I rearranged the cushions - I plopped myself down into it, Hubby P was enthusing about it - and it felt really comfortable!

By this time I could see the Dealers inching towards the Seller ready to make an offer - so I shouted (still sat in the chair) 'How Much??' - well he knows me well so he just held up ten fingers -£10! I caught Hubby P's eye and said 'Pay the Man'!

It was all done so quickly - you could see the surprise on the Dealers faces! One of them mumbled to Hubby P 'that's a £100 chair you have there - well done'

As you can see its in good vintage condition, I gave it a good going over with beeswax, and its come up great.

One or two areas of wear, but that's to be expected, and all adds to the charm!

Whilst Hubby P was cleaning down the sides of the chair - pulling out hair pins, straight pins, loads of fluff and dust, he found these.

I am sure many of you will remember Black Jack sweets from your childhood, only these wrappers seemed a little different. You an see they have little Golliwogs on them - well that's been very un PC for a while now. So Hubby P - being Hubby P! did a bit of research on't 'tinternet!

The only similar label he could find was in the Royal Albert Museum, it is a very early 1920's wrapper produced by Trebour for their sweets - Blackjacks, but with an aniseed flavour ( I remember them as being liquorice). Sooooooooooo have we got something rather rare? Is it worth anything?

Well Hubby P has put it on Ebay - just to see - it would be nice if the labels made just enough to pay for the chair!
Will keep you posted!

xx Take care for now xx

Only Two Today!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:20:00 +0000

Hello there! Hope you had a good weekend.

Just catching up today, and musing about the change in the garden - this wind and rain has knocked the stuffing out of the few flowers that were hangin' on in there!

The chickens have cotton'ed on to the cold, the wet and the early darkness, fewer eggs - just two today!

But two just fine specimens!

The Chickens are looking well considering the cold and damp, and the fact that they are rather 'old Girls' - you know - not just as spry as they once were - losing their figures a bit - but we love um!

The speckledies always have a lot to say for themselves!

And Missie here, the last of our pretty little white bantams - well! she's hanging on in there! - she must be very old now. But still she puffs up her feathers and gives as good as she gets - no one pushes her around!

So! dippy eggs for lunch!

Just having a quick mooch around the garden between the showers, the sun was out - it was quite pleasant.

I just love these Autumn colours, I grew this little oak tree from seed, it stands in a pot by the door!
As you can see I'm all togged up for the cold! I went into town on Saturday - big expedition for me! I hate big towns, big shops and all that consumerism - the push, push, push for you to buy, buy, and buy some more . All things you didn't think or know that you needed. Anyway, enough of a rant! Hubby P sweetened the trip with lunch, he went hunting the Charity shops whilst I popped to Evans ( a shop - for those of you who don't know - for hhmm shall we say lovely larger ladies!) I whizzed around the shop - jumpers, cardigans - all that is warm and woolly - I had a jolly good look. I am determined to keep warm and cosy this winter. I bought a selection, thin ones and chunky ones - layering is the key to cosiness I think. I found Hubby P - bemoaning the prices of the Charity shops, took his arm and we came home!

So I may look like a Michelin Man but i am warm and cosy!

Onwards around the garden, I found little bright corners -

Pretty red rose hips, with the most gorgeous pale lime-y green leaves.

This is the view from our gate, the horses are back in the field. When they race down the hill it sounds like thunder!

Still lots of jewel like berries on this Pheasants Eye bush, the birds just love these berries, don't imagine they will last much longer, Mrs Blackbird was having a nibble as I took this.

Weekend Finds!

Not too much, but it was nice to get out have a mooch about, have a chat to friends and whatnot. I bought this little lamp - only £1, so how could I not!

I think its probably 1950/60's, I thought it so cute! The shade has a bit of wear and tear - but hey! its Vintage! its going to be a bit shabby! The base is perfect - it just needs re-wiring and that's not a big job. I am sure Hubby P can be persuaded to sort it out, although it something I could do if I got my act together, its not difficult.

Oops - look an escaped Dolph! Must catch him and put him back in the Christmas Basket!

As you an see the base is in excellent order - its just so pretty!

Got to go now, hunt down, and catch that pesky Dolph!

Bye for now xxx take care!

Six Things! and Christmassy Robins!!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Hello there! All ready for the weekend?

I had a lovely surprise today when I logged on - a nice shiny new Award ! Given to be by Decadent Housewife www.dailydecadent.co/. A lovely lady, one who I have come to think of as a friend, although we've never met (simply an ocean between us!) I think of her most days and look forward to her regular blogs.

Anyway - lovely little Award - with it comes the Six Things - tell six things about yourself that no one knows (or who would really care anyway!)

So here we go -

*I like to have bright colours in my hair, at the moment (as from Wednesday) I have flashed of a Christmassy red amongst my black hair.

*I bite my nails 'something shocking' as they say, but I do so long to have beautiful painted manicured nails!

*As a child I had a pet Fox (rescued as a cub her mother was shot) we called her Popsie, she thought she was a dog, and tried to bark!

*When I was a child my Grandad who was a bit of a dealer, brought home a big wooden box of the old fashioned hard yellow soap. It was summer and we children had an old trestle table - one leg up and one down to form a slide under the hose pipe, which was attached to the washing line, to shower water on to the 'slide'. We used the soap to grease the slide! My mother said she had never had such clean children!

*Another time we went with my Grandad to clear a house. he was often asked to do this by Solicitors and the like when older people had died and there were no known relatives to deal with their affairs. Anyway - as we were removing all the furniture and effects, Grandad was taking the old oilcloth tablecloth from the big old table, as he removed it he found layer upon layer of bank notes. It was obviously where the householder had hidden his savings!

*Standard wear when I was a child was a red balaclava hat and wellies! both myself and my Uncle ( who was only 2yrs older than me and I consider to be more of a brother!) were both kitted out in the red hats - it was so that my mother could see us more easily as we played in the fields surrounding our home! The wellies because we invariably found a stream to play in, although most nights the wellies were full of water, and we had to stuff them with newspaper over night, to try and dry them out!

Not anything wildly exciting I know! Still its all just a part of me!

Now I have to pass this on to six others, then if they choose to, they can keep the ball rolling!

* Josie - sykessillysite.blogspot.com/ wonderful tales of crafting and everyday life!

* Jennie - Fallingdowntherabbit-hole.bolgspot.com/ maker of wonderful ragdolls and the like!

*Juicy Fig juicyfig.blogspot.com/ a Lancashire lass like me, with tales of knitting and drumming!

* Anna hatjunkie.blogspot.com/ a very talented milliner - just take a look at her wonderful hats!

* Silver Pebble silverpebble.blogspot.com/ a talented maker of beautiful silver jewelry.

Well - that's taken me longer than I thought! Who'd have thought I had so much to say!

I just wanted to show you what I'd been up to this week.

I was rooting in my cupboards for something and came across these little Christmassy tea towels ( I must have put them away last spring) Well! I thought - about time you came out, it coming up to Christmas an all.

I so liked the little Robins - I thought they would make nice little brooches, so I had a go whilst I sat watching TV.

I simply traced them onto a piece of white felt and embroidered them. Backed them with another piece of felt - stuffed them a little with little waste offcuts of felt. and sewed a pin on the back.

Bright and breezy little chaps to brighten a winter jumper - or bag or whatever!

How do you fill your time these long cold Winter nights? I do find them hard - I'm not a big TV watcher, but its getting too cold to move from the fireside!

Bye for now xx Take care!

Wrapping Paper Giveaway and Weekends Treasure Finds!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Hello there! Yes, its Monday again - the weekends are just not long enough!

I hate Mondays - its cleaning up day from the weekend, I tend to do nothing much in the way of housework Sat and Sunday - so the house is in a real old state by Monday!

And the days seem so short - it gets dark so early - that's enough moaning! Tuesday tomorrow - and Car Boot Sale day!!! Another Treasure hunt Day!

As I promised I put all the names of the people who had commented on the Christmas Wrapping Paper post, in a hat - and the winner is Da Da!!!

Gill from That British Woman

- a great blog, Gill as no doubt you have gathered is a Brit living in Canada - in a wonderful old house that she and her hubby are renovating - go on have a peek!

http://thatbritishwoman.blogspot.com/

I have gathered a little selection together, and shall pop it in the post for her.

This weekends finds - not too much, it is so cold, I think anyone who stands deserves a medal!

I found a nice little case, its actually a green colour. Sorry the photos are not up to much, the light is dreadful today! I will use the case to store fabric and sewing -y things.

And some pretty little crotchet gloves - very Bronte sisters!

I think they are so pretty, I bought 3 pairs, unfortunately only one pair really fit me well, so I think the other two may go on ebay - I might just get some pennies back, to go a' Treasure

Hunting again!

Here I am, all set to go off for Afternoon Tea - just need a dashing young Mr Darcy to escort me!! And i do so like cake -'Tis my one weakness!'

xx Take care xx bye for now xx

Just a Few Pretty, Interesting Things!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Hello there! Just a few quick words and pic's before the weekend!

You all must have twigged by now that I just love collecting the old and the interesting - no mouldy old coat or piece of fabric passes me by without me having a good look and a poke about!

Although living in a very tiny cottage I do like to have little areas to display my finds, and change them around as and when I find new things - helps me feed my creative mind - keeps it lively!! Goodness knows - I don't want to turn onto an old fuddy duddy, just moaning about my arthritic knees!!

This is just a little corner in my bedroom.

On to new finds - Well! Just the most Darling' thing!

A turn of the Century Wedding Dress!! ( I think!)

Unfortunately the photos are not too good - it is raining 'cats and dogs' here today - as they say. I just nipped outside with it, when the rain stopped for a short while, better light you see - than in the house.

Anyway - the Wedding Dress! I saw it at the carboot sale, one of the regular dealers had it, its not the kind of thing he usually has - it was just hung up on the side of a shelving unit - in a kind of haphazard way. I admired it for a couple of weeks, it was a lot of money for me to spend - just on a whim!
Then Dearest Hubby P! - probably sick of keep going back to look at the dress, he bought it for me. 'Well' he said 'Its not like you had a posh frock when we got married' - which was true, it was a very quiet affair at a Register Office.
It is a lovely thing - I think its turn of the century - but I'm no expert - anyone know about this sort of thing?

As you can see it has the prettiest headdress and veil.

It is a tiny size - women were so very slim then.

The sleeves are just exquisite, it has been put together wonderfully, a most accomplished needlewoman.

This veil is so pretty, so delicate, gives such a romantic feel to the whole ensemble.
I have bought one of those half body mannequins to display the dress on the wall of my bedroom - such a beautiful piece of textile art, it deserves to be show and admired rather than be stuck in a box in someones attic!

A few weeks ago I came across this! No, I didn't know what it was at first - just looked like long strips of a kind of felt like fabric - with a 'Church-y' feel to it. Anyway - it being interesting, and only £1 a strip, you know me, I bought it. There was also a long red velvet, thin cushion - I recognised this as being the sort of cushions (if you are lucky) you get on church pews.
I bought the whole lot for £7! - not that I knew what I was going to do with it! but it was just so unusual!

I folded the cushion in half and put it on the window sill - its very deep, more like a window seat, but made of slate so very cold!

As you can see Charlie cat has made it his own!

As for the felt strips we decided they were the edging, a sort of carpet, that is put around the edges of the pews and other church furniture. The pieces were joined to go around the corners of the rows of pews and whatnot - interesting!?

So what did i do with it - I put it up around my wall, butting up against the ceiling, just to show it off really - again, a piece of textile art ( my new word!).

I quite like the way it looks - it gives a kind of warmth to the room.

I like to think that maybe - just maybe, all those years living in a church absorbing the peace and sanctity of the place - the maybe some of that 'spirit' is brought into our home. Who knows!!

The felt trim looks so rich and red with the Autumn sun shining in through the window!

If only it could talk!

Take care now, and have a good weekend - don't forget to leave a comment on the last post if you fancy a chance of winning the Christmas Paper!

xx bye for now xx

Christmas is a commin!! Fancy a Christmas treat??

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:12:00 +0000

Hello there! Hope you all had a nice 'scary' sort of weekend!!

My shower curtain was 'borrowed' by my Niece's to help dress the house for Halloween - I don't think I want it back! We all had a nice time at the 'Scary party' - lots of 'blood' to drink and chopped off fingers in the salted peanuts!!

And on to Treasure Hunting !!

A wet and windy weekend - but we braved the weather - and how lucky was I!

I found heaps and heaps of Vintage Wrapping paper! And at an obscenely thrifty price - such a buy I can't tell you. I think the lady was just glad to 'move it on'. You know what they say about 'One Mans Rubbish .....!

Its Ohhh so cute! Just feeling it - its a lot thinner than the sort produced today, and the colours are more muted, it brought so many memories of happy childhood Christmas time.

I feel myself so fortunate to have and to hold these treasures of my - or should I say our childhood days, so I would like to share some with you.

We'll have another giveaway - leave me a comment about a your Christmas as a child, and next Monday I will put names in a hat (or something!) - and who ever wins can have a little pack of Vintagey Christmas Paper! Hows that? You up for that?

I've so much I have put some on Ebay - I hope to get some pennies back, and funds will help buy bits to fill the childrens stockings - ready to send to Father Christmas of course!

Every Christmas I try and make a little something for the younger members of the family, just a little keepsake, a bit of Christmassay nonsense to hang on the tree, or put in the stocking.

With the C season on the horizon I thought I should make a start.

I saw something like these little Rudolph type creatures in an expensive homeware shop, I couldn't afford their prices so I came home and put together something similar.

Its nice to get out that special Christmassey fabric from your stash, and play about with buttons (of which I have a few!) and trims!

The 'Dolphs' are really just a squishy soft toy, not too big, nice for little hands to cuddle! They are full of mischief - you can see it in their eyes!!

This one escaped ~ here he is playing hide and seek amongst my Amethyst geodes!!

Woody Dolph! ~ escaped to the garden to play amongst the branches of the trees.

Lets hope the little ones enjoy them as much as I have making them! What is it about making/crafting/sewing ~ if you don't do it, how can you describe the buzz you get to someone who is not at all crafty! ~ Funny thing life! People! ~ good job we are not all the same, life would be boring!

Got to go ~ got to go and do ironing ~ I know! Ironing! Yukkkkk !

xx Bye for now! xx Take care! xx

Bit's and Bob's Pleasing Me Today!!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Hello there!

Just thought i would drop you a few quick lines before the weekend.

I had a wander in the garden this morning - its a bit damp and drizzly - but we have to make the most of the daylight, it seems too start getting dark so soon! I do so miss being able to sit out in the garden, eating dinner and just relaxing!

Anyway on to the first show and tell!

How exciting !!!!!!

Out on one of my Treasure Hunts, I espied this lonely lady, well loved, well used, and now sadly cast aside! Oh how sad she looked, I empathised with her - I too miss my babies and the joy, warmth and comfort they would bring to a tired harassed mother!

In her day she would have been a Queen amongst Prams 'Royal' no less.

I just couldn't see her go to the scrap, She's too big for the house, so she must bide in the garden with the faeries! In summer she shall have garlands of flowers! I will use her to display potted plants - cheer up her sad, tired looking frame.
Just another 'something' - it all adds interest to the garden!

Just don't ask what Hubby P said!

On with the show and tell -
Kale! Kale - lovely kale, I just love the way it looks, just so decorative! I buy it weekly, freshly hand picked by my local organic-y farmer, and I juice it - Big into juicing my veg here!

In the garden, the delight of my Honesty seedheads They look so nice sat amongst the greens and reds of the fading foliage! Can you see the little snails having a good 'ol snooze!

And how about the fresh jewel green of this moss growing at the base of the old kitchen sink, its full of water and fairy moss, it just amazes me how and where it will grow

Yes, yes I know! Another chair! But isn't it beautiful - a chair fit for a faerie princess!

And last but not least - a new shabby old leather bag. Couldn't resist this it looked just so lived in! What tales could it tell!

Plus its fairly large and zips up - I am always aware that there are certain undesirables at crowded places like car boots who will think nothing of helping themselves to your purse.

That's all for now folk's - have a nice weekend.

xx Take care xx Vicky xx

Love Will Find a Way - Oh and the Button-y Giveaway!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Well Folks - its been a wild and windy weekend here on Anglesey! Well all of North Wales i think - we ventured off the island for a little browse around Porthmadog. A lovely little town, always a favorite with Hubby P - lots of Charity shops!

Here we are - the gruesome twosome - just well - getting blown away, sat watchin the world go by! We had our son and his partner with us - Robert was playing with his new camera, we're normally very camera shy!

And as for the 'Love will find a way' bit - just look what we have! Baby rabbits again!

I thought I was most careful preventing any kind of romance between Billy and Mo, but hey! like they say - love certainly did find its way!

They are just starting to peep out of the nest - I think there are three of them.

So cute! I will keep you posted.

Here's a couple of random carrots that caused gales of laughter from the men of the house! -Honestly! - so juvenile!!

I buy them from a local farmer who himself was apologising to me for the shape of the carrots! You don't get that in Tesco's! Apparently its because they are grown in very stony ground. I don't mind - they are grown organically and they taste darn good!

Weekend-y Treasure!

A couple more bowls of the Better Maid ware, to add to my collection.

Plus another old 'interesting chair' possibly destined for the garden as an 'Artistic; feature! Unless I can find room for it in the house!

The little old Vintage bottle of Cussons Aftershave will sit nicely with the others in the bathroom.

I know its terrible! I have so many collections of all sorts of random things - why I can't stick with one or two I don't know!

But I also bought this!!

When I was a girl I always wanted a musical box - the ones that has a fairy or ballerina that twirled around when you opened the lid.

So - as they say 'Its never too late' - when I espied this I gladly handed over my £2.

I know it looks a bit mucky - I haven't given it a wash yet - but it still woks perfectly, she twirls like a dream to the tune of 'Love Story' - remember the film? Ohhh how we cried!!

She is so cute! Must get on and give her a wash!

And not to be forgotton - The Big Draw, Names in a Hat an all that!

Well I pulled out three ;-

** Funkymonkey

** Serenta

** Sharie - View to a Hill

So well done, If you let me have your details I will get your little Button-y parcels off to you!

xx That's all for now folks xx Take care xx

Car Boot Treasure and General Buttoniness!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:17:00 +0000

Hello there! Just a quickie post - just thought i would do something creative (post a blog) whilst I eat my sandwich, rather than browsing through the new Evans Online - lovely clothes, so tempting, but given I am the shape of a lumpy sack - at best, no amount of lovely clothes hide the fact! Ahhh well - its something to do with my cake addiction I think!

On to Buttons - I've been testing them out, and yes folks - they are all rather lovely and lend a certain cuteness to all crafty projects!

I needed a lamp to put in the summer house, so I found a rather unusual base - £1 at the car boot of course. It is sturdy and rather heavy which is what I wanted, so that it wouldn't get knocked over easily. The shade was just a cheapy thing too - 50p from another stall holder. So I set to and covered it in buttons - and more buttons!

The base is really unusual - its a kind of resin with what look like sweet wrappers inside it - well I liked it. You can tell by the electrical wiring that its quite old. Hubby P tested the electrics and its just fine, so off to the summer house it goes.

I made a similar lampshade a while ago, this one sits by my sewing machine, amongst all the bits and bobs necessary to a sewing/crafting session. Bit like a colourful toadstool!

And having one or two buttons to spare I made a chunky bracelet!

Carboot Treasure - not too much this week, its just getting too wet and cold for people to stand outside selling their goods and chattels - I don't blame them.

I found these lovely little Vintage booklets - a delight to look through.

I saw these patterns for a set of Father and Son underware and immediately thought of my own dear family - curiously enough they declined! And so Very Stylish! I don't know whats the matter with the man! He said something about 'not being seen dead in them'!! He's such a spoilsport - we could have a real old laugh!

These slippers are so cute - remember that time when children were children, and wanted 'bunny' slippers rather than Britney, or Disney Princess!

This last little booklet was issued during the War, a fascinating insight to what women had to do to make their clothes last. Hubby P looked on Ebay - he has a wont of doing this with every treasure I bring home - not one of his most lovable traits I must say. Anyway he says this book has just been published again, no doubt in a more modern fashion.

This original has fascinating paragraphs on the care of your stockings and how it is preferable (if at all possible) to have two corsets and wear them alternately to make the rubber elastic last. And handy hints on how to repair where the bones have pushed through the fabric!

Imagine wearing a boned corset - and stockings everyday, to do your housework, bending, stretching, scrubbing - must have been a nightmare!

This is interesting - the Forward, just thanking 'you all' for the effort put in during Rationing - how very British!

And a bit of Autumn colour in the garden! Hubby P brought home for me the little wire basket - it lends itself well to the cyclamen.

xx Bye for now xx

Buttons! Buttons! Buttons!!! How about a button 'Lucky Dip'?

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:22:00 +0000

Hello there! All okay? Goooood!

This weekends treasure trove - Buttons!

What is it about buttons? They are just so irresistible, the way they wink at you as you go by, their bright jewel like colours, their dinky little shapes - and Oh - so lovely to run through your fingers - as you scan them for those 'Special Ones'!

Well - I found a whole suitcase full of them!

It was late in the day, at the carboot and the Lady selling them just wanted to go home I think. She was selling them at 20p a card which was very reasonable - but why - Oh why, did I have to ask about buying the whole case full - Well! what can I say - the buttons - they just winked at me!

Needless to say - with a sigh, and a raising of eyebrows Hubby P could be seen struggling with a suitcase of buttons (whose zip had broken) to the van!

I paid £10 for the lot - and I mean a lot - really and truly -How Many Buttons Does A Girl Need? But there again 'Need' doesn't really come into it does it!

They are all Vintage but 'as new', unused still on their original cards. The cards themselves are so Vintage-y and cute - just nice to display (well I do have lots to use up - somehow!).

And there are a lot of cards of buttons - approx 1000 - and yes I did count them!, Hubby P thinks I am mad (well that's not new - really) but I just 'Need to Know' how many - you know what I mean?

They are all so delightful, I had great fun going through them and sorting them into piles of the different makers (and counting them!). Mind you it was taking such a long time Hubby P decided he would help me - well that's what he said, but you know he was just as enthralled with their colours, shapes and sizes (I dare'snt say prettiness) as any three year old!

Now he is quite an authority on shape, colour, weight and makers name, and indeed place of manufacture - another string to his bow!

You can see in this last photo some of my favorites, the big pink square ones are incredibly sparkly, real fairy pink!

And so my friends! how about a share in this lovely button-y treasure trove?

If you would like to leave me a comment - you know the sort of thing -'My Name Is ------. And I Am A Buttonoholic'................. and next Monday I will pull two names out of a hat and send the lucky two a goody bag of buttons each.

xxx That's all for now Folks xx Take care xxx

Steak pie to make for tea - I promised Hubby P!

Weekend Treasures!!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:18:00 +0000

Hello' hope you are all well today! Its lovely and sunny here! I just thought I would share my weekend finds with you - I had a thrilling time down at the dump (recycling centre!).

Well you know - or perhaps you didn't, but I do - just so love the look and feel of old galvanised buckets, watering cans, dustbins and the like. I like the idea that they were a useful, homely article, used on a daily basis, without thought, but in their own small way - have their own history. I like to plant them up and scatter them throughout the garden - I know what with the chairs from last week an all - you will be thinking my garden is just one big dump - artistic dump though!

In this large tub - I'm not sure what it was used for - it has no handles, but its so tactile with is corrugated sides, I have planted a large Oak tree that I grew from seed. It has to manage it the tub because I have no room in the garden for another tree!

This is an old dustbin type that I have a Golden Willow tree in - again grown from a cutting - no room in the garden for it!

Well! Yesterday we had a good sorting out of the tool shed - it must be said, Hubby P was ruthless!! Lots and lots of boxes of rubbish for the tip - we only just managed to get there before closing time. I like to go - bit of a jaunt for me - I like to have a good old nosy in the skips to see what people have thrown out, and maybe, just maybe - there is something 'useful' to bring home! Recycling you see!!

And this is what I found, it was buried under an old wheelbarrow and other bits - but I could see its corrugated sides. I immediately hailed a promising looking young man, and asked nicely if he could 'just possibly' dig out this treasure. It must be said he was very pleasent, and got it out in a flash - probably use to batty middle aged women!

Its not at all bashed about - as you can see its an old wash tub. It would have had a handle, but that's missing.

And just look at this soap dish - come handle, how cute is that!

The bottom has gone unfortunately, but it wont matter if I am to plant it up.

So as Hubby P unloaded the rubbish from the van, I stood by waiting to put my tub in the back. I was pleasantly surprised - he didn't say a word! Mind you he was very tired from clearing the tool sheds - nasty grubby job, but we are all so tidy and organised now.

Another find at the carboot was this little shoe rack. I've been wanting one for a while, but I didn't want a large pine one - which there seemed to be lots of, I just haven't the room for anything big!

So this is ideal, and rather cute - I think some clever person has made it, I've never seen anything similar.

It needs a good polish really, but I just had to have a play, to see how it would look!

Have you planted your bulbs?

I filled this little old trug with pretty little daffs - Tata tete I think. (the bottoms gone on the trug - seems to be an on going theme ere' - I am sure my bottoms gone too - well went years ago really!!)

xx That's all for now folks! xx Take care xx

Ageing Gracefully - But All of A Do Da!!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Hello there! Hope you're all well, and keeping warm no the weathers turned!

Just a few rambling thoughts about the changes happening in my little world. I was mooching about this morning, it was nice and sunny,a bit of a nip in the air, but nice to be outside. I always spend a few minutes everyday just feeding the chickens, rabbits and sundry wild birds.Its a nice chore - just to mooch about and enjoy the garden. I take a ramble around, looking for whats new in the garden beds and what is fading away ready to have a long sleep and renew ready for the Spring.

Do you remember the three legged chairs I won in an Auction this time last year ( yes well! I just got carried away - Hubby P wasn't impressed that I had bought three chairs with which he couldn't even make one good one!!) They were such lovely old things - so I put them in the garden - as Art! to Age Gracefully! (Hubby P it has to be said - did have a bit of 'difficulty' with this one!) but as the foliage grew around them they looked wonderful! Seats fit for Fairy Princesses no less!

Well here they are - ageing in a most beautiful way - the moss on the seat is perfection, Man could certainly not produce anything so soft fresh and purely magical! I wish you could just rub your finger across it - its lovely!

All the colours of the fading foliage - like jewels scattered across its seat!

And the wooden backs - like pieces of old Gothic sculpture amongst the leaves and last Flowers of the season. That lovely faded, ancient colour that only real wood can achieve.

The seat of this one, its once magnificent brocade faded and threadbare, just the sparkly strands of golden thread, to hint at its past beauty!

Such a wonderful season, a feast for all the senses, the wonderful colours, fresh nip in the air, and that - oh so 'something' that you can smell in the air!

Yes a delightful morning - lots of 'faffing about' outside, Soooooooooo important to 'ones' well being you know!
So I came inside - eventually to do something useful. I had bought a nice coat at the carboot, but really it too small -who was I kidding! So I thought - 'get it put on ebay, get back some of that money you spent on clothes that raelly you knew would be too small etc etc' - this is me giving myself 'motivational' aggro, is it me? or do you too, give yourself lots of nagging?

Anyway this is the scary bit!

I tried the coat on - one last time - no it didn't fit, and no, realistically I am not going to 'slim into it'!
So I sat down at the computer to list it on ebay - felt a funny scratchy something on my hand, looked down - OMG!!!!!!!! A HUGE, I MEAN HUGE SPIDER!!!! on MY HAND!!!

It must be said usually I am not too worried about spiders - but this was HUGE!
She must have been in the coat all this time - hiding in the sleeve!

Of course all the shrieking brought Richard (my son) rushing in, he was really impressed, and told me to stop frightening the poor thing! I don't think he really grasped who was the most afraid!

Just look its HUGE!

Richard picked it up to take it outside, then it started running - going into/up his sleeve - WELL!! this sent me into a real Do Da!! What is it when you think your young ones are threatened - I know! - its only a little spider! but something really rather basic kicks in doesn't it- I started the shrieking thing again!

OMG - I had to have sweet tea for shock!

Once Richard had saved the poor spider from my 'Totally Over The Top' shrieking!

I think I am getting a bit - addled! is that a good word for it? - in my old age! haha!

xx That's all for now folks xx

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Hello everyone! Hope you are all hunky dory!

Haven't we had some fabulous weather (well here in the UK we have!) - I do hope you have been making the most of it!

Just look at this lovely blue sky!

Sorry its been a while since my last post, 'life' as they say has 'taken over'!

We've been so busy trying to get ready for winter - I know that sounds a bit dramatic - but I am determined this year to be all sorted out with sound, dry storage for all the stuff we have lying around, by stuff i mean ~

* Tools

* Boxes left with us by the lads - Mums do seem to be the ideal depository for all things from dirty washing, to University books, to old records and cherished childhood toys!

* All manner of bits of old car ~ mostly Morris bits that one day ~ maybe, they will be the very thing (nut bolt or whatever) that we need ~ Hubby P has a very strong 'No Throw' policy about Morris bits!

* And of course the inevitable boxes of stuff that one day we will stand a car boot sale with, and make a few pennies.

Does everyone have all this stuff lying around?

Anyway I decided to get sorted out ~ whilst the weather was good, so I dragged out all the stuff, and piled in the yard and covered it in a tarpaulin.

I had this great idea of buying one of those 'quick and easy to erect' metal sheds! Great idea and cheap ~ shed was on offer at a bargin price, could buy it online, they will deliver next day (no having to go shopping around and mauling bits of shed in and out of the van!) ~ Great!

The yard looked/looks a right old mess - so getting the shed up and running to house the tools was a priority.

Well this is it - we call it the Evil shed - what a palaver to put it up! No wonder they are trying to sell them off cheap ~ I can tell you it is the cause of much domestic disharmony! Not only are the majority of the instructions in French ~ we didn't do engineering terms in School French lessons! but the nuts and bolts are so tiny, and Hubby P's fingers so big and rheumatic-y these days ~ things were a trifle strained to say the least!

You can see the itsy bitsy nuts and bolts, and its so difficult to see when you are doing contortions in a windowless shed ~ in the evening when the light is fading ~ of course Hubby P was going to 'throw it up' in a couple of evenings after work!

The upside for me was spending time (whilst holding nuts, bolts, tools, instructions and giving advice, taking the swearing and general shed abuse in my stride) ~ admiring the Virgina Creeper that is draped over the hedge in the Yard. Such beautiful colours with the evening light giving them a jewel like sheen.

And No the Evil shed is still not finished ~ it needs a floor, then I can move all the 'stuff' back in!

On to more interesting things, just look what I found at the car boot sale at the weekend!

A whole heap of blankets (the photos are in the wrong order I'm afraid!) ~ the lady selling the blankets said she had 'cleared' a Monastery. I got stuck in and dragged them out of an old tin chest, the chest had an old address label saying Fanciscian Monastery, Penmarnmawr, N. Wales.

They were being sold as dog blankets, and the lady said any that were not sold she was going to dump ~ so of course I had to rescue as many as I could carry (or rather that Hubby P could manage!) ~ it wasn't 'That Far' back to the car!

As you can see this one still has the Friars name tag on it! How delightful is that!

I got a whole heap, I rather like the blue stripy ones best. I shall wash hem all and decide which to keep ~ the rest will probably end up on ebay (recoup some pennies for more treasure hunting!)

Oh, and here's a couple of pretty, sunny little flowers for you!

Do you remember this little table I bought for a £1 the other week, well I finally got round to doing something with it.

I gave it a couple of coats of paint ~ the same paint as I used for the fourposter bed, I am hoping to have it as a night stand by the side of the bed.

The top I decoupaged with bits and bobs of vintage paper, in what I call a ragged-y style. When the paint was nice and dry I gave the whole thing a good distressing with some harsh sandpaper, to make it look well and truly bashed about and well used. I gave it a good coat of matt varnish, and its ready to go!

It looks well next to the bed - I will take a photo sometime.

Just a little update on the last of the babies, Smokey here is the last one, all others having found homes. She is doing well!

xx TaTa for now xx Take care xx

Handbags at the ready!!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:32:00 +0000

Hello! Hope you've all been making the most of these last few warm and sunny days - well it has been nice here.

Life has been warm pleasant for me for the last few days - a blessing, I am so lucky, this life can sometimes be so stressful! I send you some healing vibes if you are having difficulties at the moment.

I had a lovely day out last week with my sister, to say she only lives a stones throw away, we don't see enough of each other. We had a trip out to a wonderful garden centre - the sort that have nice cafe's, so Lunch was a must!

Its so much more enjoyable browsing around when you are with someone who is just as obsessed as you about plants - and wants to buy almost everything - swearing there is a corner, a space, where such and such would look just wonderful. She said she just loved shopping with me for plants, because if she held two plants up and asked which one, I would just say 'Well! of course you simply must have them both!'

Of course we spent far too much - but what are Mastercards there for - they call it Mastercard - so I say 'Feel The Force', and treat yourself! We call it therapy, after all it would cost a lot more for a stay at the Priory Therapy Centre!

What did we buy - all sorts - a box full!

I just loved all the Heuchera's they had, I chose this one called Marmalade - such a fantastic colour!

This ruby rich sedum was on Sale - half price! How could a girl resist, I know its a bit leggy, but it will be fine and give some nice colour during the Autumn months. I treated myself (I know - treated myself A LOT!!) to this pretty, pretty Wandflower too - so delicate, it reminds me of Fairies, and 'other worldliness'!

So we had a 'Grand' day, It would just have been really nice if Mum could have been with us, sadly she is no longer with us. I like to think of her deep in the herbaceous boarders of Heaven, seaturs in hand, and battered sun hat on her head!

Weekend saw us at three carboot sales - that's going some for us!

Lots of bargins!

A nice little sexy black bottle of scent - an Avon one I think -a Girl can't have enough sweet smelling stuff!

And Handbags!!!! lots and lots - how could I pass these up. The Dealer who was selling them offered them to me at £2 each! She had a whole heap of Vintage bags so I stood in the middle, had a good scrabble through the pile. I came away with these six!

I know, I know - I cant possibly NEED that many, plus the cupboard full I already have. I will have to have a sort out, maybe - just maybe, some will end up on ebay.

Just look at this dinky little bag, it has little compartments, with a scent bottle, compact and even a cigarette case! How smart is that! Just Love it!

Of all of them I think I like this blue one best - well, this week I like the blue! Mind you it doesn't really matter - I have one for every day of the week!

Hubby P is being very Patient - just totally baffled about this Handbag 'addiction', I said he was just 'darned lucky' that I wasn't into wanting Prada or some such - a truly expensive habit!

Nice box!

Just a little something for me to play with, do up or whatever.

I just loved the way it has worn and aged - I just love the history, the story a thing can hint at through its dents, scratches, and faded colours.

Now enough about me, me, me! I seem to have acquired such a lot of delightfully, interesting bits and bobs. So I looked for something - a book or something to interest Hubby P.

Scanning the heap of stuff unloaded from one of the dealers vans, I noticed a crumpled heap of dirty tarpaulin, thinking maybe there would be old car bits or tools, I picked it up.

Just look what I found!

Its what Hubby P thinks is an old Advertising hoarding, or curtain from a tobacconists kiosk, or shop, the sort you use to get on Railway stations. He was thrilled with his gift - he just loves all the researching, finding out where, when, and what for!

I gave it a soak in the bath - what a lot of muck came out, years worth I suppose, then put it in the washer! Its come up a lot cleaner - goodness knows what he will do with it, if he finds its worth anything it will be on ebay! Hubby P's job is still a bit wobbly, so every penny may be needed!

xx That's all for now folks xx Take care xx

Just a Touch Of Tom And Beth Ditto

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:57:00 +0000

Just a quickie - as they say!

Not a great deal to report this week - well not in a 'find's' kinda way.

My garden is all upside down with this strange weather - my Three Cornered Leeks, which give me such a lift in spring with their early fresh white flowers, have decided it must be spring, and are merrily 'making a show' amongst my little Oak trees!

Mind you! the whole house seems upside down with the news that Hubby P's job is a bit wobbly again, he is just hanging on in there - its a bit week to week. Like a lot of people I imagine - this Recession thing doesn't seem to be getting any better.

I just thought I would share with you my newly acquired skill - I've mastered the art of buying music from itunes and downloading it to my ipod shuffle - just love this little sexy pink bit of kit!

What fun I had browsing the music - a girl could spend a fortune (and waste a whole day!) just sat singing along to all the ol' tunes!

I was very choosy - mindful that we may not have a wage commin in soon!

But an afternoon spent with Tom Jones (200lbs Of Heavenly Joy! -its enough to make a girl swoon!!) The Drifters, Mary Black, Dr Hook etc etc has cheered me no end! Everyone is on itunes it seems!! I can see many a visit coming up!

Not a lot at the carboot - a little junky table - for pennies, I thought I could do it up a bit!
Not that I am short of things to do - why is it we can't pass up a bargain.

A couple of nice hats - a girl has to have one or two hats for the winter - or seven or eight or more ? in my case. I know - its gettin a bit out of hand!

I thought this one with the brim was a bit Beatles era - kinda looking! Have you seen all the coverage on the Tv about the Beatles - I just love it all - just to look at the fashions.

This one is a bit small on me - it may end up on ebay - after all we may need the extra cash!

But I do like this pink one - you know how I like pink - got myself some hot pink leggings too! It should brighten up the dreary days of winter!

Tea time now - Hubby P is gnashing at the bit.

xx Take care till next time xx

Oh and here's just an evil looking Chicken - for my good friend Gary!

I Spent The Shopping Money On A Fourposter Bed! - Is That Very 'Blonde'??

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:16:00 +0000

Hello there! All Okay --- Goood!!

Hectic here - still with a houseful, and more guests expected in a week or two - did I blink - where did Summer go?

I wont even mention the rain! and rain - and some!!

Anyway enough of the dismal stuff - Guess what I bought for the princely sum of £35!

A real wooden (Pine) fourposter bed!

Just sat there it was - at a carboot sale - in a muddy field.

You could see it from the other side of the field because the people selling it had put it together - anyway it was late in the day, and I suppose not many people could envisage buying it and fitting it into their Fiesta - or whatever! so - the stall holders were tired and really Not wanting to take it home with them.

I pointed it out to Hubby P and he said -'it'al be a fortune - all that wood must have cost a bomb - but ask if you must' - so I did - nearly had a fit when she said £40, I pleaded my poverty, and asked if she could do better, and she said £35 - how good is that!

I had my shopping cash with me, I don't usually take that much to carboot, otherwise it is just too tempting to a for a girl like me!! Vintage hats and the like - a big temptation! So the shopping money went on a bed, and so its beans for tea this week!

Hubby P looked resigned - but went for the van and loaded it up.

Here it is in its unadorned raw state -in bits! Hubby P thinks it has been someones project - it was without top rails (Hubby P soon acquired these from a woodshop - type of place), and the bed had obviously not been used.

As you can see we were completely unprepared for the arrival of huge bits of bed - we hastily dismantled the old bed and took it to the tip - just to give us the room to try and put it up!

As usual hubby P got out his trusty wizzy electric screwdriver and whatnot and had it up in a trice!

There was a moment or two of domestic dis-harmony whilst choosing paint, I fancied a rather gentle shade of pink - but that was just not going to happen. Hubby P was resigned to the idea that the bed would have drapes - I promised no frills! but he was not going to sleep in a pink bed!

We settled on a nice cream colour.

Its very difficult to get a photo of the bed - the bedroom being that small, but here's a couple of snapshots of the almost finished bed. I have used an old vintage bedspread for the (small - no frills drapes - as specified by Hubby P), the backdrop has a lovely embroidered flower spray on it. And I used some of my Victorian Lace curtains to add some vintage charm.
Believe it or not, the little dress hung up was once mine when I was a Flower girl at a wedding - I was a tiny dot - don't know what happened!

I didn't put drapes at the foot of the bed, for one I hadn't enough fabric, and secondly I just know Hubby P will get tangled and do himself an injury! To be honest, now the bed is up, there isn't a lot of room to get around it - but its pretty - and so comfy.

As I said to Hubby P ' I feel like 'The Princess And The Pea'! - I didn't get an answer, maybe it was wiser of him not to say what he was thinking!

Of course all this moving furniture about makes such a mess - loads of cleaning up, washing down walls where cupboards have been - enough to give a girl the vapours!

Remember the screen - I still haven't done anything with it, the two really bad panels are hidden behind it. The cabinet I use was my Grandparents, as a linen press - keep all my nice table linen and lacy pillow slips in it. It was in the bedroom, but its been evicted from there due to the arrival of the huge bed. So now it resides in the living room - and that means I have to keep the linen looking nicely folded - all neat and tidy!

Here's just an odd pic of my hat pins - a girl can't have too many hat pins!

And gloves - 50p a pair - picked up at the carboot, in pretty pink!

Hankies were 10p each!

Such bargains - how is a girl to leave them behind.

Not much else to show you - I did 'spend up' a bit when I got the bed!

I'm looking for some nice vintage-y bedspreads now - for my new bed.

I leave you with a pic of my sad, rain drenched flowers, where oh' where has summer gone!

(Oh! and note for Gary -I am not mentioning my new domestic appliances - that would be a touch vulgar, but I do have a set of shiny new pans!!)

xx Take care xx Bye for Now xx

Family Time and Sentimental Crafting!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:41:00 +0000

Well ! What a Summer! We seem to have had one lot of visitors after another - not that its not nice to see everyone - it is, but life just seems Soooooo busy!

Have you all had a nice summer break with the children off school and what not? We had our little people to stay last week, lots of noisy fun!

Hubby P was Grandad for the week and had deep, deep pockets for all those yummy icecreams and whatnot.

Our little Grandson is coming on in leaps and bounds - well not literally of course! Such a smiley relaxed sort of chap - the baby not Hubby P, mind you they are rather similar in that respect.

Once we were visitor free, we had to crack on and get some jobs done. Hubby P spent most of his weekend in this position -

He is sorting out my little Morris Minor car (Dixie) -

something to do with the water not circulating as it should. I must say he is very good at that sort of thing!

Whilst he was doing that I did my bit and 'bottomed' her - Hubby P took the back seat out so that I could give her a good clean. The people who had her before us must have been gardeners - the space under the seat was full of soil and odd seed packets with seed still in them. I've saved them just to see if they will grow next year, 1976 was written on one packet.

We also pulled out an old bit of curtain - real Vintage stuff - obviously been used as an old rag, and got lost down the back of the seat.

Here's Sam the bear, Co Pilot Extraordinaire, helping me clean up!

I was quite fascinated that this piece of fabric has survived and ridden up and down in the car for possibly 30 years - where was it from, did the owners of the car have it as curtains in their kitchen?

I felt it was a part of the cars history -so I gave it a good soak, and a good boil wash, it came up fairly well, still a few stains - but they are its story.

I salvaged the best bits and made it into a cushion for the back seat of the car.

And it will continue its journey, bumping along the highways and byways of Anglesey.

And it will look pretty on the backseat of the car!

I just love the design, and the texture of the fabric is so - kinda 'feelgood' if you know what I mean!

~~~~~~~

We managed an indoor carboot sale at the weekend - it rained and rained, and rained some more!
I found this sweet little tartan case - in really good order for £1!

It will go nicely with my other Vintage luggage - and I can use it for storing fabric, the fabric stash is growing again! And the sewing cupboard is full again! - I've had a bit of a clear out and put some on ebay - take a look if you are a sewing/crafting sort of person.

Please don't look at all the chaos on the table - its just a reflection of my life at the moment!!

Just a little pic of Fly - she is settling in well!

Ta Ta for now xx

Skip Finds, Crafting and Pretty Pretty Flowers!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:48:00 +0000

Hope everyone is okay!

Were all fine here, Hubby P is counting down the days until his weeks holiday - away from work, but he intends to start building a shed! - I suppose its no different than us Girls wanting time to do our crafting!

Much enjoying my pretty Marigolds - the garden is full of them so I brought a few in to cheer the place up. With having very small windows set in old deep walls the sitting room doesn't get a lot of sun.

On the crafting front, I had a mad couple of hours sewing this - and sewing on the buttons whilst watching The Forsyte Saga (hasn't it been good - Soames, so creepy yet sexy in a kinda way - I know I sound sad or disturbed even!).

Back to the bag, its made of some old bark cloth I has stashed away, I just fancied a flowery vintage-y sort of thing. Made a rough pattern out newspaper and, well - bobs your uncle!

It was a good excuse to get out my pretty lace and vintage buttons.

And I raided my stash of vintage buckles!

At the weekend we had major dismantling works - well pulling down, any old fashion, the old green house and taking it to the tip - sorry 'Recycling centre'. Making room for the new 'holiday shed project'.

Well I just love a trip to the tip - it just amazes me what people throw away - some would call my looking in all the skips verging on the nosey side! But I take no notice!

And look what I found!

I have discovered that if you ask the nice 'skip guy' nicely for something in the skip, usually - with a nice smile, he will get it out for you.

I found a nice little metal table - someone had painted it in emulsion paint, so it was peeling off (emulsion - not designed to be outdoors), and the loveliest little rough wooden box.

I took them home and stripped the table of all its old paint and gave the box a good wash. There were splashes of paint on the inside of the box, so I decided to line it with old music paper, I left all the rough edges showing to keep the old rough look.

It stands well on top of the dresser as a kind of shelf, or bookcase.

Ideal for my cookery books and whatnot!

The little table I gave a coat of black (its the colour of paint I had in the shed!), it is exterior paint so it should last for a while.

I thought it looks well - to say it had been thrown away - its nice to give something a new lease of life!

On the Garden front, the Cardoon is looking magnificent! I just love the spiky purple tops!

They tower above the other plants, making a real show!

Here they look quite spooky in the fading evening light!

That's all for now folks, take care xx

Hello! Just some odd bits and bobs!

Anglesey_Allsorts@hotmail.com (ANGLESEY ALLSORTS) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Hello there!

Hope you've all had a good week - despite the rain and grey skies! Did you have rain? If you didn't and its been gloriously sunny - I don't want to know!

Not much to show you today - my trusty camera has gone and died on me. I think its dead and gone for good - time for a new one! So although I have some nice bits from the car boot, I can't show them to you - sorry!

Although before it died I managed to get a pic of this darling little cupboard that I found yesterday at the carboot sale. I had to almost wrestle it off another guy, who was busy trying to impress me by telling me he was a dealer, but a few soft words and flutter of the eyelashes won the day!

So I brought it home, gave it a wash, and filled it with the everyday kinda things a girl needs - mostly make up, perfume, hair brushes and whatnot. Essentials! - I could never live in the jungle without a bit of lippy!

It has little indentations on the top, I thought perhaps they were for holding a tray - glass or maybe mirrored. Quite French looking I thought. Pretty!

Because of the lack of new pic's - here are some oldies, some of my favorite things!

Hats!

Flowers!

Family!

Food! - a guilty one I'm afraid!

Gardening!

Dixie - my little Morris!

Well that's got to be it for now - take care x