Robson & Mason - Haberdashery and Home.

store & save : cola bottle love

SO yes, I am in a love affair with Coca- Cola, I just can't help it, I love their advertising, I love their ads, I love the actual taste, ( If only it were organic- can't have it all I guess though, right? )

So when I was washing these to go to recycling. I thought, these are so cute, almost a rather feminine curvaceous shape, which is too good for the bin- even if it was going to be made into something else.

 

So, I decided to make them into these,

Well- not so much 'make' - just fill them really. They look so pretty and fun and cute and... yes I like them alot.

( I'm also going to fill some more with other bits and things, I'm thinking pearls, mother of pearl buttons possibly- and perhaps some other types of bead- also good for a quick vase my Great-Grandmother tells me )

(images- Laura at Robson and Mason)

Store and save.

In this credit crunch period, it's make do and mend, Keep and reuse, store and safe and salvaging everything we can to create aesthetically pleasing things for our homes and wardrobes.

I've always been keen to store things in posh jars, boxes and printed things, vintage containers, and posh department store storage solutions.

When I saw how pretty this lid was , I cleaned the jar  and left it next to some pins whilst making a skirt- it dawned on me they'd be perfect for storing things in, as you can obviously see what's inside, saving time.

So, I added the pins, and thought how nice it looked. Then it opened my eyes to how other everyday items can be used as craft storage. I'm going for a glass and white theme- I was going to spray paint the jar lid, but I loved the raspberries.

Next on my list, are empty Soya-formula tins, spray painted white, with 1950's labels on.

Swedish buscuit tins, bases sprayed white with the Swedish labels possibly left on the lids as they're designed so lovely and kitsch.

Tate and Lyle Golden Syrup tins are being cleaned and left alone breaking the glass and white theme, but everyone loves their old fashioned branding.

Other jam jars will be cleaned for storing buttons, with lids sprayed  white.

I'm going for a mismatch theme, that kind of works? I hope?????

(images- Laura at Robson and Mason)

idea:: button wallart

I made this to brighten a patch of the house yesterday, and I thought I'd share it with you, I hope you like it.

Buy a cheap box frame, approx 2cm + deep so you have a nice deep space in which to fill. I bought this one from a DIY store we have here in England called Wilkinsons-pick a colour to paint the frame, I used Farrow & Ball Lime White Number 1

I used a selection of our mixed buttons to fill the frame once painted, I also did give it two coats.
( I did sort through and get the brighter colours in the frame first so they'd show at the front.) Put the back back on tight- if you run out of buttons, you might like to put a few sheets of tissue paper in too.

I hope you like them!

I was also thinking of doing one with old Sylko used threads, if could get ones that fit inside the box.

And also one with lots of coloured beads. I'd like to see what you crafty people would put in them!

(also- appologies for such low-light levels on the wall pictures- it's so dark this Spring, come on sunshine!)

Been thriftin'

I went to our local charity / thrift store with one of my good friends this week- I'm going to introduce her on here soon, as she's started a new blog.

It always amazes me when I get home from thrifting, what amazing things you come home with- I have for about a year been collecting old vintage toys for myself- I say they're for my little one, but they're really for me.

An hour spent looking in charity shops to me, is as satisfying as a whole day in Selfridges. I think it's because you know you know you're getting a bargain.

So anyway- I bet you want to see what I got don't you?

Seth's new ride-on dog, he already has 4 ride on toys, but one more won't hurt, apparently, his name is Woof. 

Woof was a bargain for £1.50, I was literally jumping for joy when I saw him, and then I saw this and I was even more happy!

I was so excited when I found this little push along 'jingle' toy, it's marked 1972, and I think the illustrations and design of it-  beautiful.  Cost only £0.70, which I thought was pretty amazing.

I'm not sure yet what this is about, but I loved the cover, they look so happy don't they? And with all the snow we've had I'm hoping it will have a snowy story in for next years story sessions.

I also wanted to show you this Dick Bruna puzzle set too.My sister found it in a Charity shop in Edinburgh, and brought it round for us - She said it only cost her £1.

(It's so cute as we love Miffy in our house and would have paid more for it really.)

There was also a roll of really nice vintage cloud wallpaper me and my friend we're umming and arghing over, but we decided to to leave it behind, but she did get some Miffy books, and a really nice 1950's Scandinavian  prayer book which is full of lovely prints. 

{home} Cold- so cozy up and craft.

I just wanted to share these photos from my home, which feels currently like an Igloo. The ice is amazing. When I stood looking at it, it made me think of fairytales and magical lands where icicles hang  as tall as trees, and the wind is full of glitter.

 

Yes! This is the ice on the steps I accidentally left outdoors yesterday- it's been freezing here and there's been so much snow. And below  is the ice incasing out electric cable that is powering our outdoor lighting. It; It's over an inch thick -quite impressive really!

(Our oudoor friends aren't liking it much either, especially Beasty our Cockeral- he's refusing to crow- and by the looks of things, doesn't like the feeling of snow on his feet. Luckily his lady hens are stilllaying though, I wonder if The Little cotton rabbit Hens   are still laying?)

I came inside, sat comfy and started to read Jennifer at The Make Lounges blog , and that they were having a zip workshop. I also read that they'd had the magical Julie Arkell there to do a workshop! I was amazed when I saw the photos.

These are the ones going  to Jennifer's lesson, really cheer up a cold, wintery day, don't they!

And will soon be listed in bunches of 10 for £1.20- beat the credit crunch at Robson & Mason and make a million cosmetic bags as gifts, or maybe make some cute purses. The ideas are endless for zips!

It was going oh so well

I bought some new Merino Baby Yarn to knit my best friend a blanket for her impending arrival- 

The yarn is Style Craft Pure Merino, so I started to knit away following the pattern:

And, everything was going so well, I felt so pleased!

I did about 15cm, and then it all started going wrong, stictches came off the needles, I  tried to get them back on, and it looked so messy.

So now it looks like this:

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

In my other post, I wrote, how In February I was happy as it was a generally good feeling to be looking forward to the sunnier times ahead- I'm now thinking how wrong I was. 

I know it's not craft related, but I wanted to share this with you. I had a stark reminder today of what I was missing from Christmas.

It's still snowing so much here, you loose your feet when you're walking- It's the most snow I've seen in years in the UK. For that reason we've not been able to mail out parcels for 3days. Which is a nightmare situation- our Royal Mail collection van cannot get up our hill, and we cannot get down.

It's a tricky situation! 

pin and cut

 For the first time in a long time, I've bought a pattern and I'm making a skirt. A six panel skirt. It's a Simplicity pattern, and I just hope it fits once made. Down to lack of time, I've only had time to pin & cut the pattern, but I'm sure I will get there soon.

I feel however it's going to take a while to find the time to  finish it. I'll keep you posted. 

Leave a comment, telling me about what you're making, I'd love to know what folks are making, and see the links to your blogs!

:: february

February has always been one of those lovely months for me. It's a feeling of excitement, as you're now out of the January slump after Christmas, and you know things are going to get brighter, and sunnier as things go on.  (Although- I am not a fan of sun really, I adore snow, ice and chilly air, and desperatly want to move to Iceland.)

I also love February as good things, that are heart warming happen. It's a time for me, to stay indoors working , and in spare moments, learn a new craft. ( The knitting will be updated soon) One of the things I alwats hope for in February is snow , and luckily we have lots here! I live in the highest point in my County, and on a steep hill. 

Right now, I'm too scared to go down the hill incase I slide rather than walk. 

 We made a sleigh yesterday after work was done for the littlleist member of our family, and he enjoyed it very much so.

Now that is what I call 'handmade' some grosgrain ribbon, a office basket/ storage crate and a old sack that did contain chicken feed. Why would you want to spoil the enjoyment by having to buy a plastic sledge that wouldn't last 5 minutes anyway? Handmade is always alot better- I just wish I was talented in the way of carpentry so that I could sculpt one for him. 

I will be on the look out for one on Folksy, Etsy and elsewhere now.

I hope everyone is well, warm and enjoying this bliss.

I just wish everyday could be like this!

Button Ideas

Button Ideas- Vintage Customisation 

Using the mixed vintage buttons jars,  i decided to make a top from the silver themed buttons. Sewing downwards on the neckline. The big black button was off an old coat though, it's very large, but it is stunning.

I then added some on the shoulder line, and on the cuffs.

It was just a really inexpensive teal t-shirt, and now I think it looks a lot nicer. I was tempted to do a pattern in the shape of a big bow, on the front of the t-shirt or maybe a bow-tie shape.

I might make one of the above ideas and share it with you soon,

What have you been making?

*****

Some of the out takes, I wanted to share as they looked so pretty: