Monday, August 17, 2009

Indoor projects...

It may be a strange thing to hear that we are mainly indoors at the moment, at least in the daytime. In Britain when it's sunny you get out when you can, but this summer in France we are currently hiding from the heat! Over the last week, therefore, we have finished long-running projects such as Son 1's trebuchet (now capable of throwing blackberries for the dog to catch) and my rocking chair.This is the 'before' picture. Ben bought the chair for me while he was picking up our incredibly successful second-hand swimming pool - someone was having a kind of house sale. I liked the chair but never got round to finding successful fabric for the cushions.
This is some of the vintage fabric that I bought from the charity shop the other day.It was only when I hung it on the line to freshen up that I realised that the strident tones on the right side looked beautifully faded on the wrong side, so, if you look back up to my first photo, you'll realise that I sewed the cushion cover, quite deliberately, 'wrong side round'. Do you think I'm crazy?
I knew, as we stayed stuck inside, that the internet shopping would come into play... so far, it's window shopping only. I got an email about this wonderful collection today - it's now called 'Created', but in the past I've bought from it as Tearcraft. I guess that 'Created' is a better name - it's Fairly Traded gifts from self-help projects around the world and I love what they have this year. I fancied recycled packaging bins last year, but they were really expensive. How can a Fair Trade one be cheaper? This is only £14!
How could you not love this hand felted trivet from Nepal? £12. I could have a few of those...
More felt! Hmm... I have a lot of sheep stuff, a collection from when I was younger. Only £10!
Although I like an 'ethnic' feel in my Fairly Traded stuff, I can't avoid their 'Country Pastel' range either. These caddies are only £10...
And the blogging winner? I suspect it might be this one, at £12.
There we are, I've had my shopping fix without spending anything! (yet...)

12 comments:

Cal said...

Thanks for the silver cleaning tip. Love the 'cup of twee' tea cosy and yes, I think you did the right thing with the fabric. It looks subtle and fab. x

Carol said...

Internet shopping is fun, I often fill a basket but then leave without paying...it feels good to fill the basket and I soon forget what i had ordered, or rather hoped to order!
Love the cosy snug rocking chair, like you i like the fabric the wrong way best.xxx

Dolly said...

your right, its much better inside out!

BadPenny said...

Inside out is usually better I find
xx

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

You asked 'do we think you are crazy?' Mmmm, well you asked!!! No of course not Floss! Actually I think it looks more subtle and pretty that way, the colours were a bit sharp for the look right way around. Love your cushion too. And that machine looks fantastic!! Bet it goes through the layers well. Hope the heat settles down for you soon or you will get far too much done around the home. Have fun!

JuanitaTortilla said...

You make a cushion whichever way you want it. Those window-shopping items are really lovely to look at. I adore the felted rug, and I'm going to check out Created right now.

Lucy Pursglove-Jones said...

Oooh I like it inside out! I'm a big felt fan too. The blackberry catching dog must be great fun to live with :D x

Elizabethd said...

I've found that fabrics work better for patchwork using the back of them, somehoe less vibrant.
Sunny here, but not as hot as in your area.

What makes you happy? said...

What a great way to shop til you drop!
(I hide out indoors whenit's really hot too)

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I'm the exception... when it's sunny in the UK I'm hiding indoors!!

Victoria x

Michela said...

...I can imagine you, sitting on that pretty chair waving one of your precious vintage fans and reading a good book...

Olga said...

Great job on that chair! It doesn't look new and I guess this is the effect you were seeking, great ideas always seem to be simple, but it take a great mind to come up with them. Those felt rags are amazing, so colourful and sweet..