Monday 1 October 2012

Recycled charity shop finds

It's been quite a busy week, however I managed to get several more rows of hand quilting done,

pinks and greens

Found a vintage Rowan knitting book, 
first charity shop bargain



This is the cardigan I am knitting, in a rather bright pink, requested by the little girl who will be wearing it!


The cardigan I am knitting





My eyes lit up at the possibilities of a gorgeous piece of fabric,   with rows of tea cup style roses  on a black background. Sent to the charity shop and  hung up in the children's skirt rack,



as a child's skirt



I got my scissors and pins out, and an hour later the skirt became a lovely retro style tote bag.


retro style tote bag



I love it when something I'd pictured in my head  turns out  just the way I imagined it. I had seen the skirt a couple of times in the shop, and decided I could do something with it.

This week has also included my birthday, so the tote bag will go just fine with a pretty tea style dress from Fat Face, along with a rather fine pair of brown boots, The whole outfit will look ok I think with a brilliant charity shop  find of an above the knee coat in a pale mink brown colour.
I am now going to add this blog to Handmade Monday, where you will find lots of wonderful makes from some very busy people!   

33 comments:

  1. So clever to turn a skirt into a bag. And I'll bet that cardigan looks amazing in pink!

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    1. Thank you! I love the hearts you've made! I've been over to the Make and Craft site. It's amazing all the features they've included. It seems a really friendly place.

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  2. Your bag is an amazing success. (not that it shouldn't be.) I love it a lot. You have found some great finds this week and I am a little bit jealous.

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    1. Good luck with your blog tour over at Make and Craft. I have come across two more finds today. Hopefully will put up a post next week!

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  3. Well done on your charity shop finds, I love it when a plan comes together.
    I hope you had a wonderful birthday :)
    The blog challenge is good fun and it's a good way to network.
    It's good to know that the cortisone can work, I was told I could have up to 3 a year but I'd rather just have the one!!!

    Jan x

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    1. Thanks for your reply. I do find that as Monday is looming I think about what I can post. I enjoy seeing what every one has been making.

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  4. I think the fabric works better as a bag than as the original skirt - it's lovely, well done x

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    1. Thanks Wendy. I enjoyed making it so much I'm on the look out for other pieces I can turn into tote bags!

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  5. I love you bag. I'm always mooching around charity shops. Apart from finding half my clothes, I love looking for vintage patterns.

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    1. I regularly visit charity shops in the area. They are excellent sources for knitting and crochet needles. Sometimes I get lucky and find unused spools of thread. Some of the shops are picking up on the vintage theme, increasing the chance of fabric finds. Car boots are another !

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  6. Charity shops are always great place to find not only bargains, but more importantly unusuall fabric and loads of other lovely things. You gave the skirt new liase of life - great looking bag !

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    1. Thank you. I do love finding something different. Good luck at the fair

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    1. Thank you. I love turning a find into something useful!

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  8. Super bag - well done! Happy Birthday!

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    1. Thank you. I had a lovely birthday, feel thoroughly spoilt!

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  9. that bag is soooooooo gorgeous! a lovely birthday present to yourself :)

    i can't wait to see the little pink cardi when its done, i just know it will be super cute! x

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    1. Thank you! I've had a couple of requests for the bag, so am on the hunt for more vintage style pieces. Still knitting away on the cardi.

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  10. Love the tote bag, I know just what you mean about seeing a fabric and knowing you want to do something with it!

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    1. I picked up some more finds yesterday, so who knows what they may turn into!

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  11. Those are brilliant finds. I love how you have turned the skirt into a bag and I bet the cardi you're knitting turns out great.

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    1. Thank you.I might add some embroidery to the cardi, or I have some little cat buttons I've been meaning to use up.

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  12. Your quilt looks lovely, really pretty fabrics. Great bag recycled from a skirt. And it looks like its big enough for fabric shopping ��. Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog.
    Ali x

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  13. I love your quilts and as for the goodies you found well what a find. The bag is great and so good to recyle and make into something useful

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  14. Thank you! I've found some more goodies this week so watch this space!

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  15. I just love the vintage & retro look that's in at the moment, I hope it's here to stay. I love your bag, it must be so satisfying to find some fabric in a charity shop & make it into something else like your bag.

    Melanie x.

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  16. Thank you Melanie. I like both old and new fabric designs, and try and include these in my sewing.

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  17. Lovely quilts,bag and i too lover charity shops xx

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    1. Thank you. I find it very hard to walk past our local charity shops. Who knows what treasure may be lurking!

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  18. What fabulous finds!!! And what a fabulous blog you have - Iäm so glad I stopped by for a visit! :-)
    Hope you have a good week!
    Carly
    x

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    1. Thank you! I visited your blog, the river walk looks wonderful. I enjoy taking maddy for walks in the country side, though she refuses to go in the water.
      Your baby quilt is lovely, and the bag a perfect match.

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  19. Love the vintage look! came here from twitter. Just wanted to say that I love your beautiful and creative designs. It's amazing what you can do with a little imagination. Fantastic! Thank you.

    Please visit my website here and share with friends: Children's clothing thanks so much for sharing!

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I enjoy reading your comments!