Monday, 25 March 2013

Thrifty vintage recycled one of a kind makes

Hope you are all managing to keep warm if it is cold where you are. We have had a couple of inches of snow,

but have been very lucky compared to some areas,  especially Scotland.

I was given a lovely gift of a birdfeeder, complete with  nut holder, seed holder,  container for  other foods, and  a couple of trays, the birds are very happy, except when Mr Squirrel comes along. We placed it so it's in view from the kitchen window, and I find myself standing there with cup of coffee in hand watching their antics. A robin likes to stand on one of the trays to peck at the fat balls, and the blackbirds forage for bits of seed on the ground. Meanwhilethe birds take it in turn to feed, whilst others are on guard  on the branches of nearby trees, and Maddy our dog rushes out every so often to see whats left on the ground!

I planted some pretty violas in front of the shed, just before this cold snap.


The first signs of Spring and I can't help wanting to plant something!


Here is a hyacinth in bloom, on the kitchen window ledge, (birdfeeders in background)
On the fabric side of things....
I went for a wander round the charity shops last week, and my eyes quickly spotted some lovely red roses, and with the wave of my magic wand ( well sewing machine), they were turned into this...




A pretty retro style tote bag for Spring and Summer, with grass green lining.

I also found a rather splendid teatowel, a holiday memory from Devon, plus a blue floral cotton skirt, that combined with bits of this and that, eg ribbon and rik rak  now have an alternative life style as aprons ...

..

One with a red frill, 

and the other with ribbon




Finally I also added a little what not in a hoop to remind me of what I should be doing! Which is why I hope you will take a look at lots of fine makes over at  Handmade Monday http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/

Hope you keep warm, and thankyou for all your comments. It's good to know my little blog is being read.
Wendy x 
Posted by AliceAndFlorence at 04:18

28 comments:

  1. Ali25 March 2013 at 05:02

    Hello Wendy, I love the bird feeder. Isn't it lovely to see them visiting the garden. Our daffs have disappeared under the snow and I'm just hoping they survive. What wonderful makes I love them all, fab fabric and the hoop is so pretty. Thank you for the award I hoping to blog about it this week.
    Ali x

    ReplyDelete
  2. AliceAndFlorence25 March 2013 at 05:49

    You're welcome. I enjoyed making the hoop embroidery for a change...
    Wendy x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous25 March 2013 at 05:57

    I should think that the birds are as equally happy with the feeder as you are with this cold snap. I really wish that I had managed to go and plant some flowers before the snow as my daffs have collapsed under the weight of the snow. At least material cannot be controlled or affected by the weather. Your floral fabrics helped to bring a bit of cheer on this dull day. Liking the hoop with its message.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence25 March 2013 at 10:37

      Thanks, I think sometimes it's too easy to do the thinks you think you "should" rather than the things you really want to do.
      A little bit of what you fancy does you good etc...so I've hung the little hoop up with its' saying to remind me not to get carried away with the "shoulds", if that makes sense!
      Wendy x

      Delete
  4. Ginx Craft25 March 2013 at 10:29

    You had some lucky finds. Love the red roses tote bag. Very eye-catching.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence25 March 2013 at 10:39

      Thank you. I have a thing about fabrics for tote bags, as you can probably tell from previous posts!
      Wendy x

      Delete
  5. Bev Newman25 March 2013 at 11:02

    We used to have a bird table when we were kids and I loved it. The bag and apron's are great. I grew up in South Devon and one section has lots of very familiar place names on it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence25 March 2013 at 13:42

      Thanks. The tea towel was another thrifty find. I will have to search for some more. I am rather fond of a vintage apron or two! I am not that familiar with Devon, perhaps I may give it a go.
      Wendy x

      Delete
  6. sweetbriardreams25 March 2013 at 11:26

    You've been a busy bee! I was watching my birds yesterday on the bird table, ground, fences, everywhere, trying to get some food through the snow. We were happy to oblige! Had to cut some of the daffs as they suffering with the snow. Keep warm. Chel x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence25 March 2013 at 13:44

      We now have a couple of love struck wood pigeons in the garden too. Our daffs haven't even come up yet!
      Wendy x

      Delete
  7. Gertie25 March 2013 at 13:00

    I love the rose bag. Such a bright fabric.

    I'm envious. 'Ethel' our hyacinth is no where near as big as yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence25 March 2013 at 13:48

      Thanks, I am rather partial to rosy fabrics. I have a confession... The hyacinth is one of three, a bit like the three bears. There is the daddy one, (see photo) the mummy one, and then the baby one. All planted at the same time.
      Wendy x

      Delete
  8. Anne-Marie25 March 2013 at 17:13

    The fabric you used for the gorgeous tote reminds me of a dress my Mum had in the early 60's....I thought she looked like Audrey Hepburn in it, ha! What a wonderful find :) Love the aprons, too....very retro. Our birdfeeders have been over-run with squirrels....and a fox!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence26 March 2013 at 05:57

      Funnily enough I remember my Mother having a blue and white dress with blue roses all over it. I love both vintage and new 'vintage' style fabrics.
      I saw a fox in the woods where I take maddy for a walk. I remember being so surprised, and just staring at it and vice versa, then it just disappeared back into the undergrowth, and I've not seen one since.
      Wendy x

      Delete
  9. Lilly's Mom25 March 2013 at 17:14

    Oh Wendy, I love the bag you created! I wish I had the patience to sew like you. I barely was able to sew the lining for my crochet bag!! Your spring flowers are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence26 March 2013 at 06:00

      Thank you very much! I love to recycle clothing and fabrics, especially when I like the result. Sometimes I have to re-think a project, and see what else I can come up with.
      Wendy x

      Delete
  10. Lewislovely26 March 2013 at 13:10

    I love raiding charity shops too, but I'm not usually very good at using the bits I find, and would never have thought of using pictorial tea-towels on an apron - brilliant! Hurray for Handmade Monday teaching me something new, again :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence26 March 2013 at 14:30

      Thanks. They should make for some interesting pinnies!
      Wendy x

      Delete
  11. Unknown28 March 2013 at 09:15

    We've got a hyacinth in bloom like yours - gorgeous aren't they? (although that's about as green fingered as I get!) Love the aprons and the red roses bag - beautiful :-) Simmi x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence29 March 2013 at 00:19

      Thanks. I will be making a few more aprons to sell, so will be looking out for more vintage teatowels!
      Wendy x

      Delete
  12. Highland Monkey's28 March 2013 at 10:48

    We don't have any snow where we live in Scotland, but the flowers have definately decided to hibernate for longer than usual! Your bird feeder is great and the rose fabric is lush. I like what you have made everything into.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AliceAndFlorence29 March 2013 at 00:21

      Thanks. Hope you remain snow free. We had a few more flurries a couple days ago. I am now on the look out for more roses fabric!
      Wendy x

      Delete
  13. Sue28 March 2013 at 10:51

    Love the apron - of course I'm also a bit biased - living in Devon! Think the flowery bag is gorgeous - bright and cheery - just what's needed in this weather... Sue

    ReplyDelete
  14. AliceAndFlorence29 March 2013 at 00:24

    I will be going to Cornwall in May, so will have to do some looking around the thrift shops, you never know a Devon tea towel may have found it's way there!
    Wendy x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Handbags by Helen29 March 2013 at 03:25

    Love the rose fabric

    ReplyDelete
  16. AliceAndFlorence29 March 2013 at 14:12

    Me too. I will be on the look out for some more!
    Wendy x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wendy1 April 2013 at 22:52

    Hi Wendy, the red bag and aprons are gorgeous, love them!! It's nice to see signs of spring on your blog as we are going into autumn, Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  18. AliceAndFlorence3 April 2013 at 12:46

    Thank you. Hope your Autumn is full of glorious colour! It's been a long winter here.
    Wendy x

    ReplyDelete

I enjoy reading your comments!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)