Recycle-nista

I'd never be a fashionista, nor do I want to be. Spending huge sums of money on expensive clothing is not my bag, so to speak. (In fact my actual bag is a high class model but I purchased it for £1.00 from an animal charity shop). I do try and look my best though, obviously, but I tend to buy few items at good prices. Usually this means cherry picking through charity shop rails. I know many of you lovely bloggers do the same.

My lifestyle generally is one of being thrifty, buying only when I need something and trying to buy or source second hand. Thrifty feels good. Good for me and good for the planet. I would love more folk to do the same. Love the planet and she will love you back. Use minimum resources and there's more to go around. That's how it works my friends.

Part of my plan in moving to the Peak District is to start up a new business here. Upcycling, recycling, repurposing and refashioning will be the beating heart of what I hope to achieve. I would love the business to be a totally local affair. Employing local makers to create useful and beautiful items, purchased and enjoyed by local folk, who will keep their money circulating in their own local economy.

I have booked a stand at a three day Christmas event in my local town of Matlock to test the popularity of such a venture. If all goes swimmingly I hope to open a shop in the Spring. I thought you might like to see my first product. Cafetiere or vintage coffee pot covers. Some made from vintage fabric and others from small amounts of scrap fabric and yarn. This idea came from an original cover that I bought second hand years ago.

I advertised in a local paper and found a lovely local lass who loves to sew.

She made the covers for me and has already started on my next idea. I'm really excited about the possibilities. A new business in a new place and hopefully a new home to go with it. Yes, I'm still searching, but getting nearer methinks.

'Ands Off Me Cockles. A Song For The Weekend.

Cro is having a sensational Summer, with lots of talented and interesting folk visiting him at his French home. His post today inspired me to bring this beautiful melody to your attention. Stick with it (only 1.40 mins), as the singer seamlessly moves into a brilliant Noel Coward impersonation.

Current Mood

Chickpea has found hers, it's gorgeous but it needs a lot of work. Sue has found hers and has almost completed it's transformation into a perfect forever home.

Meanwhile I'm still looking.

gif via giphy.com

Did I mention, I'm not known for my patience?

Gaia's Bounty

image via

Our home grown produce has taken a while to come through this season because of delays caused by the house move. We haven't planted as much either, but the little we have is being used as quickly as it's coming up. Sadly I can't see we will need to freeze any surplus.

I had thought being in a cooler region now (in the Peak District), it would be more difficult to grow veg or fruit that need a good deal of sun. Imagine my surprise when our next door neighbour Ted knocked on the back door with two home grown peaches for us.

The mister took this pic, he's called it 'Peaches in the Peak'.

In other news, I recently went to a rather jolly herbal workshop, hosted by a very knowledgeable local lass. My son came with me so it made the day extra special.

We were taught how to make face and body lotions, bath melts and Winter syrups. The tutor had a vast range of essential oils, I used the more unusual Frankincense, Violet, Clary Sage and Sweet Birch amongst others.

The whole experience was a delight and of course the knowledge gained invaluable. I shall definitely be making some fruity soothing syrups for the colder months.

Welcome to my latest follower Beth. Always nice to know the clan is growing.

Busy Bee Me.

My goodness me it's been a busy week. Started off with a house viewing on Monday. Right area, sadly wrong house.

Tuesday evening was a lively talk at the Cromford Mill gothic warehouse by Christine Robinson, former Head Housekeeper to the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. Cheese and wine served beforehand, all very civilised and inexpensive.

Wednesday the Mister was dropped off at Chesterfield station to take the London train so he could indulge in some drinking time with his brothers and some chums. I, dutiful wife, picked up some provisions and sorted out our spare room ready for our weekend guests.

Thursday we popped along to the Bakewell show, as I had won some tickets on Twitter from a very nice local florist, Jonathan Moseley, who 'does the flowers' for Chatsworth.

These creations by Plantology

Friday we zoomed over to Cheshire for a Decorative Home and Salvage show.

Then late afternoon our chums arrived to stay, and we were hithering and thithering all weekend, eating and drinking too much, sitting in the sun and generally having a good time.

Oh, plus our car and washing machine both packed up, so major outlay of the folding I'm afraid.

I'm looking forward to a few quieter days now.

The Innocent

This is a fairly old pic of our puss Pendragon, taken at the last house. She looks like butter wouldn't melt, eh?

She's supposed to be a British Shorthair, but her long and abundant fur grows in deep layers across her body. Said fur needs brushing to remove the excess, but will she let us do it? Definitely not! She is outraged at what she thinks is manhandling.

The latest spat came when I thought I should cut her claws. We haven't found a new local vet for her yet so I thought it would be less traumatic for her and cheaper for us if I did it. I looked on line and found a video of a vet clipping the claws of  a very chilled out puss. That looks easy, I thought. I'll go and buy some special cat claw clippers and all will be well. Fat chance! It took three attempts, with me wearing gardening gloves to protect my skin and I still haven't managed to get her dew claws done yet.

Such a grumpy cat, but we love her of course.

A Polar Bear in Summer

Since discovering Gretel Parker and her wonderful creations a few years back, I've been itching to try out needle felting. I did have an unsupervised go a wee while back and it turned out okay but not great.

So a couple of weeks ago en route down south to a family gathering  I stopped off in Oxfordshire to attend a Gretel Parker workshop. It took the whole day to start to get to grips with the technique, but I had some great support and very gentle tuition. Since then I have spent quite a number of hours finishing off my little bear. And I'm super pleased with the result.

These are all the bears lined up at the end of the workshop. My bear is third in from the left at the back, looking more like a white Alsatian than a bear.  But in my own time I managed to shape him up to my satisfaction. I will put him inside a small glass dome, (when I eventually un-pack it), with some snowy bottle brush trees, I may even make him a hat, or a ruffled collar.

I will leave you with some of Gretel's work, she really is super talented.