I just can't damn well resist

I love charity shops.  You never know what you will find, if anything.  So, after adding to government statistics at lunch time, I stopped off at a post office and popped next door to what my kids call 'The Funny Shop'.

Now, the last time I was in there I asked to see the knitting needles, only to be told that they’d thrown them all away as no one but me asks to see that particular drawer (hidden away in their beautiful haberdasher’s cabinet).  I persisted though as I could see the drawer, then suggested that she let me have everything in there for £5 as there were at least a few things I wanted (I couldn't bear the thought of them going to landfill). DH and I spent an hour matching up needles and sizing everything using the vintage gauge that was in with everything

Today, I could see that the drawer had been filling up again.  I swear, it's my version of crack cocaine,  So, after raking though, I returned home with not quite as bargainous a set of items, but still:

This contains a thread colourway that would not be allowed today - Romany Brown.  Almost as disturbing as the N-word brown crayon that I remember using at my grandparents

I never knew that you could get cotton napkins on a roll!

Parting is such sweet sorrow

As much as it pains me to the heart, I've got to face facts.  I have a whole room full of craft stuff that I'm just not using.  I could do with the space and I could definitely do with any money that could come through selling it all (due to the lack of job at the moment)

My questions to you all then are:

is there anywhere other than E Bay?

do craft items sell there, on folksy or etsy?

do you know anyone who would like to buy the contents of a craft room?
example photos below

and open to give an idea of the treasures within

and another lovely

and a set of shelves groaning with stuff

There is so much stuff. and I haven't even started on the books

Move on

Move on by artygal on Polyvore

Playing around with soulcollage and Polyvore again

It's all good

At home in between contracts again, but life is good

I went to the fabulous Fibre East festival last weekend and lovingly stroked a vintage row counter, just what I'd been looking for, but not at the price they were asking (well over £25).

Today I took my two to my mum's and went round every charity shop in her town, asking to see the knitting goodies hidden under the counter.  There were many, many needles, a few gauges, surprisingly few crochet hooks and wool was like rocking horse droppings. I didn't get to see any patterns (I need more of them like I need an extra foot) as another woman was doing the rounds and scouring the pattern folders. In the very last shop, they have a vintage section upstairs and there, shining out at me, was the very thing I've been looking for and less than a fifth of the festival price.  I've not got a photo yet, but it was very like this one, but without the needle sizer down the side.


I drove all the way home feeling happy!

Wartime apple cake

Wartime apple cake
Originally uploaded by lalheg

This will be my offering for the Clandestine Cake Club tomorrow. The meeting is a 1940s theme in a steam railway tea room, so I've used a wartime recipe. Shame it made such an unassuming if not ugly cake!

DIRTY!

024
Originally uploaded by lalheg

Who dreamt this up - and has anyone tried it?

Blast from the past

DSC01436
Originally uploaded by lalheg

I found one of my first knits in a drawer - awwww!

Not addicted at all

DSC01408
Originally uploaded by lalheg

No woolly goodness to see here, move along now you innocent bystanders

I Aten't Ded

See, I am here, just been through a few things out in the real world!