Sewing room tales: My 'other' chair, new to me cupboard, new to me table, Spring makes and tea!

I think that my April Fool's Day post missed the mark (not quite Mr Dimbleby's standard perhaps!) but I am pleased that I was able to make someone snort her breakfast through her nose (no name - no pack drill!)

The year is gathering pace and so is The Great British Sewing Bee - I am on the edge of my vintage seat with it all!  I had divided loyalties last night as I was desperado to finish a little Milly Molly Mandy embroidery (thank you for the idea Streetcomber) for a purse (in DIRE need of a purse this week.........). I would like Chinelo to win - there I have said it.

By the end of this post you might be a bit fed up of this corner!

My sewing room is getting a 'bit full up'.....not  necessarily with sewing-related things.  Looking at this photograph every single thing, apart from the radio and daffodils, is second hand.

'Does she not realise that it all looks SECOND HAND - I think that she thinks that I think it all looks brand new! IT ALL LOOKS SECOND HAND: 'PAPER BAG IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD' SORT OF STUFF' . (How that made me laugh - courtesy of The HATTATS)

The wicker lamp shade was a lucky find on top of the wardrobe - I must have put it there a year or so and then forgot all about it!

'She calls that 'lucky'..... I would call it firewood'  

You may recall that in a previous post I had sold a cupboard in order to make room for a cupboard.....This is my £10 cupboard - nice and chunky, solid oak and just right for putting 'stuff' in.  The content of the cupboard is 'work in progress' as this is part of the previous cupboard content just 'shoved in' for now!  It was all a bit of rash purchase so I had not thought this through - still for £10 I am not complaining.  It is a funny old world because about a week later a different charity shop also had two very similar cupboards (slightly larger) but they were £95 each.

Please note that I have not dusted the glass! I am not a natural dusterer

Every sewing room should have one or tins in it I think...possibly...

At such times it is always best to have a cup of tea

I have various bits of this Dolly Days china - bought at a local car boot a few years back - along with my trusty teapot (£1). I have the matching jug but couldn't find it that day...gulp....

Realised that a bag hanging behind the door 'matches' the china!

Shelves are currently being constructed to go above this cupboard - we bought yet another larger cupboard in the Charity Shop Sales but 'deconstructed' it (it wasn't very nice but has nice wood) in order to make the shelving.   

I have finally sorted out the embroideries to make up the: 'Flying Embroidery Formation' on the other wall and then I will be done......though by then I will no longer have any space left to move..... or indeed sew in......

A few days later the daffs were out, the sun was streaming through the window and  I had dug out one of my old clocks that will eventually go on the wall

 Clock yet to be dusted....shameful really.....

I was a bit fixated by the shadows cast by the sun that day

However I am in the middle of making a Roman fort, road, temple, mosaic, lamp  blind for this room - it is going to be made of barkcloth floral fabric but cannot decide if there should be a vintage embroidered border down both sides.  What would you suggest?

'We would suggest that you HAVE A CLEAROUT'

Rude

 You may recall the pair of chairs bought last year for £2 each - the one I painted blue  was shown here and now here is the other one......a pink chair close up.....

Cushion close up really - though I love making cathedral window patchwork this is a very old charity shop purchase - in fact both cushions cost a £1 each many years ago. Ah yes, my friend, we thought they'd never end.......the days when most of my purchases were in the £1 or less category.

I find that nowadays a cushion is essential for my old back

'What is that yellow thing that has snuck in under the radar Jenny?'

Ah, yes, now then Missus ('Channelling Frankie Howerd this morning are we?'), this would be my 'new to me' table.  I am rather partial to a bit of Lloyd Loom.  This was NOT a £1 - this was £25 - it was in the charity shop when I bought the cupboard but I RESISTED it at the time. 

 I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER TABLE/CHAIR/CLOCK/CHINA/FABRIC.......  

When I went back to the shop to give the manager her purse  the table WAS STILL THERE.

CLEARLY THIS IS WAS A SIGN.

Martha: 'IT WAS A SIGN THAT NO ONE WANTS THIS STUFF...THAT WAS THE SIGN AND YOU MISSED IT''

Thank you kindly Martha.  I will  have to get rid of my old chest (steady) to really make 'proper' room for this - but table is already fully laden WITH STUFF!  

How did I manage without it.

I was about to post this and then remembered the photographs which I had taken before all of  different china and different flowers

My sewing room is really a 'get away from it all/ listen to Radio 4 in peace' room (may I recommend 'Cabin Pressure' and 'In and out of the kitchen' if you are in need of cheering up - both make me laugh out loud - comedy on the radio beats the telly every time for me). I particularly like having the radio on and to hear the clock ticking - childhood memories.   I also share this room with all my files and books for work and frequently cut fabric on top of those files and books because I cannot be bothered to keep putting it all away and get it out again

Here I am flicking through the latest (!)  magazine.  What is the message that this cover is trying to convey?  Any thoughts?  I am thinking that I might start a caption competition here.

A very sad note here : this magazine was my very last purchase from dear Mr Langford.  I have mentioned Mr Langford many, many times over the years both here and on Flickr.  After a relatively short illness Mr Langford sadly died recently - we chatted on his  last day in his shop.  When he told me he was ill I made him  a little card  with 'Mary' on it to thank him and show the influence his shop had had - he was very chuffed - his shop meant a great deal to him.

I will miss him.

Thank you Mr Langford.

Sunny times for you all today I hope

PS: Realised that I have not posted the promised 'Spring makes' as indicated in the title so will do that next time

PPS: I was in  Milton Keynes for work last  weekend...and this weekend it will be Basingstoke...I live the high life I really do!