Tuesday 21 May 2013

Tiptoeing back with My Darling.....

Tiptoeing back into the ether.....not reinvented in the slightest.....just the same....old......stuff.... leopard.....spots.  

Sorry....been very busy....not been sunbathing in an exotic local...I have never sunbathed...in my entire life...

Please tap me on my shoulder if you feel that repetition, deviation, hesitation is moving into this blog and I will rectify it in just a minute (see what I did there.....).  I never wish to be boring...

Thank you greatly for comments......the sole reason for being here....and the soul reason for being here...the fact that you spend time reading this means a huge amount to me.

I am making some bits and bobs for a giveaway that I will LAUNCH (grand!) once bits and bobs are complete and I feel that they are up to standard....

In the meantime I will show you My Darling - who is rather shy and would rather stay here than be moved to  Pinterest...thank you



My Darling purrs as it sews



My Darling  does not answer back...

My Darling does not mind being altered!




My Darling does not mind a close up



My Darling never drops a stitch





My Darling looks good from all angles


Excuse my seat...darling




My Darling looks good in close up....again



My Darling takes on a different appearance...............at night


My Darling is mysterious (please excuse bananas..... far right!)








All-in-all it is simply.......


Back story:  Bought at a car boot two/three years ago - man threatening to take it to the dump...he spotted my weakness I think.  Modern sewing machine = USELESS + packed up... so.... fetched out....  'My Darling'.

Purred into action first time - hums along at the speed of light and is GREAT.  60 or so years old and as good as new.  Only problem is that there is no zipper foot so might have to mix and match with another old sewing machine that I have that does have a zipper foot....oh dear....

Works by using your knee so I could actually sew here even though not a table.

I love my DARLING.

 Totted up the price of everything you see in the second photo - all the  furniture, mugs, light, sewing machine etc - came to a grand total of £44!!!  That - ladies and gentlemen - is why I love second hand!

You do not need a huge amount of money to be stylish.....

'Are you going to tell her or shall I................?'
Rediscovered this photo of a purse I made ages ago...that I no longer have.......so........ as I like this fabric muchly............

...today....... I am going to make another one....... with My Darling !!!!


 Tra La La 
Fiddle de dee
Off I go
Sewing with my knee

 Tra La La
Fiddle de dee
Off I go
Just My Darling and me....

It take all sorts.....

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70 comments:

  1. Unknown21 May 2013 at 10:39

    Yay, thank goodness your back...I was holding my breath, all that talk of minimalism had me worried and now I'm breathless. EE xx

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  2. Barbara21 May 2013 at 10:42

    I was missing you already.....so glad you're back, you are never boring and your blog doings make me smile :)
    Love your Darling machine and all your pictures. The little purse is fab and the fabric is gorgeous.
    x

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:23

      Dawww - thank you Barbara
      It is a real darling I must admit
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  3. the linen cloud21 May 2013 at 10:58

    Oh you have been missed ... love your Darling ... wish I had one of my very own ... happy sewing ... Bee xx

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:24

      Thank you Bee - that is very sweet of you. I certainly see a lot more machines at car boots at the moment so you never know!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  4. ♥ Priddy Priddy ♥21 May 2013 at 11:35

    My Darling is indeed a beauty!...I'm left wondering though if there is anything in your home that I don't covet in some way, shape or form?!
    Happy that reality has let you off for a bit of a bloggy outing
    nicky
    x

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:25

      That real life is a bit stodgy sometimes!
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  5. LeeAnn at Mrs Black's 21 May 2013 at 11:35

    What a lovely space that is ..... great taste you have and an eye for making the most of things others may overlook. Darling .... wow! Also adore that breathless poster, what a film that was. By the way, we love you just how you are, no need to re-invent! x

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:25

      Indeed - poster is a bit faded now, we must have bought it over 20 years ago now!
      Thank you muchly for kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  6. Shortbread and Ginger21 May 2013 at 11:38

    What a lovely sewing machine and even better that it works perfectly!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:26

      Thank you Liz - a bit of a risk but usually these older mechanical machines are simpler to fix
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  7. Georgina21 May 2013 at 11:45

    Sewing machine envy!

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:27

      Where there is one there will be more! Keep you eyes peeled
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  8. Unknown21 May 2013 at 12:35

    I have to agree My Darling was and is beautiful and maybe your best buy :-) I agree secondhand is the best. Happy sewing, dee x

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:27

      Thank you for calling in dee - it is a beautifully made machine
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  9. Vintage Sheet Addict21 May 2013 at 12:40

    Don't tell Mr Bea....but I've fallen in love with Mr Darling, I'm with you on preferring the older sewing machines. Mine is lovely, although she does have tension issues, but so can I so we go together well. Glad you're back, I can do repetition, have a memory like a goldfish (that's not a joke by the way!) oh and that little bag is lovely, oh and your little table, oh and your chair........:) x

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:28

      I think we all have tension issues dear Ada!!! Dom might say that some of us have more tension issues than others...
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  10. Unknown21 May 2013 at 13:31

    I love your little sewing area and your Darling is a beauty xx

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  11. Vintage Jane21 May 2013 at 14:06

    I can see why you are so in love with your darling even if he is cheap! M x

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  12. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~21 May 2013 at 15:08

    Love your 'darling' sewing machine! Such pretty pictures to enjoy with my coffee this morning! :) Have a great day! xo Holly

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:31

      I can see you now having your morning coffee
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  13. Melody21 May 2013 at 16:38

    I love it ~ scary sharp needle and all.... I'd call her Clementine if she were mine....

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:31

      Oh how I wish that I had thought of that - what a great idea - Clementine she is!
      Many thanks for that
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  14. lavender attic21 May 2013 at 16:54

    Oooh me too...what a gorgeous compact lovely-shaped machine in such a gorgeous hue too! Would swap it for a darling of the human variety any day!!
    X Sally

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:32

      It is indeed nice and neat - not heavy - very portable and nice colour too!
      Have a lovely day
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  15. The Faerie Factory21 May 2013 at 17:20

    Oh I have Darling envy she is a beauty ... would never have noticed bananas if you hadn't mentioned them ... Sarah x

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:32

      You will be pleased to read that I have since eaten the bananas!
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  16. KC'sCourt!21 May 2013 at 17:52

    Your little Darling is wonderful.
    Julie xxxxxx

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  17. Unknown21 May 2013 at 18:07

    Hi Jenny,I am envious of your Darling,how do you work it with your knee?forgive my ignorance,the area where it's placed is so fab.I have space for a sewing area envy!!So good to hear from you again,my Tuesday has now a rosy glow around it!!Very best regards from Pam.(Owner of LA BOHEME!Swank,swank!!)

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:37

      Oh Pam - you are heading to be the next MR Selfridge! Thank you always for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  18. Anonymous21 May 2013 at 19:20

    Ooh what a fantastic machine, i love old machines, not only do they work sooo much better but they look so much nicer than the modern plasticy ones. I have a growing collection of "back up" vintage machines, absolutley neccessary in case of breakdowns mid job of course, Catx
    ps, Nosey question- i really like the mug collection in the background of the shot what are they?, and i like bananas too. Catx

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:39

      Good to hear that you too 'suffer' from backup'itis! Far worse addictions that we could have I think
      Re mug collection - I have had them for years and are Staffordshire ones. There is more about them here: http://thecustards.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/coming-out-of-my-shell.html

      These mugs are FAMOUS!!

      Thank you fellow banana fan!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
    2. Catherine2 June 2013 at 21:11

      Ta.

      Delete
  19. Anne21 May 2013 at 19:46

    Hello Jenny! I wondered where you had got to. Obviously very busy lady.Love the sewing machine and it looks perfect in the little corner you have got it in.

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:42

      Thank you for calling in Anne - it will get less busy around the middle of August I hope!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  20. Jille21 May 2013 at 20:52

    Good looking and doesn't answer back, loves to sew...I think I may trade in Mr Cymraeg!

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    Replies
    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:42

      Oh dear - does he know!!
      Ho ho
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  21. Plain Jane21 May 2013 at 21:08

    Oh your darling is just ... darling! I can just imagine how she purrs as well! I always think it's such a shame that chrome was replaced with plastic - it looks so much nicer. Isn't it great when you realise what you can do with our bargains - I always imagine what I would have paid for things in a 'boutique' vintage' shop and then take away what I have spent - resulting in a huge saving! x Jane

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:43

      Exactly so Jane. Over the years I am sure that we have made huge savings - but looks nice too!
      Have a sunny BH weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  22. MadBirdDesignsUK21 May 2013 at 21:12

    You are a bargain Diva 1st class! AND no VAT on 2nd hand purchases, all those 20% we save. Joan

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:44

      Do you know I have not thought of that about the VAT - a good point Joan
      thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  23. Diane Mars21 May 2013 at 22:54

    What a beautiful Darling!

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:44

      Thank you Diane
      I hope that you have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  24. Gill22 May 2013 at 08:43

    Your Darling is fabulous from every angle - what a great find!

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:45

      Indeed Gill - I forgot to show the lovely box that all the bobbins and tools come in!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  25. Ashley cramp22 May 2013 at 10:51

    Firstly,

    I was noting to myself that you have a very expensive Maclamp.

    Secondly that I would not have noticed the bananas if you hade not mentioned them.

    I was of course concentrating on your darling and admiring your marvelous talents as a stylist..as in an "Elle deco" kind of way and less of a "grazia" or "take a break" kind of way....

    When you revealed the total cost....I fell off my chair!

    Daisy x

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:56

      Ah now Miss Daisy - I had to Google Maclamp as I thought that it was a joke name! Now I know! When I think that I might have passed by such lamps in the past I could chew my knuckles. I remember buying the lamp from the car boot - for £1 - and I actually thought about it for a while because the man selling it was not sure that it worked! This was a few years ago and I still have the same light bulb in it! I think that I got my monies worth.

      Regretting bitterly that I drew attention to the bananas!

      Thank you - of course I have been asked by 'top end' magazines to style covers etc but I have always declined - best to keep the audience wanting more!

      Cost breakdown: Wash stand £20, Sewing machine £20 (very risky as might not have worked!), lamp £1, chair £2, mugs - I have miscalculated - and were actually 30 EACH (checked sources here: http://thecustards.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/coming-out-of-my-shell.html

      Not such an overall bargain afterall

      Thank you for calling in as always miss daisy
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  26. Wendy22 May 2013 at 22:15

    Your darling is very darling indeed. Lovely photos...you truly do live the vintage life! Bananas and all. :)

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    1. The Custards25 May 2013 at 07:57

      I urgently need to confirm that the bananas ARE NOT VINTAGE. Phew - glad to clear that up!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  27. Janet's Creations22 May 2013 at 22:40

    A beautiful color for a beautiful machine. I have never heard of a "Darling" before but I am glad he's good to you.

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    1. The Custards29 May 2013 at 07:42

      Many thanks - it is indeed A Darling!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  28. Annie Cholewa22 May 2013 at 23:54

    I was so blown away by your Darling when I popped by yesterday it looks like I forgot to leave a comment, oops. It's a darling Darling, darling ;)

    I too didn't notice the bananas.

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    1. The Custards29 May 2013 at 07:42

      Dear Darling
      It is a darling Darling in all its darlingness!
      Best wishes
      Jenny
      (bananas now eaten...)

      Delete
  29. Gillian Roe23 May 2013 at 16:07

    Good to see you back here Jenny! The Darling is, well, darling. It's gorgeous, as are your photographs. And why do I never find these amazing charity shop/car boot bargains? I must try harder!

    ps. What bananas?? x

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    1. The Custards29 May 2013 at 07:43

      Hello Gillian
      Bananas now consumed...
      I have had a few decades of trawling through an awful lots of rubbish to find the nuggets!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  30. Unknown23 May 2013 at 16:23

    Hi Jenny, Thank you so for letting me use your funny quote! My blog is at likefloraposte.wordpress.com: I have a feeling that wordpress and blogger are not very compatible or it must be my sad lack of knowledge;o)but I managed to put a link on my blog by hyperlink. I will use your quote tomorrow,yay!
    Post of today is great as usual! have a nice one and a big hug from Ohio and Johanna.

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    1. The Custards29 May 2013 at 07:44

      You are most welcome Johanna - I will be calling round
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  31. Maria23 May 2013 at 19:11

    MY,MY Jenny I wish your darling was my darling! Secret envy for a sewing machine is not cool! but alas we all have a little of the green stuff! Going back to see if I can spot your banana's! Ooh lalala.....~ So glad you is back, lovely Jenny!~ envious Maria x

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    1. The Custards29 May 2013 at 07:44

      The banana hunt has given me an idea for a future post....
      Thank you for calling in Maria
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  32. Heather 23 May 2013 at 19:13

    oh she is a darling! very cute machine. I don't think I've got a zipper foot although i haven't yet learn't the virtues of one and may then realize what i'm missing! Heather x

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    1. The Custards29 May 2013 at 07:48

      Dear Heather
      Thank you for calling in
      A zipper foot is a very handy thing indeed
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  33. Seashell24 May 2013 at 08:49

    Oh this brought back memories. My grandma had one and she used to call it 'The Little Swiss' sewing machine. It's very rare, Jenny, and very valuable. And obviously very photogenic. I love the pictures of your Darling at night!

    Sure enough it was made in Switzerland and has an interesting history which I found at:

    http://www.sewingonline.co.uk/machines/darling/

    Thanks for sharing your Darling with us, Jenny. Most people like to keep their darlings to themselves.

    Shelley

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    1. The Custards29 May 2013 at 07:50

      Dear Shelley
      It is a lovely machine that knocks spots of the modern one that I have - as with your good self it brings back memories of listening to my mum sewing late into the night. Like cars old sewing machines have a distinctive sound.
      Thank you for the extra information Shelley
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  34. Linda Shields24 May 2013 at 23:37

    I am bananas about your Darling! Old machines are made from Metal, not Plastic. Thats why they last forever. Never buy a newer model unless you can afford one made in Switzerland. C-r-a-p!

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    1. The Custards29 May 2013 at 07:51

      Dear Linda
      The extra marvellousness of this machine is that it is light even though it is very robust (well light compared to other old machines). Just a bit of oiling now and again!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  35. KathyJB23 July 2020 at 13:15

    There aren't many posts that I can find about the Darling sewing machine -- and yours IS darling. I just drove 2 1/2 hours to pick up mine yesterday. The seller said it was her mother-in-law's, who only used it twice and did not like sewing. So now it is mine! Loving it already. :-)

    ReplyDelete

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