Road trip, Coffee, Salvage..

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Gemma

The treaty of blogging elevates you to the official position of ‘go-to’ person on your chosen topic!

I got a call from my good friend Vicki lately who needed some Salvaging done, I was her woman!

Her late Grandmother, a prolific seamstress, had an insatiable addiction to haberdashery in all its forms. I have never in my life seen a stash like it, with every description of wool, fabric and fibre imaginable, and for that matter unimaginable! I believe she made almost everything she wore. I would love to see some photos of her in her finery. This lady had an eye for quality, and she makes my hoarding won a minimalists award.

My trustee day tripper Fionna and I set off through the vales of Ards along Strangford Lough, through Balloo to Killinchy. This was to me an uncovered patch in our quilt of scenery here in NI. A grand day out, with beautiful coffee shops along the way, and sheer views over the water here and there.. it feels like you’re driving to the edge of the world.

Fill er up Fi!

We came upon our destination, where Alan, Vicki’s dad was clearing out. After the salvager’s excitement of seeing a few remnants and juicy tit bits, we were baffled as roll upon roll of beautiful material, and balls and balls of the finest wool kept appearing.

roll up

chair makeover sorted

life supply

Angora

As many an unconverted salvager would, the builders who were there at the time, were more highly amused and baffled at our delight in filling our car literally to the roof with our ‘treasure’. Much the same as Vicki’s husbands response! Luckily Ivan has given up on noticing my stock-piling.. almost. He uses this skill for the house work too! Hee Hee.

Tweed

Leather! any ideas?

Crocodile Dundee

Now, if you have an interest in some remnants, or what to do with rolls of leather.. give me a call, or drop in, it’s looking for a home, there’s only so much my garage can hold. xx

Salvage hi five

I hope Vicki finishes this coat off!

Storage solutions?

Green gardening

Posted on June 24, 2011 by lucy

Gardening can be an expensive business. Having grown up on a farm where there were always lots of random containers, bits of wood or off-cast utensils lurking in dark corners, its hard to go to corporate garden-land and pay £15 for a piece of plastic to put your spuds in. I have tried to use some initiative this year when it comes to the practicalities, both from an ethical and a principle standpoint. I haven’t quite made it to the lofty heights of seed-saving, or careful vegetable preservation, or rotation of crops to ensure no loss of produce (just about able to describe my efforts as ‘produce’), but i have enjoyed trying to think creatively whilst also considering the aesthetics. Here are a few ideas….

1. 3-tier shelving for window box salads; old floor-boards from a skip.

2. Apple boxes for more salad!

3. Raised bed; plywood from skip

4. Old basket from lane sale as floral container

5. Coal bag as potato planter

6. Apple box converted into shelving and storage

7. Bread bin for Nasturtiums

8. Pretty bistro chair, Drum Farm Antiques, £5

9. And finally, our completed decking, made by Colin and Malkie from 100% salvaged wood.

Knit and Knatter

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Gemma

I have made a discovery.. what with our world of social networking and virtual time passing, it fits that to get anything done you need background company!

On reflection, perhaps this is a personal character flaw, I always studied best with company and over the years at school and uni came up with many study comradery adventures – in caravans, parks, cafes, sleepovers chewing actual coffee granules.. aah moment of appreciation for all you tortured students out there.

It was bliss to attend the recent Belfast council run Revamp workshops I wrote about here and here, not least because just pottering away in a room full of people doing the same thing was so comforting, social, inspiring.

So in a bid to reclaim a childhood skill I had a glorious girls night in to ‘Knit and Knatter’.

It really was a rare privelidge to have both a relaxing and gratifying friday night after a long week.. sipping cocktails from a teapot ((i was served lately in a bar in Belfast to this effect) and catching up, whilst patting oneself on back for new skill acquired and that comforting feeling that should you find yourself shivering or naked in the future, you could yarn your way out of that predicament!

The next event, a ‘Pic – knit’. If you’re interested let me know! Extreme knitting ideas welcome..

Anthropologie edinburgh

Posted on June 10, 2011 by lucy

I am very excited about next week’s grand opening of Anthropologie on George St, its only shop out-with London in the UK. Originally from Philadelphia, it showcases a wonderful treasure-trove of beautiful fashion and interior pieces. Each store is independently run, with unique styling and window displays to really make you linger…

Their range is vast and eclectic. Check out this page of cushions, some fabulous wallpapers, lush rugs, or see these styled warm-weather rooms to get more of the flavour and feel of their styling.

And a few pics to inspire…

Meadows Festival 2011

Posted on June 8, 2011 by lucy

Last weekend was the wonderful meadows festival, a veritable selection of bric-a-brac, vintage, antique and hippy stalls, plus some great music and eateries. Running since 1972, it achieves a real community vibe every year, and seems to be developing and growing each year alongside the current trend towards thrifting, up-cycling and ‘make-do-and-mend’ culture.

The vintage and second-hand clothes were cheap and abundant….