Monday 16 July 2012

Brooches, bargains and bills!

I absolutely adore Lea Stein brooches. If you google her work, you will probably recognise them. The most famous ones are the foxes and cats and they look very Art Deco in style. There are a lot on ebay and in antique shops but at around £50, they are way out of my budget at the moment. They are made from plastic, and are very colourful, she developed the technique with her husband which allowed her to insert fabrics, colours and patterns onto the plastic. 
I saw this necklace in Primark last week...

 and something about it just reminded me of the Lea Stein style. Out came the epoxy resin and a brooch pin......



Ta-da!!!! A DIY Lea Stein inspired brooch for £3.00!!!


 
I also bought these beauties this week...
Brand new Cath Kidston red polka dot sandals for only £8 on ebay (were £28 new!) I was over the moon with these as I have a quite serious polka dot obsession. God knows if I'll get to wear them with all the rain we're having. I decided to make a little shoe bag to keep them in out of a Cath Kidston bag which was a free gift on Living magazine ages ago. 

First I cut the handles off, then made some loops out of red polka dot ribbon and sewed them round the top. I stitched the handles together to make a long drawstring, threaded it through the loops, and there you go-a Cath Kidston drawstring shoe bag!

 
We got a couple of Charity Shop bargains last week. Geordie got this gorgeous silver and glass dish, it's so lovely. We think it's a butter dish but I'd quite like to keep mints in it or sweets...


I also got this fabulous Goebel duck creamer! I love ducks almost as much as owls so I was over the moon with this.

Both of these came to less than a fiver.

Another bargain I got last week was these really cute butterfly pyjama shorts in a gorgeous mint green. These were two quid in Tesco!! Total bargain!



I've started a new blanket this week, for the bedroom this time (no use making anymore picnic blankets is it?) I've wanted a ripple blanket for ages and had a couple of goes at the pattern, but now with the aid of the ever fabulous Attic 24 ripple step-by-step guide, I have finally cracked it! This one is going to be big.....


I've been working on this having cosy days in with my poorly Geordie and the cats. The rain has been beating against the windows and Oliver decided he'd better see how warm and comfortable my crocheted cushions are....


And this was Sammy after his emergency trip to the vets last week. He started foaming at the mouth and shaking his head and we totally panicked and took him straight up to the vets. They kept him in for observation and then rang us to say they think he swallowed an insect which he didn't like the taste of! The vet said "Oh they are dramatic creatures...." as she thrust the credit card machine in my face.


 Hope everyone has had a creative, bargain-filled weekend! xx

14 comments:

  1. Ooh that blanket is GORGEOUS! The duck is super cute and I LOOOOVE the pear brooch. Hope kitty is better! Sarah xxx

    PS I hope you will consider removing the dreaded Word Verification from your comments- it's AWFUL to use and I promise you won't get spam without it PLUS I will love you loooong time! xxx

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    1. Sammy is fine now thanks. I didn't even know I had word verification on-I def didn't ask for it-lol.I'll see what I can do. xx

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  2. What fun goodies you have!! Love the polka dot sandals!! Cute kitties!! xo Heather

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    1. Thanks Heather, I've wanted those sandals for so long-would be better off with wellies at the moment-lol. xx

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  3. The blanket is stunning and i love what you've done with the brooch!
    Our Stephen Squirrel's cost us £240 in vet's fees since last week, thank heavens for pet insurance! Hope your beauties stay away from the insects in future! x

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    1. Thanks Vix. I'll have to sort insurance out, it's one of those things I keep thinking I should do and never get round to it. xx

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  4. The pendant looks great as a brooch. Well done you! Great bargain on the Cath Kidston sandals and as usual, I am super jealous of your crocheting skills! Have you thought of linking up to Ta-dah Tuesday with Lakota at Faith Hope & Charity Shopping? xx

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    1. Aw thanks Lucy. I've just had a look at that blog and I'll def put something on next week! I've got a few projects going on this weekend :-) xx

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  5. What an excellent way to create a special brooch, lovely.
    I have on of those CK bags, at the moment it contains a small cross stitch kit I'm working on.
    Glad your cat was ok even though your credit card had to take a hit.
    Carol xx

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    1. Thanks Carol. Sammy has fully recovered from his ordeal. What design is your cross stitch? I'd love to have a go at one. xx

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  6. Glad Sammy is okay, isn't it terrible what they charge at vets? We were once charged almost £30 for a diagnosis of pressure marks on Grace's back thumpers and to apply Vaseline!

    I just got new shoes too, but dare not wear them out for fear of the rain ruining them.

    xxx

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    1. Hi Melanie, I know, vets cost more than private health!! I keep getting my sandals out and looking at them-will we ever get some sunshine? Hope you get to wear your new shoes too. xx

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  7. Hi Eileen, I love Lea Stein brooches too! I have 3 - two cats and a girl in a bonnet - Chris bought them for me when we first met 6 years ago. I haven't been able to afford any more but I'm always looking out for them. Your brooch looks so cute! I love that duck creamer - what a find! Your ripple blanket is looking lovely - gorgeous colours :) But my favourite photo is that of Oliver cuddled up amongst your crochet cushions! I hope Geordie is feeling better. Maggie xx

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  8. I love how creative you are! The pear pin is awesome, and the pink polka dot sandals are a great find!

    Jordan
    http://jordansvintagekitchen.blogspot.com

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