Soothing

First of all I want to say that I hate computers, external drives, file formats and wireless gateway units. They make me grind my teeth with frustration and kick things. If you could plant a computer in the ground and make it grow it would be fine, but as it is I can only stare at the growing pile of useless hardware and cords that don't fit in helpless anger.

Anyway. Deep breath...

That's why I grow flowers. They don't need formatting or upgrading, just some soil, water, sunlight and love.

And they reward you with this.

The gorgeous scent of a hyacinth does go a long way towards helping me forget my worries and it cheers up a cold winter's day. Bring on spring... only 3 months to go...

Now I think I'll go curl up in my nice warm bed, with a good, old fashioned, non electronic book to keep me company.

Upcycling, Reclaiming ♥♥♥



Hello, I have lots to catch up on because my computer has been very unwell with a virus or 3!! I'm gradually reloading programs etc etc. This week I have been working, studying and crocheting, once my photo program is installed I can share some pics with you. I don't have any Flea Market Finds this week, but I found these gorgeous photos, this wedding dress has been created with crochet doilies, I just ♥ old linen! Have a very happy Sunday! Leah

a 'granny chic' giveaway...

oh, i do like a little giveaway
and even more so
a 'granny chic' giveaway


up for grabs is my crocheted granny cushion.
i made her at the beginning of the year.
my little heart swelled with pride upon her completion...
since then she has led a sheltered life,
never being allowed to shine in all her glory
for fear of two and four legged members of mossy shed
causing her a blemish or injury to her pretty ways


i'm thinking it is time she found a forever home,
one that will appreciate her crocheted 'granny chic' goodness.
if you think perhaps you are the granny chic loving home for her
then all you have to do is find your thinking cap and pop it on.

now of course, once again we all know thinking caps can go astray.
but do not fret,
nor run around your abode screaming like a mad one,
causing a fright for all that live with you.
take some deep breaths,
and stay calm,
for you have plenty of time to locate your little cap.
this little giveaway is staying open until
Sunday 30th May 10:00pm pacific time
that is nearly a whole week...
see, plenty of time indeed


once your thinking cap has been located
pop it upon your nut
and then ponder,
you may have to ponder a while
but ponder you must.

i'm thinking for some it may require several days of pondering,
therefore you may have go to work,
perhaps do the grocery shop with your thinking cap,
or even the soccer run...
i'm not sure for those that like to keep a little fit,
how yoga, or swimming fairs with a thinking cap.
i see no harm in removing it whilst you 'keep fit' and then popping it back quick haste afterwards.
being sure of course to keep it safely in the changing room locker whilst you 'keep fit'
for losing it so soon after finding it would surely be quite sad


so my dearest readers
all you have to think about is a philosophy or quote,
some words or a saying,
you like to live by...
if it is one that was written by another
(for there are many famous ones out there)
then that is perfectly okay with me
but please do put who the quote or philosophy belonged to originally.

perhaps it is nothing deep,
quite simply along the lines of
"i try to smile once a day at a passing stranger"
or
"i make sure i hug a tree everyday"
and that is perfectly perfect for me.

i have one that i shared a little while back,
it took a little thinking with the help of my cap,
but when it popped into my little brain
it felt quite right.

Tif's Philosophy
"if i go to sleep at night
knowing i have visited my imagination,
however fleeting it may have been,
then i know i have used my day wisely"

you can enter here in the comments
or email me
do be sure to have an email or blog address
so i may easily contact you


and with that my dearest readers
i am taking a few days off
i shall be pottering with Miss Ethel,
going on a school trip with a bunch of eighteen year olds,
sending our #4 off on a two day school trip
and with a bit of luck,
some crocheting...
all the usual fun and gripping stuff that goes on around the shed.
i will be back on Wednesday 2nd June
with a worthy winner
granny chic giveaway is now CLOSED,
thank you kindly

she is wishing you a peachy week and plenty of thinking time with your caps ~ Tif
footynote: here's the original post where i linked to the pattern for the lovely crocheted granny circle squares. the wonderfully peachy Yvestown kindly shared her pattern :)

Our Giveaway Winner

Hello, our winner for my Tom the Scotty Dog give away, (via my human number generators), is comment No. 113. lukeandpamela Thanks so much to everybody who joined in, 285 comments, very exciting for this little blog!





Here is one of my recent Flea Market Finds, I think that it is an old fruit bowl/holder. To see more fabulous finds pop over here

I must run and get ready for work, have a happy Sunday! Leah

Simple pleasures #7

Simple pleasures #7 - making new things from old. Okay, it's not always that simple a task, but the satisfaction is immense! Actually I also like making new things from new things, so maybe this should just be called making things? Anyway.

These cushions are my most recent example of new things from old. The barkcloth is vintage and the striped fabric is from a curtain. I crocheted the edging using crochet thread from Trade Me and lovely vintage buttons.

Here we are, it's not perfect but it was an experiment and I learned heaps! The back side was tidier so next time I'll do it the other way round. There are 2 more cushions to make fastenings for, so there will be a next time. Probably.

Hope you noticed my little planter. This former utensil holder from the Sallies now holds some hyacinth bulbs. Don't you love the strawberry design? Seriously cute.

Righto, that's it for my week of simple pleasures. Hope you enjoyed, and please feel free to share some of your simple pleasures. Life is all about making the world how you like it, right?

eight months and counting...

oh you don't miss a trick do you my lovely dearest readers!
in the words of my beautiful late grandmother
"there are no flies on you"
for indeed i am most reassured, if ever i need to remember something,
all i have to do is ask upon my shiny place
and you will remember for me.
i have no clue as to what i rambled on about last week,
and yet
you seem to have your recall skills in 'tippity top' condition.
i think i am most lucky indeed to have you as my readers of the utmost kind...


and so it would appear,
i have past the eight month marker for my handcrafted secondhand year.
in the time that has past i could nearly have added to my clan
but instead of a babe in arms
i have a 'ton of thrifty finds' to love,
who do not demand anything of me
other than a place to rest their weary discarded souls.
despite my love for little babies,
i'm a tres weary some days in the mothering department.
i'm saving myself for some 'granny loving'
until then
i'm fine and dandy
with my collection of forsaken souls

i am giving out several gold sticky stars for observing my latest used clippity clogs.
they are indeed new to me.
they came used from the aisles of Ebay,
in the description it said they had a few scruffs.
upon arrival at the shed,
after a well fought battle with another who wished to make them hers.

(or possibly his, but i'm thinking he would have to have small feet, so i'm going with hers)

i had to get out my magnifying glass to find the scruffs...
i found two.
they were in tippity top condition,
just like your recall skills.
when i wear my 'i can't quite believe you are truly mine' clogs
with the pretty painted flowers,
i am transported to another world
a world of folksy things,
dala horses
and other such lovelies.
indeed i have them upon my feet at this very moment
my only regret is no longer having braids to match them...


so my dearest readers,
i must just say to you
not a single day goes by that i am not humbled by the kindness
you bring to my inbox
and
the comments you leave on my shiny place.
you continuously take time out of your busy days
to say hello,
thank me for inspiring you and lifting your days.
but what you will never perhaps fully understand is,
i should be thanking you.
for giving me the confidence
to continue down the path of 'crafty vintage rambling' goodness upon this blog.
the mere fact you appear to read my ramblings is quite extraordinary to moi.
especially as i appear to have taken on a poetry like writing style...
i have no idea how it happened,
perhaps it has always been there
but to me,
i often look at my post
thinking it looks like a poem
and indeed quite often reading like 'a nonsense one' at that

to say my 'thank yous' properly with perfect manners
something i'm thinking 'mrs dull' would approve of.
and to let you know just how much 'i like you' lots...
oh, alright then,
'i love you' lots.
i will be having a 'give away' on monday
"oh yippee!" i hear you cry

until then, she is wishing you the peachiest of peachy weekends ~ Tif aka still mrs dull (according to the creatures in the shed)

Simple pleasures #6

Simple pleasures #6 - pansies! My favourite little garden flower. I love them in all shades but especially pink.

So I dug a little bed around the washing line and planted it up. Hopefully when the sun comes out again they will turn their little faces the right way... then hanging out the washing will be a little bit brighter.

A real Puppy!


My husband came home from work with this little boy last week, we were very surprised!! Max now enjoys living at our place, the kids all love him, we now have... 2 dogs, 1 cat, 4 children etc. etc. Always lots of noise and excitement at our place! Thanks so much to everyone who entered my giveaway. We will draw a winner later today. Have a wonderful weekend! Leah

mrs dull and her shop update...

little olive and used dog say i am most dull these days with my CCSI.
they have mentioned despite their paws,
they are busy crafting a badge for me.
the badge will say
'hello, my name is...
mrs dull'
they have also advised me to think about renaming my blog to
'the ramblings of mrs dull'.
i also note they are computer savy


i have told little olive and used dog
that it is a temporary dullness
and perhaps i may be forgiven.
whilst waiting on their forgiveness
i have beavered away with Miss Ethel.
taking little rests in between the beavering,
pondering the view


my little shop update will be going ahead tomorrow
friday 21st at 10:00ish pacific time.
alas the shelves will not be overflowing with dottie angel goodness
but that being said,
what i will be putting out
i am most happy with.
below is a little sampling...









she has high hopes her dull ways, may be mistaken as 'quiet and mysterious' ~ Tif

Simple pleasures #5 (and a recipe)

Afternoon tea.

Cranberry white chocolate cookies
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or marg, softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cups dried cranberries
170g white chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 190C.

Cream sugars and butter/marg, then add egg and vanilla and mix till well combined. Add cinnamon, baking soda, salt and flour and mix well. Fold in rolled oats, cranberries and chocolate chips.

With wet hands, roll dough into small balls, place on greased baking tray and flatten. Bake 10-12 minutes.

a little bit of Madness...



it must be
love
love
love


nothing more
nothing less


love is the best...

she is thinking a little wooden monkey who sees no evil, may wish to make it a threesome ~ Tif

Simple pleasures #4

Using vintage crockery. In the above photo, the enamel canister holds baking soda (great for cleaning the oven among other things), the teacup holds dried chillis and the salt shaker holds... salt (it's not actually vintage, but Greengate! and I was lucky enough to get it for my birthday).

There are pros and cons of course...

The pros: each piece in my collection is unique, there is the fun of searching through markets and second hand shops, they are often very cheap to buy, I love eating off a different patterned plate each day.

The cons: they aren't dishwasher or microwave safe, they need to be handwashed, and if I break one I can't easily replace it. However... they are so pretty I don't mind washing them, and if I break them at least I'll have pieces for that wonderful mosaic something I'll create one day!

a spoonful of happy...


it feels like rainy day recess here in the shed.
after several days of sunny temps
we are now back to dull and wet.
i fear i match the weather.
dull, gray and feeling old as the hills...

but that will never do,
no sirree.
as we are stuck inside looking at the rain dribbling down the window
let us pass the time
with a visit to


perhaps you know of the lovely Anthea already,
then again perhaps not.
i stumbled across Anthea a few weeks back...
i wish i could recall how i did but i can't.
this very fact has me realizing i need to start keeping notes to cover where my tracks have been. that way i won't lie awake at night being bothered by my lack of recall.



Spoonful is a zine full of happy.
a little read, easily finished in a train ride,
small enough to carry in our pockets
with the ability to take us away from everyday cares
and our insanely busy lives.
upon my stumbling i felt a connection...
all that Anthea hopes for her little magazine
is exactly the hopes i have for my little blog.


a few weeks later Anthea appeared in my inbox

just as i had stumbled upon her,
she now stumbled upon me.
somehow it felt our paths were meant to cross...
i admire what Anthea is doing with her little zine
and was tres delighted she wished to have dottie angel amongst it's pages


as i tippity type Issue 2 is at the printers
just looking at the peachy cover makes me want to take a look inside...
i have no idea how my little bit of blurb will look,
but having seen first hand the loveliness of Issue 1
i am quite certain Anthea will have done a peachy job with my ramblings

and for those of you that wish to see first hand for yourselves,
Spoonfulzine can be found in various lovely stores including LARK
(another perfect place to browse when it's rainy day recess i'm thinking)
best of all though,
Spoonfulzine can be found on Etsy
so no matter what corner of the globe you nest in,
you can add a little bit of happy to your day for very little cost.

i wondering when Issue 2 turns up if i may indeed take a train ride
or perhaps a bus,
just so i may take out my little bit of Spoonful,
knowing as i sit amongst my fellow passengers
within my hands i have a little bit of happy
to get me through an insanely busy life


she is hoping the sun will come out tomorrow so we can go out and play ~ Tif

Simple pleasures #3 (and a simple vase idea)

Simple pleasure #3... blooming bulbs. Even more of a pleasure when it's only May! These are paperwhite bulbs, the easiest and quickest to force. I didn't even do anything special - just put them in some jam jars with some gravel at the bottom for drainage, then a bit of potting mix, then a layer of gravel for the bulb to sit on. You can put them in a hyacinth vase with water too, but I'm hoping to get some more blooms out of them next year if I use potting mix (and put them in the garden when they've finished flowering).

Align CenterThey smell g o r g e o u s.

To cover the jars, I cut a length of white calico long enough to wrap around with a bit of overlap. I used double sided tape to hold the ends down (my preferred brand is Xpress-It). Then I folded the ends underneath the jar and held them down with a bit of sellotape. I added some lovely lace, also held with double sided tape.

You could of course whip out your sewing maching and stitch up some proper jar covers. I was in a hurry because the speed of that flower took me by surprise! I like these a lot though, so when flowering is over I just might consider making them a little less transient.

thrifty thursdays on monday...

on friday Our #4 turned 12.
i noted he was full of beans
whilst i was full of aches...
i marveled at how being 12 was rather wonderful
one appears to have no worries
nor CCSI's to slow one down


in the evening Our #1 insisted on taking me to the thrift store
she said it would do me good to get out and about.
i think right there dearest readers, shows why i shall miss her so.

she drove me there,
found a cart to prop me up
directed me to the household department
and left me to it,
whilst she went to the clothing aisles.
never have i been so glad my thrift store has trolleys.
mine served several purposes as i hobbled around...
to replace my need for a zimmer frame
and to also hold the growing pile of treasures

upon returning home to the shed
i noted to Our #4
that indeed his birthday may be lacking a cake,
but what it lacked in cake
it made up for in thrifty finds...


a Stelton vacuum jug by Erik Magnussen
for $7
and a rather peachy retro quilt
for the couch.


i then broke out my Cadbury's Caramel bar from hiding
and shared it with the birthday boy.
to celebrate his 12 years
which seems so much longer,
and to celebrate my thifty finds
which always seem so much sweeter
when found thrifting with Our #1

she is taking things slowly with Miss Ethel and thanking you most kindly for your CCSI support ~ Tif

Simple pleasures #2

Simple pleasures #2 - a cozy nest.

This is my cozy nest. A good nest should include some or all of the following: blankets, cushions, candles, hot water bottle, a novel, some magazines, gardening books, cookbooks, crochet project, MP3 player with podcasts or audio books, TV and DVD remotes or laptop with episodes of Buffy, afternoon tea, a cat, and fluffy slippers. As soon as I get my wireless modem correctly installed I'll be adding the intranets to that equation, and then I shall never get up!