Some things I treated myself to in June from a lovey cook shop in Debenham, Suffolk.

ATC

I had loads of fun this afternoon when I started a ATC album, I would love to hear what you think of this. Also if anyone would like to send me a picture and challenge me to make something from it, that would be fun too.

The secret garden !

Well this is my second piece of altered art 6"x6" and I've named it The Secret Garden. Last week I took some photo's of autumn leaves and couldn't wait to make something with the pictures, as I loved the colours so much. The door is a photo of the door in the garden wall at the Deanery at Hadley in Suffolk. I really like what I have achieved with this piece.

1st ATC !

1st ATC !
Originally uploaded by ms charity case.

I bit the bullet and made my first ever ATC this afternoon. I am really pleased with the result, What do you think?

Halloween # two !

Well I have now made the second Halloween Gift for the parties DD is going to and I am please that it has come out different but just as nice. My Mum is trying to persuade me to go into business making these. I would love to, it is just getting the customers.

Halloween!

Halloween!

DD is going to two Halloween parties so I thought I would make something for her to share with the guests. I made this by wrapping chocolate biscuits in orange paper then sticking then to an empty sweet tin. Then I stuck halloween cutout on to that. Next I filled it with sweets/chocolates and bat & spider rings. The centre piece is a witch and lollypops stuck into styrofoam covered in tissue paper. All wrapped up in clear cellophane and tied with curling ribbon. I have still got to make another one tomorrow. I have to make it a bit different to this one, as I think some of the same kids are going to both parties.

Vintage Sandwich plate.

Vintage Sandwich plate.
Originally uploaded by ms charity case.

Got this last Saturday, it is a lovely design.

You crazy blogger!

In my roam throught the blog universe this morning I found myself here http://www.amandabutton.com/?cat=6 What a strange but some how wonderful place to visit. I'm not sure how long I would want to stay but visiting was fun.

Monday 2/10/06

Well it has been a strange day so far, well not strange but different. I was driving the children to school when I became the second person to stop at a car accident. A van had pulled out infront of a car travelling at about 50 mph. Another woman who was very accertive had stopped and had everything under control. She had phoned 999 and help was on the way, we stayed with a chap that was walking wounded, his nose was dripping blood so I provided tissues to stem the bleeding. I asked my son to get out of the front seat of the car and let the man sit down as he was in shock and could hardly stand. The other lady had got him out of his car because it was steaming and she wasn't sure if it was going to catch on fire. I am sure it was better to move him than see him frazzle. Anyway the man refused politly to sit in my car, as he said if his back went when he sat down then the paramedics might want to cut the roof of the car to get him out. Darn it! I missed my chance there to get a new car, I know it isn't a joking matter. He seemed to know what he was talking about as he was an ex policeman. He was miffed as he said he had not long had his nose reset after breaking it for a second time, looked like he was going for op number 3. At least he was alive and not smashed up to badly ,unlike his poor car. The van had gone through a fence and smashed into the side of someones garage, the driver was being taken care of by the people who's garage/house it was. It wasn't until later that I realised that no-one esle stopped and asked if we needed any help, they just over took us and carried on thier way. What is the world coming to?
I do hope the two men were ok, I left as the police arrived and went on my way to school. I wasn't shaken but it really made me think. We are often running late in the mornings and in a rush to get to school/work on time. I want to make sure that, that never happens to us, so I am really going to make an effort to get out of the house at least 5 minutes earlier from now on. I'm sure most accidents happen when drivers are in a hurry, because they are late. I might be wrong but it was a real wake up call seeing that accident scene this morning. I am not being morbid, but I really feel like it was a sign.

Yum Yum!

These are the yummy muffins that me and my DD made together. I put them on one of my cake stands (as you can see.)So they will look nicely arranged. They are there for 'AFTER DINNER' 'not NOW kids!' In the background is my Bush radio. All I have to type now is that they are gonna be YUMMY! and they smell lovely (new air freshener :D ) My DD Wrote this post?!?

Saturday 30/09/06 carboot sale treasures

Saturday 30/09/06 Carboot sale.

Well this morning I arrived at the carboot sale bright and early. Just as I was strolling down the 2nd row of stalls the heavens opened. I went and sat in the car and read a poem book that I had bought for DD, it was quite amusing.Above are some treasure I bought for £4. I now have to collect some cigarette cards to fill the mounts in the frame I got.

Can it!!!

AFTER! BEFORE!

I know that it should really be the other way around, a before and an after photo, but I got confused when posting. So here is an after and a before photo.
I bought this can at a carboot sale a few weeks ago and wanted to do something with it. This afternoon it came to me , use wrapping paper. The other side of the can was very, very faded. I scrubbed and scrapped and then recovered it. I think I will have to tea stain it as it is a bit too new looking at the moment. This is a break~ through by the way, as I haven't really done much crafting since I separated (from shitface).

Ruby.

My Dad and our dogs( Ruby,Maddie,Billy and Kim), he is eating toast and they want it.
On the left there is precious little Ruby,who was attacked last week by a dog that had escaped it's house and was running the streets. The Stafforshire Bull Terrier bit her and shook her like a rag doll. My mum screamed and several men from the neighbourhood came to help get the dog off poor Ruby. She was taken to the vets and returned a few hours later all stapeled together in several places. She seemed very shocked and quiet, but quite strong.
My mum just phoned this morning to tell me that Ruby started having difficulties with her breathing last night and died at 11pm. I am so upset and shocked, she meant everything to my mum and dad, they are in bits. Their other dog Kim is very traumatised by it all too. It is only 10 day ago that Ruby was at the vets having a lump removed and teeth out, which she was fine after. I feel so sad, Ruby was from a rescue centre, they got her over 3 years ago. She was about 6-8 years old then and had been used over and over to breed puppies, when she was no longer any good for that the people got rid of her. I saw her on the internet and phoned my parents knowing that they always wanted a Daschund, they got her and loved her and spoiled her to bits.
Today it is raining outside and miserable and now I feel full of sorrow, she wasn't only a DOG she was my parents, Precious little Ruby Wobbles and nothing I can say will help and that hurts my heart.

My Diningroom.

My Diningroom.

Two corners of my Diningroom for you to see. The dresser is a bit cluttered, but it is full of thrifted things I love.

Paper Weight.

Ages ago I bought several paper weights from different charity shops, all of them were faded out and in need of a change of picture. This afternoon I decided to make a start and actually redo one of them, it was really quick and easy. I just used some wrapping paper and some blue felt. I'm pleased with the end result. I love these colours.

Invited a friend over!

I feel all excited today ! I have just e-mailed an old friend( no she isn't old, we have been friends since we were about 13 years old.) and told her where to find my blog. Anyway, now I feel like you do when you invite someone over for a cuppa tea. I have been looking at my posts (thinking should I plump the cushions) She will probably think I have totally lost it, sometimes it is easier to have total strangers read what you have to say, as they have no preconceived ideas about you.

Anyway I hope you come Debbie, my friend, as you as very welcome. (She lives a 3 1/2 hour drive away and I don't get to see her and her lovely family often, I miss then very much.)

I was so please to get some more comments on my blog, I will be adding some links soon( well as soon as I work out how to, lol. ) There are so many wonderful Blogs out there and not enough hours in the day to spend reading then.

Thrifty finds

My creation
Originally uploaded by ms charity case.

Well I have been over at flickr playing around with stuff and come up with a mosaic of my thrifty finds.

Boo Hoo!

I wish someone would come visit and leave a comment, I feel left out, I know this blog is for me, but I would love to make some new friends!

Are you a cat person or a dog person?

You Are: 90% Dog, 10% Cat

You're a dog at heart - and it's not a bad thing at all!You love unconditionally, and you're extremely loyal.And while you may act silly at times, you're really quite smart - and a good learner!

Are'>http://blogthings.com/areyoumorecatordogquiz/">Are You More Cat or Dog?

These are a few of my favourite things.

Just lately I don't seem to beable to focus on one thing at a time. This got me thinking about how many different and seemingly unrelated things I actually liked. Anyway one way of sorting my thooughts is to make a list so here goes, in no particular order. I will probably edit this and add comments as I develope the idea.

1. Shabby chic.
2. Retro.
3. Carboot sales.
4. Animals
5. Dogs.
6. Guinea pigs.
7. Cakestands.
8. VW Camper vans.
9. People who dare to be different, as long as it isn't in your face and offencive.
10. Fairies.
11. Dragonflies.
12. Americana.
13. Chanderliers.
14. Globes and maps.
15. Paper weights.
16. Angels.
17. Salt and peper pots.
18. Money boxes.
19. Teapots.
20. Bears.
21. Chairs.(yes I realise this sounds strange)
22. Teasets and Dinner services.
23. African stuff.
24. Heartwood creak.
25. Quilts.
26. The colours, Blue, Lilac and Pink.
27. Reading.
28. Cake.
29. My kids of course.(so sorry guys you are really top of the list).And Parents. xxx.
30. The number 3 and multiples of 3.

And the things I hate.

1. Gardening, (mowing the lawn)but I love gardens.
2. Picking up poop after my 2 dogs, but I do it.
3. Going to the dump.
4. People who spit.
5. Liars.
6. Diets.(always on one)
7. Farty Dogs, Lol!
8. Stepping in dog dirt and not knowing until I have walked all though the house.
9. Having a really good/nice friend, who has horrible kids.
10. Mood swings, mine and other peoples.
11. Drunks.
12. Smokers.( well not them but the smoke and the smell on your clothes after you have been near one).
13. Wet dogs that smell like old blankets.
14. Cleaning out all the Guinea pigs. ( I do it because I love them)
15. The fact that I can't spell, it is so frustrating as I loose the flow of writing by looking up words.
16. The sight and smell of butchers shops, I have to hold my breath when going past. Raw meat and the taste of most cooked meats.
17. My dogs when they Bark (they do that alot)
18. Being sick.
19. Cleaning. Yuck!
20. Ironing, Laundry anything like that.
21. Shopping for Shoes.I love shoes but it is soooooooo boring.
22. Being single and having to go on 1st dates(all to scarey, feel like a teenager again)
23. Being FAT!
24. Oh! did I mention cleaning, Yuck! lol ,I know I did mention it but it is really horrible, so I am mentioning it again.lol.

Well I am glad I got that off my chest.

DSC01572

DSC01572
Originally uploaded by ms charity case.

DSC01571

DSC01571
Originally uploaded by ms charity case.

DSC01570

DSC01570
Originally uploaded by ms charity case.

This is something I made, I don't want you to think I am not crafty because I am. Just lately though, I haven't made alot. I found images of vintage postcards and printed them out on to card then I mounted them on to a piece of calico. The frame is one I already had. This is now in my bedroom and I love looking at it. It makes me happy!

Just a chair!

DSC01557
Originally uploaded by ms charity case.

I bought this chair a few weeks ago at the Needham carboot sale. I really like the colour of it. The cushion was also from there a few weeks previously, the stuffing was a bit lumpy so I re-stuffed it and did a repair on some of the stitching. The thing I love about things like this is that no one else has the same as me, as this chair was all alone and being used to display something else off the floor. I don't think the vendor thought anyone would buy it. I just wish I had asked where the paint came from that it is painted with, as I would love to paint some other things in my home that colour. I have visions of me walking through some DIY store with this chair under my arm, so that I can match up the paint or have some mixed to match it. Oh well ! so what, worst things could happen than people thinking I have tatally lost the plot (what's new,lol)

Sparky, my chubby little Buddy!

DSC00144
Originally uploaded by ms charity case.

This is a picture of my lovely Sparky with his best buddy Tiny Tim (who has also pass over the rainbow-bridge) I can imagine you both piggy popping right now.

We Shall Remember 9/11.

Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on that day. Was it really five years ago?

Me and my mum had just walked in from a shopping trip. My Dad was sat on the sofa looking drained, I said "get the kettle on we are shattered." He just sat there. I looked at the tv as the second plane hit the tower and I said "what an awful movie I would switch channels if I were you." He said "It isn't a movie , it's the news. That is the second plane to hit the world trade centre in NY U.S.A." We all slumped on the sofa for hours watching the news in disbelief. I cried for days. Such evil, I still can not believe it happened.

Monday morning clean up! Yuck!

Oh! how I hate cleaning. I have only done the kitchen, then I heard the computer calling me, sad I know.
Well yesterday I had a whole list of jobs I was going to do when a friend phoned and said she was at a really good carboot sale and to get my tail down there straight away. I put up resistance>NOT !!! he he. It was ok when I got there, but not as good as she said. Then again she has different taste to mine (well she thinks I don't have any, I think.) she is so hip & trendy and I love shabby chic (she calls it shabby shit) The thing is she will direct me to a stall saying this is shabby chic isn't it and it "is so not" (I think I have been listening to my 8 year old DD to much, I'm picking up all her sayings) Mind you I have no idea about Trendy stuff so we are equal. At least we aren't fighting over the same stuff, which would be terrible.(unlike our DD's who both like anything Pink, fluffy, Trendy and Bratz...Girlfriend!!!Yah!!!) Oh! and my DD loves monkeys!)
Well I didn't come away empty handed( never can )
I bought a pine plate rack(modern, I wish it was old)For £1,I think I will paint that.
A small linen box > 50p, A set of old cutlery >£2, a glass door knob > 50p and 3 flying Ducks for £2.50.
I need to get organised as I still haven't found homes for all of saturdays carboot finds.
On a different subject, I have been looking at some other Blogs and I am now addicted. I can spend hours reading them and then going from one to another, this is a whole new world to me and I love it. I am getting sucked in to a parallel universe, I think it is because I am interested in so many things.(my kids say it is because I am nosey. Huh! really.....tut tut!!) Anyway I will post this, do some more housework and then look at somemore Blogs.

R.I.P Sparky.

Last night I went to check on my Guinea pigs, as I always do before I go to bed and Sparky seemed to be in some sort of distress. I picked him up, but he wasn't happy, so I put him back down again. He couldn't walk on his back legs though and he lay on his side, he was breathless and twitchy. I picked him up and held him, he did a big yawn and died in my arms. I was really upset as I hadn't thought there was anything wrong with him. However piggies are like that and he was about 4 1/2 years old. At least I was there for him. I feel sad but I know I do my best for my animals and they have a better life than most.
R.I.P Sparky , I love you, xxx

Well todays carboot sale was packed, not surprisingly as the weather was glorious.I had some good finds/bargains

These were 50p the lot from a stall that was packing away.

This 3" heart trinket box was 50 p. The album was also 50 p.
3 pictures for £ 2. How cool is this book, £3, it is worth it just for the Guinea pigs.
I have a thing about cake stands and this one was only a pound. I also bought 3 old plates for 90p.
Someones UFO , I really have no idea what I will make with this, but I liked the fabric and at 20 p, I had to have it.
Wow ! I did get alot of stuff, no wonder my fingers nearly dropped off, as my circulation was cut off carrying all that stuff in bags.I got a skirt, candlestick, toy monkey for my daughter, 4 books for her too ,a dog orniment (because it looked like mums dachund as a puppy) a bead necklace, a ring and 4 glass shades for a light fitting.£7
That was some trip, I think I spent about £16.20. That was quite alot for me but I really enjoyed my morning out.

Help needed !

Just a little post to say, if anyone out there who reads this and can help me to make my Blog look prettier then I would be most grateful. I am new to all of this and have viewed some lovely blogs. I want mine to be pretty too! Please Help!!!!!!!!!

Looking around my home.

My parents and niece have been to visit for a few days (from Nottingham, I live in Suffolk), and every time one of them said " that's new isn't it," my answer was "yes it came from the carboot sale/charity shop"
That is really why I decided to start this Blog, so that I could share what I buy with other like minded people. I am presuming that there are others just like me, who can't come away from a carboot without a bargain. Mind you, I have been told by my family that there isn't anyone quite like me. I am taking that as a compliment, I think they mean I'm unique.ha ha.

Ovenware Dish.

My Latest find was an ovenware dish, bought from a charity shop. I paid £2.99 for it. I found this in a charity shop, it cost me £2.99. I love the colours and the design. It is from Norway and underneath it says Figgjo,Vulcanus, Tor Viking. I hope that I can find some more pieces one day. I did look on E-bay and someone was selling a milk pan, however I didn't really need/want one of those.
I love the colours and the design.

Underneath it says FIGGJO Flameware, Vulcanus, Decor Tor Viking. Made in Norway.

I looked on E-bay and someone was selling a milk pan. I really don't need one of those.

This is my idea of heaven.
Add a VW Camper van, 1 comfy chair, 2 bacon sandwiches, a cuppa tea and a good book...Perfect recipe for a Perfect life.