So Tread Softly...

treasure

Can you walk past a op/charity/thrift store without popping in? I certainly can't. What if you decide to pass on by and there just so happens to be treasures waiting in there that should really belong to you? I couldn't live with myself!

I was looking for old books, ones that had seen better days and didn't mind being chopped up so that I could use them in a few crafting ideas I have in my head. Having had a quick whizz around the store I ended up at the book stand and immediately spotted a couple of volumes that had potential. Trouble was, they were way down in the corner and I couldn't get to them as another shopper was crouched down scanning the shelves. Being terribly English I didn't want to disturb him so decided to have one more look around the store until he'd finished. As I was passing the manchester section (for those of you not in New Zealand, Manchester means linens! Don't ask me why - I don't think anybody knows - at least, the people I've asked don't) and a volunteer placed an interesting looking box on the shelf in front of me.

My years of secondhand shopping has taught me that if there's a box, tin or suitcase, it always pays to look inside because that's where the treasures hide. As I opened the tatty cardboard box I gasped as I found it crammed beautiful embroidery that someone had started and not had time to finish.

The cloth had aged beautiful. Some had developed tiny rust marks that I just love.

Underneath the pile of fabric I found yards of wonderfully coloured embroidery silks that had been wound around cardboard and rolled up pieces of newspaper.

I looked at the price on the box and it said $2.50! For friends and family in the UK, that's about 80p.

I'm fascinated by social history and would love to know who this belonged to and when it was packed away and why. But if you look closely, the box holds many clues.

Having unraveled a length of floss wrapped around a piece of newspaper, I discovered that the original owner wound it around the time that Edge of Darkness' was playing at the Regal and 'Casablanca' at the Adelphi. I'll spend time this weekend unwinding each of the threads to see what other clues the box holds.

What can $2.50 buy you nowadays? Well,if you decide to pop in to the op shop and not walk on by, and if there's a sense of hope and a little of bit of luck on your side, it can buy you hours of pleasure.

Until next time...

responsibility

Things haven't quietened down one little bit since my last post. Still working on the kitchen, website (maybe a New Year opening is more achievable?),regular work...the list goes on and I won't bore you with it. I have however, been working on a bunch of embellished vintage ready for the site. Here's a sneaky peek. An over-sized corsage for a 60's sweater.

Last weekend was a first for Mr Tread Softly and I. Our niece (6) and nephew (3) came to stay with us for two nights without their parents! Now that, believe it or not, was a big deal for us, not having children ourselves and never having been responsible for them EVER! I don't mind admitting that we were a little bit scared. How do we put them to bed? What if they don't go? What do they eat? What do they do? We needn't of worried of course because we failed to remember that we do, in fact, have the most well behaved, fabulous niece and nephew in the world! Every now and again when no one was looking, Mr TS and I would huddle in corners with both thumbs up saying things like, 'we're doing really well!' {giggle giggle}

We spent time at the park whizzing down the wire on the Flying Fox

playing cricket

and best of all, helping to make a rag doll who we named Babushka

I picked the 1970's pattern up at a garage sale last week and thought to myself 'I know a little girl who would love to make that.' And make it, she did.

Remember the wool I brought to make more nests? Well, I made a handful of them. Some have already been given away but I thought that you might like one. I have two up for grabs, perhaps for your Christmas Tree? Shall we say that the first two people to leave a comment on this post gets a nest? Yes, let's say that.

Until next time...

don't you just love getting presents!

On a Tuesday and Wednesday I work my regular job and don't get home until dark. I was hoping to pop some more goodies into the shop but I need sunlight to take photographs so that's on hold until the end of the week.

The Lovely NZ website was featured in Whip Up and this blog was mentioned along with a couple of my photos. Now that IS exciting - at least to me it is!

I received a smashing parcel from a generous friend this week filled with doilies, buttons and reels.

In time, each and every item will be used in an Agnes Coy Hand Made so THANK YOU friend!

And finally, before I sit down to watch this weeks episode of Ugly Betty, I wanted to show you what Mr TS made for me this week. I was moaning about the amount of patterns I had floating around and that I needed to get them all in one place so he disappeared into his workshop and produced this lovely thing:

I took photos of each design to place on top of the pattern. I've already put in a request for a second peg board!

I need to apologise for my slackness with regards to replying to everyone's comments. I'm usually really good about dropping you a line or visiting your blogs but with having the flu last week it's put everything out and I'm doing my best to get back up to speed right now. Know that I appreciate each and every one of them. x

vintage goodness

If you're a regular reader you will know that I've been attending a felting workshop on a Friday run by an artist friend. We meet at her studio each week and sometimes take along a lunch contribution. As from last Friday they are now 'anything goes' days. We won't be sticking to felt but it will be an opportunity to try out new creative ideas, just the three of us. Heaven! Here's what we got up to this week...

:: tea, chat and Japanese Craft Books - any excuse!

:: visit to the wool carding factory to spend some dollars - a one woman concern

:: dropped in at another local artists studio for more chat

:: lunch out, fries and aioli

:: a visit to the builders to take a look at their log cabins - considering one for a gallery to house Agnes Coy Handmades

:: back to the studio and time enough for an hours worth of felting

I received the most beautiful gift from Victoria (the felting expert). A vintage ledger with the original paper from the 1950's.

 

I was told to use it to record my designs. It doesn't seem right to use a modern bic biro or even a pencil, so each entry shall be written using my Grandfather's fountain pen. A perfect match.

Until next time...