A bit of This and That

At the weekend I received another belated Birthday present.

It is a gorgeous Gisela Graham gardening bag, made from strong brightly patterned cotton canvas, with lots of useful pockets round the outside for secateurs, string etc.

Thanks Sis!!

This lovely cheerful braid arrived a few days ago, to add to my stash - not sure what it will be for, but I couldnt resist that bright orangy red and green - vintage in style, and a very good price off eBay.

*

This last week has seen a few new book treasures arrive at the front door, courtesy of  Amazon and our kindly postman.

Firstly, last week, this little French gem appeared

Despite it being in French, and my French being pretty basic, its really about the beautiful pictures and the ideas. Each project is shown in a beautiful French shabby chic room setting. The instructions are quite minimal so it is more important to be able to sew than to speak French I would say.

Luckily, my sewing is better than my French, and there are a few basic construction sketches with each project, together with a few templates at the back, which are all you require for most of the projects should you wish to make them.

Which I do.

If I had all the time in the world.

Which I don't.

So.

It will be read and admired and gloated over at bedtime, and then will drop from my sleepy clasp as I drift off dreaming of all the lovely things I shall make. If I had time. Which I don't. Hmm.

The next day, this arrived.

No camera, so book covers are all courtesy of Amazon where you can purchase it of course!

After writing a post about Painted Furniture a few weeks back, a kindly blogger recomended Annie Sloan paints as being "the biz" as no preparation is required, just paint and go.

So I thought I'd have a look at what Annie Sloan has been writing recently and I came across the above, which is both useful and inspiring. Well worth buying if you want to tackle some painting projects and aren't sure where to start, as it gives step by step illustrated instructions, tips and know how, and a finished picture to work towards. Shows you how to achieve wonderfully distressed pieces, and is inspirational to both the beginner and the more experienced distresser-of- furniture.

It also lists stockists of her paint.

*

On the basis that I have a friends 50th Birthday Party to give in the summer, just a small one for her close family and parents coming over from the US, I thought the following book might be inspirational. 

That is one of the events I was referring to a few posts ago when I was asking for entertaining ideas! So as well as all those wonderful ideas you all shared wth me in your comments (which I will be taking on board for sure), this should help too.

It arrived today, and I've had a quick peek!

It is indeed inspirational, it has some lovely French style ideas, simple and hopefully achievable, for both food and for decorating the table, and the garden.

*

And this beauty is still to come

I can hardly wait!