Friday 10 February 2012

Tit for Tat!

Some of you have been bemoaning the fact there has been very little in the way of thrifty bargain hunting recently.  Tell me about it.  Every day I nip into our local charity shops  in the vain hope that I might see something that I'd want to buy.  But not a sausage, dear readers.  Not even a box of tampax (thank you for sharing that Scarlett) or a £99 china sheep ornament (remember, I blogged about that here.)  Instead, I have to contend with pairs of tights (seconds) for a fiver a pop or a used Marks and Spencer's hand and body lotion for £1.59 when a few doors down in Marks and Spencer itself, a new hand and body lotion will set you back 99p.  What is the world of charity shops coming to?

Anyway, never mind all that.  Let's focus on the positive shall we?  Like what I bought at a recent jumble sale.  Whoop! Whoop!

Yay, I've been bringing more tat into the house - a phrase that Mr J and P likes to use rather too frequently.  However, this time, even Mr J and P is getting in on the act.  This first buy was one of his.  It's a lovely cornflower blue jug.  Made by Dudson Bros.  The information on the internet says that the year an item was made appears beneath the backstamp.  This jug has the numbers 45 beneath the backstamp. So, it could mean it was made in 1945?  Dunno.  Doesn't matter, I like it whatever the date.

Sorry, couldn't get this photo the right way round

A Pyrex platter:




More embroidered linen.



I've collected these in order to make this patchwork cushion:


And by jingo, I think I've got enough at last.  Probably more than enough.  I've got no excuses now, I'll have to make the darn thing.

It's a good job, I got this lucious barkcloth craft bag at the jumble.  Perfect to store all manner of embroidered cloths and even the squares for the patchwork picnic blanket that I'm making. 






On a more sobering note.  Went to a boot sale recently.  Waste of time. It's really not the season for boot sales round our way.  Too few stalls and too much rubbish.  Oh, and ermmmm, this:


Focus on the pink box in the middle

Brought a blush to poor Mr J and P's cheeks, I can tell you.

And, no, we didn't buy them.

Although, with Valentine's Day approaching, I am a little fearful, I may be presented with my very own pair.  Yikes!
xxxxxxxxx

48 comments:

  1. Ohhh the jug and platter are gorgeous, great finds! I'm sure the pillow will look lovely once sewn up, a lovely idea.

    Ummm, not sure about selling nip tassels at a boot fair, doesn't really seem the right crowd, but hey ho, I'm sure they made someone's day!

    Happy Friday!!

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  2. Things are bad, aren't they - saw a tiny clip frame price £1 in charity shop - you can get 4 for the same price in pound shop!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  3. Love the jug and what a shame (for Mr J and P) you passed up that opportunity to adorn your own! (jugs ie)

    That cushion is going to be beautiful when you finish it Loo. What a great and lovely idea. Wish I knew you were hunting for doilies, I could've sent a pile over. Please share a pic or two when you're done.

    x

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  4. What a pretty jug - it will look wonderful filled with cow parsley in a few weeks. I also really like the patchwork hanky cushion idea - so terribly pretty and what a good use of things that otherwise go unseen. Unlike the nipple tassles. Honestly! One careful owner? LOL! xxx

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  5. Do Not Get Me Started on charity shops - they are getting far too expensive! Well the ones where I live are.
    Brought a smile to my face with the "little pink box"!!
    Julie xxxxxxx

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  6. Wow you did well with these bargins :) just love the blue jug. Can't wait to see your patchwork cushion the style is gorgeous :)

    Bee happy x
    Have a delicious day!

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  7. I really like the blue jug, perfect for spring with daffodils in it :)
    What a fab idea to make a patchwork cushion out of embroidered linen. Do share a photo when you have made yours..I would love to see it.
    Candy Nipple Tassles! Wow, one can find all sorts at a boot sale..haha. Our boot sale here doesn't start till March..I am counting down the days..I am getting bargain hunting withdrawals :P
    Have a lovely week!
    Magie

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  8. Love that patchwork cushion- cant wait to see yours!!
    Awesome bag too.

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  9. Yikes indeed! I'm about to read the sheep ornament post! I'm also sick of charity shops charging way too much for cheap tat. As well as totally overpricing the quite nice things. I'm lucky that my local oxfam seems to be the last remaining unpretensious branch in the area. I really love that jug... and I was given a fantastic book which identifies british pottery and you can often find things in the book you can't find online - so if you ever need something identifying then email me a photo! xxxxx

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  10. Sweet little jug, whatever its age! Can't wait to see the cushion you make - I'm in the midst of cutting up some similar bits, but for book covers. May Valentine's Day bring you just what you wish for!
    x

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  11. I love that bag so cute! I'd be so curious to know if those tassels sold ha ha.

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  12. I know exactly what you mean, I have noticed on loads of peoples posts recently their CS experiences are much the same. I have bought a few things recently which I will blog about soon but it has been very dire out there :( Let's hope it improves soon x x x x

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  13. My Mum's a teacher & is on her half term holidays next week so we're dedicating a day to charity shopping! Can't wait!

    I love the linen patchwork cushion, what a great idea! Jen x
    http://kitsch-n-sync.blogspot.com

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  14. Hahaaaa! You should TOTALLY have bought them!! But who would give them away? That made me laugh so much that I had a coughing fit...a sure sign of a good blog! ;-)

    Sarahx

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  15. I know what you mean about charity shop prices Loo, a few weeks ago one of ours had a new M & S nightie for £6 a good price you'd imagine, but the original labels were still on, it had been reduced to £5! I happily pointed it out to them and got it for £3 ;o)
    Love the jug, such a pretty colour and what a great idea for the embroidered linen, though it is becoming harder to find locally.
    As for the tassels should they turn up - have fun! LOL!
    Rose H
    x

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  16. Ha ha - whatever next! Great minds think alike as I too am collecting embroidery cloths to make that same cushion (not that mine will look anything like it though!).
    Have a good weekend.
    x

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  17. Charity shops are currently rather poor, aren't they? Why do you think that is - are we expecting too much, or do you think people just aren't giving stuff away in these difficult times? Anyway, I have a dinner plate that matches your pyrex dish!

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  18. I have noticed that in Wisconsin, USA, there is not much for sale in the thrift stores. I am so looking forward to warm weather and rummage sales. I like the patchwork pillow, it is so cute. Can't wait to see the one you will be making.

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  19. Many items in charity shops these days have an exhorbitant price and most is tat. Most people probably sell their best stuff on e-bay? Love that blue jug and the pyrex dish too!
    June

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  20. candy nipple tassels? are my eyes deceiving me? mwuahahahaha i have no idea what is that though, gotta google on that to find out more! I agree with you on the charity shops, i've no luck so far finding things that worth buying in charity shops near me but i adore the blue jug! and what a great idea to use embroidered linens to make that cute patchwork pillow cover, can't wait to see once you made it! love the pyrex and i'm into it since scarlett posted about it many eons ago! and the bag is lovely!

    xx susan

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  21. Lovely jug (Kylie's pinched my jugs gag!), great pyrex and I'm looking forward to seeing the patchwork embroidery cushion.
    I bought some tit tassles for a single friend on the look-out for a new man. I mean, she needs to make a bit of an effort, right? I AM joking, of course. But you may well have put ideas in Mr J+P's head, so be warned... And do let us know!!!
    Have a lovely weekend, Loo. xxxxxx

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  22. Funnily enough Loo, while I was 'researching' on eBay, I came across the matching posing pouch for Mr J&P!

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Candy-Posing-Pouch-Edible-Undies-/230644622301?pt=UK_Sweets_Chocolate&hash=item35b37da3dd#ht_1906wt_1139

    How fortuitous!

    [loads of crap in my chazza shops too, am sulking]
    xx

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  23. That just is absolutely beautiful, such a great find.
    * Love the pyrex platter.
    * That patchwork pillow is so very sweet. (You have me wanting to make one now)*lol*
    * Barkcloth bag OoOooOO I am jelous!!
    * The pink box gave me a good laugh. I really wonder how the original owner was able to part with them.
    =p

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  24. hahaha! What a weird jumble sale item, that make me laugh a lot :D Good finds though, I especially like the pyrex :D

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  25. Haha - Nipple tassles- have you been shopping round my part of the country by any chance? You know im with you on the Charity shop crapness, i really need to get to a jumble as your finds are awesome. I am in LOVE with that Jug! Scarlett x

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  26. Tassles away!
    Love the jug and the platter, they are both fab finds.
    Lisa x

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  27. Well done Mr. J&P. I would have bought the tassles to thank the mister for the jug - NOT!

    Madison xxx

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  28. Love the jug, what a find!

    I know what you mean aobut prices - some cahrity shops are extotionate.. Primark things priced at more than they cost originally. I know the shops need to make money but some of us shop there because we can't afford to buy new so it's galling to be priced out of them!

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  29. Love the jug and cannot wait to see your embroidered linen patchwork!!
    Lovin' the nipple tassels too... Classy stall that one eh? Haha :-D

    Thanks for your lovely comment on my quilt today! Have a great week xxx

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  30. Love the blue jug and the pyrex platter. Charity shops are getting so overpriced, it's ridiculous!

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  31. Love the title of this post - very funny. I'm also rather envious of that lovely barkcloth craft bag you found.

    The charity shops near me are totally dire at the moment too, and the boot sales don't start up again for another few weeks. I have got my sights set on a table top sale in a couple of weeks though. Hopefully, there might be some tempting bargains there and as it's being held indoors at least it won't bea problem if it rains.

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  32. I have nominated you for an award lovely, please see my blog for more details xx

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  33. It's been slow pickings around here too. I've probably bought a grand total of three things in the last month or so. Great idea about the pillow, BTW.

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  34. So did you get 'em then my dear? LOL

    Oh bless you :o) I couldn't agree more about the pricing in Charity shops lately! I was having a moan about it myself a while back!!
    What are they thinking?

    Anyway, you had some lovely finds there, and Mr J&P is getting good isn't he? lol

    Have a fabby weekend my dear, and take care now.
    Love Donna xx

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  35. Great finds at the jumble sale, the craft bag is fab, it's got a 60s vibe to it. I'm with you on the carboots, there is noting in my area neither until the whether starts to pick up xxx

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  36. so, my lovely new hairdresser (/pal) amanda (of of Amandamakes blog) recommends some new (to me) blogs she thought I might like - yours was one!
    I only need to read the line 'holidays are my life' to know she is right! I am obsessed with holidays.
    Pleased to meet you - off for a nosey around.
    fee x
    (my OH constantly complains about the amount of tat around here, mostly mine)

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  37. The platter and jug....fabulous along with those napkins your quite ready for easter brunch!

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  38. your fashion ideas are great!

    http://paquetevistasbien.blogspot.com

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  39. I want a pyrex platter like your amor.
    cute jug and did you buy those tassles? hahaayy!!
    those never fit my nibbles.
    besios

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  40. Hello Loo,
    Looks like you suceeded in getting rid of word verification.
    Thank you :o)
    Rose H
    x

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  41. too funny...

    www.popswatch.biz

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  42. He he, hope you didn't get the tassels on valentines day!!!! My boys call my thrifty goodness junk! But I agree our charity shoes are so expensive you can actually buy half of it cheaper new and it's not vintage goodies just unwanted stuff! I'm going to try and go cold turky for a bit!!! Xxxxx

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  43. damn it! I forgot to tag and you and Curtise in a Q&A session, see my blog, though I think Melanie has now tagged you too! xxx

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  44. Our charity shops are pretty naff now too. BUt you got some great stuff at the jumble sale - loving al those embroidered linens - they will look lovely made up into the CK cushion.
    Roll on the season of Boot Fairs!

    Gill xx

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  45. Oh puh-lease don't get me started on the oppy's. I really do wonder what drugs the voly's are taking in the back room when they're pricing a lot of the tat they're flogging! But I'm so glad you picked up some amazing treasures at the jumble! The linens for cushion covers and the ORANGE BAG!!! Arrrgghh I LOVE it so much!!! Hmmm nipple tassles - wonder you the lucky woman or man will be to score those? xoxo

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  46. Loving the pyrex dish...really need to get myself some of that! I am very excited to see your patchwork cushion...it's going to be beautiful!x

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  47. This is a topic that is close to my heart... Many thanks!
    Where are your contact details though?
    Feel free to surf my site : Apple products for sale

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