Friday 28 June 2013

What would William Morris say

I like a bit of paper bunting.  Not only is it super easy to do and a perfect craft for the craftily challenged amongst us but it's quick too.  I made this little fella in minutes using off-cuts of vintage wallpaper from Jane at Teawagon Tales



Jane uses strips of vintage fabric to wrap her goodies with and I re-used the strip to thread the bunting together.  Genius.  Even if I say so myself.


I'm like that you know.  No, not a genius.  I like to keep things just in case they come in handy one day.  I know, I know, it's classic hoarding behaviour.  I mean, what would William Morris, with his  abhorrence of clutter, say...

I'm mentioning William Morris because we recently went to the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, east London:

The Gallery was the finalist and subsequently the winner of the Art Fund Prize
for the Museum of the Year 2013
Like the rubbish blogger I am,  I can't find most of the photos I took to show you *raises eyes to heaven* but it's definitely worth a visit if you're ever in Walthamstow.

Well, we all know that Morris and his cohorts weren't keen on clutter.  His most famous quote being:  "Have nothing in your house which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful".  But he also said this:


Blimey!  What the heck would he say if he saw my clutter-filled home.  I dread to think.

Anyway, opposite the gallery was this: 


A Sally Army "thrift store".  Woo hoo!  A bit of culture followed by charity shopping never goes amiss particularly when the charity shop has a cafe attached.  80p for beans on toast.  Not half bad for London prices.  And even better, I actually struck lucky for the first time in ages.  Hallelujah!

I bought several metres of this lovely blue fabric with red polka dots for £4.99:


This double duvet cover for £2.50 which has become our camping duvet cover:


And KERCHIIIIING!!!  My new skirt.  One whole pound.  Yes, you read right.  One whole pound for this little beauty:




Before I toddle off, if you see this halfwitted individual on top of the London O2 (see my previous post), approach with caution:

I am pulling this face on purpose you know 
 It's an extra small pic and a bit blurry.  I wouldn't want to frighten anyone unnecessarily..... xx

26 comments:

  1. What fab thrifty finds... the bunting is lovely too ~ Sarah x

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  2. Love you Loo, you are very funny and self-depreciating (which you shouldn't be, but it makes me smile) I am amazed at your bravado in climbing really tall things and crafting. I also really like that William Morris quote, his other one gets trotted out far too much. Nice skirt, doona cover and fabric, extra-nice YOU! Have a great weekend x

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  3. Oh dear, its made me think of my craft room, its full to the brim with things I don't us but might in the future, William would have a field day here. lol
    Love the paper bunting, what a brill idea.
    Briony
    x

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  4. Come on Loo, I want to see a full length shot of you in the skirt!!! No small pics allowed! I do love the green & brown print, & the doona cover as we call them here is retro gold! Xx

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  5. Hi Loo
    How splendidly serendipitous to find a chazza across the road from the William Morris place.
    Fabulous finds, especially the skirt..and for a quid! The paper bunting is a triumph, I'm going to nick that idea, thanks.
    Good luck for the O2.
    x

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  6. Culture, charity shop and a cheap caff? - Bingo! Good luck with the O2 - enjoy Siouxsie Sioux! Abby x

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  7. I confess to being a paper bunting freak too...I call it funting. Have a look if you need encouragement! Eco Ethel xx

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  8. Some great finds there.
    I am a total fan of clutter-filled houses, I think they give the place character. Plus, I'm really nosy and like to see what other people have in their houses! (Sorry, William!)

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  9. Love your bunting Loo! Didn't know William Morris loathed clutter, so there you go! Gorgeous skirt, what a bargain find, got to be happy with a culture/chazza combo :) x

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    Replies
    1. Culture and thrifting goes hand in hand!
      The skirt is a great find and so are the fabrics.
      Regarding clutter, I hate it! I like to have collection of things but all within a decent amount of space and volume in order not be a members of hoarders anonymous!

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  10. Trust you - everywhere you go thrifty finds are sure to follow! I'm certain you are a magnet! :-) Love the Salvation Army bargains, so impressed at the price of the skirt too - £1?! Brilliant!

    William Morris - the more of his patterns I discover, the more I'd love something Morris patterned in every room! :-)

    Jem xXx

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  11. Lovely bunting, and fabulous thrifty finds! Thanks Loo for your help on the Google Reader crisis ... much appreciated!

    Have a wonderful weekend

    Love Claire xx

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  12. Great bunting....I tried this but it kept curling up! :) x

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  13. Love the bunting, the fabric and the skirt, but WOW, you're brave - I hate heights! xxx

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  14. The bunting's useful - you can wave it around and it looks beautiful to me. As for the skirt - that is extremely useful and is made from a beautifully patterned fabric. Win, win as far as I can see!
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  15. WOW such lovely scores. That duvet cover is a beauty and I love your skirt.
    That Thrift shop is in such a cute building.
    =D

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  16. Clever you to make that gorgeous bunting and using up every scrap! Love all your finds, especially that skirt - a stunner!
    Good luck with the O2 event!
    Gill xx

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  17. Yes, that does look like the perfect day out, bit of Pre-Raph culture then charity triumph! Great print on the skirt, and the bunting looks simple enough that even I could manage it... (Though am a little bunting-ed out, it's everywhere!)
    Well done on your O2 climb. xxxx

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  18. What a perfect day! Culture, beans and bargains!! I absolutely adore that skirt - I'll raise you £2 for it! Jane x

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  19. Love your skirt! Jealous now and sulking....

    Kate x
    Just Pirouette and Carry On...

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  20. I love William Morris, what a fab exhibition that must have been.
    The skirt is ace, what a bargains and the wallpaper bunting is genius! xxx

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  21. Love your new skirt the most!
    Love the paper bunting too, so simple and yet so effective.
    We have that purple duvet, good buy there.
    I was hoping you were going to show us a pic of your o2 experience, hope it was as good as you hoped for.
    Lisa x

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  22. Seriously... I love your sense of humor! You crack me up!
    When I first saw these photos I thought it was scrapbook paper and then read it was wallpaper!! So very cool! I never seem to have any luck when I go to 2nd hand shops, maybe because I only go once every couple of years, but I really do mean to go in more often!
    Your skirt is a perfect find!
    Tammy x

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