Birthday Booting

As mentioned, I spent my Saturday afternoon rummaging through Brighton Racecourse's Boot Sale. Although we turned up quite late, I managed to spot a couple of little trinkets to bring home. Nothing big this time, but in a way that's a good thing, as we're fast running out of space and need a ruddy good clear out!

 

For 50p, I couldn't leave these cheeky cute 50's wooden coasters behind, how saucey!! My favourite has got to be the middle top; 'please remain seated wwhile the room is in motion' hehe.

 

Fine yarns for Ladies. Perfect for mending the more delicate items in my wardrobe.



So close to my own name...add an extra M in there...was meant to be!

£2 for all this wool, and 40p for the crochet hooks....never again will I be buying wool off the highstreet again. But now I have to make something in green again, what a shame ;) 

And lastly, an unpicker that matches my 1970's Elna machine, and a 'Stop that Run!' stocking and pantyhose repair kit. Amazing.

Now to get started using up all that wool!

 

 

Much Love from Brighton,

 

 

L.J.

xxx

My fever first Sewing Machine!

 

Dad sent over some very old photos from the family archives and I just had to share a few with you. So funny!

 

As you may have gathered from my posts about being a Sewing Machine Junkie here and again here, I love my sewing machines. And I had nearly forgotten what started it all off; my very first, battery powered sewing machine. And here I am, having my very first go! Mum's sewing machine was always far too scary and fast, this one provided me with endless hours of fun making clothes for my Barbies and bears.

 

 

Oh the memories..... :)

 

Here's one of me trying to be the cool kid hanging out after my first pottery lesson. Not that I continued it for long, hah. I wasn't very good. I've you look closeley enough, that blue 'vase' on the window ledge was made by me! Or rather painted by me ;) My parents still have this in the living room...cringe!

 



 

And now some evidence of the early blogger in me. POSER!!!

 

These were taken for my Mum's children's clothes catalogue when we were living in Germany. Posing from an early age, and kinda in Vintage-style outfits....The Mister recons I look like a Medieval child in the one with the umbrella...I'm sticking with Edwardian themed flavours!

 

 

All brings back many happy memories, and is making me want to go see my parents and trawl through the folders upon folders of photographs...I may be a while!

 

Much love from Brighton,

 

L.J.

xxx

 

Further Confessions of a Sewing Machine Junkie

This is starting to turn into a bit of a problem....both in the actual available space, but also the fact that I am finding it increasingly difficult to walk away from a sewing machine on sale.....Do they do 'Sewing Junkies Anonymous'? If not, I think they should! I know a certain someone who has been over doing it in the sewing department of late and could probably do with a visit, hehe. 

I've picked up a few more additions on recent outings I've been meaning to post up about. I always feel a little guilty when buying them, but as soon as I get them home, I just can't stop myself getting excited! Who's were they? What did they make with them? WHY did they get rid of it?? 

I am now counting down the days until I finally have my very own workroom (dream...) and can put them all up on display, ready to be pulled from the shelf and brought back to life :)

I've been very lucky in that all of the sewing machine's I've picked up over the years have worked and quite literally sing, but I also picked up a rather good manual that I am currently reading through and learning how to service my own machines, the old school way! Elly the Elna is currently rather poorly, so I have dug out the trusty service manual and have decided to (very carefully mind!) have a little tinker and try to bring her back to her old smoooooth self. Updates as an when, wish me luck she doesn't end up in hospital...GULP!!!

So here's the latest addition, my new Alfa:

I went to a car boot sale in the middle of nowhere, came across this in the first 5 mins....had a little think....told myself I didn't really have the room....and that I should be buying for the heck of it...but she was £5! How can you say no to £5?! Walked all the way around the HUGE sale....lots and lots of kids toys...and kids clothes...and general junk...stupidly passed up a massive Chinese fan...walked back and...oh no! he'd started packing up his van and was giving everything else on the tables away for free! Panic set in...the Alfa was no where to be seen.  WHY hadn't I snapped her up earlier?

He saw me having a look, and to my relief, he had packed her away! £5 later, and home she came with me :)

I'm struggling to find any info on the date of it etc, so if anyone knows or can point me in the right direction, please let me know! However, for now I have named her Romeo, can you tell I've been to another car show? More on that tomorrow!

Next up, we have another Singer to add to the choir!  This is a model 201K, from 1958, thought to be one of the last of the best ever produced by Singer. One of my favourite sites to visit to research old sewing machines can be found right here:

SEWALOT

Found at flea market in Seaford a few weeks back for £20. I can never believe how cheap these things go for and they still work! I mean, if you want to buy a good modern sewing machine, you have to fork out hundreds, and count in the fact that most are computerised, you can kiss goodbye home done services and expect to have to spend more dosh getting them fixed again. And modern sewing machines just don't have the same charm as these lovely ones. Yes, OK, modern ones are probably more reliable, can do more, and have an insane amount of settings, but still.... Old School for me please! 

Now this last little lovey is not actually mine. She has been given to me for safe keeping until she finds a new home. And that new home could be yours!! The only reason I myself cannot keep her is that she's slightly out of my price range right now. Sadly, cannot afford to keep her for now :( maybe one day!

Don't get me wrong, she will make a great investment to whomever chooses to belong to, and isn't really all that much, but if you are interested, just comment below and I'll be in touch :)

She's a Singer Featherweight 222k, and if you have a look here you'll see just what I mean. She is deemed as the best ever sewing machine made by Singer, and is highly sought after. One of the many features (plus the fact she's quite petite!) that got me excited was that there is an embroidery hoop you can attach to it, and do free hand machine embroidery! Now you can take inspiration from Tuppence Ha'penny Vintage and get crafty on your own designs!

If you want any more details let me know. She is in full working order. I have had her threaded up and sewing away, and is surprisingly quiet but quick! The light still works too, what a fab little thing.

Also, in recent news, we went down to Magnificent Motors in Eastbourne on Saturday! Aaaaaand....did my first burlesque show on Sunday!! *Squeal* So much fun!! Waiting to find some pics and then up they come :)     all the girls were amazing and cannot wait to show you!

Hope everyone has recovered from the Bank Holiday weekend?

Much love from Brighton,

Sneak at tomorrow's post!

L.J.

xxx

Confessions of a Sewing Machine Junkie

Welcome to my sewing Station:





This is my workhorse. My parents bought her for me as a moving out present 4 years ago. She came from the wonderful Brighton Sewing Centre, who are based over in the North Laines in Brighton. I like to call her Elly.

She's an Elna Air Electronic SU from 1978, and she has done me proud. She even made winter jackets for the Beagles! But sadly she is now making horrible noises and I think she needs a trip to Sewing Machine Hospital. Off back to the Sewing Centre she goes.

My mum has been going there since we moved to England, so about 10 years now, and I just found out that Jenny Leggings over at Jeggings does Vintage works there too! They also have lots of arts and crafts courses running, such as 'Learn to embroider, the old fashioned way', run by the lovely Miss Amy Phipps, who I have the pleasure of calling a dear friend and occasional tutor.

One day, the Mister came to pick me up from work, and pointed at the back seat. First, I didn't realise what it was....had he bought me another suitcase? (I'm in desperate need of more storage) was it a big jewellery box? what was it?!

And then he told me to open it:

I must say, this has got to be one of the best presents the Mister has bought me....there are alot of presents in the running for the grand prize, but this is right up there! He'd seen it in a charity shop at an undiscolsed location, and thought of me straight away. I have always wanted an old school Singer, and it came with all the original bits and bobs, even the instructions and a very old looking ruler!

I haven't used this one yet, and it's a manual hand crank, so not sure I'll fare too well, but I'll give it a go some day soon.

Next up, this cute little children's sewing machine. Another present from the Mister, again, Charity shop find, but I had never seen one before. That's what started off my hunt for more miniatures!

One day while out shopping in Lewes, I picked up my favourite yet. A pillarbox red kids machine, named the Vulcan, and in it's original box too! The chap who sold it for me knew how excited I was about buying it a week earlier, but found I didnt have enough money, and pay day was another week away. So I kept all my fingers and toes crossed for the next 7 days, went back, and she was still there! He'd put her aside for me out of view, so no one would find her while I was gone. He even took my details and said he'll call me if he comes across any others.

I think my favourite detail of this one is the streamlining along the top, and that it's made right here in England.

So imagine my excitement when I popped along to the local Shelter and found this:

The thing I enjoy the most when I come across a possible future sewing machine, is lifting off the lid. What wonders would be under this one? What state would it be in? And how many spares do I have to find before I can use it?!?

Lo and behold, my new Singer, a 1974 model, complete with electric foot, spare bulbs, the original manual, and lots of spare bobbins. I fell in love. It needed a good home, and by Jove I shall give it one! So while Elly is off to Rehab for a little, I shall get acquainted to my new addition...

I am an addict.

And I love it.

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J

xxx