The Silk Purse

Can you remember me telling you my grand plans for a credit crunching, planet saving, brand new recycled kitchen? I called it "Operation Silk Purse" as we were trying to make it out of a "sows ear". Well, I thought I would show you how it was evolving. This used to be the dining end of the kitchen, but it was never quite big enough for us to all get around the table comfortably and the table became a dumping ground for bags, dirty pots etc etc and made the room look a mess. The table has been recycled into the garden and all the units in here were "wombled" from my friends house as she was having a new kitchen. The doors were purchased really cheaply in the B&Q sale when they had 60% off and are a very similar style to the existing kitchen doors (which I couldn't replace as they are an old and odd size). Once painted up, you just don't notice the difference. I'm going to put a couple of shelves up at this side of the kitchen, but I'm hoping to find some old wood to re-use. Ive had to have new worktops as they no longer did the ones I had before. That has bumped the cost up more than I intended, but its does look more modern and swish. We used the same handles. I changed them a few years back and had spares as I got a bargain big bag!

These shelves were originally here, so they have had a lick of paint too, and I am going to treat myself to new floor covering eventually, but no hurry. We have a concrete floor, otherwise I would have been tempted to paint it.

Instead of dashing out to buy new accessories, I decided to use what I already had a bit better. I have several of these large dishes. They came from my Grandads house and I think they had belonged to my great Grandmother.

My sister gave me this a few years ago,

And this was a keepsake from a great Aunt that I kept after she died.

I have a dilemma now. I am going to have a row of tiles all way around, and a few rows behind the sink as a splash back. I originally wanted white as I loved the ones in Sophie Dahls kitchen, and all the ones in the Swedish kitchens - but we foolishly brought a black one to try as well, and I can't make my mind up now!

A brief respite

This weekend, a good friend is helping us fit our "wombled" recycled kitchen units. So whilst the kitchen is looking like this....

the living room/dining room is looking like this.

For a brief respite, I took myself off with my friend to the local church as they were holding a Snowdrop festival.

The weather on Saturday was misty, murky, wet and cold, so we didn't hang around looking at the Snowdrops for very long.

If you double click this one, you can see raindrops on Snowdrops!

After a brief photography session outside, we headed inside for coffee and cake.

The stained glass windows added some much needed colour to the day.

And the plain leaded window showed just how dull and grey the day actually was.

Recycle it to me.

On the crafting front, I have been dabbling, with a few ideas for Easter Cards. My lovely bloggy friend Rosie sent me a bag of ribbons and buttons (amongst other things) which are coming in very handy - thank you Rosie.

I got together with a crafting friend (and her box of "stuff"!). She had been inspired to have a go at the hearts that I have been making and she had made a fabulous "Flower Fairy" one - she left me some fabric so that I could have a go myself. This is my attempt which I love, but hers was much nicer.

And I have made a simple heart for the kitchen - here's the front....

..and here's the back.

You only need scraps to embellish the hearts, and I was running out of "lovely bits". I had a brain wave. I emailed a local dress maker who has a very high end bridal/evening wear shop. Did she have any scraps? She emailed me straight back saying she would fill me a bag. So I called in, and she had an enormous bag full of lovely silks, satins, lace, ribbon, velvets, brocade etc waiting for me. And the best bit was she didn't want anything for them!

And so I am now saving the planet - one heart at a time.

I'll show you what I made later.

The milkman and me

Get your minds out of the gutter!! Its not what you think!

I still have a milkman to deliver my milk and eggs. Friends say it is cheaper to buy milk in the supermarket - but I know it isn't. The last time I popped into Asda for just milk, I spent £80 - and I did really only need milk! I leave him my empties, and they get reused lots more times and so I don't have those horrible big plastic containers to dispose of, and he never misses a day - even when it is really bad snow. He delivers it at 4am, so its always fresh for my cornflakes. He also delivers my eggs. I know that he picks these himself from a local farmer, and I often end up with a box full of double yolkers. He takes the boxes back when they are empty - so no land fill there either. When I see how much plastic my pals recycle - just from milk and eggs - I am astounded.

My son also pointed out that we are keeping him in a job too, and for that reason alone, I think its worth keeping the milkman.