My First Ta-Dah!

At first an apology. Due to being technically challenged (using one desk-top computer, one notebook computer and an external hard-drive - all at the same time) I got in a right mucking fuddle yesterday in banjo city waiting for deliverance. In my defence, it must me said that "I am woman", therefore I can multi-task. Unfortunately the above were designed by men, for men, nuff said really!

Anyway, the Lloyd Loom. Because the LL was so disgusting and to save me from Mr. P's wroth, I set about its makeover straightaway. Armed with an upholstery tool thingymebob for removing tacks, I removed 92 of them. After taking off the rather fetching brown/cream spot fabric, a 'Colmans' coloured curtaining material was next, followed swiftly by some 60's plastic pale blue quilted stuff. Finally came some rather nice pink floral fabric, which looked and felt like silk. Guessing this was probably the original covering, I decided to leave it for posterity.

Off then to my workshop, loosely known as the garage (but this was about 17 years ago), I proceeded to spray LL gold. When dry, I removed the lid and covered in some fabric that had been in my hoard for about 10 years (because I knew I would NEED it one day). Stapled it on, re-attached the trimming, and .................



I made the decorative tassel faceplate from a Sizzix die and dipped into UTEE.........

Purchased the tassel for £2.49 at Dunelm.........

Which I think finished it off nicely..............

I'm really amazed with myself that I actually 'turned a piece around' within 2 days of purchase, normally my rescued 'must haves' languish forlornly waiting, sometimes, years for attention. But this one was far too ugly to remain in this world without absolute TLC.

Sorry about the photo - my excitement probably made my hands shake. Also, I'm sorry that I could not show you LL in situ, but my bedroom is only 10' x 12' and I would have had to get on top of the wardrobe to take any decent sort of photo.

I already had the fabric and gold spray paint, so apart from my £5 eBay layout, tassel and petrol to and from (said with utmost relief) Deliverance country - a real bargain.

To close, I would like to say thank you to all you lovely Folksies for following me and your lovely comments.

Now to go play in the snow.

Taken late yesterday afternoon (it started snowing about 3.30 p.m.).


The sight that greeted me this morning.

Jak

Happy 2010 and here goes!

Well, this is my very first posting to my blog. I have only just got into blog-world and have been so wonderfully surprised and honoured to have a peep into other people's lives and to have it so beautifully photographed. I suppose, in this day and age, that not many of us have the time or energy to be more involved with our neighbours or community, so the blogging world is a great place to find like minded people and read all about them.

You are warmly invited to a cup of tea (a.m.) or a glass of wine (p.m.) and if you're sitting comfortably, then I will begin.

Just need to work out Facebook, Flickr and so on and so forth!

Its so difficult to know what to talk about first. A recent, project, I think.

I recently purchased a very old Lloyd Loom blanket box, as storage of bedding, towels, etc., was becoming a real headache. I had been after one for absolutely ages.

I purchased it off eBay for a fiver and nearly fainted with delight when I won the auction. Collection of it was a whole different story.

I had to travel to a little village on the Dover side of Canterbury. A very pretty village, but the seller seemed very elderly and his directions were impossible. We travelled up hill and down dale, asked loads of locals which just sent us further into a deserted countryside, occupied only by wooden houses (like great big sheds really) and I was not about to knock on anyone's door.

Eventually we happened upon some sort of residential establishment. Some of the residents were sitting outside smoking and I was led into a kitchen, by the hands, whereby a kindly member of staff lent me his mobile phone (mine was dead, as usual - another story) to ring the seller. By this time I really felt that I was in 'Deliverence Country' and I could have sworn that I heard banjos playing!!!!

Eventually, up some farm track (with the underside of my car bashing against the ground) we were met by a man waving furiously at us. He was not elderly (but sounded so), probably about my age I suppose, who promptly loaded up said Lloyd Loom into my car and wanted to the chew the fat awhile. I wanted to escape as soon as possible, as the banjos seemed to be getting louder and louder. It was so surreal and I was so glad that I had the twin brother with me.

At this point I was going to show you some photos of the Lloyd Loom in all its disgusting bad taste - but I can't find them anywhere (blimey, I can hear those banjos again). Just to say that it was painted in a 'Colmans' english mustard shade, but the back was still the original pink colour and the seat (well the first layer anyway) was dark brown with cream spots.

Pictures of the finished item tomorrow.

And, Mr. P's comment - well it cannot be repeated in polite company!

Jak