todays buys

Local brocante today - picked up these two vintage school posters.

en vacances

On hols at the mo. Enjoying the searing heat of deepest darkest France. Latest brocante purchase - an old cast-iron sewing machine base. Not bad for €22. Have taken it apart to clean and titivate before reassembling with a wooden top.

meet Mlle Bobine

Here's the first thing I've made from the vintage French spools - Mademoiselle Bobine (Bob-een). Quite pleased with how she turned out. She stands around 18cm tall and has been painted in acrylics. Her arms are moveable and held on with vintage buttons. She sports a jaunty and chiq felt neckerchief. Wasn't sure about the base - I did toy with the idea of decoupaging words like 'metro' and 'Paris' on but decided to leave it plain. Might list her in my Folksy shop - will keep you updated.

 

 

 

brocante find

Whilst on holiday in France we visited a few brocantes (flea markets) where you can just about about pick up anything and everything. Chanced upon someone selling a bag of vintage spools - 29 of them for 5 euros. A bargain! As you can see they have 'character' (imperfections and a bit wood wormy). One or two ideas with what to do with them, shall post as soon as. Any suggestions would be most welcome. They measure about 5cm top to bottom. 

 

 

off to work we go

Back to school tomorrow. The summer hols seem to have lasted forever this year- probably because for the first time in about 6 years there wasn't a gifted & talented summer school at the start - so we managed to spend almost 5 lovely weeks at our 'chateau'! Didn't manage to do very much in the way of DIY as it was just too hot!
Whilst in deepest, darkest France I was however contacted by someone wanting to use one of my paintings for a publicity brochure (for performances of 'Brassed Off'- which is a superb play/film that you should make an effort to see.). Couldn't see any harm in it so I gave permission and am waiting for a couple of copies to land on my doormat.
The big news is that I've not got a class responsibility this year but am instead going to be teaching just art/design technology throughout the school - yay!! Am really looking forward to a fantastically creative year with all of the children - even the threat of an impending Ofsted inspection can't dampen my spirits. Hopefully will have lots of pics to share in the very near future.

new term

Back from hols and deepest, darkest France. The 'Chateau' is coming along nicely. We managed to do a few jobs but also found time to relax a bit - the family needed some down time!
The dining table (made from a cut-down set of bunk beds) acquired a top (pine floorboarding) and was christened at a very pleasant supper with friends round. Like an idiot I totally forgot to take any pics! It still needs edging to neaten it off, so that's my excuse. I'll take some when it's completely finished, promise. The weather was a bit mixed but that didn't stop us getting out and about. Poitiers, our nearest big town has undergone a big paving over, not necessarily improving it in my opinion. Managed to visit a local brocante but didn't pick up any bargains, although the prices this year seemed more realistic than previously - Les stallholders have probably decided it's better to sell at a reasonable price than not to sell at an exhorbitant one- let's hope the same pricing strategy holds for the summer!
Art tomorrow in school so, if I remember, there might be some pics to brighten up the next post.

rugby

Another, 'see how it looks' sketch. This time in honour of the upcoming battle between the French and the All Blacks. Hopefully this time the match won't be affected by a dubious refereeing decision.

Am liking the hands on this one - think I've found a way that works for this style. Pencil crayon & ink in pocket moleskine.

back!

Back from grouting in floor tiles, painting internal walls, pointing stone walls and putting shutters on. Also managed to make a large table base (2m x 1m) from a set of bunkbeds that were otherwise destined for dumping or burning. I worked out that the middle section was exactly the right size. Quite proud of how it came out - just need to find a top for it now!

Back to school on Monday - gradually psyching and gearing myself up for it.

half term hol

Just spent the last few days at our 'chateau' finishing off the tiling. Didn't have time for the grouting - will save that pleasure for the summer hols! Made a nice therapeutic change from filling in tick sheets and marking.

back from hols

Finally back from jet setting around the world - well France & UK anyway!
Managed to build a shed from pile of bits (actually a very well designed and relatively easy to follow - despite all the instructions being way beyond my schoolboy French - kit) ;

and hopefully get my son sorted out with regard to university.
Now back to work tomorrow - sigh!