Sunday 10 February 2013

Weekend Freebies & Seed Giveaway

This weekend has been a productive one in many ways.  Aside from getting rid of some rubbish in the community skip, I have got rid of some more bits and pieces via the local Give and Take Day, acquired a few bits by the same token, received some free seeds with one of my free monthly magazines and we have made progress with decorating what will be my new workroom.  None of it costing anything apart from the cost of the paint.

The Give and Take Day was interesting.  In case you didn't read my post last week when I mentioned it, I will explain.  The council recycling department hold these events every few months in our borough.  At an allotted time you take things you no longer want and they all get put out on tables rather like a jumble sale.  Then at a later time, they open the doors and anyone can come in and continue to give but can also take anything they see that might be useful to them, absolutely free.  It's a kind of Saturday Swap Shop.  (Takes me back to Noel Edmonds on a Saturday morning - I'm showing my age now).  Anyway, I took along the last few bits of toys and other items from renovating my daughter's bedroom which were gratefully received and hopefully they will have found a new home.  The bag included about 10 pairs of 3D glasses from trips to the cinema.  Someone may want them, as at our local cinema, it is optional as to whether you purchase them, so you can take your own and save a pound or so.  Thirteen pairs, however, was a touch excessive to keep, so I just kept a few and gave away the rest.

I had a good look around whilst I was there, but as I was quite late, I think a lot that might have been good had gone.  I did however manage to salvage a few bits and pieces from what was left.


Here is a vintage cotton curtain (no marks or tears I  can see), some pretty floral fabric offcuts (useful for quilting when I eventually get around to it) and some unused lightweight  iron-on interfacing which is always useful if, like me, you like dressmaking.


In addition, I came away with this old grey box file (a bit shabby but I will use it to house some of my accounts), a book of William Morris quotes (some of which I may use on the blog from time to time), a 'Funny Face' video with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire (which is just the thing for those afternoons when all you want to do is curl up with an old film) and a few old maps of England (which I might use for map art, bookmarks, gift tags, wrapping paper, etc.).



Finally, I also took a few pieces of vinyl; a soundtrack LP to Mary Poppins, a Burt Baccarat LP and some Latin/Mexican LP's to hone my Zumba moves.  I also took this vintage tablecloth which looks unused, of Melbourne, Australia as I collect vintage linens.

The great thing was that everything (LP's aside) neatly fitted into the box file, so I didn't look too greedy nor feel like I was bringing a whole lot of stuff back into the house.  I'm looking forward to unearthing the turntable, once we've reclaimed our dining room, and listening to the albums, but it might be some time yet.

Anyway, I felt like I'd been reasonably restrained considering everything was free, so it was nice to come home and find my Grow It magazine waiting for me with yet more free seeds.  This time they were 5 high-yielding favourites including a green cabbage, cauliflower, jalapeno peppers, spring onions and  a high yielding tomato.


I doubt if I will use the 80 cauliflower seeds as I find brassicas tricky to grow, and I still have 100 onion seeds I won't be using, so if anyone wants them please drop me a message with your address and I will send them off to you.  (Sorry, UK only.)  Please rest assured that your address will only be used for the purpose of sending the seeds and in no way will be passed on to any third party.

I hope your weekend was a good one!

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