An occupational hazard...

Working at an auctioneers can lead to all sorts of temptation - I even bought something at my interview!

But Mr Locket quickly made it clear that he was not keen on me bringing home lots of rubbish goodies after each sale so for the last 2+ years that I've worked there I've actually been very good and can only think of my blue sundae dishes and a sewing box that actually came home with me.

However, this week I had a bit of an abberation and found myself buying a gorgeous painted metal kitchen cupboard (scrap metal to Mr L), 2 Ercol dining tables and an old tea trolley that I plan to paint.

My colleague gave me a lift home in his van and I piled all my new treasures up in the hall - blocking it completely.  Mr Locket's reaction when he got home was stunned silence followed by "What's all this @*£%?" I was hiding behind the kitchen door giggling like a maniac.  Then he found out that I had actually paid good money for it all too!

Once he realised that I was planning on using everything in my sewing room in the garage - rather than cluttering up the house - he was greatly relieved!  In all honesty he's such a sweetheart that he never complains whatever I do and tolerates an awful lot.

We are actually going to be extending the sewing room to take up the whole garage rather than just half so we had spent the weekend before clearing out lots of junk - so you can see why he was rather dismayed to find more arriving!

I'm really excited about the new plans for the sewing room as it has become rather cramped and untidy with far too much stored out there. 

Also, I never seem to craft on my own these days as the girls and sometimes Fred are keen to be sewing too.  The existing room is big enough for 1-2 people but extending it will make it so much better.  It also proved to be a great place for Dot to do her revision as it can be made relatively tidy (unlike the rest of the house) and it is quiet and away from the hustle and bustle.

Other news in Locketland - the chickens are settling in well and we have started letting them out to explore the garden at the weekend so they've been having a great time pecking around and making dust baths.

Also, more of my birthday fabric arrived - charm squares of Lucie Summers' Summerville.

I can't decide if I like them best with or without the black and white fabrics - what do you think? And should I just make a very simple quilt by sewing them together in squares and let the fabric do the talking or should I make pinwheels as I've found an amazing tutorial here that I really want to try?

My other birthday fabric came few days later.....

 

Six fat quarters of Sarah Jane's Children at Play.

I know I'm a bit late to the party with both of these fabric ranges but I think I will have great fun playing with them - so that's what I'm off to do now! 

Lucy xx