Upcycled fruit bowl

We’ve been managing without a fruit bowl since we moved to Canada (don’t worry, we’ve been having our five-a-day still!); it’s just one of those non-essential items I always forget to buy now we’re settled. Anyway, that all changed today as I popped to the local thrift store – typically, I didn’t find what I was looking for – and came across this dull, chipped black wire bowl. Ta dah! I love thrift stores, they always produce such random things! 

As I stood looking at the metal/wire bowl, I thought maybe I could spray paint it, as I still have some paint left over from when I painted our dining chairs. So that was it, the bowl was put into the basket and this afternoon I’ve painted it! All for $5 (just over £2.70). 

Before: (some of the black paint is peeling off). I washed it with detergent, ready for painting.

 During: I primed it first, then gave it two coats of turquoise paint. It was quite tricky to cover it all, so I had to do it in stages. The weather is perfect for this job today as it’s not windy (so I can paint it outside) and super sunny (so it dries quickly).

After: all done, now it just needs some fruit but as we’re away for the next week that will have to wait 🙂  

   

 

Bargain hunting here I come…again!

So another week and therefore another trip out to see what I can find. This time I’m going to the NE of the city (last time I went to the SE) where I have only been once. I’m going to two stores so I hope to be able to pick up a few bits and pieces. I particularly need some plain, light-weight cotton fabric which will be good for lining bags, tea cosies etc, as I’ve run out.

The charity stores in Canada are like TK Maxx stores in the UK; huge but all well laid-out and easy to navigate. They even have trollies so they’re expecting a lot of purchases from you! I will update this later on with what I find. See you then!

As you can see I found quite a few pieces of fabric! Plus I got a few lace trims and some bias binding. I can’t wait to start some new projects now!

Bargain hunting here I come!

Today I am off to explore a new area of the city and am going to check out a large thrift store. Shopping in Canada is quite different to the UK! I usually have a few trusted friends who enjoy a trip to the charity shops, but today it’ll just have to be me! I’m looking for some vintage fabric, ideally I’d like some lace. The beauty of these stores is you never know what you’re going to find. Top of my list is also a coffee table but as I’m going on the train I think that will have to wait, plus I still have my table and chairs to finish! One project at a time…..!

So I’m back and you can see my collection of fabrics below. No vintage lace but a lace top that had never been worn and a selection of cotton off-cuts. I am planning on setting up an etsy store with foldable tote bags and tea cosies to sell, so I think I best make a start!