Dismantling a fabric sample book

Before we moved I stumbled across a bargain selection of fabric sample books, which I tried to ignore. But the fabric patterns and designs kept calling my name and so I became the proud owner of three fabric sample books, or as they became known - another b****y thing to move!

Well recently the time came when they called my name again, but obviously in the book they weren’t a whole lot of use to me - and so I decided to dismantle one, thinking how hard can it be?

The short answer is - quite hard.

In the end I needed some of MOH’s tools, some of his strength and also the encouragement to keep going.

There was a lot of strong glue, and multiple layers of staples. The middle ones were easier to remove than the end ones - and so they stayed and I cut the material around them.

But I got there, and it was worth it - just look at the material I freed!

And that’s from just one of the sample books, though I think I’ll leave the other two for another time!

There was still more to do though as even though I’d got the fabric out of the books I still needed to remove the paper border on the reverse of each piece. I was less successful here though as the paper I did get off didn’t come away cleanly. I tried soaking, and peeling carefully - but it was a lot of work, so in the end I settled for trimming the edges, which was a shame. Frustratingly one of the other books I tried the paper backing came off much more easily!

But I now have another pile of fabrics to refresh my stash, and right now which I don’t have any firm plans for - though the mustard ones are calling out to be a pouch, but I’ve not found the right question yet! The greys and neutrals may make their way into my ‘grey collection’ for my floral fancy extension, but I think I want to use some of the other pieces first before I commit.

But as ever, the possibilities are endless - and promise to be pretty creative too.

Post Comment Love 14 - 16 March

Hello there, and welcome back to this week’s #PoCoLo - a relaxed, friendly linky which I co-host with Suzanne, where you can link any blog post published in the last week. We know you’ll find some great posts to read, and maybe some new-to-you blogs too, so do pop over and visit some of the posts linked, comment and share some of that love.

Please don’t link up posts which are older as they will be removed from the linky, and if older posts are linked then please don’t feel that it’s necessary to comment on those. If you were here last week it was great to have you along, if you’re new here this week we’re pleased you’ve joined us.

I’m not the only one that’s enjoyed feeling the warmth of the sun, my garden is too. Not only have the daffodils sprung into life - and flower - but the nectarine/peach tree which has overwintered snuggled up to the wall at the back of our garden - has started to show its blossom. There’s hopefully more to come, and hopefully it won’t be caught out by the predicted drop in temperatures, but for the time being I’m relishing the little signs of spring.

Have a good week.

Losing an hour (or two) to pottering

* I was invited to the Garden Press Event, a one day show which connects garden product suppliers with garden media, therefore I’m marking my blog posts from the event as 'Ad’ though as usual my views and opinions are very much my own.

One of the most enjoyable parts of gardening for me is a good potter. The ability to lose an hour (or two) to doing just that and to be productive (mainly) at the same time is a great feeling. Don’t get me wrong, seeing the results of your hard work, eating anything you’ve grown and enjoying the flowers is good, but a good potter is priceless - and good for your soul.

So whether you want to potter in the greenhouse, sowing seeds, weeding, tending or watering your plants, filling the bird feeders or however you potter, it’s time well spent, and it can be even better - and easier - with the right tools, and all the better for ones which look good too.

There were a number of brands at the show - all household names - that were displaying some gorgeous items, and I’ll share a selection of those by Burgon & Ball, Crocus and Dobbies in this post which you can expect to see in garden centres and online this season.

BURGON & BALL

I loved the bold stripes of the planters from Burgon & Ball, and I’ve got my eye on some of these more decorative items for my ‘front of house’ greenhouse when I get around to it. But also the hand tools look great and the wooden handles are always a favourite, as they feel so good in your hands (obviously without the functional gardening gloves!).

BURGON & BALL

The Crocus stand had a lot of items that caught my eye - and it’s also likely to be a dangerous place for my purse at some point. I loved the fat ball feeders and the tea light holders, which will bring immediate height and impact to any part of your garden. I’d be tempted to use these in pots around the patio so that we get to see them as much as possible.

CROCUS

CROCUS

But there was so much else - mini Victorian Greenhouses, wire cloches and the tiniest terracotta plant pots, along with the pretty yet entirely functional sieve and dibbers. It’s just as well these things weren’t for sale on the day, as otherwise I’d have been turning up to meet MOH for dinner fully laden!

CROCUS

I was also pleased to see the mushroom kits, which MOH has toyed with previously. So far we’ve resisted, but I think there is some mushroom growing in our future at some point. Though I can’t help but remember that Clarkson’s Farm episode where he is inundated with mushrooms, as of course he never does anything by halves does he?

CROCUS

And finally to the Dobbies stand which had cleverly included bird song as part of their stand - and indoors in February, before any hint of spring showing itself, that was very welcome.

DOBBIES

It’s a big year for Dobbies as they are celebrating their 160th year of helping British gardens to grow - they have released a heritage range to celebrate this which takes its inspiration from the roots of their business as a seed merchant. The print was chosen by customers from a selection of designs from an original Dobbie & Co seed catalogue dating from 1906.

They have also partnered with Alzheimer’s Research UK and are working together to protect memories for the future by promoting brain health and funding research that will lead to a cure for dementia.

Gardening is a great way to show our brains some love, and this can help reduce the risk of dementia and together Dobbies and Alzheimer’s Research UK will inspire people to keep their brain healthy through gardening and garden living.

DOBBIES

While there is no sure fire way to stop anyone from getting dementia, there are things we can do that may make it less likely that we will:

• Ask your doctor to check your heart health, including blood pressure and cholesterol and follow their advice if they are too high.

• If you have diabetes, keep to your doctor’s advice.

• Don’t smoke.

• Keep your weight healthy.

• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.

• Keep using your brain - through activities or social groups you enjoy.

• Stay active and try not to spend too long sitting down.

• Drink less than 14 units of alcohol per week.

Source: Alzheimer’s Research UK

DOBBIES

You’ll see the heritage print on their limited edition collection including tote bags, cushions, candles, throws and more - and given that the design is over a hundred years old, I think it still looks quite modern - and it’s a good sized tote bag, which I used on the day and have used since too.

As I said, you really can’t beat spending an hour (or two) pottering, trust me.