Unfinished ribbon embroidery

I wish I could claim this unfinished embroidery as my own work. Alas, my only input so far has been to rescue it from the miscellaneous junk pile in a charity shop.

Upon first sight I knew it had to be mine, and although I have no idea what to do with it just yet, I think it's always best to follow your instincts in such matters and part with some cash, pronto.


Not very much cash as it happens, which is the first of my regrets about this purchase. With hindsight, I should have given the charity shop more than the measly £1 they were asking. It came with all the materials to complete it, plus an embroidery hoop, and I am feeling distinctly Scrooge-like.

My other regret is that I didn't ask if they knew anything of its history. I would love to know who started this project and why it was abandoned part way through. I wonder if the torn front cover picture has a story to tell?

It will have to remain a mystery, and in a way I guess this adds to its appeal. I now have to decide what to do with it. Apart from add it to my mountainous pile of works in progress that is. Eeep!

Thrifted teapot cups

I always wanted to be one of those people who uncovered charity shop treasures but they had so far eluded me, until yesterday, when I came across these little beauties.

This style of cup probably has a name, but I have no idea what it is. I do know that they are tiny and cute and covered in adorable teapot, teacup and cake motifs, and they were only £1.50 for the set - result!

Next is the task of deciding what use to put them to. Initial thoughts are:

1. Mini dishes for super rich chocolate mousse type desserts
2. Dessert dishes for the girls (when they are a little older and less likely to smash them into 57 tiny pieces
3. Plant pots for herb seedlings (although they are very small and have no drainage, so I'm not sure if this would be possible)
4. Storage for cocktail sticks and...um...other small items
   
5. Make them into scented soy candles (but would they break? I have seen people do this with teacups, so it should be ok?)
6. Something else...hmmm.

I'm rather taken with the candles idea, but until the final decision is made they reside on the kitchen window ledge, lined up in a row doing their pocket-sized cute thing.