what a haul!

Beep beep! It sure is busy there in Picadilly Circus!

Graham and I went for a day's charity shopping yesterday, and what a charity shopping day it was! As well as the beautiful plate above, I got this mug:

Oh, it makes me laugh! And for 20p, who could leave it behind?

The man at the till was most amused that I wanted to buy this book when I wasn't 'foreign' (he asked!) but who could resist with these beautiful illustrations?

Every chapter has a theme (tea in a restaurant, in the living room, at Susan's office etc.) and each one has an amazing line drawing to go with it. These are two of my favourites.

Here's what is probably my favourite page, with my favourite part enlarged. I'm thinking this could make a sweet embroidery pattern, maybe? Her billowy skirt is adorable.

The poems and rhymes in old language text books must have been totally baffling to students. I like this one, though.

I found this great book at the start of the day. As soon as I saw the diagram of the escalator on the cover, I knew I would have to buy it. This book tells you how literally everything works. Well, not mp3 players and the like... Or even microwaves...

Want to know how a typewriter works? It's there!

These men inside the submarine reminded me of a Spike Milligan poem that always makes me laugh:

A baby sardine saw her first submarine.

She was scared and watched through a peephole.

"Oh come, come, come," said the sardine's mum,

"It's only a tin full of people."

Here's how a record player works, as well as how to dance while listening to it!

You may think this is impressive enough but there is more, including three circular knitting needles, lots of vintage buttons (some to keep and some to sell) and a fab tartan dress! I actually saw the dress in a charity shop a couple of months ago but it was too small for me. I was still pining for it so it was really exciting to find another one in my size!

Graham didn't do too badly for once, either, and even found a single by his old band! Ha ha! I always wonder when I will find something I've made in a charity shop but he went and beat me to it...

What a great day... To top it all off, when I got in, I found out that my Eastenders embroideries had been featured on Feeling Stitchy AND Mr X Stitch! Woo hoo!