Website news...

There is new stock added to the shop, a taste of which is below. If you've previously subscribed to the newsletter, you should have received an email by now.

I'm in the process of setting up a newsletter function on the site so new customers can then subscribe. Until then, I will always mention new uploads here on my blog. There will be more coming soon as I am snowed under with lot's of new things!

I've been a bit tardy about the giveaway but I finally got around to choosing Molly as the winner as I'm a sucker for any animal related story. I've got a very pretty vintage china cup and saucer for you as well a couple of other bit's and bob's so I hope you like them. Email me please with your address details.

I'm finding it very hard to get back into the swing of things blogging wise since turning my comments back on. I do try and get around for a read but commenting everywhere I would like to is something I still find very time consuming and time is something I just don't have to spare now the gardening season is kicking in as well as everything else. It's a lot of work looking after a quarter of an acre all on your own! (well, mostly on my own!)

I'm plodding on though. I''ll stretch myself as far as I can and no further. "C'est la vie" as they say!

Enjoy the weekend x

PS. I'd really appreciate it if you could find time to vote in my poll (at top of sidebar) and help me out with a little bit of market research! Comments welcome on this subject too. Thanks! x

Thank you for the music...and a GIVEAWAY!

One of the greatest pleasures in life (well, in my life!) is the joy at being able to listen to live music. That is; sitting in a concert hall in front of a wonderful orchestra. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen as often as I'd like just because we live in the back of bloomin' beyond....a cultural wasteland as t'were. Anyway, even if your tastes don''t run along the same lines as mine (classical) the same life-affirming (really!) experience can be enjoyed whether it's pop, rock or whatever. So, there I was last Friday evening, with the other half, in the beautiful surroundings of Sheffield City Hall listening to the mighty Halle (they've dropped the 'Orchestra'...very 'modern'!) in a great rendition of Dvorak's 9th Symphony(New World) amongst other great pieces. Oh, the joy! My admiration knows no bounds when I watch anyone playing an instrument...I am completely in awe as well as green with envy. Oh, how I wish I could bash out a few notes, let alone be capable of producing such incredible musical sublimity. How does it all come together so perfectly? How on earth do cellists make their fingers do that?! And this is a great piece to enjoy live...it makes your heart sing!! I am slightly biased as it's a particular favourite of mine as is the music of Dvorak generally.

Sorry...I do go on a bit! I'd just like people to experience what I do when I listen to beautiful music. It truly makes you glad to be alive!

(Symphony No 9 'From the New World' 1st Movement by Antonin Dvorak. Wiener Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert Von Karajan)

So, it got me thinking about those little things in life that mean a lot. Extra important at the moment with all the doom and gloom being foisted on us by the media. Apart from my love of music, I'm enjoying looking at all the spring bulbs pushing their way up through the earth; savouring that little bit of extra daylight we're getting every evening and looking forward to a 'Betty egg' for my breakfast this weekend as she's only recently started laying again after her moult. And the great thing is, none of those things costs any money.

By way of a little celebration I thought I'd have a giveaway. And what am I celebrating? Well, my new look website is finally up and running although I'm still uploading stock (phew, what a chore) and I'm also turning comments back on as of today. It would be difficult to have a giveaway otherwise wouldn't it? The website has quite a different look from the old one but still has a retro feel I think. The main thing is I've had a huge weight lifted off my shoulders but I won't go on about that...not when I'm talking of celebrating. A. is also home tonight after being away all week (grrrr) but that's just for me to celebrate!

So, the giveaway - no, your task isn't to watch the above video all the way through..hee hee (although if you do, well done on sitting through nearly ten minutes! ) I just want to know what is your greatest pleasure in life? That's after friends, family and loved ones...we'll take those as read. The winner will be...well, just the one I like the best really!

I'll leave it open for a week or so. Just leave your comment on this post. I haven't decided on the prize yet but as it will be something vintagey, don't enter if this isn't your cup of tea.

I'm very grateful for all the nice, supportive comments I received on turning off my er... comments. Thank you to everyone for their understanding. I hope you're still all out there! Thanks also to the people who've emailed me.

Have a lovely weekend..I'm off to the hairdressers tomorrow which entails a four hour round trip and far too much money but hey ho...

**Apparently, my comments were set up for 'team members' to comment only. I've rectified it now in case anyone was trying to leave a comment!**

Ta Da!

And the winner is.....Mary Poppins ~ practically perfect in every way!

Email your address details Mary and I'll get your bits off to you asap. Well done!

I was so flabbergasted at the amount of people who entered my little giveaway that I drew two 'runners-up' out of the pot so if A different Era and Kim will kindly let me have their details I will send you each a copy of Romantic Homes or Country Living...your choice. If you'd rather not, just let me know and I'll keep on drawing until I find someone who wants them!

Thank you so much to everyone who left a comment for the giveaway...I'll try and do another one soon.

Apologies for the slight hiatus there; not intentional I can assure you. Went to bed Monday night, fit as a flea, woke up Tuesday feeling like death warmed up and have spent the remainder of the week having a very close relationship with the bathroom. It's only today I've felt a bit more like a member of the human race again. Mind you, it's a quick way to lose half a stone (yes, really) So....once again, I am thanking people for their kind get well wishes. Aren't bloggers thoughtful? I think A is rather chuffed with himself because he managed to write half a dozen lines of a post and now it's 'his post' and 'his comments'. Oi! Get your own blog matey!

Back soon x

A short intermission

Hi everybody. Unfortunately Deborah's not very well at the moment and is in bed with sickness and 'D'. So this is the better half letting you know that she should be back in Blogland soon, all being well. The message from the sick bed is that the give away will close Thursday and hopefully Deborah will draw the winner over the weekend.
Bye A

Website news, thrifty bits and a giveaway

There is new stock listed on the website this week with lots of flowery things finding their way in there. Coincidence I can assure you.

(Sorry ~ SOLD! )

This is probably my favourite item ~ it's by Royal Worcester; boxed and all perfect.

I would like to thank everyone that's made a purchase from me, either through the website or the little shop I have alongside this blog. Each and every one is very much appreciated and I am lucky to have some lovely loyal customers. Long may they stay that way!

The sewing machine has been dusted off again recently, mostly due to the rain and also because I would really like to try my hand at making some patchwork this winter. Hmmm. I'll keep you posted on that one but don't, you know, hold your breath or anything. I've had this little cupboard in my bathroom for a few years and it's one of my favourite things; original paint, all chippy and battered (sounds like something you'd eat) I paid far too much for it, mind. It's got lovely original glass but I've often thought about putting fabric behind it to hide those nasty bottles. So, half an hours work and I'd made a curtain. I know that sounds a long time to make something so simple but for me it's an achievement. I'm not fast but I'm thorough. I love little projects like this that use up those small bits of fabric you always seem to have floating around.

I apologise for the atrocious quality of these pictures but the bathroom is small, north facing and has a tiny window. Ergo; bad photos. And using the flash doesn't help, but you get the idea.

I realised today that I'd hadn't shared any of my thrifty finds with you lately. That's really because I haven't found much due to the fact that my favourite Saturday morning car boot is rubbishy once the school hols start. So I've had to get my vintage shopping fix elsewhere. What I have found seems to be a lot of pictures. And books. But you probably don't want to see any more of those.

I did buy this french picture with an eye to selling but that may not happen...

It's about eighty years old and a bit tatty but what a beautiful subject...although slightly provocative methinks! Would you give this young lady house room?






I paid a couple of pounds for this small landscape in a gilt frame. I strongly suspect it to be Scotland; a place very close to my heart. The glass and frame were absolutely filthy and they had the cheek to be asking £14 for it! But the dealer had a sale on so home it came.

And this one....well, do I need to explain? I spied it on the wall across the room and homed in on it like a heat seeking missile muttering to myself "please be cheap, please be cheap".

£4.00. Well, it's not dear is it?

And just because I feel like it I'm having a bit of a giveaway. Well, not a bit of one. It is one.

There's two American magazines (if you don't know them already, I'm sure you'll love them ~ I'll try to send the latest issues) A vintage painted hanger, two Edwardian postcards, both with violets. And finally a pretty cushion cover. I'm sure I'll probably find other bits to throw in there too. So, all you have to do is write 50 words explaining what vintage means to you. No, only kidding. Although, if you wish to do that, please; feel free, but probably in your own time.
Just leave a comment indicating you'd like to be included in the draw. If you don't indicate that, I'll put your name in anyway. All are welcome; regular friends, lurkers (I love that) non-commenter's and overseas readers...so don't be shy, dip yer bread ~ as they say down our way. You've got until my next post. Or maybe a bit longer. Don't worry, I'll let you know when exactly.

While I was typing I looked out of the window and there was a strange fiery orange ball in the sky. I don't know what it is but I just had to take a picture and it didn't half cheer me up.