Saturday 23 January 2010

Who can take a rainbow, wrap it in a sigh......

I don't know about you but I have a house full of stuff! It is getting just everso slightly past a joke and I have decided to try and sell a few things on. The loft is packed to dangerous proportions! There is Quentin Crisp dust depth, on the stuff, as there is too much stuff to dust. I have to admit too, that there is an awful lot of stuff, I don't 'see' any longer and I think I should move a few things on. For example ~
This is the front cover of a vintage children's book that I had forgotten I owned. Isn't the illustration lovely? Going to pop it on ebay soon....On my eBay at the moment, is this old costume doll I purchased in Vienna last December. Lovely, lovely doll but she has to find a new crib...I am so down with the..... erm, .....erm young people's language!
I never have any success with ebay. Whenever I want something, I always seem to be outbid and whenever I sell anything, zippo, zilch, not a sniff of a bid!
The postage is always a stress too. I always seem to pay too much if buying... so in the words of my fav and much missed D.J. old Terry Wogan.....'Is it me?' (Chris Evan's doing a fine job though...'The Candy Man' has been going round my brain all day). (BBC Radio 2)
Dolly sold :-)
Onto the launch of a very special website, built by my little sister .....YAH!!!!!! She is a brilliant paper cut artist and transforms tatty, old vintage books into these works of art and all sorts of other beauties. Go take a look if you can, she would be so pleased! deckled-edged Go Sis go! YAH!!!!!!
Then onto yours truly ~ Here are a couple of pieces I have been working on over the last few days. The envelopes that these have been worked on, are very special. Dated 1946 with beautiful text...everything here, buttons, fabrics, photos etc. are original and rare. Both are over in Etsyland.


And finally, my mate, the wonderful mimiloveforever and I decided to do a swoparoonie! I just told Karen that I love Budgies and left her with a free reign and look what she came up with! She has included everything I love here, Pinocchio, chucks, Jessie's diets from the Fast Show. If you can, pop over and read her post about our swop...it's a scream! Also, remember, if you have a fav pet that could do with the Mimilove treatment, she works to commission. Oh yes she does.
Thank you Karen, I really love my big Jessie x
Thanks so much for stopping by. x

42 comments:

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

I love love love the envelope art!! And the swopah. And I think you can say crib because there's a show called Cribs on MTV ;)

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Hi Viv, your sister is so clever - love the custom pop up books. I also love your envelopes c1946, especially the colour scheme. Good luck with the Ebay sales. Bye for now, Lesley

x vInTaGe VioLeT x said...

wow love your sister's site have left a comment.
good luck on ebay i love to buy but i've not tried selling . . . yet!

i love your budgie swap embroidery/art - her work is amazing as is yours :0)

JP said...

Viv the envelopes are gorgous

Clare said...

Will pop over to your sisters blog right nowwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....xx

lemonade kitty said...

Your envelopes are truly gorgeous, and as for "Big Jesse I love it, I popped over to have a look and now I'm off to your sisters blog Thanks for sharing, Love Lucey cc

GardenOfDaisies said...

Oh I bet you will have several bids before you know it! Just make sure the title and description include lots of words that people might look for in a search of that item, to increase your visibility. And Your sister is a very talented lady!

andrea creates said...

How sweet- I have two little budgies(or parakeets as we call them here)tweeting over my shoulder as I type.
Love those envelopes-very lovely-going to go check them out at your shop...
I can relate too having lots of stuff- I had to move this past year as we outgrew our home.Now I just need to sort and organize :)

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

What a great post Viv, I really enjoyed it. I'm the same on ebay and haven't even tried selling on ebay for a couple of years, even though I should! I love the budgie and always, always love Karen's work and wit. She is a scream! Your work, as always, beautifully elegant and sure to become heirlooms

Happy weekend
Carolyn ♥

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Love, love the creative envelope and the book cover is scrumptious. Quite a word huh?

Don't worry, you're not the only one who has problems with e-bay. Chin up girl and just do it.

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green island

mimilove forever said...

Totally my pleasure...I'm not even attmepting a rhyme...but in answer to your question...yes! x;0)

Gawd I'm loving your sister's work..that Moon is divine...is there anything you n yours can't do?!

(Hoping to filch some of your followers whilst I'm here too!)
x;0)

Thank YOU missus!!!

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Yay Candyman can!

Ooh I am loving this post, i have read it twice Viv, I am sort bubbling with excitement at all the things you have shown and written about here!

Paper cutting sister, WOW!

E-bay delights, wow, I never win either!

HMM, off for a lie down,

Sarah x

Andi's English Attic said...

As usual, all the things on your blog are beautiful. From the picture on your title to the budgie at the bottom. Your sister's cutout looks wonderful.
I'm really surprised to see the window in the envelope from the 40's. I hadn't realised they were in use back then. xx

Angela Smith said...

Hi Viv, as usual so much to go ooh about! love it all. I nearly emailed C.E. about the Candy man. big conundrum, do I get out of the car and rush inside to listen to the rest of it, or do I stay in the car and enjoy it on the drive. I chose the former and by the time I had got in and tuned the radio I caught the last couple of lines, grrrr!.

Angela Smith said...

And now youv'e got me singing it again! thank you

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Hi Viv,
It seems you and your sister work magic with paper.x

Jo McIntosh said...

Hi just found your blog and am very impressed. I also have a stash that needs to be downsized!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Wow! Your sister is certainly talented and what a wonderful way to give life to an old book. A friend in Spain collects intricate popup books. She would find this so fascinating. And your envelopes with such history are just wonderful! Talent and creativity certainly runsin the family. I think we all have stuff we need to get rid of. I know I have way too much and it needs to go or get organized. Best wishes, Tammy

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

OH...your things are just dreamy..so wonderful...

i always see you over at Julie Whitmore and Sharon Lovejoy..

I saw that darling needlecase you made that Julie has. She shared it on her post...what a treasure...

i love your blog and am so happy to be following you...

more later

best,
kary

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Viv,

love the new header and house and tree greeting too. New work is so tender, makes me long for spring and all its greens.
xx
julie

Serenata said...

You're not the only one with those types of ebay experiences!

Love the doll - not looking though - think hubby would have a fit if I brought anything else home at the moment!

A time to dance said...

what a wonderful wonderful swap...great idea....I love budgies but they make me sneeze...I spent all night sneezing at my first sleep over as I had to share a room with the budgie....Ebay - hit and miss I have just put some brand new noa noa stuff on with tags, loads of watchers and nothing but then I do sell a shirt of Petes which has been listed more times than I can remember. Its very hit and miss, cant believe I was so lucky when I sol everything a few months ago...hope you are welll, will def go to your sisters website...love H

inmykitchen said...

I have just discovered your wonderful art work it is truly beautiful. You very clever lady.

My hubby and I recently re-discovered Jessie's diets. The Fast show was on a programme called 100 greatest tv catchphrases. Our kids didn't get it they only know the fab Mark Williams as Mr Weasley.

Andy came back from our allotment and announced 'this week we are mostly eating root vegetables' the kids think he is barking!

Jo

Whitney-Anne Baker said...

NOOOOO! Don't show that lovely doll, I'm doing my best to get rid of stuff too and have decided to get rid of some small dolls.Don't need another one but do want. And looking at what you make is dangerous too!! I can feel my wallet calling! Interesting what you say about ebay. Maybe an Etsy vintage shop? I've been thinking along the same lines myself.The small stuff I will do a giveaway for from my blog but the bigger stuff? Maybe someone should start a collective shop eh?

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

How spooky Viv.. Quentin Crisp and Budgies have been the latest topic here too..but not together!
All things to make the heart flutter.. especially your lovely latests and that budgie picture.. gorgeous! What is it about those chirpy chappies that we love so much.

MXX

Margaret said...

Wow what a talented lot you are! your sis's artwork is so delicate, beautiful!
I love your envelopes soooo much, especially the green buttons and trim. You are an elegant inspiration to us all Viv. Mx

Anonymous said...

Hi Viv ~
Thanks for the link to your sister's site ~ Lovelovelove her work! Especially the altered books!
And your new budgie is so wonderful ~ so happy to find out about her artwork and fabulous sense of humor :)
I was thinking of you alot this weekend as I was stitching and layering my fave bits of lace and fabric along with photos and printed bits. What fun I had...

Alexandra said...

Love your envelopes...going to have a look at your sisters website now :) xx

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hello Viv

Your sister's work is fantastic, Ive just been on her website. So intricate, you are obviously a very talented family. I wish your sister well with her new website.

Really like your envelopes.

Warm wishes
Isabelle x

Jackie said...

Wow Viv what a talented family you have.I've always loved papercuts and wondered what could be 'done' with them so never pursued it. I have a poor imagination..just look at your sister's work.
Do yu ever visit Paper forest blog?
I am so envious of Mimilove's watercolour skill too. her work is fabulous lucky you.
And as always yours is beautiful.
I know what you mean about ebay.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

I popped over to see your sister's work. It is amazing but couldn't see any way of letter her know! Perhaps you could tell her how wonderful it is on our behalves. It reminded me so much of the paper fairy castles and cut outs in December's Waitrose mag. Did you or your sister see it? May put it on my blog for F for fairytale castle when I get to the "effs"

Have a good week
Carolyn ♥

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

ps. I meant "letting" not "letter" ... see I have your beautiful letter pieces in my mind x

blueberries in the fields said...

i have discovered you through Carolyn's blog and i just love your work. your needle books are truly adorable. i will have to visit your shop one of these days.
have a lovey day
monique

Cathy said...

What a fun swap with your friend. I love your envelopes too. Aren't vintage paper goods wonderful? Ebay is always a bit hit or miss with me too. I get so cross if I am outbid. I think I must suffer from Ebay-rage. Good luck with clearing the decks though. I often make a start and then find a book I haven't seen for ages and get involved with that instead.

manon 21 said...

Mais j'adore ce que tu fais !!!!

merveilleux

merci pour ton abonnement chez Manon21

manon

Teena Vallerine said...

oh it's so nice to pop in here and see your beautiful work. I am going to invest in a piece one day but for now I am at the chucking out - not to eBay - I can't abide the packing! Lazy but easier to just drive it all to a charity shop! But then if I had a doll that nice I don't think I"d be clearing out in the first place! Happy new year sweetie! t.xx

paperbird said...

your envelope art is amazing- i love them.

Katie said...

Your envelopes are GORGEOUS, I love, love, love them! Katie x

Kickcan & Conkers said...

Your envelope art is beautiful, really. I'm off to discover your sister's site - can't wait!

Anonymous said...

Hi there,
Iv'e nominated you as one of my Sunshine bloggers, so please accept this Sunshine Blog Award for positiviya and creativity.
You can find out more from my blog post at http://fibrefrolics.wordpress.com/
Best wishes,
Penny

Amelia said...

oooh, very inspiring as usual. I will be popping over to your sis' site too - it's nice to be part of a creative family isn't it?

I'm always looking for vintage books if you are selling those . . . . ;)

Amelia.x

Karen said...

where are you???