You keep saying you've got something for me...

Going quietly bonkers at home, (still not feeling too good), I persuaded the current husband that we should visit birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, as for the remainder of this year they have artefacts on exhibition from the staffordshire hoard. As this incredible find, dating back to 700bc was found just under 10 miles away from where we live, I thought it time we went and had a little look. Quite honestly, I was a little disappointed. In a small room were several cabinets displaying a few of the gold pieces..... shards, of mainly sword hilts, all of which were incredibly detailed and exquisitely worked. I suppose, I should have done my homework, as to what actually is on display. It is good news that the find is staying in the Midlands. The Exhibition is free and constantly changing.
We always enjoy visiting the Museum, as it holds a fine collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, see link for the Gallery's online resource.
Wandering and enjoying the paintings, we came across this cabinet, crammed with pairs of shoes from down the ages. I took quite a lot of photos which I wanted to share with you, as I am sure you will agree, the shapes, colours, textures and designs of the shoes are absolutely beautiful.

These in particular were stunning. I think they were made of a very fine linen, exquisitely embroidered.

Each time I look at these...a little song pops into my head... 'I'm the dandy highwayman who you're too scared to mention'. :-)

Every single pair were a delight.

Just managed to take these pics of ancient handpainted glassware.....love the Goldfinch.

I took all my drawing paraphernalia with me, but only managed one or two drawings.

Change of subject...A couple of 'makes' to show you...

This little needle case (free machine embroidered birds, coloured with water colour paint) is winging it's way to the old US of A.

Back...

I wonder if you remember this post about a late 1700's quilt I had treated myself to.

I thought you may like to see what we have done with it. The current husband attached one side of the quilt to a baton and hung it to a wall of our living room. I can now admire it's disintegrated, crumbled beauty from the comfort of my sofa.

Talking of 1700's textiles, I urge you to visit katies blog. She has posted about the 'Threads of Feeling' Exhibition at the Foundling Museum, Brunswick Square, London until 6th March. I won't go into detail here, but there is another very good review of the Exhibition here. I am looking forward to visiting very much.

Thank you for stopping by. x

Seasons Greetings

Seasons Greetings to you my friends.
I haven't really been getting out much just lately :-) a combination of feeling crappy and the harsh winter weather. So my blog has become a little samey and rather boring, I feel....apologies, I am hoping to do something about that over the next few weeks but in the meantime, I wanted to show you this week's makes...
Lovely, lovely old envelope dated, I think, 1968. The colour mix and serious portraits of the stamps alongside a 1960's illustrated trumpeting angel is just so pleasing ... I have added lots of ephemera and textured hand embroidery too.

Then onto this little sweetie. It is soooo tiny, 3" across and dated 1952. I have applied a silk picture of one of my vtg doggies and you know the rest.

In the mood for making heart shaped brooches too...just as a matter of interest, the silk flowery background is a copy of a piece of 1930's Liberty silk. I have added vtg map and French floral fabric for lots of textural goodness :-)

Quite honestly, all I want to do at the mo, is make these needlecases ... sad, I know!

Last Sunday, someone played a cruel trick and another birthday came around! The years are whizzing round at what seems to be top speed, scary, really scary.

Anyroadup, the current husband knows me well enough to know that buying me this abbottandellwood brooch would make me happy, and indeed it did. Check out their web site. Desirable, quirky and just damn fabulous work.

Thought I would throw in a few pics of the old decs...

Well, that's me for now... I would like to wish you the happiest of holidays, a beautifully peaceful and joyous Christmas and the best of new years.

Thank you so much to everyone for their support all through the year. Every single comment has been so very much appreciated. Thank you to lurkers for regularly reading and for all Followers too.

All my love

viv xxx

Brrrrrrrr

Hello!
Well, back in beautiful October, had anyone suggested that the UK would have snow fall such as the one we are experiencing, we would have had a little snigger!
I took these photos this morning when my two little quadruped friends and I went for a breath of verrrrry fresh air.

All the extremities were pretty frozen within ten minutes, so gorgeous as the sparkling snow and ice, sunshine and blue sky was...I quickly retreated to the warmth of the fireside with a very large cup of caffiene and a mince pie...last thing on earth I should be indulging in, but what the heck!
My Mum has dealt in antiques and bric a brac for 25 years and I have been lucky enough to relieve her of a few lovely things down the years...one of which is this little, old and worn bunny. I love her so much, she is so sweet and friendly, I have spoken about her before. Here she is, on the front of two needlecases...

Front...

Back...

Opened out...

Inside is new Liberty Tana Lawn...

And the other...she wanted a photo of her profile, to show off her cute little tail!Back...

Opened out...

Lots of texture, loose threads etc....

I recently purchased larger purse frames, so these purses are almost clutch bag size...

This beautiful child is taken from a very old French photograph....She has a large silk bow in her hair and is holding full blown roses in the photograph. I have transferred part of the picture onto cream fabric and embellished with old millinery flowers, embroidery and made it into a sweet little brooch.

All in Etsyland.

Well, that's me done for today.

Once again and I know I say it every post, but thank you to everyone for commenting, new Followers and for stopping by. x

It's a beautiful sight, we're happy tonight...

Well, Billy is lovin' the white stuff! He hasn't seen snow before this week, and it has been a joy to watch him playing in fresh snow! Aww Bill.

A big, huge, gigantic thank you to everyone who has kindly left comments, followed and just been blinkin' great of late. Sorry I have been a miserable so and so. Still having difficulty sewing and struggling with the Fibromyalgia, but anyroadup...
Just a short little post today of 'makes' now on Etsy.
Needlecase...

A little vintage tin...

containing this...

A vtg playing card box...

containing this... A little coin purse...

Pretty handmade bow brooches...made from Liberty and all things old and lovely.

Thanks for stopping by. x