You spin me right round baby...

Hello

I have not posted for a couple of weeks due to being poorly. I live with Labyrinthitis/vertigo, mildly every day, but I picked up a cold and cough and the condition took me off to Viv's spinning world. Ugh, vile, horrid nasty condition it is. It seems to really kick off with cold infections or stress, neither of which is easy to avoid from time to time. Anyroadup, I now have a Specialist to go and waste a few hours of my precious time with. To be probably told that I have to 'live with it' and he/she will probably suggest a few exercises to try!

Sorry, cynical grumpy old woman alert!

My 'making' mojo had taken a short holiday break too whilst all of this has been going on. In the last few day I have managed to rouse the troops and get back to it, a little.

Firstly, I found a lovely old booklet showing one how to make felt flower corsages..Well, I was going to go into business making these babies....this time next year I was going to be a millionaire! Ever the optimist! Well, it must have taken 4/5 hours to make just the one, so thats that idea out of the window. (Not literally).

I have been making purses and bags from that lovely soft, washed worn French cloth, that has the delicious hand darning. Front...

Back...Front...
Back..
This little coin purse is made from a vintage embroidered tray cloth... I thought the embroidery was adorable.A couple of envelopes, one with vintage wallpaper and millinery flowers and

the other, an envelope dated 1966, sent to Japan and duly returned to sender. I had the wonderful task embellishing the envelope, which has the most exquisite markings and Japanese handwriting.

Whilst wallowing in my misery, I have had two lovely surprises ... amy and I arranged a swop. As you may be aware I adore Amy's work and so it was with great pleasure I received this wonderful work. Amy thank you, I absolutely adore her...your part of the bargain will be sent soon.

I also won this fantastic Orchid pendant handmade by jo of Tanglefrost. Thank you Jo, for your beautiful piece and for all the lovely, kind things you have written.

Finally, we have all been agonising as to whether we should have another dog. Daisy is certainly lost without Rosie, but we cannot agree on what flavour to have. Many people have suggested getting another dog, not to replace Rosie but to kind of fill the huge void that is left. This baby is a Griffon Bruxellois. I wondered if any of you kind ladies out there have any advice with reference to this breed. The current husband and Holly want a Border Collie!!! I don't think we will ever agree.

But to me this baby is 'as good as it gets'. Thank you so much for stopping by. x

photo courtesy of http://www.doggies.com/

Picture yourself in a boat on a river....

Just a short little post this week, as not much to report. The week has flown in a blur of work, backward and forwarding to work and then the usual stuff 'n' housework but it has all been much more pleasant to join the rat race of late because, as we all know.... Spring is coming, slowly but surely and I for one are so happy. For me, as I remember saying this time last year, it's like emerging from a long dark tunnel into the light. Thankful sigh!

Changing the subject, we went to the flicks in the week and saw Avatar. Not only did we see Avatar but we saw it in 3D!!! Wow! Although, there was a lot of beasty and avatar/human fighting, it was so glorious and beautiful. Like the most colourful mixture of all the most exquisite things a mind could imagine. I did enjoy losing myself in such a glorious film for a couple of hours.

And...onto this weeks' makes. Again, not much to report really but I do love playing with this lot...
Sweet little bird pendant...

and another tin. I didn't embellish the front of this little tin, as I adore the wording 'Victoria Tasteless Stamp Mounts'.

and inside...another garden themed double trouble embroidered collage.

Thank you so much for all your kind comments and for stopping by. x

Thank you!

I really do not know how to thank everyone who, so kindly left a message or e mailed directly their kind words of support with regard to us losing our dearly loved dog Rosie. I can't say that the last two weeks have been easy, but reading so many words of kindness has been such a help...thank you so very much. Each comment has been read and so very much appreciated.

'How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world' .~William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice.

Below is a picture of our ten year old Bichon ~ Daisy ~ she has been totally lost without Rosie. We have given her lots of time and attention though and because she has 'poodle' fur, Daisy has to go to the 'poodle parlour' every now and again. This is a before...
DAISY

This is the after....I much prefer the 'before' Daisy, but her tight curls have to have attention otherwise they get felted. She is so soft at the moment and must be cuddled constantly. (The groomer always ties a bow on the doggies' collars when they have been groomed). Daisy you are one big powder puff girl!
I~O~
Holly has been to Paris for a few days with a College trip, which has thankfully cheered her a little. The sweet child thought of her old Mum, whilst in Paris and found 'Laduree' and purchased these stunning macaroons for me. The box is good enough to eat too. A blissfully beautiful and kind gift, I'm sure you will agree.

~O~

Onto all things handmade...I have been very busy over the last few days and have made...

an embellished envelope. The stamps applied to this vintage envelope are so softly coloured, just beautiful. The inside of the envelope is a faded, blue zig zag pattern, so I took the back of the envelope off and used little pieces as the base of the collage.

Lots of texture...

Then onto a needlecase, with a silk screen printed bird. Front...

Back..

Opened out...

Oh, this has just sold. x

I have also made three little mixed media collages held within small vintage tins.

Forgive me for stating the obvious here but...

Inside...

Front...

This little darling tin has sold but it is so cute I thought I would show you. It held corn caps...nice!

Tin open...

Tin closed...

This is another Panatella slim cigar tin.

Opened out...

Closed...

When I visited France last year, I purchased a few very old tea towels or should I say Torchon. They have that washed worn feel of the softest cotton. The one towel has the most stunning, delicate darning, so I turned it into a Dorothy Bag, as one does!

Here we go,

Front...
Back...
Opened out...
Darned area....
Close up...
~O~

I wanted to draw your attention to some of the fabulous Fairs, where I will be having a stand.

A week on Saturday, Rag Fair stroudinternationaltextiles at Stroud. If you like bargains of the vintage haberdashery and sewing kind, this is your Fair.

I look forward so much to all the Fairs I have booked, particularly the Fair that seems to have started the trend of vintage/handmade fairs, the creme de la creme vintageandhandmade

1st May at Chipping Sodbury. But before then, I will be attending the lovely homespun fair at Portscatho, Cornwall, April 5th. Please see my sidebar for more details.

Once again, how can I thank you? I don't know what I would do without my bloggy friends.

Thanks for stopping by. x

Our dearest girl...

Hello,
forgive me ..... but, I wasn't under any illusions that it would hurt when Rosie passed away, but I have been knocked sideways at the depth of sadness we as a family feel. Rosie passed away last Saturday night, thankfully peacefully. We were able to stroke and talk to her after she had had a stroke and be with her as she slipped away from us. She became part of our family Christmas 1995 and we have been in receipt of fifteen years of absolute love and total devotion. We are heartbroken. Will there be a time soon please, that I can think of her and not cry? To all you lovely friends, please give your sweet family pets an extra hug today and a huge hug from me. xRosie enjoying a walk in bluebell woods last April.

~O~

Onto much happer subjects....I was cheered today by Posty bringing me my part of a swop.... the lovely and exceptionally talented becky of vintage fairy tales sent me the most wonderful package, containing a flower made with gorgeous vintage textiles. Becky made the flower when attending a workshop in France with Julie Arkell. Not only did I receive this, but also the most fabulous medal for valour, which I shall wear next week on my cardi with pride. If you don't know Becky's work, please take a look at her blog. A lovely and talented lady and my friend. I shall be sending Becky one of my new necklaces and another little thing. Thank you so much Becky. ~O~

Despite having a thousand better things to do, I have been making or should I say pithering with this bird cage all of last evening and most of today! I have finally finished it and what a fiddle faddle is was too, but I am happy with it and I do love a bird cage. It bought Miss Flight to mind and I did leave the door open for little birdy to fly.

Just a short little post today. Thank you to everyone that visited my last post and to all who left a comment...so sorry if I didn't thank you personally.

Thanks for stopping by.x

Where troubles melt like lemon drops...

Hello, long time no see!I wanted to tell you about a postcard, below, which was kindly given to me by my sister in law. As you know, one of my passions is collecting vintage ephemera with it's beautiful handwriting, text and stamps. So I was very fortunate to be given this postcard dated 1933. When I read it, I couldn't really believe what I was reading.
Here goes ... "My dear daughter, just a card to wish you many happy returns of the day and I hope you will live to see many more, from Mum and Dad. xxxx".
Addressed to : Miss E. Wright, Victoria Ward, St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington W2!!!!!!
Well her Mother certainly sounded optimistic!!! :-( I can only hope Miss E. Wright was a Nurse on that particular ward.
~O~
I also wanted to tell you about two wonderful ladies and the swops we have exchanged.
You may know dreamsintertwined Heidi is an avid collector of all things vintage, a good deal of which is for sale in her Etsy shop and also makes wonderful collage. Look what I was lucky enough to be sent by Heidi. All manner of ephemera, fabrics and wallpaper. She also kindly included a piece of her own work. So many lovely things that she chose especially for me. Poor Heidi hasn't received my end of the bargain yet, but I'm getting there. Thank you so much H.
Now, onto Julie juliewhitmorepottery If you don't know Julie's work, well, you are in for a treat. Without doubt, Julie has the most special gift. Her gentle, sweet, beautiful faience pottery is sublime. How fortunate am I to have such generous and kind friends.
I sent Julie a needlecase and an embellished sketchbook.

A plate, lino print cards and divine necklace with a painted Bumble Bee focal bead. Thank you so much Julie.

With Julie's help, inspiration struck and I have made these textile pendants.

The blues, pinks and greens of the beads just help to set the pendants off. I have enjoyed making them so much.

I have also been making Dorothy Bags, (tenuous connection with post title), from vintage french dense weave linen.

Again, I have really enjoyed making these too and it is great to have a usable piece made from such lovely old linen. All of which are in my Etsy shopBack
~O~

I just wanted to mention that I have recently joined Etsymidlanders A great yahoo group, all working hard to promote Midland Etsians. Please take a look at the blog, if you get a mo.

~O~

Finally, I would just like to send you to a heartwarming post. Victoria of thesillyboodilly .... a few months ago, Victoria lost her beloved Mo, but now Ellie Mae has come to stay. Make sure you have a tissue at the ready girls.

~O~

Well, once again thank you so much for visiting and for all the kind and generous comments. x