lovingthevintage

A Quite Night In...

2011-02-19T02:30:00.000-08:00

It's Saturday night...
A quite night in...
Sitting on my bed with new, second hand laptop in hand...
It feels strange begin able to blog from just about anywhere...
Maybe it will make me more spontaneous...like now...
Just writing for the sake of it...No particular reason...Just to say "hi"...

We had silver side with white sauce and veggies for dinner...
It took ages to make and 5 minutes to eat...
Dinner always takes longer in our house...With no working stove...
My fabby buy of the new Baby Belling wasn't fabby after all...
Maybe they didn't have as many appliances in the 50's like we do now...
All I know is that the minute I plug in the Baby Belling it short circuits everything in a 40mile radius...
So I am back to microwaving and frypaning everything...
Seriously...if there were more take-away shops in our town I would eat out...
But back to reality...We did have our own corn and pumpkin from the garden...Now that makes it all worth it...Healthy homegrown veggies just make you feel like you have achieved something...

However simple and fast it is eaten...It is just...special...

The weather has been rather steamy...33degrees today...
I think a bit of rain wouldn't go astray...the ground is suddenly cracking before our eyes...
and the garden needs watering every afternoon...
I do like that time of day thou..Pottering around as the sun goes down...watering, sitting,talking...

planning what to do and dreaming of what we would love to do...

Do you do that...sit and chat...about stuff that will probably never happen...
the dream...
It's nice to have dreams...and people to share silly ideas with...
I am just very lucky that I have someone that likes to have creative dreams and doesn't feel bad if the don't every come true...thou I do hope the dream of a stove does come true...

whatever your dream is I hope at least some of them come true...or you have someone that enjoys the process of planning the dream...

Thanks for listening...to me on my quite night in...

vintage hand crocheted bedspread

2010-11-18T14:46:00.001-08:00

vintage hand crocheted bedspread
Originally uploaded by H is for Home

H is For Home
has kindly added this to the group...

Just yesterday I was thrifting away...
out of town...
and came across a gorgeous
crocheted blanket myself...

I had to buy it,
an absolute bargain at $2
I will take some happy snaps soon...

I also came across a few plates...
A couple of doilies and some summer tops...
well worth the outing...

If you have any granny goodness pictures or
some great vintage finds...
Pop the pics in the group...
The more the merrier...

Sweet Treats

2010-10-11T14:13:00.001-07:00

Sweet Treats
Originally uploaded by Betty Jo Designs

If you have ever loved vintage lino
as much as I do..
Then be sure to pop over and visit Betty Jo...
These amazing brooches and
so much more crafty lino goodness
can be yours...
I am very lucky to have some of Betty Jo's
creative goodies...
My favorite necklace ever is a Betty Jo bird...
I wear it all the time...

I am loving these cupcake inspired sweet treats thou...
Hmmmmm tea anyone!!!

rediscovered

2010-10-05T00:09:00.001-07:00

rediscovered
Originally uploaded by LolaNova

When I spotted this picture
in the group today...added by LOLA NOVA...
I just had to share...
I remember these fisher price toys...
I'm not sure who in the family had one,
but they were played with a-lot...

A great treasure to find!!!

Cooking with Bella

2010-09-21T17:40:00.001-07:00

Cooking with Bella
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

Bella managed to cook some banana muffins...
and not cook them to a frizzle like my first attempt
with the bread and butter pudding...
I think we will work things out just nicely and get it just right in the end...

The salad is a mix of things from the garden...
Our own lettuce, carrots and coriander...
I really can't wait until all the other vegetables are ready...
then no more shopping at the supermarket for these things...

My new baby belling...

2010-09-18T01:26:00.000-07:00

My new baby belling now called"Bella" for short is home and clean
and will soon take pride of place in the kitchen...

It is always funny how things work out...
and finding my new baby belling was just that...

I was popping down the street today to pick up some milk and bread...
and on the way home and I spied a garage sale sign...
It was not really a garage sale, it was in fact a sale at the CWA building with a garage sale sign...
Yes the sweet dears from the Country Woman's Association were having a clean out...
and I had no idea...
Apart from nearly fainting at the thought of all the lovely sweet thrifty finds already running out the door, as it was 1pm by the time I went past, I tried to gathered myself and hope that something was left...
And there she was...
In the middle of the room...
and looking still as good as new...
Waiting for me...
My heart skipped several beats, and when I asked about her I found to my surprise
that she was in fact the original oven from the CWA rooms...
and had been in the storage room for as long as anyone can remember...

and the best part I am yet to tell...

She works!!!
no even better than that...
Bella was only $5....
yes that's right....$5....
I can't quiet describe the joy I am feeling at the moment...
I have a oven...it works...and it was cheaper than the milk and bread I had just bought...
It really doesn't get any better...Does it!!!

This is a pic I found on the belling site...
I am off to e-mail them to find out as much as I can about mine...

I do hope your weekend is full of vintage goodness and thrifty finds this good...

Country Show

2010-09-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

On the weekend we headed to the country show...

Lots of colour on the way...

Lots of games...

Lots of food...

No show would be complete without lots of animals...

These look like they are planing a breakout...

I think this one is keeping a close eye on me...

And low and behold!!!

Lots of crochet...

If I would have known I could have entered...

I will be making a note for next year...

But the winner was this amazing crocheted blanket featuring cats...

And of course lots of colour on the way home...

I love living in the country!!!

to bed to bed sleepy head

2010-09-07T06:19:00.001-07:00

bedroom 4
Originally uploaded by LolaNova

This photo by Lola Nova...
sums up tonight...
I have managed to spend my day,
writing patterns, sending patterns,
finishing of projects and getting them ready to express post...
picking up after everyone but me...
making dinner and blogging and adding things
here there and everywhere...
Now!!!
To bed to bed sleepy head...

Poole Butterfly Plates 122

2010-08-24T16:25:00.001-07:00

Poole Butterfly Plates 122
Originally uploaded by badhesterprynne

Feeling a little
fluttery myself this morning...
Lots going on...
Too much in fact...
Am I feeling the pressure!!!
Yes!!!
I was looking at all the lovelies in the group
this morning and spotted this...
And though it summed it up nicely...

I have so many projects going on and so many commitments...
which is finishing my patterns, taking care of the family with the Lurgy...
Cleaning the now contaminated house...From the lurgy...
A huge project for something "special" , will tell very soon...
But I have only 2 weeks to get it done...
and lots more that I will have to tell you all about...
But not this morning...
This morning I am waiting on the gas man...
We have run out, which means no hot water...
Which means I can't possibly function...
I have to have a shower to start the day..and think straight...
So till then...
Keep Loving the vintage...and thinking straight my dear...
Someone needs too...lol...

Twit twoo

2010-08-17T16:14:00.001-07:00

Twit twoo
Originally uploaded by knitted owl

This is some serious
granny goodness...
What an amazing find by
"Knitted Owl'...
And for the rock
bottom price of a fiver...
I know quite a few
friends that would
LOVE this...

Dhal-ling Tutorial

2010-08-10T03:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share a tutorial different to my usual...
This time it's all about my new favorite food...
Dhal...
I have only recently tasted this delight
and fell in love with it's yummy flavour
and ease in making...
So I have put together a little photo tutorial to help...
Well if you are like me and find it easy to look at pictures and understand
then read some long recipe that doesn't make sense that is...
so lets get started...

The ingredients are all here in the picture.
But I will list them below in the order they go...
But first I have to make sure I have the fire going
but I am sure you probably just need to turn the hot plate on...

So to start... heat oil and lightly fry onion with garlic and ginger till soft...
3 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of minced ginger or fresh it you have it
1 teaspoon of crushed garlic
1 onion diced

Add

2 tablespoons Turmeric ground...
1 tablespoon Cumin ground...
1 tablespoon Coriander ground...
fry until all is fragrant and smelling lovely

Add
1 1/2 cups of diced vegetable like zucchini and squash

Add
1 1/2 cups of diced sweet potato
I do like to steam mine first in a plastic bag in the microwave
for about 3 minutes

It will look a bit like this
But be careful not to burn it at this point as it is very thick
and only needs to get tossed around a bit

Add
2-3 cups of vegetable stock
just enough to cover

Add
1 cup of red lentils non soaking variety
I like to give mine a rinse first
This will thicken up a lot when the lentils expand
so don't worry if you think that it is a bit soupy...

Now after about 40 minutes it's read to serve...
I like to add a bit of fresh Coriander and sometimes mint yogurt and boiled rice...
Perfect as an accompaniment to a curry dish
or just by itself to warm you up...

Flower Garland shelf

2010-08-02T05:46:00.001-07:00

Flower Garland shelf
Originally uploaded by mo + me

Oh my Goodness...
this is just the prettiest!!!

A amazing mix
of granny goodness
and thrifty finds...

There is a helpful link
to a "How To"
for the flower garland...

Just click on the pic
and follow the link from
MO + ME...

first aid vintage

2010-07-25T14:35:00.001-07:00

the agony of defeat
Originally uploaded by LolaNova

When this delightful picture from
"Lola nova"
popped up in the flickr group
I could not resist posting it...

First aid vintage...
so cool!!!
It always amazes me
seeing the same company names
all over the world...
Johnson and Johnson...
I think of talcum powder...

The smell of talcum powder
reminds me of my grandma so much
She had a old fashioned powder puff
that was yellow...
and we would cover ourselves in powder after every bath
and it smelt so comforting and pretty...

When you think of Johnson and Johnson
what do you think of???

Just vintage loveliness!

2010-07-20T01:25:00.001-07:00

Just vintage loveliness!
Originally uploaded by ticking stripes

I just love this picture...
Green glass...
and amazing doily!!!
Thank you "ticking stripes" for sharing
this with the flickr group...

playing house-

2010-07-17T21:48:00.001-07:00

playing house-
Originally uploaded by oldflowers4me

I think if I were to play house anywhere...
This would be a great place
to start...
Picture courtesy of
Old flowers 4 me...
I adore the round cushion!!!

Birthday granny goodness

2010-07-13T23:58:00.001-07:00

Knit Nook
Originally uploaded by blondiebluvintage

For a little birthday cheer
I looked at all the lovely
pictures that are growing
in the "Loving the Vintage" flickr group...
and thought this picture,
Knit Nook by Blondiebluvintage...
was just the prettiest thing to make me feel all warm and fuzzy...

Please take a look at this sweeties pictures
and follow her profile to her blog...
I am sure you all will love it...

And a quick mention that as a bonus
I am spreading the birthday cheer to all my follows and friends...
In my etsy shop you will find a sale to make you smile...
A two for the price of one on all of my granny patterns...
Just add a note in the checkout of what pattern you would like as a bonus and it's yours...

I do hope you day is as perfect as mine has been...
and will be sure to show lots more vintage goodness very soon...

Vintage home

2010-07-11T18:36:00.001-07:00

vintage 1930s kitchen cabinet
Originally uploaded by H is for Home

This gorgeous picture
is the latest in the
" Loving The Vintage"
flickr group...

I would love my kitchen
to look this vintage...

I also love the way
"H is for Home"
has using this
vintage 1930s kitchen cabinet
and styled around it so well...

I really need to takes some pointers...

So for more vintage goodness or to add your pics...
Pop over to the group...

Loving The Vintage Too

2010-07-06T00:15:00.001-07:00

Loving The Vintage Too
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

So many gorgeous pictures
uploaded to the group already...

A huge thank you...
and please keep them coming...

I love seeing them and I am sure
everyone else will too...

I love the mix of old and new...

The amazing thrifty finds
lovingly cleaned and prettied up
and given a new lease on life...
and a very cozy place to spend there days I think...

Hmmmmmm
makes me want a pot of tea and a biscuit...
and maybe a comfy place to sit...

Flickr group for all that love Vintage...

2010-07-05T05:10:00.001-07:00

river cottage
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

I have added a new flickr group...

"Loving the Vintage" will be a place
to share your granny vintage style...

Everything from kitschy goodness to thrifty finds...
Anything that you love...

Interior and exterior...

Decor, crochet, knitting, clothes, handmade, colour,
quirky objects, flying ceramics, forsaken deer and
so much more
that makes your heart skip and want to go back to the thrifty shop for another look...

so if you enjoy sharing your pictures on flickr
please take a look and add some photo's...
and once a week I will share all the Loving the Vintage goodness
with my blogging friends...

Brightening up my day

2010-06-29T20:49:00.001-07:00

Dear Friend...
How cold is it???
Freezing here at the moment...
Some nights as cold as -5 degrees...
Too cold to go outside I think...
But after a little inspiration from my dear friend and her peachy pages of summer sunshine
and with a package from the postman...
I was feeling much brighter...and warmer...

I took my African violet for a spot of sun baking and it is feeling just as warm now...
I do hope the sun is shinning and you are feeling just as bright and chirpy...
with lots of colour and granny goodness...
Regards my dear...
Michelle...
Loving the Vintage...

Oh Deer Me...

2010-06-16T02:06:00.000-07:00

My dear friend...
After a very busy week of pattern writing and lots of printing...
I thought it was time to relax and do some rearranging and prettying up of
the kitchen wall at the cottage...

I added some more thrifty find plates...
with the help of a quick visit to the hardware store to get some plate holders and a bit of hammering, up they went...
I don't know how safe they are...but I hope they at least hold fast for a while...

and a unusual thrifty find of the most bizarre...
A felt covered deer...
I painted the antlers and back board white but might change it to a coloured back board if I can find some pretty paint...
I would have loved to show a better pic...but the lighting isn't very good...
He really is a treat...
I thought it might freak out Little Miss but she quiet likes him...
I think if it had a battery in it though she would have him thrown out quick smart...
She is having a bit of a problem with freaky battery operated toys that just seem to make a noise then they are not supposed to...
we have put quite a few in the thrifty bag to go to a "better" home...
which is all good as it does make the op shop ladies very happy...
and I like keeping them happy...
they are just treasures who not only stock the shelves with amazing finds...
but help out so many families who are finding it hard to manage in hard time...Bless them...

so for now I must dash...as I need to finish off a couple more Grandma Trees for my class...
regards my dear...
Michelle...
Loving The Vintage...

Dreaming of Turquoise

2010-06-06T15:18:00.001-07:00

Dreaming of Turquoise
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

Wishing it was warmer...
Nothing quite like a bit of flickr searching to do that...
Love turquoise...
I don't tend to decorate myself with it...
Pity really...
This images might change that...

Tovemichelle shop, Pynt

2010-06-03T17:15:00.001-07:00

My shop, Pynt
Originally uploaded by tovemichelle12

Follow this lovely link to find some amazing pictures...
This shop looks beautiful...
Oh I could spend hours in it...
Just wish I lived near Pynt...
So colourful and just full of granny goodness...

also love the funky coloured spoons...
oh and the granny blankets,,,lampshade,,,flasks,,,bowls....
Finding the need to just breathe now!!!
Pop over and take a little look...

Gardening at River Cottage...

2010-05-28T19:20:00.001-07:00

Gardening at River Cottage...
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

I watched Oprah recently...
She had a man talking about healthy eating...
He had a book out...I wish I could remember the name of it...

He said...
'When you go to the grocery store, only buy food that your Grandma would recognize as food"
Point well said...

This is one of my Turnips in the vegie patch at River Cottage...
I can't believe that I have actually grown something...
Knowing my past record of killing everything that I try and grow...
I am impressed...
and would say if I can do it anyone can...

How Cool

2010-05-23T15:10:00.001-07:00

Dear Friend...
How Cool is this book!!!
My Cool Caravan is just full of inspiration for us caravan devotees...
I went and saw the site and fell madly and deeply in love...
and after what seemed like no time at all it was at home with me...
I find that I am still flicking through the pages days later...and reading over and over again all about the treasures inside...
Like Constance...
One of my favorites...

It makes me want to fix up my sad looking Mr Vintage and Roma...
Oh the amount of work they need...
Maybe I just need to find a third one....hmmmmmmm...
After all you know I like collecting three of everything...
I do adore the Shepherds huts in the book...
How amazing ...I never knew of these...
One of them in the yard of River Cottage would be so sweet...

I do hope you have been keeping well my dear...Warming up with the fire going...
or sunning yourself by the sea...
If you are where it is warmer catch some rays for me...My feet are freezing at the moment...

Thank you too for thinking of me...
I know that my life has been rather hectic of late and I never seem to have enough time to spend chatting to you...
I do hope you are taking time out thou to enjoy everything around you...
Like a good book, a cup of tea and a few biscuits as a treat...
and you can always visit me and my granny ways as you know....
and I am sure to visit you too...
as I love catching up with your creative ways and absolute goodness...
Till then my dear....
just keep...
Loving The Vintage...

Tea Time

2010-04-21T20:48:00.001-07:00

Dear Friend...
I have been very, very busy crocheting these past few weeks...
And did think it was time to just relax and sit for a day...
A quite time to just take it all in and have a tea...and bicscuit...
Oh well the truth a few biscuits...But I know you aren't counting so that's ok...

and planning of course what is to come...
Yes some very big news soon...
I am so excited I will burst but all will be told by the end of May...
and I know you will just be as thrilled as me...

We are starting to clear a little area for a outside spot...
To sit in the mornings and read the paper and chat and relax...
It just so happens to be the very spot where I take most of my pics so I am begin
very careful to instruct "digging Husband" just where to dig and where not to dig...
as I really love the ivy on this wall and would hate it to be chopped up...
and he does have a tendency to dig willy nilly...
and all of a sudden I end up with something total different to what I had planned in my mind...
Oh those husbands have to be watched closely...don't they...

and I did manage a fabby thrifty trip this week too...
The outfit was completed all in on op shopping trip...
Tights...just kind of like Tif's...less the pretty lace...
Wrap dress...
Singlet underneath...to keep me warm...
and shrug that although mass produced it has a lovely crocheted panel in the back
and is a very sweet colour...
Shoes from previous op shopping trip but still from the same place...
I get so chuffed when an outfit just falls into place...So I don't have to think too hard
about it all...
as I really hate spending ages wondering what to put with what...
And my sea of clothes seems to be a mile high as I think the amount I can get from
op shopping and the price I can manage to get more for my money than buying new...
and find lovely things that I know I would never be able to afford new...
Which also means that "penny watching Husband" doesn't mind either...
Well I think we both like putting our spare change into projects for around the house...
so it works out quite well...

But I really couldn't go past a thrifty find that is just amazing...above...LOVE!!!
Really needs a wash but I am rather worried about doing it myself...
That might get put aside for the dry cleaners...
I have only ever been to the dry cleaner twice in my life so I will be waiting
for the time when I have a few things to take...and that way when they all come back clean and smelling just lovely I will be able to tell myself that,"that wasn't so bad"...
and maybe not leave it so long the next time...
I do hope that your week is as thrifty as mine...
But if not maybe sitting with a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits in a pretty spot
will be just sweet and lovely...
Regards my dear...
Michelle...
Loving The Vintage...

Holiday mode

2010-04-11T22:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend...
The school holidays seem to have gone so slowly this time...
Maybe now that all of them are at school I actually miss the time I have to myself when they are there...
We went to Nundle for the Chinese new year festival...and it was just the most amazing thing...Great street performances and so many stalls...and yummy food...
It was just lovely to now have weekends off to do that sought of thing...We missed so much when we had the pub...
We have been to the movies twice this holiday...and at the start of the first movie we realised that this was the first time "little miss" had been...Now that's just sad....I hadn't really thought about things like that until now...Like going places together as a family...It was always so much of a rush or just too hard when you have a business that was 7 days a week...
We all now know the importance of just saying...Make time!!!

We have also managed to finish of "my shadows"room, which was a huge job as the walls were horrid and the whole thing needed gaping and well cleaning...
He had to share with "little miss" until it was finished so we were all keen to get it done...
as "little miss" has so much "clutter" in her room there was really only room for a spare bed and all of his things were boxed up while it was getting finished...
Now he has a very spacious room and he "loves" it...
And to finish...I have been crocheting away in my spare time!!!lol...
yes I have spare time...amazing really...I think that is the spare time that I really should be cleaning up the house...folding the washing...or even making beds...
But crocheting seems to relax me...and that just helps!!!

and remember...crocheting can just make it all a little bit brighter...
Regards dear friend...
Michelle...

Loving the Vintage...

Bark Cloth Skirts

2010-03-08T03:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend...
I just adore bark cloth fabric!!!
But always stumble when it come to knowing what to do with it....
I like it but I really can't seem to find the right time to use it...
They are always bright-flowery or just not big enough to do the job...
I know there are a few friends who would be waving their arms about screaming....WHAT!!!
"I can think of heaps to do with it"...
But for me my little stash of ex curtain bark cloth has sat idle in my pile...until now...

Thanks to a crafty friend...
I have decided to have another go at making some clothes...
And the fact that my wardrobe is looking sadder by the day helped spur me on...
So after my first attempt...above...
I made another... top picture...I know quiet game of me...
And I even wore it out in public...
Yes to me sisters birthday...

So glad she made her own cupcake bouquet...
For I am certain my attempt at this would be disastrous...
Give me a hook and yarn any day over a piping bag and icing...

I have also started to repaint the kitchen walls...
I am not loving the all white so I have tried a very dark french blue...
I hope to have enough painted to take some pics soon...

So till next chat...
Regards dear friend and thanks for listening....
Michelle...

Spend My Days

2010-02-16T22:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend...
I feel like my days are flying by so fast....
Now that all my little munchkins are off to school I jam as much as possible into my day...
That they just whiz by....
I am still packing things and cleaning things up at the pub...
Busily crocheting some projects that are for a very big surprise!!!
and doing the usual...
Just now I think of one more job I was going to squeeze into today...
Wash the dog...
Oh I am sure little "Millie" will be thrilled that I forgot that job!!!

So even though I seem to be everywhere at the moment I seem to be not going very far...
From home that is...
Yes River Cottage has the charm of begin the place I want to spend my day...
And that feels so nice for a change!!!

Regards Dear Friend...
Thanks for listening
Michelle...

Loving The Vintage...

Thinking of Other Things

2010-02-09T21:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend...
I thought I should really catch up with some pics of my new adventures at River Cottage...
I have found lots of treasure since sifting through the copious amount of boxes
and cleaning up what was left here......
These 70's style beads were left behind by the previous owners...
Now why would anyone leave these behind...
Even though they are not in my most favorite colour...They are just gorgeous!!!

Now the most amazing amount of ivy is growing over the back part of the cottage...
Don't get me wrong I love it but I don't love the fact that slippery snakes
could love it as well...
So I have been clearing it from the bottom part and trimming back the top
which seems to be growing out of the gutters...
It is about a foot thick...
It will keep me busy, for a while!!!
But I am looking forward to finding some really pretty low covering plants to make it
less stark...and yes I will let my husband look after them as I know I can't be trusted with such responsibility...
I do well with children and pets...Not plants...
And seeing as though my husband losses thing (all the time) it is probably better that he looks after the plants...I don't think they can up and walk away!!!

Now the "Chook"collection that my husband collected years ago was found...
I know a very dear friend who has some of these...
It was hiding above the coolroom at the pub of all places...
Not mentioning any names of who could have "lost" them...

Yes I think I can safely now let you know the "PUB" is sold...
It has been a very emotional 7 years working and owning it...
So at this point all I will say is that now we as a family can move on...
To brighter fresher times!!!

So I have been cooking up a storm after coming across lots of old favorites...
I never realized I had so may electrical appliances...
I really don't know if this is good! But without a stove until winter when the fuel stove will be fired up on a daily basic, I have to be content with what I have...

The Slow Cooker....

A Pie Maker...
And even a Bread Maker...
The sandwich press, fry pan and rice cooker were begin a tad shy and didn't want their picture taken, so I let them off the hook this time...

I am trying to keep myself occupied as you can see...

and this helps me move on with things...
And I do hope that you too are looking at this year positively and with a purpose
I know this year has been a bit up and down as well for you...
But together we can lift the fog and clear our minds
for all the good things to come shining in,
while still having time to remember......

Regards sweetie...
Michelle...

Loving The Vintage...

Speedie

2010-02-04T17:10:00.001-08:00

Dear Friend...
This is Speedie...
He is a electric BBQ that was found in the shed of River Cottage...
Just adorable!!!
I think I will need a bit of CLR or something to clean the bottom tray as it is a tad rusty...
But just so kitschy cute...

I was going to write to you sooner but my nointernetitis came back again...
I think my modem has see better days as when I gently tapped it
it decided to start up this morning...After only just getting it back working too...
and then two days down again...Oh well

So if the letters are here and there at the moment I will apologize now...

So much has been happening my head is in a bit of a spin...
But most of which I will leave to tell you a little later as I don't want to
jinks myself in anyway...

The cottage is in disarray with more stuff than I really thought I had...
and it is a very slow process to sought through it all...
But getting there...
At least the lounge room is tidy and for me that is saying something...
I have been very hard and banned toys in this room...
Sometimes this doesn't always work but at least the little munchkins are trying...
And with no kids at home during the day I can seem to get on top of some of the clutter...
Which is really saying something...For me!!!

It has been raining here and everything is so green and pretty...
It looks like spring, instead it is the middle of summer which would normally mean water restrictions and brown lawns...
and I love our little valley looking so healthy...
I do hope the weather is begin kind to you and your family...

so till next chat...Stay well...
and I hope the lurgy nointernetitis doesn't sneeze it's way to you...

Regards Dear friend...I have missed you...

Loving The Vintage...

River Cottage So Far...

2010-01-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend...
Oh my can you believe it...
I have a lounge room...
The floor has taken a week...
Lots of blasting with the heat gun....Lots of sanding...By hand...
And yes it is at a very rustic stage...But I am really happy...
I haven't moved in yet...But hope to next week...
I have hung up my Black Apple prints...
and they look fantastic!!!
I have had these for quite a while and I am so glad that I now have
the perfect place to hang them...
and even better I have great natural light...
This is the first house that I have been able to take good photo's of inside...
And I am looking forward to taking a lot...

Oh yes I will miss the green weatherboard wall I always use...
Hmmmm but not for long...

I have a great place to put my Grandma cushions...
Well as long as no one wants to sit on the couch...lol...
I do have a mile of other goodness to go up on the little shelves but
I am trying to take my time so I don't hammer in nails and have to re-arrange later...

And now I am getting excited that for once I will have a nice space to sit and relax
and not be surrounded by toys...
Yes the kids have their own rooms and are big enough to keep their mess there...
Well I am ever hopeful...
So dear friend I am just a little thrilled to show you...
and hope that in between all of my crocheting...renovating...and de-cluttering
we get to keep chatting and keeping in touch...
Hugs...Michelle...

Loving The Vintage...

Surrounding Me

2009-12-29T04:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend....
Oh what to do!!!
How do you make 70 timber laminate walls "trendy"
Is it possible?
Am I asking to much?

It seems to be everywhere I look...
Surrounding me like a ikea store...
Not knowing which way is the right and getting lost at every turn...

I need some help!!!
Has anyone seem a pic of a room or house that has this in it and it worked...
Or do I just hold out and paint, paint, paint!!!

The lounge room has now had 3 coats of paint and the Hmmmm
and the stained yellow colour still seems to be coming through...
I think at some point I may have to add a tint of colour...
But not right now as I am painting the kitchen which I do think is coming up a bit better than the lounge room...
But don't you just love the wall thingy....
It is attached and I wasn't really into ripping it off the walls
It could have been a tad out from the wall...
But I can live with weird stuff so it's OK...
I am thinking some nice prints in the little nooks
and some crocheted do hickeys...

We are ripping up the carpet soon...
Don't you just Love the swirls of brown and orange....
And it's rubber backed as well and glued to the old floor boards....
Oh the shame...
Now that's going to take a bit of work....
I think that's a husband job!!!

And last pic is of the louvred windows...
There is quiet a few in the house and while
not good for keeping out the cold they are gorgeous....in my book...
very very cute...
But a pain to clean...and I do have quite a few to still get to...

So dear friend I was going to ask...
How was your holiday...
Did Santa come...do you have a cold snap...
Well believe it or not we did...
Ever since Christmas Day it has been raining and really really chilly..
I have been extra careful not to slip thou...
But today while moving a couch over I did manage to pull something in my back...
and next minute I was on the floor...
I would now like to apologize to all in my family who have suffered with
back pain and I have been a bit
Hmmmm ignorant to say the least...
So sorry...I now know what it is like and I don't like it one bit...
So I have lots of "deep heat" rubbed on it and all I can say
is it better be gone by tomorrow...
I just have too much to do...
So till next installment...
Wherever you are Dear Friend
Take care...
Regards Michelle...

Loving The Vintage...

River Cottage...

2009-12-21T22:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend...
Yes it has all started...
Only one day after I got the keys, I have enlisted all to help me get started...
Little Miss loves painting...

I did say I was ripping of all the old 70's timber panelling
but that was until some disappointment set in....
The walls behind it were crumbling beyond repair...
Really bad even for me...Who is very big on the whole
"It will be alright,We just need to slap some paint on"...
Oh well maybe down the track I can put up some plasterboard...
Now I have a few more pics...
The laundry a bit tidier than the last photo...
The well...
Yes you did hear right!!!
We have a well...
Mind you covering it up properly was the first job before anything
It is really deep and all hand laid...
How amazing...
But my stress levels can not cope very well with the idea
of very deep holes and kids safety...
So it is now all covered and I feel much better about it...
And now for the stove...
Oh I really can't wait for winter...
To have this going and a huge pot of stew boiling away...

Now I do know it all looks a bit scary just now...
Lots of work and really not enough
kids free time to do it...
But that is life and things like that will never change...
So I just let them try and help out as much as possible
and make them feel like it is all a great adventure...
I do worry that I really took on more than I can manage...
and hope that it is all for the best...
Do you feel like that too some days, dear friend...
I am sure you do...
So for now you will be finding me up a ladder most days...
But know that I am still thinking of you and hope your
Christmas Holidays are full of happiness and maybe a few new adventures just like me...

Loving The Vintage...

Sorting out

2009-12-16T01:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend...
I know I have gone and left you and had you wondering where and what I have been up to...
But as like me I am sure your week has been filled up with all the same things...
Christmas is the time of year when everything seems to snow ball...
There has been Christmas concerts...carol singing and driving around in circles looking at all the pretty Christmas lights...
Well I will admit to secretly loving looking at the fairy lights...
and now for me lots of sorting out and packing and even having a garage sale...
Yes I did decide that I have way too much crap to take with me...
and had to cut the amount of it down...
But only the really crappy stuff, not the oh I might just need that in the next 5 years or so
so that will cut the amount of boxes to be moved to about 50...lol...
But I did manage to unearth a few treasures in all that sorting...

The picture enclosed are of a couple of paintings by "Mary gold"
I am finding it had to research as there doesn't seem to be a lot written about the artist...
Apparently they are around 1920-1930...They are watercolours and most of the time they do have names...
But I really don't know what mine are called...
But they are delightful and very pretty and I do think they will look rather nice in the new house...
Only 5 more sleeps till I get to take over and I am starting to feel the excitement building...
and hoping that this new chapter in my life will be fulled with lots of happiness and joy...
And if there is a right time for this to happen it should be at Christmas because Christmas is just such a wonderful time of year full of love and giving...
and that's just what the new house needs...to be filled with happy kids, great friends and lots of cheer...
Till next letter stay safe my dear friend and will write soon with lots of lovely photo's of my new
"River Cottage"...
Michelle...

Loving The Vintage...

We Are Alike Because

2009-12-07T01:01:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend...
I know we are alike...but I will reassure you how much...
Do you every have days were you think I must grab the camera
and get a quick shot...
Cause...
Everything is checked off the list...
One...right outfit...
I'm thinking it was mighty fine...
Two...good hair...
Well good enough to think so any way...
And Three...Make up on...
Blending coverage is good...

and of course having a assistant handy who doesn't think you are silly
getting a Bench Monday shot is handy...That's why loving children are always handy...
As my trusty assistant snapped away I was thinking all was pretty dandy...

That of course all changes when I head back to the computer and download pics...
Yes I know what you are thinking...Are you insane...Your photo's great...
But just remember the pics you download of yourself...Hmmmm...
Do we do the same as me...
No,No,No,No,Maybe,No, oh that will do I suppose...
and are we sitting there for a short while (trying not to dwell) thinking how on earth did I think I looked so good...

Now as you are shaking your head in disbelief...I am just trying to let you know that!!!
I always love seeing pictures of you and to me you look like
the most lovely,beautiful,sweet person in the world...
So next time you are sorting through your pile of photo's wondering what you can possible put up on the computer...

Don't worry your not alone...
But remember this... I am looking at you through my eyes
just like
you are looking at me through yours...
and I know what I see, a very Dear Friend!!!
Michelle...

HBM my Flickr Friends

Loving The Vintage...

Roma and Leah

2009-11-30T21:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend...

My what a whirl wind of a week...
We had yet another dust storm yesterday and I do start to worry about the state of our little planet when weather changes so dramatically....
How is the climate were you are...Are you warm and summery or cool and wintry...
Since blogging I find these things now amuse me more than they every did before...
Seeing pictures and chatting to friends who live so far away bring these things to light I suppose...

My mind has been busy with so many happy thoughts this week as well...
Seeing the new painting by Leah of my sweet pretty Roma, has brightened me no end...
I know you love caravans and vintage as much as me so I realize your heart would be in a flutter too..
So here is a beautiful photo just cause I knew you would want to see it as much as me...

(Click on image to visit the lovely Leah at flickr)Photo courtesy of Leah...
Or Here to see her Etsy shop...
Leah has a amazing style about here painting...
I think you will agree...For me her work reminds me of true
Brady Bunch Architecture...
The look of that era, the clean lines of architectural drawing but the thought that something
more lies within...The perfect house yet is it the perfect family?
I could delve deeper into thought but I will not as I really would like to see what you think?
Of course it is ovious that I am insane about caravans so that does help loving here work...
But after checking through Leah's etsy shop I did spy some very cool pool scenes...
I think I am liking them more and more...
Maybe something to do with my new found splashing abilities...Yes giggle...giggle....

Now I have, as you know been a tad crocheted out...If that is possible...
But as you realize dear friend when has that ever stopped me...
so yes I did find time to set to work on a few Christmas gifts...
Here is a photo enclosed of what will be finding it's way here...
I really kick myself for not starting my Christmas gift organizing sooner...
But every year I do the same thing....
Leave it all to the last minute...
You would think I would learn but no...Slow in that department...
Now other exciting news is the new cottage will be all settled a week before Christmas...
That gives me a week to get it stripped and painting...
I think I will be just visiting on Christmas day as I can not see me moving furniture and family in as well...
But I did find out some interesting things about the cottage...
That it is 155 years old...How sweet...
And that it was originally a school principals residence and class room
way back then...and even later on a parsonage for a Methodist priest...
Intriguing...
and the original side gate is still there entwined with ivy and the like...
Fancy that....

Now as much as I want to write some more I have to dash...
But as always there is more I need to fill you in on...Like the other project!!!
so I will write very soon and share more...
Till then Dear Friend...take care...
Michelle...

Loving The Vintage...

My Head Is Swimming

2009-11-24T01:27:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend...
My head maybe swimming but am I?
Well the answer my dear friend is this...
I wouldn't quite call myself a swimmer...
and there isn't too much chance of me drowning in this pool as the deepest end is 0.9metres...
But I would say I am a sinker so that's why I wade in the "middle size"pool...
I flail, I splash, I have been know to hold my nose and even submerge... but swim...
I really don't think it is officially classified as that...
But there is a very good reason behind why I am becoming a permanent
fixture at the local pool...And no dear friend they don't have a
Johnny Depp look-a-like instructor....I dream...
No I have made an astonishing realization
that by taking my kids too the pool every chance I can get...
They are overjoyed and I take my oh so comfy fold up chair
and my new favorite crochet bag and crochet till my hearts content...
It's a stroke of genius and I really can't believe that I didn't think of it sooner...
So 60 odd Grandma Twinkles and a few Grandma Trees later and the kids are still happy...Yeah...
Now I think by mentioning two little tutorials you may now know why my head is swimming...
So a huge "thank you" and a big "your are so sweet" goes out to all my dear friends...
Including you...

Now I know there is more to tell you and yes dear friend you have been oh so patient with me...
For I should have written much sooner...and I do have a tendency to get side tracked...
So I shall brighten your day and give you a glimpse of what will one day very soon,
be my new laundry...Yes the laundry that I really will love to go too...and why you ask...
Well if you take note of one of the photo's I have enclosed for you and you will see a
very untidy, slightly dusty and a fraction cluttered laundry...
But keep looking closer can you see it now...I know you can! you are so much like me,
you probably saw it the second you took a look...
yes they are the real deal...Concrete wash tubs!!!
Yes this very room was the first room I looked at before I saw any other part of the cottage...
and I fell in love...
I have visions (good ones) of my newly made garland hanging across the room...
I saw vintage washing baskets and rustic stands...I saw...Concrete wash tubs!!!
and that was enough for me...
Now I would love to share more but until the time comes that I have the key in my
hand we will all have to wait...and waiting will be worth it...But I can give you a hint...
Wood stove...hmmmmm...

Now dear friend I did mention in my last letter the need to gush...
and I do so love too...My perfect parcels in the mail were from two lovely friends...
Tif has the most amazing goodness happening in her shop it's hard to pick a favorite...
But I did manage to grad a set of her "everyday unordinary tags" and two sets of her
"every eventuality cards"...one of the sets I will be framing and putting up in my new abode...
Now don't forget her shop update in December...It is sure to be full of "Glee"...

and the other parcel was a most magnificent cushion, that I think is so me.
Helen from Helkatdesigns has amazing designs and gorgeous coloured fabric
and the workmanship is just beautiful...
And looks pretty impressive on my bed I think...I have enclosed a photo for you to see...
Her shop is full of Christmas goodness I find it hard to choose went I take a look...
But I know after you have finished this letter you will have to jump up from
your cozy chair and take a look...

So I shall end my letter this time on a most interesting word...
A word you know and have come to love as much as me...
"Caravans"...
Yes all will be unveiled very soon but it will have to be in another letter...
A letter all about friends, team work and the world of art!!!
Till then dear friend...stay well and cheery and full of imagination...

Regards your friend...Michelle...

Loving The Vintage...

Dear Friend

2009-11-17T23:21:00.001-08:00

I am going to try something different...
and hope that you can get a better idea of me by it...
You see I can write to a person, friend, real thing...
but I find only having a idea in my mind
of who is out there reading this I just have washy posts...
Very to the point and not too personal...
And I am not like that...
I am as most around me know a "have a chat"...
Chronic actually...
So my post is now written to you...
Yes you(no need to turn around)
It is you that I want to talk to...
and describe the day and things on my mine....
So I shall begin...
Dear Friend...
I was going to write you earlier but you know what I am like...
So much crap happening my head is spinning...
But I wanted to tell you so much I fear I will burst if I don't...
Tuesday as you know I had to have my op shop fix...As Tuesday is the only day to go...
They always put the good stuff out and the town swarms and nothing is left by Wednesday...
Plus with "little miss" at pre-school it is always a little me time...
But I am getting ahead of my self as usual...
I of course drag myself out of bed...Hmmm nothing seems to change there...
And as I get "little miss" ready I walk past "my shadows" bed,
first pulling the doona to the floor...
Yeah like that works...
and the several other times with words of encouragement...
Like "if you don't get out of bed I will get your father"....Yeah like that works too....Not...
"little miss"as you know is ready and in the car like a flash...
She would be early if she could and as I scream(encourage) once more to "my shadow"
that if he is not ready by the time I am back...Well Yeah he will be late again...
Like he seems to care...12 is such a hard age...for me that is...
Once all are at school my day begins...I know it is the same for you...
Funny how are lives are so close yet so far sometimes...
I head like a flash straight for the thrifty goodness...
And yes bless their cottontails they have just wheeled out the "new stock" rack...
It is nearly to much for me but I can't appear to eager that would be wrong...or would it...
I find the most amazing skirt...with added lace and bits of ruffles...
I think you would call it a petticoat because I know you would think that is a prettier name...
and half way down the rack I spy the dress...
Now if there was a girl out there who owned the dress and meet
the girl who owned the petticoat they would be friends just so they could borrow each others
and have an outfit as Divine as this...
but yes I do realize that this miracle is something that can only happen in op shop heaven
under ideal conditions...with the wind just blowing the right direction and the sun is high
and all that who ha!!!But I know how much you love who ha!...
So as I head home with a smile on my face I pop into the post office because I just love to collect the pile of envelopes with the little windows in them...
and I think if I get them on such a fine day it will all seem less intense...
And as I scoop up my pile I am presented with two parcels...For me...

Two parcels of lovelies for me...
I will have to write about them in my next letter as I want to gush and I could end up with a letter so long that you fall asleep reading it...only joking...
I know you are not like that...
But I have to have something to write about next time...

But back to my day...
I went to visit my new house...What! you say...since when...
Why hadn't I told you sooner...I know,I know....
Sorry I haven't had the chance...till now...
I should have it all wrapped up just after Christmas...
But I understand how much you will want to see more...
So I have enclosed some photos for you...And at least one to have you think for a minute...
The first one is the pergola...You know where I will sit in the shade of the grape vine and be having dinner parties with lots of fairy lights strung up...
Ok,Ok when a new one is built where this one stands...Had you for a minute...
The second photo is the "chook house"...you can see that can't you...
Squint a little bit more....now you have it....
The third is the swinging bridge...No... not part of the cottage...
but too nice not to take a shot in front of...
and it gives you a good look at the thrifty divine outfit...

And the last photo I enclose for you is this....

Something that I dream of having but it just isn't time yet...

maybe one day...

It is all alright thou because my new little cottage is just waiting for me...
With buckets of white paint at the ready and lots and lots of vintage goodness...
And I know like all dear friends you will be there wanting to hear more
and me wanting to hear from you...
So I shall finish my letter and hope that it arrives safely to your door...
Wrapped up in lace and twine and a little sprig of lavender...
I know how you adore the smell of fresh lavender...

Regards...your friend Michelle...

Loving The Vintage...

Update in shop at last

2009-11-10T05:22:00.000-08:00

Shop update...
Grandma Dear and a few more treasures are in store now...
Thanks for everyone begin so patient...
To bed to rest my weary hands...

Loving The Vintage...

Whatnot and Devine Intervention

2009-11-04T01:06:00.000-08:00

While sewing and admiring my new 3/4 finished
Whatnot garland...
Which I will add is a very important part of the tutorial
and you will find all the details HERE...
I realized that I needed a few more
doilies to add to the charm...
Call it what you may but I had a immediate need to
grab my purse, jump in the car
and head straight to the op shop...
While wandering aimlessly around the shop
I thought that the pickings were very slim...
very slim indeed ,not a doily in sight...
and pondered the thought that I must have been wrong
and maybe I just needed to have a few minutes away
from my sewing to get perspective
or something like that...
As I reached the counter to pay for my very unexciting shirt find...
There it was!!!
Hiding behind the counter with a price tag on it...
I held my breath for a second and let out the ever so faintest...
"Is that for sale"
The lady took a look and said...
"I think it must be, it has a price tag on it...
I think it has been out the back for,
well as long as I can remember, it does seem strange that
suddenly they are getting rid of it"
My response...
"I'll take it"
I popped it in the car and ended that sentence with a
"THANK YOU"

Loving The Vintage...

Something so sweet

2009-10-25T00:57:00.000-07:00

A little while ago I was thrilled to receive
a most amazing gift...Of the utmost kind...
Now most would think a gift so perfect as this surely
I would want to blog it to the world....
Well yes I have wanted to but as you can imagine
something so sweet as my very own
Dottie angel apron needed a pic to go with it...
And not just any "whip out the camera and snap" pic...
It needed more...
Hence my dilemma...

I have managed to take and discard about 40 shots so far...
and still I want a much better shot...
This last shoot I had the self timer on and propped the camera
on a chair...I really need to get a tripod...
or a assistant...
Of course today after all the pics were taken I spent the rest
of the day mowing and weeding this exact spot...
Oh well I am sure I can take more pics...you can count on it...

Cause this apron is more than just a apron
the hand embroidered "Mr Vintage" is amazing!!!
and the colour is just me!!!
and well it just feels so darn comfy on!!!

Thanks Tif for an amazing birthday swap...

Now I do have to let you in a something just a exciting
Dottieangel gift cards will soon be in her etsy shop,
Plus I am sure a whole lot more...
Just don't nab all of them as I am counting the days till
the update...Check out her etsy shop for details...

Now hopefully I will be able to spend the rest of the night catching up
on every ones posts...
and see what great things every ones been doing...
Loving The Vintage...

Stripping Mr Vintage

2009-10-15T00:47:00.000-07:00

Oh the joys of renovating...
What to do with a few spare hours?
Oh I don't know...Sit,Relax or maybe crochet some more...
No are you insane!!!
Spend those few precious hours stripping the interior
of poor Mr Vintage that's what...

After this I am feeling a little shell shocked...
Am I suppose to see the ground?
Maybe not...
Is all the beams suppose to be missing and rotted away to nothing?
Probably not...

Have I made more work for myself?
MOST DEFINITELY!!!

Loving The Vintage...

Mr Buff

2009-10-10T03:32:00.001-07:00

Now While you maybe thinking "Mr Buff" sounds like something
you would hear in a Simpson's episode...
It is in fact the name of a cutting compound used to
polish Mr Vintage...
While trying very hard to stay on track with the
Challenge of the Utmost kind...
I decided to track down my local panel beater
and ask very sweetly if I could buy some "partly used"
maybe "old" and hopefully not too "out of date"...
cutting compound...
Why yes he said and produced a very old and very used tin of
"Mr Buff"...
Perfect!!!as I carried the tin to the car and wondered
if I should be putting on gloves just to carry the tin...
So with instruction on how to used it...
I set home and two days later and lots of swirling and whirling
with the buffer this is the result...
And this was after using it 3 times over the same area...
Now I am informed by many a "helpful" bar patron...
That there is still more to do...
Yes dear friends I need to go over the whole thing again
with something called "Mothers"...Hmmmmmm...
Apparently it is the best thing to use to get
that "Bling" I am after...Fancy that!!!
The airstream Bling, The see your own refection, The.......
Well you get my drift...
So for now until I can find some "Mothers"
falling off the back off a truck I have to be content
in the fact that while I wait I just have to do the other
3 sides and roof....Hmmmmmmm can't wait!!!

Loving The Vintage...

A bit more

2009-10-06T00:53:00.000-07:00

I have just finished some more
"Grandma Bunting"
this time for Mr Vintage...
Our pony Jack has crept into view for the shot...
It has only 7 flags on it so it didn't take very long...
I am starting to get a collection of interior goodness
ready for when I finish him...
I think I have to spend more time cleaning him and less time crocheting...

I also need to decide what colours to do Roma...
I like the weird aqua-green-turquoise colour but really it looks difficult to match...
The colour reminds me of some Cath Kidson fabric...
But I have not seen any wool in these colours...
And hints would be good....
I could respray the side of her and start from scratch....
that's my other option???

Loving The Vintage...

Meet Roma Vintage

2009-10-01T02:51:00.001-07:00

I would love to introduce you all to my latest friend...
Her name is Roma Vintage...
She was a sweet young thing in her prime...
And I still feel she is...
I think she was created in the late 60's so I will say 1968...
Cause I can...Which would make her...
Hmmmmm... The same age as me...That sounds nice!!!

Now I know by now you are all thinking I have gone quiet
Caravan Crazy...
But that is all part of the aging process and I believe it to be
quiet acceptable...
Well for me anyway...

Now of course there is a tad bit of work to be done...
But her "interiors" are quiet alright...
and she even has her own fridge and stove...
Quiet the home maker!!!
Yes I do have those "rose coloured" glasses
still adhered to my face...
If you were wondering...
When we picked her up she was sporting quiet a crop of
overgrown moss on top...
But with a little help from all of us...
Yes My man...
Well me of course...
And even "Oldest and Dearest"...
She will be looking good enough to introduce to Mr Vintage
in no time...
Cross fingers they get along...

Loving The Vintage...

Lift Off

2009-09-28T03:14:00.000-07:00

The Hills Hoist looked more like a Helicopter ready to take off...
Then a icon to 50's domestic bliss...
The sun however shone through all of it...
and I was able to at least catch up on some crocheting and
lawn mowing too which happens to be a favorite of mine...
It does help having a ride-on I must say...
I did even dress for the occasion in my denim shorts black tights and stripey socks not forgetting sensible foot wear like a pair of blundstones...
My mother happened to drop by at lunch time and spot me in my gardening attire only to comment on the fact that that outfit would look fine on a 20 year old but you are 41 she told me....
Hmmmmmm
So what prey tell is a 41 year old woman suppose to wear?

Does anyone know cause I don't!!!

So OK if I was planning to wear this down the street
( well OK I did as I had to grab the mail)
Would I look ridiculous like some sort of teenager wannabe...
or would it look more like well OK she has just thrown this on
to do some
yard work with style...

Sorry for the ramble I think I'm having a mid-life crisis thing!!!

But in all sanity is it just me or are there others out there the same as me who just have no idea what to wear anymore???

Loving The Vintage...

Tiny Tea Anyone

2009-09-25T03:57:00.000-07:00

I found this little set here in town
and it is so very cute...
The cups and saucers are tiny!!!
I didn't even think they made small ones like this eons ago...
The milk jug is a normal small size of about 12 cm...
So that gives you an idea of the size of the others...
The brand is Grindley England...
and I do have other plates with this same brand
so my collection is slowly growing...
But I think at the moment these are my new fav's...

On other news I am making progress with my
little caravan sketches
and hopefully you will see a few more real soon...
and maybe something special with one of them?

Loving The Vintage...

Choose your own colour

2009-09-22T00:22:00.000-07:00

A must have on anyone's list is one
of these prints!!!
Vol25 sells these and so much more...
I bought the red one...
and I am more than impressed...
They are printed on natural white canvas...
And it feels so real...
Super fast shipping so it arrived in the blink of an eye...
They also have a blog HERE...
If you LOVE caravans as much as me...Nab one now!!!

Loving The Vintage...

Caravan Community

2009-09-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

Is you Ecological Footprint so big it is
squashing your community???

Well here is a Challenge of the Utmost kind...
For the next 365 days...Hmmmmm that's long!!!
I will try really, really hard to
Only buy handmade,handcrafted, vintage, secondhand
or no longer wanted goods for myself and my home...

Now I do have a few exclusions:
Underwear and socks...
Hair dye (I really don't want to be totally grey just yet)...
Gifts that are given to me...cause that's just plan rude...
And Crafting supplies...like wool and sewing needles etc
as I am really sure no one will buy my crocheted crafted creations if they were made out of used wool and stuffing etc

Now if I fall of the wagon I will let you know
But as with life I will just get back on and try again...

Now if you a keen to follow just checkout dottie's blog
and play along too...
And in some small way it will hopefully shrink my carbon footprint
from a paddock to a backyard...

Loving The Vintage...

Caravan Girl

2009-09-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

This week I have misplaced my "hook" and there are no shops in town that carry any...
So instead of sitting around doing nothing...
I thought I would try sketching again...
The problem is I don't know if I am using the right things...
I went and bought some ink pens at the newsagents and some drawing paper and this is what I came up with...
I have no clue how or what to colour it in...
Or even if I am scanning it right but so far I am really happy with the "idea"...
If anyone can help or even a few handy hints I would love to hear from you...
Drop me a comment or e-mail me PLEASE!!!

On another note....
I did get a copy of "Airstream Living" and WOW it's amazing...
Great pics all the way through and lots of really helpful links, and advise like what polish to use and how long it will take me to get mine that shiny...
Hmmmmmm a lot of time I'm thinking...

Loving The Vintage...

Thrifty Finds

2009-09-03T00:59:00.000-07:00

I was lucky to have a few spare hours today to do some op shopping...
And came across this very nice colour suitcase...
Now I am not in the habit of buying old suitcases as I wouldn't know where to put them in all my chaos but when I picked this up I thought "my that's rather heavy" and on inspection of the inside this is what I found...
I very quickly did it up and paid for it and was out the door...
Like a flash...
It does need a really good clean and I am sure there are pieces missing but it was just to cheap and cute to pass up...
Other op shop bargains were the very soft "supersoft" shoes
in burgundy for $5-00...
The wool skirt in greys and a fine line of burgundy through it
and a really strange (meaning I don't know if I totally like it) extremely low cowl neck top...
All part of a bag for $5-00...
It doesn't get too much better than this for a day out...

Loving the Vintage...

Tidying Up

2009-08-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to get one of these trolleys given to me a while back...
and even in my favorite colour...
the vinyl is a little torn on the edge but I'm not too worried by it...
After a quick clean it came up a treat...and ready for a much needed outing...
I really wish we had markets like they have in Melbourne where a trolley like this would be perfect to take and just stroll around picking up fresh veg's and even a bunch of flowers on the weekends...
I think if I lived near these places it would get plenty of use...like every weekend...
And here is my crockery stash...after a much needed clean...
Most of the cups wouldn't fit in the picture but I do seem to have more saucers than cups...
It is a odd array but uniform in the pastel palette...
blues,cream,yellow,green and pink...
mix and match and they work well...
I thought with the weather change and the feeling that spring is nearly on us I would get a heads up in the tidying up department...

Loving The Vintage...

I want this Book

2009-08-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

This book is high on my
must have lists...
I can not seem to find one is Australia...
They are all on back order...
How amazing would it be to have one of these airstreams...
I think I could quite happily live in one...
FOREVER!!!

Fiddling

2009-08-16T02:29:00.000-07:00

A bit of photo fiddling in Picnik...

Loving The Vintage...

Steelo my new friend

2009-08-09T00:49:00.001-07:00

I really never thought something so basic as
soapy steel wool could be such a life saver...
But it is...
To take the "rough" off it takes lots and lots of scrubbing...
After I am finished with the steel wool it will be many an hour with my next friend..."Brasso"...
can't wait for that one...
and last but probably not least the "buffer" machine...
Oh I think I'm tried already...whew...
But when she is finished she will shine like a
"Airstream"...

Part 1 Rose Coloured Glasses

2009-08-05T01:40:00.000-07:00

Rose Coloured Glasses...

Now for all that have them permanently affixed to their face start looking below...
All of my dear friends that don't and I am sure there really isn't many of you get them out of the dusty draw as I am sure you will need them...

If Vintage had been advertised in the paper I suspect the ad would read like this...

Vintage Caravan...
First to see will buy...
Original condition, tyres, fixtures and fitting...
In need of TLC...But will come up a treat...
Restoration project for the enthusiast...
Pick up only...

What they meant to say but the ad could have worked out a tad pricey...was...

Place rose coloured glasses on before entering property and enter at own risk...Wear sturdy boots and make no sudden movements as to not alarm cattle dogs and cause a sheep stampede...
Make sure your tetanus and allergy shots are up to date...
After hooking her up get someone to follow you home just in case something falls off...Like the tyres...
Interior needs gutting and fumigating and please check for snakes when you pull panelling out...
Will take 6 months "hard scrubbing"...(you could get less for a criminal offence)...
so don't quit your day job cause it will end up costing you a motsa...lol...

ENJOY THE PICS...OF VINTAGE AT HOME AT LAST...If there happens to be any husbands or dad's out there that would know anything about the year this type of van was made please let me know...
We are thinking 1958-59 due to the tyres...
But there might be a enthusist in your family so it would be great if you could show them the pics...
and let me know...
till next happy snaps...

Loving The Vintage...

The Story Begins

2009-07-27T23:35:00.000-07:00

As I manoeuvred around the many obstacles...
Cattle dogs,Kelpi's, wire and gates and rounded the tin shed...
A squeal of excitement escaped me...
This wasn't hard as inside I was dancing around like a parishioner at a Gospel church...
How could this be...
Vintage had been waiting for me...

Patiently I must say for at least the past 20 years or so gauging by her tyres that were now almost disintergrated into the sheep trod paddock...
If I knew today would be the day that I would meet her I would have at least dressed for the occasion...
But now I realized that was the beauty in the moment...
I stood in front of her bare faced in my oldest jeans, op shop jumper, hair a tangle from the icy wind...
She too had seen better days...
Moss was attaching to her frames, one of her windows had been broken and boarded up and her interior was unfortunately beyond repair...
She was in desperate need of care and attention...
As I ran my hand over her faded blue lightning flash...
I knew...
She was waiting for me and I was waiting for her...
If I could have cryed infront of the country bloke who owned her I would have... But I think he knew...
The last words he said as I drove out of the gate was...
"She'll be right love, we'll get her organised"
So now I wait very, very patiently to get her home...
Actually retrieving her from the rustic sheep paddock will be in the next installment...
Which could take about a week or so...nothing happens too quickly here in the country...
But I'm willing to wait as long as it takes...
And then the adventure will begin...
Loving The Vintage...

I Made This

2009-07-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

"GRANDMA LOVE" cushion in burgundy and steel grey...
Over on Pip's blog you can win a copy of her amazing book...
"Meet Me at Mikes" crafting goodness...
wrapped up in in one book...great stuff... all you have to do is put up a pic of crafting goodness that you have made...
Follow her link HERE...and post a comment that links back to your page... Not only will the lovely pip look at your wonderful creations but she will pick out a lucky crafter and "give" her gorgeous book to the lucky entry...how cool is that...
so here are my pics and cross fingers and toes and well everything and we will see how I go...
but if you are keen to get a copy as well just do the same and like everyone your in with a chance... great idea...

Grandma Love

2009-07-19T18:00:00.001-07:00

"Grandma Love"
This design started out as just following a "simple" pattern
and after about 10 rows it was coming together nicely
but with all old patterns that was about to change...
The next 5 rows or so after that it went out of wack...
It increased way too much and was really gathered and didn't sit right...
So I had to undo those rows...
And I really hate that...but glad I did...
I just cut back on the increase and just did the rows the same and that worked out perfectly...
I did have to make a lining and stuff it with "stuffing"
but was more than worth it...

I have taken this to the little shop in town and I am sure that it will find it's way to a loving home...
My Grandma inspired me so much to follow my creative dreams and would never say I couldn't do something or that it wasn't right...
Thanks to her I am living the dream and creating pieces of work that I know she would have been proud of...
And if only I had one dream...
That would be to spend the day with her sitting on her
ruby red club couch in her little flat once more,
crocheting together, smiling, chatting and just
loving the moment...
I know she watches over me and that always bring a tear to my eye...
Even thou this is now my dream there is a part of her in me
and that is just so special...
So "grandma Love" is what my crocheted pillows will now be named
to keep the memory of grandmas everywhere,
that have touched our hearts and loved us for all that we have become...
A part of them...

Loving The Vintage...

Pot Holder

2009-07-09T21:37:00.000-07:00

Absolutely Loving Emma Lamb's potholders...
Take a look at her photo steam at flickr...
It has inspired me to make (one)...

Well more would be nice
but I will start with one...

And of course the lovely Tiff's potholder wall is
just as delightful...

Now for quiet a read check out Emma Lamb's last post HERE
She was invited to put her pic of her potholder wall display
onto the apartment therapy site...which looks fab...I must say...
But the comments that people have left on this site are just shocking...
Really how can people be so opinionated...and not in a nice way...
I think if you don't like something that's fine but if you don't just don't leave a comment and let the people that do comment away...
But knowing all the lovely crafty girls out there like you, you will be amazed my the amount of work that Emma has put into this collection...
Well worth a look...
Loving The Vintage...

More Petal Love

2009-07-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some Petal Love Brooches...
You can find these and so much more in my
ETSY SHOP...
and at bargain prices so everyone can keep
Loving The Vintage...

has it potiental

2009-06-30T03:43:00.000-07:00

I have found this little caravan...
It happens to be close to home...
and the right price...
and even the length...12ft
it has very cute windows in the back,
and looked after inside...
but the colour is so not me...
now the dilemma is...is it fixable...
can I make it vintage cute...
or will it never look vintage cute...
I really had more of a silver bubble idea in mind...
and I said to my husband...well I'll just re-spray it...
well of course that was meet with a...are you kidding!!!
it's powder coated...
and of course that was meet with me saying...so!!!

So dear readers...
is it workable or not...
should I look some more...
or try and work with it...
the thing is, to find a small caravan these days is so hard...
They really don't come along very often...
oh...I just don't know...
why oh why do they not have airstream's on every corner
like in America...
sorry read readers for the ramble...
but sometimes it just helps to get the
opinion of creative people like yourselves...

photo courtesy of the Elsie the owner...

flying ducks on etsy

2009-06-24T01:21:00.000-07:00

I spied an amazing etsy find over on Betty Jo's blog
and could not resist a look...
and the wonderful part was finding a etzy seller who was willing to do a swap...yah!!! ARTDECADENCE... THANKYOU SO MUCH!!!
and so these 3 little flying ducks are safe and snug just waiting to be placed up on the wall of my "hopefully" soon caravan...

And a huge thankyou for all the wonderful comments on my
giveaway post at theroyalsisters...
everyone is just so sweet and I can't thankyou enough...
just to say I read all of them and I am totally
amazed!!!

And a reminder that if you are a etsy seller and want to swap or trade handmade goodies drop me a line...
and keep a lookout for great etsy shops that do the same...
It's all about spreading the handmade love!!!

Wearing This

2009-06-19T04:42:00.000-07:00

This is just one of the sets you could win
by leaving a comment at theroyalsisters...
closes 28th June...
so pop over and take a look...
leave a comment and you too could be wearing this,
this winter...

Etsy buys

2009-06-18T03:22:00.000-07:00

This perfect Brooch I bought from a fantastic etsy seller
REread and I love it to pieces...
All of her great items are super cheap and packaged
beautifully...
A absolute must see and must have item!!!

Hey Cupcake

2009-06-08T02:34:00.000-07:00

What more could you ask for
a Airsteam with Cupcakes...
Too yummy...

Loving The Vintage...

Crocheted tea set mark 100

2009-06-04T23:17:00.000-07:00

Yeah I think I have finished...
Well maybe!!!
I have rounded the base on this one...
and put a different handle on it...
and put a lip around the base...
and well just changed it several times...
but ha! isn't that what being creative is all about...
Now how hard can a tea pot be?
It should only take me about 200 goes...lol...

Loving The Vintage...

Hand painted

2009-06-03T04:31:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful tea set
that we have...
It was my husbands mothers..
and it is hand painted egg shell china...
It amazes me that it has survived 4 moves and still
is in one piece...
There are 6 cups and saucers and side plates
in total...
and i have no idea of when it was made
or anything about it...
I really need to research it...
It's a shame I have to have it up in a cupboard
and not appreciate it like it needs to be...
But I would be really upset if anything happened to it...
I really like to enjoy all my vintage crockery
and use it all whenever I can...
but sometimes there are exceptions...
Loving The Vintage...

Amidst all the Darkness

2009-05-29T23:54:00.000-07:00

It was very cold...
The leaves were rustling, crunching under my feet...
But amidst all the darkness,
there was a hint of warmth...

Loving The Vintage...

mary janes

2009-05-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

Mary Janes are one of my favorite shoes...

So here are a few cute sets for brooches...

And my op shop bargain of the week...
A black wrap around skirt...
That I added a doily and crocheted "Loving The Vintage"
circle onto...

Loving The Vintage...

Tea anyone

2009-05-17T01:19:00.001-07:00

Following on with some more "soon to be" brooches...
They will be available in the shop in a week or so...
So keep an eye out as they will be at my "bargain" prices...
They are lots of fun to do...
Hopefully more new ideas coming soon...
Well when I think of them...lol...

Loving The Vintage...

Brooches

2009-05-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

I adore vintage bubble caravans...
as you may remember I have made a set before but this time I have made them into very cute brooches...
I am still on the hunt for a bubble caravan of my own... and I think the hunting is just as much fun... I will leave you with a poem I wrote a while ago.... but it still evokes the same feeling for me when I sit and stitch these...

Keep Calm And Carry On

We've got our little caravan
My sweetie and me go hand in hand.

Keeping calm along the way
Singing to tunes throughout the day.

Carry on upward over and pass
We really don't mind if we are the last.

As we pull in and mark our spot
Cozy and comfy with this lot.

We gather around and nod our heads
Laughing and joking on what is said.

Summer, carnival, atmosphere
Times never change while we are here...

Loving The Vintage...

Crocheting around

2009-05-12T01:33:00.000-07:00

Like my

grandma...
I too am
crocheting
around...

But
instead of
face washers
I thought
maybe some
coaster would be
a bit more
my style...

I adore
fabric
that looks
like ticking
and this
red and white
is so nice
I managed
to find a
variegated colour
that matches
really well
and has a washed
out look to it...

I am making these as pressie's for a couple of my friends and as they take a while to blanket-stitch and crochet around there will not be that many sets...
I really wish I could do more as they are just so sweet...
Well maybe at least one more set if I can find some blue
just for me....

Loving The Vintage...

Loving The Vintage

2009-05-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

Loving - Demonstration of love or great care...
The - person,place or thing that is unique...
Vintage - Denotes something of high quality,
something from the past or characteristic of
the best period of a persons work...
classic, ageless, timeless, old, antique,
heritage, historic...

Welcome to all the things that I love...

This little side blog is to spur me on into
making and doing what I love...

mixing vintage and new...

Sharing finds and hopefully restoring a few as well...
I have great hopes that one day I will be standing with a
vintage outfit on(with crocheted trim of course)
aside my bubble caravan(to be found)I am hunting!!!
and selling and talking to wonderful people about what
i love...
That is the dream that I want to become a reality...
so if you love all things vintage as much as I do follow my journey...through all that it takes me...
And most of all keep...

Loving The Vintage...