How Cool

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

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

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...

Thinking of Other Things

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

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...

Surrounding Me

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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...