Sunday 24 June 2012

Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh

Went to the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston outside Edinburgh yesterday and had a wonderful day.  It rained all the way there and we were a bit worried that it would be a day of dashing from one tent to another to try to keep dry.  But actually it stayed dry for most of the day, although conditions underfoot were a bit muddy!  We had worn appropriate footware, so we were ok.


Couldn't resist taking this photo on the way in - must have really intelligent sheep to be able to read this notice!  As for Pink - was she there, and did she really need her own sign?!

No, this is not a pic of hubby!
Hubby wandered off to see tractors and such like while BF and I immediately headed for the craft and food areas (well, we're townies after all)!  Some of the jewellery on display was amazing, but it was a bit crowded to take photos.  Was quite impressed by the country girls in their tweeds and riding boots, very fashionable indeed!  There were lots of trade areas - even a Cath Kidston area, very pretty.


The food court was great as there were lots of free samples to be had - loved some of the cheeses and (of course) the fudge and sweet things!  Bought a bottle of raspberry gin - incredibly delicious, and my friend bought a bottle of toffee vodka - amazing taste.  So I foresee a few good evenings spent making sure these products taste as good at home as they did at the RHS!

Did manage a look at the farm machinery and had a good laugh trying to work out what on earth they could possibley be used for!


A great (but muddy) day out!

Love, Liz

Thursday 21 June 2012

Look Closer - See Me

I read this for the first time this morning and wanted to share it with you, although I'm sure many of you will know it already.


What do you see, people, what do you see?
What are you thinking, when you look at me
A crabby old woman, not very wise.
Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice "I do wish you'd try!

 Who seems not to notice the things that you do.
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
Who, unresisting or not; lets you do as you will.
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still!
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of 10 with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who loved one another.
A young girl of 16 with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at 20 – my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At 25 now I have young of my own
Who need me to build a secure happy home.
A woman of 30, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At 40, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At 50 once more babies play around my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own.
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel,
'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body is crumbled, grace and vigour depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass, a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joy, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years all too few – gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman, LOOK CLOSER, SEE ME.

I'll admit that I cried when I read it - I found it really moving.  From what I've read, this poem was found among the possessions of an old lady who died in a Scottish hospital.  I have no idea who wrote it, but tell me if you know.
Love, Liz

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Port Glasgow's Endeavour

I love this piece of sculpture.


It is called Endeavour and sits in front of Port Glasgow Town Hall on the main road into the town.
 

Its by Malcolm Robertson and celebrates the town's proud shipbuilding heritage.
 

The colours are those of the Cunard shipping line - the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and the QE2 (amongst hundreds of other ships) were built on Clydeside and had connections with Port Glasgow.  The dry-dock at Port Glasgow was large enough to take these ships for refitting and other work.



I think that this sculpture is just so evocative of the bow of a proud ship as she slips through the waves.
 

Port Glasgow is so lucky to have this reminder of her wonderful history.


Love, Liz

Sunday 17 June 2012

Pink Tuscan Tea

It has certainly been a PINK WEEK!


Look at this beautiful little vintage tea set I found after moaning that finds were becoming few and far between in the charity shops!


It is by Tuscan and is gorgeous in pink and gold - lovely little pink flowers.  There were four cups, four saucers, four side plates and best of all, a milk jug and sugar dish.


They will go so well with my other pink floral plates and pink tea pot.


The lady in the charity shop looked a bit bemused when I asked her for it and then enthused about how gorgeous it was.  I certainly got a few funny looks!  Oh well, who cares?  I'm absolutely delighted with my find!



Popping over to Flea Market Finds to see what else has been thrifted this week.


Love, Liz

Thursday 14 June 2012

Pretty Petunia

I don't know about you, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find really nice bits and pieces in the charity shops these days.  So, it was with some surprise that I noticed this little dish in one of the local charity shop windows.  The gorgeous pink colour drew my attention.
 

Got a closer look when the lady took it out of the window for me and my suspicions were confirmed - it was a Royal Winton piece.



The pattern is Petunia.


I love the shape of the dish, the colours and the pretty flowers.  A lovely Thursday surprise.

Love, Liz

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Beads & Bits & Bobs

Found my (really) old jewellery box at the back of the cupboard.  At first I thought it was just full of beads from the 80s -


I used to be an Avon lady, so a lot of these will be from Avon.
 

Lots of beige and brown!
 

A bit of a nautical theme going on here!
 

Also found a few odds and ends - two of Mum's brooches.  Mink brooch in the shape of a butterfly - is it pc to wear these now?
 

I remember Mum wearing this little doggie brooch on a white jacket she used to have.
 

A Poetry Society medal from 1968 - and to think they are trying to bring back memorising poetry!  I can't even remember which poem I recited to win this (mind you it I had probably just learned to talk as I was still a baby then ... yeah, right)!!!


Last but not least a five shilling coin (a crown) from 1960.


Funny what ends up in the old jewellery box!  Do you have odd bits and pieces in yours?


Love, Liz

Sunday 10 June 2012

Paisley Patterns

The moment I spied this little bit of fabric in the charity shop I came over all nostalgic - not actually sure why!  Think my Gran may have had a "pinnie" in this fabric, but it just seemed so familiar.


I think it is too small to be an apron, or perhaps it was a child's apron, but it could also be an old fashioned lap bag.  These were for wearing like an apron, but you kept your knitting or sewing in them so that it was always handy.  I remember making one in primary school.  It was pink fabric with simple embroidered stitches around it.  Each year after that, we kept our knitting in it.  Did anyone else make anything like that in school?  (Perhaps I'm just really ancient!)


I love the paisley pattern and the hollyhocks (such a great word)!


The town of Paisley is just abut 15 miles from Greenock and it gave its name to that particular pattern. The pattern actually originated in fabric work in Kashmir, but during the 19th century, the town of Paisley became one of the major producers of shawls which contained this pattern and they were known as Paisley shawls.


Paisley museum has a wonderful collection of vintage shawls with paisley pattern which were made in the town and were popular with Victorian women.  Their displays are fabulous, and show how the shawls changed with the fashions of the day, for example when the bustle was introduced, a shawl would have covered this, so shorter jackets became more fashionable and there was a decline in shawl making.


There are some wonderful examples in Victorian art.

Charles Rossiter - To Brighton and Back For 3s 6d (Birmingham City Art Gallery)
 


William Holman Hunt - The Awakening Consccience - 1884, The Tate, London

Hope you've enjoyed this little sidetrack from my nostalgic charity shop find!

Love, Liz

Popping over to see everyone's treasure at Flea Market Finds.

Saturday 9 June 2012

Pretty Nostalgic Magazine

I was delighted when my copy of Issue 1 of the new magazine

 Pretty Nostalgic

popped through my letterbox a few weeks ago.


So why, I hear you ask, were you so delighted?
Well, among other things, because of this -


A little piece I had written about an unusual family superstition had been published!  First time I've ever had anything in a magazine!
I was also looking forward to reading the magazine because it would be featuring all sorts of vintage and "upcycled" bits and pieces.  It certainly didn't disappoint.


It is going to be published every two months and I'm really looking forward to the next issue which is due on 1 July.

Some of you may remember that a while ago I was bemoaning the lack of a magazine which plugged into the vintage and handmade scene, well I think this might be it!  It is a bit pricy at £8 an issue, but of course if you take out a subscription then it works out a bit cheaper.  I'm happy to forgo my other usual magazine if Pretty Nostalgic keeps up the standard shown in Issue 1.  Have you had a look?  What did you think?

Love, Liz

Edited to say -
In my excitement at seeing my name in print, I think I may have given the impression that I had a huge article published.  It wasn't!  It was just a little tiny piece!  Sorry if I misled anyone.  Liz

Thursday 7 June 2012

A Flock of Bluebirds

I seem to have a "thing" about bluebirds at the moment!  It all started with the little milk jug I got ages ago - remember this?


Then recently I saw this mug in a little shop in Ashton Lane in Glasgow.  I loved the bluebird and the retro tattoo design.



Going online I discovered this gorgeous necklace by Lauren at Cherryloco Jewellery who just happens to live in Glasgow.  Lauren has a Folksy shop and sells lots of gorgeous bits and pieces.  Check out her work, it is really quirky and fun.  I get quite a few comments when I wear my necklace!



Right after I got the necklace I saw this top in M&S and just had to have it!



Think I'm going to draw the line at a real tattoo!

Love, Liz