Monday 25 November 2013

Cornflower Blue

Here's something to brighten up a foggy Monday morning.

 
Its a beautiful vintage Queen Anne plate.


 
Gorgeous detail in the cornflowers - vivid colours too.

 
Have a great week.

Love, Liz

Sunday 24 November 2013

On A Cold and Frosty Morning

It was a cold and frosty morning, but I wasn't skipping round a mulberry bush!  (You must remember that nursery rhyme.)

 
I was out taking photographs.  The sun was shining and making even mundane things look absolutely magical!  This is the roof of a bus shelter.  The sun made the frost look like colourful glitter.

 
The sun reflected off the Clydeport cranes - they looked electric!


 
Another glorious Greenock day.

Love, Liz

Did you know that a Greenock man, Gilbert Cameron, built the Smithsonian in Washington way back in the 1850s?  You can read about it here.

Friday 22 November 2013

My Favourite LP - well, one of them!

This has to be one of my all time favourite LPs.  Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road from 1973.  I think I probably got this for Christmas - or saved up for it!  Oh gosh, I've just realised that was 40 years ago!  How can that be?????

 
I love it not just for the music, but for the incredible art work.

 
Its not just the cover that is beautifully illustrated.  Because it was a double LP, it opens out to give all the lyrics and some amazing pictures.

 
Love this style of art.

 
Altogether brilliant!


 
What's your favourite LP art work - if you are old enough to remember LPs, that is!!!!!!!

Love, Liz

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Vintage Wooden Pencil Case

I wonder if any of you had one of these wooden pencil cases.  They are probably still available, but this one dates from when my brother and I were at school in the early 60s.  You can see that it has been well used!


 
The lid slid out and then the top part swivelled to reveal the lower part.

 
There was a separate space for  a sharpener.  They didn't really hold a lot of pencils and were heavy to carry around in your school bag. 

 
This reads E and J - my brother and I used to fight over this a lot and eventually we decided that we would share it.  Wonder why I ended up with it?  Wonder if he wants it back?

 
Love, Liz
 
If you dislike rats, then don't read The Greenockian's latest blog post!
 
 

Monday 18 November 2013

Colourful Historical Scotland

I came across this fabulous Historical Map of Scotland in a charity shop at the weekend.

 
It was published (in the 60s?)by John Bartholomew & Sons Ltd of Edinburgh and originally cost 5/- (five shillings).  It is printed on cloth so is very sturdy and in pretty good condition.


 
Inside is a wealth of colour!  The map of Scotland is surrounded by coats of arms of various clans and towns. 

 
There are historical snippets within the map.  It is absolutely fabulous.


 
Modern Scottish pictorial maps (by Harper Collins) are available from Amazon.  There's the Scotland of Old map and the Tartans map - both of which are very colourful and would look great framed. 


Love, Liz

Sunday 17 November 2013

6Art & Architecture

I was delighted to be invited to the launch of a new art gallery - 6Art and opening of '456' - an exhibition by Quigley Architects of Greenock.

 
The exhibition is to celebrate Quigley Architects 45 years in practice and contains 45 sketches of Inverclyde landmarks such as the Glebe Sugar Refinery, the Municipal Buildings and many the other fabulous structures in the area. 


Quigley Architects are a family business.  Dad Gerry started the practice forty-five years ago and his sons Dominic and Graeme followed him into the business.  The sketches on display are by Graeme.  Dominic researched the history of the buildings and there is a little explanation of their importance beside the sketches.  It is a fabulous exhibit telling the timeline story of Greenock and surrounding area through our architectural heritage.


George Wyllie brochure by Inverclyde Council.
One room in the gallery is dedicated to local artist George Wyllie.  The exhibition which is called 'George Wyllie: Scul?tor and Navigator' looks at some of his ideas and designs, especially in connection with the River Clyde.


The gallery and exhibitions will be open during office hours at 6A George Square in Greenock and is certainly worth a visit.

Love, Liz

Friday 15 November 2013

More Big, Blousy Roses!

What a coincidence!  Right after I blogged about my little milk jug - along came some more big blousy roses.




These were given to me by a friend.  They are Royal Albert "June Delight" - absolutely gorgeous.


 
I love bright colours of the pattern and pretty shapes of the cups.

 
Perfect vintage June delight - even if it is November!

Love, Liz

Monday 11 November 2013

First Charity Shop Find In Months!!!

Isn't this little vintage milk jug very pretty?
 
 

It has been about four months since I've bought anything from a charity shop!  (I feel I should perhaps be saying this in hushed tones!)  I just haven't seen anything worth buying ..... until Saturday, that is.
 
 

It was only 75p - right in my price range.  I totally refuse to pay silly prices for these things.

 
It is a pretty little milk jug, vintage of course, by Royal Castle china.  I love the golden trim on the base and handle and I adore the big, blousy roses!  Slightly vulgar?
 
 
Hope you had some good finds this weekend.

 
You might like my recent photos of Greenock and the hills of Argyll on my other blog - TheGreenockian.

Love, Liz

Monday 4 November 2013

Back To the Eighties

Here's a bit of a blast from the past - in fact these are from an old Good Housekeeping magazine from the 80s.
 
 
Opium perfume - I remember getting some of that for Christmas in the 80s - I was well chuffed, the packaging was pretty and unusual, but the scent was very overpowering!


 
Floral sofas and shiny black bathrooms- wow!


 
Very large shoulder pads - love the mustard and black!

 
This photo, an ad for Alexon, makes me think of Lorraine Chase - did anyone see her in Emmerdale last week - hasn't changed much!

 
Styles for men -  erm, no!  Good to look back, though, especially for those of us who endured lived through the 80s!

Love, Liz