Thursday 27 March 2014

Wash Tub Blues!

Another kitchen disaster!  My washing machine gave up the ghost at the weekend, so I'm sitting waiting for my new one to arrive.

There's mounds off washing to catch up with, even although there's only hubby and I at home!  I remember when I was little, my Mum only did a washing once a week.  She had a twin tub which had to be pulled out, filled with water which was then heated up.  The clothes were done in batches, starting with the whites working down to my Dad's working clothes and my brother's football gear which went in last, because by this time the water wasn't quite so clean.  Then it all had to be rinsed and spun and the machine emptied!  Phew, no wonder she only did that once a week!

When the broken machine came out I noticed this  retro wallpaper in the space under the worktop.  Very "vintage" with its brown and orange design.  There's probably a "new" version of this on the go!  I've given it a bit of colour to jazz it up a bit.


Love, Liz

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Puppies and Kittens

Of the illustrations in my Ladybird Book collection I think these are the sweetest.



They are from "Puppies and Kittens" in the Ladybird Learning to Read series.


The illustrations are by H Woolley.  I even like the font!


Just lovely and somehow very nostalgic.


Love, Liz

With regard to the Rupert jumper in previous post - I am definitely NOT knitting one for elder son - he is over 6 feet tall!  Can you imagine how much wool it would need and how long it would take me to knit!!!!!!!  Argh!


Saturday 22 March 2014

Knit Your Own - Rupert the Bear Jumper

I found a knitting pattern for Rupert the Bear jumpers.


My elder son got the Rupert the Bear annual every Christmas and he loved the stories.  I probably meant to knit this for him - needless to say, I never got round to doing so!


Still time, though as the pattern goes up to a 44 inch chest.


Wonder if he'd want one now (he's in his 20s)?!?!  Doubt it!


Love, Liz

Friday 21 March 2014

Beatles Quiz Book

I was showing my Beatles Quiz Book to a friend recently and we were trying to answer some of the questions ... we didn't do very well I have to admit!  I'm not even sure we even knew this trivia at the time (well, I was just a baby, ahem)!


The book was published by William Collins Sons & Company Ltd in 1964.


The drawings are great.


I've photographed a page of questions and answers, so if you were a Beatles fan you can give it a go (click on pic to see it more easily)!  Good luck!


You can see some more pictures from the book in a previous blog post here.

Love, Liz

Thursday 20 March 2014

Pretty Lavender Lady

I was delighted to find this lovely vintage plate in a charity shop.


Isn't it pretty?  I didn't realise until I looked closely at my photographs that you can just see the words "Lavender Lady" down at the bottom left of the picture.


Can't quite make out who the makers are - perhaps someone out there can help.



The plate is in perfect condition and not the least bit worn.  Love the details like the little tea set and the flounces in her dress.


Another lucky find.


Love, Liz

Sunday 16 March 2014

Just Knitting

Having a lazy Sunday!


Went out for a walk this morning and now just sitting knitting and listening to the radio.  Hubby making dinner, so don't have anything to do but relax.


Hope you are having a restful day too.

Love, Liz

Saturday 15 March 2014

Fancy Free

Here is my latest acquisition - a beautiful little tea set.



It's not often these days that you get a complete tea set, but this one has six cups, saucers and side plates as well as the cake plate, sugar dish and milk jug!  Everything is in immaculate condition, not a chip or crazing anywhere.


By Royal Standard, the pattern is called Fancy Free.


It is so pretty and delicate, with tiny little flowers.


It fits perfectly into my vintage china cabinet.


Hope you have some lucky finds this weekend.

Love, Liz

Friday 14 March 2014

Vintage Friday

Happy Vintage Friday
to all my lovely followers!


Later today I am going down to a charity shop to pick up a box filled with amazing loveliness!  It should be all packed up for me - all I'll have to do is unpack and wash!  Can't wait to show you my latest find!!!

Love, Liz

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Doune Castle - Outlander

I've just realised that Doune Castle was used in the filming of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.  (I know, slow!!!!)


I wrote a blog post (click to read) about my visit to the castle in 2012.



Thought you might like to see some photographs in advance of the TV series.


It is a wonderful, historic and beautiful location.



Really looking forward to this TV show - although I have no idea when it will be aired in Scotland.

Love, Liz

Monday 10 March 2014

Lilacs for Spring

Another tea cosy?!


Just had to knit this one because I loved these shades of purple and lilac together.


Looks good with my vintage Royal Vale lilac tea cups and saucers.



Just right for spring ... well, what passes for spring here in the west of Scotland!


Trying not to think about biscuits today!



Joining with Tea Time Tuesday.

Love, Liz

Sunday 9 March 2014

Farmyard Friends

I came across this little book yesterday.  Farmyard Friends - it's a board book with just a few pages, but the illustrations are so sweet.



Such lovely pictures.


Hope you are having a peaceful weekend.


Love, Liz

Saturday 8 March 2014

Beautiful Amaryllis

I was given an amaryllis bulb in a pot by a lovely friend just before Christmas.


All I had to do was water it occasionally.  Look at the result!  


There are four beautiful large flowers and some more to come.  It is the most gorgeous shade of salmon pink.


Can anyone tell me what to do when it has finished flowering?  Will it flower again next year - should I keep the bulb?


Love, Liz