An Interesting Find!

The bright tartan cover of this booklet immediately attracted my attention in a second hand bookshop.

It is entitled "The Capital of Scotland" and contains many beautiful prints of Edinburgh landmarks.  Most of them are by the watercolour artist Robert Eadie RSW.  I had not heard of this Glasgow artist before I saw these beautiful colour reproductions.  You can read more about him here.

The booklet itself has a little about each of the places pictured and this is translated into Chinese, Polish, Russian and French.

It was produced during the war by the then Lord Provost (mayor) of Edinburgh, the Rt Hon Sir William Y Darling, as he says -

"... that it may serve not only to make the visit to this Capital City interesting but help forward the greater cause of friendship among all the Cities and all the Peoples of the World."

It was produced by Robert Grant & Son Limited, printers in Edinburgh.  Their own artist, Charles Stewart produced some of the other images.

A fabulous and very interesting find.

Love, Liz

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

Brides - 1970s Style

Looking through my wedding album recently (giving the kids a laugh), I came across some wedding cards I had been sent at the time.  I just love these illustrations - so very late 70s!

I especially like these by Sarah Kay - aren't they sweet?! 

I love this one too - something very serene about this picture.  I think it is by A Barton, although it is a bit difficult to make out the name on the back of the card.  I would have loved to look like this on my wedding day!

Sadly, I can't even remember who some of these are from one from "John & Mary" - could be anyone!

Another trip down memory lane ... and no, I'm not showing you a photo of me as a bride!!!!!!  Lets just say perm and big glasses - you get the picture?!!!!

Love, Liz

J for Jam

I love these cards because the illustrations are so sweet.

They are from a set of alphabet flashcards which I have written about before - here.

Thet take me back to the lovely little reading books I remember from primary school.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Love, Liz

Do the Strand - 1901 Style!

I found this vintage Sunday Strand book from 1901 in a second hand bookshop while I was on holiday.  It is made up mostly of religious stories and moral tales.

 

It has some fabulous illustrations - with equally fab captions!

 

Don't like the look of those rockets!

Not really the kind of question a lady should ask!

 

This is from a series of strange doll adventures - one of them involved bull fighting!!!

 

I love this Louis Wain illustration of cats.



 

I have to thank Mrs C at Crivens Cottage for sending me this lovely little lavender heart with Shortbread and Ginger sewn on - it smells lovely.  She also included gorgeous postcards and some lovely trimming - I'll have to think about what I'm going to do with it.  Isn't it fabulous to receive such thoughtful gifts!

 

 

Enjoy your weekend.

Love, Liz

Toy Shop Print by Anton Pieck

I love these illustrations by the Dutch illustrator Anton Pieck (1895-1987).  They are so Dickensian in character.  I've had a few of these prints on my wall for ages - almost forgot they were there.

 

This one of an old fashioned toy shop is my favourite.

 

There is so much detail - look at all the little toys.

 

I like the warmth in this one of an old tavern.

 

Love the different characters - especially this sad old man and the little dog trying to comfort him - sweet.

 

Love, Liz

Fashion - 1925

Thank goodness its all over and we can get back to normal!!!!!  (Whatever "normal" actually is!)  I don't really like this time of year and am so glad when the festivities are all over!  I thought to start the year off, you might like to see some images from "The Needlewoman" of October 1925.  The artwork is just amazing!

Here's a pattern for a knitted dress.

Or a hat and scarf!

Even the adverts are lovely!

Wishing you all the best for the year ahead.

Love Liz

Pretty Patterns

I thought I'd share these pretty little images with you on this, the last day of 2012.  Here in Scotland we call today - Hogmanay! 

 

The pictures are from a little leaflet advertising patterns which could be sent away for.  They are from Woman & Home Magazine and their address at the time was Bear Alley, Farringdon Street, London.  They seem to feature a fabric called Dayella - hadn't heard of that before.

 

Do you think they are from the 40s or 50s?

 

Super cute!

 

There were some transfers to send away for too - little animals for nursery items.

 

Love, Liz

Pandora's ........ Breadbin!

I was lucky to be given this (slightly grotty) 70s orange breadbin yesterday - why lucky, I hear you ask!  Well, because it contained "some old patterns and stuff".  I'll admit that I was expecting a couple of 70s and 80s knitting patterns and perhaps a few old magazines.  BUT!!!!!!!

 

I opened the lid ... and took a sharp intake of breath!!!!  This is what I saw ......

 

Just lying on the top were two of the most vintagy patterns I have ever had the pleasure to see ... and they are just  what's on top.  I was so excited, I was almost hyperventilating as I forgot to exhale the sharp intake of breath!

 

I was out all day and got back late so didn't have much time to rummage through the rest.

 

I awoke early today, as excited as a child on Christmas morning, and if it hadn't been so cold I would have got up there and then to check out what else was in the breadbin!

 

I've taken some photographs of the two I've looked at so far- this transfer pattern is from Christmas 1912 - one hundred years ago - WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Don't think there is going to be much work done here today!

Keep tuned in to find out what else I discover in ..... Pandora's Breadbin!!!!!

Love, Liz

I'm joining up with Max's second hand link-up over at Blackbird Has Spoken - come and see what everyone else has been finding.

Bunnies and Bunting

I loved Kylie's post on Lucy Violet Vintage about vintage greetings cards and knew I had some somewhere.  A bit of rummaging and - ta da -I found this little lovely!

 

I think it is from a series called Honey Wood Village by Prue True and published by Noel Tatt of Canterbury- isn't it just too cute.

 

I must have bought it in the early 90s as a birthday card for someone and then couldn't bear to part with it.  Can you blame me?  Probably meant to frame it and didn't get around to it!

 

 

Look at all the wonderful little details, like the bunting and the pretty little outfits the rabbits are dressed in.

 

Must frame it now that I've rediscovered it.

 

Joining in with Ta Da! Tuesday (even though its Wednesday!)!  There's always loads of goodies to see there!

Love, Liz