Finding the right place

Have you ever had an idea at the back of your mind that you would just love to turn into reality?  My idea was to have my own special stitching spot and to have on display an object that had been at the back of my cupboard for over 40 years. 

Can you guess what it is?  It was stored in this rather unremarkable box and extremely heavy!

It is this beautiful vintage Singer sewing machine!  Isn't it wonderful!

I believe it probably dates from about the early 1900s.  It belonged to my husband's grandmother but may have been passed down to her.  It still has all its little extra bits and pieces.

There's an instruction booklet too.

Now that I have my sewing space sorted, I've given it pride of place on a little table covered by a vintage tablecloth.  

The treasures you find at the back of cupboards!

Love, Liz

Vintage flashcards

Anyone else remember flashcards in primary school?  They were used to teach us our letters and sounds.  I came across my box of vintage flashcards which I found in a charity shop years ago.  They are so lovely.

The illustrations are charming and there's a card for each letter of the alphabet.

I have written a bit more about them and you can find the information here.

Meanwhile, lets just look at these lovely little memories of the past.

Have a great weekend.

Love, Liz

Vintage dresser - favourite things

I just love the way my dresser looks right now with all my vintage china and crafted bits and pieces on it.

Sometimes it is difficult to get it just right, but it makes me happy right now.

No doubt as the seasons change, so will the dresser.

I thought I'd make a little video so that I could remember what it looks like in case I make a hash of it next time I change it.  (Yes, a bit of a glass half empty sort of person!)

You can see that video on YouTube here.

Love, Liz

Vintage vehicles

These little toy vehicles have been well used as you can see!

I think they date from the 1950s or 60s and are very sturdy and well made.

The fork lift is a Dinky toy and still has its little driver.

Ecurie Ecosse was an actual motor racing team and this is a model of the transporter used to ferry racing cars around.  (Amazing what you learn through blogging!)

They remind me of the toys my brother used to play with when we were young.  I think someone gave them to my sons when they were young, and they stayed in the car box ever since.  Only rediscovered them when looking for cars for grandsons to play with on their recent visit.

Think I'll hang on to these!  Have you still got toys from your childhood?

Love, Liz

Big hair needs even bigger hats!

I love vintage adverts!  These really made me smile - I think it was the name more than anything - "non-collapso" hair pads.

The ad says that they were "manufactured from the finest unbreakable watch springs".  Self-adjusting too! Essential for the stylish woman of 1906 - these ladies don't look too impressed!

Of course big hair needs big hats - have a look at these.

Poor women - they must have had strong necks to carry all that around on their heads!

What a great name for a hat - a large flop!

Love, Liz

Everyone needs a travel rug

I came across this fabulous book recently.

It's for the annual Braemar Gathering usually attended by Her Majesty the Queen and dates from 1952.  Isn't this title page just amazing!

It has some fabulous full page advertisements inside, including this one for Glen Cree mohair travel rugs. What a fine bell-boy carrying all the luggage!  I'm sure I'll be sharing so much more of this book over the next few weeks.

Love, Liz

Lacy lampshade made by me!

I made myself a new lampshade today.  I love lamps that cast interesting shadows.

I searched through my lace tin to find something that I thought would look good on this old frame.  I'm ashamed to say that I've had this for ages, in fact you can read my blog post about finding it along with a gorgeous vintage plate.

It took me a wee while to get sorted - I ended up using double sided sticky tape to keep the lace from slipping as I tried to sew it together.

It looked lovely earlier today when the sun was shining! (Yes, we do occasionally get some sunshine here in Greenock!)

Now that I've switched it on - it makes a lovely pattern on the wall.

I'm quite pleased with it and it is another project that I've been meaning to do for a long time scored off the list!

Love, Liz

Anyone know if these can be cleaned?

I need your help!

These lovely litle butter knives have been in my family for years.  They belonged to my Gran, passed on to my Mum and now I have them!

Don't think that they have ever been used and are now really discoloured.  Found out that the initials EP NS stand for electroplated nickel silver.  Does anyone know if it is possible to clean them?

Even the presentation box is lovely - look at this little clip - so cute!

Love, Liz

Vintage Paisley

Went on a visit to Paisley Museum earlier in the week and then found this amazing vintage tea room just across the road on the High Street - Ta Ta Bella's Tea Room.

Tea and coffee were served in lovely vintage china cups and the cakes were home made and delicious!

Lots of gorgeous vintage bits and pieces to look at and a warm and friendly welcome.

Make sure you go and visit if you are ever in Paisley.  You can find out more about on Ta Ta Bella's website.

Love, Liz