Vintage chair back covers.

Vintage chair back covers.
Originally uploaded by Shabby Tiger

These beautiful chairback covers ( antimacassars) are from the early 1950's, maybe even a little older. They were used on a three piece cottage suite, I absolutely adore them, but I couldn't bring myself to use them as they are so delicate now. The embroidery is all intact and the colours are almost as good as I can remember from many years ago. The pale green band along the bottom is not quite as you see it on the picture, it's more of a peppermint green, really lovely.
Sadly I don't have the third piece, the which fits the settee, I don't know what happened to it, but I'm glad I have these as they have been such an inspiration for one or two projects I have done in the past.

One project was for an oriental card for a friend. I loved the lanterns...

and decided to see if I could make something similar from polymer clay. well this is what I came up with....

I have to say, I was really pleased with what I produced, and not a bad likeness would you say?

One of the projects which I used a little lantern was this....

I was very pleased with the outcome, and I'm sure the reicipient was too!

Vintage post card

Vintage post card
Originally uploaded by Shabby Tiger

Friar Gate bridge circa 1958. I would have been( or almost) two years old, depending on what time of year it was.
I lived just around the corner from this beautiful bridge, and when I think back, it reminds me of all the sights and sounds which accompany steam trains.
A lot of the men on my fathers side of the family worked on the railways, in some form or other.
Sadly a lot of the beautiful buildings along Frair Gate are no longer there. I think this is called "redevelopment".
Pickford House is still up and running, and such a beautiful building and a wonderful museum. One not to be missed if you can visit.
Sadly we don't have much of our heritage left in Derby, the city council have devastated my once wonderful hometown, and I know I'm not the only person who thinks that.
I still love visiting anywhere where steam trains are running, and anywhere where our heritage is still intact for everyone to enjoy.

New Year, New Year!

Hello and happy New Year.
Well 2010 certainly made a dramatic entrance with all this snow!
Everyone wants a beautiful white covering, but when it actually arrives (usually all at once!) we just can't cope with it, and everything grinds to a halt. Watching the local evening news it seems that as the city council is running out of grit, (only two more days supply) they will not be gritting the bus routes. We all know how much chaos this will cause, but the local council (in their infinite wisdom) don't seem to realise the consequences. I don't think the media coverage helps either, so I'll say no more on the matter.
At this time of year I'm always thinking of getting to grips with things which may have slipped by the way in the last few months. Whether it be decorating, spring cleaning (I know a bit early for some) new projects or just simply a good sort out.
So today I opened a large box, which had beeen stored for quite some time, just to see what was in it, and see what could, if anything be sent for recycling.
To my surprise, it was full of vintage stamps and postcards, which were part of my late fathers collection. Old craft magazines from the 70's, (a lot of reading to do there!) I also found these.......

......I have no recollection of where they came from......

.......and there is quite a bag full.......

......with some lovely little extras......

but once they're all sorted I can decide what to do with them.
I also found this......

....now I do remember where I got this from. I bought it from a charity shop whilst we were in Leek. It cost me the princely sum of 20p, because there are no little paper dolls with it. A bargain? I think so!
Here are a few more pictures.....

I was in a rush to put it together....

but once the creases have come out.....



.....it will look fine....

........

........

......there's even a little cat on the roof....

I also found an old Cadbury's chocolate tin......

......and amongst the vintage stamps in the tin,I found these.....


....a set of Italian matchbox labels from the 50/60's. I remember these from my childhood.
All these wonderful finds, and I still have more to sort out.
Never mind the snow, I've got plenty of treasure to sift through!
Bye for now, Linda