Our new arrival!

Here she is, our new grand daughter Evelyn Grace, born on the 1st February. This picture was taken just a few hours after she was born. Her mum, dad, brother and sister are all very happy, and so are we. We now have four grandchildren, three girls and one boy. What's it like to be a grandparent? One word, wonderful!!!

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

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful time xx

Midwinter's Day

Ever since I was a child, Midwinter's day has been a special day. Once reached, we know that the days once again, slowly begin to get longer, although it doesn't always seem that way. It was even better for me today, as I wasn't at work, unlike the last couple of years. So Mick and I were able to pull on our walking boots, open the front door and walk down the lane and on to the canalside.

It was a beautiful, bright but very cold day. Much of the canal was still frozen, but it was so beautiful. We didn't see a soul.....


I think everyone must have been shopping, rather them than me!
But the wildlife were having a ball. It's as if they know the significance of today. There was so much birdsong in the air, it was truly wonderful.
The swans were basking in the winter sun too....


One of them had a tricky moment though, deciding to make his way across the ice to see if we had anything for him to eat......

But I'm sure that he'd done this before, as he calmly decended into the water, after a few creaks and cracks of breaking ice!

His beautiful plumage glistening in the sunlight, like pearls.
Even the trees looked their naked best in the winter sunshine....

Then after a few miles walk, it was home to a bowl of home made leek and potato soup. What more could anyone ask? Maybe a couple of these....

Well I did do all my ironing afterwards, and a few other jobs too!
It has been a wonderful winters day. I know they all won't be like this, but this Midwinter's Day was perfect!
Bye for now, Linda

Catching up!!!!

Well, what a long time it's been since my last post. The last three months have been chaotic and traumatic at times, but we've come through it and that's the most important thing.
We had a lovely time with our daughter, husband and baby in September and the time just flew, as always. Our gorgeous little Mary-Ann is growing so quickly.

At the end of the month we managed to get away for a few days in the wonderful Peak District. Plenty of fresh air and walking, it was wonderful.
We even managed to eat most of our lunch when we stopped at Caudwells Mill.

The very next week, when we were back at work, Mick fell quite ill, and within a few days ended up in hospital having a major operation. Luckily he now has a clean bill of health but won't be back at work until the New Year. He's getting to the figity stage now, and wants to get back to work as well as get cracking with all the things we need to do in the back garden. But he'll just have to wait a few more weeks, and so will the garden!
For the last two weeks I've had the dreaded flu virus and have been in a totally useless state. I always think of myself as lucky, as I don't really suffer with coughs and colds, but this came right out of the blue and quickly. I took the five day Tamiflu course. Did it help? I don't really know, because "experts" say, that after about seven days, the virus burns itself out anyway. I do know one thing though, I really don't want that virus again.
I did make my Christmas cards, (luckily) before I was ill. Here's a few.....

the pictures are a bit grainy, I'm really out of practise with my camera!!!



I'm sure the recipients will love them.....

Now all I have to do is finish off the last few cards, all the elements are done they just have to be put together. Then I can concentrate on other Christmas things, like baking and the tree.
Fingers crossed, everything is back to normal now!
Bye for now, enjoy your weekend, Linda