Marble Rose Present

My youngest left nursery school (sniff), from the same place my other daughters went to, so I made something special for the lady, Elaine, who runs it. She had ordered 10 of my pencil cases for the little leavers and expressed an interest in one of the larger boxes to keep her pictures in - so of course I had to surprise her - and here it is for you to see! I am going to add it to the Marble Rose Shop once I have rejigged the prices (cheaper!) and added more stock. What do you think??? I have figured out a way to make my own decals for lettering - I hated using stamps and decals can get expensive - my way I can print what I like in most colours and type faces - although it's a bit fiddly it's much cheaper! TTFN xxxxx

I'm a Barbie / Sindy / Farah Girl

This is more of a tribute to the Two Crazy Crafters, whose Blog I think is lovely. I was in a CS recently and bought this adorable knitting pattern for 9p - makes a change to buy something vintage for cheaper than its original price! Firstly I should point out I can't knit - well ok a scarf, but that's it - so I really did buy this for the pictures. It was relevant when I bought it because it includes the recently passed Farrah Fawcett doll. It says it includes Barbie - but none of them look like Barbie - just Sindy - Philistine I hear you cry!!! The woolens are just so.............woolly.

Anyway - this is for you girls - enjoy!

(PS - surviving the school hols - just - the Craft Cupboard has settled in nicely!) TTFN xxxxx

Mothering by Numbers.

So, one more day and the kiddies are on holiday and am I ready? Actually mentally no - but I have stocked up on crafty, making stuff for those inevitable rainy days so practically speaking....ish. (It's like waiting for an invasion) Sometime ago I went to a car boot and found a box of vintage colouring books and bought them all for £2. Not one had been used and of course I'm sorely tempted to keep it that way - however once they are coloured in I think I will write a little passage in the front of each girls book and keep them as a 2009 holiday mementos. I have been so organised that I have even bought via Ebay a 'Holiday Craft Cupboard' which is getting delivered tonight - I will post pics soon! Having so many of these bits & bobs - I am thinking of having a GIANT GIVE AWAY!!!! If.....if.....I can reach 100 Followers by my 100th Post (eek) - to do that though I think I will offer a little incentive. Ooohh the suspense!!

TTFN xxxx

My one and only Fan

When I was a little girl I used to holiday at my Grandparent's home in Northumberland. One day she took me into her bedroom, which I was rarely allowed into, I remember clearly because it smelled of Beeswax and the bed looked like it had been ironed. She opened the bottom drawer to a solid oak chest of drawers and dug out three beautiful, old fans. I remember one of them was lace and another had huge peacock feathers and then there was this one. I was mesmerised. With its Mother of Pearl stems and hand painted picture, it caught my heart as she placed it in my hands.

She explained it was over 200 years old and only I was allowed to play with them, on occasion, not my brothers - the fans were our secret. As I fluttered the gold sequined antique in front of myself I couldn't have felt more regal or special.

Grandma is no longer with me and I don't know what happened to the other fans, but this one was given to me. Thinking about it though- I wonder now - was it really the fan that made me feel so proud and special and pretty back then? Or was it perhaps my Grandma ?

TTFN xxx

Stars and Stripes Cushion....I'm on a roll........

So here it is, my USA flag cushion, one for the kid's room. I love the space ship fabric and wanted to use the last fragment I had left, and then I thought Stars......Flag........yay! The rest was made with tea towels from TK Maxx!! It's certainly not as intricate as the UK flag cushion but I was better at the zip this time....ish. I want to do loads of flags now, so we can fill the giant hammock outside - which, when lying just on the rope, is a bit uncomfortable. I'm thinking Italy next? Suggestions? TTFN xxxx

No time like the present

That present being one to myself. This was one of a few Christmas presents that I chose for myself last year and subsequently wrapped for myself also - no not bitter.

I love it - when the alarm goes the little clown dances to the chiming glory of a little German folk tune.

Not sure of the date - 50s? I suppose for someone who suffers from coulrophobia this is possibly the most terrifying image to wake up to isn't it - but he isn't one of those horrible scary clowns - even I don't like them.

The only hitch, just a small one, is that the alarm is stuck at 7.30 am, so considering school hols are upon us - no need for that thank you very much Coco.

Have a great weekend! TTFN xxxx

I Scream for Ice Cream!

It's National Ice Cream month! Well it is in America, but hey this is webworld so we share don't we? Jenn over at Sweet Candy Creations is having the cutest of socials - it's adorable!

So just as a little tribute - as I am a bit late joining the party - take a ganda at this!

I recently spied this on Etsy and got very excited! It was a recipe booklet from the great US of A and I just had to have it (again). The thought of making all that 'vintage' ice cream filled my heart with yummy excitement.

But - DISASTER! What I hadn't expected was that I needed a mystery ingredient (a magic one no-less)

Oh no - it's an advertisement for Jell-O Ice Cream Powder (yum....hmm....yuk?)

So if anyone out there has managed to keep some Jell-O Ice Cream Powder for the past 80 years - share and share alike ladies! TTFN xxx

Ahoy!

A bit of a nautical post today, as I was just lazing in my hammock outside swinging to and fro, watching the fluffy clouds drift - and remembered this little Sailor. Cheeky isn't he? 50p at local car boot - bargain me hearties! Loving the swinging flares aren't you? Flicking through a few old children's books I found a couple of seafaring ditties. You hum it and Bobby Shafto here will sing it, when he's finished combing those lovely locks. Pretty boy isn't he ?(tee) TTFN xxx

New Boy in Town

....Or rather on my shelf - which quite frankly is getting way outta hand. I have such a small kitchen anyway, there is just no justification for my ever expanding mountain of kitchenalia - I really do need this shelf space - but hey - life would be a bit dull without it. Anyway, here's my latest acquisition - THE BIG CHEESE!!! Why? I don't know why. I just like the colours. It's polystyrene and a 1970's shop display cheese. Of course it is, you knew that. Imagine the following....

DH: So dear what did you get at the carboot today?

MR: A big cheese.

DH: Right. Do we need a big cheese?

I had to. This boy is big Look...... Next to the old cheese grater, it looks positively terrifying. It's practical though - in a poolside emergency it can act as a life preserver, with it's incredible floating powers. Win win!! TTFN xxx

Doggy in the Window

Who's this little chap? Reading one of my lovely old children's books?

Seems he's found a picture he likes - goodoh - so, it's only recently I have become strangely drawn to 1950's kitsch, but I think this is a pretty good start to a potential collection.

Can anyone tell me why this little fella has a slot in his mouth? It's way too small for money (and no way to get money out anyway). Answers on a postcard before it drives me barking mad! TTFN xxxxx

Cushion Love.

OK - so I joined the masses and I made one - I know - no imagination - but I couldn't resist having a go. And here it is,my first cushion creation and I love it! I only broke one needle and drew blood twice! The material is all charity shop finds - ribbons, fringing - even the zip! Ah, the zip, now that wasn't such a joyful experience. I had sewn it all in, to the best of my ability and was demonstrating proudly how well it would work to my daughter, when I managed to zip the zipper right off! I didn't cry, I took action - I got my husband to fix it. A couple of hours later and on the promise of a promise - he fixed it for me- although he may now need eye surgery from the intensity of his pain staking zip torture. Do you like it - because I think I have the cushion bug - I am now onto the Stars & Stripes - so stay tuned! TTFN xxxxx

It's a Miracle!

He was blind.

But now he can see!

TTFN xx

A Postcard from the Past.

Recently it was Armed Forces Day here in the UK and I have to admit it passed me by rather, which it shouldn't have. My father was probably the first generation in his family not to have to go to war - nor have my brothers - which detaches me slightly from the reality that so many people face daily with their loved ones. I bought this postcard, it reminded me of my Great grandfathers who fought in WW1 and the tragic stories that came back with them. This is Charlie my Great Grandfather (right) - he lost his brother in France. He was shot and still sent back to the front. (pictured front right) But like so many other 'men' he still found time to write a postcard to his Mother. TTFN xxxx

Happy 4th of July!

I am fascinated by American history, I have a huge admiration for the foundations of this country, its values and vision. My father however has a boundless and incredible knowledge of American history and so for his 60th Birthday I presented to him a letter from a soldier on the front of battle during its civil war. It is from a Union Soldier called Dennis, his fate we will never know. To celebrate the 4th July I offer a transcript of this letter to you dear readers and offer my congratulations to all its citizens, especially in this Renaissance era.

New Madrid Missouri

March the 26th, 63

Dear Father

It is with pleasure that I find myself seated with pen in hand to converse with you through the silent medium of Pen and Paper. I received your kind and ever welcome communication Dated Ostalia (?) March the 2nd and was glad to learn through it that you was enjoying usual health and I hope this may find you still blessed with the same enjoyment. I wrote to you a few days since and you have no doubt ere this received, but it seems strange that it should take our communication so long to reach each other but the mails are so very irregular that we cannot tell when they will reach their destinations you will see by this that we are in the same place where we landed on the 2nd Jan, and are all in good spirits and the most of us in good health and stand ready to strike a blow for the cause of our Country at any moment when an opportunity shall present itself and if we have one desire above another it is to be permitted to return home to take an active part in the Revolution for which old Mahony escorts his conspirators to prepair (sic), I think that we could do an honor to humanity and that which would prove a blessing to our country and the cause of the Union by making a few less Mahonyites and Coperheads that are trying to busy their poisonous tushes deep into the heart of our glorious Republic and to destroy the Country which has afforded them, as well as us, life, liberty and, happiness. Father I have no news of interest to write, we have a battery attached to our Regt, it is composed of six Rifle Canons, , you wanted to know if I had seen David or heard from him? I have not seen him but I get letters from him every once in a while the last I got from him he was well and all right he was then in Miss. Well Father I hardly know what to write that will interest you, I think this job will soon be done up and then I will come home and tell you a long yarn, but perhaps you will not want to hear Army stories as you have seen enough yourself of the Army, but Dear Father please let this surfice (sic) for this time and you may expect another letter from me soon. I sent you an order to draw the money which I wish to pay you if you can get the order you may burn it up and find enclosed in this letter (if you ever get it) the sum of two Dollars ($2,00) which you will perhaps get sooner than with the order but should you have drew the money on order you can at some convenient time hand it back to Abbee and it will be all right again. From your affectionate Son Dennis {Please write to me often}

TTFN xxxx