Roses, Roses, Roses!

Just like many of you, I absolutely adore roses and never tire of seeing them in any shape or form. It's generally a pretty dull time in the garden at this time of year and despite the early signs of Spring flowers, it will be a few months until we see the roses again! So I thought I would share these roses with you in the meantime! The beautiful barkcloth fabric above is one of my favourites and the pretty ribbons and roses cotton fabric below is so pretty!



I really enjoy seeing roses - and other flowers - around the home on textiles, china, barbola mirrors and paintings. These are two of my favourite paintings. The first is a stunning yard long oil painting dated 1921.



This beautiful oil painting is Edwardian and is very much in the style of Catherine Klein. Again, it is a yard long painting but has always been hung this way up - just as well as it really wouldn't fit anywhere else!



Finally, a few of my favourite things, as the song goes! A delightful old chest of drawers covered in wallpaper...



...and a roses pastel painting with one of Niki's wonderful rosy creations!



I'd love to see all of your favourite rose items!

A Moment in Time...

I was sorting through some old black and white photos the other day and came across several I'd like to share with you all. Sadly, many of the photos have been passed around the family and become torn and marked, so apologies for the less-than-perfect appearance of some!



The first is me! Despite most baby photos being embarrassing, I've always liked this one because I think I look so happy! Apparently, according to my mum, I was a very happy 'bouncing' baby and laughed and chattered a lot (nothing's changed there then!!!)

This is one of my favourite photos. My mum and aunt decided they would like a photo with me and the cat. Of course, the cat had other ideas so my aunt is trying to keep her in the shot! Both my mum and aunt are highly amused by it all - but I'm a little perturbed at the family cat being restrained in this manner!

Here are a couple of much older photos. The first is my grandmother, Gwendoline, and was taken in the 1920's. I believe she was about 19 at the time. Just look at that 20's fashion!



This is Lily, my mum's cousin and was taken about 1930. She doesn't look particularly happy does she?!



Finally, this is my husband's family. This photo shows two of his aunts and an uncle, along with his dad, who is the youngest in the photo. This was taken in the 1930's and they are stood outside their 'picturesque' country cottage - which I'm informed had no electricity and no running water - very typical for such cottages at that time.



Having found a huge pile of these old family photos, I'm now going to make it a priority to find a lovely vintage photo album and put all my old photos in and label them up so there'll be no guesswork as to who's who.

I'd love to see some of your family photos - don't forget the baby ones!!

Decisions, decisions...

I've been busy collecting all sorts of vintage treasures together, ready for selling on my new website. We're getting nearer and nearer to 'launch day' so I thought I should get organised and gather together my stock. After all, a shop with no stock would be no use at all, would it?!

But anyone who knows me will confirm that I only tend to buy the things I like - which does make shopping an absolute pleasure of course - but it's an absolute disaster when it comes to parting with things!!!



For example, there are these wonderful old handpainted panels which I am so tempted to keep as I'm sure I'd find a use for them one day! Then there's this lovely old handpainted, age-distressed table - why aren't I keeping that?!

I also love this old roses and chippy table too...

...and I've just remembered this gorgeous 1940's French bedspread - a real beauty! Oh dear!

I'm sure you can see my dilemma! I suppose I just need to be strong don't I?!

and so to bed...

The weather has been so awful just lately hasn't it?! Gales and rainstorms have lashed us from all sides and it's been so dark and dreary! I must admit, I've found it very hard to leave my bed in the mornings. On one such typical morning this week, as I was lying there with the sheet pulled up under my chin listening to the rain lashing against the window pane, I found myself musing about bed linen...



For some time now, especially since I've been buying and selling textiles, I have been using vintage linens, eiderdowns, blankets and quilts on my beds. The 'continental duvet' has been cast out and I can honestly say it will never return! There is nothing nicer than climbing into a freshly-made bed when you have crisp cotton or linen sheets and pillowcases - it's just delightful! I have never been warmer and cosier since layering the bed with Comfy quilts and Witney blankets - ooh such comfort! Even the bed in the guest room enjoys the same vintage warmth!



Eiderdowns are perfect for those really chilly nights and layering with sheets, blankets and quilts mean you can quickly adjust to the changing temperature of our fickle English weather!





All that talk of bed and cosiness has made me quite sleepy! I think maybe an early night is in order. Now, where's that hot water bottle...?!

Sweet dreams everyone!

New Year, New Stock, New Beginnings!

I have been visiting my antiques unit today, which is in the Brackley Antique Cellar in Northamptonshire. It is a huge antiques centre with 150 dealers. I specialise in vintage textiles - such as eiderdowns, quilts and fabrics - all with a floral theme.



I also sell oil and watercolour paintings, painted furniture, china, lighting and all manner of other vintage treasures.



I have also enjoyed selling similar items on ebay and therefore decided to launch my own website selling vintage goodies! It is currently 'in production' and should be up and running in a month - I will let you know when it is ready! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the pictures which show a small selection of my latest stock for the antiques unit. I will show you some more soon...!

January!

I had a wonderful calendar as a gift for my birthday and each month portrays a beautiful vintage-style lady, surrounded by jewels, roses and lace. Here is 'Miss January' - these are lovely large pictures so I will probably frame them at the end of the year.

Here are some close-ups of the roses around the cameo.





I've just had a peep at February's - can't wait to show you that one!