Feisty Lavender Doll

One day I WILL get around to making some of the dolls I have in my head. This feisty beauty with her lavender grey hair and strong hands is a must.

Halls, Bazaars and Cars

How gorgeous is this illustration? From the front of a delectable little booklet I bought a while ago and found anew today; it depicts what the text would probably describe as a 'gaily decorated' car and party scene.  For the princely sum of sixpence,  the booklet gives instructions on 'How to Decorate Halls, Bazaars and Cars.'

Naturally,  crepe paper features extensively,  given that the booklet was produced as a marketing tool for Dennison paper goods, by the look of the fashions illustrated,  in the late 1920s/early 30s.

The peppy, confident  text is a joy to read. The opening paragraph sets the tone perfectly;  'Bright and colourful decorations create an atmosphere of gaiety and put people in a mood to be amused and entertained... You cannot go wrong in choosing pink,  yellow or lavender for your decorative scheme.' Ok then!

To Felt or not To Felt?

That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler and more sensible to sell this lovely heather and grey tartan wool blanket on ebay or whack it in the washing machine and max out on soap and heat to produce some delicious felt? Dilemma compounded by fact that the blanket is in fabulous, completely intact, hole-free condition. Seems so brutal to felt something in such great shape, but as is; doesn't suit my decor. Hmmm....decisions decisions...

Beautiful Blanket Face

'Tis the season to curl up with felted wool and get handstitching. Madeleine Millington does this to great effect with her hot pastel palette of enticing projects and workshops. I recently attended a workshop. Simple, soothing and something I actually continued when I got home, rather than stuffing the item into a cupboard from which it could silently reproach me for months, if not years. Recommended.

Pinball Wizard

Stunning vintage pinball machine,  beautifully detailed and plays like a dream.Too big for my cottage, but great for furnishing the diner in my dreams...

Vintage Paper Jubilee

Only the hardest Republican heart would be unstirred by this delicately sun faded vintage folded paper decoration, carefully  preserved from the Silver Jubilee and unearthed in time for this year's festivities

Merry Meringues

The merriest looking meringues around. Positively perky and as delicious tasting as they are photogenic, these beauties were part of the bounty on offer at Marlborough Garden Association Plant Sale. They were displayed prettily beneath a fabric banner appliquéd by a local teacher. Reusable, pretty and practical, (the banner that is, not the teacher.)  Love it. Fab plants too of course; affordable, grown locally, so perfectly suited to my Marlborough cottage garden. 'Days out at home' don't get much better than this.