White O'Morn Cottage

Tribute to the Two Best Little Dogs in the World

 

Here is a little poem I wrote for my much loved and much missed dogs, Tiny and Pretty.....

A Dog's Job

The work of dogs...

is to cause smiles

give endless welcomes

to keep you fit

to listen without comment

to lick tears before they reach your chin

The work of dogs is...

to cherish old bones

chase flies

and chew slippers

The work of dogs is to...

be on the wrong side of any closed door

break wind when you have company

and look adorable while doing so

the final job for dogs is

to steal away

taking a piece of your broken heart with them.

******************************************************

Pretty Prezzies

On a lighter note I was thrilled to open a lovely present from my good friend, Kimme, of Irishcottagedreams

 

Thanks so much, Kimme, I will be making two of the projects from this lovely book - the pot holders and the tissue pouch over the holidays.

 
Oooohhh.... how I love the 1950's table square! It is divine and just SO ME! You know my taste so well.

Sorry, the edibles were gone before  I could take a picture! Guess who? Choccy and frog gobblin' hubby that's who!

 

Thank you very much. It really made my day today and I have gotten all Christmassy now! Merry Christmas Kimme and Co.

 

Lucky Shamrock Pin

 I have just finished my first crochet shamrock brooch and put it for sale on my website and on Etsy.com (link on right hand side, bloglists)

$3.99 including postage.  

 

 

The work of dogs...

is to cause smiles

give endless welcomes

to keep you fit

to listen without comment

to lick tears before they reach your chin

The work of dogs is...

to cherish old bones

chase flies

and chew slippers

The work of dogs is to...

be on the wrong side of any closed door

break wind when you have company

and look adorable while doing so

the final job for dogs is

to steal away

taking a piece of your broken heart with them.

******************************************************

Pretty Prezzies

On a lighter note I was thrilled to open a lovely present from my good friend, Kimme, of Irishcottagedreams

 

Thanks so much, Kimme, I will be making two of the projects from this lovely book - the pot holders and the tissue pouch over the holidays.

 
Oooohhh.... how I love the 1950's table square! It is divine and just SO ME! You know my taste so well.

Sorry, the edibles were gone before  I could take a picture! Guess who? Choccy and frog gobblin' hubby that's who!

 

Thank you very much. It really made my day today and I have gotten all Christmassy now! Merry Christmas Kimme and Co.

 

Lucky Shamrock Pin

 I have just finished my first crochet shamrock brooch and put it for sale on my website and on Etsy.com (link on right hand side, bloglists)

$3.99 including postage.  

 

 

Fabric Repurposing Project = Shopping Tote!

I love t0 repurpose things, such fun to make something from something else and give it a new lease of life.

To that end here is my latest repurposed craft item.

I had some books of large fabric samples from a furnishing shop. Very heavy good quality fabric. I decided to make some unique shopping totes that would be eco-friendly, hard wearing, washable and look good too.

Before: the fabrics:

...and after: The first of my new shopping totes.

 

I made five of them and put them up for grabs on our freecycle site www.jumbletown.ieand within two hours they were gone! So I did my bit for the planet. One fabric bag can replace many thousands of plastic shopping bags in its lifetime.

What else have I made in these last few weeks?

Well I covered another box with the blue CK fabric in my stash. I think it goes really well with the vintage wallpaper covered ones and all of them trimmed with Kimme's vintage lace.

Below: This is where I store my crafting supplies. I wish I had a whole room to myself...ah, someday. For now I have a bookshelf.

Also here you can see my black flocked display hand that doubles up  for holding my collection of embroidery hoops.

Collection?

Two?

That's not a collection....Ebay here I come!

 

What else have I made that I have not shown you yet....oh, yeah, this lavendar heart sachet made from some Crimpelene fabric. Do you remember Crimpelene? Everything was made from it for a while.

 

And I have finished my blue scarf. I LOVE how it turned out and wear it a lot. I added a broken vintage beaded ring in the centre to finish it off. My mam saw it and wanted one so I started one for her using Aran pure Irish wool, for her birthdaynext weekend. Pattern for this is available on Berreco website and is called Rose and is VERY easy to knit.

 

And a simple cushion also from CK fabric.

What are these pretty things?

 

 

They are two small jars I use to store some old buttons. Doilies make pretty lid covers for an ordinary jar.

Still on the subject of repurposing....I can't throw out a pretty box. I have a bit of a box obsession. But how could you throw out this beauty?

 

What came in a box like this?

Well - these did....they are lovely too ...and a nice usable box as a bonus!

 

 

Now here is a tin box I found in a charity shop recently. It is not vintage or even attractive but because "Crawford" was my maiden name I was drawn to this large biscuit tin.

I lifted it up and it was heavy...with rattling thingies inside. I dared not hope so I asked "Does this contain buttons by any chance?"

"Yes" she said

"Four euro for the lot - I just want to shift it - no one sews on buttons anymore" 

 I bought it there and then without even looking. When I got it home I was delighted to find.... it was bursting with oodles of vintage buttons all sorted into colours. Button motherlode! I need never buy another vintage button again...but do you think that will stop me? Naw. Noh ar all!

 

Here they are in their jars...actually I ran out of jars and had to use some glasses. They look so pretty lined up there on top of my bookshelf/craft area.

 

 

Have you got a box obsession? A button obsession? I don't believe I am alone in this.

Keeping Busy in Amsterdam

Well after the awful loss of my little dog, Pretty, I had to find a way to keep myself busy and not be moping about. It was a bit fortunate that we were booked to go to visit our son, Jamie, in Amsterdam two days later. It did keep us occupied. Here are some of the photos I took on our trip.

This is Jamie with his lovely English girlfriend, Toni...a happy couple.

Below: Paul found a doggy friend to cuddle. This is Molly who belongs to the lovely Shalina (Jamie's boss) Shalina would not be photo'd but Molly did! Thanks so much Shalina for all your hospitality and help during our trip (and keeping an eye on my baby for me)

 

Smokey's Coffeeshop

Next is a photo of Jamie and Paul taken in one of those coffeeshops that sell dope and such and it's legal. I was gobsmacked! We had to see it for ourselves of course.

Then - much to Jay's embarrassment we insisted on doing a tour of the Red Light District. It was the fasted tour ever. I think we saw one lane of it. Jamie almost ran us through it. Also gobsmacking! I think Paul went crossyeyd!

 It was a bit sad seeing all those beautiful young women on display like shop mannaquins. I was too uncomfortable to take photos of them and anyway it is not allowed - not the done thing - and their minders are known to grab a camera and delete pictures.  The red lights you can see in the lane on left of picture each has a window with a woman for sale in it. Very strange thing to see.

Despite these things I have to say that Amsterdam felt like a very safe city to be out and about in on a weekend night. Full of buzz and good humour  and no sense of menace and danger that I feel in most big cities. Jamie says he has not seen one fistfight in the nine months he has been there.   The police are very polite but have a zero tolerance approach to troublemakers and will come down hard on any unruly behaviour (also they don't have to spend any time  dealing with dope dealers or prostitutes as most forces do)

 

Strange Buildings in Amsterdam...

Below is the hotel where Jamie works. It is the Liberty Hotel and is the building on the left with the green canopy. Next to it is the narrowest house in the world. Yes, the black door is the building - it is a door wide! The redbrick building is the building next door to it. A young couple live in it. Obviously NOT  claustraphobics!

 

 

...and Feeling Seasick on Land!

Now for more amazing buildings. I thought it was my eyes at first but no, a lot of the buildings are tilting at odd angles. Look at this hotel (on the right with the blue hotel sign)..would you like to stay in this?

 

Of course some of them tilt FORWARD which is also very alarming.

 

It seems they are built on sand and that's why they shift. I have not heard of any of them falling so I guess that's ok but it sure feels strange to see it. Jay says the builders never heard of  spirit levels!
 

I did go to a flea market but it was late in the day and most of the good stuff was gone but I did manage to find two lovely old tins and an old candle snuffer. Will post pics next time.

Since I came home I have set up my ETSY Shop (again keeping my mind busy) Click on the  link or the on the top of my sidebar on the right if you fancy a browse. Bye for now!

 

 

Sad News, Pretty Roses, Babies and Cottages

It is with a heavy heart that I have to write the sad news that my wonderful little dog, Pretty had to be put to sleep yesterday. Bye Bye Pretty, we'll miss you very much.

But life goes on and I had this post already done so I share it here with you.

One of my favourite boxes in my considerable collection of boxes, is this stationery box from the 50's. It still has some of the original writing sheets in it.  How gorgeous are the roses on this? 

 

 

 

And on this?

 

 

Also Lovely to Look At.

I caught my son, Chris,  heading out the door for a night out. All dressed up and looking gorgeous so I had to grab my camera and snap!

"Ah, hurry up Ma - I have a hot date waiting"

 

I can remember when he was all dressed up in this little bonnet! Ahhhhh!, (he is going to kill me for this)

I made it for his christening. I can't believe I used to be able to do this stitch. It looks complicated to me now. 

 

And speaking of beautiful babies (Yes, you were Chris!)

 I came across this piece of vintage ephemera to share with you.

I love the graphics on the back of cherubs playing with photographic chemicals?!!!

 

 

 Cottage Cross Stitch Collection Gets Going!
 
I have decided to have a go at cross stitch after my recent thrifting find of a large cottage

and then the lovely Twiggypeassticks sent me this little cottage beauty..

 I will be framing this and keeping it. Very pretty. Thanks Twiggy.
 

All That Glitters is...Gorgeous!

There is a bit of a magpie in me and I know I am not alone.  I bought this bag of goodies recently. Yummy bits and bobs of vintage costume jewellery. Some of it wearable or saleable on Etsy and some of it broken and just begging to be used for craft.

 

Here is my new red hat (every woman of a certain age should have a red hat) This is a wool beret like the one worn by Mary Kate Dannagher in the film The Quiet Man.

I could not leave well enough alone so I made a little felt and button decoration for it (will add pic soon) I then decided it would be perfect to display my vintage hat pin collection. It sits in my hallway on my styrofoam model head.

 

and a close up...

 

Another, broken seed beaded ring was perfect to finish off the knitted scarf with the rosette disk I showed you in an earlier post. I love how this scarf turned out and it is so cosy on these cold mornings. Pattern is called Rose and is on the Berroco website.

 
 

Big Bottle of Bubbly Bath!

After finishing this bottle of my favourite pink wine I was admiring the lovely bottle and thinking "What could I repurpose this lovely shaped bottle for?" Then it came to me....and this is what I made from it.

I filled it with pink bubble bath, added a few drops of rose essential oil, a handmade tag, some vintage trims, pins and beads.

The label I saved when I received some lovely crafting supplies from Southern Patina on Etsy.  I punched a hole each side and threaded some vintage trim and tied it at the back. Under the name it says "Handmade Pretties"

 

Sugar beads and some pink beads speared on a heart long pin in the cork. These should be enough to warn any potential imbibers that this not a regualar bottle of wine!

 

Even the back got a new look.

 

 

Hours of lovely soaking  to be had from this bath wine!

 

 

Five Surprising Things you did not know About Me! SHOCK HORROR!

I have NOT been tagged to tell five things you did not know about me. But who can wait to be tagged? Not lil' ol' me for sure. So - here are five little known facts 'bout this ol' rock chick that you would not have guessed in a million years!

1.    I have a 22" waist. ......

yes, I AM SO skinny..,.....Yes, (deep inside this 32" waist resides a  22" waist) It has not seen the light of day since 1973 but hey!  10 inches ...that's only 5 inches each side. Not far from daylight right?

......................................................................................................................

2 . I was ARRESTED on the CHAMPS ELYSEÉ, PARIS in 1972 for.......Busking!

Yes, that Champs Elysee in that Paris.

 I enjoyed evey minute of it. Yes, it was my finest hour. I can't even sing or play an instrument but Paul can and was and I was guilty of collecting the spondoolicks in the hat! WHEEEE! We both got arrested along with a man walkin' his dog without a lead and brought to the police station for an hour. Then we were released and told to get out of town.! Wheeeee! I'm a criminal! I Love this story and have been dining out on it for years!

I'd love to do this again before I die. One or both I don't mind. I am going to Amsterdam soon and might chance it there. Sure if we don't get arrested we might make a few bob right? Watch this space. Interpol take note!

...................................................................................................................

3. I can't drive. Well, I CAN drive but don't as I developed a phobia re driving over the years and bought a bike instead. That's a bit boring right? Well this is not....Some drivers often come VERY close to me when I am cycling to work. It makes me nervous and I tend to wobble as they pass and would have been killed sooner or later but I came up with the perfect solution...

 

No not this lovely bike...read on

It goes like this..........When I hear a car coming up behind me I deliberately WOBBLE dangerously all over the place. This has the effect of frightening the bejeepers out of the driver upcoming and they give me a wide berth. Clever or wha? Survival of the wittiest!

....................................................................................................................

4. I am a teacher  - but I left school at age 14  ....and I did so without a qualification of any kind or even a backward glance. I hated every minute I spent in school and now I'm the feckin' teacher! Ah, sufferin' heart!

 I still don't have a qualification (not even the Juinior Cert (done at age 15 here)  No, I just have 12 years of experience in actually DOING IT (Adult Ed, is the back door to becoming a teacher)  At work I have the opportunity and  the funding to do a degree in teaching but hey! I am too busy working and living to do it so I duck and dive and just keep on teaching!

 I am da teacha'! Whoooo! (under the radar - don't tell the Dept. of Ed - anyway I have a criminal record in France so probably don't qualify on any level)

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5 I am an All Ireland Dancing Champion.

I have a medal for LINE Dancing. I won it in 19-hundred and splash!

Yes, I can and do throw a few shapes on the dance floor.

 (I was six before I found out I was NOT a ballet dancer.) No one told me otherwise before that - and therefore I truly believed I was. I did not know that one had to learn. Really. I actually believed I could just do it and did it or thought I was doing it. I was born to dance and so I did dance until someone "enlightened" me and then I lost the ability to be a dancer for years- a bit sad really)

 

But talent WILL out I did come to learn to dance and eventually won a national medal for it as part of my club group of line dancers, The Memphis Swingers,  a few years ago. (I can STILL ballet dance - don't care what anyone says...and Riverdance and Flamenco dance , Morris dance etc whooo!)

I am da' dancah!

So do you want to divulge 5 little known facts about you? Consider yourself tagged so!

For Better or For Worse ...The Better Days and the Worst Days

This is not all a cheerful happy post so if you can't deal with it leave now.... if you can, or are so nosy you can't resist..... scroll down

 

 

Hi, glad you came down this far....are you  ready to join me in a good ol' snivel? Yes?

Scroll on down so.

No? then you had better not.

Still scrolling?


You've been warned!

.....scroll on down so.

 

 

This is a photo of my mam and dad on their wedding day taken in No. 72 Glentow Rd, Whitehall, Dublin 1952. (Her family home) 

I have just noticed that they have willow patten crockery on their table! I have it in my cottage. Gotta love willow pattern. I do -  and always have.

Anyway, this shows them on their wedding day in 1952, the photo shows that they had a wedding breakfast of  ..and I know ,'cos I asked her, sausages,black pudding and rashers and sliced bread. You can see them right in front of them as they are cutting the cake.

I love this photo. Here is a close up of their hands as they cut the cake and started on the journey that is  marriage.

 

the photo above is the "For Better" and the photo below is  "...or for worse"

Only scroll down if you can deal with it.

 

 

Here is a photo taken the day my lovely Da died.

 23rd Dec. 2008.

Yes, last Christmas.

So reminiscent of the photo above....

 

this photo was displayed on his coffin at his funeral the day after Christmas.

In Feb. of this year, while I was still grieving for me Da, my husband, and rock, was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid.

He has just come through the treatment for his cancer. We are still a bit raw and reeling from it. His prognosis is good and we are so happy with that.

Here is a photo taken of us on our wedding day in 1979 in Raheny Church, Dublin. This is our "For Better" photo.

 

scroll down only if you can handle our "for worse" photo.....

 

 

 
 

 

 

Yes, I put it way down so you had to want to see it. 

Bear in mind he is over all of this and has a really good prognosis....

Scroll down if you want to share our  

".....for worse ......in sickness and in health"

Sure you want to see this?

Scroll down so.

 

Taken after the second of his three operations,

But it all has a happy ending, at least for us...'cos here we are on the day he was released from hospital.

No need for scrolling as this is a nice happy photo. 

 

'Nuff said.
 
 

 

I love the sound of SZZZZZZZZZZnoring.

Am I the only person in this world who LIKES the sound of snoring?

I am a chronic sufferer of insomnia. Wish I COULD snore a lot more.

The rest of my family sleep soundly and prove it by SNORING  loudly.

The hubby does it,

 ....the sons do it.

..... (they are SO  going to kill me for taking these pics but will have to actually READ my blog to find out Ha!)

 Even the shaggin' dogs do it!

 (The cat purrs...= feline version of snoring. Leave it to cats to be awkward)

But I love it all.

Yep,

I love it. The sound of snoring. I love it.

My darling husband snores in my ear.

AHHH, how jealous I am. His head hits the pillow ....like a finger hits a light switch, ...and off he goes (bad cess to 'im).....off to the Land of Nod.

I love the sound of him snoring away happily until.....he stops!...yeah, he stops both snoring and/or breathing! He has episodes of sleep apnea....

Wha's that? I hear you say...

Well, it is when people temporarily suspend snoring  and/or breathing for AGES  ....and give free heart attacks to the insomniacs in the bed beside them!

Then - just as you are about to give them the KISS of LIFE they take in a Big One and settle down again.

Is it any wonder I can't sleep?

Brings to mind the song: "Every breath you take - every move you make"...etc.

But I can sit downstairs wiith a cup of hot milk listening to them all snoring away in harmony and think to myself..."They are all home safe...at peace....sleeping like babies...All's well in my world"

Treasure Found Should be Treasure Shared....

I was lucky enough to find and buy a box of vintage jewellery treasure and so, I have decided to pass it on at really good prices 'cos I got it for a great price.

 So, if you are looking for something different for a Christmas gift at a great price and FREE!!!!! Yes, FREE = (gratis and for nothing).....shipping worldwide. .....Well, I have just listed some of it on my site www.suchprettyoldthings.com and my etsy shop : Unapam. More to come!

Here is a small sample of the goodies on offer.......

For instance...a 9 ct gold heart locket and I have listed it for only £9.99 ...including postage? Wha?.....

....Yes, I got it for a really good price so I am passing it on (and still making a profit- - and what's wrong with that?) We all win - right?

 

Or a Celtic design brass bracelet?

 

for this beauty click on link below.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33091954

Or a handmade copper bangle? (I've got one of those) (Not listed yet.)

Or a 1930's diamante buckle? (Ooooohhhh - to die for, faded glamour)

 

for this beauty click on link below

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33059992

 

Or a sweet bows and rhinestone 60's pin/brooch? (sweet and innocent)

 

For this simple elegant piece click on link below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33060355

 

Or an EXQUISITE pair of vintage Hobé earrings? (SO lavish they are almost tacky but quality can NEVER be tacky)

 

for these beauties just click on link below.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=33061158

 

 

Find them here on Etsy.... http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33061158

 

Yup, all here and all going for a song! Christmas is coming so grab a rare and unique bargain for someone special....and yes, FREE shipping. I could not do more for ye' unless I was GIVING it away...come to think of it...I have not done a giveaway for a while. I will work on it and do one soon!

Check 'em out here...... 

www.suchprettyoldthings.com or just contact me via comments.
 

A Picture Paints a Thousand Memories

Welcome to a corner of my home.
 

A simple photograph...of an old sewing machine tucked away in a corner of my cottage beside the fire...Not so.

For it tells a many stories and triggers many fond memories...

*The sewing machine itself...was rescued from a skip/dumpster in Portmarnock, Dublin by a friend of mine. He saw it and thought of me. It came with original instruction book and box of accessories, the original packing slip from the factory, and even the original tube of oil. Some old lady had treasured it for years and it ended up in a skip. But then along came Cecil. Thank you Cecil.

 

*The table it stands on is an old, ornate Singer sewing machine stand...It was found by me in the derelict barn on the land that came with the cottage. Much rusted - but to me it was treasure and I sanded it, painted it black and gold and Paul and I added a top, recycled from a spare fence post. We had much fun putting this together , making something out of nothing and Paul taught me how to use a chopsaw and that was a lovely day. I love this table. Thanks Paul

 

*The hugging frog statue to the right of pic are labeled Pam & Paul. A charity shop find and they called to me ....so home they came and got Tippexed and labeled. I can really relate to how these two hug each other. I wonder why? (Paul on right and Pam on left) Thank you Vincent de Paul Shop

*Extreme right can be seen the pump and pipes for  the central heating coming from the stove, all of them installed by my plumber son, Jamie - my baby. I think he hated every minute he spent working here as it is so quiet and rural and everything a young man, used to the mayhem and bright lights of Dublin, does not need or want (Live long enough son, and you will appreciate it) Thank you Jamie.

 

* The book on the table top is an original copy of "Green Rushes"  by Maurice Walsh, the book the film The Quiet Man is based on. My cottage is named White O'Morn after the cottage in the film "The Quiet Man" and I have copied and recreated the cottage in the film as far as is practicable. It is my favourite film...thank you John Huston.

*The coaster. It is hard to read in the picture but it says " A friend is someone who knows all about you - but likes you anyway" It was a gift from a German friend we met in Canada in  2000. I treasure it for its sentiment and for the friend who gave it to us. Thanks  Klaus.

 

* The lamp. A carboot find and I love it even though only one of the lights  ever worked. The lamp base is a lillypad design and the frog was not originally part of  it but is one of the MANY my sis, Angie has given to my husband Paul, who is a fairy and frog fan-at-ic. For the plague of frogs- Thanks Angie.

So - not just a simple picture at all. But full of memories but whenI look at them, at any of the components, they can trigger a particular memory or emotion.

My cottage is full of these vignettes and as my gaze falls upon them ... settling for a few seconds on them, resting on each like a touchstone, I count my blessings and acknowledge them and think...... "Oh, so-and -so gave me that" or "I remember finding that little treasure" or "That reminds me of..."

One of my many mottos is "Delight in the little things"

 And I do.

 

 

What a Difference two Decades Make!

 

It is my firm belief that we do not look our best in our youth...well not our teenage youth anyway.

Our "hayday" youth which happens in ou r thirties is our best era. I can prove this with just a few well chosen photos from the past....

Here we have an example of "Cool Irish Band Circa 70's

 

 McNasty they were called, (bell bottoms made everyone look like their knees were tied together)

Photo taken in St Anne's Park , Raheny, 1970's...

 

...and "Cool Irish Band" Circa 90's - I rest my case!

Irish rock band, Loose Change, taken in1993

 

Now ....do you recognise anyone? Yes, one of Loose Change was also in McNasty. But that's not who you will recognise -but...another member of Loose Change is well known to you.

Yes! That handsome devil on the left is my husband Paul. It was taken at the wedding of  band member on the right, Wes Singleton. In the middle is the third band member, Gary Dixon, but more of him in a minute.

Now, I'd best poke fun at myself ('cos if you are going  to dish it out you've got to be able to take it too!)

Below a pic of ME taken in 1975. It was taken in Rue de Boucher, Brussels and yes that is Paul with me. We were buskers in those days. (actually, technically I was not a busker..all I did was smoke and count the money)

 

Look at those narrow hips! I wonder where they went? And is that a cigarette?!!!! yes, I used to smoke in those days. Paul had an afro hairstyle in the seventies. He used to grow hair in the seventies.

 Ahh, where did it all go? Time? hair? bad habits? narrow hips? All gone now ...(except for the narrow hips - I still have those...I DO - it's just that they are buried deep inside my new hips)

Here's a few more of us in that era.

Paul busking in Brussels with Tom Wordsworth from England

And below with Mal Langsdon from England. (He is the  photographer who compiled the facebook vid featuring us and some other rockers.)

They are playing in the restaurant, Au Tire Bouchon, Brussels, where Paul worked as a dishwasher. Mal was a photographer for UPI at the time. We met him on our first night in Brussels in Au Tire Bouchon (the Corkscrew)  and he gave us his apartment keys as he was going away for a month on assingnemt to Seveso where there had been a disaster. Can you believe it?

His friend and neighbour, Ruth Gruber, a journalist with UPI,  said

"Mal, don't do it - don't give your home to two strangers for a month - you don't know them!"

But Mal did, and we did not wreck his home (but I have to confess, I did eat all your Bovril...yeah, that was me, mea culpa - I owe you a jar of Bovril)

Ruth, was our/Mal's  next door neighbour and kept a beady eye on us but we soon became close friends with her and her cat, Star.  (she got to know us and caved in and realised we were good people)

We are all still in touch on Facebook after all these years...Hi, Mal- Hi Ruth!

Ruth wrote a piece about us as buskers for an American newspaper, I will find it and post here. I still have it. (Busker = street musician or troubadour!)
 

 

Oh, how I loved my hippie cheesecloth maxi dress and Paul is wearing a Guinness t-shirt. This was taken outside a restaurant in the Rue de Boucher, Brussels where Paul played for money. (Gawd, I look like a bulldog chewing a wasp!)
 

Now I will show you some examples of what a difference two decades make.

This is Paul in the seventies...

 

...and in the 90's

 

Me in the 70's...

 

And in my "heyday" the 90's

 

 

and here is band member of Loose Change, Gary,  in the seventies...

 

And the same rocker in the 90's...(I think his right hand has been surgically attached to his right hip since the seventies)

 Hi Gary.

I will be very kind to us all and not show a pic of any of us another decade or so on. (We all look exactly the same......no - really - we do!)

Here is another photo of the McNasty's and their fans. Just LOOK  at the fashions then! Do you remember those clothes? Been there, done that, wore the t-shirt.

 

I'll leave you with a photo of myself at the height of my cuteness wearing a very short skirt and showing my knickers! Shameless hussy that I was.

Scroll down only if you can handle it....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You're still scrolling aren't you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

You've been warned!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOTCHA!  ;-)

 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Vintage Motherlode! ...from Postman Pat.

 

My postman loves me. Yes, he does.

I shop on Ebay and so.... he is assured a secure job until his retiermient :-)

(Recession me arse!  Stick with me - all will be well)

I love my postman too. He brings me goodies on a regular basis. It feels like he is bringing me pressies and I am gushingly grateful to him every time. We have a great relationship ...me and my postman (he brings bills too but they are for Paul).

He only ever sees me in my pj's with bad bed head hair...you know the style? (Yeah, the one that looks like a gorilla broke into your bedroom at night and swung you around in circles for a while. That one. Interesting to say the least.)

But my postman? Does he care? Not a bit. He loves me. I love him. Simple.

Postman Pat.

 Yup, his name is Pat. (But sure this is Ireland and most men are called Pat or a variation of same)

I'm a woman and I'm nearly called Pat meself...if it wasn't for the M at the end of Pa...I'd be Pat wouldn't I?.

 Even some Americans of my aquaintence (you know who you are!) are named Pat, Patrick, Padraig Padhraic, Phairic or Paddy. Great ol' name. Gotta love it.

Anyway, I digress. Postman Pat brought me a treasure trove of vintage sewing notions this morning...all contained in a fab vintage tin from the 40's.

MOTHERLODE!

I bought a vintage tin on Ebay 'cos I am in my vintage tin phase.

 

Gorgeous tin. Sweetpeas flowers raised on lid and the word "Workbasket" engraved on it. Lovely.

I love it and I have not even opened it yet.

No one bid against me and so...£6 on Ebay? Good value? YES, Love it already!

 I knew it contained some sewing notions but I had fallen for the tin and the notions were to be  a bonus.

Rusted clasp...very hard to open....

 

I love rust I must say. Wouldn't you love to be the one to prise open this rusty clasp to reveal what lies behind?

BONUS! Yeah. yup, yes, it was burstin' with treasure from 1930/40's - gillions of them.

 

 

This tin was a toffee tin by Blue Bird Toffee and it has a lovely graphic of a little boy inside the lid. Some lady kept all her sewing notions in this for decades. It contained EVERYTHING  one could want.

Close ups of the precious items.

 

Mending yarn? Love it! Here is a small sample of the 19 cards!

 

 

St George Pansy Quality Bias Binding? I have been looking for this for years!

 

Knitter's ribbon? Never heard of it - did you? I'm a knitter. I did not know I needed ribbon. But now I have some.

 

Wooden Spools? Love 'em. Here are a FEW of them.

 Like vintage buttons? yes? Here is a SAMPLE of my new collection.

Below: is a pack of hooks and eyes...labelled "War Tme Pack- Extra Japanned Finish" Lovin' heart!.... 

 

 Above: Sounds brave and durable. Let's look at the other side...

It says "By appointment to her majesty  - The Queen & Queen Mary"

 

I just knit a cardi for myself and I need a hook and eye and I will be using one of Queen Mary's for it. (Well, if it is good enough for Queen Mary it is good enough or this lol' ol' rock chick!)

Do you need to repair your HOSE?  ....or need to make your mark with some 60 year old tailor's chalk? Here it is ...I got it. 

 

BELOW:

What is this?

Well, it is a close up of a pin cushion. Hmmm. But some wonderful lady many years ago went to the trouble of handmaking this. Crosstitch? knitted? Woven/ tapestry?  I don't know. But I do know that it will be given a new lease of life by me - as I will stick it with my pins and USE it. She made it to be used and so it will be.  Neat, careful, perfect work for a simple pincushion. It has been in an attic for many decades and now it gets its time in the sun.

 

Love this piece of vintage sewing notions....

 

Above: When did you last darn your silk hosiery? Well, next time...if you need shade 30? ....I'm yer' man...erh...I mean woman.

KIMME!!  Stop, desist, don't do it anymore.... I have found the darning mushroom of my dreams - so you are off the hook (She was looking all over Germany for one of these for me)

Vintage darning mushroom. Mine ...all mine...and found in the magic box of goodies...here it is ... I will use this. I have just started to knit socks and having spent hours knitting these I don't intend to throw them out just because they have developed a little hole at heel.

 

So - what was the most amazing item in the box?

These were..... Old crochet hooks. So tiny  - they are for mending silk stockings. How tiny do they have to be? I have included a normal ballpoint pen to give you an idea of scale.

 

 

Here is a pic of a the tip of the ball point pen for comparrison...

 

In this day and age...would you have the patience to repair your hose with this tiny instrument?

Well I hope you enjoyed the tour of my new old tin. I had a miniature china cabinet and made a display of these items. Love it.

With the doors open

 

and with the doors closed.

 

Finally...need a laugh? click on youtube  link below so.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcPMKD8GFkI

 

 

 

 

 

 

My First Socks!!! 1st Cardigan and 1st Buttons on Bow Brooch

Some time ago you will remember that Kimme of Irish Cottage Dreams challenged me to a sock knit off. I had not made them before but am so glad I tried as I am very happy with the result and even went on to make a pair for Paul...cosies for his tosies!

And here they are......(drum roll) Tadaaaaaaaa!

The inaugural SOCKS!

 

Don't believe me? They look too good? ...and you think I might have put up a pic from a pattern. No way! Oh ye of little faith. Here I am modelling mine.

 

I must get a pic of Paul modelling his too. Will add it later.

Many thanks to Ivy and Lace Cottage's Marilyn who gave me  great help when I got a bit lost on these. I was about to sign myself into a home for the bewildered.

Thanks also to Kimme too for the challenge as I would never have got around to it otherwise. Now you have to show me yours Kimme! 
 

Why stop at socks? I got very adventurous and had a go at a cardi for myself. It is made from Braemore 50% wool, very thick yarn and knitted up really quickly. I love it even though it is a bit too big for me...just means I have a licence to eat methinks! 

 

Then I had to make a wooly flower pin for it from my "One Hundred Flowers to Knit and Crochet" I love that book.  This is crocheted and is called Lazy Daisy (reminds me of a fried egg ) Very easy even for a rookie crocheter like me.

 

I am now working on a gorgeous scarf from a pattern from the  Berroco range of patterns (as was the cardi) - Nimbus the cardigan is called and Rose for the scarf. Mine is a lovely blue Tweed Aran yarn... Google Berroco Knitting Patterns to find them. They have a fabulous range of patterns and all divided into skill levels and many are free. Mine are both from the easy level.

 

This  is what I am aiming for...

 

Gorgeous? Yes,....yes, I am aiming to be as gorgeous as her!.....to have a scarf like that, hair like that, a figure like that.....Oh well, I'll settle for the scarf. Here is a close up of the detail.

 

So easy to make as it is just rib but you knit into the back of the knit stitch to give it the twisted look.

Not only knitting but I have also been inspired by Twiggy's recent gift - a  gorgeous felted/buttoned brooch/pin. Here it is.

So I put my own spin on her design and came up with what I like to call "Buttons on Bow Brooch"

It looks great on that white sweater above pinned at a jaunty angle along the side of the crew neck (no, not worn in the middle like a feckin' clown!) Thanks for the idea Twiggy! You can nick mine now!

Ahhhh, you spotted the Cath Kidston fabric behind the brooch right?

Last night I made the neatest knitting bag (I don't mean cool or nice) but NEAT as in tidy and well made...I am never satisfied with my sewing attempts  always finding I have made a silly little mistake - until now. I am getting better. The nearest to perfect as I have ever done.

It is a Christmas pressie for a knitting friend of mine.

KIMME! CLOSE YER' EYES AND DON'T OPEN THEM UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

Of course I had to show it here and now 'cos I can't hold me water!

 But don't worry as Kimme will still get a surprise when she looks inside........(I am keeping that secret)

I am also working on a gorgeous little project for Angie of the Old Schoolhouse. We are sisters as you know and this year all us sisters are doing the sister bag pressie. That is lots of little presents of goodies that we know will go down a treat and so much fun opening all of them. Sure it's just like Christmas...Oh yeah, it will be Christmas!

Back to the NEAT knitting bag. I put in a long pocket for spare needles outside and a smaller pocket inside for knitting notions.

 

I decided to add my own shop label "Such Pretty Old Things" to decorate the pretty old blue ribbon at top of pocket as seen in this pic.

Close up of the inside lining and notions pocket  -and my neat stitching.

 

Do you see the lovely blue ribbon trim? Well, it is 50 to 60 years old. It came all packed up in its original pack with old label and I agonisied as to whether I should use it or not. 

 In the end I decided that Kimme is worth it! ...so I took a photo of it as I opened it. I'm so glad I did use it. There was exactly the right amount in the right shade. Here it is just after I opened it up.  "Pikaby Knitters Ribbon" I kept the pretty labels of course. I often have that dilema with vintage sewing notions because it seems a shame to use them but seems a shame not to too!

 

What else now...oh yes, I have been on Ebay, doing my bit to end the recession by shopping for Ireland.

I bought these lovely darning mushrooms from Oxfam on Ebay. I was surprised to find that Oxfam sell on Ebay.  So not only did I do my bit for the economy but I surported one of my favourite charities too!  They turned out to be much bigger than I had thought (who has time to read the whole description? Just spend, spend, spend)

I will keep and use the smaller one but I just have to paint the bigger one red with white spots for the cottage window to go with all of Paul's fairies and frogs that live there!

 

 

Sure what kind of a sock would you be darning with one that big?

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely weekend!

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Adorable Animals in my World

I just can't get enough of animals and they do seem to search me out! Stalked by animals I am.

We woke up one morning in the cottage to find a family of donkeys in our meadow. I adore donkeys.

 

A close up of the baby one.

 

Our meadow is open and it seems that every loose or stray animal finds its way to it! Maybe my weeds taste better than their own fields? When Twiggy and co. were staying there it was sheep. I had a herd of cows and we had a horse for a while too.

Chewie was sitting just at the right angle for the sun to catch her heart shaped ID disk so I grabbed my camera and snapped. It is a bit blurred but I love it. She reminds me of ET's heart glowing!

 

Now our Holly just knows when I have bought her a present and goes mad trying to find it in my bag. She starts with the look that says "What did you get me? YOU Did get something? YOU DID! It's in this bag that you love so much"

 

Holly then has to thoroughly investigate it....

 

Ahhh, Dog Beer? Who knew?

 

Chewie! You have gone a funny shape!....oh no she hasn't it is just Pretty snuggling up to her bum. I can't tell where one ends and the other starts.

 

Pretty Pants!

Of course I can't leave out Pants, the cat ( Iam secretly changing her name to Pushkah...you know pussy cat - Pushkah.) Don't tell Chris. Paul calls her Peteesha. Poor thing  is having an identity crisis!
 

Honourable mention goes to Mick the Human Dog, he belongs to Angie,

and poor little Shadow the pomme from next door and her companion westie, Freddie

How Does Your Garden Grow?..Cottage Garden Bloomers

What's bloomin' in this Indian Summer we are having this year?

I'm not an expert gardener but I do love flowers. In the cottage garden we have....

I think these are called Anemones. My sis, Catherine , gave these to me and they have bloomed each year since. Aren't they lovely?

 

Gladioli droop over the garden fence.

 

On the garden gate we have this lovely fairy proclaiming..."Tranquility is a summer breeze"

 

 

The nastursums are running riot in the cottage garden as they always do in late summer.

 

In the corner are the rich sweet hydrangias. This was a gift to me from my next door neighbour in Dublin.

 

Just outside our cottage is this boreen (bóther-een = small road) these gorgeous orange flowers have been here for decades. They are clumped at each side of our entrance to the cottage garden. This road leads down the mountain to the town of Ballinamore.

 

...and here's a close up of them.

 

Let's enjoy them while they last.  There's a long winter ahead.

More Cottage Garden (Handcrafted) Bloomers

I wa in my local CS today and could not believe my eyes when I spotted this beauty. A huge, 20 x 18", exquixitely worked cross stitch/tapestry?  I have never tried either of these crafts so am not sure which. It is a picture of a pretty cottage and cottage garden flowers. Here are the pics of it both full  and closeups. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't it just beautiful?

I don't want to make you all sick now, but the price was...€8 which is approx £7 or $11 dollars. This is my favourite thrifted find this year.I think it will look wonderful in the cottage. My lucky day!

 

 

On Your High Nelly! Rust is a colour...right?

I got a new bike. It is called a High Nelly. Here it is...it is rust coloured. Nice isn't it?

I also got a matching gents version for Paul. His is blue with fetching rust details. Green with envy ye' all are because of our blue/rust coloured bikes.

 

They are original 1940's//50's ones known here as High Nellys. Stored for decades in someones shed in County Kildare. I wanted them to do a project for the cottage garden and one for Angie's and Catherine's gardens.  I have another one stashed up in Leitrim. This is how I see them turning out. Will keep you posted as to progress. What colours do you think? I can get any colour to spray paint them. Just can't make up my mind.

 

 

Winning Pearls

My sister, Teeda in Canada sent me photos of these divine pieces of jewellery she made for a competition. Aren't they super? Her hand crafted jewellery is amazing. See her blog on my sidebar Beadiva

The one below is called Ripples

 

...and this one is called Pearl on a Wire. I really hope they win. They are beautiful. Gotta love pearls girls!

Shaggy Shadow Dog Story

Look who moved in next door. A puppy pomeranian. She is adorable but at only three months old she is has been traumatised and is terrified of people. She was bought by a family whose 2 year old child was very rough with her. It lasted for a few weeks and my neighbour offered to take her to save her. She trembles and runs from people. 

I hope she finds she can trust people and I did my bit for the cause by giving her lots of cuddles. She seemed to like it but then went back to being so afraid. Poor little thing. She does not have a name yet.  I think she should be called Shadow but my neighbour says that as the westie is called Fred then this one has to be called.....wait for it....GINGER! Fabulous.

 

My neighbour had just got a westie pup a few weeks ago and this little thing totally shadows his every move. It is so cute to see - it seems as if they move as one but it is so sad too.  I'm sure she was taken too early from her mother and is looking for a substitute.

This is Freddie the westie she follows everywhere.

When I had her in and put her on the floor she tried to shadow my dogs, each one in turn. They were not impressed and ran upstairs where she could not follow and then she tried to shadow the cat. Ah, so sad. I'll keep you updated on her progress.

You might have noticed I put a blonde rinse in my hair. Not permanent one though. It will wash out with next shampoo. It is taking so long to grow out my grey I got fedup looking at half grey and half blonde. Neither here not there. Also, it has surprised me to see (and you can see it here) that some of my roots are growing out dark! I can't win can I?

Thanks so much to Josie of Skysillysite who gave me this fab award.

 

I have been trying to get it into my sidebar. Any Typepadders out there who know how to add this?

I get to pass it on to five blogs so here goes:

The Balancing Kiwi

The Old Schoolhouse

Irish Cottage Dreams

AngelMc

Margie Loves Wool

No special rules, just enjoy.

 

 

Recessionista/Fashionista! That's Me.

I am on a spending diet/budget (self imposed - I am not allowed buy any clothes this month) (everything else is fair game)

But....Tesco's - bless 'em gave me a little help (every little helps!) as they were almost giving away clothes yesterday. Two lovely plain sweaters for only £10.....10 FOR TWO? YEAH.

How could I resist? Could you? Would you? No, of course not.

I gave them a unique look by pinning on the gorgeous hand crafted pin that Twiggy made for me

.... and then I knit a huge Peony flower for the other one.

Pic shows me trying to look not guilty at breaking my own rules. It is a look that says " No - really, there I was - minding my own business in Tesco's when this vicious blue jumper mugged me, jumped over my head and refused to leave"

 

I made it using a pattern from that great book "A Hundred Flowers to Knit and Crochet"  I have seen this book on a lot of your blogs. I must say I love it and this is the second flower I have made from it.

 

Who would have thought such fun and fashion could be had for a few euro...and guilt free too as they don't even count as breaking my diet/budget!

I know that is real womens' logic but hey...I am that woman!

 

 

A Message from HIMSELF! (The Quiet Man)

 

Above: Me and Pam this evening toasting the end of a long hard road with a glass of pink champagne. (Not the ALL CLEAR ...but the All Clear for a Year - and we'll take that)

Hi - Paul here.

To all of you readers and commenters of my wife, Pam's blog.

 Thanks from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support you gave us these last few months.

Any of you who've gone on this dark and dangerous journey will know what I mean. To have people think of you at this time and give you a little lift just when you need it means more than you can know. Thank you.

I was asked recently... if my way of thinking has changed any since all this happened? Well I wouldn't know where to begin as to how thinking and priorities change, but one thing I will say is .... I don't think I can ever think of weather the same way again. The feel of rain on my face or wind in my hair, (let's face it - this is Ireland and we get a lot of rain and wind) I can smile to myself and think, what a beautiful day. Every day is a beautiful day.

 Thinking of all of you and yours who are still on the journey. We light a candle every night for you and you are never out of our thoughts. You know who you are.

Grá mor go leir agus go raibh míle maith agaibh ....as mo chroí...Pól O' Fhlíonn.

= (Lots of love to you all and  a thousand thanks...from my heart...Paul Flynn)

 

Pam here .... (NOT  The Quiet Woman)....The wind in your hair???? Wha'  feckin' hair???!!! LOL!) Love yer' guts Flynner.

PS...regarding Irish weather...local lore has it that " If you can see Howth Head then it is going to rain. If you can't see Howth Head it's because it is raining!

 

 

A Thought for Paul

Spare a thought for my Paul tonight. He is in hospital for his last (we hope) treatment. It is radioactive iodine therapy so he is in solitary confinement and no visitors.

 

Missin' ya tonight Paul but I have lit a candle for you and all the others. See you on Friday for a glass of champers!...Love Pam

Look what the stork dropped in.....in 1977

I was clearing ou a drawer and came across this gorgeous picture of my niece Margaret Flynn. She is now a mother herself and this was taken in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin city centre, the day she was born in 1977. A beautiful baby. Gorgeous. My very first niece, so cute in her oversized hand knitted cardigan.

 

  

All her details recorded in this precious, now vintage folder.

 

What a lovely keepsake....

...I had my own babies in the same hospital some years later and I remember the photographer used to go around the wards and take these pics and mount them in these folder/frames for us proud new parents...how cute. What precious memories....

 

Whooop! Whoooop! Whooop! RED ALERT....RED ALERT ...RED ALERT...!!!!!!!!

.................Aaaaaahh no..... - WAIT A COTTON PICKIN' MINUTE! No..Hold on.....

Back up there! Rewind.....NO -no no....

......I'm sorry, .......take another look at that baby the stork is delivering.

.....No, I wont have it. Not good enough.

Surely the stork can do better than this after nine months of waiting and  nineteen hours of pain and panting.

 Not a chance.....Don't fob me off with one that looks like Buddha....Ah sufferin' heart!.....I want a refund! ....

..and while I'm at it the stork himself doesn't look too healthy (has probably been flying around for years trying every hospital in Dublin lookin' for a taker)

Did someone actually go to art school to learn to draw like this???? Did his/her parents put him/her through college? They deserve a refund!

NO, no no, I'm sorry, but the last time I saw arms and legs like that I had just bought a pound of sausages  - not delivered a baby.  'Nuff said.

Rin Tin Tin...Vintage Tin Obsession!

I don't know what it is lately but I have developed a tin obession. Bad enough that I already suffer with a box obsession but to start a TIN box obsession. Ah, well, sure I could be doing a lot worse things in this world than collecting old tins!

Not all of them are old of course, this one was found in a charity shop and contained some really BITCHY cards and stickers. I could not resist it even though it is just vintage style.

 

Angie gave me similar tiny one that says "Mother's Little Helper - better living through chemistry" It contained mints.

 

I use it to store my chill pills! Love the graphic on it.

The next one you have seen before but hey...good enough for  another outing.

This one was filled with embroidery threads. Burstin' with treasure!

Here's a close up of the pic on front.

 

It was made in France according to the stamp on the bottom of it.

Now, this next one was bought from Debbies' English Treasures...I bought lots of things from her for Christmas presents but this tin just called my name and so I had to keep it.

 

 

 

She also gave me three, yes, 3 free gifts for buying from her. She also packaged them so beautifully... this is what tumbled out when I opened the box.

 

I can't show you everything as they are for Christmas presents for my sisters and they read my blog!

The small tin below holds my snap fasteners..it was originally a tin holding fairy coasters but I nicked it for my collection.

 

So that's it for now. I will leave you with a photo of the vintage wallpaper covered box I did recently ...(whas' that got to do with vintage tins? I hear you ask. Nothing, but hey - it's my blog and I call the shots! Have a nice day!

Pretty Cottage, Lovely Village, (+ 1 ugly dog) in Beautiful Fenagh

"STOP!" Screeches I.

"Screeeech" went the brakes.

"Wha'?" sez Himself. "

Now this is a conversation that takes place regularly between Himself and Meself when we are driving along in the car. (COMMUNICATION  is the key to a good relationship I always say)

 

"I have GOT  to get a pic of that doty gingerbread cottage for my bloggin' buddies"

So, out I hopped and took it. Very nice too - but could I leave it at one?

 No, of course not.

"I'll get a close up " says I...oblivious of the very curious looking sheepdog that can be seen near the gateposts in above pic. See him?

So I got a bit closer and.....and the shaggin' dog had HIS say...

"WOOF OFF!" says he in Dogaleese (which I understood perfectly... and did)

 

Here is a close up of of the ugly mutt. 

"You mangy hound you - I was only trying to promote Ireland to the tourists abroad...bad cess to ye' anyway" (No, I did not get near  to take it - I blew him up in the safety of Photoshop. Grrrrrhhhh!)

 

Paul had a little bit of a smirk on his face when I got back in..."I thought you considered yourself to be a bit of a dog whisperer?" sez he - all smuglike.

"I am" sez I...."But sure - that fecker was deaf!"

Let the women have the last word...that is the secret of a good relationship.

 

Fenagh in Lovely Leitrim

Fenagh, in County Leitrim it was. We were on our way back from Carrick-on Shannon after collecting the old cooker I showed ye' in last post.

Here are more beauties from the same area...

Below: an old church and graveyard. Still in use.

 

And right next to that was this old ruin of a church and graveyard. No longer in use.

Leitrim is known here as Lovely Leitrim. You can see why. My brother-in -law, - Angie's hubby, Ed, always says "I bought a house in God's Pocket" (see The Old Schoolhouse in my sidebar)... and so he did and so did we.

Below is the ruined church right next to the last one. Church and cemetary not longer in use.

 

Quinn's Bar with its lovely hand painted sign. Very much in use.

 

I love the Irish signposts. Across from Quinn's is this one that shows how we were on our way back from Carrick-0n-Shannon and going back to Ballinamore.

 

Main Street, Fenagh

...not a lot going on. A lovely sleepy Irish village on a quiet weekday. The Abbey Bar must have been a post office at some time as it has both an old phonebox and postbox outside it.

 

Below: The old,concrete, traditional, Irish phonebox. Not many of these left so I had to record it (this one no longe in use)

 So pretty...wouldn't you love to call your beloved in this and whisper sweet nothings in his ear? (Given that he was not hard of hearing like the dog)

 

...and if you preferred to write a love letter to him.... you would post it here.... P & T in the Gaelic script stands for "Posts and Telegraphs"

Ahhhh ....Telegraphs..how lovely.... All gone now. Telegraphs no longer in use.

 

Er...eh...don't know if I should mention this...but look at the shadow at bottom left....yeah, that's me.... havin' a bad hair day. ....The Bart Simpson look) Not easy to achieve you know!

 You need the wind to be blowin' north easterly-ish and the sun to be just a shade west of  45 degrees. If you can arrange that  - then be jealous no more...you too can have hair like me and Bart)

Just as we were about to leave Fenagh I spotted a treasure that had to be photo'd.

(So we had the "Stop...Screech" etc conversation again)

The original village pump. No longer in use but looking so sweet in a summer flower bed.

 

...and the inevitable close up...

 

So that was Fenagh, County Leitrim as I found it...two churches, two pubs, one house  (huh? Does not compute!)

Gotta love Ireland!

The Perfect Evening.....with precious loved ones

 

Well, who would have thought that the Perfect Evening would start with this?

...A cake baked baked with GREEN SPRINKLY THINGS ON TOP?  Does not compute!!!!! Not as far as this domestic goddess is concernced!

Ah sufferin' heart!...who ever heard of such a thing? Let's face it. Green and cake do not GO - unless it is St Patrick's Day. ....which is in March and this is  September! In all fairness now!...

Admit it...it looks like a cake sprinkled with oregano (or is that Oregono? ...Ah no, sure everyone knows that Oregono is a part of the USA)

...but regarding the green stuff on cake .....you are SO wrong...

'cos it is...

...in fact ...a home baked...WAIT FOR IT...

Blueberry, Rasberry and LIME sponge cake!

Yeah, ...what looks a bit like parsley/mareejooaannah is in fact: finely shredded lime rind.  DELICIOUS! .... SCRUMPsheeTIshoUS....AND verry nice too!

 Poor Marie,  - the girl who baked it. She took some slaggin' from us saying "You can't put parsley on a cake - Get with the program!"

She baked it especially for us. Thanks Marie!

Marie?

"Who's dah?" I hear you ask.

Let me introduce y'all to Herself....

Marie. My Steve's lovely girlfriend

(Ah sufferin' heart Steve...dat girl can cook...marry 'er quick!)    (No pressure now son!) Would I Mimi?  ;-)

 

Above is the said Marie..... Marie Irwin..future Mrs Flynn...MMMMmmm. I like the sound of that.

 I was going to crop this pic but I realised it showed so much of our ordinary everyday life.........such as it is........good or bad.......impressive or not.......rich or poor. 

Without meaning to I had snapped a photo of a little corner of our lives and so I share it here with you.

 So,......what does this ordinary snapshot show of our ordinary lives in this ordinary but extraordinary photo?

In the above pic you will see:

....The lovely Marie...petting our much loved yorkie, Pretty.

To left of them is one of) Paul's guitars. He is a multi talented musician/singer/songwriter who owns 5-ish guitars.

... in bottom left hand corner you will see Paul's feet wearing the hand crafted slippers I made for him...Cosy toes.

...and just below the guitar you will see our beloved doggie, Holly (highly strung, hyperactive, wired to the moon Yorkie (ha!- you thought that was meself!).........(I wish I had her energy....  but stress is the only energy I have left!)

And there's more to show ye'

A snapshot of me/him/and yer man...ye' know...what's 'is name?...the one with the tattoos.

 

I LOVE ME DA!

 Paul, my soulmate, and my much loved middle son, Steve.

Steve is the only of our three sons who followed Paul into the world of music. Paul is a very talented singer/songwriter, as is Steve.  Paul is presently banned from using his singing voice for a year-(ish) due to his recent skirimish with throat cancer (thyroid) from which he is making a remarkable recovery.

MMMmmm ...it does not stop him from moaning at me in his sexy gravelly Tom Waits type tones! Moan all ye' want Flynner, I can take it.

Anyway...Steve and Marie called over tonight with the scrumptous freshly baked cake. We had a lovely evening talking about old times and simply chillin'

Lovely evening. Couldn't be better. Thanks guys.

Poor Steve is showing signs of his recent biking accident...he has road rash on right cheek and a black eye. Still as handsome as hell in my eyes though! Below: Big hug with Paul and Marie.

 

...and a bug hig with me!

 

Now, a cute pic of Pretty suckin' up to Marie...

 

Awwwwwhhhh!!!! Does God make dogs any cuter than this?

Ooooh, something just struck me...God spelt backwards is Dog

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........(and apparently - evil spelt backwards is live...as my son, Chris, just pointed out)...

Ah, feck off sirhC...this is MY Glob

Now that brings to mind a little exercise I use with my literacy students...this tends to  flummox them.

I love the English language and playing with words - indeed I have made a living playing with words for years. 

 So here is a little spelling exercise that I believe I am the ONLY  person in the whole world to have discovered! (Do I get copyright?...Ah feck, who cares!) feck is not a swear word by the way....not unless you misspell it  ;-)

This might do your head in, so be warned!...

Last time I did this, one student said in a lovely flat Dublin accent...(think of Colin Farrell here)..."Ah, Pammie, yur' doin' me feckin' buzz in!" 

(Just doin' me job son)

Well, what can I say? If I am doin' yer' buzz in ...well, so be it.

I'm not very religious at all but I am spiritual. Like or lump it. That's me.

Here we go....

God/Devil/ - Good/Evil

Take the work GOD...add the letter O and you have the word ...GOOD

Now...take the word DEVIL..Delete the letter D

...and you have the word...EVIL

Still not flummoxed?

Well, then... just put the two new letters together and you have the letters...D and O...= Do...

Do Good or Do Evil..... Suit yer'self.

Iz yer' buzz dun inn r do ah hav too carrie awn?

 

Vintage Sewing Lucky Dip Surprises & Irish Stew Recipe

I love a lucky dip and when I saw this little plastic bag in the British Cancer Charity Shop in Enniskillen, for 50p I knew I should have it without even looking inside.

When I got it home I had so much fun looking through it. Were the contents worth the 50p? Ooooh, yes.....

As you can see it had some handmade doilies and ribbon....

and this strange little kit for hanging your clothes up to dry indoors?

That's a great idea...but...will these tiny pegs hold up a wet sock? Methinks not!

 

There were several spools of lace making cotton, iron on binding....

and two truly beautiful hand crafted doilies - one in cream and one in emerald green...but the real treasure was this vintage,engraved, fine crochet hook.

 

I just love it and use it for picking up any dropped stitches when I am knitting (yes, I drop the odd one...(I blame the stew aformentioned)

 

So pretty.

 

I will treasure this little item and keep it close to hand in my knitting basket. It's both beautiful and practical. I wonder if it was a special gift for the lady who made the lovely lace items?

I have been on Ebay again and found this old needle compact. Such a beauty and again very practical. Why use drab, new packs of needles when you can enjoy using one like this?

 

 

 

Then I found these two in Virginia, Cavan on my way to Ballinamore. A lovely old decorative spoon and some sweet buttons.  It reminds me of the song..."Just a spoonful of buttons make....."(buttons  -huh?)

 

and a close up. Hmmm...these are just begging to be crafted into something SWEET! Let me work on it and I'll get back to you.

 

That put me in a frilly frou frou mood and so I piled my frilliest cushions on to the bed. The peachy roses one on the extreme left, I made - and the rest were presents and finds and the one at front right is a nightie case.

 

 

Remember in an earlier post I said I was going to copy this customised chandy?

Well I did it last weekend and I'm very happy with how it turned out. I may add some more to it and even fix some of the matching saucers around the stem. Like many of my projects it's a work in progress!

 

 

Also in the kitchen I have added the old 1940's cooker I collected from Carrick-on-Shannon. I found it on our freecycle site Jumbletown and the lady who gave it to me told me it belonged to her aunt who lived in Ballinamore. So it is coming home!

The old lady is still alive but getting on in years and had to move and was adamant that she did not want her cooker dumped and was sure someone would love it. It was in daily use until a few weeks ago. Her niece told her she would try to find a good home for it but did not think she would find a new owner.

Well!.... Mrs Reilly of Aughawillan, Ballinamore...your much loved cooker has found a new home in my kitchen and is wonderful. It makes a great Irish Stew!

 

...and here it is. Delicious!

As we say here: "Sure there's eatin' and drinkin' on it!"

Irish Stew Recipe:

Lamb or Mutton: gillions = loads!

Spuds: (whole potatoes) 2 each-ish

Onions & carrots: (chunky chopped)

Fresh parsley and thyme :(lash them in on their stalks and remove before serving)

Soup mix :(= dried barley, lentils, split peas mix)

Stock cubes: (chicken and/or veg)

Salt and pepper: (a whiff of each)

Water: (fill yer' pot if there's any room left)

Boil up until meat is tender and serve with crusty bread. DEADLY!

(I don't know the quantities - just use lots of 'em and make enough for the next day as something happens to it overnight and it tastes even better the next day. It's true! (I think it ferments into alcohol or something)

(update: day 3...I have jussss had wha' iz left and I tink it has moo-tated inna sUmm-ing illegal! Wheee!)

Day 4? Don't even go there! ...... We're talkim'  'bout nuke soup!

 

Serve it up on old Willow pattern mismatched crockery for a really old fashioned Irish meal.

Well, bye for now ...enjoy your stew!...Pam

 

Inspiring, Haunting, Sweet Sad Song ...A MUST SEE!!!!

I was listening to the radio the other day when I heard a riveting interview with singer Danny Ellis.

  Danny, now in his fifties, had been abandoned to an industrial school when he was just eight years old. The place was, the  infamous Artane Boys Home in Dublin. (I should add here that this story has something of a happy ending)

 Appalling brutality, abuse of every kind and total breaking of childrens' spirits and bodies carried out by the so called "Christian" Brothers for many decades.

(Photo shows a family of siblings coming into state care. They were to be separated not only boys and girls but by ages and would not be allowed contact with each other even if in same home)

What happened in these places to both boys and girls has been thouroghly investigated and dubbed "Ireland's Hidden Holocaust"

Anyway the story I heard that day is best appreciated by watching the Youtube video below of Danny singing this amazing song he wrote about a stranger but fellow inmate who gave this 8 year old some respite in the hellhole that was Artane. It has a kind of happy ending (in as far as these things can - further details in the comments section)

 

Above: boys working in the cobbler's shop at Artane.

Below: one of the dormatories at Artane.

 

Thanks to Awphan on Youtube.com for the piece and following information.

Danny sings about "Tommy Bonner" a singer who inspired him in Artane Industrial School, an abusive Irish orphanage. From his album "800 Voices.

Danny hadn't seen or heard from Tommy in 45 years even though he'd "Googled" him many times. Then he wrote this song and put it on his website. Then amazingly, in May 2008, Tommy's son, Kevin, did a Google search for his dad and Artane School, wanting to know more about his dad's youth. Within minutes he was "gobsmacked" to be listening to this song. He emailed Danny, whom he'd never met and said; "Forgive the intrusion but I think you might be singing about my dad." Danny is now back in contact with Tommy because of this song.

Click on either of the links below to watch.

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Danny's album 800 Voices is available and is this year's must have album.

A Special Tribute to a Unique and Free Spirit... Daisy Bell Lee

  Today we said  a bittersweet goodbye to a legend in our family.

Well, she was not related to me at all, but still - I loved Daisy Lee. She was the nearest I had ever had to a mother-in- law. She was Angie's MIL and a wonderful one at that. I borrowed her now and again.

I always remember she came to visit me in hospital after I had had my third (in a row) son.

"Now don't be worrying...I did not have  my girl until I had six sons first!" said she. .....Ah sufferin' heart Daisy!

She is unique in this world as the only person who ever has typed The Bible in both Latin and Gaelge (our native Irish Language) 

(this is the actual Celtic carriage with the Irish typeface that she used) Isn't it beautiful?

She gave this typewriter to Angie and Ed as she knew they would treasure it. She also typed this up and left it in the typewriter.

She had special carriages  she could change on her manual typewriter to do this.  Her vintage typewriter was brought into the church today for her service. Angie and Ed keep this special momento at home where it has pride of place.  This is a picture of it in the "Wildflower Window" (as imortalised by  prize winning Irish writer John McGahern in his  bestseller: "Memoir") How appropriate it should come to rest here.

She also typed up the theses of many of our bishops and cardinals and literary talents of Ireland ie: Benedict Kiely ("a perfect gentleman"...according to Daisy) and the wonderful Brendan Behan (Ah...hem!) 

When our great writer (but rough diamond) Brendan Behan came into the office, her boss used to send her on an errand 'cos Brendan used profane language and her boss did not want Daisy to hear it!  Well, she was just a young lady at the time...

 Above: Daisy and her fiance (and future husband): Joe Lee. They got engaged that day.

 

Well, today I saw - not just her children, but her four DIL's and one SIL in floods of tears at her passing.  'Nuff said?

Daisy was also a talented crafter, cook and a wise old woman who could and did relate to all generations. 

A fiesty old bird  too......Two years ago she was driving home and was going through green traffic lights when she was side blasted by a getaway car after a bank robbery. The Gardaí (Irish police) were shocked to see that such a "frail" old lady of 85 was the victim in this incident. But sure, Daisy comforted them all of course!

Last year she got a letter in the post from the Gardaí stating "Daisy Bell Lee....You have been awarded two penalty points on your driver's licence for speeding...")

She was delighted!  She could not wait to tell all her friends! Done for speeding at 86!  She got 2 for doing 70 in a 50  at 86!  A Red Hatter if ever there was one.

Well, Daisy love ....your nimble fingers have come to rest and I'm sure the author of The Book is looking after you now.

Bye bye Daisy...Slán abhaile.  Grá ...Pam

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Speaking of Pearls....

 

I can't resist a nice string of pearls especially when they have a beautiful clasp. These were found in my local charity shop.

Below the lovely front of the clasp with its baguette diamonte stone...

 

...and the lovely back of the clasp.

 

Box Makeover

On the crafting front I have done a complete makeover on the shoe boxes that I was using to store my ribbon. They were so ugly sitting in full view on  my shelves. Here is the Before pic: Ugly? Right?

 

...taadaaaa! After:

 

Fingers Flynn on the Job!

I found the wallpaper when I was investigating a derelict cottage near me. It is by Kildare Wallpapers and dates from about the 1950's. Little sprays of roses with lace and trellis pattern. It goes really well with the old lace I added to the lids. (Kimme, it was the two story house you were looking at - do you remember it?)

I can just hear Angie saying ..."You found it while investigating...?" "Nicked it while breaking and entering....Fingers Flynn you were at it again!"

Guilty as charged, I am known as "Fingers Flynn" for not being able to pass a derelict house that has an open door. I must do a post about all the little treasures I have filch...er, nick..er stol....eh..."rescued" from oblivion during my undercover missions.

Now admit it....wouldn't it have been a shame not to bring that piece of vintage wallpaper home? It is so beautifully faded and dusty and look at the box on top. Its paper was on the outside of the roll exposed to the light and the trellis part of itsdesign has faded away to nothing. My fingers were all dusty after working on this...Dusty Fingers Flynn! LOL!

Back to the boxes. There was a seam on the lid of the larger one so I used some of my brocade trim to cover it and then added some of the vintage lace that Kimme got me earlier this year. Pretty?

Free CK?

More freecycle treasure this week. On my favourite sites for giving and taking this week www.jumbletown.ie  I managed to give away all the junk from my garden shed and made room for my new bicycle in there. It feels good to have a clear out (and makes room for more "stuff" that you just got to have)

 It worked the other way too for me. I answered an ad that said " Large bag of fabric cut offs, suitable for quilting /crafting"

 MMMMmmmm... sounded good to me and so I answered it. I was not the first requester and did not expect it but the giver chose me and I picked it up the next day. There was no photo with the ad so I did not know what to expect but I sure did not expect it to have any YOU KNOW WHO in there ...yes, CK was among the lovely fabrics in it. (Paul is reading over my shoulder and saying "Calvin Klien does fabric?")

Now there's an unexpected treat for lil' ol' me! Well they say ...what goes around comes around. So I will be crafting for Ireland all next week. See you then...Pam

Crafting, Shaggy Ship Makeover and Pants in Drawers

That blasted cat needs a new name....quick!  Whoever heard of calling a cat Pants anyway?

Paul was heard shouting "Pants  - Down Now!" which brought a smile to the whole neighbourhood and a delicate pink blush to my cheeks! (the last bit is not true actually, 'cos after the mental pause one cannot blush no matter how embarrassed. ....If I think of any more good things about it I will let you know...but don't hold yer breath!)

Here is a pic of Pants in drawers - get it?.... Pants, drawers?

 

No? Well, we'll carry on so.

Oooh I have been a busy lady on the crafting front lately (the upside of insomnia) (if I think of any more I'll let you know but don't hold yer breath)

This is a knitting bag I made for myself. My machine did the embroidery for me. The fabric was left over from the quilt I made earlier this year.

I added this little crochet angel Angie gave me. I want to learn how to make them as I think it is lovely.

 

I forgot to line it and then had a go at doing so after the fact. Not the usual way of doing things but it worked. The lining came from my stash which never seems to get any smaller now matter how much I use. Like the story of the loaves and fishes..."the loads and stitches"

 

I finished my union jack cushion...here it is on my bed with a 1950's exquistely hand embroidered cushion cover and 60's quilted bedspread by Diana Cowper (the forunner to CK and LA) It looks just pale pink but up close it has delicate roses, satin piping and lace trim - divine! How could I have insomnia in a lovely bed like this!!!  

Ohhh , I think I am getting sleepy looking at this restful bedroom of mine. Pic below shows my thrifted lamp and hand made table square with one of the bedside lockers we had commisioned to be made from vintage salvaged wood. I painted the flowers on the drawer myself. The colour of the feature wall behind is called Adare Dusk. Yawn. A very restful colour....Yawn.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

 No! it was not a nap just a false alarm!

Speaking of stashes: some of my goodies...buttons..gotta love buttons.

 

 

Also for the bedroom I made these cushions for the wicker chair. I am thinking of painting it white. The crosstitch roses and striped cushions I thrifted lately. Looks very shappy shack... shaggy ship....shabby shi... Oh sh...you know what I mean!

 

For my next project I am going to do this... I got this idea and photo from another blog. So sorry I can't remember the name. Hope she does not mind me using it here.

 

I already have a blue light fitting and I will look for blue china cups to match the cottage kitchen or I might use the gorgeous ones Kimme sourced for me when I challenged her to find me some treasure last year. Here's the light fitting...

 

and here are Kimme's cups..on the right of the shelves in this picture (which I unashamedly nicked from Twiggypeasticks blog as I know she wont mind) It was easier for me to get it from her's because I don't remember which post I put my one in.

 

..and a close up of one of Kimme's cups. They are all different, but  similar to each other.

 

Back to the bedroom (I am obsessed with the bedroom now) I could never get a valance for my (Dublin) bed as it is so high. It was one of my big spending splurges and was handmade in Killarney. It is called "The Gleneagle" I love it (just can't seem to get any sleep in it at the moment!)

However I solved this (valance) problem by using some lovely embroidered chiffon fabric from my stash to make a tacked on valance. First a close up of it.

 

and this one shows it in place...great for hiding allsorts under the bed!

 

 

I saw this and thought of you!

When Angie was in Warsaw recently she brought home these prints and bookmarks. She said the print in middle reminded her of my wildflower meadow (euphemism for field of weeds at the front of the cottage) ...and so it does!

 

 

BREAKING NEWS! My son, Chris, has agreed that "Pants" is not such a good name for his cat. It is now called "Knickers" Ah sufferin' heart!

Night night now - I'm off for another try at sleeping. Wish me luck!

Crafty Vintage Finds, Foreign Chocs and Flick Chick Film

Today I thrifted, crafted, lolled and scoffed a few scoops of fine wine. Needless to say it was a lovely relaxing day...Aaaaahhhh. Don't you just love a day like that?

Find of the day was this set of ...An old tin of embroidery threads, needles, instruction book and hoops. Whooohoo ...embroidery motherlode!

All you could need to create a gorgeous craft. And I will.

 

Some lovely vintage sewing patterns. I got more than this but only kept the easiest ones. The more complicated, (looks like you'd need to be a tailor to do them) I freecycled to someone else.

 

On the sewing front I have finally made myself a union jack cushion. (well, here it is shown as a WIP.) Will update with finished item.

I'm so jealous of you Americans and British who both have  interesting, adaptable and craftable flags (ours is a tricolour, green white and orange so - not a lot of scope there but I haven't given up yet! watch this space)

 

I am going to make one of these for a lovely young couple: Katy and Darren Meakin of Aughawillan, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim...'cos they:

•  are English

•  live in Ireland

• and have a holiday home in France

• And have two doty little lads  - and are are well deserving of my crafting efforts.

Perfect for them...updates will follow of course. Katy and Darren...one union jack cushion comin' your way!

...and a close up of the lovely fabrics. Both bought in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. I have lots more of the pink gingham one. It is a dream to work with.

 

I have just finished this using the same fabric. It is a laundry bag (duh! as if you hadn't guessed)

I love how it turned out...and I did the word LAUNDRY using the embroidery threads. I haven't done any of this since I was a teenager. Loved doing it. I have a great creative mojo going on at the moment.

 

Below: I made the floral one on the left and thrifted the striped one on the right (one yoyo or 1 Euro)

 I think the striped one will go so well with the pink gingham union jack one in the cottage bedroom. The back of the floral one is done in the pink gingham and I am going to try to do a real buttonhole on my machine for it. I'm getting very brave with the ol' sewing machine these days. "Ain't no stoppin me now"

 

This must be national cushion week as I have gone all pillow mad! These two blue beauties below were found in a CS shop, brand new, pure handmade silk, and  - wait for it .........only €2 each. Whaaaaa!

Perfect shade of duck egg blue for the cottage living room. Can't have enough cushions in da' house.

My son, Chris, was in Belgium for the weekend and brought me home a HUGE bar of chocolate with a doty vintage graphic on the wrapper. YummmMMMMMMM ....Should I eat it or just tape it to my hips?

 

And what goes better with an overdose of chocolate? Well.....an old B&W romantic chick flick  of course...that's what!

 This one, The Enchanted Cottage comes highly recommended by me and scores highly as a three tissue weepie.

Treat youself to this flick made in 1945. Tells the tale of a plain woman and a scarred airman who decide to have a marriage of convenience, move into an enchanted cottage.....and - Sorry....Hmm hmm NO! - not telling anymore!

 

Perfect end to a perfect day! Have a nice weekend...Pam

Freecycled, Crafted and Thrifted Treasures!

 Vintage gas cooker find

Today I sourced this fabulous vintage gas cooker on our freecycle site www.jumbletown.ie  I never thought I would find a working original cooker circa 40/50's, never mind that it would be located withing a few miles of home! It will be perfect in the cottage kitchen instead of the ..."on its last legs and missing two burners and a broken oven door" cooker I have at the moment. Not only that  -but a very kind member of the site who lives nearby and knows of our present difficult circumstances has offered to collect it and store it if we can't get down to collect. How lovely of her!  Thanks you Misstake (aka Bernie)

I first met Bernie when she gave me some fabric and a sewing machine and I gave her a collection of rock videos! We have been firm friends since and she has contacted me several times to ask how Paul is doing and even offered to pick up the cooker for us. Thanks Bernie, much appreciated.

Sock News....

Well, I have just about finished my first sock and started my second! I could not figure out the finishing instructions for the first one so left it and started on next one. I will get to grips with it as I am so near to finishing...Wheee!I love sock knitting now and can't be stopped. More to come when I get them both finished. How's it goin' Kimme?

Thrifted Wool

I found a big bag of mohair wool in my local charity shop. It is called Kinnair and is made from goat's wool. Pic to follow. Don't know what I will make from it but it sure is gorgeous...any suggestions?

Well, The Cat, Pants...has settled in and peace reigns once more in our little home...she sure looks contented don't you think? She doesn't look like a moggie who is besieged by three doggies!

 

Next I have a pic for you of a lovely shabby chic piece of vintage Irish wool cushion cover I have just listed on my website White O'Morn Cottage Shop click on link or see side bar

It has a little hole in it and I am going to crochet a cute shamrock to cover it.

And how cute is this baby's aran cardigan? Doty! It has just been listed too.

...and while on the subject of cushion covers...here are two I made for my son, Steve and his girlfriend Marie. Deep orange is their accent colour so I made these from my stash of fabric sample books. I finished them off with big plastic toggle buttons. No frilly frou frou, shabby chic for this cool young couple!

 

...and here is one I made for my sister in law's new home. One side - the patchwork,  is made from Moda cotton fabric that sisTeeda gave me and the other  is made from handmade silk I got from a book of furnishing fabrics Angie got for me. Fully reversable and finished off with a vintage button closure...clever me!

 

 

Paul is keeping well and is getting ready for his next session of treatment in Sep. I am delighted to have my oldest son, Chris, home for  a while. He will be good company for me when Paul is in hospital (and can't have visitors - as he will be radioactive)

I caught a nice photo of Chris today when he was not expecting it...the best kind I think..."Are you growin' a beard son? ...or just acting the goat?" Love ya'!

 

Cat Wars, Sock Wars and a Child's Wisdom

My oldest son, Chris, has come home to stay for a while and brought a CAT with him. Now, we have three cat hating dogs here,  so there was skin and hair flyin' at first. All has settled down now (the cat lived on top of the fridge for a week)

Holly is fascinated by the cat and can stare at her for hours at a time! Pants (yes, her name is Pants)...you have a stalker!

Pants just stares right back. We are delighted as it is the quietest we have seen Holly for years! She is mesmerised.

 

Thanks Twiggy!

Now as you know Twiggypeasticks blog won my giveaway for a weeks stay in White O'Morn Cottage. They had a great time and left me/us some fabulous prezzies. Thanks Twiggy, I LOVE them and Paul loves his frog plate.

 

Look at these amazing goodies Twiggy left for me. All handmade by her. A yellow pincushion, a turquoise crafted brooch (I'll wear this on my fav. cardi,) two fairy notepads, roses envelope made from a magazine page, hand crafted tags and a hand painted bath card! Pure bliss for a crafter to open and savour...thanks again...love 'em all. ( I forgot to get a pic of Paul's frog plate, next time)

Twiglet Teaches us a Lesson

I always say "Delight in the little things"...well, I have learned to do this lately and Twiggy told me a story about her stay in my cottage that illustrates it perfectly.

Her twiglet - (son aged 4) was thrilled with my rocking chair, my 12 tons of sand and gravel in the garden ...

 

...and running in and out under the half door. He made them close the top and used the bottom for access! Pure fun for a child!

It must have seemed like a child sized door to him, he made the best fun of things as they were found. Trust a child to teach us these things. It is a long time since a child has played at White O'Morn. I could almost feel his joy when I stayed there last week just after they left  (I indulged my inner child and had a scramble up the gravel mountain, had a good ol' rock in my chair...I could not run under the half door so tried to limbo instead....BIG mistake Lol!)

That's one of the best things about living in an isolated area. You can do mad things and no one to see or hear you (I sing at the top of my voice too)

...and hours later they are still having a staring competition...

Sock Challenge Update

Kimme.....my very good blog friend.....I am almost finished my first sock knitted on four needles. I know I have made some mistakes (after shaping the heel) but it looks sock shaped and that's good enough for me. I'll get it perfect on the second one. I am loving it. This surprises me 'cos I always thought it was so hard to do the heel bit. Sometimes we need to be stretched and challenged to really get something done. Thanks Kimme. Another new skill mastered by me. Cool!

...and even later, they are still at it...

 

On that note I'll say.."Good night"

 

Festival Fun

Just back from Ballinamore where they had their annual festival last week. Paul was tired so we only got out to one night of fun. There was something on every day and every night. We did a bit of a pub crawl on Wednesday night so as not to miss anything!

In the open air in High Street there was a great band on called Simply Tina....can't guess why!!!

 

We then headed off to Bobby Joe's Bar...Zinda, Paul and Angie getting into the spirit of it.

 

Next we went to the Poor Scholar...they were having a karaoke night...One drink, a good girlie giggle and a quick exit before we were tempted to sing!

 

Next one shows Paul having a scoop in Jackie's Bar where there was a country and western singer on.

He was good too and Angie and I got up to do The Tush Push (line dance) and made a holy show of ourselves and Angie pulled a hamstring......so it was off to Priors to see a Jazz and Swing band. Also pretty cool. We finished the night there.

 

The next day was Ladies Day but we could not get a ticket - sold out!

We had our own ladies day in Carrick-on-Shannon (shopping) and later in the Old Schoolhouse (party and craft night) Hmmmm....lots of party and not much crafting!

Katie arrived and showed us her gorgeous range of handmade, by her, bridal jewellery collection.

Talented lady Katie, she is a hairdresser, teacher, mother and jewellery maker! Well done Katie! More details to come over on Angie's blog The Old Schoolhouse (see sidebar)

 

Thrifted Finds:

Found some lovely goodies in Carrick - like this "Cross stitch" Home Sweet Home plate.

 

A sweet cake stand with...roses

 

 

Not that it was all fun and games...no, no, I had some home improvements planned. Above: Me shiftin' a mountain of sand and gravel to make what is locally known as a "street" to park on.

Talk to ya soon...Pam