Love Story and Treasure Finds

While in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim, last week I was delighted to see the Costello Memorial Chapel was open to the public. This tiny chapel is said to be the second smallest in the world and was built by a heartbroken husband for his lost love. They are laid to rest side by side under glass. Their crumbling coffins are fascinating to look at. I have taken photos of the whole story on the plaques outside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also in Carrick-on-Shannon is this stark reminder of how things used to be if you were born poor in Ireland. The very last resort for poor families was the workhouse. This brass plaque is set into the pavement of the main street and points the way to the workhouse. Once there, the mother and child represented here would have been separated into different buildings. So Sad....

 

 

Thrifted Treasure Finds

I found some lovely old items on my thrifting trawls lately. Below is the antique brass bellows I was lucky enough to find in Enniskillen. Displayed on the cottage mantlepiece

 

below is a tiny tin with willow pattern crockery and sleepy cat. Inside it has a jigsaw puzzle.

 

A beautiful book full of wonderful illustrations and poems

 
 

Below is the old sewing box given to me by my friend, Nuala. It was her late aunt's and was filled with loads of vintage sewing notions and a huge collection of embroidery threads. Thanks Nuala!

 

Next is a cute little Bo peep bell. shoe pin cushion, ceramic thread box and a tin box of old dressmakers pins.  Underneath them you can see the two fabric covered journals.

 
 
I did some crafting too. I had waited ages to get my sewing machine fixed and so I bought some plain towels and decorated them with vintage lace trims.

 

 

 

Now they look great displayed in the bathroom window

 

I tried my hand at making some hats from what I had to hand in my extensive stash. No matter how much I use it seems to get no smaller! Is your "Stash" like that?

Made from cardboard and fabric scraps are these quirky hats...

 

 

Lolita Headpiece

Goth Fascinator featuring a real watch!





 

Now more thrifted finds.

Pretty little bottle filled with old buttons.

 

Some gorgeous old Irish lace hankies and some old wedding illustrations to display them with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 1920's book on wild flowers, also with illustrations. I have been using it to identify some of the wild flowers that grow around the cottage.

 

 

 

I will leave you with this picture I call....Sleeping with the enemy!

Holly and Pants get cosy on the spare bed