White O'Morn Cottage

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.

Cute Dogs and Frogs and Other Pleasures and Treasures

I had my moan yesterday and today I am feeling a bit better so here is a more cheerful post....Featuring some of my most precious loved ones...my three handsome sons

 

A nice happy pic of my firstborn, Chris  - 29 (Will ye' stop showin' yer' belly to the whole blogging world!) Chris is single and straight so I am looking for a nice wife for him ...any suggestions?

No, of course he wont read my blog.

 

My second born, Steve 28- looking a bit serious (for a change)- Ah cheer up Steve... and show us yer' belly! Steve is in a serious relationship with a beautiful girl, Marie, and is my best bet for my becoming a gran...no pressure now!

...and my precious baby -Jamie, 23. Still fond of the oul' teddy bears...and beers too it seems! (Give that up or you'll get a beer/bear/bare belly!) What can I say about my baby? Luv ya' baby!

...and last but not least ....my Flynner, the best man/husband/soulmate/dad/brother-in-law/uncle/dog whisperer/friend/guitarist/musician/singer/songwriter/PC technician/teacher/cook/historian/rocker/my rock and more....

Love da bones of y'all lads! xxxxx Signed Pammy/Mammy Flynn

 

Here is a pic of us on our wedding day...Setting out on a journey and an adventure

 

 

The Voyage

Lyrics by John McDermott

I am a sailor and you're my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
We hauled up our anchor determined not to fail
For the heart's treasure together we set sail
Withnomaps to guide us we steered our own course
We rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
We sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
Working together we learned how to cope

Life is an ocean, love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
Now gathered around us we have our own crew

Together we're in this relationship
We've built it with care to last the whole trip
Our true destination is not marked on any chart
We're navigating for the shores of the heart

Life is an ocean, love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
Now gathered around us we have our own crew

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

Meet Freddie

My next door neighbour just got the most adorable dog. Here is a picture of him (Freddie) peeking up at me from the corner where he likes to sit. I had to hang over my wall to get this but I will be getting more of him as he is tooooo cuuuute not to share!

 

Irish Artist...Jean English

My friend, renowned Irish artist Jean English, made this lovely card for Paul. She painted the scene, which is of St Anne's Park, in Raheny where we all walk our dogs. It is a beautiful card Jean, thanks.

 

Speaking of dogs...this is one she did of my three dogs, Chewie, Holly and Prettty...But she also put in our beloved Tiny who had died. Two weeks later we got Pretty and you can see why I could not resist her as she is the living image of Tiny!

 

Here is a close up so you can see for yourself. Clockwise from top: Holly, Chewie, Pretty and Tiny. Aren't they gorgeous? Like a bunch of bold teddybears! It amazes me how she caught each of their looks as really all she has to work with is hair and eyes!

 

And now for the real thing! Top to bottom Chewie, Pretty and Holly. 

And not forgetting (inset) little Tiny cuddling up to her lookalike teddy.

I have more of Jean's fabulous work up at the cottage and I will post up pics here of them for you. So talanted - I'll also put up a link to her website.

 

More cards...this time froggie cards from Angie and Co....Angie....How many frogs have you given Paul so far?  I think Twiggy's little boy can learn counting skills from counting all the frogs in my cottage when they stay there in August! Thanks though - they are all so cute!

 

Now for one of my favourite shabby chic pieces. I have had it quite a while bu never got around to showing it to you. It is a Wade pitcher and is a lovely, faded shabby chic condition.

 

This arrived in the post the other day. I have seen it on other blogs and wanted a copy for myself. I am working on the first and easiest flower and it is really easy! It is a poppy and I will put up a pic as soon as I finish it. Great book. I can recommend it to any knitter or crochet-er

 

Below is a picture of the book with my collection of knitting needles. The blue and white jug I have some of them stored in is an 1847 Charles Meigh minster jug. Nothing but the best for my supplies!

I almost have a full set of needles in all sizes. All sourced at thrift shops and car boot sales. I love to use them thinking of the ladies who used them before me and how much pleasure it would give them to know that they were in daily use. 

The pair I am using for the poppy are worn thin and polished near the tips and are so smooth to use. She must have knit so many lovely things on them. I could almost get a sense of her as I used them.

 

They came in the yellow tube with lots more including a beauftiful pink pair! Here are the photos of them

Look how the tips have been worn down by use. I got lots of her patterns too and some of them dated from the forties!

 

...and the very pretty pink pair. How could you not enjoy using these vintage knitting pins?

 

Last time I went to Enniskillen, over the border in Northern Ireland I picked up this great collection of knitting patterns in a folder- one of the kinds one bought each week and built up. I am actually making the throw shown on the front. So easy and satisfying to do.

 

Also from this great book I will be making this cardigan below...

 

What do you mean????? it's a bit shapless and ugly?

ah yes, but that's 'cos it has no shaping at all at all. Shaping my knitting is what gets me into all kinds of trouble!

 

But look! Just add a gorgeous shaped body (like mine?.... Yes, round is a gorgeous shape) and voila! We have an elegant and easy to knit cardigan. I will be posting my progress as I go.

Almost forgot to show you the inside of the flower book. Gorgeous designs!

 

And to finish...a shot of some of my favourite craft books...well for the moment anyway!

Anna's Magic Camera, new friends...and wishes about to come true

 

Update: I have just been to Kimme's blog, Irish Cottage Dreams, see sidebar, and I see that her dream is getting ever closer! WWhaaaa!! How exciting is that? She has spun a dream out of wishes and made it happen.

One of her ideas to raise the money was to make fingerless mittens and she does a wonderful job of them. I got some for Christmas presents and they were a big hit. Very reasonably priced too $12 including postage...pop over and have a looksee! These are the must have mittens this year. She also knits and donates items to an Irish charity to raise funds for them. Good on ye' Kimme...what goes around comes around.

K, send me a pic to put up here of the mega mittens.

Liz Biz Ballinamore

Also I have started this new year in the best possible way....by meeting a new blog friend. Not only that, but this wonder woman is living in Ballinamore, she has a blog, a dog and a great sense of humour!

Who knew a small town in rural Ireland would have, at least, three bloggers (meself, Angie Old Schoolhouse and Liz Biz ..see sidebar)

This was the first time I have been able to meet up with another blogger. Well, ye' all live so far away!

We met in both of ours favourite pub, Smyth's in Main St Ballinamore, and had a nice cup of tea by the roaring fire. Then it was on to give Liz the official tour of White O'Morn Cottage and on to Angies Schoolhouse for another house tour. We were so thirsty after all that touring that we then had to toast in the new year and new friends with a glass of Chateau Bang...as you do. Liz is of Irish parents, born in Australia and raised in New Zealand.

I have to get some photos of Liz and her adorable puppy, Coco. The very same dog when I met her in pupson, gave me such a rousing welcome she knocked me off my feet and on to my arse! She then slathered me in kisses...it was just like Dino and Fred in the Flinstones or should I say Flynnstones? I love you too, Coco.

Liz, will you send me some photos to put here of you and Herself?

You must pop over and have a browse of Liz's blog and do tell her Pam sent ye'

I have told you before about my good friend, Anna, who is a fabulous photographer and sells her work on Shutterstock, Fotolia etc...

Well, nothing is safe from her lens and every time I make or buy anything she snaps, snaps, snaps away.

Here are some of my things through Anna's lens and some pics she took in Dublin city centre.

The beautiful Ha'penny Bridge and the river Liffey...

Above is my swan pincushion with vintage hatpins and silver thimble...

 

...this is my husbands, Line 6 guitar with his guitar strap draped over it. Next are the cushions I made for Christmas presents and my vintage hot water bottle. I have tried this out and it is amazing!

 

 

Shaggy Dog and Bits and Bobs...

I'm having one of those "nothing to blog about" days ..soooooh here is a hotchpotch of photos I took recently:

This is my neighbours dog, Jack. He followed us when we went for a walk and then followed us home and is seen here pleading to be adopted. You know how it is when a pooch falls in love with you just because you stopped to pat him and give him a treat. Poor Jack...sorry, three females yorkies would give you a dog's life!

 

On the same walk we came across a field of these hay bales. They always remind me of big cheeses!

 

 

 

I was in a homewares shop today and found the merchandise to be bland and uninteresting. I realised then how much I have gone over to vintage stuff. I just find it so much more attractive than today's mass produced dull stuff or the vintage "style" pieces that just can't compare. Here are some of my favourite old pieces I have collected recently.

A Germain porcelein seagull soapdish/ashtray I bought on Ebay

 

This gorgeous linen bag embroidered with shamrocks - it has a name tag of previous owner...Hyral J Thomas. I often wonder who he was and what journey it took to get from him to me....I found this on Ebay

 

This is a delightful 40's peg apron that is just as cute on the reverse! I found this at a car boot sale.

 

 

 

At the same place I found this lacy plate. Not so old but I love the open work and hand painted flowers and it is up on my display shelf in the cottage kitchen.

 

Angie found this fabulous book and I have already made a hatpin cushion from it.

 

This is my favourite Ebay find ever...it is a shop display mannaquin dating from about the 30's ... I use it to store/display my necklaces and frilly nightwear or use it to photograph stock for my vintage website Silver Screen Vintage www.vintageretrolingerie.com

It only cost about 20 dollars or £10/€15 and looks fabulous in my bedroom as well as being practical. A similar, modern copy would cost a fortune in comparission...so why not have the real thing? What stories this could tell.

 

This is a shaving mug I got from charity shop. It resides in my cottage bathroom where it looks at home with my vintage handbasin. Also shown are the wonderful taps which have a lovely old worn patina to them and are dated 1907. This handbasin was sourced on our freecycle site www.jumbletown.ie  Much of the cottage was furnished from this fabulous site where everything is FREE  Yes, you heard me...FREE!

 

Now this beauty is one of the exquisite duos I bought from Kimme, at Irish Cottage Dreams (see sidebar) German porcelein, shown here with my vintage pearls and fresh flowers from the garden.

 

 

From a market in central Dublin comes this lovely copper kettle with ceramic knob and handle. It now resides on top of my new stove in the cottage. Also in the picture are a pair of silver tongs (charity shop) and a chintz pattern three tier cake server and some silver serving cutlery from another charity shop.

 

Well, I thought I had nothing to blog about but once you get started!

Have you a special treasure from the past? I'd love to hear about it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glam Gold Gorgeous Girly Gloves

Wow! every woman should have a pair of these sexy gloves! Pure sexual elegance!

I have just posted them for sale on my vintage and retro website for only £8 sterling inc. postage. You can find them  and much more including a section for vintage home accessories at www.vintageretrolingerie.com

St Patrick's Day - Shamrocks Everywhere!

Happy St Patrick's Day! Being Irish I love, love, love the tiny green shamrock symbol. If I see it on anything I have to buy it! (even if I don't like the item) The one pictured on the left  is on the base of a pretty little candle holder that I found in a charity (thrift) shop.

I do, of course, love THIS item.

Another one, this time on a vintage cottage tureen. Yup! I love it too.

...and another one... A pretty Irish Angel with gold wings. Yes, love it.

                        

...and I love this too - an Irish glass jar engraved with a harp and shamrocks.

And here are some of my favourite Paddy's Day photos I took last year on the big day. From left to right: The emerald green split half door of my cottage, wild flowers growing in the meadow, wild primroses that grow along the ditches, an old tree stump with mosses and primroses, not sure of the name of the white flowers that grow straight from the twigs on this tree in the ditch...and my three yorkies get into the spirit of the day wearing the Irish national colours of green white and gold!

Wishing a very happy St Patrick's Day or "Beannachtaí le Feile Padraig" to Teeda and Joe and family in Black Diamond, Calgary, Canada and also to Aunt Sally, Robert, Denise, Martin, Stephen and David Savage and all their family members in Calgary and Vancouver, Canada. Best wishes, love and hugs from Marie, Willie and all your family in Dublin, Ireland

I have recently added a Vintage Home Accessories to my website and stocked it with some lovely little pieces. Shipping is free!  Please feel free to browse. The url is www.vintageretrolingerie.com

That Marylin Monroe Dress!

Today I came across a vintage nightgown that so reminds me of that famous dress that Marylin wore in the Seven Year Itch. Late fifties, bias cut and permapleated with exquisite pintucks and inset Chantilly lace. All it needs is a pair of pin-up panties and......... a gust of air! Update March 20th SOLD!  

This and more gorgeous vintage items for you and your home available on www.vintageretrolingerie.com

Shopping for Country Cottage Chic

Ohhh! just spent a great day shopping for vintage items for my  new catagory (vintage for the home) on my vintage website. Trouble is, it is soooo hard to list them for sale as I want to keep everything! Here are a few of the country cottage flavour items that I was lucky enough to find. 

A wonderful old Irish thatched cottage tureen by Carrigaline Pottery in Cork, Ireland, pecking chickens cotton tissue box cover, an old pattern for a hand crafted hatbox, fabulous tiny Irish angel figurine by Liffey Artifacts, Kildare, Ireland and two shabby chic cheeky geese plates. Here are some photos and close ups of my lovely finds.

Now...which to keep and which to sell?                                                                                                               

Porcelain Art Deco style Pin

I recently came across this wonderful vintage art deco style brooch.  Looks so old from the front tha it could be from the 20's / 30's but has a modern looking catch at the back (could have been repaired, I suppose) I can't decide what era it is from.  I need to do some more research.  I think she has a flapper twenties look to her. Her face is porcelain and her lacy collar is fabric. She looks a little sad and has a hand painted face.  Frilly lace and ribbon collar and tiny hat pin in her cloche hat. Two inches tall. Quite beautiful...

Update...8/2/08 Sold through my website

www.vintageretrolingerie.com

click to enlarge

Vintage for the Home

I have collected just so much stuff for my little country cottage that it would need an extension to hold it all! I have picked out some stuff that I can bring myself to part with so if you like the shabby chic, country cottage look then check out these pieces. Prices include shipping worldwide.

Large elegant Aynsley China vase.

Design is called...What else? ...Cottage Garden.  features cottage flowers and butterflies. Comes with original box. Perfect for any cottage decor room. 9" tall. Very faint crack in the glaze, but this does not go all the way through and can only be seen on close inspection and turning it upside down! Looks great on the windowsill filled with wildflowers collected from the fields.

• £15 sterling inc. shipping

Vintage Shabby Chic Light Shade

• 

  This is a wonderful 40's / 50's plastic ceiling lamp shade. I had to buy two but only needed one so this one is for sale for just £9 inc. shipping. It can be found on the Vintage Home Accessories on my website www.vintageretrolingerie.com
• More items  and photos to follow