Tena Lady Tour - part deaux

I'm off on my friends birthday weekend.  When she was 50, we called her weekend away the Tena Lady Tour.  In the blink of an eye, she turned 60!  We (about 14 of us) have succumbed to a guided coach tour (not quite SAGA - but almost! ) however this does take in the 1940's weekend in Haworth, and so I shall be looking for a boogy woogy bugle boy to dangle on my arm!! 

Enjoy your weekend xxx

Vintage - moi?

Elsecar Heritage Facebook page (their website is useless) had alerted me to the fact that on Sunday they had a Morris Minor Club meet up, so I thought I would go check them out .  I would just love a Morris Traveller - which colour should I have?  How fab would a picnic be in any of these little beauties.

 It makes you realise just how old you are when you amongst the vintage section are cars that your old boyfriends took you courting in!!

 In my day, boys did not impress you with their motors!   I truly am vintage!

 I love Elsecar Heritage Centre and there seems to be more and more happening now - which is good.  It has a couple of lovely cafes.  This one in the old Watchmans cottage is beautiful - I could move in.

 It has a great little deli attached to it too.

 I love looking around here when I am on my own - I spend ages talking to the shop/cafe owners etc  Its such a great atmosphere.

 I discovered that they also hold a massive antiques fair every 2nd Sunday of the month too.  Not too pricey and plenty to see.  They use the massive old railway shed - so plenty of shelter away from the rain.

 I also called in at Heritage Re-Loved - just for a look (as you do).  She has some truly fantastic vintage items and amazing vintage fabrics - at very reasonable prices.  I couldn't resist this large piece of 1950's cotton which reminded me of a dress that my mum used to wear.  I asked her how much it was.  She measured it and gave me the price.

I was a bit undecided, but eventually talked myself into it.  Then I noticed she got a bit panicky.  She explained that she really struggled to let things go - she loves every item in her shop so much.  She  stroked it, lovingly wrapped it, and then cuddled it for a few moments before she handed it over to me. I paid, then she said " If you change your mind, please bring it back - I don't mind".  I think most of us knows how she feels!!

Looking on the bright side

The upside of a very rainy evening, with hubby at work, and nothing on the TV to entertain me is that I coulldn't go out and I suddenly felt the urge to sew.  I had seen an idea in a magazine that my Mum had given me, and I thought I would have a go.  You can make this small (like I did) to stand on a dressing table, or large and hang on the wall.  I bought a couple of picture frames from a charity shop for £1 each - you don't need the glass.  I painted these up with some leftover eggshell paint in a vintage white shade.  I started with a pretty piece of fabric for the background - this needs cutting larger than the backing of the frame.  I used pretty scraps to make pockets across the fabric so that I could tuck jewellery into these.  I had been looking for something to use the bottom piece of cutwork on as it is a piece that my Mum had started when she was a girl and never finished.  Now it has a purpose.

 By using lace, I will be able to hang wired earrings on here and the small strip that it is attached to is a small pocket so that I can pop studs in here too.

 I also made a felt corsage for a friends birthday this week.  These can be pinned onto the piece and just adds to the charm!

 I made a smaller one out of a tray cloth that had a stain on it.  I picked this up at a car boot sales for 10p.  It is hand embroidered and would have been a shame for it to have not been used in some way.

 I also made a couple of lavender bags out of a strip of vintage tea towel.

I'm thrilled to have got my crafting mojo back.

Studio 61

My pal Nic had noticed that the ever so talented Julia Crossland was exhibiting her work at a gallery in Derbyshire - Did I fancy a day out?  Who me? Well yes! So on Saturday, off we went to the gorgeous little gallery Studio 61 at Lea Holloway near Matlock - owned by the very lovely Karina.  I couldn't help but show you where Karina sits and paints - the view from her window is stunning! 

 We had "facebooked" Karina to let her know we were on our way, and she made us feel really welcome.  Nic, Julia and I have bonded over our love of St Ives and Corwall in general, and it turns out Karina and her husband also have their hearts there too.  Julia's work sits very well here.

 Don't you feel just like you could be in St Ives?  We did.  We spent ages "oooing" and "arrring" over the art and all the hand made items in this wonderful little place.  Sometimes a smaller gallery can feel a bit intimidating, but Studio 61 isn't like that at all, it really is a friendly, lovely little place.

 If you are ever in this neck of the woods I would highly recommend a visit.

 After a promising start weather wise, the rain came and we were forced to take shelter in the cafe at Cromford Mill.  I love Cromford Mill.

 We also managed to dodge the showers and wander around Matlock.

 All in all a very very pleasant girls day out.

Abbeys and rivers

On our recent trip to the Yorkshire Dales, we visited Jervelaux Abbey - so pretty and very peaceful

Aysgarth Falls - featured in many movies such as Kevin Costners Robin Hood

Not quite warn enough for a paddle yet!

Fountains Abbey - truly spectacular, and inspite of it being a very busy Bank Holiday Monday, still plenty of room for every body.  It was great to see so many families picnicing and enjoying the outdoors.

Fountains Hall

I love our county.  It has a great coastline, vibrant cities and some awe inspiring countryside and ancient places to see.  You ought to try it. x

Familiarity

Earlier this week, when summer was still in full flow(!) hubby and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful evening and walk across the fields behind our house - a walk that we love, and must have done a million times since we moved here over 25 years ago.

 Its a walk that we do when we can't be bothered to drive anywhere, and it always seems "second best", until we get to the top of the hill.  Then we realise that although very familiar, it is a very beautiful walk.

 Our village sits at the bottom of the hill - you can see one of the follies from Wentworth Woodhouse in the distance - Kepple's Column.

 The bluebells are out in abundance now, and are one of my favourite flowers - I think because they are so fleeting, and the colour is so unique.

 But I was even more thrilled to find this meadow absolutely covered in cowslips - such a rarity in the wild these days.  These are all the more special because this site used to be a colliery and this was the old spoil heap.  I remember these a lot from my childhood in a mining village - perhaps there is something about the soil from coal tips.  I once heard that it is the ideal PH for growing grape vines.

I do hope we get more evenings like this - although it isn't looking or feeling promising at the moment!