Saturday 2 June 2007

Images of a Bygone Era

I feel like I have been away for ages and it is time to post before I am forgotten about.
The truth is I have had a lack of enthusiasm for everything these last couple of weeks. Is it the weather? I just don't know, I can only think that the good weather we have had these last couple of days has prompted a mere spark of energy.
OH WOE IS ME!!! yes LOL... I feel all dramatic and thespian like, the worlds a stage 'n' all that.
Well anyway back to business. We have been quite busy in our garden just lately, rain 'n' all!
We have been buying lots of flowers for the pots and hanging baskets and will be replacing the deck with a better quality decking and buying some new chairs and a garden umbrella.
I wanted to buy a disgustingly expensive umbrella in beautiful fabric from Kate Forman, Isn't it gorgeous .... but was talked out of it, and I agree on this occasion that there are some things that can't be justified... instead I plan to buy a large cream one from the local garden centre and to get my floral fix will be attaching a frill or bunting in a favourite fabric around the edge and make some new cushions for the chairs. I'm not ready with pics for it but watch this space:)

Just lately I have purchased some gorgeous cards on ebay and on opening one of the packs was completely taken aback by this card. Firstly is was so delicately pretty with an embossed medallion in the middle
that opens like a locket to reveal a glamorous lady within, and then a beautiful verse
Because you are so dear a girl, devoted sweet and true, my anniversary greeting brings a world of love to you
And every wish I'm sending , Is for all the joys in life, to fill the years with sunshine for my Sweetheart and my Wife!

It actually bought a sentimental tear to my eye. Ralph went to a lot of trouble to find that beautiful card for his wife. I wonder what happened to them.
I've bought many vintage/antique cards and photo's over the years, and often wondered about the people that once owned these cards and the era they came from. These particular photographs are as interesting on the back as the front.












































These particular pictures came from this album below found at a car boot sale, look at the fab clasp and the gold edged paper.











And look at the heavy card pages within
I asked the seller if the album and pictures were from her family and they were!
The lady said the album came from a Great Aunt who had since departed, and that the pictures had no meaning to them. Oh well we can't hold on to everything and at least they went to a good home and all for £5.00.

I thought some fabric might look quite nice behind some of these frames and then displayed in groups of 4. My only problem is actually taking the album to pieces ..... I don't know if I can do that... hmmm.
Well back to present day, I have a couple of thank you's to make and they go to Flea market Studio - thank you for the great pack of fabrics and goodies including the gorgeous blue bird
And of course Nicky from -

http://nostalgia-stonehouse.co.uk/ - I'm always stopping by to shop - I just can't keep away. This is just pure eye candy for me and she even included a bluebird - which I adore-

thank you!
And more eye candy comes in the shape of this button below for a Tiara Swap being hosted by Hollydoodle Designs - see her link on the side bar.
I can't wait to start this project - Twinkle is expected so Twinkle it will be!

28 comments:

Ragged Roses said...

Hello - good to have you back. I'm sure you'll be able to provide all the twinkle expected! those photos are beautiful, as is the album. The anniversary card is very touching - how romantic!
Kim x

PurpleFlowerFairy said...

glad you're back! i love all of the photos that you posted... =) debbie

PurpleFlowerFairy said...

p.s. especially that anniversary card =)

Lallee said...

Welcome back. The anniversary card is so sweet.....and pretty. And the lady in the photo is so pretty. Sad that the relative didn't want them.

Lori said...

Love your album and cards. I love reading the verses too and wonder about the writer and reciever! I buy many pre1900 books mainly childrens and love to read those inscriptions too! Very nice collection! Lori

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

Hi Ginny! I hope you feel better in the coming days...sometimes you just need some down time.

I LOVE your gorgeous cards and that book oh my goodness! I have never seen one so pretty with the roses on it!

Thank you so much for my beautiful slipper...I cannot even tell you how much I love it!! I just keep staring at it! LOL

Have a great day! Heather

Betty said...

I love that card and that album is just beautiful. I can never understand how people can part with theses treasures. Lucky for us though!

Renna said...

I only recently discovered your blog, and might I just say, it's awesome! I love the vintage cards and prints and all the sweet pink things. It's non-stop eye candy here! I look forward to coming back. :-)

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

The anniversry card is so lovely. Thanks for all the great photos.
Ele

Niki Fretwell said...

Welcome back Ginny! Hope you will soon be feeling like your old self again...I am sure once you have read all of the lovely comments, you will be back into full blogging flow very soon...
(I actually thought you may have gone away for the half term holiday!)

LOVE the album that you found and such a bargain. Couldn't you keep it as a book to archive your vintage fabrics?

Thanks for the link - so glad you were pleased with your purchase.

This was a great post...I really enjoyed reading it and looking at all of your wonderful photos. :)
Have fun with the tiara!
Niki x

Clare and Mike said...

Hi Ginny,

What a beautiful album! The card is delightful too, such a lovely verse.

Glad you're back but I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say I understand how you feel!

Have a lovely week!

Clare x

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

That photo album is in such good shape, the pages are great!!!

I will be in the tiara swap too, can't wait to see your twinkly one!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny

Welcome back! That anniversary card is quite charming - what a marvellous find on eBay.

Marie x

Susie Q said...

I love your posts and miss when you are away!
What glorious finds...that album and those pictures is a treasure. How precious that card is.
I hope you will feel more like yourself soon dear Ginny.
I know that lackluster feeling too I am afraid! I think we will all blame the weather! : )

Hugs,
Sue

Crafty Mama said...

Hi Ginny, Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog! Always so much fun to read what other people think!

All you have to do is follow the signs in France 'Brocantes' or 'Vide greniers'. A good help is this website http://vide-greniers.org/ with information to most fairs and markets. Hope you have lots of fun in France!

MODERN COUNTRY said...

Fine that you stopped by and made time for leaving a message for me! I have not seen you in a very long time :) I have not visiting you either, how is that? hmmm..
You asked if the pictures came out of a book, they don`t. Under each picture i have left a link to the company or a other site wich i found them on. So now you know. If i made the picture myself i leave my name under it. (Aina)
I also collect old postcard, and i also wonder whom they belonged to, where did they came from and what did they do? It is so interesting and it is like a hidden story you just have to find more about. Those you found was very beautiful, i should show mine one day. I also loved the lampshade you decorated in another post. Love the fabric!!
I hope you are doing fine, and what kind of project are you working on now? Enjoy rest of your week!! Grettings from Aina from Holland :)

a Pocket Angel said...

Ginny, Sorry to hear you are a bit down. I am too these days. I hope today is better for you. The vintage card is beautiful. I can't wait to see the photos of your umbrella. I love your idea of the trim & bunting! A few years ago I searched for a pretty floral umbrella for my deck, could not find one. I then took my old umbrella apart and recovered it using beautiful pink rose floral oilcloth. It was a lot of work and did take awhile, the umbrella was a large one. It only lasted a few years now I need a new pretty one. Too much work to make another! But your idea sounds perfect. Thanks so much for sharing it. Also thanks for stopping by my blog. Nice to see you have added my pink ribbon "For Amy" to your blog. Bless you for doing so! Amy's surgery is tomorrow June 7 please keep her in your prayers. Your blog is a delight! Have a good day :-} ~Mary~

ShabbyInTheCity said...

That old album is sooo cool! What a find!
The greeting card surely brought a tear to that lady's eyes as well-so sweet.

MODERN COUNTRY said...

Fun to have new friends! I will add you to my list also :) I just made a new post, do you like it?
See you later and ejoy rest of your day, kisses ;)

FourSistersInACottage said...

Ginny,
THAT ALBUM is GORGEOUS!!! WOW WEE!!!
I wanted to let you know that I have added you to my favorite blogs to read and I THANK YOU for adding the pink ribbon of hope for me battling my breast cancer.
One day and counting before surgery.....
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Hugs, Amy (Mom to the Four Sisters)

~Niki~ said...

Just ran across your blog. Great job w/ all the projects! http://nikisventures.blogspot.com/

-_- said...

nice work
I like it
thank you and have a nice day
:))

FrenchGardenHouse said...

oh, twinkle girl, I love all those photos...what a wonderful card you bought.

The album, well, to die for, really and for 5 pounds. sigh. it is just gorgeous.

I am wishing you lovely sunny days ahead. That always works. A umbrella fixed up by "twinkle" trim will be just as lovely, and not half as dear.

:) xo Lidy

Boxwood Cottage said...

That's strange that you can't comment on my blog Ginny, seeing that we both are at blogger hm, well anyway thank you for your kind email my dear! I'm so excited about the tiara swap, cause I'm in as well and guess what, my partner Ele is a pink lover! :D Carol xox

Boxwood Cottage said...

Oh and I forgot to say how much I like your purchases! Those old pictures with the gorgeous backsides are fabulous, I collect them too and your photo album is to die for beautiful! Hugs Carol xox

Boxwood Cottage said...

Oh and just to own such a Kate Foreman garden umbrella *sigh* but I'm sure when you add your buntings, yours will also look perfectly enchanting!

a Pocket Angel said...

Hello Ginny, Just wanted to stop in and ask that you please keep Amy (FourSistersInACottage) in your prayers today. She is having a radical bilateral mastectomy surgery.
Thanks so much!:-}~Mary~

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Thank you for visiting my blog! I have to admit I've been here to your blog many times (usually by clicking the link on Niki's page) - but I've never posted a comment on your lovely treasures! I see we share a love of ephemera and lace! I will be back! =)