Quilts Glorious Quilts

I'll be showcasing textiles Quilts lace and linen and all that is vintage Brocante plus fairs that I will be attending  on Instagram as Ginnyatvintagepink your welcome to come by and say hello 😊

See more of my current art and textiles and work in progress on www.textilesartpost.co.uk  ( see side bar to link)

Best wishes to you all Ginny X 

Wishing Health and Happiness for 2016

I see from my stats  that I still receive visitors from all over the world so thank you and best wishes for 2016.
I do very little journaling on this blog nowadays but I use Pinterest for sharing and finding inspiration for my hobbies and style, I also keep adding to my Textile Art Blog  when the creative juices are flowing ....

( see side bar for my Textile Art Blog)

So Adieu to you and you and you and keep crafting.

Happy New Year to you all. X

What do you love about your home?

Originally posted on Blog in 2007 - 
This was the question posed by Karla at Karla's Cottage. she is inviting everyone to post something about their home that they love and then pop over to make a comment on her blog- she also has a giveaway too.

Well I love lots of area's of my home but not at the same time, I'm really fickle about it. The minute I have made something look lovely then move on to the next area the previous area has been taken over by the lovable gang and is in shambles.

But I suppose the bedroom might be the most tranquil place most of the time.

The bed being the most comfortable place to be, piled with quilts and cushions (which I change around all the time). But the minute I need to look for something and time is limited the whole room is turned upside down again, with the bed piled high with half the wardrobe, and anything else that got in the way. Yep behind these curtains is my wardrobe. These linen curtains were originally sheets. I love the embroidery and especially the monogrammes, and it is always nice to pull the curtains closed so that I don't have to be reminded of the bedlam behind:)

I love this old french mirror with all the black lines where the mirror has oxidized.

Then there is the lounge, well once I have plopped up all the cushions and arranged the throw pillows just so it can be a lovely place to sit, but then in come my lovable gang and through themselves amongst them. The bathroom - such a delightful place to soak away the hours, candlelight, beautiful aroma's .... oh that's if you don't have a que waiting outside the door, desperate for the loo. Yes we don't have an en suite, this house was built before the British understood the need for such luxury, ooh by gum those were the days, outside loo and tin bath by the fire. Oh how we have all moved on. Well some of us have and I'm not complaining. We do have a bathroom with a lockable door, I just have a que outside every time I want to pamper myself. How I imagine bathtime but often isn't:) card handmade by The Wright Little Card Company....... on ebay.) The dining room is such a dark inner room that is walked through to get to the other rooms. So dear dining room I only love you at Christmas (I'm so fickle).

The kitchen, well you will be loved soon don't fret.

New floor,new ceiling, work surface and sink what more could a kitchen want. But in the meantime don't even go there!

Well moving swiftly on, my workroom.. eeuuuw ... too bad to be photographed, but it looks out on my garden deck which I love..... so it's not all bad :)

But I suppose once the dark nights set in and the candles are lit, probably my most favourite place to be is curled up on the sofa and the phrase ~ there's no place like home ~ finally rings true.

Well what do you love about your home:)))))) XX

Getting ready for the Summertime Blues

Originally posted on Blog 2007.

Years ago I read in Victoria magazine (remember that one) about how to make seasonal changes in the home . Well one of the biggest changes to our lounge at this time of year is when I swap the slipcovers over.

I love the deep red in the winter with all the metallic candlesticks and votives and a roaring fire it is lovely and cosy.

Even the valentine fairy felt quite at home.

The window sofa is covered in fluffy throws.

The cat lovessss ....zzzzzzz it here in winter.

WELL ITS ALL CHANGE FOR THE....

....................SUMMER TIME BLUES.......................

Lets take a closer look at Niki's rag doll http://nostalgia-stonehouse.co.uk )

Look at her cute blue button brooch and those little buttons in the design of clovers on her feet.

Well now that big job has been done I am off to create - here are some pics of card I made and sold very quickly last year. I love butterflies and they inspired these cards.

A visit to Southend on Sea, Essex, England.

Once upon a time Southend on Sea was for many Londoners one of the great British holiday destinations of the South. Situated at the very end of the Thames estuary as it opens up to the sea it was an ideal spot to take in the sea air, the Victorians loved the place and would head off out of the grime of London in their best outfits, corsets, pantaloons, huge skirts and hats and take in the seaside. They might venture in for a paddle too, and for many years families would head off for this annual getaway with great anticipation and thoroughly enjoy themselves. The trend continued long into the 50's and 60's and am sure my father spent a few much enjoyed holidays in Southend when he was a lad.

Royalty even took up residence here, 

When I was young  places like this got passed over for the sunnier climes, cheap holidays to Spain and Greece,  anywhere that sunshine could be guaranteed. 

This place like many seaside resorts in this country became lost and neglected.

I found myself here 3 years ago as my daughter began her uni years and my first impression was that it seemed a little bit worn but with a thriving University was brimming with people. There are signs that It seems to be on the up again and now that my daughter is in her final months at Uni I decided to come and stay for the weekend.

I found this beautiful Boutique Hotel called the Hamilton at No 6 The Royal Terrace and is next door to what was once the Royal residence.  It seems that other buildings along this terrace are being refurbished which is refreshing to see as the grand buildings are beautiful.

The Hamilton is the middle building here. My room was 2nd floor ( with the blinds) and I had a view of the fair and the pier which in its self is a landmark at over a mile long and the longest pleasure pier in the world.

My picture taken on a cold February Sunday, the pic below is from the website in better conditions.

I loved my bedroom.

Below is the view sitting in my bed, all in all great views of an iconic seascape.

Breakfast was fantastic. Full English, sausage, bacon, eggs, , baked beans hash brown  ( should be fried bread to be completely authentic English, but who's splitting hairs) plenty of toast, jams tea a coffee and juices.

I will definitely return to Southend on Sea :-D 

CHRISTMAS TIME

Our tree just about fits with a squeeze - how the fairy is going to fit on the top I don't know :-o

I loved creating this lampshade this year  by hanging lustre glass from old chandeliers around the edges and coating the frame with german glass glitter, to finish I draped some beaded lights around the edge, it looks so pretty on the marble cupboard. I also found some lovely little twinkle trees this year and they sit beautifully with the little fairy that I bought from the same lady last year ( Betty and Violet - online shop selling handmade and vintage)

 I love opening up my Christmas decorations to find some old favs like these bejewelled cones, little houses and the old wise snowy owl.

 

 

 

 This year I took some inspiration from the local garden centre, but to be fair I could not see the wood for the trees, just too many flowers, but it may grow on me ... excuse the pun :-)

 I absolutely loved the pink cone tree -

 I was given a lovely Christmas bouquet of flowers yesterday

 And a beautiful hand made card - especially adorable as the creator was my little grand niece - only 1 year old :-)

 2 tired girls waiting for Christmas

  and if I didn't have enough to do I have some idea's  for the dining table -

Best wishes to all that have followed me over the last 8 years and welcome to all that are new visitors and introducing the latest editions to our little gang - twins little Miss Santa- ess and Little Mr Elf
Merry Christmas to all.

and best wishes for 2015
Ginny xx