Monthly Wish List - January

I always dread January, knowing what dark dank days lie before us before the first signs of Spring brighten our spirits - so with that in mind, lets go shopping! Even if it is still a bit early to be sowing this years crops, it's never too early to plan, I'm probably lagging well behind compared to many determined gardeners! This Gardeners Seed Set from Goodbye1979 looks the part - wonderfully rustic and not afraid of getting grubby! The garden markers are made from FSC certified pine with 2 coats of antique oak wood stain, sealed with a natural mineral oil&organic beeswax mixture - they will be a great feature in a carefully planned kitchen garden!

Continuing this years garden Wish List are these gorgeous gardeners aprons from Pinks And Greens who I found on Etsy, their product photography is wonderful too! They use vintage buttons and these even come with a spool of twine included, bonus! Better get saving! They also make brilliant dungarees which I would be very happy pottering in, all those handy pockets - be proud to buy British!

I have been lusting after this book ever since I heard a rumour about it last year, I am expecting great things.
The author, Caroline Zoob, is a textile artist who has lived at Monks House for over a decade as a tenant of the National Trust, caring for the house and garden. She explains how the garden developed over the years Virginia and Leonard lived there. They were both very interested in their garden; Virginia was keen to have one as attractive as her sisters at Charleston House, and Leonard soon became quite the expert on fruit and vegetables. Virginia worked in a writing room in the garden, a wooden lodge in the corner of the orchard, and she and Leonard also had a ground floor bedroom built for Virginia, as she found it a wonderfully light and inspiring room with its garden views. In a letter to her friend Ethel Smythe, Virginia wrote "I sleep and dress in full view of the garden." She also added one day she noticed the gardener looking in at her - I say! I can't wait to be absorbed into this book.

Virginia Woolf's Garden by Caroline Zoob

I'm including this Leuchtturm1917 Five Year Memory Book because it could be the only way to encourage me to write a diary, I've never made it past the first few months before resigning to only putting in my work hours and hair appointments - not exactly a riveting read! I own Leuchtturm notebooks already, and I can confirm they are fantastic quality, firmly bound and the paper can cope with heavier ink - unlike Moleskin since they changed their production line! 'Memory Book' seems a much more approachable project to me, something special to look back on.

This beautiful Mountains bowl by TimGeeCeramic is made from translucent porcelain with the interior finished in a delicate blue glaze. "Mountains; this surface is based on the image of mist gathering in the valleys." Honestly, It's one of the most unusual pieces of ceramic I have seen in a long while, the scene very dreamlike and tranquil, I don't see how you'd ever tire of gazing over those mountain tops!

I'm currently burning this Kew Gardens Orange Blossom Candle that my Grandad bought me for Christmas, it's absolutely beautiful and I highly recommend for a more uplifting scent than just all the cinnamon and spices of winter fragrances.

Hope January hasn't been too much of a drag, we're nearly out of the woods now! Payday and hopefully brighter days lie tantalisingly close! 

Thanks for reading,

Katie

How Lovely Is The Silence Of Growing Things - Vintage Garden Art

I just arrived home from work to find a little present waiting in the letterbox for me (and from me!) all the way from America. I originally saw Vintage Garden Art's pieces on Pinterest when Woolly Green pinned this exact item, and I knew I had to have one! Julie creates these plant markers from vintage silver plate cutlery, a concept that has been growing in popularity BUT I think her creations are particularly special, as she adds little details such as the little flower and leaf amongst the text. My chosen quote 'How Lovely Is The Silence Of Growing Things' can be found here, I knew it would look super in my little geranium pot. It arrived very quickly indeed, and beautifully packaged, as you can see above!

Visit her shop here, they would make lovely christmas present with some homegrown herbs! Here is mine in it's chosen spot, the texture of the spoon is particularly nice, it's been hammered flat and has a dimpled look to the metal. Julie also included a little freebie of a 'Peace' marker from a small handle, very kind indeed! If you haven't yet shopped on Etsy, i can only say, get there NOW you won't regret it!

Hope it's a good weekend for you!

Katie

Monthly Wish List - April/May

I'm afraid to say I slacked off last month and didn't provide my usual monthly wish it, no excuses, as I was certainly up to my usual shopping tricks! My garden has been taking up ALL of my time, thoughts and efforts, I will endeavour to update the blog on that news soon!

In the meantime here is a bumper April/May post, I am veering away from my usual Ebay trawl, and instead we're going to stick at my Etsy finds, I'm so pleased at the increase of UK sellers there over the last year!

The flying bird wall motif is one of the most recognisable in (all be it, retro) British design, and I must admit I've never been a huge fan...until I saw this gorgeous contemporary set by Anna Wiscombe, who I spotted at a craft market on South Bank just before Christmas, but couldn't justify buying presents for myself! Visit her shop for a wide range of lovely handcrafted birds, from brooches and magnets to these wall motifs, it's tricky to choose a favourite!

Next up, are these rather charming 'Random Notes Of Appreciation' from Bread and Jim who produce all manner of hand printed goods, all of which are super gifts, IF you can bear to give them away! They describe these notes:

"Imagine you're having the worst day ever, your boss has shouted at you for no apparent reason, you look like you've been dragged through the hedge backwards and to top it all, its been raining for the best part of a year. Wouldn't it be nice to find that someone has slipped a tiny note of appreciation into your bag whilst you weren't looking. Surely that would bring a smile to your face and that's what these notes are intended to do."

They are perfect for putting a smile on someones face!

These hand rolled beeswax candles from Utopia Home and Garden just look so tactile, and the packaging is equally as pleasing to the eye! Best of all, they are 100% Natural Pure British beeswax, paraffin and soy free. Visit their shop for a selection of vintage style hand painted signs and rustic home wares  all handcrafted in North Berwick Scotland.

It's not often I can resist tea paraphernalia, and this handmade Bird House Tea Cosy by Ellsey Bellsey would be a wonderful addition to my collection, it's one of the most individual patterns I've seen in a long time, makes such a refreshing change from endless chintz and florals!

I think this tote bag by Helen Naylor at Pocket Wren speaks for itself! I will be treating myself to this ASAP, I love the jaunty wellingtons, and the fonts are perfect for the theme, really nice design!

This chirpy gardening apron by Apseed Crafts deserves a mention, as I have had Ira's items on my favourites ever since I joined Etsy, but it is the only non-uk seller on this wish list! These aprons are every bit as jolly as they are practical, and have lots of handy pockets which makes them suitable for a range of craft and household activities, not just pottering in the garden! She always chooses perfect colours, keep an eye on her shop for new designs! 

And finally, some inspiration for the up-coming bank holiday! This Union Jack Deckchair  from Bye Brytshi is the most perfect strawberries and cream hues, and I usually don't touch pink with a bargepole! You could sit and enjoy a glass of Pimms on the lawn in full Blighty style, knotted handkerchief headgear optional! They have a good variety of deck chairs in all types of finish, take a look!

I hope that was a good collection of Etsy inspiration, if you've yet to experience it, try searching through the UK sellers first, there's some fantastic sellers on there now who need our support!

Thanks for reading!

Katie

Monthly Wish List - October

As I have mentioned countless times over the last few weeks, this time of year fills me with pure joy. PURE. JOY. It's sad that the garden will be growing quiet for a few months, but I'll still be cracking on with practical jobs. In the meantime, nature is just so beautiful with it's colours and gorgeous fruit and vegetables, it makes it all worthwhile! I've already brought my Halloween pumpkin...can't wait!

On this theme is my first wish list item, a set of lovable plates by Norwegian designer Figgjo Flint, which was founded in 1941. Scandinavian is currently a hot topic, Homes and Antiques ran a very interesting article last issue, therefore it's going slightly out of my price zone for now, damn! I adore the nostalgic designs and non-fussy shapes, Figgjo Flint has a particular flair with earthy natural colours and I wish I could have brought these home!

What finer way to display a collections of antique books, than in this lovely Art Nouveau owl extending-bookend! I will say this loud and proud, I LOVE OWLS! The shape is very unusual, and the detail of the foliage is a perfect touch! As much as i love them, I am getting fed up with owls everywhere on the high street, and will only buy older examples. Mum&I always keep an eye out for these portable bookends as they are so easy to fit in at home, and when you have as many books as us, they are always useful! Take a further look at this bookish owl HERE

The perfect book to go in those bookends would be this curious-spooky-beauty! Published in 1684, it looks very mysterious doesn't it? The seller describes it as: "An extremely interesting and uncommon book printed in 1684 : attributed to Nathaniel Crouch : Admirable curiosities, rarities, and wonders in England, Scotland and Ireland, or, An account of many remarkable persons and places" - YES PLEASE! I am always drawn to the "Mystic/Spiritual/Curiosity" section of old book shops, mainly because I adore the engravings in such topics, but I have NEVER come across anything this antique obviously! Perfect reading for October, something a bit spooky and well....odd!

Can't find out a blooming thing about this book online, so take a look at this listing HERE!

And I couldn't resist this next item, mainly because I love to indulge in proper vintage Halloween goodies! I guess because we don't celebrate it as widely in the UK, i don't want to feel like I'm missing out! (and I watch every ghost program that freeview can provide me with...my excuse? Well, it's history right? Therefore, still counts as educational!)

This is such a rare and fantastic thing, a fortune tellers cup made between 1890-1910, it never amazes me how these easily-breakable items survive in such great condition! The fantastic wraparound Witch pattern looks rather contemporary, and inside, the occult symbols such as skulls, snakes and hearts are still crystal clear. To me, it's just a bit of fun (I wouldn't dare use it in case I broke it!) and if I ever found one, I'd be more than happy to give it a home at Halloween! Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble....

You can find it on Etsy HERE, take a look at the sellers other items too, lots of Gothic curio! It's all back in demand now of course, Tumblr is riddled with contemporary efforts, mainly by girls hiding behind their hair, brandishing a pentagram, a black cat and a pot plant, but y'know, call me a cynic! ;) Myself and Bruce have recently admitted we're closet Goths...you wouldn't think it to look at me especially, but it's true! If it's a bit curious, a bit mysterious...I'll like it!

And finally, some non-apologetic Halloween goodies! Two fantastic embossed postcards c.1912, with beautiful vivid colours, and quite unusual scenes! I love the Owl and pumpkin border at the top, these are £50 each because they are rare and not common to find in the UK...still too expensive for me of course! Find other examples HERE

I can't promise that's all of my Halloween themed posts, I doubt I will be able to resist posting any other spooktacular examples I stumble upon!

Hope you've had a great weekend! Thanks for reading!

Katie