Nostalgic Mix

I Haven't many images of all my handmade bits n bobs from the nostalgic mix stall, but here's a jewellery/cake stand and a glimpse at the messy overall effect.

New arrivals for New arrivals!

Cards available as always in This 'n' That in Totnes, and at the nostalgic mix fair this Saturday 9th October in Totnes civic hall.

More pictures...

Greetings cards always available at This 'n' That in Totnes, and on special offer at the Nostalgic mix fair, Saturday 9th October, 10am at Totnes civic hall.

A glimpse at what will be featured on my stall at the "Nostalgic Mix" fair in October

These skipping ropes are handmade using vintage wooden bobbins that i acquired when visiting the Yorkshire rope-making mill. They will be for sale on my stall at the nostalgic mix fair in Totnes civic hall on October 9th. A Christmas gift idea for nieces/nephews/grandchildren...?

Autumn days when the grass is dewy....

Well, nearly.

How to make the perfect jelly

On second thoughts, i might not be the best person to ask

Nostalgic Mix Fair, Ocober 9th, Totnes civic hall

More information to follow, both here and at http://thisnthat-totnes.blogspot.com/

This year's Lavender harvest!

A brief break in the rainy weather today meant a chance to hack through the jungle that the garden has become, i knew that somewhere out there under the 6ft cabbage patch was some lavender to be had, lavender related products to follow! p.s. i can vouch for the sleep inducing properties of lavender, my short spell of energetic gardening was followed by a longer spell of snoozing!

Some more card designs from the "Vintage" range

Cards now stocked at Kaya Gallery

A selection of my photographic greetings cards are now stocked at Kaya Gallery at the barbican in Plymouth. For anyone who doesn't know this part of Plymouth it makes for a lovely day out, with places along the waterside for an al fresco lunch, galleries and shops and plenty of opportunity for treats of the fish and chip/pasty nature (you might well see more of my photography in the Langage farm ice cream parlour)

http://www.kayagallery.co.uk/home.html

an EAGLE in Lee Mill!!

Ok, so not ACTUALLY an eagle, but pretty impressive don't you think? my little bit of "googling" would suggest that his chap is a eurasion sparrow hawk, enjoying a dove flavoured snack on our doorstep (look away now if squeamish). Lee Mill doesn't really offer all of the countryside idylls (more the oddities of living rurally, like the fact we only pick up the BBC when it's raining...) but this brush with wildlife made me feel quite worthy of my country-living-reader status.

How to make an Ice Bowl

Saturday for me was a photography day. With a view to creating more greeting card designs, i set up my gear and play around with various sparkly, pretty things until some of the compositions start to "work". One of my ideas this time was to make an "Ice bowl" I'm sure i've seen such things in magazines or recipe books but my attempt was a bit ad lib. Whether or not it makes for a good photograph i'm yet to decide, but so pleased was i that it actually worked, i thought i'd share it here! Can't think why anyone would want to make one apart from how pretty they are (and isn't that what really matters!?)

Instructions on how to make a chocolate teapot to follow.

You will need 2 bowls (or in my case a bowl and a flask cup) I began by placing a small amount of water in the bottom of the larger bowl and freezing it, this way the smaller bowl will have a layer of frozen water to sit on. add some flower petals for colour. once frozen, place the smaller bowl inside the larger, it may help to wedge something in the gap to hold it in place (i used erasers). top up a little more water, i avoided filling to the top at this stage so that i could add more petals and they wouldn't all float to the top. freeze again, and repeat the process until full to the top. Get the ice bowl out by placing the whole thing in a larger bowl with a little hot water in, and pouring a little hot water into the small bowl, the ice should then release.

a glimpse at some greeting cards designs...

A few of the photographs that are available as greetings cards in the shop (This 'n' That Totnes). Shortly i will be creating a new range of cards which will be available to purchase via the blog, watch this space!

HELLO!

My name's Lidi - the more avid blogging followers of all things vintage might have been introduced to me via the wonderful blog of "This 'n' That Totnes" or even in person if you've ever visited the delightful shop. Working with Lesley in the shop since it opened 6 years ago has fed my enthusiasm for the vintage, nostalgic and altogether lovely things that we see and sell, so i'm hoping that along with my collection of homemade bits and bobs, i'll have enough material to sustain my own blog, as well as spending my time scrolling with delight through the many blogs of This 'n' That followers. Having completed a degree in community art last year, i am thouroughly enjoying having the time to make all of those things i've wanted to over the last three years. Any christmas late night shoppers in Totnes might have seen the stall that i've had outside the shop for the last 3 years selling a range of homemade treats from jewellery, leather goods, "mulled wine" and "teacup" candles and cards. I work occasionally as a commercial photographer and also turn my lens to the more creative task of designing greetings cards, a range of which are available at This'n'That throughout the year.