SAL'S SNIPPETS

Kitchen love! ;-)

2009-11-07T17:57:00.004Z

All day, we've worked like Trojans! ;-)

We had the kitchen walls re-plastered at the beginning of September and since then we have lived in a tip of a kitchen ... until this week when the kitchen was finally decorated! Yippee!

We weren't too sure which colour to choose but in the end we chose a lovely 'Apple Green', by Crown Paints.

It's lovely ...very fresh.

And so, whilst Mr S dealt with the heavier tasks, I potted about cleaning and putting everything back in it's right place!

It is so nice to have my kitchen back again! I love it!

Not to mention all the 'fripperies' which live in it!

Hope everyone is having a fab weekend!

;-)

Cracking good job!

2009-11-04T08:58:00.004Z

My kitchen is, as I type, being redecorated!

I'm hoping it'll be a 'cracking good job' when it's finished ;-)

I'm not having new curtains as I love the ones I already have...but

I thought I'd make a few cushions for the chairs...just to pretty up the room and give it a more vintage/50s look...and...you know how much I love bright bold fabrics!

I found these at Donna Flowers lovely site!

I don't know if I dare go near her stall at the 'soon to be held' V&H fair!!

http://www.vintageandhandmade.co.uk/

http://www.donnaflower.com/

Meanwhile...

These gorgeous Christmas paper tags are from the 'Peppermint Twist' range of scrapbooking items by K&Company.

I love them.

They come in pads of 24 tags.

I bought them on ebay from a very nice seller in Torquay!

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Homespun-From-The-Heart__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Finally, one can't sign off without saying a huge HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO...

Nick Park did a 'cracking good job' when he thought up these fab characters!

Absolutely brilliant!

;-)

Back to school!! ;-)

2009-11-02T12:16:00.003Z

.... for me, today!

I haven't done any teaching since August and so, having had two months off, I woke this morning in shock! ;-)

Back to the workplace, for me, is pretty easy though as I teach at home thus my travelling costs are nil.

A few steps and I am there!

Ah, an empty chair...no pupils yet...lessons start at 4pm.

I teach in the evenings so I have to learn to 'pace myself' during the day time, (which, for me, is not always easy! )

I teach English to children whose ages are from 5 to 16 years.

So a little bit of this:

Or this:

Books everywhere!

Old and new!

Not a lot of this word..if we can help it...

I have also been known to teach a little bit of History...

...and Geography

My classroom is a lovely cosy room...

With , of course, a touch of vintage!

And there's always a certain someone watching over me... just to make sure that I do things properly!

Time is flying by and I must get my lessons prepared!

Otherwise, before I know it, my first pupil will be strolling up the path!

I hope that everyone is having a great Monday!

;-)

You just can't beat....

2009-10-30T12:15:00.004Z

...a little bit of vintage in the craft room!

I was inspired by this piece of sheet music!

And so, surrounding myself with fab vintage bits and pieces which I found recently, I beavered away earlier this morning.

These little magazines offer so much!

Don't you just love it ?!!

Have a lovely weekend everyone !
;-)

Travellers from the north!

2009-10-26T07:17:00.003Z

They came from the north in their lovely orange van!

Yes, it's the 'Cocoa and blankets' family...

Helen, Pete and Polly.

http://cocoaandblankets.blogspot.com/

Stopping off at a campsite almost next door to us, they were able to spend an evening with us and then we waved them off the next day as they continued on their journey to Cornwall.

They came bearing gifts... ;-)

I can't wait to get crafting...loads of ideas here!

And now they are at Portscatho...lucky devils!

It was so lovely to meet them...proving once again that bloggers really are the nicest people!

;-)

On location!

2009-10-24T06:15:00.005+01:00

It was like a summer's day in Lyme Regis yesterday ! We nipped over the county border and had a lovely stroll... plus pub lunch!

And, of course, the views of the Jurassic coastline are fabulous.

Little reminders of fossils, everywhere!

Naturally, I stumbled across this little shop in the main street!

The new Cath Christmas mugs had just arrived.

Having had our fill of Lyme Regis, we made our way back to Beer , a quaint little fishing village.

A lovely day!

Thank you Mr S!

;-)

Christmas Crochet (amongst other things!!)

2009-10-21T14:37:00.005+01:00

Christmas crochet has been the name of the game, this week!

I made a few Christmas mats, in reds and greens.

They are backed with red or green felt and trimmed with Ric Rac.

Whilst crochet was on my mind, I noticed this book on Amazon...but it's not out until 2010!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Crochet-Judy-Crow/dp/1592172415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256132307&sr=8-1

Tomorrow, I am venturing to the Torquay Town Hall Fleamarket...held every Thursday morning. It's a small affair

but I live in hope that I will unearth a hidden gem... or two!

On Friday... it's our wedding anniversary!

How we've ever made it to 16 years, I will never know...words like 'fortitude' , 'determination'... and 'tolerance' spring to mind!!

LOL! ;-)

We're off out for the day ...so watch this space!

Have a happy weekend!

2009-10-16T10:39:00.005+01:00

Well, it's the weekend and all in all it's a bit of a 'mish mash' in my craft room right now.

Clipboard number 4 is finished...

And whilst I was having a very 'lazy ' spell, half watching 'Escape to the Country', I sat and made these simple hanging hearts.

And... not forgetting a few of these 'Santa's helpers' gift bags.

Years and years ago, my sister gave my children one each of these, with a gift inside.
I have no idea from whence they came but

I wrote down the idea in a book... and stumbled across it recently.

Christmas is coming on quite nicely!

I have a couple of weeks remaining before I start teaching again...so just enough time to make a few more bits for the fair!

And, for inspiration, I just love to have good books at hand at this time of year!

Two of my faves:

Published in 1983, I think you can still find it on Amazon.com, amongst the private sellers.

And this one is great for ideas and templates ...

Have a happy weekend everyone!

;-)

Just a little bit of crafting!

2009-10-09T16:22:00.000+01:00

Life is quite slow going at the moment, which for me is most frustrating !

However, each day gets better and this week I have managed to work on some altered clipboards for the V&H Fair!!

My production line is slower than usual but they have turned out ok.

Oh how I wish I'd bought more of that wonderful Daisy Ds 'vintage look' scrapbook paper, last year...as now it seems to be so hard to find!

I've also used a few items from the range ' Swell Noel ' by K&Company.

And did you spot the books?

Incredibly, I won this book on ebay for 25p!

It's a companion to the book which I won last year.

They are not new books but I love searching for slightly older craft books and these have oodles of ideas...ideas which are simple and you can build on that simplicity and improvise.

I really don't like doing the 'C' stuff quite so early but needs must!

And so now I need to hunt for the rest of my Christmas books.

***

As for the weekend...

I'm going to be reunited with my favourite place, which begins with 'E' and ends with 'R' and has an 'X' in it!

I hope I can remember my way around!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend too!

;-)

Hello!! ;-)

2009-10-05T13:51:00.003+01:00

Well, here I am! ;-)

At one point, I didn't think I'd ever make it back to here!

Without going into too much detail, during August my body more or less came to a halt.

Severe exhaustion set in and completely knocked me senseless!

Endless blood tests and many weeks later, I think I am on the mend!

The Dr thinks that I must have picked up some sort of viral infection.

Anyway, the less said about it the better...so today I went into my craft room and partied!

And I introduced myself to a few bits and pieces about which I'd completely forgotten!

A couple of months ago, I found these lovely prints of vintage seed packets

They are so beautifully vivid!

I started to 'create' but I only had 5 envelopes..so that's on hold for the mo.

Meanwhile, watching over me....little choir boy Christmas tree decorations with a vintage touch...

I started these a while ago but, in fact, in my Christmas box, I have some which I made 20 years ago and they are still going strong!

Tomorrow's craft morning (they don't know it yet!) will be mainly drinking tea/coffee... and giving these stockings a few finishing touches...

Finally and most importantly, I just want to thank everyone for their kind messages, emails, cards, gifts , flowers etc....and ,believe it or not, even home made soup!!

(And also not forgetting my whole family for putting up with me!)

You really are all very kind!

;-)

Under the weather ;-(

2009-09-03T18:34:00.003+01:00

Just popping by to say that I'm taking a blogging break but hopefully not for too long.

I've been very under par for a few weeks and need to concentrate on getting back to being 'fighting fit'.

Rather than send in a photo of dear Mr S.... ;-)

2009-08-29T15:52:00.008+01:00

They say that we all get our 5 minutes of fame at some point in our lives!

Well, mine came today when I was least expecting it!

Remember this ...

http://salssnippets.blogspot.com/2009/07/whole-two-paragraphs.html

I have a mention in September's Antiquexplorer!

I was asked to do a live quote about 'Vintage in the home'.

And so...rather than send in a photo of dear Mr Snippets, (LOL!),I decided to put on my thinking cap!

Here's the article...I hope you can click on each page and it will enlarge :

This was actually my live quote (but they did not use all of it):

' For me, 'Vintage' tells a story of the generations that have gone before me and I suppose that's why I love it so much! Be it a well used patchwork quilt, a carefully embroidered tray cloth and a pretty piece of chintzy fabric, to drape across a recycled and freshly painted clothes horse ; an old fruit box, a chimney pot ,a rickety wheelbarrow, all giving that special 'olde worlde' look to a corner of the garden ; vintage children's books, tin toys and teddy bears, placed in the spare bedroom, for the grandchildren to love when they come to stay ; a cracked but pretty piece of china or chipped enamel kitchenware, proudly displayed atop the dresser , 'Vintage' delights me and inspires me .

I also believe that 'Vintage' oozes 'quality', regardless of whether it is now shabby, worn or torn, because the fact is that it was made to last for years (and obviously has done so!), it was made not at the expense of form over function and it was made with great pride.

Of course, 'Vintage' is not only a history lesson but it is versatile enough to mix well with the more modern style and thus can produce results so very pleasing to the eye and,of course, so comfortable and relaxing to live with. 'Vintage Now', 'Shabby Chic' , 'Now and Then' , call it what you will , the two can live very nicely together, hand in hand, bringing out the best in each other.

Vintage is my journey into the past whilst decorating my home for the present ...and the future!
Long live Vintage!'

S.H.

That's made my day!

Thank you to Margaret for asking me!

It's amazing how many new friendships I've made through this blogging lark!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

;-)

Seen from a Devon window!

2009-08-28T12:40:00.004+01:00

You can't get much more beautiful than this collage,which arrived in my email 'in box', earlier!

Not content with being a successful writer, Margaret also has a way with a camera!

I think she should reproduce her collages in some way, maybe as cards or calendars.

What do you think?

It's amazing that these shots were all taken from her own house, throughout the year.

Devon delights!

2009-08-25T17:29:00.003+01:00

My good friend, Margaret Powling, has been at it again with her collages . I hope you like her new one. It shows the sights of Shaldon, South Devon.

Thanks Margaret!

;-)

Cricket at its best!

2009-08-23T18:21:00.005+01:00

Great cricket! Great excitement ! Great opponents!

GREAT WINNERS!

Proud to be English!

(Hope noone had a ticket for the 5th day!)

;-)

It must have been his charm and wit that did it !! ;-)

2009-08-19T14:41:00.008+01:00

This morning, my dear Mr Snippets went for a job interview!

And guess what? ;-)

He's just been told that he was the successful candidate!!

And that's not all...

Guess where it is ?

Totnes!

;-)

Whilst he was at the interview, I paced around the house for a bit and then decided to introduce myself to my craft room...I've neglected it just lately.

I had loads of scraps to use up so I made some pictures .

I mean he might want one for his office wall, eh? (not!)

Anyway...a huge 'Well Done' to my other half!

I will definitely be down to meet you for lunch, afternoon tea, etc etc...!

;-)

I thought of you...I bought you a picture!

2009-08-18T15:46:00.005+01:00

I had a lovely surprise last week!

My mum handed me this pic, (above) which she found in the local Oxfam bookshop.

Her words were, 'I thought of you when I saw this!'

(She knows how much I love steam trains AND, of course, the 1950s!)

Painted in 1951 by Brian Fawcett.

In turn, I thought of someone when I found this:

'Where shall we nest?' by Eileen Soper.

Dear Mr S loves the garden birds so I'm going to get it framed for him asap!

These popular classroom posters were produced by Macmillan in the 1940s, when Enid Blyton worked with Eileen Soper on a set of classroom nature readers.

I already have this one - 'Gloves for the party' - in our very 'Foxglovey' bathroom!

Meanwhile , if you want to browse these lovely nature posters, you can look here:

http://www.thechildrenspicturecompany.com/content/enid-blyton/page1/enid-blyton-1.html

My ambition in life is to...

2009-08-15T05:52:00.000+01:00

You're driving along a country road and, all of a sudden, on the side of the road, you spy a table.

On the table will be flowers...or vegetables...or fruit ...or eggs.... etc. (Not forgetting an honesty box!)

You squeal with delight!

Well I always do!! ;-)

Last Sunday, when we went to RHS Rosemoor, there was the said table on the roadside, full of lovely flowers etc... but on our return, later in the day, the table and the country goodies had all gone. I should've struck whilst the iron was hot. I could've kicked myself.

***

Today, as we drove through our village, I noticed ...yes, you've guessed ...a table of beautiful flowers! But I had to wait until our return journey, by which time there were only two bunches left so I grabbed the Dahlias.

50P A BUNCH! Blimmin' gorgeous they are too.

***

I know that dear Mr S is somewhat amused at my antics at the best of times... and when I occasionally mention this ambition of mine, you should see his face...

You see, it is my dream to have such a table!

My problem is that I don't live by a road, although there is a right of way alongside our property, it's not that busy.

I did try it once, last year...noone bought a thing... and the other people in my house laughed at me!! ;-(

But I'm determined to have such a table, one day!

Until then, I will just have to be content with being a customer!

I hope you like today's header, provided again by my friend Margaret! Lovely 'n cheery eh?!

And the purple pink flowers were a gift from another friend, Jane.

Have a grand weekend...and keep a look out for those country tables!

;-)

All things 'lush' at Connybear Farm!

2009-08-13T13:09:00.010+01:00

I hope that my 'newly opened cafe' appeals to you!

LOL ;-)

I just love today's header pic...a big thanks again, to my friend Margaret.

Anyway, if that does not whet your appetite, then here's something else which might, if you are holidaying in South Devon!

A couple of days ago I received a text message...

'Sal, you just have to visit this lush place.'

'It's called Connybear Farm and it's on the back road, between Newton and Torquay.'

Anyone local knows that this is the road to take, if you don't want to be stuck in a very long traffic queue to Torquay, especially during the summer season.

So off I went this morning, with my mum, not knowing quite what to expect.

Well...it wasn't a disappointment!

It was fab..lots of vintage bits mixed with new...

Work in progress too!

A fab allotment!

And what every gal needs when she goes out for the morning...

A place to sit and natter!

With views over a wonderful county.

And take a guess at which blogger I bumped into as I arrived!

I had to check to make sure that she had not got her camera!

And yes, it was a lush morning!

;-)

Riots of colour ;-)

2009-08-12T11:46:00.013+01:00

Last night, a friend sent me a few lovely photo collages.

She has no blog and so she kindly said that I could put them on my header.

I'll put on one a day, today's header theme being, 'All things yellow'.

Meanwhile...

I certainly returned home yesterday with a 'riot of colour', as, along with the sunflowers, I found this rather gorgeous cotton yarn in The Wool Gallery.

And that's not all!

The last time I was in there, I noticed these lovely, bright buttons.

I'd used some on my crocheted cushion cover and they finished the job off just beautifully...

or as we say here in Devon, 'Proper job !' ;-)

And right now I'm in between lessons ... so this is what's going to occur...

a nice cup of tea and some fab reading!

Newton Abbot on a Tuesday morning.

2009-08-11T14:54:00.002+01:00

Summer comes to downtown N.A!

This is my nearest town .

T'is Farmers' Market day.

You can guess what came home with me...

Sometimes... it's not a bad life eh?

;-)

Just a few snaps of my garden ( I wish! )

2009-08-09T19:52:00.010+01:00

When we visited RHS Rosemoor, in the Springtime, it was simply so beautiful .

We promised ourselves another visit in the summer but we were just waiting for the right day, weatherwise!

That day was today !

We took my mum and dad along with us, to enjoy the beauty and splendour.

A completely different kind of beauty greeted us this time ; a very colourful, vivid beauty.

Everything was now very much alive and kicking, whereas previously it was only just yawning and waking up.

My photos are a 'snippet' of what was on offer and they truly do not give this beautiful place the justice it deserves.

It was stunningly beautiful.

Whichever way we turned, there was something stunning at which to say, 'Wow' !

And there are so many places where you can rest and watch the world go by.

RHS Rosemoor is a fabulous place.
Do visit if you are in the area.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/gardens/rosemoor/index.asp

I really do think that an autumn visit should be pencilled into my diary, don't you?

;-)

From Devon, with love ;-)

2009-08-07T14:58:00.009+01:00

It's always lovely to pay a visit to Widecombe in the Moor!

This was our stopping point this morning, a morning when a stranger came to visit us...

the sun!

How fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful area.

And all that, after we'd been to Ashburton!

We weren't the only visitors in Sarah's Lavender box today...

Teddy and Nelly!

Aren't they gorgeous!

They are for real! ( Just in case you are wondering whether Sarah is offering a new line of handmade toys!!)

Over the road to see Ros, in The Snug, was next on the agenda...where I am sorry to say that cupboard love got the better of me!

And I've been faffing around ever since!

I made a few needles cases yesterday,with some left over scraps and a pile of freebie fabric pieces, which I 'acquired' last week!

Finally, pulled out of the hat earlier, the winner of my giveaway...is..

http://kcscourt.blogspot.com/

Thanks to everyone for joining in. I really loved reading all of your comments.

Thats it!

Have a fab weekend!

Sal ;-)

Days to remember !

2009-08-06T07:07:00.005+01:00

'Secret Memories'

***

This is the work of artist Sheree Valentine Daines.

I discovered her work some time ago but as I was browsing in a lovely little shop in St Marychurch, last week, I was reminded of it .

I was looking through the greetings cards...and lo and behold there they were...her designs.

'Special Occasion'

'Serenity'

'Royal Ascot'

'Les Secrets'

'Carefree Times'

'Cafe de Paris'

'Lazy Days'

Here's the website:

http://www.sherreevalentinedaines.com/index.php

If you have the time to spare, to browse her art work, then put your sound up too!

You'll get some fabulous music on the home/introduction page; music which really brings out the atmosphere of this artist's pictures.

In fact pour yourself a drink, get comfortable , relax and enjoy this lovely art.

My header picture was also painted by Sheree Valentine Daines and I chose it for obvious reasons!

It's entitled 'Hit For Six'.

Thus, I leave you with just one word:

HOWZAT!

;-)

Cushions, obsessions and thighs!! ;-)

2009-08-04T12:14:00.013+01:00

It's another glorious, baking hot, sunny, summer's day, here in South Devon and I am just about to select my vintage deckchair, put on my teeny weeny bikini and go out into the suntrap of a garden, in order to tan some more!

(Ha ha.. if you believe that then...!)

It's been pouring with rain all morning, not to mention most of the month.

I do feel so sorry for the holidaymakers who save all year for their fortnight in , say, Dawlish and all they get is this weather!

***

Meanwhile, I've been sitting , putting the finishing touches to my crochet cushion cover and as I was doing so (and after I'd thought about those soggy holiday makers!) I thought ...

cushions!

I love cushions as much as I love hand made bags!

Do you have a favourite cushion?

My next one is going to be in reds and pinks with a touch of blue... maybe.

***

Finally, thank you to Pomona http://littlecottagecomforts.blogspot.com/

for this, which just arrived... I'm glad I cheered up someone...

and this definitely cheered me up.

It seems that I have to say my 5 current obsessions!

That's not easy as I have so many!

Here goes:

1. 1940s/1950s Vintage (fabric, rugs, you name it!)

2. Amanda's stall and Lesley's 'This 'n That shop ... at... Totnes!

3. Getting back to York as soon as I can!

4. Persephone books (which are adorable!)

5. Alan Shearer's thighs (it's perfectly ok as dear Mr S knows about this, as do the whole family... it's a long term 'thing' and I'm seeking advice about it ! LOL!)

***

And now for my list of 5 blogs where I need to pass this delightful award:

http://landcuckoo.blogspot.com/ Sarah

http://kirstyscottageindustries.blogspot.com/ Kirsty

http://ournewlifeinthecountry.blogspot.com/ Sue

http://abuncandance.blogspot.com/ Denise

http://joshyandbelle.blogspot.com/ Felicity

***

And don't forget that you still have time to enter my yesterday's giveaway !

I'll announce a winner on Friday.

Have fun!

;-)