VINTAGE and a GIVE AWAY!!

 While I was in Whitstable recently I came across a Vintage 
 Sale.  I love vintage so you can imagine my excitement!  There
 was bundles of lace, buttons galore, fabrics, and some beautiful
 handmade bags in vintage style.  And what made the visit even
 more special was that my husband came across something
 very exciting, and realised that I would love it.



                       Can you guess what it is??

The woman suggested it could be used as a door stop, book end, or ornament.



She obviously didn't know that I would want the machine for what it was actually designed for...

which is this:

My husband doesn't really understand my passion for all things creative - but perhaps I got that wrong!  At least in this instance he got it completely right and the machine even came with the original label attached.

I have a box of materials already to make haberdashery cards and mini albums so this embossed stamp will be just perfect.

Then I got to thinking.........      
I wonder if others would like to share my lucky find? 
If I made some tags or labels, is this the sort of thing crafters might like to use in their designs? 

So... can I be cheeky and ask you to complete this short poll for me please!?  It will only take a few seconds.  And as a thank you I'd like to offer 2 sets of these tags, and I'll also throw in a something extra as a surprise.

So that I can identify you just leave a comment after you have completed the poll and I will pick 2 names from random on 20th May.  This is my first give-away so I am quite excited.  My first poll too, so make this extra excited! 

I do hope you will take part as I'd love to hear your thoughts, whether you sew, scrapbook, journal, or create in other ways . And perhaps you have other ideas how these stamps can be used... please share !!




I have included this post in What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. If you want to find out what other people are creating visit Julie's site here.  It's great to see other people's work space and mess organisation, it makes me feel so normal!

Surprise and surprise again !!

If you read my last post you may recall that I had an unexpected surprise.

I was in Devon for my birthday this year so I knew family celebrations would be to follow. Imagine my excitement and joy when the door bell rang and this is what I saw:

 
And I LOVED the handmade card my daughter gave me.  She had knitted this beautiful bluebell and I confess it bought a tear to my eye! 
 

After opening my present (a much wanted hedgehog house) we set off in two cars. I knew I was going away as I'd been asked to arrange time off work, but I did not know my whole family were coming too!  Yay!!

On the way we stopped at a service station.  What great timing.... and totally unplanned.   We were just in time to see Kate Middleton drive to Westminster Abbey and the start of the Royal Wedding.  There was a wonderful apmosphere with a crowd round the TV, and my grand daughters were dressed for the occasion in red, white and blue.

We lingered for a while, then on again until we finally reached 'Hideaway' a holiday home where we would spend the next three days.  The location and house was perfect!  There was a sea view, and a pub across the road where we had a wonderful meal.  The sun shone, and over the next couple of days we relaxed, walked along the beach and explored Whitstable.

          Summer liked the looked of my strawberry in champage so I made her a non-alcoholic version.

I had set up my recorder at home as I did not want to miss the Royal Wedding.  If I had been home I would have done something special to mark the occasion.  But as it was we saw people celebrating on the beach, in their gardens, and at a street party.  And we had our own special celebration with birthday cake, candles, sunshine, and champagne.

And did I have a good time?  You bet I did!!

I learned that my son had booked 'Hideaway' after hours and hours of trawling the internet and much nail biting. It seemed all suitable holiday lets were booked but he found a real gem!  And my weekend was extra special having my family all there.

One last thing, I found a wonderful craft shop where I bought lots of new stamps and.... came across a Vintage Sale.  That's two last things actually, but double the excitement especially as the sale had some wonderful stalls and photo opportunities!  And what's more, my lovely husband found something very special for me which I could not resist.  But you'll have to wait until next time to find out what it is!

I have been blog visiting and seen some other lovely Royal Wedding celebrations.  I hope you are continuing to enjoy this wonderful weather, I hear it is here to last for a bit longer, so yippee and yippee again I say!!