All sorts, with much rambling on my part

This is an 'all sorts' post, you know, a post full of bits and pieces - which was a bit like our bank holiday weekend, some good, some bad. Let's get the bad bit over with first...I'm seriously have 'sewer's block' if there could be such a thing!  I'm feeling a touch overwhelmed by life and can't seem to get myself motivated to either; stick at something I've started making or, more importantly, start something new.  It doesn't help that I can never find a space at the dining room table as there always seems to be someone there before me. Household chores are mounting, the children have exams looming and everywhere I look there seems to be piles of stuff.  Stuff, stuff and more stuff. Actually it's more like stuff and dirt and laundry. My car booting didn't result in much too..I'm sure you get the picture. The weather didn't help as most of the weekend was grey. Warmish but grey. Warmish enough to have our first cup of tea at our outside table. Have you noticed my teapot? That was a gift from my father and my husband. I found it in Ludlow and yearned for it but it was too expensive for me to justify buying it even though it goes with my rose tiered cake stands; but it's gorgeous pink rosiness kept creeping into my mind and the family got fed up with me standing in Zani Lady (my favourite Ludlow shop) looking at it..so those 2 wonderful men bought it for me and, which is even more hilarious, agreed to have their photo taken holding it for the blog! The photo looks totally ridiculous with one holding the spout and the other the handle..so it remains 'unposted'. Do I hear a phew?!

Next, I found this box on Amanda's stall in Totnes on Friday.

It is made from vintage cards which have had holes punched into them and then been crocheted together. I love it but prefer some of the pictures on the inside so am considering unpicking it and re-making it with the nicer pictures on the outside. Does anyone know if these type of boxes had a name and does anyone have any ideas how to do the crochet bit?  I'm a bit scared to unpick it but it does bother me that you can't see the best pictures; my favourite is the small side picture of the anemones and yellow rose sprig. Anyway, I'll be interested in your opinion.

And lastly,

I've been meaning to show you my new bedside lamp. I originally bought it last summer in Zani Lady for the girls' room. It needed rewiring and it's taken me all this time to do it. What I love about this lamp is that it is a product of other people's kindness. Firstly, the lady in Zani Lady. Before I bought it I was dithering about whether it could be rewired so she let me take it out of the shop, (without paying,no less) to get an opinion from the electrician up the road. She didn't know me and I thought that was very trusting of her, even though I left her one of my children!  Secondly, when I decided recently that I could wait no longer and I must have it fixed; I was told that there would be a 14 day wait.  A fellow customer overheard and being an electrician, did the necessary rewiring then and there, in the shop - and charged me nothing! And finally, after making a total hash of trying to stick the beaded trim on the shade with double-sided sticky tape - sweet Lisa spent a good 45 minutes during our crochet afternoon sticking it on properly! So, every time I look at it I'm reminded of the kindness of strangers and the very considerable talent and patience of my dear friend..

..and that, my friends is the end of my ramblings...and this was only going to be a short post..!!

Comments

[thevintagemagpie]

Gorgeous finds as always Jane. I love the box you found on Amanda's stall...oh how I long for Totnes on a Friday.. I haven't been in weeks and its total torture! I can't advise on the crochet though.. but I agree the inside cards look prettier, so you must do it! And the teapot is scrumptious.. I have a teacup and saucer the same. I'm not a gold person, but I love the gold on this pattern.

[Rosie G]

Lovely box, looks like its just 4 trebles in each hole, so it shouldn't be hard to put it back together again. Great lamp too!
Rosie

[Marisa]

Hi Jane, your box reminds me of the one my sister had and still has that my aunt made when she was a girl and in hospital for a long time, boy it does bring back memories i can still see it on the dressing table when we were kids. Am trying to get my sister in New Zealand to look at your blog she would love all your bits and bobs. Whenever i go back home i stay with her first in Wellington, her home like yours in a treasure trove, i rememeber bringing my son in for the first time he was 16 and his face was a picture. So Petula if you are reading Janes site Hi and i love you, and just to let you know you will never leave this site, there is so much happening and full of inspiration, Jane you do make my day. Enjoy the sun it will be here to Christmas Eve and then snow like mad (well in Wexford its the sunny south east we never seem to get snow)!!!

[Sarah]

ThimbleAnna makes postcards with that crocheted edging. I am sure she could help you sort out how to get that box back together if need be.

You can find her here:
http://thimbleanna.com/

[Leisa]

Hi Jane, Just love the teapot and your picture of outside - what a great idea for the old sieves - now I know what to do with mine!! I just love the old boxes and have some in my sewing room. I wouldn't be able to bring myself to pull them apart - I think the faded thread just makes it perfect. My Grandma used to have a shopping basket made in the same method but using calendar pictures!! I used to think it was hideous!!! I hope you get on top of your domestic chores soon and get back to your creativity. Absolute enjoyment as always!

[Binny]

Hi dear Jane!
I LOVE all your bits and pieces. Your little clock is gorgeous too. Would love to see the photo of your husband and your Dad with the teapot please!
(Hi Marisa! How are you? I've been a little worried about you as you haven't been on here for a while. I nearly phoned you last weekend. I'll send you an e-mail).
Take care,

[nicole]

Hi Jane-am I crazy to even suggest attempting to turn it inside out? I have no idea how stiff it is. Otherwise, I agree with the above post, four trebles in each hole. I make kids socks the same way, finishing each with a button, so that there is an anklet of buttons around the top of the sock. But, if you undid it, and were left with already punched holes, you could do something awesome with some ribbon, or wire, or decorative yarn. Do it! As for getting sewing...start something new that excites you to no end. something that will keep you awake at night, something that calls your name. Because of YOU and THIS BLOG, I bought some very unlike me, but totally like you fabric to make pajama pants. Very Cath K. Lots of creamy cabbage roses. I'm going to make a pillow case to match. Hubby might get one if he behaves! He's man enough to sleep on pink!
peace-Nicole

[Jennifer]

I always enjoy your beautiful pictures... even if I don't get to comment each time.

You have inspired me to have an outdoor tea, myself, with the girls, on the porch. That looks so tempting!

I know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed - where to begin? Forget it, I'll just go read some blogs. :)

[Thimbleanna]

OhMyGosh! That little box is just adorable -- and so YOU! I read through your other comments (thanks to Sarah for the mention) -- I'm not sure what a treble is in the UK, but here, I think of a treble as a triple crochet. It looks to me like there are two single crochets in each hole on the main part of the box and three single crochets in each hole on the lid, maybe? If you were really lucky, when you start to unravel it, you could maybe just undo the joining row, and leave the row that goes into each of the holes in tact -- then just flip the pieces and join them -- that is, if you could match the thread that they use. Can you tell how the pieces were joined? It almost looks as if they were sewn together, rather than crocheted together. And what is the box made out of? It looks a little heavier than the cards that I crochet.
If you go to my projects tab (http://thimbleanna.com/blog/projects.html)
near the end of the pictures, you'll see pictures of a valentine card and an easter banner. If you click on them, I have instructions on how to make them. Your box looks as if they've simply used multiple single crochets in each hole -- a bit different from mine, but the technique is the same.
Thanks so much for sharing -- the mind boggles with possibilities for making crocheted boxes!

[Stasia]

Jane, what a sweet story about the kindness of strangers. You are TOO FUNNY about taking the lamp away and leaving the child! ;)

Sending you hugs and good energy for creative inspiration and time on your own... am going through the same kind of a "blah" period in my own crafting. Must be the weather!

Thanks for your wonderful blog - I enjoy it very much.

[Sweet Mary]

Hi Jane - its Keriann from NZ - I sent you one of my lavender hearts last Christmas - love reading your blog and keeping up with your "bits and bobs". Have my own blog now which I can tell you was a big learning curve for me - have a look if you have time.

[Sweet Mary]

Sorry - forgot to put on my link. Told you it was a learning curve!

[whisty@btinternet.com]

You make me laugh - do you know how many of us read your blog because you are so inspiring! The bits of your house that you show are lovely. All the blogs you read are lovely too. There is something about blogging that we share our feelings but tend not to post photos of our dirty laundry mountain, unfinished jobs, scratched paintwork etc. I think you should suggest an idea on your blog of an amnesty day - we should all post a picture of a pile of work, a room that needs sorting out etc - reality. Then when we have finished the job - may be next week, in one month, one year we publish the before and after picture! At least people read your blog - I blog as a diary for me and my children - only my friends read my blog - billy no mates! As shown by your light story there is something a little magic about you that rubs off on other people that brings out the best in them. I bet the person who rewired your lamp felt good all day. By the way the dirty laundry mountain grows because you have been out and about. If we miss just one load going on then it backs up - yuk. I might post a picture of my laundry pile just to inspire you!

[Emma]

Jane, what a lovely teapot. I love seeing all your finds. I am going up to Ludlow at the weekend - camping!! So let's hope the weather holds for us. Is there any where else in Ludlow you recommend going to apart from Zani Lady?

[Daisy Steiner]

Wow, lovely finds.

I hope you get over your sewers block soon.

[maria]

Hi Jane,your box is alot like my card holder that my mum made when she was recovering in hospital in 1952,it has lovely old cards on it and the crotchering is the same.I really treasure it couse it was made by my mum so long ago. MARIA.

[Joanne]

Jane,
Once again you have a beautiful post full of prettiness & loveliness, full of honesty and vulnerability, full of gratitude and graciousness.
That's what I love about you~so real!
Thank you for sharing!
I love your tea pot and your new lamp....beautiful!
Joanne

[Amy Wagner]

Jnae,
I love the story about the tea pot and the lamp too. They both look great!!
I have fun visiting your blog each and every time.

...sure you won't reconsider posting the photo of the guys holding the tea pot?? :)
Amy

[Amy Wagner]

OOOPS!!
That's what I get for not proof reading. Of course I know how to properly spell your name, Jane!!
Amy

[Kathy]

DITTO

[Kathy]

OOOPS! The "ditto" was for Joanne's comment. (a couple of others got in there before I did). Anyway, I could not have said it better myself.
Kathy

[Crafty Mama Traci]

What a perfectly feminine end table! To me, your table is a landing pad for sweet dreams ;) Love your blog.

[fitty]

Jane, I was browsing tru eBay and I saw this teapot and it reminds me of you. check it out.. who know you might interested to get this tea pot so that you could have a pair.. http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-VINTAGE-SO-CHIC-PINK-ROSE-SPRAY-ARTHUR-WOOD-TEAPOT_W0QQitemZ190221420591QQihZ009QQcategoryZ73506QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Helen]

Hello Jane...
Nice to "meet" you - I love reading about your travels... I know Leominster and Ludlow very well - I live about 25 mins from Leominster (aren't I lucky?)
On the subject of the pretty box you found, I was just looking at a new (to me) blog:
http://bloesem.blogs.com/bloesem/2008/05/the-weekly-gall.html
and saw a box very similar indeed to your find... made by Veerle Foulon from Belgium.

Thanks for sharing... I love stopping by...
Cheers
Helen

[Jeanette]

Greetings from Australia. I love looking at your blog. I collect those little boxes made of old cards/wrapping paper with a perspex covering. I believe they were used to store ladies handkerchiefs but I don't know if they have a proper name.