We recently got back from a family holiday in Tathra on the NSW South Coast (another reason things have been a little quiet around here!). We had a brilliant time and after the first couple of cloudy days the weather picked up and it got quite warm! Eloise quickly immersed herself into the beach atmosphere making sandcastles every day, chasing seagulls and paddling in the ocean (read/see more about her adventures here). It’s such a beautiful part of the country. Lush green hills, amazing beaches, National Parks and bushwalks and lots of cheese tasting!!! I love it at this time of year, not too cold, not too hot and lovely and quiet!

One afternoon Rohan and I went exploring a tiny portion of the Mimosa Rocks National Park. I took the photos above near Bithray Inlet (below). They had the most amazing patterns and textures.

Unearthed last week a small collection of mostly haberdashery! An old wooden shadow box, vintage piggy bank, half a dozen old spools of coloured ric-rac, a couple of metres of sturdy pink polka dot fabric, button sample cards, old fancy dress ‘Bear’ paper pattern by Weigel’s and a hand glazed cup (signed ‘Pam’ underneath!)

I think the shadow box was intended for displaying thimbles (it is not a printers tray although it looks similar to one in the photo). I’m going to paint it up and create a collage in it. It’s quite small 5 x 6 2.5cm boxes. So a nice size for a project and not that old, so I don’t feel I am ‘destroying’ anything valuable.

I love the vintage piggy bank. It reminds me of a bigger one my Mum has saved from her childhood. This one is tiny, about the size of a tennis ball. It’s made even more special by ‘Katoomba’ written on it’s top! Having grown up in the Blue Mountains I have found myself collecting vintage tourism memorabillia of the area by default. So…cute piggy AND nostalgic piece!

But wait…I am not done yet….look look look!!!

More vintage trim!!! I trekked back to my local antique store where I originally found this vintage trim and they had more!!! LOTS more!! 20 old sales sample cards from W Schuller & Sohn. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I found 8 old sales sample button cards. 195 individual button designs in total, by Goko Trading Company (Osaka, Japan)

Hello there! Happy Spring! I have let things slip here much to my distress. I’ve been working like a crazy person, suffering one toddler bug after another and just generally struggling to keep on top of everything. But here I am, back where I belong!

This month I have taken on the $99 Thrift Challenge being run by Apron Thrift Girl. I must say it’s already day 6 and although I have bought a few bits and bobs I haven’t really struck gold yet. I hope to have better luck as the month wears on so stay tuned. Any excuse to do a bit of second hand shopping!

I did find this photo in one of my favourite haunts on Monday. I was on my way home from a handover meeting after pulling an all-nighter and I felt like I deserved a little reward (I am way too old to be working through the night anymore! Erghh!). Flipping through boxes of old postcards and photos this image just stood out amongst the awkward poses and stiff expressions. It’s so candid and natural. Quite an unusual composition for it’s time. Unfortunately it’s unmarked. I wonder if someone clever could date it by the style of sewing machine? I am not sure what that thing is in the foreground on the right. Any guesses?

It was lovely to come back from holidays last month and find so many lovely postcards waiting in my mailbox. They were all so different. Lots of inspiration and varied techniques! Click to view: nikki-shell {postcard:blog}, pyglet whispers {postcard:blog}, Tiny Happy {postcard:blog}, Natasha Fialkov {postcard:blog}, MissyMuh {postcard:blog}, Applehead {postcard:blog}, Tiff Fendick {postcard}, Phantomcrimes {postcard:blog}, Maggie Grace Creates {postcard:blog}, Annette Sheaffer {postcard}, Natalie Willis {postcard}. You can also see more —->here

Featured Gem 8
Real Photo Postcard

‘Joyce as a Fairy’

Date: Unspecified
People: Joyce
Studio: Broothorn Studio, Melbourne (active in Australia 1900s –1940s)
Postcard Back: “Joyce as a Fairy, at Mrs Fred Fairbairn’s Ball”