the letter writers.

there is no touch more personal, more human, than a hand written letter.

i adore cards, notes, swing tags on clothing, place names at tables, messages on blackboards. 

anything hand written.

so much soul goes in.  

just lovely.

i was lucky enough to receive a parcel in the post yesterday.

from my friend mel.  (you can read about her here).

when i opened the express post package, there was the most amazing scent of rosewater and geranium.

an amazing smell.

and a gorgeous hand written note.

etched with ink drawn roses.

with it's crinkled, worn edges,. and gorgeous scent, it is honestly the most perfect piece of paper i have ever owned!  

on the other side was a whimsical note.

(hope you don't mind me sharing, mel!)

'a friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand.

is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to most that inhabit the mountain,.....'

bless.

i am now wondering how i can work the etching into my blogger header.  or make a swing tag business card.  or even a whimsical tattoo.

thank you mel!

make someone's day.  send a letter.

jane xx

no dummy

i am on the hunt for a vintage dressmakers dummy.

i have a bunch of beads, necklaces, brooches etc that need a home, and i think a glorious, tatty dressmakers dummy in the corner of the bathroom could do the trick.

something like this...

gorgeous, eh?
so, by total coincidence, i was browsing over at the glorious shabby vintage junk blog, and they have one up to giveaway!  

yippee!

how gorgeous is it?!

consider me in the draw!  fingers crossed.

jane xx

smile for the camera.

i was thinking that it was about time i hung some photos around the house.

i have lots of shabby oil paintings.  some vintage maps.  twigs.  clipboards.

but no photos of the kids.

oops.

anyway.  i am not really a fan of the typical 'photo wall'.  looks too contrived for me.

but then, i am also not a fan of the traditional family photograph.

so, my thought was to mix it up a little.

pair back a gorgeous photo of a bubba with a still life.  some fruit.  a leaf.  an etching in a frame. **something** to take the 'family idol' look away from the wall.

maybe something like this?

gosh, i love this image.  relaxed, country kitchen.  (look at the amazing cupboards!  and the 'ice box'?  swoon..)  pops of intense colour.  nothing uniformed about the photo wall.  all a little ramshackle, yet perfectly balanced.

lovely.

how do you 'display' your photographs?

jane xx