Tuesday, October 23, 2007

The Siren of the flea-market



When I was a child my parents were collecting antiques. I guess it was the first nostalgia wave in the early seventies. Oh my, how I hated these antique shows! But sometimes I saw something that would really catch me, like those antique china dolls. I tried to persuade my mother to buy some, but she preferred some antiques one could really use like a clock or some candle holders.

When I was about 12 I caught the bug as well. On Mondays after school I visited the flea-market, which was a part of the bigger regular daily market. And since then it has become a kind of addiction. I think I'm not the only one around here. Nowadays I go to flea-markets or fairs whenever I get the chance. Every Tuesday there is a flea-market in a nearby city.
Lastly it starts every monday night. I keep hearing that voice:' LiLi, LiLi M. do your hear me? There are bargains....Bargains come and get them...it has to be the Siren who calls me, just like she called all those shippers to the coast, she lures me to the market. Oooooh I cannot resist that voice. Oh that thrill of the hunt. So today I went again.



Though I couldn't resist the voice, I arrived way too late at the market (thanks to the dutch railway society). It was very cold, that's not good, but rain is a disaster. When it rains you'd better stay home as the dealers are staying home as well. So I have little treasures to show you. And I even cannot show them all, because I have bought a present as well. The little brown paper rings will be used for crafting tags. As I bought them the little box fell over and about 500 of the 1000 rings escaped, gone with the wind! (After I have paid for them of course!)


The cologne bottle (still full of fragrance) with box is part of a collection, you see (above). It's an adventure to discover new parts again and again.


Hoops and bar loops are also a small collection! You're not surprised I always can find something that I can use...are you?


Just what was missing in my studio; a clasp to hold some cards, that are waiting to be used in some projects. I have piles of them. I started to collect them when I first started collecting old stuff at the age of 12. But I have send some to nice people..of course...I like it when somebody gives a treasure from a by gone era to me too. By the way that lovely box on top of this blog report is a present from the lovely Mrs. H.

While I have little to show you this week, let's look at some of last weeks' bargains too;
Well I have to admit that sometimes I pretend not to hear that Siren's call. At those moments I'm dying without flowers and/ or some herbs, vegetables, candy you name it. Last week I just needed some hydrangeas, as my crown in the kitchen has turned pale after a year. In my hometown I couldn't get them anymore so I went to the market. Pfff went there for flowers this time, not for some second hand junk or anything, what a relief!


* Flowers bought at the market at a very good price, that's an advantage of the market too. Unlike in shops the dealers at the market give you a fair discount when you buy a lot of flowers!! And I needed a lot as the crown is big.


* before; pale crown


*and after; a fresh crown! I have made this crown on a straw model. I have used pins (yes the ones you use for sewing) to attach the flowers. I know that there are a kind of clamps especially made for this purpose. I can tell you even better; I do have those clamps, but where are they? All I could remember that I couldn't find those things last year and I was wondering how on earth did I make that crown at that time? When the crown came off I saw the pins, so I haven't searched for the clamps this year either. Pins are ok.

Ok. That was a little side path. I do that all the time in daily life as well.
And now for some other bargains:


*I bought this enamelware coffeepot, is it really a problem that this pot doesn't fit with my collection of white (as you can see this is a kind of creamy color) and blue enamelware? I don't think so!


And this is an awesome find. These are 800and something of pages with advertisements in a volume of a dutch magazine, Year 1918! I just love it! While the cover is missing I've paid an unbelievable low price. It's loaded an loaded with those funny images, I will show you more in the near future.

Whether it's working with the mac computer or anything else, I don't know, but somehow I just cannot upload pictures from other people to the right margin of my blog. I have tried for hours, loosing my good humour, mmm almost loosing my senses. Now I will place Beachy's picture in this post for the time being. I just want to tell you that I'm joining a craft challenge for the first time. It is hosted by Beachy (at http://beachyscapecodcupboard.blogspot.com) by the way, making a hidden url isn't possible with my navigation system (Safari) either. Results of the challenge will be published November 1st, but mine is already ready!! I'm so excited!



Have an inspiring day. Do listen to that Siren, it will give you so much pleasure!

Monday, October 22, 2007

And the winner is...



Today we are going to find out who the winner is of that awesome Cath Kidston book. I' ve made little papers with the 45 participants. 44 girls and one guy. A few of them haven't commented my blog here, but they used the picasa-forum (about 6) or gave comment in my personal mailbox (about 3). My roommate Eugene, who should be changing hats this moment, as he always does twice a year, has lent me his top hat before changing it with his summer Maurice Chevalier hat. Thanks for cooperation Eugene!


*Eugene with summer hat.


*Eugene's winter hat

Another roommate, Cecile, is insisting on being a member of the jury, so you all know it's going to be a fair drawing.
Now there could be the sound of drums, but I was planning to make it an illusionists' show, so were having Carl Orff (Carmina Burana) in the background. I don't think disappearing and appearing of that hat does show well in photo's, however ;-))




And now for the moment of truth the winner is: (you are listening to the choirs in the Carmina Burana right now):







Elizabeth ( Sweet roses and vintage chique)!! (http://sweetrosesandvintagechic.blogspot.com)
I don't know if anybody can read this! Just click on the image!

Ah she deserves it!! Congratulations Elizabeth!

Ok that's that. Tomorrow I will publish a post about flea-market finds. Thanks for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Blog action day; the environment

Do you see the light?




Hi all,

Today October 15th is blog action day. About 15.000 bloggers around the world will take part and are all publishing about the same subject today; the environment. I was planning to take part in the action too. Talking about saving energy and supplies...well now I am out of energy myself! I slept too short last night. So this will probably be a short post. For obvious reasons I will not explain the importance of this subject; perhaps other bloggers do. Let's just see what I still can do today to save our environment and perhaps there is something that you can do too.

1. Plastic Bags

From now on I will keep two plastic bags (neatly folded) in my bag, so I don't need to take anymore plastic and paper bags from the shop into this house. I wasn't buying those plastic bags in the supermarket anymore already, but from now on I will refuse those bags in shops like shoe shops, where they never ask if you want to have a bag, you just get one. I will only accept a new plastic bag if it's a very very nice one. Then I will save that bag the rest of my life...do you know I still have lovely plastic bags from Mac & Maggie's, my favourite fashion shop in the early 80-ties? My husband gets one plastic bag (also neatly folded) in his coat. He doesn't know yet that he is subject of my very good plans.

* Looking for one of these nice Mac & Maggie bags from the 80ties, I found out that I even saved some ugly Mac& Maggie bags from that era too!!



2. Don't computer all day

I will not keep the computer in sleeping position all day (and peeking every 10 minutes). I will do lots of craftwork while I don't computer that much anymore. Let's warn the children as well. Just use that off-button!

3. Save energy by using the right lightbulbs

*Do they exist? Energy saving lightbulbs that really look like these?

I'm going to buy more of those long lasting and energy-saving light bulbs. Nowadays there are soft toned ones and these don't look as hideous anymore as before. And I am going to find out if there are these kind of bulbs that will fit in a chandelier AND fit with that chandelier considering looks. If I cannot find these I will write a letter to at least one long lasting light bulbmanufacturer to ask when we can expect those beautiful longlasting bulbs disguised as flames. That's a promise.

* 30-ties lamp with new softtoned energy-saving light bulb. We replaced 4 today

4. Recycling
*before
*after

I just love recycling. Making new out of old. I hate throwing away things. I guess I was a very poor girl in a former life. I love about everything and almost everything has some potential to me. I have to force myself to throw away used paper from packages. I always save every matchbox and every shoebox and to be frank every other box as well. I even want to save those nets from oranges, you can use them to wrap gifts. And of course we use things other people just throw away. I always use empty jars and empty bottles. I pick up things from the street as well. I've found a lovely table and I took it home by bike. It looks lovely in the garden. Picking up isn't fun only, it's free and it downsizes that enormous garbage mountain we are all contributing to.

*free table!

5. Let's save energy by lowering the temperature in our house

If we can ever find out where the manual of the central heating system is and b. how you can program our thermostat then we will try to program it minus 0.5 degree, so instead of 20 degrees Celsius we will program the thermostat at 19,5 degrees. Perhaps it will hardly be noticeable. It could save us all a lot of energy. I'll keep you informed about this one.

6. Vegetarian meals

I will try to eat at least one vegetarian meal a week. Did you know that a vegetarian meal will cost about 8 times less ground, energy and supplies than a portion of meat for one person? So a cow has to eat 8 times as much as you would, if you just could ate that grass, so to speak, but of course you can eat other vegetables. Did you know that if we were all vegetarians there wouldn't have to be a food problem in the third world? Mmmm something to think about....

7. Cars and groceries

A lot of people I know just use their cars for doing groceries at these cheap large stores at the end of the town. I guess it would be much cheaper and much more friendly to our environment if they all went more often to their little supermarket in their neighbourhood. Of course I'm talking now about the dutch situation in towns like my town and I am talking about people who don't work full time. When I quit working I still did my groceries once a week. But after a while I started visiting my small 'Spar' shop around the corner almost everyday. I just love it. Everybody knows you. The boss Simon is a person who will answer your questions, help you, order for you or explain to you why he hasn't got that large jar of peanutbutter anymore. He never pretends that he doesn't see you, nor will he answer your question with; "If it's not on the shelf, we don't have it anymore." Now one of the shopassistents is going to marry and she has hung her wedding announcement at the cashiers corner. I like that. Perhaps you can consider to visit your shop around the corner more often, they will appreciate your visit and every time you don't use your car, it helps because that time you will not warm up the earth more. It really isn't that more expensive...you should calculate what that drive to the cheap megastore really costs! And I as I shop more often I don't throw away as much AND I use a freezer and a fridge less than I was used to. All contributing to saving on energy.

*Do you still have those jars Simon? I need them in my little studio.

8. Cut down that paper hill...

I was talking about the garbage mountain already. Part of that is paper hill. I will try to register to as many email newsletters as possible and put a sticker on our postbox that I don't want to receive those paper bulletins anymore.

*Once a cardboard shoebox, now a memento box for baby J. who sent us almost the same birth announcement.

Well 8 is my lucky number...

I'm done, I'm going to sleep...

All bloggers unite, we can change the world!!! Let's make it a better place!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Girls on wheels...




Hello everybody out there!

Just want to say that I was thrilled to receive so many happy birthday-wishes, thanks! Of course everybody joins the give away. Comments given from October 8th until Sunday October 21st will take part in the drawing, which will be on Monday October 22nd. As I told you before you can win Cath Kidstons In print in dutch translation 'Dessins'.




























Why giving away such a beautiful book? Well, I have got 2! Bought one myself several months ago and received the other one as a reward from the dutch home decorating magazine Ariadne. They featured my Holland trolley about two months ago.

When I go to fleemarkets I always take my trolley with me. I know there are people who insist on never using such a cart with wheels, well if you want to go early to a flee market and really want to buy some bargains, you just need a cart like this. Period. Simple. But they are a bit granny-like and do not quite match with my self-image. So I had to revamp my trolley. I decided to go dutch,



using Delft tile fabric and lots of china 'wooden' shoes. When I was finished I was very happy with my LiLi-like cart. I'm not a very modest person, so I can say freely that this cart is in general quite a succes. People in the street, in the train or on a terrace are asking me about the cart; did you make this yourself, do you sell them etc.? Yes, I have told my husband that its a kind of 'babe'-magnet, even younger male persons inform about this trolley. So you don't need that little dog anymore to contact attractive persons of the opposite sex, mmmm I'm getting a little bit off topic now.

The other day I met S., who was interested in the trolley as well, perhaps I could customize a rollator for her Mother, who refused to use one. So on a Friday morning I visited S. and her mother Jenny. Well, Jenny was quite clear. Nope, she wouldn't use a rollator. Rollators are stupid. You can watch for yourself. Walking behind a rollator makes your bottom stick outside, your arms go too wide and even your face gets a widened look. Jenny demonstrated a woman behind a rollator to us. She convinced me immediately. Jenny definitely was a no-rollator person. But how to do your shopping the easy way? Jenny figured out for herself that a buggy (the one you could use to transport a toddler) was far more better than a rollator. The disadvantage of being told:'you've lost your baby, ma'am', didn't seem to hurt her very much. Nor nicknames that were given to her. I have to tell you that I like that attitude.
So we decided that I would make a bag to fit in the buggy and this is the result:



The burberry-look Jenny-cart.

And now for some details:



I have adjusted this flap filled with marbles to the bigger flap, so it will stay open or closed, just like you want it to be. The wind will not be able to blow the flap away. The 'have a good day' tag comes from an Arrow shirt, that once belonged to my husband. I like that, things that say have a good day to you. I hope Jenny does too.



On the flaps there are kiltpins with golden coins and pearls, just as lady-like as Jenny.



Of course you cannot warm your hands in your pockets while you are walking with the Jenny-o-bile. So a pair of matching gloves is included.



The Jenny-mobile has a secret compartment. Of course it's better not to put your wallet in this cart. But when you have to, use the secret compartment, which I will not reveil here. It's better to use the little purse that is peeking just behind the gloves, on the picture. You can put the little purse on your neck, put your valuables in there and put it under your coat/clothes.

This weekend is Jenny's 81st birthday and the Jenny-cart will be given to her by her daughter. It was fun to work on and I'm very curious what Jenny will think about it.
When we met Jenny and I had a click immediately. Is it because we are both Libra? Or did we met somewhere before?
Age is only a number, concerning to me. Being young isn't about looks, it's about state of mind.
Of course sometimes your body dictates you things you don't like, but which fit with your age. Like using something to lean on, when you go shopping. But in our minds we are young or old people, regardless of age. The dutch historian Annie Romein once said: there are old old cows and young old cows. (translation by me).
I guess I should end to say that Jenny is an old young cow, but off course I won't do that, it would be quite impolite!
No, I just say happy birthday Jenny and many happy returns! Hope you will enjoy your Jenny-cart.

Stay young everybody!


Monday, October 8, 2007

Welcome to my cyber space birthday party!!!




Hi all!


Today is my birthday and the very first time I will celebrate this in cyber space too. Worth a small party of its own! I especially welcome the Picasa-ladies at here; Hello to all Picasa-girls!
Ok. Whould you like to drink something? (alcoholic beverages only after showing your id) and a little pain d'amandes or something else to eat?



I am having such a great time!




For this occasion I have made a personalized banner! I was inspired by some crafty women on the internet. And when everything (cooking, cleaning etc) still had to be done, I was crafting and doing and being very relaxed.
I'm so happy with my banner; I'm going to make one for my daughter too. And both will be extended every birthday from now on. It should be possible that when I will be celebrating my 100th birthday our townhall will be decorated with my personal banner (about a mile long a that time).





The banner is very Lili's 2007 birthdayish; musicpaper, birds and the map of Paris, as my husbands gift to me is a little trip to Paris! I'm so looking forward to it!











There are some picasa-elements to the banner too; thanks Manuela for the Mary medaillons and thanks to Wietske I could use the beautiful pink vintage wallpaper! Thanks girls!

A very good thing about birthdays are presents:



I just love this kitchenrack, oooh it doesn't become more brocante than this, you know. Though my husband isn't sure this actually is a KITCHEN rack...



Yes, some people do collect those little bobbins of embroiderythreat. ooooh did you see that little pillow and the lace as well?
























Is there any one out there who has enough candle-holders?


Home decorating magazines should be sold by the dozen too. And who knew so well that my little studio was still underconstruction?



It feels a bit like showing of, but I cannot put one picture here and hold some other picture in my album, ok ok, I am a very spoiled girl, always have been!!



Look at this...isn't that a bit exaggerated?? Oh no not at all!!
My husband got me 46 red roses and 1 white, symbol for the year to come, symbol of love hapiness and health. (oooooh so sweet!!)


and more presents...



Oooh I simply love flowers... and everybody knows that!



Dutch treat

And now for the dutch treat. We in Holland have a custom; the one who's having a birthday (me) is going treat the guests (you) to a drink and/or a snack. Well that's hard here, and besides that we had some tea, coffee and pain d'amandes at the start of my post. So my treat here in cyberspace: every one who is responding to this topic and/or the ones coming up the next two weeks makes a chance to win Cath Kidston's book 'Design' in dutch. Even the shippingcosts are paid by me, as it is my birthday. I will draw a winner on monday october 22nd.
Not a dutch treat but actually a give-away!!!!! Don't miss this one! Hope to hear from you all!!