Flutterby Patch

A busy old week

Well folks, it's been a busy old week with one thing and another. Just doing this and that and not really achieving anything in particular.

Sunday was a frustrating knitting day. I seemed to spend more time pulling back than actually knitting.

Monday I braved torrential rain and went shopping

Tuesday turned cold and before going to bed I filled my trusty hot-water bottle.

Wednesday I received the wonderful news that my oldest school friend had become a grandma for the first time. 

Thursday night was cold again and this time I filled the trusty bottle and put an extra blanket on the bed....very snug!

Friday was a 'shopping for the weekend' day and as usual hubby and I got seriously frustrated by the huge number of pedestrians who step off in front of the car and wander aimlessly across the road. 

Saturday. Out with the camera and take a few pics for the blog.

In case you hadn't guessed I'm a bit of a Mabel Lucie Attwell fan. Her innocent world of chubby children and fairies is one that has always appealed to me!

A very lucky fairy band
Got a lift to fairyland

If I had a fairy
How jolly it would be.
I'd bathe him in a tea cup
And take him walks with me.

I don't have many Lucie Attwell books but love my 1944 annual and there are 51 more to collect!

Before I go I must thank Julie at Yummy Miniature Foods who kindly gave me an award. Do call in and look at the tiny doll sized morsels this talented lady makes, they are amazing. It is something I have always wanted to do so I'm very envious of her skills.

Until next time,

Eli

Buried treasure

Have you ever dug up anything old and interesting in your garden? Wouldn't it be wonderful to live on the site of a medieval village or a Roman fort, a place where hundreds of people have spent their lives and discarded everyday items. What fun it would be unearthing objects from the past.

Unfortunately our garden is not on a site of historic interest but a few years ago a new water main was laid under our road and as the deep trench was being dug a variety of interesting objects came to the surface. There were a number of ink bottles and here are a few of the undamaged ones that I found.

And there were numerous aqua glass bottles. Don't you just love that colour?

I was cautious when picking up these medicine bottles for fear they might still contain something toxic. Embossed in large letters on the blue bottle are the instructions 'NOT TO BE TAKEN' (I hope no one did!)

Broken china lay everywhere and I gathered the blue and white shards with plans to make a mosaic one day. I'm still planning and adding to the stash whenever I break a plate!

Throughout Britain people keep a watchful eye open for 'buried treasure' but unfortunately broken clay pipes are often all that is found. Most men smoked them in days gone by and when they broke they were instantly thrown away. The one pictured above is a typical 'find'.

And here is the kind of treasure I'd love to discover. They are early British silver coins dating back to around 1250 and I bought them a few years ago from an auction sale. They'd been found by someone using a metal detector and are not particularly valuable but to me they are priceless. I love the idea that these tiny silver discs were being exchanged for goods and services over 700 years ago. Were they lost by their owner or maybe hidden from robbers and forgotten. They must have a few interesting stories they could tell!

I suppose I should just keep digging and one day I might discover some real treasure!

Until next time,
Eli

Flower language

I've had this sweet little book for several years. It was compiled in Victorian times for the many people who regularly gave each other flowers. Each flower had a special meaning and this book lists each one in alphabetical order. In those days it was considered very important to give the flowers that conveyed just the right sentiment and so a copy of 'The Language of Flowers' was to be found in many households.

These little blue forget-me-nots represent 'true love' and also 'do not forget me'. It was a very popular little bloom to give at times of parting. 

By the end of the Victorian era greetings cards were widely available and depicted many popular flowers. I have a small collection of Victorian and Edwardian greetings cards in an old scrap book so I'd like to share some with you.

The Victorians loved pansies and the meaning associated with them was 'thoughts' which was the perfect sentiment for numerous occasions.

An idyllic little scene like this one, framed by pansies, could be found on many cards

 Violets were loved also, particularly the scented variety.

Here is a little card depicting violets which represented 'faithfulness'

I don't have a card illustrating blue periwinkles ('early friendship') but have several with ivy designs.

Ivy was popular for wedding cards as it was associated with 'fidelity'.

Apple blossom represented 'preference'

I'm not sure if this is apple or almond blossom but I wanted to show you the card as its one of the prettiest in the collection. It's so delicate and I love the way it opens.

A great many Victorian and Edwardian cards depicted blue birds. I wonder why? The image makes me think of the sentimental wartime song 'There'll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover' and so I guess blue birds represent love and freedom. Does anyone have any other ideas?

'The Language of the Flowers' has been reprinted in hundreds of formats over the years. I have an illustrated version by Kate Greenaway which I'm very fond of (see above).
 
Pretty cards like the ones I've shown you are no longer widely available but happily many clever and creative people are producing wonderful greetings cards for us to buy for our friends and family. My blogging chum Maggie at Sweet Scarlett is producing the most gorgeous little 'Lucky Penny Books' to carry sentiments and good wishes for special occasions. They are absolutely gorgeous and available in her Etsy shop so do take a look.

Until next time
Eli