Mo has a giveaway, it's gorgeous!!

Summer is at it's close

The August winds are blowing, the leaves are beginning to fall, a little gold, a little brown. It's time to put away the picnic basket, but one last vignette with it before I do, Hope your Tuesday is going well..........

A new lamp

Thank goodness my camera is now fixed!  I have bought a new lamp and am just testing my camera on it.  Seems to be working fine,  thank goodness.  Thank you for your lovely comments about my Brother.

Have a wonderful week!

My Big Brother

Ana at A Petite Cottage wanted to know the story of my Brother.  Over forty years ago,  I discovered I had a brother in England.  I was brought up in Zimbabwe,  and in an attempt to find him,  I wrote a letter which I sent via my Granny.  Having heard nothing for all those years,  I had all but given up.  However,  in 2009 I decided to trace my family tree via Genes Re-united.  As it happens,  he decided to do the same thing!!  The website came up with a 'hot match' for us.  I tentatively sent an e-mail.  I received a very moving e-mail back.  It was indeed my long lost Brother.  But who was he?  What was he like?  How had he been brought up?  Would we like each other?  How did he sound? What accent did he have? All I knew is that he was now 73 years of age and used to be a policeman.  We sent pages of e-mails to each other,  and eventually plucked up the courage to phone.  He sounded lovely,  uncannily like my Father. 

A rash decision indeed,  but after about three months,  I decided I would make the journey by train up to Derbyshire to meet him.  Heart in mouth,  I set off,  scared I would get lost on the Underground,  scared he would not like me.

Arriving at the little station at Uttoxeter,  there he was!  How did he get so BIG!!   What a wonderful person.  Probably the only truly happy person I have had the priveledge of meeting in my life.  And guess what,  he still has my letter written in 1965!  Here he is Ana,  we speak every Sunday evening on the phone.

Such frustration!

My camera 'died' on me.  Isn't that so sad!!  So no pics this weekend.  I am, however, learning a lot from you lovely ladies (and gentleman) and am now learning how to use Digital Scrapbook Artist.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Blessings for a great week ahead.

Tracey at French Larkspur has a gorgeous giveaway!

Please take a look,  such lovely things!! Jewellery from the Ardent Sparrow.  Here's hoping!

http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com/2010/08/beautiful-jewelry-and-giveaway.html

This and that

A little amorous French poetry, a few flowers in the kitchen, to brighten up a gloomy English day!

A link for my friends 'Down Under'

I went to school with this amazing lady Jenny,  please take a peek:

Have a terrific Tuesday!




amazingmakeovers.com

What is an ATC?

I have at last discovered what atc means!  An Artist Trading Card designed piece of card 6.4cm x 8.9 in size, using collage, paint, stick ons,  anything artistic,  which you exchange with other bloggers.  That could be a challenge. All sorts of ideas cross the mind. Pippins Nest inspired me,  maybe I will try!

This is my converted closet where I do all my blogging, keep my books,  feel at peace,  and create and meditate..  Audrey Heburn has long been my heroine since the 1960's and still inspires me with her grace and beauty,
Have a great Sunday

Thank you BHG!!!

Better Homes and Gardens US,  have posted some gorgeous roses,  take a peek!!
(Not too sure about the spiders though!)

My favourite magazine has arrived!

My Country Homes and Interiors magazine has arrived,  just a flick through and a taste of what I am going to go downstairs and consume cover to cover.  Have a terrific Tuesday!

My fascination for bone china and why

Having been brought up in Africa,  and now returned to the UK,  I have renewed interest in the place I was born,  which is Longton,  Staffordshire,  the home of the makers of bone china.  It therefore stands to reason that I love collecting china cups, plates, anything that displays the maker's name,  and thus the history follows:
I picked up some plates and bowls at the local charity/thrift shop,  and here is some of their history:
'Chapman' which are the plates have the following history:

KNOWN HISTORY OF CHAPMAN FAMILY


Chapman China (?1898-1905?)was located on Uttoxeter Road, almost opposite St James’ church and parallel to Normacot Road where Sutherland Works is situated. There is very little information to be found on this Staffordshire china company, other than the fact it existed between 1898 and 1905. If it really only existed for 7 years, it probably explains the dearth of information pertaining to it.


It seems that Chapman China became Atlas China and in fact I own some cups and saucers which have the Atlas China pottery mark with “Chapman” written across it, however, far more common is ware with the Atlas China backstamp with “Grimwades” written across it and it seems that Atlas China later became Grimwades.


(Mine has the Atlas pottery mark backstamp)


This backstamp was used by D Chapman & Sons in the 20th century. As far as I am aware, this is the Atlas China backstamp.


D Chapman & Sons (1882-1902) was located in Longton, according to Staffordshire china expert Steve Birks of www.thepotteries.org but I can find no reference to where in Longton this was. It would seem highly likely that David Chapman (b1844-d1927) founded this company as the dates fit (he would have been 38 at the time of its inception) although originally, according to Keates Gazetteer & Directory 1873-1874, David Chapman belonged to Robinson & Chapman located in Forrister Street, Longton, a Staffordshire china company which seemed to exist for just 9 years (1872-1881).


I can find very little mention of this company at all. Judging by the dates, D Chapman & Sons existed (1882-1902), it appears it was established some 16 years prior to the inception of Chapman China (1898-1905) and ended 3 years before Chapman China finished. Therefore, I can only assume that Chapman China and D Chapman & Sons were two separate companies.


The Keates Gazetteer & Directory also noted that David Chapman resided at "Ashwood Hotel" in Wood Street, Longton where he was not a Staffordshire china potter but a Licensed Victualler although the following year the residence had dropped the “hotel” and he was no longer Licensed Victualler. Many years later he lived at Myrtle Villa, 339 Uttoxeter Rd, Blythe Bridge and in 1921 he is listed as living at The Oaks or Oak Villa, Forsbrook.


Written by Helen Gregory (nee Chapman)

The bowls are 'English Village' by Salem China (transferware) apparently circa 1940.

The potteries looked like the picture when I left in 1953,  now they no longer exist,  and the countryside is green and smoke free,  but the world is without the beauty of the chinaware,  and places such as Wedgewoods.  That is what makes collecting the items so enjoyable.

What a fantastic idea!

Found this on Melodie Maison,  what a great idea!  mmmmmmmmm

Have at last hung my little white curtains in my miniature bedroom,  maybe it's too white now.  Thinks..........

Fledglings lost and found

Oh what drama!  Dear little birdies falling out of the nest/failing first solo flight,  one can only try to help!  The first little fellow sat on a flower pot for ages.  While we were pondering how to climb a wall and a tree to return him to the nest,  he disappeared.  The parents flew around til nightfall calling and calling...........

This morning,  another little fellow arrived.  A little older this time,  but still unable to fly.  This time Mommy and Daddy are feeding it and watching very carefully.  Please don't let it rain!!!