11 - 11 - 11

On the 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11th month the WW 1 ended. At this time I always light my candle in its trench art candle stick. The picture unfortunately doesn't show the roses delicately engraved into the shell.

For a few minutes I sit and watch the candle and imagine the soldier in the trench as he created something beautiful from something ugly - and in those moments my heart and soul are lifted. This soldier gave me a gift, a reminder that even faced with death, faced with terror and bloodshed, he created something of beauty. Perhaps it was for a loved one back home that he was never able to gift personally, perhaps it was something to do that helped him escape the horror surrounding him? Whatever its purpose, it is reminder to me that when all we have at our disposal is something bad, we seek to change it, to morph it into something good - and that's the human spirit at its best.

God Bless & Remember.

TTFN xxxxxx

Cupcake Disaster, Chocolate Balls Success.

Second batch of cupcakes.

So the first batch of my cupcakes went into the oven but did not come back out, they kind of.......blew up. Don't ask, I didn't. So what to do with a great deal of random sponge? Birthday party in a few hours........what the heck, make some ball type things....cover them with chocolate and sprinkles......it'll be fine...ahem. And Voila......chocolate ball flower cake things......they looked alright, but were a little bit sweet. But look, I finally found something to with those flipping 50's cocktail sticks! (Do you like the vintage wax paper?)

Only 4 more posts till my 100th and the GIVE AWAY!!!!! YAY!!!!!

TTFN XXXX

Jughead and Embroidery

I bought this lovely embroidery at a carboot for pennies and the lady that sold it to me suggested I finish it. HAHAHAHAHAHAH....was my reaction - and yet, it niggled me that I didn't even try. So I did try and it wasn't too disastrous and I actually enjoyed it! It is not as intricate as the established flowers, but I had to use what I had and that didn't include fine silk thread. So now that is finished what should I do with it? Suggestions? Finally - on a completely different note - has anyone ever seen a jug like this - I have tried so hard to find something similar online but failed terribly! Help me if you can - you lot are oh so clever! He's kin of creepy isn't he?

TTFN xxxx

Happy Halloween (better late than never)

The Bride & Groom !!!

My actual wedding dress!

Youngest was very frightened of Mummy & Daddy Yummy Cakes from Grandma Spider Jellies

Spooky Pictures... Hope you all had a Lucky Halloween!!!!

TTFN xxxxxx

Knitted Delights!

My youngest's nursery often had a toy sale to raise money for their lovely establishment and I always got very very excited! One of the Grandmas would always donate loads of woolen toys she had made. Whoever this talented lady is she is incredibly prolific! Here's what I bought this time (some of these are Christmas pressies - so Caroline....close your eyes!) So much work - I love them - the details are delightful! Don't forget the Giveaway!!! And a warm welcome to my new followers!

TTFN xxx

Christmas Pressies for my Girls - Kitty Bag

Well it's an attempt at a bag for my eldest. I didn't follow a pattern and now appreciate that perhaps sometimes you really do need one! But I did my best and as she chose the material, I'm sure she'll like it and hopefully not notice the terrible sewing!Aren't these such cuties? 50p each at CB - nice little Christmas treats! And this is a Marble Rose mirror that eldest insisted she had instead of the shop....hmph! Don't forget the giveaway! Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

TTFN xxxx

Marble Rose 100th Post Grand Giveaway!

Welcome to my 100th post Give Away! Like every other blogger I can't believe how quickly I've achieved this amount of posts and am so grateful to the warm welcome and overwhelming response Marble Rose has had. In light of this, I wanted to give you wonderful people something back. I tried to include bits that everyone might enjoy - I hope so anyway?

A vintage set of Lexicon Playing Cards...... A 1960's Colouring Book....So you'll be needing a 1960's Japanese mini paint-box set- so cute!!! 1980's Rabbit Eraser, in case you make a mistake. A large sheet of vintage wall paper - what would you do with this? Two metres of vintage ribbon and fringing. Tea Time with Mr. Owl Tea Pot!!! And every Tea Pot needs a beautiful vintage, embroidered Tea Cosy Time for a read with a 1960's Bimbo Comic. Or a 1950's Annual? Now - a bit of pampering...... Finally, a heart made by me to you xxxxx So if you would like to enter then.......

• 1) If you aren't a follower already, please join me, I'm trying to make it 100!!!! - 1 ENTRY

• 2) If you are already a lovely follower please leave a comment - 1 ENTRY

• 3) Spread the joy by posting my Give Away Badge on your Blog- 1 ENTRY

• 4) If a person mentions that they found the Give Away through you - 1 ENTRY

That's it! Only a few more posts to go, so quick sticks! My blog has been a real saving grace this year, I do hope my gifts reflect what you mean to me? Good Luck!!!!

TTFN xxx

Christmas Pressies for my Girls - Cats

I thought each week I would reveal one of my little, humble makes for one of my children's Christmas pressies. This means, obviously they're no longer allowed to see Mummy's blog! So, here's a couple of little cats - my first attempt at a stuffed animal - and it was so fun - I could make a whole litter. It was wonderful to go through all my buttons with an actual reason! Then finally use some of the baby dresses I have been saving. The girls will love these, as they love cats, were very fond of these dresses and have a big thing for small cuddly toys - but since I have banned the purchase of any more (I'm talking McDonald Degenerates)- these should be a real treat at Christmas! Don't they have funny little faces? The above was a stickler - it was stretchy material - I had to use tissue paper between fabric to get it sewed up. Very tricky - well for me! Hope you are all well. I am going to a party on Thursday and guess who will be there.......only George Swooney Clooney. Yum!

TTFN xxxxx

Mary Rose Young UPDATE

Gosh, how very exciting. I contacted MRY's studio and just received this reply.

Dear Fleur Hello...Mary Rose had a look at the photos and yes she made that one....more than anything she recognises her writing. She reckons 1984 made for a shop called Strangeways in Covent Garden....it really is one of her first ever "Rose Encrusted" pieces....it's probably fragile James

Thank You Floss for your link ! You see! There are still bargains to be found!

TTFN xxxxxx

Umbrella Stand

One Rainy Night....... I decided to turn this...... Into this...... And then..... The sun came out. TTFN xxxx

Mary Rose Young

Anybody know anything about 'Mary Rose Young'? I picked this up at a Charity Shop quite a while back because I instantly fell in love with it. I had forgotten about it until I popped into my garage (remember that scary place?) and retrieved it. It's a bit dirty and slightly chipped, so am going to clean it up today. I wish I knew how old it was? It's so pretty and colourful, it really cheers me up and I adore things that are both beautiful and functional also. Anyway, on the base there is a name, Mary Rose Young - and I was wondering whether you know of her or about her? TTFN xxxxx

Who needs a Rubber?

I mean erasers of course! I recently decided for no apparent reason to purchase somebody's 1980's collection of said erasers on Ebay. Actually there was only a few that interested me, nostalgically - and those were the Rose, The Joker and the Ariel packet . But when they arrived in the post I can't tell you and am also slightly embarrassed to admit that I had such fun going through them all - each one lovingly wrapped in tissue paper. My husband and I laughed like school kids as each appeared to comments like, "Ooh I wanted that one....ooh I think I had that....oh yeah everyone had that one.....hmm that one always smudged...ooohh smell it smell it!'I was amazed that I remembered so many - who knew!? Do you recognise any? Or was it me that just made alot of mistakes? (and still does)

TTFN

xxxxxxx