Vintage Packaging

If you love vintage packaging and original advertising from years gone by, I do hope you will enjoy this little selection of cardboard boxes.

Lella Loves... Vintage Packaging

I collect anything (be quiet, Mr Lella!) which has had a life and yet is still lovely to look at. Cadbury's Chocolate Cremes were the original contents of this box but the packaging is so lovely that the previous owner retained the box and used it to store dressmaking pins.

Lella Loves... Vintage Packaging

This egg box is in amazing condition. I bought it off a dealer who had found a stash of them in a house clearance. Some were water damaged as they were stored in a crate and then, long-forgotten, up in a loft but there were a few perfect examples.

Discovering an egg box or...

Lella Loves... Vintage Packaging

a vintage dispensing box from a French chemist is all part of the pleasure of finding things and having a good rummage at a flea market.

Lella Loves... Vintage Packaging

Beautiful packaging can be strong and reliable. Likewise, hardy and well-made can be beautiful. This is an old laundry box c1930 - 1940. I love the reinforced corners and the effort put in to the front label.

To demonstrate the size of my biggest vintage box, I took the photo with a tiny lamp bulb and a penny.

Lella Loves... Vintage Packaging

Bringing lovely buys home and displaying them gives endless joy to thousands of collectors. This is a delightful little Fairy Dye box with all the instructions on the packaging.

Lella Loves... Vintage Packaging

The Milwards box is very well made and is still filled with crochet hooks.

Lella Loves... Vintage Packaging

First Aid items are usually in great condition if found unused as they have had the benefit of being stored in a box which is then kept in a cupboard. This finger burn dressing is immaculate.

It amazes me how some things have survived but I am always super excited to find them in a box at a car boot or at a flea.

If you go food shopping, enjoy looking at the creativity and design on the boxes of everyday foodstuffs like custard and herbs.

Have a great day.

Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Victorian Whistle Cup

This delightful little cup is about 120 years old and I discovered it at a flea market last month. It was made c1880 - 1890 and when I saw it, it made my heart smile.

The best bit is that it was 200 pennies :)  Yes...  just £2.

Lella Loves... Flea Markets

The decoration is all hand-painted and I love the naive flowers and the suggestions of leaves. So simple yet too pretty for words.

Lella Loves... Flea Markets

The whistle is actually the bird and it is cleverly formed formed within the shape of the handle. It was meant to keep the attention of a toddler at meal times.

So sweet... Love it!

Lella Loves... Flea Markets

The Think of Me is a lovely sentiment and is painted in gold.

Lella Loves... Flea Markets

I call this a late Victorian child's milk cup, made by an English potter. I have seen a similar one on eBay and the seller says his was made in Germany but it was the same date.

As an English blogger, and collector of delicious tat, I have some knowledge. The years between 1837 to 1901 were the reign of Queen Victoria. Ergo, items made in that period are called Victorian.

However, I don't know everything so any information would be appreciated.

I love the little darling and it's not going anywhere!

I know I bang on about table-top sales and collectable fairs but if there is one thing you would enjoy, that is to go to a flea market on a Sunday and browse the stalls with an open mind.

Have a lovely day folks.

Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

I want to thank Rose Petals from Heaven for this lovely blog candy and its pretty blue birds.







Here is her blog button :)

Handmade Soap

Do you love handmade soap?

Handmade French soaps can be found at provincial Anglo-Continental street markets as well as in gift shops and chemists with a luxury soaps section.

Lella Loves... Handmade Soap

My collection is growing and yours could too. Keep your eyes peeled if you enjoy the hunt of pretty things and useful things. Handmade soap is so lovely and can be easily found for 20p and 50p a block if you browse car boot tables.

Lella Loves... Handmade Soap

Many folk receive soap as a well meaning gift yet they never use it, preferring anti-bac hand wash. This is how these delightful soap blocks have ended up in charity shops: they are simply some people's idea of clutter.

Lella Loves... Handmade Soap

Small blocks of handmade soap such as these are usually about £3 each when purchased new yet this olive bar cost me 50p each from a car boot sale.

Lella Loves... Handmade Soap

I am a non-user of these French blocks, instead I display them.

Lella Loves... Handmade Soap

They are beautiful and, if I see a (new and unwanted) block in a charity shop window, I have to go in and smell it!

Lella Loves... Handmade Soap

These handmade vegetable soaps also make a pretty display. I leave them in their wrappers as they are rather plain without it.

Lella Loves... Handmade Soap

Burt's Bees are a must-have travel product and these Rosemary and Mint shampoo bars are perfect for long weekends away.

Lella Loves... Handmade Soap

I keep a lavender soap and a nail brush in much loved but cracked terracotta pot. When I have been gardening, there is nothing better than to clean my hands the old fashioned way.

If you too love soap, please let me know your favourites.

Pop back soon,

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Old Children's Books

I love old children's books. This delightful book is an early Rupert The Bear annual and I bought it with the intention of cutting it up!  (I think I just heard a few gasps!)

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

The Rupert annual is from just after the second world war c1946 and was at a table-top book sale for £10. The colours are so bright and I adore all the little images. They would look lovely framed up as individual pages.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

However, all that changed whilst watching Wednesday's 'The Antiques Road Trip' on BBC1. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw Charlie Ross haggling over a similar Rupert The Bear annual from the same time - c1946/1947.

The dealer said that the retail price on his Rupert annual was £105.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

I am now rethinking about cutting it up for decoupage. I can't bring myself to do it as this annual might be a collector's dream find.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

The inside front cover has a lovely piece of text, reminding us that after the war the book was produced in line with the economy standards in force at the time.

*******

Another book I picked up last month is the Noddy book.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

This is a much later publication and is most probably c1977.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

On further inspection, this book is also just too lovely to cut up.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

The colours are incredible and would make very pretty toy box liners. But, alas! I cannot bring myself to take scissors to either book.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

Have a lovely weekend and don't worry, I promise not to cut them up.

If you have any interesting information on Rupert annuals, please do leave me a comment as knowledge is no use unless it is shared. I would really appreciate it.

Many thanks,

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Vintage Crates

This delightful crate was a thank you gift from a friend. I had looked after her kitten for 3 weeks and, I must say, it was a pleasure to have a cat in the house again. However, the ever fabulous and fragrant Miss Heather is very thoughtful and she knows my love of old packaging and advertising items.

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

It really is just too lovely for words! :)

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

Dirt, dust, mud and rust. A few cobwebs don't bother me.

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

I love this crate as it is quite small and makes a perfect little display unit when turned on its side.

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

Mr Sit Still has been moved from the front door and he sits in quite nicely. I have included him in the display as a reminder that my kitty-sitting duties garnered the gift of the crate.

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

And here it is! Books all in place. My friend is so thoughtful: the thank you card she bought me is a ginger tabby sitting in a box.

I will find this little display a cosy corner to sit in and I hope you enjoyed seeing it today.

Have fun, whatever you are doing.

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Old Spode Tea Pot

This beautiful tea pot is older than most things in my life and I squealed with joy when I found it at a local table-top sale for a few pounds.

Lella Loves... Old Tea Pots 

It is a two cup tea pot made by Spode and it's the Tower pattern.

I have done a little research and it might have been made between 1895 - 1910 as there are similar patterned plates from that period on the internet.

Lella Loves... Old Tea Pots

The repair to the handle is called a staple and it shows that this was a precious object back in its day. It is wonderful to see such care taken over something so fragile.

Lella Loves... Old Tea Pots

This lid had been dropped much later in the tea pot's life as it has been glued. The repair tells me that it must have been around the 1960s simply because of the new developments in adhesives. It was pieced back together by someone who didn't want to discard it.

Lella Loves... Old Tea Pots

The rust inside shows that as this tea pot was handed down through the family and the last person who owned it - before me - thought enough of it to use it as a knick-knack pot, possibly on a kitchen windowsill.

The rusty marks are from odd screws, safety pins and a metal button.

Lella Loves... Old Tea Pots

Factory back-stamps help us to learn about the piece.

I love the fact that this little tea pot - short and stout - has had such a long life and, even though it is damaged and chipped, there are many people who loved this old tea pot too much to throw it away.

I ask myself the rhetorical question: if most folk dropped a tea pot today, would they get it repaired or would they simply purchase a new one?

Lella Loves... Old Tea Pots

If the tea pot could talk, I wonder what it heard: what was spoken about in the Victorian conversations at high tea?

I hope you enjoyed seeing my little Spode tea pot and it goes to show that intrinsic beauty is there even with all its damage.

Have a lovely day.

Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Warren Kimble

I have admired his work for years. Yes... It is official! Lella Loves... Warren Kimble.

Imagine my surprise when I found this framed print at a flea market last week for £4.

Lella Loves... Warren Kimble

This fabulous 20'' x 22'' print is from an original oil on wood painting by America’s best known living folk artist, Warren Kimble. It is a known piece called Brandon's Barn.

I came home and searched the internet for similar items only to find that the poster alone is about £15 so I think I unearthed a little bargain.

Lella Loves... Warren Kimble

I wanted to share it with you as his work is delightful. If you wanted to know more about the artist, here is a link to his biography:

http://www.amerheritage.com/kimbleartinfo.htm

I have included an All Posters link here in case you fancied a browse for his work.

Have a lovely day.

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Vases (Test Tube)

Yesterday I wrote a piece on displaying silk flowers and there were lots of them in that lovely garden pot.

However, if you prefer real flowers, today's post is an idea to show you how you can buy a single stem and enjoy it without the need for huge water-filled vases or tubs.

Lella Loves... Vases

I paid 20p for this test tube at a car boot sale and I knew that it would make a handy vase.

Lella Loves... Vases

All you will need to follow this blog-make is a test tube, copper wire and some snips.

Lella Loves... Vases

Simply cut a piece of copper twice the length of the test tube and fold in half.

Lella Loves... Vases

Wrap the copper around the top of the tube and then twist until both wires are together.

Lella Loves... Vases

Now make a hook and fold the wire back around the top of the test tube.

Lella Loves... Vases

All you need to complete your look is a window sucker and a flower head of your choice.

So simple and yet so easy to make. I really enjoyed making it so please feel free to leave a comment if you make you own.

Pop back soon,

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Vintage Ice Cream Maker

If you love old kitchen equipment and you don't mind plenty of elbow grease, finds like this are for you and me alike.

It is a Swedish 2 Quarts ice cream churn. At first I thought it might be a variation of a butter churn but I couldn't open the hinge no matter how much I tried.

However, a FaceBook friend said it might be an ice cream maker as she had something similar so back to the churn I went. I wiggled and wiggled, finally managing to open the hinge. Inside is a canister and two slimline paddles so she was spot on! (Thanks, Dawn :)

Lella Loves... Kitchenalia

Farm fresh to fabulous in two hours!  (Well... the actual polishing took 2 hours plus two cups of tea but I let it sit in the porch for two days so all the bugs could escape before I started working on it.)

Lella Loves... Kitchenalia

This was the condition I found it in. I paid £20 after some haggling but I know a flea market bargain when I see one.

Lella Loves... Kitchenalia

The pigeon poop and the cobwebs were free :)

Lella Loves... Kitchenalia

A little bit of damage is to be expected and it doesn't bother me as I love things which have had a life before me.

Lella Loves... Supplies

Gathering all my supplies together before I start the restoration.

Lella Loves... Restoration Projects

*Tip: Always apply black grate polish with a damp cloth. It works wonders on any piece of rusty metal.

Lella Loves... Kitchenalia

Gloves on and I start to rub on the grate polish. I wrapped the damp piece of towelling around my finger and I got in to all the nooks and crannies using a small brush.

Lella Loves... Kitchenalia

Metalwork complete, I started on the wooden parts. 

The coopered barrel was first and I used a dark wood polish which contained linseed oil to help feed the very dry wood.

Lella Loves... Kitchenalia

Ta-dah!

My lovely churn all finished and looking delicious.
I am really pleased how it turned out and I enjoyed the restoration. All I need to do now is find the right place to display it.

I do hope you had fun following my blog today. Pop back soon.

Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com