My most photo-rich post ever!

You have been warned! ;-))

Part 1:

June 29th marks the 5th anniversary of my little ol' blog! - Which seems like as good a time as any in which to re-evaluate my space here on the world wide web; to look back over the 760+ posts that I've published and launched into cyberspace, and to consider what makes me and others blog.

We all blog for our own reasons:

Perhaps it is a diary to record the little things that happen each week. Some use their blogs to offer inspiration, to teach or inform. Sometimes it is a soap box to spark debate, with the author prepared to write provocative or controversial posts in order to get people thinking. Many of us use our blogs to advertise our businesses, or promote an event that we organise. For others, it is simply a desire to make friends. What ever your reasons, YOUR blog is yours to do with as you wish.

Just as with books, magazines or television programmes, you will have your favourites - Those you read religiously, as well as those you may only dip into now and then.

It was brought to my attention recently, via an email, that my blog may be lacking 'something' these days. This saddened me a little at first, as I work very hard to fit in my blogging time around everything else that I now have to do. Since opening my shop, my life has changed quite dramatically over the last 18 months...

But, as from today, I am going to try and add a little bit of sparkle back to my blog.

I have no hidden agenda and I think that I have always said, that I write my simple and light-hearted blog as a way to advertise my small business and to connect with like-minded people. I think it also helps put a 'face' to an on-line business, making it feel more personal to a visitor. If you enjoy stopping-by, I am flattered that you do...and you will always be welcome :)

If you just dip in now and then to see what's new, then that is fine too and it will always be nice to see you here.

Some may be bored by my mention of my shop and quickly click away again. For others, this type of posting is their favourite. I will continue to account for the goings-on in my shop, as it is such a large part of my life now, and so is a large part of what makes me, me. I do try hard to make sure my blog is not just an advert by adding other topics in-between those featuring my shop or products.

As with most things though, you can't please all of the people, all of the time. Touring the blogging circuit takes a lot of time, and for the majority of us, our time to do so is limited. I am always grateful for the visitors that I do receive and for the followers who stick by me. Perhaps you feel my blog has reached its natural conclusion? Or maybe you'd like to continue with me on my journey, as I record some of the things that make me tick?

To conclude this introduction to my post;

I aim to be here for anyone wanting to pop in on my postings - Here's to the next 5 years!

"Happy Blogging and Keep it Your Way!"

'Blogging without obligation',

Niki x

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Part 2:

I thought I'd use my anniversary posting to give a taste of what has gone before and hopefully what I shall continue with here at Nostalgia at the Stone House.

A large part of my time is taken with treasure hunting. Not precious valuables, but pretty vintage pieces that have had a life and for me have soul.

I love nothing better than to come home after a day's trawling of a fair or flea market and to unpack my bags to rediscover the delights I was able to come home with.

To go through everything again, looking and relishing the details, is what makes me happy.

To be able to take photographs and to share my discoveries on my blog with you, makes it all the more special.

From a humble button...

To a rose printed trinket pot!

Some pieces I keep and find a home for amongst my collections...

Some things are tucked away and stored until a friend's Birthday comes along, when I can offer them what I believe to be the perfect gift.

Most items though, I have to reluctantly say goodbye to, and offer for sale at a fair, my shop or on-line. It can be tough sometimes, as I generally only buy what I love myself and would be happy to have in my own home...But I can't keep everything! :)

Making a living from selling special things has its own rewards and I get to meet wonderful people who share my passion for tat!

Over the years a lot of 'stuff' has passed through my hands on its way to a new home...

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Which leads me nicely onto another of my favourite blog topics...My collections (I have a very tolerant and understanding hubby you know?! ;-))

The red and white china gets used in our kitchen every day, by all the family.

Quilts and eiderdowns are always at the ready to offer a cosy cuddle...The problem with them is they come in so many beautiful prints and colours...it can be difficult to let them slip through my fingers...

The teeniest of trinkets in one of my glazed cabinets...

Have I ever mentioned I love interior books? I'm not the only one, right?!

Not really a 'collection', more a tumbling mass of bits and bobs...but I love each and every item for the stories I'm sure they would tell me, if only they could talk...

Violets. Say no more.

Bathroom paraphernalia.

My name is Niki and I have a problem...

I just love hats TOOO much! ;-))

Brassy trinkets...

More precious to me than gold and diamonds.

Gorgeous old postcards and the moment in time they record.

Love em' or hate em'...My heads on sticks! (as my daughter always calls them!)

Hat stands to any one else! - Fit for a flapper girl to store her favourite cloche.

Always a girl's favourite, right? - But these shoes never see my tootsies inside them.

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My hand made items could quite easily become the largest section of my blog, as rarely a day goes by when I don't create something. Its one of the reasons I started my other blog (which has already notched-up 170+ posts) - I can now keep most of my hand made products separate and just show some of the more special pieces here on my main blog.

I have always loved making things. As I child I had a small collection of 'Make it' books which were always well used. I have sewn for as long as I can remember. Christmas was a great outlet for me to pass on some of my hand made items to Grand parents and aunties.

To now be able to sell some of my hand made products is very special to me. For someone to show appreciation for your time and energies and the passion each item reflects, is very gratifying.

I have made thousands of items over the years and have enjoyed trying new ideas which keep things fresh for me. I love picking up some fabric and glue now and then, as a contrast to time sat at my sewing machine.

The numerous fairs have proven a great outlet for selling the smaller items, particularly at Christmastime when the pressure is on for people to find pretty, unique and inexpensive gifts.

Colour is very important to me and I love to experiment.

Putting colour coordinated gift sets together is always a lot of fun.

Re-purposing vintage items gives me a lot of satisfaction too.

My dolls...each one is always a one-of-a-kind.

The fact that I am able to use antique and vintage fabrics in my work, means I never tire of using them...They don't go out of fashion, as they have already stood the test of time. They have character and a softness that is just not replicated in modern textiles.

Have I said enough?! :)

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Then there are the slightly bigger projects that I occasionally work on. I'm a firm believer in the power of paint and the capability it has to completely transform an old and tired item of furniture. If it doesn't work out how you thought...then just try another colour!

White is always a great standby though. This old washstand was a piece I made over many years ago. I used 'eiderdown' fabric in the door panels and the back board. We've used it in our living room, I've had it in my workroom and now it is in our spare bedroom awaiting a re-paint...watch this space! ;-))

Our sofa has had a few different covers on it over the years...(all vintage fabrics, of course!)

I've made new slings with matching cushions for lots of deckchairs, which have all gone to new homes.

Fabric plays its part in a lot of my make-overs...

But vintage wallpaper has its merits too.

(As does an old sack!)

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And map!

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Of course I haven't kept all of those pieces of furniture, or we'd be unable to move at home...But most of the pieces that I do hang on to, find a place where they have to earn their usefulness...

The white piece on our landing stayed for a magazine photo-shoot once, then it had to go...not enough cupboard space for me...pretty, but not practical.

I've shown lots of photos of our home over the 5 years I've been Blogging. I've changed several of the rooms in that time...not radical stuff, just a re-paint or a furniture move...The landing has had various curtains too!

For now it looks like this...

The laundry room went from OTT French...

To 'Grannyfied'!

Kitchen went from French blue...

To floral...

To French red!

The back living room has been sugary sweet...

Bold floral...

And now back to my dependable red check!

One of our biggest projects was the creation of my workroom from our cellar space...

The morphing bench had to go first...

and was cut down to fit under our staircase in the hall.

A new staircase was built from our back living room down into the cellar...

And we were able to create my little space under the house.

Bedrooms have moved around as our daughters have started to leave home one by one...

And other areas have been tweaked and faffed...sadly my faffing time is a thing of the past and so little has changed at home for a while.

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Simple touches are the order of the day these days...

Such as bringing flowers in from our garden and placing them in positions around our home where they can be enjoyed. The painted dresser is a favourite spot, as we walk past it all the time on our way to the kitchen.

I love to pick flowers from every season...

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These pink roses were a special present from a friend.

During the warmer months, down the garden path, the posies find their way into the summer house too.

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Time in my garden is my therapy...I always feel better when I've had an hour or so working in our little patch.

There's always so much to do, as the garden we inherited with the house was quite mature...

It takes a lot of taming; although I never quite get there if truth be known, but its fun trying.

I've posted throughout the seasons on my blog.

Spring

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Early Summer

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High Summer

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Autumn

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Winter

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I love to record the places we visit...

Be those on our doorstep...

(Bath and Wells)

Or those just a little further afield.

Its fun to discover new places...and if those places include a pretty row of cottages, then so much the better. :)

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We do like a 'seaside fix' now and then too.

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And whilst we're out and about, if I discover a small independent shop that I think worthy of note, I'll always let you know!

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We sometimes have the occasional holiday too.

France always captures our heart.

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Finally, there's the special occasions that find a slot on my blog.

Christmas never passes-by without a mention...

Or two.

Last year hubby and I celebrated our Silver Wedding.

And during my blog's small lifespan, both of our parents have celebrated 50 years together!

Some events aren't quite so personal, such as a Victorian evening hubby and I got dressed up for.

And I always like to mention the fairs that I've been to, either as a visitor, such as the Artisan Market in Frome...

Or as a stall holder, at various vintage events that we are now all familiar with on the Blogging circuit.

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So, to close...I'd like to thank all of those who have visited my blog. Some have been there since day one and have now become good friends. (How Blogger has changed since those early days...Do you remember when it was virtually impossible to upload more than about 4 photos, before Blogger would freeze and refuse any more for that day?! It used to take an age to put together a post...and some of us were still on dial-up then!!)

Others of you have visited me at fairs, at my shop, or have emailed from near, or across the waves...All special people, and all of whom I doubt I would have met, had it not been for my blog.

I probably wouldn't have started writing one, had it not been for my small business, so my little shop will always be there in my postings now and then...

Besides, I think I've come a long way since the days when it was a room on the side of our house (now our kitchen!)

I thank you for joining me today and for sticking with my post till the end!

Have a happy week,

Niki x