Our Trip to Black Country Living Museum

 

Good Saturday Morning Ladies,

I feel this saying is very true, I know for some having time to sit and craft is hard, particularly if you work long hours etc.  I feel personally that it is a form of therapy though,  yes it can be frustrating when things don't end up like the image we had in our mind but at the end of the craft session we have acheived something, that something will hopefully bring a smile to a loved ones face, or even better if someone has asked you to create something for them to gift you have their joy at seeing that lovely personalised card you have made and that of the recipient.  I have felt that joy and in my situation that isn't something that happens often.   So enjoy your crafty time Ladies,  even if its just an hour, it will give you a sense of achievement at the very least. 

Now I want to share some of the photos that we took last weekend at the Black Country Living Museum.  

Cast Iron Houses

• The 1940 house provides visitors a glimpse of everyday life in wartime Dudley. At the point at which the house will be set, bombing attacks will have reached as far inland as the Black Country.

• Visitors will meet new costumed characters, including the Museum’s interpretation of Beatrice Vernon, who moved with her husband, Sgt Sidney Vernon, to Dudley in 1920

This was the lounge of the 1940's house, we met Beatrice,  her husband was a policeman,  she was making Christmas decorations from things that they had, it was so interesting to see the ration allowance.  You could make a party hat alongside her or paperchain Christmas decorations.

Look at that adorable Christmas tree! Simply decorated with handmade decorations.

The kitchen was fascinating, a lot of familiar brands, the tins only had tiny labels due to paper shortage.  My Nan had the exact same clothes airer.

Familiar sights in the bathroom too, Izal loo paper we had at school in the 70's !  I believe that those old style toilet cisterns flushed 10 times better than todays style!  

I had never heard of the rationing of bath water, was it 6 inches? it must have been bloody cold in winter. 

The upstairs,  I didn't get to see this, the stairs were way too steep, I love all of the handmade bed coverings. 

Next Door 1960's House

The bathroom was very different,  toilet & bath mats, no ration on water, the products are more familiar too, Pears soap, Senokot for the digestion, liquid parafin and 'Old English Lavender'.  

This was a real 'blast from the past' I remember having to watch the football results show on Saturday night.

The kitchen took my straight back to my Nana's, the cooker was very similar,  as were the kitchen utensils.  Look at the Quality Street tin,  the Christmas cake looks exactly like the one my Mum and both Nana's made. 

We had this very shelf unit in our lounge, we had one of the birds that tipped forward and put its beak into a fake glass, I think it was a holiday souvenir

My mum had a dressing table like this for years, what a different 2o years makes,  record players in the bedroom, telephone, we had one just like it.  I remember getting a record player for my 10th Birthday, you could stack records up, my first ever record was the Boomtown Rats, I Don't like Mondays, I have no idea why I liked it back then. 

I will share more next week or this blog will go on forever!  I hope that it stirs some fond memories for all of you. 

Have a lovely Saturday Ladies, 

Love & hugs to all of you,

Sandra                                                                     xxxxxx

Our Next Challenge

 

Sonia

Lilian 

Sue

Janet

Maria

Karen

Brenda

Good Friday Morning Ladies, 

Welcome December,  let the craziness begin!!  Only joking, December is full of excitement,  anticipation, family & fun.   Although ours is usually tinged with frustration of not knowing what to gift, our lot tend to buy things as they need them, so when it comes to giving ideas they can't think of anything.  We have put a stop to the pointless gifting, we have always done a Christmas Stocking for each of them but when you add the total of all the little bits and pieces it comes to £75 - £100,  the girls have always had matching pj's but they aren't all here on Christmas morning so that's another thing that can stop, besides they have alm the Christmas pj's ftom last few years they can wear!  I feel like I'm being 'Baa Humbug' but I will fully admit to letting things get out of hand, watching the delight on their faces on Christmas morning is the best gift for myself, I love it 🥰😍

I think Lilian may be the only one of us that sees some Wintery weather as December begins today, I got excited yesterday when I looked out, as the hills looked like they were white behind the heavy mist/fog that hung over them, but as the sky cleared it was only a heavy frost.  It was lovely seeing Lilian's snow though!  If old wives tales are anything to go by we should have plenty of snow as every bush/shrub in our garden that has berries has them in abundance!  I think we may need to purchase a bag of road salt for our driveway as we have quite a hill.  Our village is on a steep hill too, in one part there as a salt bin every few yards, so I'm guessing it's quite an issue, you don't think about that when you view a house in July! 🤣😂       It will be an adventure,  we just have to make sure we have a stocked pantry and fridge.  

Our Next Challenge 

I asked in our chat group if there was anything in everybody's stash that they wish thst they used more, Karen suggested Embossing Folders and it was a popular choice, so dig out your embossing folders and lets look at the many ways we can use this very underated tool that most of us have a few of, I have quite the collection! 🤣😂

I added some of our past embossed cards to inspire you all.  

I hope that you enjoy this challenge xxx

Have a Fabulous Friday,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx