I was going to start by saying how much I love this planner…then I realised I would say that about any of my Vintage Norah makes! You do what you love, right?
However, I really am in love with this cover design . Delicate poppy and daisy, clean and fresh.
With the soft matte cover you have the option to decorate it and add you own lace decoration ( just an idea) or enjoy it as it is.
I always love to give an update around this time of year for a couple of reasons…
1. It’s Norahs’ Birthday month .
2. Good things happen around this time.
Last year , 2021, Vintage Norah gained recognition by winning SBS ( Small Business Sunday Award) which is ran by a young gentleman ‘Dragons Den’ Theo Paphitis on his Twitter and now Instagram page. you can find out more here and I would encourage you to enter and let everyone see how incredible you are.
This year, well,it has been quite insane here at Vintage Norah over the last few months and all in a good way!
It has lead to a few tweaks here and there to make things a little easier this end and to extend to other marketplaces.
Where it all began and after a little break, it has had a little flick round with the duster. All aimed for those of you who prefer to shop around Etsy because lets face it, it is full to the brim of incredibly talented artisans!
YES! It was only a matter of time for printed journals, notebooks, planners and scrapbook paper pads; all designed by Vintage Norah; to hit the Amazon bookshelves. Very exciting times indeed.
ALL THE GOODIES…
WAX MELTS & WAX SACHETS
HANDMADE JOURNALS & HAPPY MAIL
INSTANT PAPERCRAFT PRINTABLES FOR YOUR OWN CREATIONS
PRINTED NOTEBOOKS
PRINTED WEEKLY PLANNERS
PRINTED SCRAPBOOK PAPER PADS
There we have it… the little update. I’m off for a mince pie now & I’ll catch up with you soon.
Crikey, I never realised how addictive it would be to create and make a journal!!! In true Vintage Norah fashion I wanted to incorporate her lace trims and broken jewellery as embellishment or spine danglies.
The result has been beautiful journals made with a huge amount of care and each time I am amazed at how they gently and lovingly ‘speak out ‘ to you. Letting you know how they want to appear.
Maybe it’s just me but I have felt this each time and find it very magical.
16 pages within a pdf of various sizes on a4 size.
Perfect for background papers, journal cards, fussy cuts, tags whatever your imagination brings to you.
WHY JOURNALS AND WAX MELTS?
For me it’s all about memories. the whole thing of certain smells which resonate from a childhood and beautiful moments we gather through out life.
I simply felt sometimes we want to hold onto these special memories of places or people and keep them gently in a place which doesn’t involve sharing with everyone else.
Even now, I’ll have a little time to remember grandparents, family times , all those happy moments full of laughter and love. As a family, we are very lucky to have this, which makes it even more precious.
Hold onto your loved ones and all the joy you share together.
It’s been such an exciting time this week creating these wax sachets.
Delicate ‘wax rose and shell’ fused on a heart background.
The raspberry shade of delphinium petals has added to the romance of it all.
Wax sachets are wonderful if you don’t have a wax burner or maybe, you just don’t ‘do’ wax melts. As long as you hang or place them in a coolish spot, you will be able to enjoy the scent , without having to rummage for a tealight !!! We’ve all been there right?!
I’ve had one hanging in my office for about 6 weeks now and I am pleasantly surprised with how long it is lasting.
When the cold throw of the scent weakens, I will ‘snap’ and place in a burner as you would a normal melt. Two in one eh!?
I absolutely adore the new floral theme at the moment and in true Norah style, it was through a good old rummage around that I came across these flowers. A bargain and very effective.
They certainly bring out the beauty of this Pink shell Butterfly Brooch.
Goldtone.
1980s.
Working roll clasp
4cm x 3cm.
11th December is a very special day. Its Norahs birthday
Had she still been with us she would’ve been 98.
‘Vintage Norah’ is for her and quite simply because of her…my Nan.
The items you come across in the shop have mostly belonged to her with additional items from other loved ones within our family.
This is what it is all about…
Vintage Norah….a lifetime of gathering.
In the beginning around 1918 in the suburbs of Birmingham, England, a little girl came into the world. Her father was a cooper, her mother helped out and raised the family.
When Norah was six, her mother died and in diaries left by Norah which were found later, she recalls her mothers funeral with great detail. A sadness she carried with her through out her life.
Norah loved to rummage, to find a bargain and over the years she was able to ‘store’ many, many, many things!!!!
She had a soft spot for hats….we came across nearly 230! Bags, gloves, oh my it goes on!!
Many of her ‘gatherings’ have been spread around to help with fundraising and even for others to earn a ‘bob or two’.
Some of her jewellery have been recrafted into new pieces. You will find them among the listings here. (She sure knows how to keep me busy!)
For me, a grand daughter, she has given me a chance to enjoy ‘being a little girl again’ sorting through all of what you see here in the shop…it is an ongoing process.
All what you see have a story to tell, like all vintage, but on this occasion I know where and who they came from.
Please enjoy as much as I enjoy bringing this all together.
(Nan, 93 years to gather,another 93 to sort out!!!!) x
Update 2016: Since the opening of Vintage Norah, you will be glad to know her items are spreading worldwide…yep she is everywhere, right down to New Zealand. Some items have gone to museums, TV studios, galleries or revivals.
Some have been the finishing touch for a wedding oufit,a birthday gift and even a ‘must have a go with these’ gift!!!(Hair grips.) xxx ~VINTAGE NORAH on Etsy
Fresh face and ready for Spring!
Norah loved Christmas Time. Special for her because of her own strong faith and special for us , as small grandchildren, having the presents in a black bin liner…more on that HERE along with a few more memories.
One of the many things she enjoyed ( apart from singing really LOUD and wearing a hat ) was writing her poems.
Many keep turning up, even now. I’ve mentioned before about keeping one of them in my purse and thank fully, just a couple of days before she passed, I knealt beside her and we read it together. It was one of those moments you know you will keep tucked away.
Her poems , often reflected her faith and here I would like to share with you , a beautiful poem she wrote called ‘Step inside’.
As we enter the run up to many pre christmas parties and celebrations, I felt a little selection from the 1950 cocktail era ,was in order.
A small selection for now, to get inspiration flowing.
Enjoy.x
You all know by know how much I appreciate the treasuries which can curated on Etsy. Not only do they help promote all the beautiful finds on there, but I have found them an invaluable source and means in supporting all the Etsy sellers.
Sadly, Etsy have decided to no longer provide this tool and it seems to have caused a lot of sadness among those who enjoy creating and viewing them.
This one kind of says it all,
“sad to think this could be one of my last.
Please enjoy while you can (me thinks there will be other ways to continue such delights at some point!)
Etsy bring back treasuries, sad to think this could be one of my last.Here is an array of beautiful neutral pieces from the UK Only Vintage and Handmade team. Please show your appreciation for these wonderful items by viewing, hearts and sharing.
I have to admit to getting quite lost in the romance of where this wonderful collection of vintage luggage have travelled. The tales they must be able to tell.
Norah always enjoyed her holidays. ..and what a variety of travel she must have had through out the decades. From travelling by train to good old british seaside towns in the early years, to jetsetting to the other side of the world to enjoy the beauty of New Zealand in her later years. What a difference.
Of course there was always the time she embarked on a caoch trip to the Isle of Wight with holiday companion, Gertie (my two nans together, what a mixture!) ….they chatted that much , neither of them had realised they had been on the boat until they arrived at the hotel!!!
So, here for you to enjoy are some travelling delights….
As we come to the time of year when the roads and motorways of Great Britain become laden with with us all trying to get away for that well earned break, I felt a little mooch of the good old caravan was worthy.
Norah did in fact have a caravan along the southwest coastline and I think it was called ‘Fire fly’. As I recall from past family stories there was …the time they turned up and some one else had ‘let themselves in’., the walking across fields to ask Mr Farmer for fresh milk, climbing over and falling off fences…the usual adventures of wellies and toilet paper under your arm and the ‘bucket’ for nighttime convinience!!!!
Summers of the past are always a great place to revisit to capture a childhood memory of rock pooling, paddling and getting sand in your tin teapot!
Here are a few treasures I have come across which you can find on the ever faithful ebay! Great inspiration and I love that these holidays continue…enjoyxxx
I do like this treasury and straight away I seem to be thinking of raspberry ripple ice cream!
A collection from the members of the UK ONLY VINTAGE TEAM on Etsy. It’s wonderful to find all these gorgeous treasures around the Uk. From top to bottom!
I love all the rustic and shabby chic craft you can find and right now I’m caught up in the romance of a swishy , swirly, take it easy while the waves gently kiss the shore…ahhh! ( An alternative is on it’s way, but in the meantime…enjoy.x
I do like to put a treasury from etsy together featuring the other gorgeous shops you find on there.
Always good for ideas and every time you come across something extremely unique. Of course this then leads to all sorts of dilemma’s – nice ones- and you just become enchanted by it all.
I’ve gone for lovely coffee and creams today. It just felt right , so here you are…enjoy.xx
Today is a colllection of six stunning hats available from ‘Victorian Trading Company’.
Victorian Trading Co. Louise Green Serendipity Cloche (369)
Festooned with a magnificent hand-formed bloom to the side, a sassy bonnet is timeless and exquisite. Created in the renowned milliner’s Los Angeles studio. Arrives in a keepsake hatbox. USA. Designer Louise Green.
Victorian Trading Co.
Louise Green Primrose Picture Hat (358)
A magnificent bonnet is hand formed using age-old millinery methods. An inner silk elasticized casing ensures a custom fit. Arrives in a keepsake hatbox. USA. Designer Louise Green
Victorian Trading Co.
Louise Green Bronze Beauty (2820)
An epic silk bloom from France rests upon a sumptuous wool felt cloche. Arrives in a keepsake hatbox.
Victorian Trading Co.
Midsummer Nights Bonnet (344)
Miss Austen would revel in this milliner’s delicacy, created from a lovely mix of lace and vintage-inspired blooms, embroidered chiffon and weave. Arrives in keepsake hatbox. Made in USA of imported materials.
Victorian Trading Co.
Sweetheart Roses Hat (450)
Perfect little ivory rosebuds are nestled upon dupioni silk band beneath illusion netting. Cream. USA from imported materials. Arrives in a keepsake hatbox. 13″.
Victorian Trading Co.
Louise Green Santa Barbara Hat (343)
Who couldn’t appear beautiful in this poetic tuned up sisal? Created by the noted designer in her California studio, the brim is hand formed from a fine-woven sinamay straw with subtle platinum fleck. The generous silk millinery bloom with sinamay leaves
Norah’s 6th Great Grandson with his letter from Her Majesty – in celebration of her 90th Birthday.
As the celebrations for Her Majestys 90th birthday get under way, I thought I would share with you how it has grabbed the interest of my 6yr old son. ( Norah’s 6th Great Grandson.)
A few weeks ago, on a bright but cold weekend, he decided; quite out of the blue; to write to the Queen. Admittedly, wwe had been talking about her and he looked at photos of her and became quite fascinated of this ‘beautiful lady with the kind smile’ staring back at him.
He is finding out about the world bit by bit, and at his own pace. He asks questions and thinks about the answers given so he can put them into his own perspective. There is so much for him to discover and as a Mom, it is wonderful to this happen.
So, back to THE LETTER. He wished her a happy birthday in advance, he told her about his love of trains and as a little extra, how he should really be doing his homelearning but instead decided to write to her.
None of the advised ettiquette was followed in how to write a letter to the Queen and it was simply addressed The Queen, Buckingham Palace, London!
Bless him.
Today, one day after her 90th birthday, the postman knocks the door and chirpily says ,”we must know people in very high places!”
Here it was…a reply! Not just a letter but a celebratory card of her 90th. Along with the date it was written and sent..the 21st! her actual birthday. How special is that!
He is chuffed to bits. After a week of being poorly this very special letter has lifted his spirits.
Thank you Ma’am for quite an amazing day. ( He hopes you manage to get some rest between all the celebrations.)
As of April 5th 2016, Etsy are giving everyone an overhaul and there will be a new look/layout to the stores you find on there. I think I have it ready! https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/VintageNorah
I have been given instruction already by my young son, to make sure I don’t get out of bed on Sunday morning…he is going to make breakfast. Which is a beautiful thing for him to do and being only six, I suspect it just may be a jam sandwich and told to make my own cup of tea because it is hot things!
It is all from love within his heart, and as a mom, my greatest treasure.
This time of year I tend to share an image of one of Norahs brooches, which will be kept. It cabouchon, which simply says ‘Mother.’
The sentiment behind this , is to remember Norahs own Mom. Sadly, her Mother died when Norah was only six years old. Yet in writings that were found among Norahs treasures , were the clear memories she had of that particular time. Recollections of the funeral and people she saw along the way. You can read a little bit more about it here.
So, from one Mother to another, enjoy your day, treasure each moment and relax if you can…unless you are still working through the laundry for the weekend!
This is a small collection of sage green , shabby chic decor.
You see, while I sit here tonight, having had one of those crazy housecleaning moments, where no corner was going to be left. I have a feeling ,Spring will arrive…soon..in a few weeks maybe!!! In the meantime, I thought I would capture this ‘fresh spring feel’.
A gathering from various etsy shops. Very talented and as ever extremely creative in the work they produce.
I have been having a treasury moment all afternoon….it is so easy to get side tracked with all of the gorgeous vintage collections. There are amazing finds and as ever, elegance and ‘gorgeousness’!!!
As it happens, when having a little sort through, there comes a time when pieces could do with a new home. Here are a few lots with links to the items.
They may need a little tlc or even be used just for the beads for recrafting projects.
Couldn’t let this week pass by, without mentioning ‘My Fair Lady’!
So, a little treat is needed I think .
For the beautiful Audrey Hepburn as Eliza,…” For her first public tryout, Higgins takes Eliza to his mother’s box at the Ascot racecourse. Henry’s mother reluctantly agrees to help Eliza make conversation, following Henry’s advice that Eliza should stick to two subjects: the weather and everybody’s health. Eliza makes a good impression at first with her polite manners but later shocks everyone by her vulgar Cockney attitudes and slang. “
Who designed the dress?
Designed by legendary costume designer Cecil Beaton.
Beaton asked his mother on her own early wardrobe and asked his friend Diana Cooper what her mother, the Duchess of Rutland, had worn for Ascot.
She replied, “Certainly cream, a straw hat trimmed, of course, by herself with little bits of bird’s breast and/or ribbon in dirty pink; wide-ish brimmed and fairly shallow, and the Sarah Bernhardt fringe in front. Good beige gloves. Very high heeled shoes she hoped didn’t show. Parasol, of course!”
Audrey Hepburn’s dress is certainly one of the most impressive examples of Edwardian finery ever stitched.
It is constructed of a silk linen undergarment with back zipper closure, overlaid with fine lace which is hand-embroidered in a delicate flower motif.
The dress is trimmed in black velvet striped ribbon, with a large bow at the left breast. Inside the left cuff, a bias label is written in blue ink (which has faded over time),
The large picture hat is constructed of a lightweight cotton burlap, trimmed in black velvet with white and black ostrich feathers on one side, as well as a small sprig of faux lavender pansies attached to the crown.
Finishing the ensemble is the obligatory white parasol of matching lace fabric.
What happened to this gorgeous costume?
This gorgeous gown, which is featured in nearly every image associated with the film, is considered to be Cecil Beaton’s magnum opus.
Worn by the lovely Audrey Hepburn in the most memorable scene of the film, it is without question one of the finest screen-worn garments ever made.
In June 2011, the whole outfit sold for 3.700,00.00 usd. In auction and was part of the Debbie Reynolds collection.
ASCOT begins this week and we all know it’s about the hats!! With a few races thrown in!!!!
To celebrate I have put together a nice little treasury and collection of hats, which can all be found on Etsy.
Of course, those of you familiar with ‘Vintage Norah’, you will also know she had a ..ahem.. a soft spot for hats. Over 200 were discovered, which she collected over nearly 93 years!
A new page for you here at Vintage Norah…TREASURIES…oh yes…another!!!!
It is a collection of treasuries on Etsy which Vintage Norah has put together over the last year. A bit hit and miss but, I do enjoy a little escape from time to time, and for me, I do find I get carried away and quite absorbed.
It is such a nice to word to say…chiffon! (Just me then?!)
Having added a few of the chiffon scarves to Vintage Norah, I thought it would be interesting and indeed I hope helpful, to spread a few chiffon tips!!!
Of course they aren’t my own…you can go to the link on each one.
Vintage Norah has quite a selection of headscarves, so it is worth popping along to see what they are. The majority are 1950/1960 and I have come across a few fromapprox early 1990’s.
Once again, this is Norah being ever faithful to the scarve through out the era’s.
For those of you familiar with ‘ VintageNorah’, well, this is the recrafted side of things.
Sorting through Norahs gatherings we came across; in true Norah fashion: costume jewellery kept in a musical stool and ‘the box’. An heirloom made by her ‘cooper maker’ father quite possibly pre 1900’s when he was a young lad.
Many pieces are orphaned earrings, broken necklaces, general bits and bobs and I felt they should be given the chance to re-adorn and sparkle in beauty rather being hidden and left in the dark.
I include in each listing which parts are new and parts which are current, which is very often the findings.
I want to keep it simple, and each piece comes together only once I have sat, sorted,cleaned…hey presto, this just might look good!
Over the coming weeks ( or sooner) you shall begin to find them listed within the ‘Recrafted’ section of the shop.
Please enjoy and appreciate the individual love and uniqueness that has gone into the jewellery recrafted by Norahs youngest granddaughter.x
So, after a brief visit back to my hometown in the Midlands this past week, I found myself hearing something I haven’t heard since my childhood. The Rag and Bone Man.
As a child , each week , there would be the distant sound of what I can only imagine to be a ‘battered trumpet’ . This would be the ‘call to action’. You would know he was on his way and with each dented ‘blast’ you knew he was getting closer. If there was anything you wanted to leave out for him, you would be doing a quick round up to get it ready outside your house or one of the family would have to keep a look out for him.
Sad to say I don’t think I ever saw him, I only heard him. And I still haven’t seen him!!!!! One thing I do know is the sound of the trumpet still sounds battered but is played on a ‘loop’.
(have just come across this clip with the sound of the trumpet….now you know what I mean by sounding battered!!!!)
My understanding of the Rag and Bone Man was that he would come round to take away any unwanted/old/broken household goods. I assume he would then be able to sell what he could for scrap. Recycling?!!! Of course the other term which comes to mind is ‘one mans rubbish is another mans treasure.’ (I do like that term very much!) Heres an old ‘information film’ for you about the rag and bone man in the fifties….
Of course in TV terms it is easy to automatically think of the great sitcom ‘Steptoe & Son’, a show which would make Norah chuckle as it reminded her of growing up and her Father and brother bickering in the same way as the characters portrayed.Her family also had a horse & cart and I think the horses name was ‘white socks’.
STEPTOE & SON ~ A Great old sitcom. Click to see on old episode ‘Is that your Horse outside.’
There you go, a little trip down memory lane. Are there any ‘sounds from your childhood’ which you haven’t heard for while? xxx
I have put together a little treasury together on Etsy. Not only does this help get others noticed but it is a great chance to do a little bit of window shopping!!!!!
How Wonderful to hear and see the beautiful ‘brooch’ is making a comeback for this year. It’s been a while, eh?
Norah has ..ahem…MANY! A selection have been listed and many more are in the queue!!
Among them have been UK Sarah Coventry, Exquisite and Cororcraft to name a few.
Whether to brighten up the outfit you are wearing, to join a scarve, even to adorn a hat (just like Norah) I’m sure you will see something as time goes on which will catch your eye. ( I won’t mention the time I used a brooch to hold a pair of trousers together when the button came off….mind you, it looked pretty good!!!)
The items you come across in the shop have mostly belonged to her with additional items from other loved ones within our family.
Autumn Dreams 
Vintage Norah 