Thought I’d share some of my vintage valentine collection. Hope you find time to share them with someone you love. Warmest Valentine Wishes:)
It’s finally beginning to feel like Christmas. Some years it kind of seems to sneak up on me and before I know it it is so close!! This weekend I am going to be making some Christmas cookies with Izzy to get further in the spirit. I will let you know how they turn out on Monday. In the mean time I have had some fun digging up lovely vintage Christmas treasures. I especially love the antique chocolate mold!
Top row from left:
Antique Glass Ornaments
Santa on Reindeer plastic Christmas decoration from the 1960s
Charles Dickens Christmas book set
Second row from left:
Santa Christmas light covers
Vintage glass ornaments
Christmas carols songbook
Third row from left:
Vintage glass ornaments
Mr. and Mrs. Claus dancing salt and pepper shakers
Vintage Christmas carolers
Fourth row from left:
Vintage Chocolate Mold
Fun 1960s Christmas dress
Vintage Santa Planner

I am just loving red right now! Red is not a shy retiring color that’s for sure, it can symbolize love, Christmas, passion, anger, war, sin and power. I love red’s energy, it’s the perfect color to be around while we embrace chilly weather. Check out our fun red finds and add some fire to your life!
Top row from left:
Monogrammed French linen cloth with red stripes
Vintage Feedsack fabric in red gingham
Red and White Bowling Bag
Second row from left:
Vintage Gumball Machine
Antique Cast Iron Hound Dog Bookends
Red and White Enamelware
Third row from left:
Vintage Red Striped Tumblers
Vintage Red Tins
Toy Sewing Machine
Fourth row from left:
Red Plaid Bag
Aluminum Toy Cars
Vintage Red Princess Winter Coat
What’s on your bucket list?
I have a very large bucket list so let’s hope I live a long life or I may run out of time. I am fortunate to have a wonderful husband who shares many of my dreams. Fraser and I have had our eye on a stunning 67’ classic motor yacht built in 1934. The M.V. Meander is moored on Granville Island which is also a busy boating community. One of our dreams is to own an historical vessel such as this and spend our summers slowly cruising up the coast among the many pretty little islands of the Pacific Northwest.
What inspires your work?
Inspiration is everywhere for me so it’s hard to put my finger on it. However, lately I have been doing collaborative drawings with my daughter Isabella. I am so inspired by the freshness of what she designs, she has no sense of right and wrong and it’s beautiful!
What movie do you watch again & again?
I love the “Shawshank Redemption” starring Tim Robbins. There is just something magical about that story and I have watched it many times. I must also admit I do rather like Tim Robbins’ cute smile…but shhh don’t tell my husband
Tell us about your pet?
We have a very tenacious mini white Schnauzer named Maisy. She is a very smart and rather barky girl with a kind and loving temperment. Maisy has been through a lot in her 7 years. She has been hit by a truck, attacked by an Irish Wolfhound (nasty) and last year she accidentally ran off a 20 foot cliff. In each case she managed to get up and brush it off as though nothing happened which has earned her the well deserved nickname of “Sturdy Girl”. Isabella adores her and has promised her betrothel to Massimo a friends bulldog.
If you could be any age again for one week, what age & why?
I would be six years old so I could explain grown-ups to my daughter Isabella. On second thought maybe I’ll wait until Izzy turns 14 and befriend her then. I was a bit of a terror at that age and she is very spirited so, well….you get the picture
And now it’s time for your craft!
When you’re at the country fair, why not be environmentally friendly and tote your own cutlery along with you! Download these instructions and make your very own Lily Ashbury Designs Cutlery Tote!
To further celebrate the Country Fair blog hop one of our Lily Ashbury team members, Sandy, has decided to enter the Second Annual Pie baking Contest here on Granville Island. The event is happening on September 29th as part of the Granville Island Fall Fest. With only 4 days left to choose a recipe, she’s looking for some inspiration from you!
Send us your recipe and win!
We are asking each of you to send us your most wacky or delicious pie recipe by leaving us a comment that includes a link to a recipe!
To thank you for taking the time to offer up your recipes, we’ll be randomly selecting six lucky winners to receive either a charm pack or layer cake of Moda Summer House fabric.
Thanks so much for visiting and don’t forget to visit Cosmo Cricket tomorrow.
Here is a really easy and fun way to show-off your paper treasures. Photos, postcards, vintage notions or anything that inspires you can be displayed this way. I hot glued some pretty mother of pearl buttons on to regular flat head thumbtacks and then wound some baker’s twine around them. This created a fun zig-zag clothesline effect. I used little photo clips/hooks to hang my collection but regular clothespins would work just as well. I think of this as a sort of mood board that will evolve and continue to inspire. Of course the pic of my lovely Isabella will be a permanent fixture!
Another Display Idea:
I recently visited San Francisco which is one of my favorite places on earth! While I was there I attended a vintage paper fair. I have been to this fair before and am always amazed at the array of gorgeous time loved ephemera. I am always struck by the beauty of the penmanship on the backs of antique postcards. I often think the well crafted cursive writing is the real treasure on these items.
A few days ago I read an article that states some educational boards across the US “no longer require the teaching of cursive writing, but do emphasize the development of keyboarding skills beginning in third grade”. I am truly hoping this is a passing educational fad. There is a strong need to focus on learning the skills to embrace modern technology but I think it would be a great shame to lose this art to our ipads, don’t you? You can read the article here.
If you want to take your cursive to the next level, why not try your hand at calligraphy. Check out this link.
I must admit I was bitten by the collecting bug when I was very young. There is just something about groups of pretty things that I find irresistible. Lately my passion has been vintage sewing notions. Vintage mother of pearl buttons and the charming retro graphics on old needle books are just lovely. I am working on a unique way to display my growing collection and will keep you posted:)
I have been working hard getting ready for Surtex, a tradeshow for licensing art and design. The show takes place starting this weekend from May 15-17th at the Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center in New York. If you’re going to Surtex, please stop by my booth, #639, I’d love to meet you!
This is my second year exhibiting at Surtex. My promotional mailer this year was a Passport themed book showcasing some of my newest designs. I decided to go for a vintage feel for the packaging and used some of my vintage Canadian stamps to adorn the envelope.
Pink is joyful, romantic and brimming with youthful energy. In spite of pinks many qualities, I must confess I didn’t used to like it. That was simply the way it was until my daughter Isabella came along. I am now a converted pink lover as all mothers of five year old girls must be. Pink, pink, pink is everywhere in my world and now very much in style (thank goodness)! The Pantone color of the year is a lively vibrant “Honeysuckle” pink #18-2120.
On a recent trip to Hawaii I had lunch at the famous “pink” Royal Hawaiian hotel in Waikiki. Being there gave me many ideas on how I might incorporate pink into my home even more. If you crave a shot of this passionate playful color we’ve found some vintage gems from Etsy that are sure to do the trick. Enjoy!
1 Vintage set of 5 hot pink melmac cups
2 Mid-Century Pink – a rare vintage late 1940′s Vera Neumann parachute scarf
3 Pink Lustre Wall Pocket Head Vase
4 Audubon bird book plate print
5 Peony pink vintage buttons
6 Vintage pink and brown chocolate cocoa tin
7 1965 cover Christmas Ornaments George Sprod, vintage Punch magazine
8 1950′s fully restored typewriter
9 Vintage 1950′s hot pink chiffon organza dress
If you’re ever in Vancouver you must visit one of my favorite shops. Slightly North of Main Street’s antique row is “A Baker’s Dozen” owned by Heather Baker, one of Vancouver’s well known antique dealers. This lovely shop is brimming with unique and collectible vintage goods and antiques. Heather has a special talent for grouping things in collections which makes for a visually enticing shopping experience. When I am in the area I just can’t resist a peek.
A Baker’s Dozen is at 3520 Main street, Vancouver BC.