Sunday 1 March 2009

New Friendships



Thank you for the lovely & friendly comments many of you have made. It makes it all worthwhile and encouraging. Since starting my new blog, it's suddenly opened up a whole new world of fascinating blogs, as well as very friendly and interesting people. It is so nice to be able to share and talk about a common interest.


The moat around Bishop's Palace, Wells (© Alan Woollard Photography)

Yesterday I popped into Wells, Somerset to pick up some gorgeous fabric which I had bought on Ebay from a lady called Carol. It turned out to be a very interesting visit! Before I left with my fabric, Carol mentioned that she had quite a bit of lace that she had collected over time and asked if I would be interested in looking at some. Naturally, I was very interested and accepted.

She led me through her house (an old Gatehouse) then up a stone spiral staircase until we reached the top room. There, was a cupboard full of linens and lace. As I looked through the cupboard and selected the ones I was interested in buying, we chatted about similar interests. I discovered that Carol sings and plays the harp. Carol is sometimes seen singing and playing the harp in Wells Market Place.

Carol Arblaster

As I left, Carol very kindly gave me a copy of her CD. Brendan Soul (a Celtic Companion). Her husband Paul writes the lyrics. Both my daughter and I have enjoyed listening to her music and beautiful voice. It is amazing how a simple trip to pick up something, turns in to a facsinating visit & a new friendship. More details on Carol and her music can be found here


Roses & Lilacs fabric and postcard which I bought from Carol


Lace & brooch also bought from Carol


Heart pendant & Embroidery found whilst browsing
in The Guard House Antique Centre in Wells.

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

15 comments:

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Isabelle,
Sounds like a perfect day.
(I actually know of Carol and her husband too - they used to be regular visitors to my little shop when I had it...they used to buy with a view to sending most of the items to a contact in America)

The floral brooch that you bought is stunning. And the postcards too of course.

Have a great week,
Niki

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hi Niki
What are the odds of that, what a small world! Carol still occasionally sends things to America but not on the same scale as before.I'm seeing Carol soon and look forward to talking about your shop!
Isabelle x

Stephenie said...

Just love that fabric. The brooch & lace are beautiful also.
I just wanted to tell you also you have a beautiful blog. I'm new in the land of blog and I found you hyperlinking.
Stephenie

Salon de Sucre said...

Oh My God.. you have the same playlist on your songs player.. Edith Piaf!! I love her!! and I think your blog is gonna be one of the best out there!! cant wait for your next posts!

Ali @ Betty and Violet said...

Hi Isabelle

Love your vintage finds...a girl after my own heart!

Glad that you have found 'Victoria' magazine again too! It is only bi~monthly at the moment, I'm hoping that it will one day be landing on my doormat every month as I get withdrawal symptoms! I too collected it for years (since about 1994) and foolishly when I was pregnant (lost my marbles temporarily) I sold about 8 years worth to make space ~ I just don't know what came over me and I have regretted it ever since!

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hello Isabelle,
What a beautiful afternoon spent with a new friend. When you mentioned lace, my heart went pitter patter... one of my weaknesses. You purchased some lovely, romantic pieces. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Bonne journée xo~Tracie

Shabby Chick said...

Hi Isabelle

Thanks v much for coming to visit me and for your lovely comment! Your blog looks like it's going to be great, I love your photographs especially the one of your mother and aunt.

You got some gorgeous things from Carol.

Good luck setting up your website. I'm thinking about starting one but not too sure. Though my Mum has got a qualification in website design and has offered to do one for me so we'll see!

Mel xxx

Lori said...

Isabelle, i am so glad that you stopped over to visit with me...i see you are new so i would like to welcome you to blogland...your blog is just lovely, i really love your banner...you have some of my very favorite things in that picture...all of the goodies you got from Carol are just gorgeous...

Clare and Mike said...

Hi Isabelle,

What a great day you had, what an interesting lady Carol is! That brooch is absolutely stunning! Look forward to hearing about your next day out - thank you for your comment on my blog!

Clare x

manon 21 said...

thank you very much.
I love edith piaf


manon

Country Cottage Chic said...

How lovely to make a new friend through your shared love of vintage!

Welcome to the blogging world!

Jayne

Anonymous said...

Hi, it sounds like you had a super visit and made a nice friend. You got some lovely things too, that fabric is lovely and the postcard is gorgeous. I have always wanted to visit Wells, I see and hear so much about it. I will make the effort as the weather warms up!

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

Oh what LOVELY goodies you have. It is just those little things like postcards that make us so happy... haha!! Beauties you found.

xoxo Heather

BusyLizzie said...

Hi Isabelle
Love your blog & thanks you for leaving a comment (house name) on mine. Looking at the links on your blog I feel we met have crossed paths somewhere?
Lizzie x

puchcy said...

Hi my name puchcy.Nice to meet u here.Your music very nice and all pictures very lovely. I never see before. I live in Thailand.^^"
This is my blog http://love-ways.blogspot.com/
have a nice day.^^