....magic lantern slides...............

It was Oxford Antiques and Farmers Market again today.....I didn't think I'd find anything interesting, except for a new stall selling yummy samosas. I'm always drawn to the stall with old cameras and binoculars and magic lantern slides, but usually out-priced as the slides are sold in boxes and can't be split up because they tell a story, or illustrate a lecture. But my luck was in today. I found some lovely old 1910 colour slides that were being sold separately for a pound each, and so bought five.......it seems that five pounds is my limit for buying stuff that has no real value, but may one day prove useful...............I just like them anyway.....and maybe one day I'll get the magic lantern too......

Issue three of Doodlezine

Abi Whitehouse and Desdemona McCannon have just produced the third issue of Doodlezine. It'll be on sale from 7th of November on http://www.etsy.com/ and also at the Manchester Book Fair on the same day. I can't wait to get my copy because it looks as though some really interesting artist's work has been selected. I specially love Calef Brown's colourful illustrations so was pleased to see that his work was selected for the cover. You can check out the details on:- http://www.doodlezine.blogspot.com/

.....Oxford yesterday........

It was a really warm Halloween yesterday We walked along the river into Oxford, then rewarded ourselves with a mille fois and green tea/coffee at Patisserie Valerie. In my opinion it's the best patisserie in Oxford, although I'm prepared to continue looking! Then had a quick look at Toast's new winter collection. I had to sneak some photos.........I felt like I'd been transported to a log cabin in the middle of a wild wood somewhere, or The Little House on the Prairie........(please ignore the date on the images it's wrong and I don't know how to change it...)

Flora

Bagley Woods

More trees......this time the woods at the end of the garden.....the one where I go out to play....well actually walk, where the deer and the antelope play...well not the antelope, but the deer and the foxes and the rabbits and the voles....

Oxford Antique Market

It's Oxford Antique Market every Thursday in Gloucester Green, and I can't resist having a good root around. I found these lovely old eighteenth century french receipts written in beautiful handwriting on tissuey paper..........not sure what I'll do with them yet.....at the moment I just enjoy looking at them.......and wondering which hand penned those letters.............and what the receipts are for, nothing sordid I hope.....must brush up on my french..............

.....kimono's.....................

I've been meaning to post some images of the kimono's Hannah brought me back from Japan.......I even love the paper packaging..........................

She asked me to choose between a white cotton kimono printed with a simple grey pattern, and one made from cream and turquoise antique silk......what a choice! they are both so beautiful. When I couldn't decide she gave me both.......................