Nantwich and Dags Antique barns.

1dagsfarm3
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

We had to wait in for the chap to come from Northwich Glass this morning to see that we'd emptied the shed - which we had done, about two hours before. It was freezing cold so kept running indoors to warm up on the computer.
It didnt take long to empty and now the bottom of the garden boasts a fine pile of antique wood and garden implements.
After he's gone we went to Nantwich to see the shop museum but sadly it was closed by the time we got there! Only open 9- 12. on a wednesday for some odd reason. So we found a nice cosy cafe above a bookshop with old beams and wonky flkoor to have lunch of toasted cheese sandwiches and a pot of tea. Archie had panini's and a hot chocolate as he likes to be different.
Then to a few charity shops but we didnt find much. I got a cuban diva Cd for 99p. The "cuban Edith Piaf" it says here on the label. I didnt quite see the resemblance.
Also a DVD of the Secret Policeman's Ball for next to nothing from the Booksale shop.
Then we hunted for the road to Shapely water gardens or is it Stapely? But found oursleves on the long windy road the Whitchurch which we found out was comepletely the opposite direction after we found a lay-by and consulted the map!
We found it eventually and the dags Antique barns nearby full of expensive tat to admire and ridicule. Archie found a big ol' pile of Beanos for quids and also a nice bookshop feller knocked a few quid off as he could see Archie was a collector and would be back for more.

Penny slot machine fun in the countryside.

1slotmachines
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

It's about a 40 minute drive from our house to where the slot machines are, just behind Beeston Castle at the Candle Workshops. Its well sign-posted thankfully so found it quite easily despite the circuitous route down the winding country lanes, past farms and waterlogged fields. We'd not not known about it if it hadn't been for a short clip about the slot machine museum on a local news programme on television last week. For £5 you get 60 big old pennies to play with, and what great fun! The phrase "worth every penny" never seemed so appropriate!
The only thing missing really was a crane machine but they had lots of other interesting diorama's and automata that I remember from my holidays at the seaside- The Drunkard's Dream, The Haunted Graveyard, the Gillotine.
When we came out it was snowing but luckily it stopped by the time we'd got up the road a few miles.
James came over to play with Archie in the afternoon and they could be heard three or four streets away giggling and screaming and firing bits of potato at each other in the back garden.
Hazel washed the mud, leaves,twigs and accumulated debris of the weekend off the car and took it back to Audrey. I loaded all my slot machine photos onto Flickr and had fun writing suitable notes to accompany them.

Party hats and rain hoods.

1partyhats
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

I got back from town just as the drizzle started. This morning I put all the illustrations I'd done for Roger onto a CD and posted it along with a load of other mail. The usual haunts around town but didnt find much. Got some plastic CD envelopes cheap on the market.
This collage was another for the Kids at Frickr on the theme I devised using different "elements" I uploaded for the group to print out and use.


Can you guess the platform oddballs?

Sneaky snapper's shakey snaps.

11fancydressshop
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Archie is still feeling unwell so reluctantly kept him off school again. Luckily Hazel was home to keep and eye on him so I was able to go into town and take advantage of the good weather to do some sneaky photos with the camera dangling on a chain round my neck. I felt very subversive taking pics of shop windows and pub signs - I don't know why. In London, no one would bat an eyelid.
This one of the special display for Valentines day in the Fancy Dress shop window came out a bit blurred because I was rushing things a bit.
It's nice not to worry about using up film and being wasteful.
Borrowed the new Jim Carey film on DVD from the library ( Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?) Awful title but a good film , it says here. Interesting to see Carey in a more serious role.
Hazel and Archie were playing draughts when I got home. The sorted the spud gun collection and Hazel put some on her Flickr blog.
Spent the afternoon catching up with mail and doing a few projects that have accumulated.

Spud-U-Like Sunday Tip Challenge.

11bigpotato
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Not really. But we did clear some junk from the shed you'll be pleased to know, and Hazel took two loads to the tip. We wanted to go out but Archie still looking very pale and not 100% so we stayed in to do odd jobs around the house - which mostly involved traipsing mud from the garden to the inside. The slot machines of the Candle Workshops will have to wait until next week. It's amazing how much junk one collects over the years and today we found heaps of buggy wood and crusty tins of paint. Some wicker baskets of electric plugs and sockets, A plastic rocking horse. 3 bags of flowerpots. 2 sheets of ply and a cartridge in a bare tray.

Sheds and their blokes.

11blokes&theirsheds
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

A great book that I bought for Hazel, or she bought for me, many years ago. Some lovely photos of sheds, mostly crammed full of stuff.
Our shed is nearly empty now ready for it's imminent destruction.
Walked into town this morning under a leaden sky. No chance to take any photos. I feel a bit intrusive taking them of shop fronts though I'd quite like to.Maybe I"ll do it on a weekday when it's quieter and hang the camera round my neck on it's chain to enable a quick getaway.
Didnt find many bargains. The Booksale shop had lots of Beanos and Dandys but Archie has them already for Christmas. Auntie "A" was miffed that now you could get them for next to nothing and she paid the full price a couple of months ago!


One of our many sheds, packed to bursting!

The old giant pear joke never fails.

11giantpear
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Archie still not very well so we kept him off another day. Hazel is at home to keep an eye on him so I was able to wander into town in the drizzle for some fresh air and a chance to try out my new camera. Took a couple of the pub signs down Witton Street for Al's Frickr group. I would have taken more but it was very gloomy and wet.
Bought some bread though sad to hear that the "seedy loaf" was no longer available. Luckily the old witch with a face like a slapped arse wasn't in today and I was served by a young girl who was quite pleasant and had manners.
Also bought some re-writable CD-R's for the audio recorder as the others were a bit scratched and jumped occasionally.
With the Times this week you can buy a DVD of Morecambe and Wise highlights for £2.99 which seemed too good to miss. Every week they are selling a BBC related DVD cheap if you buy the paper. Next week I think it's Jane Austin's "Persuasion" starring the Krankies and Basil Brush?
The surveyor is coming tomorrow to measure the shed for the conservatory so I cleared some of the junk out of it to make his life a little easier.
This afternoon catching up with some mail and various mail art related projects.

Another drizzly Sunday at home.

11valentinerobot
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

I ventured out for the papiers and read those in between breakfasts. Archie's friend James was staying so they were giggling away like mad, making a Flash animation about a boy whose head grows like a very tall hat and breaks the moon. Flying saucers and sputniks whizz passed and wobble by as it ascends through clouds. All to the tune of "Obo the Hobo".
This afternoon I did some collaging (one of them above for the Collage Kids Frickr group) and Hazel took some junk from the shed we are having demolished to the local tip. I was hoping to go for a walk so I could try out my new camera on ducks and other wildlife but the weather was still a bit iffy and Archie had homework to do.
I made a huge vegetable curry for dinner and now I feel very full.


Here's another collage finished today but started a while ago, for the same theme of "Valentine".

Landing Art gallery re-opens

Landing Art gallery
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Most of these were put up when we first moved here 6 years ago and for the Cheshire Open Studios so about time I put some new work up.
Just trying out my new cheapo tiny Vivitar digital camera that I bought in a sale yesterday. I was taking snaps of the house and interior all afternoon trying to figure out what the best settings were etc. It only has 8mb of internal memory but with that you can store 11 photos of the less pixelated variety (as shown here) and on lower settings can store 23 which are adequate for blogging etc. I might get a memory card at a later date which would significantly boost storage capacity to 64mb. Pleased with the results so far. To see more go to Flickr.
I also bought a battery charger as the chap in the shop said it eats them! Only ten quid and so have an endless supply now which is good - I hate buying batteries. Archie's remote controlled cars get through a hell of a lot and it seems such a waste!
The fellow from Northwich Glass came to measure our shed for possible conservatory - Hazel is desperate to have somewhere to work undisturbed. We are going to look at the showroom on Saturday.

A trip to another Planet and Jodrell Bank.

12spacerobot
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

The Planet was a conservatory and windows merchant over at Holmes Chapel. hazel wanted to look at a few to see what was available,sizes and prices etc. She's desperate to get a place to work. A chap is coming over next week to look at our shed we want fetching down and give us a quote for work etc.
We saw a sign for Jodrell Bank so decided to have a look at the telescope and visitors centre which was only a short drive away. Got there just as the gates were being opened!
The main visitors centre is being demolished to make way for a state of the art one in a few years. A smaller version and cafe and 3-D theatre is all that is left. It made a nice change to see the amazing structure of the telescope again and walk in the Arboeretum.
The 3-D film was very short and was about quasars and black holes and narrated by a long necked alien creature. We had to wear 3-D glasses but the effects were few and far between. Archie bought a fossiled sharks tooth in the shop and some pens and toys for Granma and Auntie Audrey.
This collage is another for the Flickr "Collage Kids" sci-fi theme. Danny Kaye looks abit like the Little Prince with his foot on that planet?


Jodrell Bank radio telescope.

The tale of the Curios Dog.

1curiosdog
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

This is an old mail art "dogumentation" from some years ago. Curios Thing is the usual collaged book photo-copied in small editions and sent out in the mail but this issue was based around the DOG mail art project I initiated in 1999. It includes an address list which all self respecting mail art docs. must include and 16 pages of nonsense about dogs. Having just watched a bit of Ross Noble's DVD (borrowed from library) whilst having my lunch it reminds me of his daft quiz included therein. i.e. "Pea Hair dogs in the english land have taste organs in their legs."
Also- "For the well trained dog....Make 'walkies' and travel a pleasure not a chore with these unique bladder control harnesses, designed and used by ex-carpet pile-olice."
A quiet day so far with just two packets in the post - a CD of Brian Wilson's latest from Vittore Baroni ( Goons coming soon V.B.) and an interesting compilation from Creative Thing ( CD coming soon C.T.) of psychedelia and oddness from the rock 'n' roll backwaters.
Have been listening to them and to the Mark Lamaar vintage rock show on BBC radio 2 which is always full of surprises and gems I'd not heard before including a great Moon Mullican track. Catch it on the "listen again" streaming service.


Here's another from the mid 90's. An android and eccentric invention issue to coincide with Hazel's exhibition at the Young Vic.

Twenty different kinds of sleet.

1archiesclass99
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

The lights flickered omniously yesterday but the power stayed on thankfully. Several thunderstorms and hail,sleet,rain and drizzle later I watched the news and traffic reports to see why Hazel might be stuck at in Manchester. But, she was only 30 minutes late which isnt too bad considering.
Earlier I had gone into town- crunching through the slush and looked round the library. Borrowed Shrek 2, mainly to see the "extras" like making of, out-takes etc. which are always fascinating. The extras here though were mainly aimed at 5 year olds unfortunatley and consisted of dull "inter-active" maps and jukeboxes where you replay clips of the film you have just watched! Even a five year old would tire of these very quickly!
Also bought some cox's apples and a seedy loaf.
The childrens drawing here was voted a atop favourite at Flickr out of all the images I've uploaded. I can see why. Archie's teacher made them draw themselves and he compiled this great picture of the whole class for an end or year calendar. I just love the range of drawing abilities from simple stick figures to more sophisticated efforts with shoes and hairstyles etc.

Superstitious nonsense.

1superstitions
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Walking under magpies, throwing spilled mirrors over your shoulder, spitting through the rungs of ladders etc. supertitious nonsense or olde worlde charm? Hence the collage for the Frickr group Collage Kids this week.
Yesterday a pleasant walk around the mere at Shackerly. Archie had spoiled the ducks rotten with a brand new white loaf he bought for 17p at Tescos. In the local corner shop they are 97p! The swans,geese, moorhens etc. didnt mind either way - they woofed it down like it was the last bread they'd see for some considerable time. I'm amazed they could float afterwards!
In the afternoon we went to help Granma and Audrey dispose of a Buddlia? that had blown over in the gale. We arrived to find Audrey sawing away with the tiniest saw imaginable - one from a midgets play set! "It's taken me ages!" she wailed. "No wonder!" we rejoindered, " couldn't you find the nail file?"
Anyway, after Hazel made quick work of it with a proper saw, we put the branches and twiglets into sacks and took it to the tip.
Today was very rainy and windy so stayed in to fiddle with the PC plug. Discovered it didn't need a new fuse but had merely needed to be pushed firmly into the socket from which it had become disengaged! I did feel a fool!


Archie feeding the ducks,swans,geese etc. at Shackerley Mere.

Seamus Heaney was a meanie.

1anniverserycard
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Seamus Heaney was a meanie
Always playing naughty tricks.
Putting worms in my lunch-box
And flicking me with whippy sticks.

Teacher gave him fifty lines
For writing words upon the wall.
But all the punishments and fines
Could not stop him, not at all.

He put a ferret down my trousers
Where he got it, heaven knows.
He smashed the windows of our houses
And trod on Wendy Cope's toes.


A quiet day wrestling with computers and pulling out hair when they don't do what you want them too. I think a fuse must have blown in a plug or soemthing 'cos the PC just won't work atall now - not a flicker!
Also had trouble burning some MP3's to disc on the mac. Not enough room for files it says though one lot fits fine on one disc so why it wont transfer heaven only knows? Does it accumulate files in the transfer process? I'm totally baffled and not for the first time!

I got Friday on my mind.

1loving the alien
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Another week nearly over. I went into town, mainly for the walk and the exercise and some fresh air to try and blow this headache away. I should'nt have had that fizzy beer last night - it was only one can but it seems to disagree with me. It must be the widgets!
Didnt find much in the library. The woman in the bank lectured me on keeping my card and cheque-book sellotaped together. My explaination that I found it easier to find them both did not seem to ease her fears. I didnt want a card in the first place - the bank forced it on me.
Found some cheap CD's- the sort they give away in the sunday papers. Brian Wilson sings the Surfin' Hits - Live! What a treat and only 20p! Also found a giveaway DVD of that great british comedy written by Alan Bennett "A Private Function" with Michael Palin and Maggie Smith etc.
Also bought a cheap copy of Black Adders second series with Rowan Atkinson as Archie was complaining that he had "nothing to watch" when having his breakfast in the mornings!

This could be magic.

1magicsquare
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

We have been let off lightly by the bad weather that seems to have blighted some parts of Scotland and northern England. The winds have died down and was able to walk into town with a bright blue sky above. Found a wonderful heavy book in a charity shop called "THE EARTH FROM THE AIR - 365 DAYS" with fantastic aerial photos taken by Yann Arthus- Bertrand . He has a website that can be found here.
In another charity shop found a video of that great Coen Brothers film "The Big Lebowski"- so not a bad day for bargains. Mind you, I think my arms have stretched an inch or so longer after carrying that weighty tome home!
Hazel and Archie are in the garden as I write this filling up the green wheelie-bin for tomorrows "recycling" day - once a fortnight they come to collect our garden rubbish, bottles, cans and paper. Hazel is burning the card, which they don't take (for some weird reason?) in the mexican pot-bellied stove. It's making a fine plume of smoke and flame in the twilight.

Tight wellies curtail Sunday walk.

rogerjillyandus
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Just back from a short walk to the River Weaver near the village of Wobbleton? Wivvington? Willingdon? something like that. The students form Sir John Deans College were sculling up the river in their skiffs or whatever it is they are called? Six in one boat and three in another and single scullers? Followed by men on bikes on the towpath. Archie wanted a bullrush but was afraid of sinking into the marshy ground they grew in. His boots hurt so he was limping a little so we decided to come home after 20 minutes or so.
Not much of a walk, nevermind, at least we got out into a new bit of countryside we'd not explored before although Archie had been there with the Thomas and family from across the road.
This is a photo that Hazel took using the timing thingy when Roger and Jilly were here New Years Day. I've changed it to monochrome as I didn't like the red eyes Archie and I have and dont know how to use the red eye reduction on i-photos!

Jewelbox-Invitation

Jewelbox-Invitation
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Here's a new mail art project by my old friend in California ,Creative Thing a.k.a Leslie Caldera. Leslie and I have been corresponding for over 20 years now and he has done some wonderful projects in the past, notably a homage to Kurt Schwitters and for another of his heroes , Joseph Cornell.
The wind kept us awake last night, rolling bins and cans down the road and rattling the window frames etc. Surprised to see little damage done when we looked out the window this morning. A few flowerpots blown over.It seems silly to even mention it.
Archie has been trying to teach me the basics of Flash animation but I'm a terrible pupil and my attention span is nil! So many things you have to remember - miss out one and you're stuck! He was very patient though and encouraged me to carry on despite this dismal start. The stick man I made jump onto a box took only 10 minutes to do but the thought i doing anything more elaborate fills me with admiration for Archie and these other folk who make it look so effortless!

I'm a non-entity, get me out of here!

1puzzlepicture
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Blimey, the wind is whistling around the perimeters something chronic! Sorry, I promised not to mention our feeble weather.
Here's another puzzle picture full of people you might know - like Quasimodo, that face rings a bell? I expect you will know some of them but others are more obscure, especially for non U.K. citizens.
Hazel has started adding to her blog again after a lull in activities. You can find it here.
Went into town today to take a game back to the library and borrow another. Found some cheap DVD's and a CD of "car music" from the 90's featured on that dreadful Top Gear programme on telly. It contains classics like the La's "There She Goes" and Talking Heads "Road To Nowhere".
Not much in the mail today.

The glorious twelth.

acartoon
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

So, all the decorations have to come down. Even Tony Blair's enormous baubles were being packed away in the middle of Downing Street - I just saw it on the news.
Sorting cards into piles of home-made and store bought. The home-made get put away in the archive and the others are recycled. Roger and Jilly said you would hardly notice the difference when we took our decorations down as we have so much on the walls and ceiling anyway but it does feel that much tidier now they have all been packed away for another year.
Made this collage today for the Frickr Collage Kids group weekly theme. Not one of my most inspired efforts but considering I was sorting cards, taking down fairy lights and such it's not too bad.
More gale force winds and rain forcaste for tomorrow but it seems so pathetic to moan about the weather when people have lost everything on the other side of the world. I don't think I shall mention the drizzle ever again!


A Greenfield/Stangroom/Leigh collaboration.2001.

A germ fearless drawers of plain pyjamas

agermfearlessdrawers
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

I don't know what it means either. Just back from a nice walk around Shackerly Mere to feed ducks,geese,swans and other feathered friends with our stale bread. Lots of other folk had the same idea. Lots of new puppy dogs for crimble and not just for life.
Archie found a long iron hook which made a satisfying "prang" noise when thrown at the gravel path.
Its a nice sunny days here and not as cold or windy as the last few days. We needed to get out and stretch our legs. Archie is back to school tomorrow and Hazel will start back to college soon. Back to the old routine.
Archie just got a phone call from his friend James and Hazel has gone to drop him off at his house for the afternoon.
I have some mail to catch up with and a very messy work table to tidy.

Whats the difference between a Jilly Roger and a pirate?

DSC01009
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

We had fun with cracker jokes and riddles when Jilly and Roger were here and got a few good trinkets too including a pen, address book,nail clippers,stainless steel bookmarker,tiny picture frame etc. It was lovely to see them both and we hada nice chat and Roger played some ditties on Hazel's old guitar which he tuned. Archie showed them his animations and a few card tricks. The wind was howling last night and kept us all awake. The rabbit was very noisy too and Hazel had to get up in the night to muffle her with some extra straw! I went and got the Sunday papers this morning but we were having so much fun making things out of torn cracker left-overs we forgot to look at them. Played Cluedo (Archie won) and cards after a nice lunch of pannini and haloumi cheese etc. They went off about 3-30p.m. to see chums in Stockport and then to Liverpool and Beatle bandland. It's very quiet now and it's back to blogging and Flickr where I am alarmed that I've used 25% of this months ration already - how can this be?


Roger discovers the yellow pencil!

Another year done gone.

leighbeach
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

It really flew by. More so, every year it seems. Highlights were our trip to Venice in the Spring( would have a photo here but Flickr has deleted most of them!) and holiday in London and Essex during the Summer. Discovering blogs and Flickr and re-discovering the mail art in the coal shed. Ones own upsets and calamities seem rather puny and insignificant when compared with current disasters and overwhelming tragedies in the Middle East and Far East. Lets hope for a better 2005.

At home with the diverse.

adiversathome
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Another from the travelling exhibtion "The Silent Scene". Don't ask what it's about!
Another bank holiday which seems a little excessive but I'm sure many people are glad of an extra day off work. We went into town again to see if the sales had started but it was the same as yesterday. Archie had some vouchers burning a hole in his pocket so he bought The Sims for the PS2 and I got Medal of Honour2 as I enjoyed the first one so much.

There's a rat in de kitchen.

aratfacedfink
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Now he's in the living room watching Rolf Harris paint a nice Chritsmas Card using custard and a big bag of glitter.
Xmas has been and gone and we wonder what all the fuss is about. Lots of money spent and lots of food consumed and wrapping paper ceremoniously burned in the mexican stove in the back garden. Archie is tuning in his new telescope to look at the chimney pots and Hazel is still under the duvet, curled in a ball.
This collage has been travelling over 6 years and just arrived home on Xmas eve, remarkably unscathed.
It snowed on xmas day much to Archie's delight and he was able to make two snowmen in Granma's garden. Can you smell carrots?
It didn't last very long and turned into slush and icy puddles the next morning. Ever hopeful Archie took his sledge to the local hilly park but the remaining snow was hardly enough to roll a snowball.

Merry Christmas!

merry christmas!
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

All a bit hectic here so not much time to blog. Thanks to all the nice people who have supported flobberlob since it started in particular Sebastian and I Like and all the nice people at Blogger, Flickr and the Collage Kids. It's time to go and trap some sprouts and track down some nuts for the xmas dinner.

House warning party.

a1quiz
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

This is a collage made very quickly for the Frickr folk as they like to stick comments and notes on things. Ones with lots of heads seem very popular so I concocted this xmas quiz to see if they know who all the celebs are. You can have a go too if you like.
The house warming party over at Wincham was enjoyable up to a point. I had a nagging headache so wasn't really into socialising.I would have loved to have drunk some beer or wine but restricted to orange juice due to paracetamol. Lots of nice food served up later on and I was starving having gone without lunch and by the time the food was ready it was about 3 o'clock!
Thankfully our neighbours from over the road came along later despite the chicken pox their little girl was recovering from. Archie had Thomas to play with for a while. We didn't have anything in common with anybody there really and we felt rather excluded from this well-heeled Cheshire set. Nevermind, it made a change to see how the other half live. A lovely barn conversion which was very spacious and made our house seem very tiny in comparison.
Today we braved the freezing weather to do some more xmas shopping. Got some Dennis the Menace annuals for Archie in a charity shop but he had them already. They are in better nick than the ones he has , so he will use them as "swaps". Also got some plastic boxes which are in stock again, for the last of the mail art archive. Hazel and Archie put the tree up and I helped hang some decorations. Hazel baked a cake for her Mum's birthday and Archie decorarted it with Smarties.

The Hendersons will all be there.

beatlessong
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

A collage made for the Collage Kids Frickr group based on a Beatles song and you had to guess which one. Its easy and I've given you a clue already.
A headache all morning and what with the drizzle I've stayed in to blog and write a few last minute cards. Just see the poor postman almost doubled up with the weight of xmas post so don't expect he'll deliver ours until about tea time!
Also added to photo archive from the old albums that are crumbling away. They were crumbling in the 60's when I started them so now just held together with a single thread and some old peeling sellotape. The rabbit is typing a letter or rather the noise she makes when drinking water from the container wired to her hutch.Clickerty-clickwerty-clickwerty!
Hazels last day at college so she'll be happier with the thought of a few weeks break from it all. She said some of her students read this so better be careful what I say!
Archie is home early with his mate James who is a non-stop giggler.They had a carol service this morning and played on the computers.James' Mum who works at the chemist will pick him up at three.
The wind is whistling down the chimney and the rain is lashing the window again.

Bygones of ye olde Cheshire.

kidditunes
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

A very pleasant day wandering the highways and byways of Cheshire with old chum Tony who I hadn't seen for a while. It was his birthday so for a treat we went to Nantwich( about 10 miles away as the dodo flies) to walk its quaint cobbled streets in search of gifts of one sort or another. Lots of charity shops but no bargains did we find. Tony showed me this wonderful old shop which had a mini-museum and a cafe at the back. It has a website here.
It was an amzing place full of old advertising signs and shop items from the 20's.30's and 40's. We sat and had a coffee and soaked up the surroundings. Hazel and Archie must come here as they would love it!
Then we drove over to some antique barns near Stapley Water Gardens past some very beautiful countryside and many winding lanes. A bit expensive but did find a couple of old 60's Lion and Victor annuals for Archie which seemed more reasonably priced.

Empire state of mind.

empirestate
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

A fragment of sound from this old 78 souvenir from the top of the Empire State Building can be found at my yahoo group Boot Sale Sounds. It sounds terrible, I warn you now!
A pretty terrible day all round being the 13th ofcourse which are usually pretty unlucky for me. I went shopping to get some last minute gifts but ended up buying myself records from a charity shop. They look better than they sound. Find them at Flickr.
Hazel had her root canal work done so not so lucky for her either! She survived it but took some pain killers and went to bed for an hour or so. She described in loving detail the instruments of torture ( a small bottle brush apparently?) and the anguish she felt as she felt them revolving inside her tooth root! Ouch! Thank goodness my appointemnt isn't for another 5 months!

The clock shop nightmare before christmas.

clockshopnightmare
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

This collage was rather rushed due to Crimble and card making and sending and shopping etc. It's another for the Collage Kids group on Flickr and for this weeks theme of "Time".
A nice drive out to Tatton Park this morning to visit the farm which we'd not done before. Santa was there, somewhere at the end of a big queue of crying infants so we avoided that bit! The old farm house had been turned into a mini-museum with rooms decorated and furnished in 1930's style. The lady who was born in the house was making toast downstairs on an old coal fire banked up really high with glowing coke. She was telling the assembled throng about her childhood and how she became a secretary and not worked on the farm atall. The only photo she had of her mother, who died when she was three, was upstairs in a big oval frame above the fire-place. When a man cheekily grabbed some buttered toast which was meant for the children she told him off in no uncertain terms! Another who foolishly told his family in a loud voice that this was the home of a "poor family" got a withering look and told " I used to live here and it wasn't a poor family!" He tried to make ammends by saying what he really meant was that it was very old. He just dug himself into a deeper hole and eventually slunk out. Another man amusingly said "Heat up that toasting fork and I'll go and stick it in him!" A small girl in someones arms said "In his bottom!" Oh how we laughed! Even the lady with the toast had to smile at that one.
The farm also had a piggery with many piglets squeaking and snuffling in some rather wiffy sties. Also an enormous sow sat on her bottom and was munching rather noisily at some chewy hay. She looked rather like an automata made of yellowish sacking material with a big clunky motor inside! Archie fed some goats with some food her bought at the farm shop. His hand was covered in goat drool so he had to go and wash it off. Yuk!
There was also a pottery, a carpenter and a smithy and tractor rides I think but they didn't start until the afternoon. We were hungry so wended our way home via the playground where Archie had a quick go of some swings and monkey climbing bars.


Hilarious cracker joke.

Here's another fine blog you've got me into Stanley!

Todays mail came around 1pm as I was washing up the lunch things. Not a huge ammount but a very welcome postcard from Frips that originated with me and i sent to Ed Giecek and now its back again aftera round trip of several thousand miles from here to the U.S.A. and then to Belgium and back to me. I just saw it on Frips fine blog and i expect Ed has it on his too?!
Thats four L&H cards back from various journeys so far. I must send some more out. I have a whole postcard book full of them.
A quiet day scanning ephemera for the Frickr group of the same name. Found four "Lucky bags" that fit the bill perfectly. We had lots but foolishly left the sticky sweet in some of them and they turned to gunk with the passage of time!
Just discovered this place that turns your blogs into books! You can find it here.

Peter porker picked a pig of painted piffle.

peterporkers
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Another day that flew by and one wonder where the time went. I finished off a collaborative collage and posted it back to Swapatorium in time for Xmas. The post orifice was full up and lots of people decided to get parcels sent to relatives in Australia and Canada etc. Then to the pet shop to get some straw for the rabbit and the newsagents for the Radio Times. Home again to hoover and put some washing in the machine. Clean out the rabbit. Wrapped a few presents. Took some photos for my blog and Flickr including the ellusive "Lady In The Bath" and some messy shots of my messy workspace. Found this childrens colouring book in a box of mail. Not sure of the date- 60's I would guess? Just a little garage band tune byQuestion Mark & The Mysterions courtesy of the Necrography and K.D.Opdello for the link.Only up for a short time.



Here's the "Lady In The Bath" puzzle. It hasa magnet inside so to put her in the bath without her jumping out you have to tap the bath on the table so the magnet inside the bath slides down a bit and then the lady is happy to go in the bath. More clever toys and their mechanisms here.

Usual suspects at the boot sales

usualsuspects
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Two boot sales today though rather sparse and tending towards the xmas market/bazaar end of things. The first was at the Witton Albion ground and the regulars were there with the same stuff they bought last time but with wrapping paper and old tree ornaments etc. Did find a couple of videos of films we'd missed at the cinema including "The Missing" with Tommy Lee Jones and "Starsky & Hutch" with Ben Stiller. Also some secret things for Crimble presents which I had to hide away from Hazel and Archie. Archie found some old Beanos and Dandys from the 70's, so he was happy as Larry!
The next was pretty much the same over at Winnington Youth Club. Some more secrets and a record by Bob Williamson, a northern comic. If it's any good I'll put a couple of tracks on the Boot Sale group.
Hazel's just gone to take Audrey to one or both.Archie is playing with his Lego. The sun is trying to get through the mist. Made this collage for the Collage Kids group at Flickr. Can you guess who the usual suspects are? The theme this week was "Crime Scene" suggested by Big Al.I was looking for my Boys Book Of Scotland Yard for ages but couldn't find it so found a policeman in an old Ronnie Barker's Gentleman's Relish book of naughty postcards. This afternoon went for a walk over at Carey Park as it was a nice bright day. Got lost coming back from the top of the hill overlooking the steaming factory in the distance, took a left instaed of a right and ened up on a path full of dog walkers by a babbling brook. It was a pleasant detour but we had to ask someone eventually if the path led to Northwich and he put us right. So we went right round in a big circle it seems and ended up back where we stated some two hours later. Hazel took lots of photos of distant steamy factory buildings and Archie with steam coming out of the top of his head etc. so expect to see them on Flickr soon.

Peter Sellers at Boot Sale Sounds

ghost
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

New uploads of Peter Sellers and others at Boot Sale Sounds yahoo group which can be found in the links section. I just found this 1958 LP "The Best of Sellers" in a charity shop in town.£1.49.This 10" disc on Parlophone was produced by George Martin I think though it doesn't mention him on the sleeve.

Happy 64th Birthday Bob Dylan!

Happy 64th Birthday Bob Dylan!
Originally uploaded by Ed Giecek.

Here's your chance to take part in a mail art project by sending something appropriate to Ed who will put it on the blog he's just started. You can find it here
I went into town again for a nice healthy walk and got the Animation book which was even cheaper than I imagined which was good.Also found Archie a video and a phone book(for writing phone numbers in) as the old one has fallen to bits. Hazel just phoned to say her lecture went o.k. despite the shakes and her tooth hasn't troubled her today.
Nice post from Roger- the pass along book that we are doing with Sylvia. It's looking good.Also another Xmas card - this time from Auntie Olwen. Must get Archie to design our card before it's too late and we have to use a generic one from the Pound Shop!

Darby Day Darby Day, Darby All The Way.

cthing16
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

Sung to the tune of jingle bells. This was an echo from my childhood but not sure how or why my Mum found this so funny. Darby day is getting closer and so more Crimble shopping today which uncovered some trifles and gew-gaws. Saw a wonderful Taschen book called Animation Now which was over 500 pages and full of colour plates and DVD slipped into the back cover. I might go back and get it for Archie as an extra present mainly because I want to look through it again. Borrowed a 4 DVD set from the library of Live Aid which we watched a bit of today. Queen were very good and also enjoyed Dire Straits but most was awful 80's pop fodder I'd forgotten about like Howard Jones and Adam Ant etc.
The hairdressers was empty so popped in for my festive yuletide trim. The lady barber was very chatty and was very keen to know what art I did and what I did all day. I tried to make it sound exciting and busy but don't think I succeeded!

Another day in the big smelly city.

isitabird?
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.

This time I hope this blog works as I spent ages typing up this day and the whole lot vanished in to the ether! Or wherever the lost blogs go?
Went to Manchester again this time to see Archie's animation at the under 18's film fest. at the Cornerhouse cinema. It was a cold morning with a beautiful sunrise that Hazel managed to snap with her trusty digital camera through the grimey train window. I read some of Andrew Collins "Where Did It All Go Right?" which is good (see links for his website). Had breakfast at the college and then went to the Cornerhouse to see the short films with a packed cinema full of High School kids who had obviously come straight from school in a coach.Very noisy lot!
Most of the films were mercifully short and some were great like the plasticine animations of werewolfs in wythenshawe and the magician producing rabbits from trousers etc. Archie's looked great on the big screen and it really made him realise the potential I think as when he got home he started right into making another flash animation about a cave man thinking about what the wheel (he invented in the last one) could be used for. Squashing rabbits!
Afterwards we had a walk into the centre of town. Bought some Dutch pancakes with sickly chocolate sauce at the Continental market by the town hall and had a ride in the big observation wheel. Then to the URBIS museum of city life which is very impressive biulding like a big wedge of stilton. Unfortunately not much, besides the funicular railway, inside to justify the huge expense of keeping this thing running. Lots of videos and "inter-active" buttons to press but with little sense of discovery or fun attached. Afterwards dragged our weary carcases to the station via the pound shop where I found some great old cult movies- three per disc! the original "Little Shop of Horrors", which is awful ( the Frank Oz version is much better)and Herk Harvey's "Carnival of Souls".


This is the first issue of CURIOS THING made back in 1984/5.