Vintage Books

After reading Tamzin's latest post about her tin collection over at The Little Vintage Company blog I decided to share a few of my collections. I thought I would start with books. Anyone who knows me knows my house is coming down with books of all kinds. I have books everywhere and my new cupboard is now crammed with books. I have put some of my vintage books at the front because their covers are too lovely to be hidden from view.

I didn't intend to use the cupboard for books but for now that's what it holds. I am still debating whether to take the paintbrush to it but will live with it for a while.

The stained glass doors match the windows above .

I love old annuals for the pictures on the covers.

The annual in the basket is one of my favourites, it has a great picture of a vintage caravan on the front.

The Josephine books have beautiful illustrations by Honor C Appleton. The Mabel Lucie Attwell illustrated Water Babies was a charity shop find some years ago.

Last weekend we went to Birmingham for the first time in a few years and I had a good look round the Cath Kidston sale in Selfridges.

I couldn't resist the miniature basket and the little cases. They were all in the sale and although I know they are meant to be for children I couldn't resist them knowing I would put them to use as storage for something.

Birmingham really has a lot to offer these days including some amazing architecture and a talking bull outside the Bullring shopping centre!

September Bicycle Basket Bazaar

Yesterday was the September Bicycle Basket Bazaar. It was lovely and sunny and the Fishmarket was full of people enjoying the atmosphere. I bought some pretty yellow brushed cotton fabric from Job and Frances and a lovely little dog mirror from Lindsay at 'Elsie Sparrow'.

Today was The Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair at the University. I had never been to one before but it is great if you like vintage clothes. I bought a lovely little Barbola mirror,some pretty 1940s paper lanterns, a lucite flower brooch and one of the lovely old 1930s annuals that I have a weakness for. I really like the colour pictures they have on the covers as well as some of the colour plates inside.

See what the postman brought

I just had to share with you the lovely bits of ephemera that have just arrived on my doormat. As you know I love anything from the 20s and 30s was excited about receiving these wonderful bridge tally cards. I spotted them in the lovely Etsy shop Redheadvintagepaper (well worth a visit)and spent ages deliberating over which to have. Yesterday they finally arrived having travelled all the way from America. They have a temporary home on my kitchen dresser while I consider where to put them.

Then, this morning some lovely scraps arrived of cute little 1920s children, very Mabel Lucie Attwell like. They all have googly eyes which give them rather startled expressions !

Boot Sale Treasures

This morning was spent rummaging at the local car boot sale. I haven't been to one for a while and as the sun came out first thing we thought we would give it a try. We always go prepared with a  flask of hot coffee and fresh croissants. This morning I found some lovely old children's books, I just love the pictures in the 1920s and 30s annuals. 

I also found an assortment of pretty brooches ....

various pieces of china and some framed pictures from the 1920s.