Lots Of Treats

I have been very spoiled over the last week. On Monday it was my birthday and Mr C surprised me with this gorgeous tin I had admired at the Northampton Vintage Fair on Saturday.

Last week a beautifully wrapped parcel arrived from the lovely Nicki of Homebird. I had won her fabulous giveaway and received this wonderful array of goodies.

Whilst I was busy at the fair my lovely girl put some of the baking goodies to very good use. She made me some of the lovely vanilla cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery cook book. She used the cute little flags Nicki had sent me and tried out using an icing bag for the first time. These were an early birthday treat and I am afraid were all gone by my actual birthday !

I found some lovely things at the fair

including this gorgeous vintage eiderdown in amazing condition. This bird design seems to be really popular at the moment so it was great to find an original piece.

Sticking with the bird theme, I found this very cute tin too.

On Monday I received some lovely cards and gifts

these pretty Cath Kidston tins and bag amongst other things from my lovely girl.

Mr C and I had a day out and stopped off in the pretty town of Oakham to have tea at a lovely vintage cafe next to the church. There were beautiful flower arrangements on every table using different vintage containers.

Back to the fair, I also found this sweet patchwork cushion

some gorgeous vintage French fabric from Wend of Ticking Stripes

And this pretty 1950s musical jewellery box from Carol of Sara Carol Makes.

The fair was a great success, busier than ever but still great fun and very friendly. It was lovely seeing lots of friends and meeting new people too. There are more photos over on the fair blog.

Busy Weekend and Deb's New Venture

I seem to have a crammed in a lot this weekend. Saturday started bright and early with a walk around the Edwardian reservoir at our local country park. The old water tower can be seen in the picture. Josh would have loved it but he is terrified of going in the car, one of the problems we have found when taking on a rescue dog. Once home it was back out again to the local park with Josh so he didn't miss out.

Next stop was a flying visit to the monthly Bicycle Basket Bazaar at the fish market hall. I found these pretty embroidered pillowcases and also the Cornwall book from Caroline who is one of the sellers at our vintage fair.

Then Mr C and I headed for the beautiful Cottesbrooke Hall and the annual Plant Finders Fair

Before we started a bit of sustenance was required in the form of home made scones with clotted cream and strawberries and a drop of rose wine.

The gardens at Cottesbrooke are lovely and well worth a visit

I was very taken with these old shepherds huts as an alternative to the traditional garden shed

Amongst the lovely plants we came home with was my particular favourite, a coral pink peony. The colour really hasn't come out in the picture, it is a delicate coral that changes shade over time.

This morning was another early start for the boot sale. The picture at the top shows some of my finds including a rabbit jelly mould, a 1950s jug and frosted glasses, a pretty soap dish, a couple of perfume bottles, a petit point vanity set in original box and a vintage Coronation picture. They are all on a little table that I found and plan to paint. It has a very pretty heart detail cut out of it.

I also found another pastel frosted vase this time in green.

I bought the vintage suitcase from a man who was selling off some wonderful railway memorabilia. It has original railway stickers on the side.

This afternoon was a visit to the Northampton Antiques Centre just down the road from me. As mentioned in my previous post my friend Deb has just taken on a unit there and today she was setting up all of her lovely vintage treasures.

I took a few snaps as she was setting up, if you are local pop down and have a look there are loads of lovely bits and pieces to tempt you.

I didn't leave empty handed, I bought this scrummy raspberry coloured flowery eiderdown from Carol of 'Pure Country' who also is one of the sellers at our vintage fair. I have had my eye on it for a while and took advantage of the beautiful weather once I got it home to give it a quick wash and put it out to dry in the sun.

Of course the day was supposed to end on a high note but sadly a certain game was a bit of an anticlimax.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway if you haven't already done so, still a few more days to go.

This Week's Bargain Finds

Yesterday was the monthly antiques market on our historic market square. I treated myself to the little Sylvac dog, I have wanted one of these for ages.

I also popped in to Homesense following a tip off from Zoe at Penny-Blossoms about the Cath Kidston bed linen. I have always liked the 'pastel flowers' design so was really excited to get my hands on a lovely duvet cover. I like to mix and match bed linen with vintage pieces. I bought the pretty hand embroidered pillowcases for a couple of pounds from a lovely lady at the Bay Tree Cottage open day last Saturday . The blue striped pillowcases are also vintage as is the eiderdown.

I found this unusual shelf with the little drawers at the antiques market yesterday. It is hand painted with pretty roses and can be hung on the wall. This will find it's way in to our shop or come along to our next fair.

This morning I was up bright and early and had a quick look round the local hospital car boot. The weather wasn't too inviting and there weren't many booters but I found some cups and saucers in the Indian Tree pattern and a pretty 1930s milk jug and a pile of 1930s plates. My free Cath Kidston shopping bag from this week's Easy Living magazine came in handy.

I spotted this lovely cardigan on Sue's blog Vintage From The Village. It was £11 from Primark and I plan to replace the buttons with vintage glass or mother of pearl ones. It is very cosy and has a soft velvety feel.

Finally Mr C has just got round to framing my 1930s terrier pictures and hanging them for me.

Enjoy the rest of Sunday and have a great week.

The Fair Is Coming !

Only a couple of days to go until the Northampton Easter Vintage and Home Made Fair on Saturday. The next few days are going to be pretty hectic getting everything ready and we are feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Fingers crossed the sun will shine and we are as busy as last time. I thought I would give you a little preview of some of the vintage lovelies I am sorting through ready to go on my stall. But first I wanted to show you my lovely shelves that I found in Stamford on my birthday trip out last week. They are covered in very chippy paint and really need a coat of paint but I couldn't wait to get them up so Mr C kindly put them up on the newly painted landing.

Pretty Spring colours

1920s/30s vanity set in it's original floral box

Summery cottage garden florals

tea time-- biscuit tins and tea cups

this lovely child's size eiderdown has found a home with me but needs a wash and freshen up on the washing line

Mother's Day presents from my lovely girl. The tins have already been put to good use in the kitchen and the gorgeous hydrangea is brightening up my hearth. The little Goebels skier salt shaker was a bargain from ebay and I couldn't resist him.

Hope to see lots of you at the fair on Saturday.