Spring Cleaning, Decorating and Vintage Goodies For Sale

This week I have had a whole week away from work. I have plans for the weekend but first Mr C and I decided to tackle the kitchen. It took a whole day just to empty it in preparation for decorating !

Once started I decided a bit of a sort out and clear out was in order. I have just so much stuff ! I have spent a few hours today just listing things in my Etsy shop.I rarely get round to adding new items and tend to sell things that I have had for a while and decide I need to let go in order to de-clutter or to make room for more ! I found this lovely old 1920s photo album amongst a pile of books. This is now in my Etsy shop, the link is in the side bar on my blog.

I haven't started on the floor paint yet but have done the door frames.

This is a sweet handmade 1940s brooch. I have had it for ages and although I love it I have never worn it, so being ruthless today I decided to let it go.

I have tried to catch up with housework, scrubbing the bathroom and tidying out the airing cupboard.

This lovely pastoral scene tin was on my kitchen dresser but has now been added to the Etsy shop.

I can't believe how dirty the house had got, I blame the dog for bringing in mud and other bits of the garden with him.

I have had a number of these Horlicks Mixers and love the red lettering on them.The handmade bag is lovely but I can't decide what it would have been used for.

I have closed the door on a couple of rooms in the house to try and block out some of the mess. The spare room I had sorted out only a few weeks ago is now full of the entire contents of the kitchen.

I decided to let this little chap go as I realised I have a ridiculous collection of assorted dogs !

I have thought about doing some baking but sadly the kitchen really isn't in any state at the moment.

This Alfred Meakin bowl was also on my kitchen dresser and was another victim of my de-cluttering.

I haven't been renovating lampshades although I have one in serious need of some help. I would love to know how to do this.

This tin was a tough one. I have a large tin collection and always have a display of floral tins in my kitchen. I do love this but it doesn't quite fit with my others all of which are decorated with roses.

I have a large pile of vintage aprons. I can't resist the lovely vintage fabrics but I guess I have to let a few go.

Finally this evening I have had a few hours to put my feet up and plan the jobs I need to get on with tomorrow.

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.

Vintage Fair Finds

Yesterday's Vintage Fair in Market Harborough was great, it was even busier than the last one in Market Harborough even though we had sub zero temperatures. On our drive over in the morning the temperature dropped to -15 degrees but the countryside looked stunning with the trees covered in thick frost.

Of course I had to treat myself to a couple of things including this lovely jar with it's bright red lid from Helen Storey. I am not sure what I am going to use it for yet but it will definitely live in the kitchen with my other red bits of kitchenalia.

Other things I found were the blue rose curtains from Wend of Ticking Stripes, two sweet little 1930s glazed cards for a wedding and a birthday from Vicky of Vicky Loves Vintage and a pretty jug and picture from Jo of Lost Property Vintage.

I found the lovely roses tin on Wend's stall. The daffodils are the ones we had on the tea tables in the tea room, they were displayed in vintage coronation mugs. I love using this vintage Kilner jar as a vase for spring flowers.I bought it from Acorn and Will at lat year's Country Living Fair.

I found this little wooden doll with a pink dress on Adrian's stall. She has found a home with my other two with their yellow and blue dresses.

This wonderful assortment of 1930s reading comprehension cards were from Vicky Loves Vintage.

I found this gorgeous piece of fabric on Wend's stall and will definitely turn it in to some pretty cushion covers.

This lovely barbola plaque was another purchase from Vicky loves Vintage.

It has survived in wonderful condition and is beautifully hand painted.

I have been avoiding helping Mr C with the unpacking of bags and boxes today and instead have been faffing with pictures. I have finally replaced my christmas classroom print in the hall with this one of ducks which is one of my favourites.

The chickens have cheered up today as the snow has started to melt. The poor things were totally bamboozled by their first experience of snow, they refused to budge from these plant pots until Mr C had cleared them a path.

Thanks to everyone who came along yesterday and supported the fair, I had a really enjoyable day talking to lots of lovely people. There are photos of the day over on the fair blog.

Christmas At The Corner House 2011

This Christmas has been lovely and quiet following a rather hectic lead up to the big day. The last couple of days have been spent relaxing in front of the tv, sleeping, eating and drinking.

Mr C painted his 'Christmas Twig' as decoration for the Vintage Fair just before Christmas. It came home with us and somehow stayed. Mr C used all of my most brightly coloured vintage glass baubles to decorate it and I think it looks lovely and cheerful.

My favourite vintage 1940s Disney decorations were brought out along with the vintage American Santa match box and vintage Steiff robin which was a charity shop find last year.

Vintage festive classroom prints were hung

and pretty vintage baubles displayed in old glass bowls.

I like my kitsch Cath Kidston reindeer decoration although Mr C is not so sure.

I love this gorgeous tin bought from Gail and her sister at our last fair. I really can't resist tins and seem to have them all over the house.

This is the fab vintage pop up book I bought last year.

The dogs joined in the festive fun.

I love the colours of this poinsettia Mr C bought me.

Yet another tin !

Little felt Cath Kidston dogs as well as the pretty candle my lovely girl bought me last year.

This year I stuck to pale colours on the tree and used all my crystal and vintage silvery and pale pink and blue vintage glass baubles.

The brighter colours looked great against the white branches of the 'twig'.

The lovely stocking I bought from Jo of Hesta Nesta last year was hung on the fireplace.

Mr C surprised me with this beautiful vintage book of dog drawings by an American artist. The quality of the paper and printing makes them look almost like the originals. The book was sold with the idea the prints could be removed for framing.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a relaxing break. I am off now for another slice of our home made christmas cake and another cup of coffee x