Lovely Linens

This is a lovely old lingerie case which I have turned in to a pretty cushion edged in some old pink satin ribbon. It's so satisfying giving something a new lease of life.

Yesterday I tried a different car boot sale and found it a little disappointing although I found more vintage linens for pennies. There were two embroidered table cloths, a linen willow pattern cloth, and a pretty embroidered pillowcase. The sweet pillowcase with 'Hers' embroidered on it was a present Deb brought me back from the States.

This lovely embroidered picture was one of two I found at Saturday's Bicycle Basket Bazaar.

I also found a pair of lovely soft candy stripe pillowcases on Linda and Jake's stall. I had been looking out for some of these so was really pleased.

This is the second beautifully embroidered picture now joining all the others on my hall wall.

Deb and I both had a bike at the Bike Bazaar to sell some of our vintage things. I ended up coming home with two of Debbie's pictures. They go really well together and fit in nicely with my other pictures.

I was pleased to find this collection of old Tala kitchen utensils at the boot sale just as I was about to call it a day and go home with very little.

Today was an open day at the antiques centre just down the road from my house. Carol who was one of the sellers at our Vintage and Homemade Fair has a booth there and was selling some very tempting things. I treated myself to this pretty glass vase and the lovely red tin to add to my ever growing collection.

The glass sugar pourer was another find from Carol and the tea cups were more boot sale finds.

I also found some of these old classroom posters, I have wanted the ducks one for ages.

I have spent the rest of the day cleaning and re-arranging my kitchen. I cleared out the bottom shelf in my cupboard to make space for my utility wear. I have tried to clear away some of my clutter and sort out things that I can list in my shop. I have the rest of the week off work so fingers crossed the weather will brighten up . It's revision week really but hopefully we can allow ourselves one day out as a treat, I guess it will be a trip to London as it seems to be my lovely girl's favourite place at the moment.

Hope you have had a lovely bank holiday weekend.

February Bicycle Basket Bazaar

Yesterday was the monthly BBB in Northampton's old fishmarket. I met up with Deb over coffee and cupcakes in the Fishmarket Cafe to finalise plans for the Vintage Fair in March. Sharon (The Crafty Trundler) and her daughter joined us for a coffee which was lovely. We caught up with some of the sellers who will be at the fair in March including Lindsay (Elsie Sparrow), Kris, Lucy and Caroline who is a new seller this time. Of course I couldn't leave empty handed and came away with some of Lindsay's hand made lovelies to put away as presents , although the teacup candles are for me.

The fabric in the background is a large remnant of bark cloth I found for a £1 in the charity shop opposite the Fish market.

I also bought these beautiful embroidered pictures from Caroline who is a new seller who will be joining us at the fair. I need to find a frame for the boats picture so I can get it up on the wall in my bathroom. The colours are still wonderfully bright and the detail is amazing. The other garden picture will go in my newly painted hall along with my Sweet Peas picture.

This pretty, vintage knitting or sewing bag was another charity shop find this week.

And finally Mr Cornerhouse seems to be on a bit of a roll and has framed another one of my old prints. This is one that has been waiting to go up in the bathroom for ages. It cheers me up on wet and windy days like today and reminds me that hopefully we do have a summer to look forward to !

Halloween Bicycle Basket Bazaar

Today was the Halloween Bicycle Basket Bazaar in Northampton's old fish market. Deb and I had a bike between us and we gave out lots of flyers for next Saturday's Vintage Fair In Northampton. We met up with some of the stall holders who are having stalls at next Saturday's Vintage Fair.

Our Bike was next to Lindsey of Elsie Sparrow.

Just round the corner was Aileen with her Halloweeny themed bike with gourds and pumpkins and her handmade natural wreaths.

Happy Halloween Weekend

The pumpkin is ready for carving later on, we usually leave it next to our front door lit with tea lights. The chrysanths are out in force in the garden in lovely autumnal shades. Amongst all the oranges and golds there are still a few remnants of summer, the odd pink rose and other tiny splashes of pink.

Earlier in the week I spotted this old wicker sewing basket in my local charity shop. I didn't have time to inspect it too closely so took a gamble and brought it home. I was amazed to find it crammed full of buttons, needle cases, old wooden bobbins, scissors, zips and numerous other things some of which I have yet to identify !

I have a day off today so will be preparing for tomorrow's Bicycle Basket Bazaar and next Saturday's vintage fair, so much to do and I really feel like putting my feet up and having a day relaxing with my lovely girl !

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.

July Bicycle Basket Bazaar

Today was the July Bicycle Basket Bazaar in Northampton's old Fish Market hall. The sun was shining and the fair was buzzing with activity. I came away with a wonderful little haul of treasures including a very sweet old umbrella in a mint green striped case and a couple of lovely old jam pots as well as a pretty rosy cup and saucer. I caught up with some friends and discussed plans for our own Vintage and Homemade fair with a couple of the basketeers. The fair is taking place in Northampton at St Matthews church rooms on Nov 7th and we are now starting to confirm bookings with some of the sellers. The wonderful 'Elsie Sparrow' (Lindsay) will be one of the sellers with her vintage inspired handmade children's clothes and gifts. She always has such a beautiful display at the bike bazaar and will be bringing her lovely old bicycle and basket laden with goodies to our fair.