Erasmus Darwin House

I had the privilege over the weekend of spending some time at Erasmus Darwin House in Lichfield, Staffordshire.  It was their annual Spring Fair and I was asked if I would like to have a small stand there.  The weather wasn't good on Saturday, but it improved yesterday and brought more people through the doors.  Erasmus Darwin was the Grandfather of Charles Darwin, and as you can see from the pictures lived in the most stunning Georgian House.  To me, it was a real treat to set up my stand in the Parlour amongst all the beautiful Georgian furniture and antiques - usually you are not allowed to get near to these precious things.  If you would like to see more then their web address is www.erasmusdarwin.org.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

The interior of the house has been faithfully restored using Georgian colours and preserving the Period features - including the beautiful flagstones in the hallway downstairs and the lovely original wide floorboards in the rooms.

I want to live here please - it was so stunning. A view of the back of the house with the walled garden and a stunning view of Lichfield Cathedral.

Finally, the front of the house (everyone was packing up their stands).  Isn't the symmetry of Georgian houses so stunning - I love our cottage because it is double fronted but obviously not quite on this grand scale!!  It really was a great couple of days out and everyone who works and volunteers at the house had worked so hard to make it a success.  Hope you all had a great weekend. xx

More vintage Flags

I've been at it again!!  The lovely man at our local car boot sale who I bought my two previous vintage flags from contacted me about  a week ago and said that he had some more from a house clearance that he had done - so very excitedly Hubby and I trundled off yesterday with PJ in tow and went to see him.  Well!!  I almost had a cardiac when I saw them - five of them in total for what was a fantastic price.

There are two large Union Jacks on poles, a massive one on a three metre pole with finial, a Royal Standard flag and a lovely Coronation flag of Edward the seventh and Queen Alexandra from 1901- this one we are going to have framed and will hang it in the lounge once our building work is over (only a week to go before it starts - hopefully!)

Leamington Spa Fair

I had a stand at discover vintage fair (www.discovervintage.co.uk ) in Leamington Spa on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year. I didn't think we would do that well because of the weather but I had to eat my words as it was well attended with a steady stream of visitors coming through the doors. The fair was held in the Old Pump Rooms, the most beautiful of settings. There were lots of lovely stalls and as you can see from the picture above I did my fair share of shopping!

Gardens and Pugs

At last, we have been able to get out and tidy up the garden, it was either the weather or being busy that seemed to stop us before. It still needs a lot of work but at least we have made a start. As you can see we have lots of Pug help in the shape of Pinkie and The Fonz (excuse my polka dot PJ's in the picture, not the most pleasant of sights first thing in the morning!) The naughty Pugs have somehow got into the raised bed and been digging! Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy the lovely weather - it's gorgeous xx.

Thrifty finds

Have been to the local car boot once again, and found loads of naughties again, the 30's tea cosy lady came from one of my fellow stall holders in Stamford yesterday so I won't be parting with her, but everything else came from the car boot. Andy and I were up early (but not too early) and took two of our Pugs, PJ and The Fonz and trawled round our local car boot. I found some lovely bits for my stall next week in Leamington Spa. My best buy has to be the two vintage Union Jack flags, one of them has the original paper from July 1938 still wrapped around it! The man we bought them from had found it like this when he did a house clearance - the stuff of dreams!! I am having yet another dilemma as I can't part with them just yet! Hope you all had a great weekend xx.

Stamford

More pics from the fair - my stand was almost bare by the time we packed up!

Vintage Fair in Stamford

Had a fabulous day today, we have been to Stamford in Lincolnshire to the Discover vintage Fair. Stamford is the most beautiful town set in lovely countryside with a wealth of independent shops - such a refreshing change rather than the chain shops that dominate our high streets full of mass produced rubbish! I had the whole of the stage to myself to set up my stand and decided to go the whole hog on the display. Of course Mr & Mrs G had to be involved complete with bottle of vintage 1937 Bollinger (sadly not able to be consumed). The top picture is hubby playing with the panoramic setting on his Iphone (clever isn't it?) We had a fabulous day and really enjoyed meeting everyone. I sold the vintage Deco wedding cake stand to a lovely lady who is getting married in December - I am so glad it went to a bride to be where it will be a lovely centre piece at her wedding reception. We are both shattered this evening, but it was a great day out, and we did really well, coming back with considerably less than we took. Hope you are all having a relaxing weekend xx.

Mum's been busy again

I have my Mum to thank for buying a lot of the vintage lovelies that either go on my website or on my stall at the fairs. These are her latest purchases for me. She lives in Devon and loves rummaging round the car boots and charity shops and finding me bits and bobs. Having grown up in the 1950's she knows what to look out for. The costume jewellery is gorgeous and in great condition, the powder compact even has the original powder still in it! The tablecloth is hand embroidered and must have taken someone hours of painstaking work, it came from a charity shop of all places. A big thank you to my South West buyer - thanks Mum!!!

Jonty & Julian Barrington-Havers

Here are my two new boys, all the way from Bristol. We drove down to pick them up this morning in record time I might add (nothing of course to do with me speeding in 'The Beast')! They are two vintage male mannequins, I would guess, that date from the 1930's and unfortunately have been through the Wars as you can see, mind you, I don't mind damage, it shows the past history and age of an object. I absolutely love them both and was so pleased to find them. Julian is sporting a vintage Sports blazer, college scarf and Sports cap whilst Jonty is wearing a vintage school cap and my University scarf from my student days until I can find him a vintage one. I will also be on the look out for a vintage jacket or blazer for him when I go to the fairs. On a different note, my friend organised a mini indoor fete in a local village near to us serving teas, homemade cakes, crafts and some of my vintage goods. It was held yesterday and was in aid of cancer research. She raised £486 which was staggering as the weather was awful but loads of people still turned up to support her - mind you, she is such a lovely person and had put so much hard work into organising the event. I was thrilled for her as I knew how much it meant to her. I am now getting ready for the Discover Vintage fair next Saturday in Stamford, Lincolnshire so I need to be sorting stock and sewing this week. Hope you all had a great weekend, I have, but now I am going to relax later with a glass or three of wine xx.

Impulse Buy

Here is my latest purchase, an original Art Deco wedding cake stand. I saw it in an antiques centre and just had to have it. I don't know why because our cottage is not at all Deco just a traditional English cottage. I just loved the thought of all the weddings it was used at all those years ago and what a beautiful centrepiece it must have made. It even came in it's original, very unassuming wooden box with a label stating 'Brunners' cake stand. I'm not sure if I am going to use it to display pretty vintage bits and bobs or perhaps hire it out for weddings with a vintage theme (although how I would do this I don't know). It really is the most unusual thing, but as Andy knows, I have a penchant for the unusual (I am poised ready to pick up two vintage male mannequins this weekend to add to my collection). Will keep you all posted. Have a great weekend everyone, we are almost there xx.