Hesta & The Pugs

Welsh Blanket Love

2012-01-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

I have always loved Welsh blankets, their different patterns and colours, they always look so lovely draped over a favourite chair or folded at the end of a bed. I am in no way an expert on them and couldn't tell which mill they had come from or what age they are like some experts can...I just know that I love them. So you can imagine my delight this morning when I received a phone call from a lovely textile dealer locally whom I regularly buy from. I always know when she phones me it is not to be missed!

Going to pick these beauties up certainly beat housework hands down!

They are truly stunning, some are in great condition like the little Welsh shawl on the top and some have mends on them which I think adds to the character. Sadly the lovely green tapestry blanket second up from the bottom is quite damaged but can be used to make the most spectacular cushions complete with fringing.

It wasn't all just blankets though, this beautiful shabby Durham quilt had to come home too, well, I couldn't leave it there could I? I am thrilled with my purchases, my lovely contact always does me proud! She always washes them all so they are clean and ready for me. They are all destined for the fairs I will be attending throughout the year although the little shawl may have to stay awhile :)

Have a great week.

Jo xx

Horrible Weather & A Spot of Retail Therapy

2012-01-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

The weather here is atrocious today, and I have been dashing too and from the car taking Louis to college and back again and trying not to get soaked. I am constantly dealing with five very bored Pugs and their muddy feet...please roll on Spring time! Apart from the weather chaos I have making a few little purchases not only for my many collections but also for the fairs I have booked for this year. I have listed them on the side bar the ones that are booked so far.

I recently purchased this beautiful antique Toile quilt, more of a topper really than a large quilt.

I think it was once more of an aubergine colour but has now faded over the years. It does have some damage but considering it's age it is in pretty good condition.

I love this little vignette of the small child with the dog.

A beautiful vintage bridal head dress and veil. I have collected quite a lot of vintage bridal items ready for the fairs.

I found this sweet little French glass trinket box in an antique shop locally.

Clarissa is modelling one of my latest ballet crowns I have bought. It is very intricately made from sparkly stones that catch the light and silver wire.

So beautifully made.

Another beautiful ballet crown. This one is more rigid but still very intricately made.

Rose pink ballet pointe shoes.

Lilac ballet pointe shoes to match my lilac tutu.

Another pair of rose pink ballet pointe shoes, I may be persuaded to part with one of the pairs! I am waiting for a couple more parcels so there will be more to show you when they arrive. I am really looking forward to the fairs this year and taking my new treasures with me.

I hope the weather improves for us all and have a lovely weekend.

Jo xx

I've Been In Bed With............

2012-01-16T11:27:00.000-08:00

Sherlock Holmes! The new Sherlock Holmes novel called the House Of silk to be exact, and not the delicious late Jeremy Brett, although I wouldn't have said no!

The book was written by the superb author Anthony Horowitz, the same man responsible for the fantastic series Foyles War and Midsomer murders to name but a few. He also adapted some of Agatha Christie's Poirot for television.

The book was officially approved by the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I can see why. I am a real fan of Sherlock Holmes and this book certainly does not disappoint. It is absolutely beautifully written and the story is so easy to follow, there are lots of twists and turns and also stories within stories! I can thoroughly recommend it to all of you who love a good read and I can guarantee you won't be able to put it down. I could visualise Jeremy Brett as Holmes, Edward Hardwicke as his faithful companion Dr. Watson and the fabulous Charles Gray as Mycroft as I read the book. My only disappointment was that I read it too quickly.

Hope you are all having a good week.

Jo xx

New Treasures for 2012

2012-01-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

After a lovely Christmas and New Year I feel ready to get back in the swing of things, namely up and coming fairs. I have booked some lovely fairs to do already this year and the list is growing despite me saying I would do less...famous last words! Before Christmas I said in one of my posts that I had purchased some lovely items from a lovely lady called Renata who lives in Vienna, her blog is style revisited should you want to take a peak.

A lovely pair of old worn pointe shoes.

A pretty vintage floral ballet diadem.

The lace up boots have to be my favourites though, they are exquisitely made.

On New years Eve hubby and I decided to have a day out as we were suffering from 'cabin fever' after being cooped up over Christmas. We ended up at Stafford Antiques Fair, not too far from home. It was three halls filled to the brim with beautiful antiques.

This beautiful Victorian wire work and bisque floral ring was so pretty I couldn't resist. The wire work is all rusty and aged just how I like it. It looks stunning as a centrepiece on a table with a large pillar candle in placed in the centre.

This beautiful Victorian boned bodice was purchased from another seller. It does look lovely on my mannequin but I will be selling these two items on at a fair this year as I have decided I can't keep everything! Happy New Year to all of you and have a great week.

Jo xx

Festive Fun & A Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T03:13:00.000-08:00

Hope you have all had a fabulous Christmas. We have had a lovely time and lots of laughs. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Christmas tree with vintage decs, now depositing pine needles all over the place!

Pugs with new toys.

grain sacks full of presents.

I've got rather a lot of reading to do...........

A Hogfest!

A lovely time spent with my brother and his family.

Now the festivities are over we all feel a bit flat and it has all gone too quickly! I hope you all had a wonderful time and have A Very Happy New Year from all of us here in Derbyshire.

Jo xx

Have A Very happy Christmas

2011-12-24T10:58:00.000-08:00

Wishing all my followers and everyone who has commented on my blog posts a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year. Hope you all enjoy yourselves whatever you are doing and look forward to catching up with you all next year.

Love

Jo, Andy, Louis & The Pugs xxxx

Captain Pugwash!!

2011-12-22T07:13:00.000-08:00

Dirty, smelly Pugs!!

A very dirty Lily

A clean Fonz

Clean Pugs doing 'Pug Runs' round the kitchen. Yes, we have bathed the Pugs this afternoon and now we are exhausted!!

Jo xx

Yet More Ballet Tutu's

2011-12-20T04:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have been at it again, with Christmas pressies bought I thought I would treat myself to some naughties. I'll start at the beginning...it all started with winning some lovely items from Renata in Austria off Ebay, I also follow her Blog Style Revisited. She mailed me to say she had posted them, one of them being a vintage ballet head dress and I responded saying that I collect antique costumes and love ballet ephemera especially. She then sent me the details of the most wonderful web site in Holland run by the lovely Merel, please take a look, it is gorgeous, www.demerelbrocante.nl.

On her site was the most wonderful collection of ballet tutu's dating from the 1920's. This beautiful pink satin one is now in place on one of my mannequins. The little tulle tutu is absolutely tiny.

This one also has a dinky little satin leotard with a full tulle skirt and a sweet little matching head dress also trimmed with sequins.

My absolute favourite has to be this beautiful 20's lavender ballet dress with a gorgeous pearl appliqué stitched carefully to the front. It has layers and layers of frothy tulle.

......It even has frilly pants! They all have labels in them saying 'Patsy Richter Ballet' but sadly we cannot find out anymore. perhaps they were travelling players? The pieces are handmade but not couture pieces so I would imagine they came from a small ballet/theatre company and not one of the larger company's.

The downstairs now resembles a theatrical costumiers in a winter wonderland but I love it. I love the eccentricity of it all and being surrounded by all these wonderful old costumes that were once on stage, the only problem is I'm running out of room! I will show you the items from Austria when they arrive. I'd better get back to the housework as Mum and John will be here on Friday and I'm on a go slow as I've hurt my back (again)!! Have a great week.

Jo xx

Exciting Update

2011-12-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

Many months ago, May 2010 to be exact we went to our local car boot and discovered something rather special. A local house clearance man who stands at our car boot most weeks always has a wonderful array of treasures, some are a little expensive but you can usually find a gem amongst them. We discovered an old battered leather attache case covered in mildew but with the most beautiful brass lock. It had a name on it and to be honest we didn't really take much notice but just bought it to clean up as I love old leather.

When we cleaned it up at home we could read the name more clearly and hubby put the name into Google. After a bit of searching it came up with Anthony Piers De Tabley Daniell Major Royal Engineers. Trying to hunt down any more information was difficult and the subsequent months turned up nothing more. We knew he was someone significant in World War Two and had been awarded the DSO, MC and was an OBE.

Then out of the blue two nights ago I received an Email from a very nice man informing me he was a friend of Colonel Daniell and unfortunately the Colonel had only died on the 17th of November this year, so only a few weeks back. His friend had seen my original blog post on the case back in May of 2010, and was so pleased we had found it and treasured it. We really had no idea Colonel Daniell was still alive and living in a Shropshire village until the ripe old age of 98! How we would have loved to have met him and how did he come to be parted from his attaché case he had used for important documents all those years ago during the War. Now what to do with the case! We will be looking into the possibility of donating the case to The Royal Engineers Museum as it was never an option to sell it. I love it and to part with it will be very hard but I feel in a funny kind of way it isn't mine to keep any more.

Another exciting update is that of my antique needlepoint rug which has now at last been hung on the wall. I stitched a sleeve on to the back of it for the pole to pass through and voilà here it is hanging at last. Thank you Hen for the tip on how to hang it properly. That wall in the dining room has been waiting for the right thing to come along.

Finally, I have just purchased what looks to be a very early quilt and I am absolutely thrilled with it. The cottons look to be very late 18th or early 19th century, and the sheen on the chintz is still fabulous. There is some damage to a small number of the hexagons but the beautiful floral chintz border is perfect. Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend. Now it is the countdown to Christmas, I've still got too much to do as Mum and John are spending the Christmas holidays with us. It will be our first Christmas together for ages as they have always had Nan to look after and she was never able to travel from Devon to see us as the journey was too taxing for her. I will admit it feels a bit strange to have no Nan and I think Mum and John are a bit lost at the moment without her.

Have a lovely week and take care in the terrible weather.

Jo xx

Last Fair of the Year & Christmas Shopping.

2011-12-06T00:35:00.000-08:00

The Vintage and Handmade fair on Saturday was my last fair for the year and was certainly one of my best. The doors opened at 10 am to crowds of eager Christmas shoppers. The stands looked amazing and I was only sorry I didn't really get the time to go around and have a proper look. Hubby has taken some pictures on his Iphone and I will get him to upload them to my Flickr account as I haven't got a clue how to do it! Hen and Niki both have written wonderful Blog posts about the day and have taken some lovely pictures so if you pop over to their Blogs you will see how fab the day was. once again Michele and Jayne worked very hard to make the day so special, so a big thank you to both of them.

I was unusually restrained when it came to buying but I did buy Mum's Christmas pressie which I can't show as I know she reads my Blog! I couldn't resist these beautiful silks and spools of metallic thread from Sallie Ead, she told me they came from Paris and date to about 1900.

They are all the most vibrant and stunning colours.

Yesterday, Louis surprised me by taking a day off college to come Christmas shopping with his old Mum, pretty good for an almost eighteen year old don't you think? We ended up in Matlock and horror of all horrors it was blizzard conditions and absolutely freezing! Thankfully the snow wasn't settling as the ground was wet but we could see it up on the higher ground in the distance.

These two pretty little EPNS dishes had to come home as did the mini antique corsage.

The Victorian glass dome was a great find which I have housed my cherub bust under for the moment but I will probably sell it at a fair next year.

A sweet little French trinket box, French pin cushion and some vintage knitting and crochet hooks in their original case dating from about 1836! We did also buy hubbys Christmas pressies which I can't show you as he reads my Blog!!

After a lovely day out with Louis I had another surprise, Hubby produced some flowers for me when he arrived home from work.....so all in all a fabulous weekend and great start to the week. Hope you are all having a great week also.

Jo xx

PS. Just walked into the kitchen to make coffee and saw this.....

Lily Pug piled on the others!

A Little Festive Floristry

2011-11-29T07:20:00.000-08:00

Hope you are all having a great week so far. I am in the midst of getting ready for the Christmas V&H fair this coming Saturday. I have loads of new goodies to sell as I have been busy buying and saving things ready for the fair.

I have been turning my hand to a little creative festive floristry in readiness for the fair. I have had these two beautiful cast iron urns for ages and have decided to part with them. They are planted up with Hyacinth bulbs and Moss, then finished with some vintage French initial tape. The pot in the centre is just simply planted with a Hyacinth and moss and finished with a large red wooden heart in an antique Sankey pot. The smaller two at the front are planted with moss with a fir cone wired and placed in to the moss then just finished simply with tape and small wooden hearts....very easy to do and looks quite effective. The pots and hearts can then be used for other projects when the Hyacinths have gone over.

When we arrived home last Saturday a lovely large parcel was waiting for me. Julie at The Cloth Shed had sent me these gorgeous presents for my forthcoming birthday...yes, it's that time of year again!

She has sent me a beautiful shabby chic faded floral drawstring bag, a framed fragment of antique quilt, two stunning hand made lampshades and a heart made from a vintage quilt, and my name in little wooden print blocks. The lampshades I am going to use in our bedroom when I have found two matching wooden lamp bases for the bedside tables. Thank you Julie, it was such a wonderful surprise, and I love them all.

Have a great week and hope to see you at the Christmas V&H fair on Saturday.

Jo xx

New Treasures

2011-11-20T02:06:00.000-08:00

I have returned to Blog land after a bit of an absence. To be honest nothing much has really happened in my world apart from turning painter and decorator to spruce up the kitchen which I will do a post about at a later date. Yesterday we loaded the van and set out for Market Harborough in Leicestershire, a lovely market town. Ann and Trevor had organised the second of their vintage fairs in the town centre. As usual there was a wonderful mix of lovely stands with lots of temptation on offer.

This was the first lovely find of the day, a stunning Victorian Celery vase (even though I detest celery) it had to come home. It has the word Celery etched on the front with decorative ferns around it. The vase came from the lovely Wendy (Ticking Stripes) and would look stunning with a nightlight in for Christmas or even for it's intended purpose. Inside are a selection of antique chandelier crystal droplets.

The silver candlestick would look stunning on a Christmas table. I also purchased the long antique chandelier drops from Bryony who has the most stunning items for sale.

Two sweet little Victorian bisque dolls house dolls, and a miniature pin cushion from Chris.

The terrible twins, two tiny bisque dolls house dolls. Debbie (Home thoughts from Vintage wants) who collects dolls told me that they date from the early 1900's.

Beautiful vintage wedding shoes in their original box from Heather at Hellish Designs.

A sweet little box from Debbies sister and hubby.

Little vintage wedding cake decorations in their original box from Bryony.

Possibly my favourite purchase of the day, an antique silvered glass witches ball from Chris. I have got the age old dilemma of 'do I sell, or do I keep?' I must be the most rubbish antique dealer on the planet as I always do this...I want to keep everything!

Thank you to everyone who made a purchase from me yesterday and it was lovely to meet up with fellow bloggers. Thank you to Ann and Trevor for all their hard work that went into making the fair such a lovely day for everyone. Have a great week.

Jo xx

Hats & Carpet Bags

2011-11-08T03:04:00.000-08:00

As you all know I have a penchant for vintage carpet bags. They seem to be like buses, you don't see any for months then they all come along at once. A recent trip to Newark unearthed this beauty....

A rather unusual bag with the traditional tapestry carpet top and a leather covered wooden box underneath which has it's own key. Both keys came with it and the locks still work perfectly.

My latest find, a large vintage carpet bag in good condition.

Hubby treated me to this beautiful cloche hat for my coming B'day. My feeling is that this hat pre dates the 1920's and is more circa 1918 so more Downton Abbey than roaring 20's.

It is made from black velvet and decorated with the most beautiful leaves and flowers.

Clarissa is modelling it for me as I don't really 'do' hats...I'm not quite elegant enough!

Have a great week everyone.

Jo xx

Happy Halloween

2011-11-01T04:12:00.000-07:00

We had a fab time last night with our Halloween celebrations, I'll leave you to enjoy the pictures.

Scary Pumpkins.

Scary hanging heads!

Bodies in the garden!

Party pooper...some people can't take the pace!

The Angel of Death

Devil Pugs!

Enter if you dare.

Scariest of all, alcoholic nuns with horns!

Hope you all had a great time, we did as you can see from the pictures. Have a wonderful week.
Jo xx

Fab Time at The Vintage Bazaar

2011-10-31T04:07:00.000-07:00

Saturday was an early start for us to travel down to Frome for The Vintage Bazaar. It was really strange travelling all the way there in the dark, like driving in a tunnel. I do have some pics of the day but they are on hubby's Iphone so I will upload them to my Flickr account later.

It was lovely to catch up with some old faces and meet some new ones.

True to form I raided Ali's stand as I was next to her which was fatal. We always buy something from one another. This gorgeous hand embroidered panel must have been made for a wedding dress, it is exquisitely done, but I will be good and sell it on at some point.

This rather gorgeous round wooden box covered in faded floral fabric just had to come home with me, I purchased it from Tracey of The Vintage Bothy. It was lovely to catch up with her and M as we haven't seen each other for yonks.

Two lovely beaded garters.

Yet more gorgeous 1920's beaded fringing...as if I need any more.

This lovely old chap just had to come home sporting his rather fetching Edwardian Child's Mohair coat and Vintage hat. There is a rather lovely picture of him with my hubby over on Sophie's Blog, Fading Grace, she also has some lovely photographs of the day.

Two yummy pink paisley eidy's I couldn't resist from the lovely Cecile and her hubby at Elegance Maison.
A big thank you to Lizzie and Clare for all their hard work and attention to detail that made the day such a huge success for everyone.

The downstairs is now looking more like a theatrical costumiers thanks to all my costumes and textiles but as you know I do have a penchant for the ostentatious! Have a great week whatever you are doing and a Happy Halloween.

Jo xx

Cottage Industry

2011-10-28T02:11:00.000-07:00

The kitchen has been turned into a veritable production line by hubby. He is in the midst of making dried fruit slices to sell at the Christmas fairs that are coming up.

The AGA drying rack is coming in very handy.

Once the slices are fully dried they are decanted into Kilner jars.

The end result, all packed neatly into cellophane bags and labelled ready to sell. I have also made up some Christmas Pot Pourri scented with Frankincense and Myrrh. We decided to make our own dried fruit slices as finding them in the shops was quite difficult, and they can be expensive in a certain craft shop! They look fab wired onto wreaths or hanging decorations or you can make up your own pot pourri.

They are all packed and ready for the Vintage Bazaar tomorrow...please come along if you are able to. Have a great weekend whatever you are doing.

Jo xx

I Could Have Danced all Night........

2011-10-25T03:26:00.000-07:00

After the trauma of the last few weeks and recovering slowly from 'Man Flu' I have at last got something lovely to Blog about. This arrived from the lovely Shirley at Simply Chateau......

A gorgeous turquoise silk corseted Tutu dating to the 1920's. It is absolutely tiny, I reckon a UK size 4 or 6!

I am absolutely thrilled as I never usually win auctions and believe me this one was a close call!

On closer inspection I could just about make out a name written on the original Paris Couture label inside the Tutu....G. Chernova. We put the name into Google and found nothing but then put the word ballet in also and this is what came up.....

This lovely Ballerina was called Galina Chernova and the photograph looks to date from the 1920's so a similar age to the Tutu. Unfortunately the website the photograph came from (Russians of Latvia) states that the text is not translated. We are continuing to try and research more about this ballerina and whether this costume could have once been worn by her at the Paris Opera Ballet. I will keep on digging and let you know the outcome, exciting isn't it? Have a lovely week and thank you for all your support over the last few weeks it has meant so much to me and my family. See you at the Vintage Bazaar on Saturday, now I've got to get a wriggle on and get organised. Have a great week.

Jo xx

Thank you

2011-10-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie to thank you all for your messages of support and condolences after the death of my Nan. It is lovely to think that I have so many caring friends out in blog land, some of you I have met, some of you I have yet to meet. Your kind words have really helped me and my family through some very dark days. I have unfortunately come down with a dreadful cold so sadly couldn't attend Nan's funeral in Devon, but we are going to scatter her ashes back in High Wycombe where we all hail from at a later date so I can say my goodbye's then. Once again thank you all for being so kind.

Love

Jo xx

A Special Nan

2011-10-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

Sadly my lovely Nan passed away on Sunday at the ripe old age of 91. We are utterly devastated but realise that her quality of life wasn't good anymore and it was her time to go. I will remember her generosity and kindness and toilet sense of humour...always brought out at the dinner table much to the despair of my Mum!

This is her and my Grandad when they married in 1942, he was in the RAF. He sadly died at the age of seventy back in 1988. I remember fantastic holidays with them when I was a child. I lived with her for a while before I started my nurses training as I was working back in High Wycombe at the time and I remember many laughter filled evenings and nights..she would read the rude bits of her Mills and Boon books out loud to me and we would be in hysterics! I will miss her but do realise that I am very lucky to be in my forties and have had a Grandparent for so long and that she was also a Great Grandparent to my son and my Brothers three children. My brother and I will be lost without her as we were very close to her. I am so glad we both saw her just before she died. I will always remember what she used to tell me 'You'll never be a lady as long as you've got a hole in your bum, and you'll always have one of those'!! Thank you Nan for many wonderful memories and lots of laughs.

Mrs Jean May Evans 1920 - 2011.

Jo xx

Fabulous Fair & No 21!

2011-10-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

We attended the V&H Textile and Fashion Fair in Chipping Sodbury yesterday. It was an absolutely boiling hot day and the heat literally was like walking into a wall when we ventured outside after the fair...the weather seems very strange...not that I'm complaining. We have just purchased yet another full size mannequin...and here is Gloria in all her glory..no pun intended! This does indeed make 21 mannequins downstairs in various guises...yes, there are more upstairs!

We purchased her from Liz The Washerwoman and we reckon she dates to the 1930's/40's. I actually was meant to pick her up last week in Totnes but we couldn't get her in the van.

She is sporting my satin 1920's/30's dress and shoes and a vintage hat with ostrich feathers.

I do apologise but Tristan still has no trousers though thankfully he is like Action Man in that department!!

The shoes are another recent purchase for my collection, they are kid leather wedding shoes and date from 1918. The beautiful 20's appliques at the front came from Ali (Betty & Violet).

A gorgeous little Art Nouveau Appliqué that has been made into a brooch many moons ago, also came from Ali.

These exquisite late 20's early 30's shoes I also bought from Ali yesterday, I couldn't resist them, just look at the little ribbon roses on each one...wish I was a size 4! The ostrich feathers also came from Ali (I think I single handedly emptied her stand).

Yet more Ostrich feathers!

This beautiful beaded satin wedding bag also came from Ali, it is so beautiful and goes perfectly with my antique wedding dress.

My final purchase from Ali was this 20's flapper necklace although she thinks it may have also been used as a belt as it is very long...Gloria is now wearing it.

This exquisite 1930's bag came from Helen.

Just look at the detail on the inside!

Gorgeous French fabric box from Clare (Daisy Darling).

These sweet little wooden clogs were very folk art and I bought them from Heather at Hellish Designs to go with my antique Decoy Ducks.

Hubby purchased these flight of drawers from Caroline Zoob, he is in the process of distressing them and I will take them to the fairs to display my haberdashery in. The standard of the fair was fabulous as usual and there was a great mix of stands with something for everyone, it really was a great day spent with great people and I would like to thank everyone who visited my stand and made a purchase. I would also like to thank Michele and Jayne for all their hard work in making the fair such a success. We had a wonderful day and spent too much so the emphasis must be on making money this month rather than spending it!! Hope you all enjoyed the weekend and the sunshine whatever you were doing.

Jo xx

Just Had To Blog These!

2011-09-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie! I have been busy making a couple of last minute things ready for the fair tomorrow. The conservatory is like a greenhouse and with the Aga on in the kitchen it is like a blast furnace downstairs. However I did endeavour to make a couple of grain sack cushions for the V&H Textile and fashion fair in Chipping Sodbury tomorrow.

I bought a gorgeous grain sack from Liz (The Washerwoman's) hubby last weekend in Totnes. I managed to salvage two panels to make one medium and one large cushion.

The larger of the two, nice and plump with feather pads.

The smaller of the two, both backed in vintage linen and feather filled. I also have two small pieces that came from the bottom of both sacks with writing on which I will make into smaller cushions at some stage. Trouble is I want to keep them!! Have a wonderful weekend, and lets hope the sun keeps shining.

Jo xx

Ps. Nan is still holding her own, and eating a little at last! Thank you for your kind wishes.

PPs. I have a new manni coming home with me tomorrow, that will make 21 downstairs!!

Thank you & The V&H Textile & Fashion Fair this weekend!!

2011-09-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

Firstly you will all be pleased to know that my 91 year old Nan is sort of on the mend. We were all getting ready for bad news after last weekend but she has made some improvement. My Nan is a real fighter and certainly made of strong stuff. She is very stubborn and has been refusing treatment but is slowly coming round to the fact that everyone just wants to see her better and eating something!! She is by no means out of the woods and may still deteriorate so we are not getting our hopes up just yet. Thank you for all the lovely comments you left on my last post, I came back from Devon totally bereft that I may lose my Nan and they were a great comfort to me..so thank you. Now I can return to a bit of normality after the traumatic events of last week I have been busy getting ready for the V&H Textile and Fashion Fair this coming Saturday. I have had to be a little inventive as I have only got a single table and I always take too much!!

A small sample of what is coming with me.

This beauty has been a recent purchase and somewhat bizarrely arrived half an hour ago by courier. It is a late 19th century, early 20th century needlepoint rug done in the Gothic style which is a style we absolutely adore...just need an Edwin Lutyens house and my life would be complete (with a Gertrude Jekyll garden of course)!!

Hours must have gone into this rug, I cannot begin to imagine how long it took to make. There are some areas of wear which adds to it's charm but apart from that it is in fabulous condition.

It has been worked in the finest needlepoint and the panels then joined. We are going to give it pride of place on the wall in the dining room as it will fit in rather snugly with the Gothic Sanctuary lamp and antique wall lights we have...we do have a penchant for Gothic. Does anyone have any idea how to hang a rug like this as a wall hanging please...we don't know where to start? Have a great weekend and see you at the V&H Textile and Fashion fair if you can make it.

Jo xx

Weekend in Devon

2011-09-26T02:10:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a wonderful and slightly emotional weekend in Devon. Mum and I both had stands at the Nostalgic Mix fair in Totnes on Saturday. Lesley had organised yet another fantastic fair and it was very busy all day long. There was a lovely mix of stands all selling vintage and home made treasures, all very different so something to suit everyone.

I bought this beautiful black Victorian lace shawl amongst other things (too numerous to mention!).

I also bought this gorgeous and ethereal 1920's bridal veil and head dress from my friend Ros who owns a lovely shop called 'The Snug' in Ashburton. Some of you will be familiar with her shop and for those of you who have never visited I can recommend a visit if you are ever down in the South West. Ashburton has lots of lovely antique and vintage shops.

If you look closely you will see it still has some of the confetti stitched into the hem of the veil.

This beautiful French picture frame came from Liz The Washerwoman. I also bought some beautiful linen from her hubby. I can never resist their stand as they always have so many little treasures to ooh and aah over, and I never come away empty handed.

After an exhausting day, Mum and I returned home to find that my Nan had been taken ill. Her carer was very concerned as she was sleepy and not eating and drinking. The Doctor visited and I managed to convince her to go to hospital. To cut a long story short she is very poorly, and we all realise that this may be the beginning of the end. My brother drove down from Cambridge yesterday as I had to come back home so he is there to support Mum and John. We are all absolutely devastated but we do realise that she is 91 and her quality of life is not going to improve. It has hit me very hard because I am very close to her and she is my last Grandparent, but I do realise that I am lucky to be in my forties and have my Nan. I am just dreading the phone ringing now.

I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend, and have a great week.

Jo xx

Off To Totnes

2011-09-22T03:13:00.000-07:00

Have had a busy week, getting ready for NM3 in Totnes this Saturday as well as recovering from a bad back, a legacy left over from my nursing days, either that or I am getting old! Totnes is a long way for me to travel but I get to see my family, especially my 91 year old Nan who has had a couple of bad falls lately so I feel it is especially important this time. I do feel very lucky to be in my forties and still have a Grandparent alive and Louis to have a Great Nan. I was lucky to know both sets of Grandparents and also to have two sets of Great Grandparents. Mum also has a stand at NM3 and she has also been busy this week packing and pricing.

A small selection of what I am taking. I still have some things to pack.

The beautiful Confit pot was a great find this week. We have a little antiques centre not far from us and I found a couple of little gems hidden amongst the usual rubbish that is usually for sale there!

I also found this beautiful hand embroidered Chinese panel that had been crudely framed and literally had the edges taped as it was too big for the frame....sacrilege!! Andy very painstakingly removed it from the frame and the offending tape and it will be coming with me to Totnes.

Lastly I will leave you with a picture of what our pear tree produced this year. I will be taking some down for Mum along with some windfall apples and newly laid eggs from our chickens. Hopefully see you on Saturday if you are able to make it. Have a great weekend.

Jo xx

Victorian Patchwork

2011-09-13T03:34:00.000-07:00

I was very lucky yesterday to buy a gorgeous Victorian Hexagon Patchwork quilt from a lovely lady I buy from regularly. She usually has the most gorgeous eiderdowns for sale but this time I came away with this beautiful hexagon patchwork....and three eiderdowns...well I couldn't leave them behind now could I?

It is just exquisite, and fairly large.

It must have taken hours of painstaking work with all those little hexagons to piece together.

There is only slight damage to a couple of the hexagons otherwise it has weathered well, obviously being stored away safely. I love how people were so thrifty making beautiful quilts out of all their little scraps of fabric.

It will probably being staying awhile to be coveted and then I may part with it if I can bear to!

I am busy updating the website today and also have two fairs to get ready for, Northampton Vintage fair on the 17th of September and Totnes Nostalgic Mix 3 on the 24th of September. Hope you are all having a great week.

Jo xx

Sunday Antiques Hunt

2011-09-11T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I took an impromptu trip this morning to Brackley Antique Cellar, in Brackley Northamptonshire/Oxfordshire area. This lovely antiques centre holds many dealers with a good turn over of stock and there is always something interesting as the stands are so varied.

This gorgeous large vintage floral fabric box was the first find of the day.

Covered in the scrummiest of vintage fabrics and in a very large size...possibly staying!

5 1/2 yards of the most gorgeous beaded 20's trim and in such good unused condition. I was lucky to find it in such a large quantity and it will be coming to Totnes Nostalgic Mix 3 with me.

I was really thrilled to find an antique milliners hat block as I recently sold my own. I have wanted one in this shape for ages.

I am about to wax it to bring out the shine. It is such a lovely, tactile object and was an very good price also which pleased hubby who in turn didn't mind parting with the contents of his wallet! We also met Debbie (Home thoughts from Vintage Wants) and her hubby. They have a stand at Brackley. It really is a fantastic place and you will need a good couple of hours to nose round as there is so much to look at...well worth the trip. Have a wonderful week.

Jo xx

Little Textile Treasures

2011-09-08T06:32:00.000-07:00

I have been having a rummage through the cupboard in our spare bedroom where I knew I had squirrelled away some little bits and pieces that I purchased many moons ago. I uncovered some little antique dolls dresses that I had bought in a lovely antique shop in Honiton when we lived in Devon. Sadly this gorgeous shop is no longer there. The lady who ran the shop with her hubby always had the most delicious little antique dolls and dolls clothes for sale. I always enjoyed rummaging through them to find something for my Victorian doll to wear.

I will be honest I am not really a doll person, my thing is antique bears, but I couldn't resist her when I saw her in an antique shop many moons ago. For all you doll experts out there she certainly isn't the finest of antique dolls but I love her.

She is so pretty and I bought the silk bonnet and fine lawn dress from this lady in Honiton.

Yes, she even has pants (bloomers) on...I always check, do you?

This little assortment of dolls dresses and an apron also came from Honiton. The little apron is too small for my doll so I think I will be selling this little group at my next fair.

The apron is made from the finest lawn cotton and edged with beautiful handmade lace. I am sure some of these clothes would have been made by the children who owned the dolls. I own a 1930's Steiff bear who is dressed in a blue velvet hand made ensemble.

During my rummage I also came across these two little vintage children's coat hangers.

A little vintage children's Chinese jacket.

From dolls clothes to this beautiful late 19th early 20th century wedding dress. I cannot believe that someone actually wore this it is so tiny.

The boned bodice doesn't actually fit on my mannequin (who isn't large) so I have to display it separately. It is also very fragile so I wouldn't want to pull it around too much. Even with a corset on can you believe people were that tiny.....this would fit a child now!

It does make a lovely display though don't you think? I am going to carry on my rummaging and see what else I can find. Enjoy the rest of the week, and I hope you haven't been blown away with the gale force winds!!

Jo xx

Shades Of Autumn

2011-09-05T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well here in Derbyshire it is certainly turning very Autumnal. The whole week is forecast gale force winds and rain....Mmmm just what we all need! However there is a nicer side to Autumn, I love the colours of the trees as they turn (I don't like the mess they make) and I love battening down the hatches indoors ready for the onset of the colder weather. I am in the throes of getting out winter quilts and Welsh blankets in readiness.

I also had a lucky find yesterday, from Freecycle of all places. We were listing some bits and pieces unearthed in the garage (Hubby has been very busy tidying up the bomb site that was our garage) when eagle eyed me spotted a large picnic basket on offer. I emailed the lady and last evening went to pick it up.

I know, a bit late in the season but I couldn't resist especially as it is a lovely large vintage basket. As you can see it has had a bit of a makeover with the ticking fabric holding the wonky lids together and a Toile lavender heart.

The front garden has also had a bit of a tidy up in readiness for the cooler weather. Hubby spent ages weeding the knot garden (or what will eventually become one) and we replanted the window boxes with evergreens and heathers.

It is a lot tidier now and makes the front of the cottage look better.

I even got on the step ladder and cleaned down the front porch and oiled the Oak front door. Of course it had to have a heart hanging from it...suitably rustic of course.

One of the cast iron window boxes..they weigh a tonne!

Our lovely old apple tree is laden with apples once more ready to be picked this weekend. It is reputed to be over 100 years old! Our lovely neighbour has lived next door for 56 years and it was an old tree then she tells me. It is lovely because she can remember how the cottage looked when it was still two dwellings. We have managed to trace it back to at least 1850-1860 so very early Victorian and I have a picture of how one side looked in 1930!

The garden is still very green at the moment but that will all change in the coming weeks. We have another apple tree and two pear trees that are laden with fruit so I think it's going to be shared with the neighbours with some left over for cooking.

A little bit more Autumnal colour, just to get us in the mood. Have a wonderful week whatever you are doing. Thank you for all the lovely uplifting comments and hello to all my new followers.

Jo xx

I Have Wings!!

2011-08-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

We are coming back to earth with a bump after a very busy couple of days! It all started on Friday...first the Beast had to go in for a service and MOT (very expensive) in between getting ready for the Cotswolds Vintage Fair. Firstly the most gorgeous and eagerly anticipated parcel arrived for me.

The most gorgeous antique feather angel wings all the way from Denmark!

I have long coveted a pair of these extraordinary things. I found them through the Jeanne D'Arc Living magazine purchased from Ali's website Betty and Violet. Looking through the back pages there are many Danish antique dealers and Interior stylists. I picked out one called Butik Sophie. Her website is stunning and the array of unusual antiques really appealed to me. I decided to take a chance and contact Lene to see if she would ship to the UK and I am pleased to say one bank transfer and two days later they arrived...very quickly I might add.

The wings were beautifully packaged and Lene also sent me the most beautiful sepia photograph, an antique calling card and a card with a letter 'J' on it...how thoughtful.

My little French man was just the right size for them.

Yesterday was the Cotswolds Vintage Fair. We had packed the van in readiness on the Friday and left early Saturday morning. There was hardly any time to look around and once the doors were opened at 10am the crowds poured in. I don't think I have ever been to such a busy fair, it was jam packed for most of the day. Lots of other bloggers were there with the most amazing stalls but we really had very little time to catch up with one another. Alison did an absolutely fantastic job of organising the fair down to the last meticulous detail. There were flowers in the entrance hall and lovely jugs of country flowers on each of the outside tables for people to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and the wonderful views. I also got to meet Lauren a friend of mine who works for interiors magazine 'Period Ideas'. She was en route, with husband to be Rob, to see family in our neck of the woods, and it was great to finally meet them both. Ali's family were also on hand and did a wonderful job of helping out so a big thank you to all of them and to Alison especially who really went that extra mile to make it such a special day for everybody. Also a big thank you to all the lovely customers who visited my stand and made a purchase.

Now I couldn't come away empty handed, now could I? Lovely tiny gold 1920's shoes from Alison. They are so tiny and absolutely exquisite and in such wonderful condition.

A pair of handblown antique glass bell jars from Chloe.

Andy actually purchased these. You can see all the little imperfections in them as they are hand made and surprisingly very light...stunning! Chloe deals in the most exquisite and decorative antiques.

A gorgeous little EPNS purse also from Ali.

I can never resist ostrich feathers.

The most exquisite glass beaded fringing dating from the 1920's...also bought from Ali. The problem is when I buy anything like this I can never part with it.

The last purchase of the day was the most beautiful coffee table book I have ever bought. Ali managed to get her hands on some copies in English text and they have now sold out on her website although she is hoping to try and get some more because the demand was so great...and I can see why. The book is called 'French Atmospheres' and is by the same people responsible for the Jeanne D'Arc Living magazine. It is by far the most expensive book I have ever purchased but it is worth every penny...I can guarantee you will want to paint your house white inside and buy into the whole ethereal look. I am certainly a convert to the Nordic/French look.....I can promise you will not be disappointed. So after a very busy couple of days I am going to enjoy a lovely glass of wine later and devour this gorgeous book...well, once all the dreaded housework is finished! Have a fab Bank Holiday.
Jo xx
PS Please click on the photo stream link to view photographs of the day.

On My Travels Again

2011-08-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

The van is being packed as we speak in readiness for The Cotswold Vintage Fair tomorrow in the lovely village of Toddington.

I have the usual selection of lovelies to take with me. Huge Vintage French Ticking cushions as well as two rather lovely grain sack bench seat cushions...I have even made the feather pads to go inside from the huge bale of down feathers we bought ages ago and stored in the garage.

I love monogrammed linen.

I am rather in love with this little blue linen number and Louis wants it for his room if it doesn't sell!

Just some of the goodies coming with me.

My beautiful antique cherub mirror with sconces which is very hard to part with but I can't justify keeping it as I've nowhere to hang it so it needs to go to a new home. I have also bought something rather beautiful for my own collection which I will do my next post on so I've got to make some money back! Have a wonderful weekend and try and pop along to see us in Toddington if you are able. There are going to be some wonderful sellers with some gorgeous goodies on offer so I've got to go round with my blinkers on!

Jo xx

The Indestructible Pug Bed!

2011-08-20T04:28:00.000-07:00

At last we have discovered a dog bed that the Pugs cannot destroy! The are very clever at picking open seams and digging holes in fabric!

It came from a fantastic company in Axminster, Devon called The Reefer Sail Company. They recycle and upcycle sail cloth into all manner of great products.

We chose the vintage tan sail dog bed. They even personalise it with whatever name you want. It comes flat so that you can fill it with old blankets or pillows, and it is easy to wash which is essential in this household with Elvis sprinkling on things! Another great thing about it, is that it is designed and made in the UK.
I am now busy getting ready and making things for the Cotswold Vintage Fair next Saturday, hope to see you there if you can make it.
Have a lovely weekend.
Jo xx

Vintage Treasure Trove

2011-08-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

We are absolutely shattered but the day has been fantastic, so fantastic that I couldn't wait to do a lengthy post about it. The Vintage Jumble organised so wonderfully by Jayne and Michele has gone off without a hitch. We arrived early after a good run down the motorway and began the task of heaping all the goodies onto the waiting tables. There was also some rather fabulous deals going on in the car park.....

This rather fabulous and very camp gentleman dating to the 1950's came from Liz The Washerwoman after a frantic email to her late last night after spotting him on her blog post! Apparently several people witnessed my hubby wrestling him into the van with his hands placed on strategic parts!! We have named him Tristan Barrington-Havers, related to Jonty & Julian Barrington-Havers, two rather camp 1930's gentlemen I already own. I know, mad as a box of frogs!!!

I have been after a French marriage dome for yonks, and being the eagle eyed person I am also spotted this on Liz's blog post destined for Newark. It fits perfectly under my Victorian glass dome and I am so thrilled with it...thank you Liz & hubby. I also bought three lovely French linen sheets from Liz destined for cushions.

Andy bought this lovely old wooden crate from Michele, complete with writing on the side.

This rather gorgeous Vintage boudoir dolls head came from the lovely Viv who had a stand next to mine. She came from Vienna. I wish I was clever enough to fashion her a cloth body and make a vintage outfit for her to wear.

This lovely crème de menthe piano shawl and parasol came from another lovely lady called Geraldine who has the most wonderful selection of vintage textiles and trims.

This gorgeous Victorian bead work velvet cushion and sparkly bits and pieces came from Philippa Bowes , the lovely lady who made my decorated goose egg from a previous post.

All these lovelies came from Ali who had her usual fabulous selection of vintage trims and lovely French bits and bobs.

I purchased all these gorgeous grain sacks from Maud who sells wonderful vintage and antique French linens from her web site Beyond France. Most of the grain sacks have monogrammes on them and are in lovely condition. I also bought some pieces of mangle cloth linen always fabulous for backing cushions.

These lovely vintage fabric covered buttons also came from Maud.

A gorgeous vintage French plaster and gilt French bow from Liz.

This is what the van looked like when we returned home...a lot emptier than when we had started apart from the naughty purchases!! Thank you to Jayne and Michele for making it such a fabulous and enjoyable day, and to all the other stall holders and the lovely customers who helped clear the van to make way for new purchases. I am now in the process of enjoying a well earned glass of vino. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Jo xx

VINTAGE JUMBLE - BARGAINS GALORE!!!

2011-08-12T03:06:00.000-07:00

We have been having a huge clear out ready for the vintage jumble in Rangeworthy tomorrow. The first one, organised by Jayne & Michele held earlier this year was such a huge success they decided to do another.

Andy and I have been busy getting ready, there are boxes for 50p and £1, and even two bags of vintage eidy's in need of some TLC!!

Just some of the goodies ready to be packed in the van.

Boxes full of bits and bobs....excuse the hoover!!

Please come along if you can. It really is a lovely atmosphere and just like an old fashioned jumble sale complete with WI ladies serving teas and coffees with the most delicious cakes.

Please click on the link for more info. See you there.

Jo xx
PS: This is what the van looks like!!

Flags & Fairs

2011-08-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a stand at The Market Harborough Vintage Fair organised by the lovely Ann and her hubby, Trevor. It was held at a lovely light and airy venue very close to the town centre and there was the usual lovely mix of vintage treasures on offer to tempt buyers. True to form I have no pictures of the day but I am sure Ann will post some pics on her blog, Vintage at the Corner House. My Mum is staying with us for the week from Devon and she indulged in a spending spree at the fair. My first find of the day was, yes, you've guessed it, yet another huge vintage Union Jack Flag....as if I need another, but I couldn't resist!

It is rather worse for wear but just how I like them!!

This rather fab wire work shelving also came from Briony, the lady I bought the flag from. It is going to be very handy to use for displaying fabric for sale. I also bought some wonderful French linen from Heather from Hellish Designs who coincidentally has just started a Blog.

Please pay her a visit as her stuff is to die for.

My rather wonderful find from our local car boot sale this morning. I spotted this gorgeous Georgian pine cupboard and it had to come home with no thought of how Mum and I would load it into the Beast!! We had to phone Andy to come to our rescue with the van!! Mum has spent all afternoon ironing my table and bed linen ready for the fairs...she is a real trooper! It has been the most wonderful but exhausting weekend, hope you've all had a great one too. Now we are off to sort stuff for the Vintage Jumble next Saturday. Have a lovely week.

Jo xx

French Finds & Box Files

2011-08-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

Hope you have all had a great weekend. We have been experiencing a mini heat wave here in Derbyshire. I love this weather although I find it quite draining. The Pugs insist on laying in the sun even though it is too hot. We have had a lovely weekend. I did a vintage fair in Matlock, The Peak District on Saturday with Discover Vintage. It was very well attended and we were busy for most of the day with only a couple of quiet periods. On Sunday we decided to take a trip to The Old Pill Factory in Witney. Tracey from The Vintage Bothy has a lovely stand in the attic space crammed full of wonderful antique and vintage textile treasures. The whole place is a real treasure trove and very reasonably priced too.

Lovely monogrammed French Linen tea towels and a rusty set of Château keys.

Lovely bundles of vintage French books dating from the 1930's.

I absolutely adore this beautiful French earthenware glazed jug, I think it may be staying for a while! I also found some lovely mother of pearl buttons held together on a length of old string.

We then went onto Station Mill Antiques in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire on the recommendation of the ladies at the Old Pill Factory. It was two floors of pure antique and vintage heaven and I would recommend a visit. There is also a delightful cafe that serves the most heavenly toasties. Apparently it has just reopened after a devastating fire which damaged large parts of the building.

My favourite find of the day was this beautiful 19th century French wire work basket. It cost a small fortune but it had to come home with me. I have grand designs for this as a centrepiece at Christmas...watch this space....... Andy isn't really sure about this one!

Box File now sold!!

This is my latest creation...a covered box file in vintage pink paisley eiderdown fabric. I covered one recently in Kate Forman blue roses linen but forgot to photograph it and sold it at a fair. I decided to have another go but this time with vintage fabric. I'm afraid I cannot take all the credit as Andy helps with all the technical details like measurements, cutting the base out and attaching the ties at the front of the box. I'm rather pleased with it...what do you think?

Have a great week.

Jo xx

And The Winner Is!!!

2011-07-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

The results of my give away are in. Thank you to all of you that left me such lovely comments, and a big hello to all my new followers.

I won't keep you in suspense any more......

Aided by my glamorous assistant with a hairy arm.

The winner is...Delia Hornbook of Dee Dee's Vintage Retro Delights, Congratulations Dee, please email me with your address, hestanesta@hotmail.co.uk. and I will pop the bits and bobs in the post to you.

A big thank you to all of you who entered, I wish you all could have won.

After all that excitement I have also been busy making this week for my web site. I have made a pair of these sweet little lamp shades covered in vintage eidy fabric, a bit of a sod to do but I am rather pleased with the outcome.

This is a larger one also covered in vintage eidy fabric. Remember the lamp shade frame from my last post, the one that came with the Cherub? I stripped off the dreadful silk covering that came with it and Voilà!! this is it, re-covered.

This is a hard one to part with. I recently bought some gorgeous French fabric from the lovely Shirley from Simply Château and decided to have a go at another giant bolster cushion. They look stunning displayed on a large bed, and I really want to keep it but have put it on my website.

Enjoy the rest of your week and let's keep our fingers crossed for some sunshine at the weekend.

Jo xx

Giant Cushions and a Giveaway!

2011-07-20T05:54:00.000-07:00

At last I have got round to sorting out my giveaway.....bit late (sorry) as I'm already on 108 followers! Here goes....vintage style heart shaped wire basket, 12 vintage quilt patches, some vintage lace, lavender pillow, a piece of eidy fabric, some shoe stretchers and last but not least a vintage single eiderdown cover in paisley and plain pink! Sounds like the generation game but without the cuddly toy! Hope you like it.

Sorry, the pictures haven't come out all that well.

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment, it is open to everyone, here in the UK and abroad. I'll announce the winner in a week. Onto other news, I have also been busy making giant cushions.

I bought a vintage grain sack dated 1934 and thought there was only enough to make one cushion.

As I began to cut the sack in half I realised there was writing on the inside of the back panel also and it was the same as what was printed on the front. I managed to make these two large cushions, two smaller ones from the remnants (on my website) and also two small lavender pillows.

For the conservatory I also made a large Toile and Vichy check cushion, although I will probably have to move it at some point as the sun light is so strong (when we get some that is).

I have also made this large bolster feather filled cushion from a gorgeous panel of vintage French fabric that I have had for ages. I have reluctantly taken the decision to sell it and it is currently on my website. The paws to the side belong to Hattie.

This little chap was a recent find on a certain auction site. He was advertised as a 1920's lamp for repair. He came with some dubious wiring and a Bakelite light bulb holder and an even more dubious looking peach coloured silk shade!! The wiring and the lampshade have now been consigned to the bin although I have saved the frame of the lamp shade to recover at some time. I took a chance buying him and thought he was made of stone perhaps? He appears to be made of bronze although very weathered. I am no expert on metals but the base underneath is a bronze colour and he is fairly heavy. So all in all my hunch paid off and he is now sitting safely under my old glass dome and not part of a dreadful table lamp!

Have a great week everyone and remember to leave a comment to enter the giveaway.

Jo xx

Sorry It's Been So Long!

2011-07-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

My apologies everyone for not posting sooner but life has sort of got in the way once more, and between further bouts of 'black dog' I have been raced off my feet. I attended Amy and Annie's lovely Vintage Fair in Hatton last Sunday, and it was a real success, raising £800 for Muscular Dystrophy. If you go to Blighty Boutique or Annie The Felt Fairy blog spots then you can see photographs of the day. Yesterday I was in Olney attending a Vintage Fair organised by Ann and Trevor who run the Northampton Vintage fairs. It was a really lovely day and great to catch up with old friends as well as meeting new ones and making a few sneaky purchases! Once again I failed to capture the day on camera but I am sure Ann will do a post about the day. Now onto new purchases...some are staying but some will either go on the website (that I neglect badly) or will go to the fairs with me.

The gorgeous wooden hat box came from the lovely Wendy of Ticking Stripes. I had had my eye on it for a while and she finally succumbed and very kindly sold it to me. It has some original labels on and is a real beauty. The lovely French wire work basket came from Amanda from Charente Vintage. Amanda lives in France and had come over to attend the Olney fair, and very fortuitously my stand was next to hers!! Yes, that was fatal as she had some lovely French treasures, several of which accompanied me back home.

The beautiful little lead crystal pots came from our local car boot of all places. I have grand designs on filling them with sparkly bits and pieces! The rather grotesque theatrical mask is one of three that I picked up from a local auction and came from the Stratford Shakespeare Company.

Here are the other two. I think they date from the late nineteenth, early twentieth century.

Another French treasure, the most beautiful fine linen monogram sheet and it is huge!

We also found this beautiful late Victorian photograph album, presented to Elizabeth Hinds for her 21st birthday in 1901. Isn't it sad that there was obviously no one in the family to pass it onto? All that lovely family history ending up at a car boot sale. Some of the pictures are missing, but someone has also written down who the people are in the photographs.

Some beautiful flowers I have displayed in a vintage watering can.....wish I could grow roses like this. I will leave you with some pictures of our village scarecrow competition. Our neighbours have successfully defended their title from last year with the Apollo moon landings!

Apollo rocket complete with astronauts.

Houston we have a problem!! They borrowed our dry ice machine for the rocket smoke and were playing 'Theme for the common man' at full pelt ready for the judging.

Nick and Carols Overseal Base camp.

Catch of the day over at the bungalow.

Justin and Marie did Dr Who, the Tardis and a Dalek! It's amazing what compost bins can be used for.

The Apollo rocket complete with crash test teddy strapped to the side! As you can see everyone had great fun and there were many more scarecrows dotted around the village. The gauntlet has been thrown down for next year...watch this space! Have a great week.

Jo xx

PS Will sort out the give away this week!

A Gorgeous Vintage Summer Boutique

2011-06-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

I was very privileged to be asked by Ali from Betty & Violet if I would like to attend her small Vintage Summer Boutique to be held at her stunning home. I of course accepted and last Friday morning duly set off in the van loaded to the gunnel's! Unfortunately the weather was against us so poor Ali had to hurriedly rearrange her home a couple of days before in readiness. I do apologise but I forgot my camera but I am sure Ali will post some pictures of the two days.

I was in the dining room with Lucy Bloom and Angela who sells gorgeous linens. Ali's hubby and father kept us all fortified with tea and coffee, and the most delicious salad rolls for lunch with a glass of bubbly!

Some of the gorgeous pieces of linen and fabrics I bought from Ali.

You know me I can never resist vintage eidy fabric! Ali and her Mum had stands in the sitting room, Ali with her usual mix of gorgeousness that I thoroughly enjoyed looking through and making a few purchases! Angela, her Mum sells beautiful vintage jewellery.

A vintage beaded belt and some initials that I couldn't resist.

I adore this beaded trim dating from the 1920's and a gorgeous wooden reel of French silver thread that is so delicate and pretty.

Lovely cards of linen covered buttons from Lucy.

A gorgeous box file covered in Kate Forman (my favourite designer) from Chloe, a lovely lady who specialises in French textiles and antiques. She had a stand in Ali's bedroom, and had a wonderful array of cushions and French linens for sale.

My last purchase of the day was an exquisite goose egg made by the lovely Philippa Bowes, a very talented designer who makes beautiful clothes from vintage fabrics and also transforms vintage clothing with quilt pieces and vintage fabrics...they are truly stunning. Years ago she made stunning evening bags and goose eggs covered in antique fabrics and trims. My egg is covered in the most exquisite red silk velvet dating from the 19th century, the gold trim is also antique as are the crystal drops. I absolutely adore it and it now takes pride of place hanging with our antique sanctuary lamp.

The weekend was absolutely perfect in every way regardless of the weather and was full of laughter, fabulous customers, equally fabulous food and was a real tonic after my latest bout of 'black dog'. Friday evening was wonderful, after our meal we (Angela and I stayed over) walked round all the stands with Ali and her Mum having a nosey at everything. It was like being locked in the most fabulous vintage/antique

shop and being able to browse at your leisure. I can't thank Ali and her lovely family enough for such a wonderful weekend, and I have returned to Derbyshire feeling rested and inspired by all the clever and talented people I met. The last photograph is of some wonderful vintage Edwardian chain mail bags I discovered whilst foraging recently.

I hope you all have a great week and it is lovely to feel back to my old self once more.

Jo xx

PS I haven't forgotten the giveaway.

Ready to Rock 'n' Roll once more

2011-06-16T05:25:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone for leaving your lovely comments on my last post and emailing me personally. It really did give me a lift to know that you were all thinking about me. I am surprised at just how many of us suffer with these depressive episodes, perhaps it is part of life? I am feeling much improved although a little fragile still but it has helped getting ready for the Vintage Summer Boutique that Ali is holding at her gorgeous home this coming Friday and Saturday. We are unsure as to what the weather is going to do but everyone has made contingency plans for either an outdoor or indoor stand.

Of course, mountains of lovely cushions.

A vintage bottle basket full of quilt pieces and fabrics.

A bit of an outdoor theme going on here, although it may be indoors!!

This is a hard one to part with, my lovely old 1920's wicker chair with beautiful French ticking cushions....mmmmm I might chicken out yet and leave it behind!

The adorable Elvis Pug who has been lending a paw with all the pricing and packing. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I will be off to Ali's tomorrow come rain or shine, hope to see you there if you can make it.

Jo xx
PS. Will have to think up a give away now I've reached 100 followers, watch this space!

Tough Times!

2011-06-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone who left such wonderful messages on my last post about my Grandad, they were much appreciated and I will admit to shedding a few tears at your kind comments. I don't usually write about such personal things on my Blog, I like to keep it up beat and away from all the horrible things that happen in life. But I will admit that recently I have been finding it increasingly hard to keep up beat about everything. I won't bore you with the details but life has been a little difficult lately with lots of negative things happening, and although I am eternally grateful that I live in such a beautiful cottage with a wonderful family and have very little to moan about in my life I have been finding it difficult to cope lately. I unfortunately suffer from depression and anxiety problems....Andy calls it 'My Black Dog' as it mirrors the melancholia my hero Sir Winston Churchill suffered. My Black Dog has definitely been very vocal of late and I feel like I just want to shut down. Everything is an effort when I feel this way and I have to make myself do things and keep going. I took two of the Pugs for a walk this morning, the first time I have been out properly for a few days and it was lovely to get out in the sunshine. I came back feeling drained but glad that I had been out. To cheer myself up I picked the first of the sweet peas and some roses from the garden.

My apologies everyone as I am sure I will be back to 'normal' soon. Thank you for all your lovely comments they are so appreciated and hello to all my lovely new followers. Normal service will resume shortly I hope!! Have a lovely weekend.

Jo xx

My Wonderful Grandad

2011-06-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

I was very lucky to have both sets of Grandparents when I was growing up, three of them I have lost, the only one left is my Nan, my Mum's Mum and she's 91!! Today is the anniversary of my beloved Grandad's death (on my Dads side), he was only 63 when he died suddenly 28 years ago to the day. I absolutely adored him, and he gave me an unconditional love, we were so close. I was heartbroken and still am all these years later.

He was born in Sydney, Australia on April the 13th 1920. He moved with his parents (who I remember) to the UK when he was only a child. He had unfortunately inherited a degenerative eye disease and his sight diminished throughout his life until he was totally blind just before his death. He never let this stand in his way though and he was always a real force to be reckoned with!! He was very feisty and very opinionated when it came to Politics and had the most wonderful dry sense of humour. He was the sort of man who never let his disability stand in the way of anything he wanted to do even at a time when opportunities were not always open to disabled people. He became a Blind Persons Resettlement Officer, helping blind and partially sighted people into work. He was a well educated man and had originally trained as an Engineer. I remember him being very strict on how to use the Queens English properly!! I dread to think of what he would say if he heard me swear!! I called him 'Pooh Grandad' , this I will explain!! My Nans name was Winifred and when I was a child I made the connection between her name and Winnie The Pooh, so my Grandparents became Pooh Nan and Grandad!! They always signed themselves as this in cards.

I remember that awful phone call 28 years ago to say that my beloved Grandad had collapsed...he unfortunately did not survive. He and my Nan had moved house two weeks before and he had gone for a drink with an old neighbour. He collapsed and died as they walked back home.

He really was the most wonderful influence on my life and had he lived I often wonder how my life would have turned out...perhaps some of the decisions I made would have been better ones. I am also sorry that he never got to meet my wonderful hubby and our son Louis who incidentally was born on the 16th of April, three days after my Grandads birthday so they share the same birth sign, he also has my Grandads name as his middle name. My brother named his son after my Grandad which I was delighted about.

I was very lucky to know my Grandad for 14 years but his loss left a terrible scar on my life, and one that I know will never heal, I have learned to live with the pain of losing him, but June the 6th is always a very sad day for me.

William Stanley Nicholson 13th April 1920 - 6th June 1983.

Eidy Heaven & Broken dishwashers!

2011-06-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

Life is a little fraught at the moment with a broken tumble dryer (new one on it's way) and horror of all horrors a broken dishwasher, so it was nice to get an unexpected phone call yesterday. A lovely lady who I buy from called me out of the blue to say she had acquired six (yes six!!) eiderdowns and would I be interested. Well I didn't need asking twice and after a frantic phone conversation with hubby (he's the one with the wallet!!) I was in the Beast and winging my way through the rush hour traffic....I will do anything for eidy's, yes even brave Burton Upon Trent at rush hour! Thankfully she doesn't live that far from me.

This lovely single needs a bit of TLC but has a beautiful pattern of roses covering it.

Very tempted by this beauty. A lovely faded paisley double...mmmmm may be staying!

An absolutely gorgeous single covered in roses and trellis.

This has to be my favourite, a gorgeous large single dating from the 1930's and covered in cameos of roses and still so lovely and plump.....very, very tempted to covet this one but I must be good. I also purchased a blue paisley one from her straight out of her washing machine!! It is drying on my line as we speak. I am now banned from washing eidy's after the last fiasco!!

I also have a selection of Welsh blankets and cutter quilts for sale that I will be taking with me this weekend to the V&H Textile and Fashion fair. Once again the poor conservatory is doubling as a stock room as I sort through everything. Enjoy the rest of the week, and hopefully see you on Saturday albeit with sore and chapped hands from all the washing up I will have been doing!!

Jo xx

Antique French Screen Makeover

2011-05-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

I have had this lovely French three panelled screen tucked away for ages and have been meaning to cover it. I decided to dig it out yesterday and also some lovely Vintage French faded Toile I also had put aside and my wonderful hubby duly spent a couple of hours securing the fabric to the screen. He loves doing fiddly things like that, but I get too cross!!!

I purchased this some time ago from my lovely friend Liz Morris who specialises in French furniture and textiles. The fabric also came from her. The poor old screen has been sitting in my work room for yonks when I suddenly remembered it.

Here it is, in all it's glory. Hubby has certainly worked his magic on it even lining up the panels properly to make the most of the Vignettes on the Toile. I love it and am going to find it hard to part with now!!

A close-up of the beautiful old spindles at the bottom of the Screen. It is painted in a Farrow & Ball grey.

A close-up of the beautiful old Toile I have used. It is a lovely faded Aubergine colour and absolutely beautiful. It will be coming with me for the V&H if I can bear to let it go! Hope you are all having a fab weekend.

Jo xx

Two Little Cushions

2011-05-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

Today has been rather a productive one in between housework and the usual routine here at home, plus five bored Pugs who refuse to go out because of the rain!!

I have been cushion making.

I recently bought this beautiful little tin with two pieces of 30's ribbon inside and four lovely 30's Chinoiserie appliqués.

I rather fancied using some of my precious eiderdown fabric and some round cushion inserts that I have had stored for ages partly because I couldn't think of anything to do with them. Very fiddly to do, rather like covering an extremely large button, and then the appliqué is hand stitched to the centre to finish. This is the larger of the two cushions.

The smaller of the two, again very fiddly to get it to sit just right but I am very pleased with the results. They will be coming with me to the V&H Textile & Fashion fair on the 4th of June.

Hope you have all had a great week, now we've got the Bank Holiday to look forward to, let's hope the weather picks up.

Jo xx

Vintage Weekend & Naughty Pugs

2011-05-23T04:46:00.000-07:00

We have had a lovely weekend. We attended the Northampton Vintage Fair on Saturday and although it was a little quiet it was lovely to catch up with everyone. The range of stalls were fabulous and Ann and her hubby Trevor had everything organised down to the last detail. The tea room was well manned and the lemon drizzle cake to die for!! Annie, Amy and myself can vouch for that!! I had plenty of time to have a good mooch around and bought some lovelies, some of which will be destined for the V&H Textile & Fashion fair on the 4th of June, so make sure you've got the date in your diary as it promises to be spectacular.

I just had to have these wonderful Cartier-Bresson French haberdashery drawers from the lovely Debbie.....she had just started to pack them away when I spotted them and she subsequently had to empty all of the drawers!!

I also purchased this lovely vintage silk corsage from Debbie and some beautiful original fabric shoe stretchers from another stand (apologies as I cannot remember the lady's name).

I also bought an absolutely stunning bridal tiara dating I would guess from the 1930's and in lovely original condition as it has been kept in it's original box. The lovely pink Art Deco box and the crinoline lady book cover also date to around the 30's and came from Debbie.

I have also recently purchased this rather gorgeous original 1920's ladies cotton swim suit. It is in really fab condition only missing it's belt. I will admit this is going to be a hard one to part with as I adore anything dating from the 20's and 30's.

The lovely vintage Union Jack came from Ann's hubby Trevor. I also purchased some vintage linen from Heather to back cushions with as I always run out of backing fabric, it has a lovely red stripe down either side so I will have to incorporate this in somehow. It was a great weekend, yesterday was spent catching up with a few jobs around the house (never-ending!!)

Have a lovely week, and now I've got to get cushion making.

Jo xx

PS: The Pugs are on my S**t list as I caught certain little doggies who shall remain nameless ragging some of my vintage tablecloths and linen in the conservatory. They were on the chair and somehow found their way onto the floor!!! Thankfully no damage has been done.

Back on Track again.

2011-05-20T01:50:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the unusually long time between posts but I haven't been well all last week after returning from Dorset. Normally I bounce back pretty quickly from being poorly but this time I have felt really low. Thankfully now I seem to be returning to normal, well, normal for me! Sadly we had to let Betty go which I don't think helped my mood as she was beginning to pick on Pinkie. This was the reason my friend rehomed her with us in the first place as she was being dominant over her other little dog. I didn't say anything to my friend but I don't actually think Betty was a full Pug as she had many terrier traits in her. She has now gone to a lovely couple and their teenage children and will be an only dog which I think is what she needs. Our Pugs have been much calmer since she went.

I have recently purchased some beautiful eiderdown fabric and also a large double eidy that could not be salvaged so hence the garden is covered in feathers and so was my black car and I now have some more beautiful eiderdown fabric to add to it.

I think I will keep some and some I will sell on for projects. I love eiderdown fabric but trying to de feather an large eiderdown is horrendous. I do keep all the feathers though and make my own cushion pads so nothing is wasted.

Have also just bought some beautiful used ballet pointe shoes. In the copy of Jeanne D'Arc Living magazine that Ali from Betty and Violet very kindly gave me was a pretty display incorporating some ballet pointe shoes so I pinched the idea. I am sure the lady I bought them from must think I am very strange wanting her used ballet shoes so I will have to explain!! They are surprisingly heavy and I can only imagine the damage done to ballerinas poor little tootsies!!

My lovely Mum also managed to find me two little needlepoint evening bags at her local market. They are so sweet and the needlepoint so beautifully executed. I would estimate they date from the 20's or 30's. I am going to save them for the V&H Textile fair on the 4th of June. I am busy getting ready for the Northampton Vintage fair being held tomorrow. Please pop along if you can. Have a lovely weekend and it is nice to be back.

Jo xx

The Beast goes to Dorset!!

2011-05-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has taken me all week to post about Vintage at the Village Hall but I am still recovering from the long drive to Dorset and back!! I had arranged to meet Tracey & M (The Vintage Bothy) to follow them down to Dorset as left to my own devices I would probably have ended up in the Outer Hebrides or somewhere equally obscure!!

First problem encountered was finding the windscreen on the van had a major crack travelling along my line of vision so hence the Beast had to be loaded up and would be coming along instead. Second problem: The Beast is a gas guzzler and I do have a tendency to put my foot down a little too hard, and due to the size of it we don't really do country lanes!!

All this aside, we loaded up and I set off. The drive down was lovely with beautiful countryside and I certainly wouldn't have found my way if it wasn't for Tracey and M. We booked into our hotel and enjoyed a lovely evening with the wine flowing and good food and company. Monday morning was up early, breakfast and off to Pamphill ready to set up. I do apologise for not having any pictures of the day but Tracey took some lovely ones, please see her Blog. I always seem to forget my camera or take too long in setting up to go round and take some pics.

Bought this gorgeous faded French fabric box from Linda Clift and also a fantastic 19th century French linen chemise that she had dyed a charcoal black...I have lived in it all week as it looks fantastic with black leggings.

It has the most beautiful oval picture in the centre of the lid of a lady holding lovely pink blooms.

This lovely vintage Union Jack bunting was one of two pieces purchased from Cecile and her hubby from Elegance Maison and it was lovely to meet them both.

Pepe is sporting the other as a rather fetching vintage scarf. It was a really lovely day and I met lots of Bloggers I haven't met before so it was great to meet them in the flesh. I love being able to put a face to a name. Miss Bunny did a wonderful job of organising the fair with help from Ted who organised the parking and oversaw the unloading. The stands looked fantastic and I could have spent the earth but had to come back with some pennies!! The village Hall is in the most beautiful location and the weather was gorgeous. The fair was so busy and was steady all day. I really enjoyed the day but I did find it very tiring and hence am still recovering from early mornings and a four hour drive back on Monday!! A big thank you to all who made it such a memorable weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Had a lovely surprise this morning,the lovely Julie from The Cloth Shed sent me these gorgeous quilt pieces. I am going to use them in my patchwork cushions (when I've got the energy to make some). They are gorgeous pink floral pieces and I have just the fabrics to go with them. Thank you Julie you really cheered me up this morning. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I promise I won't leave it so long next time.

Jo xx

The Vintage Bazaar & New Mannis

2011-05-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend, hope you all did too. After the fab Royal Wedding we had the Vintage Bazaar in Frome to go to on Saturday. After an early start we arrived and it didn't take as long as I thought it would have. Lizzie and Clare had done a fabulous job of setting all the tables up ready for everyone. It really is a great venue with easy access and parking and a fabulous restaurant at one end of the huge hall serving fabulous food all day. My apologies for not having any pictures to show you but it always takes me so long to set up I never get the time to go round and snap some pics. It was lovely to meet up with numerous fellow bloggers again and to meet some new stall holders. The visit to the Vintage Bazaar also coincided rather nicely with picking up two new mannis from a shop in Frome called La Belle Etoffe who deal in beautiful French antiques and furniture.

This is Catherine, our new 1940's Triumph advertising mannequin sporting a rather fetching 1950's bullet bra!!

This is Liane, a French lingerie advertising miniature mannequin, she looks to me like she dates from the 1940's also. I am sure we are going to be paid a visit soon by the Village decency committee with all this underwear on public show...Ooooer Missus!!!

It gives the neighbourhood something to titter about :))

I have also developed a 'thing' about buttons in vintage bottles after purchasing the small one in the front of the picture from Ali at Betty & Violet who I was next to in Frome. It was lovely to catch up with her and her lovely Mum again as I hadn't seen them both for quite a while. Ali very kindly gave me a copy of the gorgeous Jeanne D'Arc magazine which I sat and devoured cover to cover....she sells them on her website Betty & Violet and it really is one of the most beautiful magazines I have ever seen and very inspiring. I am also really looking forward to attending The Vintage Boutique Ali is holding at her gorgeous home in June over two days, it promises to full of gorgeousness and held in a lovely English setting. She has also bravely taken on the organisation of the Cotswolds Vintage Fair in August which again promises to be a lovely event.

I have also taken to placing things under domes when I bought one a couple of days ago. I have owned this French cherub bust for ages and I am rather pleased with how he looks under the glass with a vintage velvet millinery flower placed in front of him......now I have the quandrey, do I sell or do I keep??

Another recent purchase, a Victorian Library bust, I think it is probably Socrates, can anyone enlighten me?

Another lovely batch of vintage textiles to go through, some I will keep and some I think I will sell on for others to make cushions etc...

Hope you all have a great week and now I've got Vintage at The Village Hall to look forward to on Monday, I'd better get sorting and pricing once more.

Jo xx

Congratulations to the Happy Couple

2011-04-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

Our street was suitably decorated for the Royal Wedding, and what a beautiful day it turned out to be.

Our village is also laying on all day festivities to celebrate the happy event. The wedding was very moving and the dress was gorgeous. We have all decided we are very proud to be British, and occasions like this really bring out the best in British spirit. Many congratulations to William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

I do love an excuse to get my vintage Union Jacks out!! See you tomorrow at the Cheese and Grain in Frome for the original Vintage Bazaar.

Jo xx

Easter Makeovers

2011-04-25T01:03:00.000-07:00

As well as gardening this weekend I have been busy getting ready for the Vintage Bazaar next Saturday in Frome. I have lots of new lovelies to take as well as a couple of items I have given a makeover to.

I recently purchased this lovely set of vintage drawers in great condition. They were covered in red fabric that looked lovely but I felt I could do better. I have covered the top back and sides in antique French Vichy check fabric and the drawer fronts are covered in a gorgeous vintage French floral fabric.

I am rather pleased with how they have turned out as it was a bit fiddly to do. After seeing the finished result I was tempted to keep them but cannot really justify it, I mean, how many pairs of drawers does a girl need??? :0))

Another little makeover was this gorgeous little antique dolls/teddy bear bed. I haven't touched the bed apart from wiping it over with a damp cloth as I adore the cobalt blue paint it has been painted in.

I love how the paint is distressed and worn with time. The bed looks to be handmade and very rustic. I have made a feather filled mattress out of vintage ticking for the base which involved getting covered in down and depositing feathers around the garden!!

I also made a matching feather filled pillow and finally a mini feather eiderdown made from antique Toile and backed in Hungarian rustic linen with a pom pom trim. It will be coming with me next Saturday as will the drawers to hopefully find new homes.

Have also recently made a couple of quilted shopping bags, this one was made from a panel of French quilt, the gusset made from a vintage floral quilt and lined rather extravagantly with Vichy check.

I have made this one from vintage quilt patches and lined it with a plum coloured vintage French linen. I have used webbing for the handles for strength. They too will be coming with me next Saturday.

I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter weekend and enjoyed this glorious weather. Have a great week.

Jo xx

Easter Weekend Gardening, Barbecue's & Pugs

2011-04-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

Andy and I have decided to set to on the garden at last!! It was horribly neglected last year because of the building work we were having done. The garden was full of building materials and rubbish and subsequently not a lot was done. We certainly paid for it and with the bad winter we had the garden was looking terrible.

Andy has been busy building two raised beds next to the greenhouse ready for the veggies we will grow this year.

The first one is finished and has been planted up with some pumpkins, squash, onions and garlic. We still need to get some top soil to finish the second bed.

The decking has been moved under the old oak tree, and my summer house has had a much needed spring clean and spruce up with some summery bunting.

I pulled everything out and then re stacked it all in neatly...it probably won't look this way for long!!

I love sitting in here sorting through everything with the windows open and my pink Roberts radio tuned into radio 2.

The sweet peas are planted out and the tub ready for the runner beans.

There is still a lot to do but if we do a bit each week then hopefully the garden will be up and running again.

Of course Lily Pug has to be in on the action.

I think the Pugs were hanging around because they could smell the barbecue

Last weekend Elvis and I helped collect money for the PAT dog charity at our local garden centre. Elvis visits a nursing home fortnightly as a PAT dog and they love him. I enjoy it also because I miss my nursing days and caring for people. Elvis had to undergo a strict assessment to ensure he was of the right temperament to visit vulnerable people. Unfortunately our other Pugs wouldn't be suitable as they are too boisterous!!

He was partnered by Robbie the ex racing greyhound who is also a PAT dog. They loved the attention and we raised a fair amount of money so it was a good day all round.

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend and enjoying this beautiful yet unexpected summer weather.

Hope you all have a very Happy Easter.

Jo xx

Weekend Treasures & Betty Boo is here to stay!!

2011-04-17T04:03:00.000-07:00

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend, the weather is absolutely gorgeous. Andy is busy doing his Percy Thrower bit and building two raised beds for the veggie plot and I have been busy treasure hunting.

The conservatory looks a bit like a jumble sale at the moment.

A rather lovely old bicycle basket in really good condition.

Yet more baskets!! A lovely vintage picnic basket and a fishing creel, and some rather sweet vintage clip on lampshades....I would love to re cover them in vintage eiderdown fabric but haven't a clue where to start?

Two rather gorgeous vintage flags, perfect for the Royal Wedding celebrations.

A beautiful early 20th Century chain mail evening purse lined with very soft leather and in lovely condition.

A collection of unfinished embroideries.

A gorgeous vintage deck chair striped door curtain with it's original tie back.

This is a beautiful length of vintage flag fabric originally intended to be used around a podium I think? I bought it at the Vintage and Handmade (sorry I can't remember who from). It has British made stamped on it and we are trying to think up a use for it.

Our final purchase at our local car boot was this rather gorgeous original ships lantern which is eventually going in the porch when a certain Percy Thrower has time to wire it in!!

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend and enjoying this beautiful weather.

Jo xx

PS...Forgot to mention that Betty is staying with us permanently, so now we are six!!

Vintage Weekend & Six Pugs

2011-04-12T03:29:00.000-07:00

My apologies for having taken so long to post about the Vintage & Handmade Spring Fair last Saturday. The weather was absolutely glorious it couldn't have been better. Chipping Sodbury was very easy to find, thankfully for me with my terrible sense of direction. We arrived just after eight and began the job of setting up. I was out in the main foyer with Tracey from The Vintage Bothy, Woo from The Devil Makes Work, the lovely Donna Flower and her stunning array of vintage and antique fabrics, Daniella from Acorn and Will as well as a few others who I am sorry I didn't catch your names, so my apologies.

The atmosphere was lovely and it was great to catch up with some old friends as well as meeting new people.
Andy and I had a great laugh with Tracey and M. I was particularly loud and badly behaved which is what my public expects of me, so I can't let them down can I!!!

I had a real mixture of things on my stand, this was the fabric, quilt patches and haberdashery corner. I piled all of my quilts and eiderdowns on to the vintage luggage rack for people to rummage through, and my handmade cushions fitted perfectly into the vintage laundry basket in front of the table.

Two little Easter rabbits that my Mum made sit amongst a selection of fabric and china.

Everybody loved the Stories for Girls books!!

The Quilt pieces and patches were my best seller on the day. People like to make their own, and I almost sold out long before the fair was over.

More vintage lovelies, and my gorgeous set of drawers came in very handy on the day, they are perfect for storing and displaying vintage lace and millinery flowers.

A picture of my stand before the fair opened, I had a lovely spot and was able to spread out a bit which was wonderful as I always take too much with me. My stand was fairly depleted by the end of the day, but the van was still full as Andy had been to the farm shop at Rangeworthy and stocked up on some of their delicious fare.

This was the view of the main hall with everyone setting up before the doors opened at 10 am. I met the lovely Viv from Hen's Teeth, Hen from Henhouse and her hubby Andy looking rather resplendent in his Boden Tweed jacket and Lizzie The Washerwoman who was on the stage with an array of vintage lovelies. Clare from Daisy Darling was there with her beautiful cloche hats and a lovely set of fabric drawers which I tried to spirit away from her!! It was lovely to see Lesley again from This 'n' That in Totnes after the huge success the Nostalgic Mix 2 was a couple of weeks ago. Finally I must say a big thank you to the two lovely ladies who organised the whole thing, Jayne and Michele. They worked jolly hard to organise everything down to the last detail, and it went so smoothly. Jaynes hubby has taken some fabulous pictures of the day so if you go to her blog Country Cottage Chic and click on the photostream link you can see the day in all it's glory. Thank you for a wonderful day everyone and looking forward to the next.

Almost forgot to mention, we have a new Pug, we are currently looking after her for a friend. Her name is Betty and she is second from the left in the picture. As you can see she has settled in really well with our pack, and is already at home in front of the AGA. Have a great week everyone.

Jo xx

Priced, packed and ready to go!!

2011-04-07T03:17:00.000-07:00

Well at last I am all packed and ready for the Vintage and Handmade Spring fair in Chipping Sodbury this Saturday.....can't wait. I feel very honoured that Jayne and Michele asked me to this gorgeous fair.

Here is a taste of some of the goodies I will have on offer.

Loads of quilts and eidy's, cushions galore and a rather lovely set of vintage drawers (that I was very tempted to keep for myself but can't justify it).

Everything else is packed into boxes and baskets, I think our little van is going to be pretty full on Saturday. Please try and come if you can it will be lovely to see you. Have a lovely weekend and I'll let you all know how it went on Sunday.

Jo xx

Baguette Box Makeover & Cath Kidston Quilts for sale

2011-04-05T02:37:00.000-07:00

I have been busy getting the baguette box that I bought at the weekend ready for the V&H Fair on Saturday. I have painted it in Farrow & Ball Lichen and lightly distressed it before giving it a coat of clear wax polish to finish. What do you think?

I have lined the front with vintage French faded roses fabric and added a Vichy check heart to finish. I hope it goes down well at the fair.

I am having to use the fabric very sparingly as I haven't much left, but I think it looks just right with the green and adds a nice contrast.

Now I don't normally sell things through my Blog but I have two Cath Kidston quilts and as they are not vintage I cannot sell them at the fairs. I also despise listing things on a certain auction site so I thought I would offer them for sale here.

Firstly is a sweet CK Eiderdown, feather filled and with an Oxford trim. It is tied with little pieces of ribbon rather than being quilted and I am sure the feathers are secured in another cover inside as it doesn't seem to be uneven (if that makes sense!!) I cannot see any damage and it has been washed.

It measures 42"x62" (Still a feet and inches girl I'm afraid...ahem!!) and I am asking £35 + £7 P&P.
SORRY THE CK EIDY IS SOLD!!!!

I also have a paisley CK quilt (possibly Ikea I think), it is a good size measuring 69"x106" and is in good condition.

It is a lovely paisley design to one side and red polka dots to the other. It has also been washed and is ready to go. I am asking £35 + £7 P&P. Please Email me at hestanesta@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. Hope you are all having a great week so far.

Jo xx

Sunday Treasure

2011-04-03T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hope you are all having a lovely Mothers Day, I had a lovely card and some 'smellies' from my gorgeous son. I am so lucky to have a thoughtful teenager, nothing like me at that age!! I wouldn't wish a teenage daughter like I was on anyone....say no more. My Mum still reminds me of how bad I was and I am forty something now!! Well, the weekend has offered up some wonderful finds once again.

A very sweet circa 1930's cut glass powder bowl and lid, and still with the original powder puff inside. I don't think I have ever seen one with the original powder puff.

A lovely little Art Nouveau Hairpin box.

Another pretty little box that must have contained chocolates at one time.

I love this vintage wicker bottle basket, I have a weakness for baskets.

And now for a bit of a French theme......a lovely vintage baguette box. I am going to give this a little makeover this week and paint it in a Farrow & Ball shade, and place some vintage French fabric behind the spindles at the front.

I also found some lovely vintage French coat hooks, three sets in fact, that will also be getting a little makeover.

I also found these gorgeous rustic circa 1920's vintage French bread proving baskets. They are in good condition apart from a couple and I wouldn't recommend using them for their intended purpose but they will make fantastic display items. I love the baguette baskets particularly. So all in all it has been a fab weekend and now I am going to enjoy the rest of Mothers Day and put my feet up.....hope you are all doing the same. Have a great week and hopefully see some of you at the V&H next Saturday.
Jo xx

Nostalgic Mix 2 in Totnes & New Finds

2011-03-28T07:14:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a great weekend. I travelled down to Devon on Friday ready for the Nostalgic Mix Fair in Totnes organised by Lesley from This 'n' That. The weather was lovely and in fact we couldn't have asked for better. On the way down I had to of course stop off in Ashburton to see my lovely friend Ros and her gorgeous shop 'The Snug', full of the most stunning treasures. Needless to say I made some purchases, but they are all destined for my stand at the Vintage and Handmade Spring Fair on the 9th of April...can't wait!

I bought some beautiful vintage velvet millinery flowers and some vintage cloth covered buttons in their original packaging.

The most exquisite length of chain stitch embroidery I have ever seen. please do click on the image to study the beautiful detail, it must have taken hours and hours of painstaking work, and is just as beautiful on the back which shows the skill of the embroiderer.

Another beautiful length of hand embroidery on silk. This is very similar to the sleeve bands on my 1920's embroidered jacket, and again the back is as good as the front in fact I had to study them both to see which way round it was.

I love the little velvet millinery bouquets, they are so delicate and pretty.

The gorgeous set of vintage fabric covered drawers I have Tracey from The Vintage Bothy to thank for. As we were setting up for Totnes on the Saturday I spied them before she had even had time to put them on her stand!! She very kindly held them for me until I had enough pennies to pay for them. I am so thrilled with them as I have been looking for a lovely set of vintage display drawers for all my smaller items.

They are covered in beautiful vintage roses fabric to the back and sides and the drawer fronts are covered in the most delicious faded textile with large blowsy roses on it. They have pride of place on our occasional table until I use them for the fairs, but they are definitely staying!! I wasn't in too much trouble for buying them, all I got was 'I knew you would come back with something'!!! He knows me only too well!! I am sure you'll agree though, they were irresistible. I also met up again with Lizzie and her hubby, as usual she had some lovelies on her stand that was up on the stage, I was very tempted but I thought I'd better not push my luck and buy too much!! It was really busy all day and very difficult to get away to talk. My Mum had a stand next to mine but we seemed to be steady with customers all day and it was hard to get away to chat for very long. My apologies for not having any pictures of the fair but the ones I took on my iPhone didn't do it justice, and the fact that I am a rubbish photographer. It was a wonderful day and great to catch up with everyone and do a bit of networking. I have met some lovely people through blogging, and am amazed at how many like minded ladies are out there. The customers seemed to enjoy the fair and I enjoyed chatting to them all, and I also met two couples I knew when we lived in Devon. I haven't seen them since we moved up to Derbyshire seven years ago so it was lovely to catch up. Thank you Lesley for organising such a lovely fair, it must have been jolly hard work to organise, Oops I haven't mentioned the lovely ladies in the tearoom who went under the name of 'More Tea Vicar?' They kept us fortified all day with cakes and tea. It was a lovely weekend and now I am recovering and organising for the Vintage and Handmade Spring fair. Have a lovely week and fingers crossed for more of this wonderful sunshine.
Jo xx

Bodice Ripping with Stewart Granger and a Makeover!!

2011-03-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

I was absolutely thrilled this week to at last get my hands on an antique Victorian corset circa 1880, and what a corset!! The lady who wore this was indeed a very lucky lady and I wonder who bought this for her, I would love to know the story behind this naughty purchase?

It is sadly quite fragile and therefore not wearable so I am afraid the fantasy of the red corset and Stewart Granger will have to remain just that, oh, and the fact he is sadly no longer with us!!

He was sooooo dashing.

It had to be very slowly and painstakingly laced onto the torso of my waspie waisted mannequin.

I have wanted an original corset for simply ages and they are so hard to find now, but thanks once again to the lovely Ann from Poppies Cottage I now am the proud owner of one....and I can't help but think of the gorgeous Stewart Granger when I look at it!

Onto cleaner matters, I have given my beaded Deco headdress a bit of a makeover.

Now I never normally fiddle with antique pieces as I don't really believe in restoring things unless it is absolutely necessary, but the headdress was crying out for the fringing to be replaced as according to Ann it would have had some form of fringing around it.

I had some original glass beaded fringe dating back to the 20's, it was given to me by the elderly neighbour of my in laws some years back. I have always held onto it and actually forgotten about it until recently.

I have just tacked the fringing onto the skull cap very loosely so as not to damage any of the bead work, and am very pleased with the results. I like to think this is a bit nearer to how it would have looked.

Clarissa now looks like a real flapper..shame she can't do the Charleston!

I have also just purchased this rather beautiful 1920's beaded wedding headdress..it really is just for display and will be for sale when I can bear to part with it. I am off to Devon tomorrow for the long awaited Nostalgic Mix 2 fair in Totnes, please do pop along on Saturday if you possibly can, if the last one was anything to go by you will be in for a real treat. Take care and have a great weekend.

Jo xx

A lovely day out & Some wonderful finds

2011-03-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hope you are all having a great weekend, mine kicked off with getting ready for the Northampton Vintage Fair held yesterday. It was a beautiful day and the people were out in force. Ann and her hubby had been up since the crack of dawn getting the hall ready and putting up bunting. It was lovely to meet some fellow bloggers and to have a nosey at all the lovelies on offer. For some photos of the fair please see Ann's blog Vintage at the Corner House or Clover Cottage, Sharon was the official photographer for the day. I'm afraid our photos didn't come out all that well, and they certainly did a much better job of capturing the day. It was lovely to see Annie The Felt Fairy and her daughter Amy from Blighty Boutique we had a good laugh and lowered the tone a little (as I always seem to have a knack for doing...can't think why?). We also caught up with Linda and her hubby from Tabbyroo. Her hubby and mine had grand designs on hitting the tearoom and cakes before the fair opened but their plans were thwarted by the vigilant ladies serving behind the counter!! It was also great to catch up with Debbie from Home thoughts from Vintage Wants, and I bought a beautiful vintage Bridesmaids headdress and some millinery flowers from her.

Aren't they gorgeous, I think they must date from around the 1920's.

I also met Wend from Ticking Stripes, a really lovely lady with some lovely treasures, I bought a sweet little 1930's coffee cup and saucer from her.

It's the little cup and saucer in the front of the photo. I also caught up with Heather from Hellish Designs, she does a wonderful range of vintage French goods, and gorgeous lampshades and cushions. I bought a lovely French fabric covered box from her.

I am very tempted to keep this little box to add to my own collection. I also made some purchases today with a bit of a Crinoline Lady theme going on.

I have a real weakness for anything from the 1930's, when we lived in Devon we lived in a 1930's cottage and it was filled to the brim with Art Deco furniture..even the sofa and chairs were the Odeon style originals...I sold it all as it didn't really fit in with our Victorian Cottage that we now live in and I still hanker after that look!!

I have to thank Andy for my find of the day though, he deserves the credit for this lovely vintage luggage rack, it is going to be perfect for display at the fairs, and who knows, I might be tempted to part with it one day!! My rather gorgeous large Gladstone is now sitting resplendent on it. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and have a great week.

Jo xx

Clarissa The Blushing Bride

2011-03-15T04:31:00.000-07:00

After a rather busy week and weekend things are slowly returning to normal...well normal for us!! I am busy this week getting my stock organised for Northampton Vintage fair this coming Saturday, and I am going to try and find the time to do some sewing as well (famous last words). I thought you might like to see a couple of recent purchases I have made for Clarissa my 1920's mannequin bust.

Clarissa is now sporting a rather lovely wedding veil and wax flower tiara dating to the 1920's. I bought it from a lady in France and it came in the original box.

It is very delicate and there is a little damage which I suppose is only to be expected when you are around 90 years old.

I have also just purchased this original 1920's flappers beaded headdress from Poppies Cottage. Please click on the name to be taken to this wonderful website, a real treat for anyone who adores early vintage clothing like myself. Ann also sells on Ebay under the same name and is a really lovely person to deal with, and a real expert. I will be visiting again I am sure.

The bead work is so beautiful and must have been so labour intensive. The edging around the headdress is missing but I think it still looks absolutely stunning, it even fits me!!

I am surprised by how much it weighs, but just think what it would have looked like worn with a heavily beaded flapper dress....oh to have lived then. My Nan who was born in 1920 always says that she and I were born the wrong way round. She can't understand all the fuss about vintage and antiques and her home is filled to the brim with modern items, she always says she is the oldest thing in her house!! I did find some lovely bits and pieces on Sunday that will be going on my stand this Saturday. Hope you all have a lovely week, and thank you for leaving lovely comments and a big hello to all my new followers.

Jo xx

Huge Gladstone

2011-03-13T03:26:00.000-07:00

I have just become the proud owner of a rather large Gladstone bag. As you all know I have a penchant for conker brown leather luggage and after a visit to the Brackley Antiques Centre in Northamptonshire I came away with this rather fab and extremely large Gladstone.

Goodness only knows how someone carried the thing once it was packed as it is so heavy when it is empty.

To give you an idea of the size I have placed my other large Gladstone next to it.

It is rather gorgeous and we are currently in the process of cleaning and feeding the leather to bring back the lustre it once had without of course spoiling its patina of age. I am keeping it but am going to part with the other large Gladstone that was in the picture to justify it to myself. Am off to an antiques centre in Leek Staffordshire this morning...will let you know if I come up with any other goodies. Hope you are all having a relaxing weekend.

Jo xx

Vintage Jumbles, Fairs, Quilts, mannequins & a Carpet Bag!!

2011-03-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

What a hectic weekend we have had, but it has been wonderful. Andy and I were up early on Saturday morning to make the journey down to Rangeworthy in Gloucestershire for the first Vintage Jumble organised by Jayne and Michelle of V&H fame. They had everything beautifully organised, even down to the WI manning the tea room (the cakes were wonderful) and some jolly bunting hung around the village hall. It was really lovely to meet them both.

Here is a picture of my stand once we had set up, it was pretty clear by the end of the day. I think we arrived with nine boxes and took home about four very light ones. It was also lovely to finally meet Niki from Nostalgia at the Stonehouse, Abby from Vintage Tea time and Daniella from Acorn and Will. There was such an array of treasures on offer and at bargain prices...even Andy did some shopping!! He bought a couple of garden items from one stand and a beautiful illuminated religious book from Abby. I almost needed gas and air when I spotted a piece of carpet poking out from underneath something on the floor by one of the stands only to pull it out and discover a vintage carpet bag!! I have been looking for an old carpet bag for as long as I can remember.

It apparently came from an old lady who was an artist and she would carry pictures round in it. I apologise as I cannot remember the lovely lady's name who I bought it from, but she had some really lovely treasures on her stand. I also bought a vintage 1930's umbrella from her. You won't believe how many offers I have had for the carpet bag, but I am afraid it is staying.

Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable day, the hall was packed, the buyers were delighted to see so many lovely things at bargain prices. Everyone was so lovely, and it was a great atmosphere. Jayne and Michelle are busy organising Vintage Jumble 2 as we speak...a big thank you to both of them for all their hard work.

The next day we were up even earlier and headed off to The Antique Textile Society fair in Manchester. The sports hall that was the venue was packed to the brim with the most delicious textiles, linens, fabrics, vintage and antique clothing...you name it, it was there.

I was very lucky to have such a large stand where I could display everything so beautifully. I did do very well, not as well as might be expected for a fair of this quality, but the other stall holders all said the same...I think it is a sign of the times. I can't complain though, I made enough money to indulge in a couple of naughty purchases.

This has to be my find of the weekend. I was having a mooch around the fair before the doors opened to the public when I came across this beautiful French child mannequin on one of the stands. Well, I almost passed out...I have never seen one like this for sale before, he just had to come home.

I even love his little pot belly!!
We are now both absolutely shattered, but what a weekend we have had, meeting lovely new friends and buying new naughties...what more could I ask for?
Have a great week everyone, I am off to collapse in a very unladylike heap somewhere!!
Jo xx

Hat Blocks & Grain Sacks

2011-03-03T02:29:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to tell you about yet more new purchases!! I have just bought a wonderful antique wooden hat block and two grain sacks from Lois at Morgaine Le Fay Textiles. Many of you will know her name from Ebay, but she has just started her own website selling the most exquisite textiles, linens, fabrics and haberdashery.

I just love these two old grain sacks, I am going to use them to make cushions for the seating in the garden.

.....and I just love the sculptural quality of this antique hat block with it's chippy woodwork and old wood worm holes. I have been looking for one of these for a while and it is just perfect. It will be accompanying me to Manchester on Sunday to display a rather splendid vintage Bowler hat!!

I still have loads to do for the weekend so better get a wiggle on. Have a great weekend whatever you are doing.

Jo xx

French Fancies!!

2011-02-28T11:23:00.000-08:00

I am feeling a little better this week after so much sadness last week after losing Scamp. Thank you to all of you who left such lovely comforting messages about Scamp, it was lovely to read them and they helped a great deal.....thank you. The problem is we are all animal lovers and when we lose one it is like losing a member of the family. On a happier note I received a lovely parcel from France this morning....I was so excited. A few weeks ago I managed to win a couple of items from Shirley at Simply Chateau. Her items are so popular and coveted on Ebay that I didn't think I would get either of them, but I somehow managed.

Absolutely gorgeous shabby chic roses...I am in love with this fabric and couldn't bear to part with it. It is in wonderful condition and to die for.

Gorgeous antique wicker basket wrapped in the most delicious faded French textile and carefully stitched in place...Scrummy!! I am going to use this at fairs to display small items in, it is absolutely exquisite. I can't wait to meet Shirley and perhaps make a couple more naughty purchases from her stand at Vintage at the Village Hall on May the 9th.

The entire basket is swathed in this gorgeous confection...almost good enough to eat.

I also bought this absolutely stunning antique parasol from Shirley's daughter who trades on Ebay under the name Passionately Paris. It is made from the most delicate floral fabric and still in good working order although I have photographed it down as I don't want to strain the mechanism too much. I cannot resist these beautiful feminine French textiles.

Oh Yes!! I have added yet another advertising mannequin to the collection.

I'll leave you with a picture of some flowers Andy treated me to and my gorgeous Clarissa who is going to be helping me model hats and vintage clothing at the antique textile fair next weekend in Manchester. I am also busy getting ready for the Vintage Jumble on Saturday and meeting a few fellow bloggers for the first time. Have a wonderful week whatever you are doing.

Jo xx

Scamp

2011-02-22T06:23:00.000-08:00

Today, sadly, we lost Scamp. She was a sweet little puss who came to live with us six years ago at the age of 14. She came from our local branch of the Cats Protection where I do voluntary work. She was in the pensioners pen, the old cats that are hard to home. Louis will miss her as she lived with him in his room.

She had a good six years with us but finally succumbed this morning to kidney trouble at the age of twenty. Andy has buried her in the garden along with various other pets we have lost.

She will be sorely missed.

Jo xx

Beautiful Needlepoint

2011-02-20T03:36:00.000-08:00

Apart from my many other collections I love vintage/antique needlepoint and have collected some absolutely beautiful examples. I have never attempted to have a go myself as I don't think I would have the patience.

A close up of my needlepoint rug in the lounge. I picked this up in an antiques centre about a year or so ago and it cost around £50...which was nothing when you think of the hours it must have taken someone to sit and make it!!

I cannot believe the time and skill that went into making this piece!! However it now takes pride of place on the wooden floor in the lounge.

I bought these two bell pulls (I think....what do you think?) years ago when we lived in Devon. They were being sold along with a bundle of other embroidery and linen in the window of a cafe in Totnes. This little cafe (sorry can't remember it's name) at the top of the town always has some goodies for sale in the window and I think the money goes to charity. I didn't pay that much for them along with the other linen and they are the one thing I cannot bear to part with...I did think long and hard about selling them at the textile fair I am doing but just can't live without them.

The detail on them is amazing, and although I don't profess to be an expert on needlepoint they look really old.

They are backed in a silky fabric and because of the length of them I can only guess at them being bell pulls.

Another one from my collection is this sweet little needlepoint stool which must have been for the daintiest of feet (not my great size 8's!!)

The little stool is homemade and then someone has covered the top in this ancient piece of needlepoint...too lovely to put your feet on.

I also came across several vintage needlepoint kits to make little handbags and purses.

They are unfinished and I am going to sell them on at Manchester Antique Textile fair to people who do have the skill and the patience to finish them off!! These are just a few pieces from my collection and I truly appreciate the workmanship and time that went into making these pieces. Hope you are all having a great weekend. I'll leave you with a picture of the Fonz curled up asleep in my arms last night!!

Jo xx

He's such a big baby and a real Mummy's boy!!

Quilty Cushions

2011-02-15T03:11:00.000-08:00

I have been busy cushion making again. I do have to own up, I have been pilfering my stock that was bound for Manchester Antique Textile Fair. I bought two rather lovely vintage Hungarian grain sacks a couple of weeks ago with the intention of selling them on, then I had one of my visions!! Andy usually has mild heart failure when I have visions as they nearly always prove to be expensive!! I have turned one of the grain sacks into cushions for my leather sofa, and am rather pleased with the results.

I never did like the cushions that were on there before and decided to wait until I found some vintage fabric that was hard wearing enough to be used everyday. I promise I will sell the other grain sack (although it would make a rather lovely seat cushion for the bench in the summer!!)

I have also been rummaging amongst my old cutter quilts and found a beauty that I had bought ages ago and had totally forgotten about.

It has been washed and dried and part of it turned into a lovely big quilty cushion backed in gorgeous vintage plum coloured French linen. I am tempted to keep it but already have so many cushions it is obscene. The rest of the quilt I will sell on as patches and larger panels. Have also made a couple of smaller cushions to sell at the fairs.

Made entirely from scraps of vintage eiderdown fabric with an eidy frill at either end and backed entirely in eiderdown fabric.

Made from a patchwork of vintage and antique French fabrics.

Another shabby chic beauty made from faded French fabrics and quilt patches.

Have been raiding my stash of red quilt patches to make this cushion although I am not altogether happy with the backing so I think I will redo it. I have grand plans for today once the house work is done to chain myself to the sewing machine as there is only a few weeks left before the fairs begin!!

Hope you all had a lovely and romantic Valentines day, I know I did. I had some beautiful flowers, a lovely meal last night and a copy of Jeanne D'Arc Living magazine is winging it's way to me as we speak, I am a lucky girl to have such a wonderful hubby.

Have a great week everyone.

Jo xx

Vintage Wedding Cake Stand

2011-02-08T02:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know if some of you can remember but last year I found a beautiful original wedding cake stand with a mirrored glass top and in it's original box. I took it with me to a vintage fair I did last year in Stamford and to cut a long story short it was bought by a lovely bride to be called Jane. She promised me she would send me some pictures of the cake stand in use and here they are. She has very kindly agreed to let me show them on my Blog.

They got married last December. The cake and the flowers are stunning!

Here is a picture of Jane and her hubby cutting the cake. I was so thrilled to know that the cake stand had gone to such a wonderful home and was going to be used once again. She has told me that it now takes pride of place in her home and is being used to display trinkets on. Congratulations to you both and thank you Jane for allowing me to publish your wedding pictures on my Blog.

Have a great week everyone.

Jo xx

More Baskets

2011-02-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

Have been busy lining baskets in readiness for the fairs. The others that I lined ages ago all sold so I have been collecting vintage baskets on my travels. They are surprisingly easy (for my severe lack of sewing skills anyway) to line with fabric, it is just the finishing off that can be a bit fiddly!!

I am quite pleased with the results.

The larger shopping basket is fully lined with vintage eiderdown fabric and finished with press studs either side to hold it in place, they are covered with eiderdown fabric covered buttons. I have made a Vichy check lavender heart as a finishing touch.

The smaller basket I have lined with a Vichy check bottom and used antique Toile De Jouy for the sides of the basket. I stitched elastic around the edges to hold it in place and again finished it off with a covered button and Vichy check lavender heart.

Hope you like them, just several more baskets to go (and a great deal more swearing probably)!!!

Hope you are all having a great week.

Jo xx

More New Naughties

2011-01-29T11:02:00.000-08:00

We have been out on an antiques and vintage buying spree today. Firstly we went to Brackley Antiques Cellar in Northamptonshire. Anne from Vintage at the Corner House and Debbie from Home Thoughts from Vintage Wants share a stand at this fantastic antiques centre (pleasingly housed beneath Waitrose..Heaven!!!). There are an array of wonderful stands and it certainly did not disappoint.

A sweet little calender from 1948 and a vintage mirror with a thermometer underneath it. Both came from Ann and Debbie's stand.

A yummy 1930's rag rug in beautiful original condition had to come home courtesy of Ann and Debbie. They had a wonderful and very pretty array of vintage treasures on offer.

A pretty vintage style evening bag by Jean Martin a vintage textile artist also had to come home. Even though it isn't strictly that old it was so beautifully made.

Two lovely Hungarian Linen grain sacks in fab condition that will be accompanying me to Manchester on the 6th of march. They are made from lovely coarse heavy linen.

A little purchase for moi, a lovely sleepy 1930's Easter Bunny and he even has a little jingly bell inside him...sweeeeet.

Then it was a quick hop (pardon the pun) back onto the M40 and up a couple of junctions (so to speak) and off to Barn Antiques just outside of Stratford Upon Avon. My friend Liz always has lots of lovelies on her stand and today was no exception...a beautiful shabby chic French glove box that will be staying I'm afraid.

The outside fabric and vignette is exquisite but just look at the interior...scrummy!!

This was one of my finds of the day.... an original 1920's Velvet cape with mink collar in perfect condition and even with a little embroidered vintage hankie tucked into the pocket on the inside. It has a pink silky lining and is so pretty I couldn't resist although I don't normally do the fur thing. It will also be coming to Manchester Antique Textile fair with me.

Also bought a lovely vintage clothes airer that is nice and sturdy to display textiles and quilts on at the fairs.

We also managed to find the usually elusive set of 'A' frame ladders with two vintage planks to display across them...perfect for cushions, quilts and eidy's at the fairs. We have searched high and low for a set of old ladders and planks like these so you can imagine how delighted we were to find them. As you can see we were very naughty today and I shall no doubt do penance of one kind or another for my naughtiness...but it was fun. Hope you are all having a great and relaxing weekend.

Jo xx

Back On Track

2011-01-27T07:17:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the long spell in between posts, I have been suffering from 'man flu'!! Yes, when I am ill the whole world has to know about it, I suppose that is the joys of being an ex nurse. I think Andy was glad that he works away during the week and so my poor Mum had to suffer me wingeing and groaning all of last week. Although I was ill we did manage to get most of my stock sorted and compiled. Mum was a real trouper and helped me go through all of it and price what wasn't priced, and then sort it ready for the upcoming fairs. I must admit this Winter weather is really making everyone feel miserable, I can't wait for some sunshine and the Spring flowers. Our garden is just an awful sea of mud at the moment because of the extreme weather, five chickens escaping and five Pugs trampling everything in sight. I have been busying myself this week with some sewing, and collecting some bits and pieces ready for the fairs. I have booked to do some lovely fairs this year, something a little different from last year.

I have just sent this picture to Elaine from Ted and Bunny who is organising the second Vintage at the Village Hall way down in Dorset, and she has very kindly found me a space despite being pretty booked up. I am really looking forward to travelling to places I haven't been before and meeting lots of new people, although knowing me I will get lost along the way. I am also hoping to finally meet Julie from The Cloth Shed, and to get up to Newcastle and have a stand at one of her fairs she and her partner organise. I am also doing fairs in Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire, so I will be racing up and down the motorway in my little van.

I have just bought this rather lovely Welsh Tapestry blanket that will be accompanying me to the Antique Textile Fair in Manchester on the 6th of March. Thank you for all of your suggestions when I did the post on whether or not I should sell my patchwork dressing gown and 20's embroidered jacket. It was a very difficult decision to make after owning them for a number of years but I feel perhaps it is time to let someone else enjoy them. I suppose I cannot keep everything, and I do have plenty of items that are of great sentimental value that I couldn't part with.

I will leave you with a picture of Hattie, my new 1930's Chiltern teddy. She was already named which was very appropriate as one of our cats is called Hattie after the gorgeous Hattie Jacques who I adore, so it seemed right for her to come and live here with us...I just love her to bits. Hope you are all well and having a good week, nearly the weekend, not long to go.

Jo xx