Busy Weekend

I am coming back down to earth with a bump after what has been a very hectic weekend.  It all began on Friday with getting ready for Stafford Antiques fair.  Thankfully we were allowed to set up on Friday taking the pressure off being there at the crack of dawn to set up on Saturday morning.  All I had to do was turn up and faff on Saturday morning.  The fair was very busy on both days and I was pleased to receive lots of compliments about my stand as I did wonder if I would be out of place at an antiques fair as I am more used to doing textile based fairs.  I was one of only a handful of stall holders selling textiles and the others seemed to be selling house hold linens rather than quilts and fabrics.  The customers and other stall holders were lovely (apart from one customer that is!!)  and we had a couple of days filled with lots of laughter, as usual I was very entertaining and loud!!

These lovely French trinket boxes have a lovely story attached to them.  I had just had the worst customer (you always get one don't you?) when a lady who had been to my stand earlier and spied an eiderdown she liked but couldn't quite afford suddenly reappeared around the side of my stand brandishing these gorgeous trinket boxes.  She very tentatively asked me if we could do a swap, the boxes for the eiderdown?  All the way home she said she couldn't stop thinking about the eiderdown and came up with the idea to offer me her French boxes in exchange.  I could have hugged her as I was still seething over my customer from hell.  I told her that she had restored my faith in human nature as she was so kind and lovely.  I was more than happy to swap the eiderdown for the boxes as I have long coveted one of the large trinket boxes after missing out on one a while ago.

I didn't really get much chance to have a look around but towards the end of the fair I spotted this box of millinery feathers on another stand nearby.  There are two large Ostrich feathers and two smaller plumes.

On closer inspection I then realised the box was worth the money I paid in itself, it is an old corset box with a date of 1903 on the front.

On the back is a load of spiel about a dubious sounding new metal that has been invented called 'Zairoid'!! which doesn't break or rust and is therefore more reliable in the making of corsets!  To me it sounds like a cream for piles!!

Inside the box is a flap of paper (sadly no corset) that obviously covered the contents and pictured on it are these beauties in their finery...oh for a figure like that!

It has been a very enjoyable weekend but now it's back to the housework and weekday routine, although I do have something very exciting to look forward to next Sunday....the Manchester Antique Textile fair, held by the Antique Textile Society annually and where I will be partaking of a little spend!  Have a great week.

Jo xx

Spring and an Award!!

My apologies for the length between posts but life has rather got in the way somewhat!  We have currently got my sons friend from Wales staying over for the week and to be truthful we have hardly heard a peep out of them both as they are busy killing zombies and the like on X box!  I have treated myself to some beautiful Spring flowers today whilst the boys are in Birmingham this afternoon.

Pretty Ranunculus, tulips and roses in one of my antique storage jars I bought many moons ago.

The larger jar has tulips, roses ans hyacinths in.  I've got a set of five of theses storage jars each with lids and the names of food written on them which I think is German.  They can't be used for their original purpose but make lovely containers for flowers.

Another recent acquisition, yes, another, couldn't resist the faded beauty of this one!

I just adore these Edwardian boots, but I am not keeping them, they will be coming to one of my many fairs booked for this year.

I have also just received my new business cards.  The image on them is taken from a set of Edwardian dance cards that I've had for ages, I just love her Harem pants!

Finally, a big thank you to the lovely Charlotte from a Cottage in Totteridge blogspot for my rather fab award!
Apparently I've got to tell you seven random things about myself, here goes..............

1. I've been with my South African hubby for 21 years, GULP......
2.  When I was at stage school when I was a child we auditioned for the stage production of the King and I.
3.  I was a 60's Mod in the early 80's and used to haunt Carnaby Street most weekends.
4.  I once met the lovely David Suchet in Sainsburys in Torquay and he was an absolute sweetie.
5.  I once dated the Grandson of Barnes Wallis who invented the bouncing bomb!
6.  I once did some work experience in a Funeral Directors and wish I'd gone into the profession.
7.  I love eating chips with beetroot!

Apparently I've now got to pass this ward onto 15 other bloggers so watch this space...
Have a wonderful weekend.
Jo xx 

French Fabric Box Makeover

We purchased this antique French fabric box a while ago and my clever hubby has worked his magic on it!

As you can see it was a little battered with no lid but still very pretty and worth restoring.

Firstly, a new lid was made and covered in vintage linen.

A lip left for the new fabric hinge.

What was left of the old fabric lid was then glued in place on the new lid and left to dry with several heavy books insitu.

The new lid in place with the fabric for the hinge.

The new hinge glued into place and covered with the original fabric on the box.

The other side of the fabric hinge tucked into the inside of the box and glued into place.

The box with its new lid finally in place.

It is still rather shabby but just how I like it and it will be perfect for storing my vintage trims and lace in to sell at the fairs.  I do have a very clever and patient hubby, don't I?

We are also recovering from quite a hammering from the white stuff.  This is a view taken down our road.  It is still pretty chilly and lots of snow hanging around.

It's al right for some of us though!!  Stay safe and warm and have a great week.

Jo xx

Welsh Blanket Love

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

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 SORRY SOLD

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............

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

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