Christmas is coming...

What a miserable, wet start to the week! Lately the weather has been very warm for November; so the cold and rain is a bit of a shock. We have been enjoying recent walks on a local farm.

Beginning to get excited now about Christmas; although I have made no preparations whatsoever. I've got a couple of fairs to attend first. One is the Garston Manor Winter Fair; next weekend (13 and 14 November); so busy sorting out suitable Christmassy stock to take with me. Like these:

Aren't vintage baubles so much nicer than new ones?

And for those people who can sing in tune (not me):

It's a beautiful 1940's Christmas Carol song book; with words, music and lovely black and white pictures. I'd keep it myself, but with the musical ability of a flea, it seems a bit of a waste. Hopefully someone else will appreciate it and put it to good use.

Off now to work out how to incorporate an old wooden sledge on my stall...

Pretty as a picture

I love old postcards - particularly the ones that are hand-tinted and feature glamourous ladies or cherubic children. These are a couple I bought recently; I think they are gorgeous and far nicer than the sort of greeting cards we send today.

I often wonder about modern items we have now; and whether they will make nice vintage things in the future. I don't really think so; in fact, I'd be suprised if very much of it actually survives as we are such a throw-away society these days. Oh dear - turning into a grumpy old woman here! Must go and eat some of hubby's birthday cake and cheer myself up.

All the fun of the fair!

I had a wonderful day at the Northampton Vintage and Home Made Fair on Saturday. It was fantastically organised and run by Debbie and Ann and very well attended. I didn't get chance to get round all the stalls; as - typically - I got lost in Northampton on the way there and then spent all my time setting up before the start. I think I was the last one left packing away too; sorry to all those lovely people who I'm sure really wanted to get home! I think it was a case of taking too much stuff.

Please excuse very poor photography below (I didn't have my photographic assistants with me!)

And when I got home, younger daughter was particularly pleased that I hadn't sold the fuzzy felt. Here is (a badly taken) picture of her modelling a design!

Many thanks again to everyone involved in running the fair; it was great and I hope that I will be able to return in future!

A busy week...

This week began with a road trip. Hubby and I toured round some areas where were may end up moving to. Although it's early days yet and our house is not even ready to go on the market; there is only so much you can see on the internet, and we wanted to get a better idea of a few different areas.

We stopped here for tea and cake (priorities!!). Pity this wasn't for sale; as I could fancy living here:



It's Sibsey Trader Mill, operated by English Heritage. They still grind flour, have a little plant shop and serve lovely tea and cake!

We saw several nice places; and I found a house clearance shop that I wouldn't mind living in. I have never seen so much stuff. There was room after room of things; from lovely antiques, down to absolute junk. I think you could be in there for weeks and not see half of it.

After a poor run of car boot sales over the last few weeks; I have finally had a bit of success at my local one; and some good charity shop finds. Somehow, pink and blue seems to be a bit of a theme:

There is very little time now for me to sort out what I am taking to the Northampton Vintage and Home Made Fair on 23 October. I'm very excited about it; but worried my little car is too small to bring everything I'd like. Some pruning is required!! To me, deciding what stock to bring is the hardest part - I hope I make the right choices.

Finally, on our dog walks this week, we have been to a local walled garden; which still has beautiful flowers, even in mid-October. Perhaps I am showing my useless gardening skills; but our garden has very little left in flower now. I wish it looked more like this:

Still, at least I have lots of flowery china.

Autumn breezes, coughs and sneezes..

It's the time of year for the first round of colds in this house. Lately, lots of coughing and spluttering has been going on; but no success at charity shops - and all our local car boots were cancelled last weekend in the rain - the wimps!! I'm hoping for better luck this weekend.

In the absence of any pictures of vintage finds; here are a couple of views of the autumn colour on a recent dog walk:

As we were leaving the park; I took a photo of one of my favourite local houses. This cottage is in the park (well the car park really); and has the most beautiful cottage garden. It sold recently, but we couldn't stretch to the £750,000 they wanted for it!! I am still on the look out for something a little more affordable.

We went to London... to visit the Queen

Well, not actually the Queen, but her art gallery at Buckingham Palace; to see an exhibition on the art collected by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Unfortunately, the Queen didn't show us round in person, but there were some beautiful paintings, sketches and jewellery; none of which we could photograph.

So instead, the girls and I took pictures of the rest of our day. Some were beautiful, some not!

A vintage lamp and bench in Green Park.

I prefer the old Wembley Stadium..

Some familiar-looking houses..

And some residents of St James's Park:

A lack of vintage finds

Isn't it disappointing, when you visit your favourite haunts, looking for lovely vintage things; and find little or nothing? My usual good car boots have been poor recently - maybe because the end of the season is fast approaching (what will I do with myself 'till Easter?); but my good charity shops have had very few lovelies either! I think I'll have to look further afield.

Talking of fields; out on our dog walks over the last few days; the girls and I have been practising our photography. Above are some of our best efforts, together with my few recent finds..

A weekend in lovely Lincolnshire

I spent Saturday at the Discover Vintage fair in Stamford, in a really beautiful venue - under a huge chandelier in the ballroom of the Arts Centre. An enjoyable - if tiring day. I was very pleased to meet Annie, from Vintage at the Corner House; who is one of the organisers of the Northampton Vintage and Handmade fair on next month. So now, with Northampton in mind; I have to track down a few more treasures.

Fortunately, while on a flying visit to my family after Stamford; my sister and I went to a local car boot and I made a few purchases. Thanks to my girls for their photography skills; sadly my blogging skills aren't up to the job so the photos are above! I'll be continuing the search over the next few weeks....

Hello....

I decided that today was the day I would find something interesting to start my blog with; but no, there is nothing much to report! I am sorting out which items to take to the Discover Vintage fair this Saturday in Stamford; and I have got so much stuff, it's more a matter of what to leave behind.. Here are a couple of recent finds to cram into the car - I hope the suspension can take it!