Spring? It must be time for car boots!

Once the daffodils are out; you know it's time for the car boots to re-start.  I haven't been able to get to the local big one yet; as it is on Saturday morning, when I have been attending fairs.  Cue panic mode as I want more stock for a  number of forthcoming fairs! So I was pleased to find a car boot on Sunday; where I was kindly indulged for my Mother's Day treat.  Sadly, not too much for me there; but I did get a few things:

An old gardening book which was a sunday school prize in 1932, a Penguin book on birdwatching, a couple of vintage tins and some handpainted china.

So I've had to fall back on my trusty charity shops and flea markets for vintage treasures.  Luckily, I have found a few:

A gorgeous Margaret Tarrant nativity print (better put that one away for Christmas!)

A lovely old dinner plate with blossom pattern.

A 3-tier china cake stand.  Strangely, I already have cups, saucers and plates in this pattern!  Isn't it funny how similar things crop up once you have got one.  It's like they find you.  Most recently, it has been china dogs:

And then there is the barbola.  After the fire screen which Ann kindly bought at the Northampton Vintage Fair, I have bought a round dressing table mirror; with a lovely barbola decoration on the top.  But can I photograph it?  Can I heck!  Has anyone got any tips on how to take pictures of a mirror?  My reflecton in it did not improve it's looks.

Hopefully, I will get some of these things up to the Think Vintage and Handmade Fair in Wolverton on Saturday (see the flyer on my sidebar for details).

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.

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..