BENTLEY PRIORY SHOW

I woke up so early this morning – turned over looked at the clock at it was 4.45...tossed and turned for a while and decided to get up and carry on sorting out MORE goodies to take to the fair. I only realised the day before just how big a scale this fair was....really must pay more attention and suddenly began panicking will I have enough stock, then reason took over and my little brain told me WHAT YOU HAVENT GOT YOU CANT SELL.

Hubby then joined me and gave me an early Christmas present that he thought might be useful – a trolley on wheels, useful I could have hugged him to death, anyone else would have been upset but I was elated, that will save my poor back – good thinking Batman.

We arrived nice and early and as you can see Bentley Priory is an impressive venue, the biggest I have shown in, no village hall this one. Bentley Priory is where the Battle of Britain was planned.

Outside on the lawn was a Hurricane and a Spitfire. When you look at how small they were and yet they helped us to win the war I cannot help but marvel at the skill and the courage of the airmen that flew in them.

 

 

 

  We set up the table taking a leisurely time about it and we received lots of wonderful comments.

It was a long day and lots of people came through the doors including Ann’s Aunt and Uncle who made a special trip out to support us – thank you to them.When we got home our grandchildren were there waiting for us as we were having them overnight whilst Mum and Dad went to a party and the first words that greeted Hubby were “Mints” umm think that he might be getting too many sweets from old Mr Soft touch........

MOVING - WHO WOULD DO IT

I have not had a chance to blog recently as have been packing the house up ready for the move.  As far as we were aware all was going well and we were all set for the middle of December move.  I have been busy packing up my home full of little treasures safely - surrounded by a sea bubble wrap and tissue.  It had suddenly all gone quite so we decided we had better chase things up and would you believe it the people in the chain who were so insistent on a move before Christmas have not even had a survey done on the house they are buying!!!! Fuming is the word I would use.  If I were not such a lady I would swear (well I have really).... Still at least it means we will be able to have our last Christmas in this house and I can put up my Christmas tree and decorate my now half packed up home - a small consolation.

In between all the packing I have taken some me time to create some Christmas items for the Bicycle Basket Bazaar this Saturday.

I have made up some more packs of my Christmas tags that always do well and have made a couple of picture shadow boxes.

I like to take some of my hand made items to the Fishmarket as it is a great venue for handmade items and I mix these in with my vintage goodies.

VINTAGE & HOMEMADE FAIR - WHAT A DAY

Phew just catching my breath after yesterdays wonderful turnout to our Vintage and Homemade Fair.

For those of you who visited us a big thank you and I do hope you managed to find some wonderful goodies there. For those of you who had a stall with us an even bigger THANK YOU... Ann and I really hope that you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did.

8.30 yesterday morning we were finishing off the touches to our stalls. Thank goodness we had set the tables up the night before and by 4.30 it was all over and we were beginning to pack up the tables again. All those months of planning and it was over in a blink of an eye.

As it was the first fair we had organised we were not sure how many people we would have visit us but I have to say the folks of Northampton turned out in force. The radio did us proud and continuously kept advertising our fair off and on all day on Friday and Saturday.

Lots of people tucked into homemade cakes and cups of tea and lots of compliments were handed out about the food “lovely sponge” and how lovely it was to drink out of a “proper” cup and saucer and I know that the four in the kitchen were run off their feet the whole time.

Both the halls were equally as busy, there was a real buzz about the whole affair and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves stall holders and customers alike.

It was so nice to put faces to people we have been blogging with – a big hi to Wendy of Ticking Stripes, Annie of Birdcages and Butterflies, Laura of Myvintageparty and Emma of Silver Pebbles.

I managed to take some photos before the fair started but after that was just too busy to get out my camera and so apologies for not having more photographs to show you but if you go onto The Crafty Trundlers blog http://thecraftytrundler.blogspot.com/ she has really done us proud and has lots of photographs of the stalls, thank you so much. I will try and do better next time. DO YOU MEAN THERE WILL BE A NEXT TIME.....

BICYCLE BASKET BAZAAR

We were up and at it again today. Ann and I decided that it would be a good idea to have a bike at the Northampton Bicycle and Basket Bazaar in order to spread the word out further about the Vintage and Home Made Fair next Saturday. 

The morning started very wet and windy but the sun came out which was great as being an old fish market it has a glass roof which is open at the top (this was to let the smell of the fish out) and can get decidedly chilly. I have been known to hug a hot water bottle under my coat there.

Lindsey of Elsie Sparrow very nicely lent us her new bike which her husband had surprised ‘s her with for her birthday – for pictures of her bicycle please see Ann’s blog at Vintage At The Corner House. Lindsey sells the most wonderful children’s hand made items and she will be with us next weekend.

The hall was buzzing and some of the stallholders had really gone to town decorating their pitches. None more so than Aileen, who was selling a wonderful selection of gourds, dried flowers and vintage goodies, she is also joining us next weekend.
I just love the effort she had put into making her bicycle special.  Very creative, can't wait to see how her stall is going to look at the fair.

Throughout the day we were entertained by a trio who played a mixture of jazz and up tempo numbers our neighbours little boy was there and he really loved the drum player and I know what he is asking for from Father Christmas this year.  It is probably just as well we are moving....

All in all it was a great day, we made some sales and we handed out lots of our flyers so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING

At the moment I feel like one of those plate spinners at the circus. We put the house on the market and it sold within weeks, which is great but it left us with nowhere to go. We have spent the last few weekends looking at other people’s homes with the hope that one of them might turn into ours. Finally many houses and viewings later we have found a wonderful old house that used to be the village bike shop which is full of the quirky little things that make a home to me, we put an offer on it and had it accepted and we are hopefully going to be moving.... Yippee. Only one thing our purchasers buyer is in rental and wants to be in before Christmas – well how many weeks is that away........... For goodness sake I have a three story house to pack up – and a three story house packed to the gunnels with little doo dads...... Anyone out there any good with the bubble wrap!!!


At the same time our youngest daughter is also spreading her wings and moving out into the big wide world with her boyfriend and she is moving on Friday. Dad will be helping with that one as I am at work. Like me she is a collector so at the moment her packed boxes are spilling out all over the place.  This is her first time away from home and we are busy ticking things off the to do list.

Ann and I are having a bike at the local bike bazaar this Saturday as a way of giving out flyers to potential visitors to our Vintage and Homemade Fair which is the following Saturday. I am busy pricing, creating and generally tearing my hair out. All this plus working too - OK only part time but working none the less.

Too say my life is hectic is an understatement

Today just to do something that wasn’t to do with moving or the house I went antiquing. Had a few hours to myself just wandering around a couple antique centres and came up with some items for the bike bazaar and some for the fair.  I love the cake decorations especially the little girl on the rocking horse.  My poor bride is without her groom and I actaully collect wedding dolls so can see her going into my collection, in fact can see three of them going into the collection - so much for downsizing....
 
 
 

My treasure of the day has to be the Carlton Ware Crinoline Lady condiment set she is so pretty. Poor old dear has been knocked clean in half on her waistline and glued together in a way that can only be described as very badly. Luckily my father-in-law is a restorer and he will be able to sort her out and make her look good again. Mind you even with the damage I love her and she will look great on my dresser once she is all better again.

OFF ON THE GRAND TOUR

I have been looking for something to display some of my items on at the Vintage and Home Made Fair and have been looking out for some old shelves to paint up.  I have been backwards and forwards to the various tips in our area and have not been able to find anything that really appeals to me. 
Day off from work "I know" I thought "I wll take another trip to the tip", once again nothing and then out of the corner of my eye and shoved up in a corner I saw it - just the thing.

The most marvellous old trunk - "How much" I asked trying to keep the excitement out of my voice, don't want him to think I am too eager, "£5.00 to you" he said.  Well you have never seen a girl get money out her purse so quickly.  To top it all he even helped me carry it to my car and put it in my trunk....

I could not believe it when I opened it it still has its drawers and original coathangers.

Unfortuantely when I opened the trunk the fabric holding the backing was rotton and it started to rip but two hinges later, a good clean up with wax and it has taken on a new lease of life.

It is a standing joke that when I go on holiday I go with one suitcase and always come back with two but I think I have solved the problem....

Mind you I dont think hubby will be too impressed when I ask him to carry it for me!!!!

ABINGTON ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES FAIR

In my previous blog I mentioned that I was in for a busy few days and that Ann & I were having a stall at the Abington Antiques & Collectors Fair in Northampton.

Poor old Ann had a nasty headcold and it was touch and go whether she would be well enough to do it but like the trooper she is she pitched up at 8am with tissues to the ready.  Just as well as she had the cloths for the table......

We have not had a stall at this particular fair this year and were mobbed when we got there by the dealers as we always have lots of lovely vintage goodies that the other stall holders don't seem to sell.  Have you ever done a car boot sale where the dealers are standing over to you whilst you unpack, well this was the same thing.  Mind you I am not moaning as managed to do half my sales in the first few minutes.......and they did not knock me down....

One of our favourite sellers at the fair is Julie who sells lots of lovely vintage jewellery and vanity items

Here she is busy chatting to one of her customers.  Both Ann and I noticed some lovely old milliner's flowers on her stall and we both rushed to purchase some.

The faded colours are just wonderful and I am really pleased with how they look displayed.  I also found a little green glass art deco glass vase to put them in which matched another that I had - so now I have a pair - great.

If you want to see pictures of our stall please check out Ann's blog Vintage At The Corner House which you can find on my side bar.

We handed out lots of flyers for our forthcoming Vintage Fair on the 7th November and it looks like we are getting a lot of interest.  Whilst we were there two of the ladies that have booked stalls  came and introduced themselves - it is so nice to put a face to a name.  Welcome on board ladies.

BUSY BUSY BUSY

Had a busy couple of days - Ann and I had a stall on Saturday at the Abington Antique and Collectables fair and I knew I had lots to do to get ready for it but instead on Friday I took the time out to have a wander around the 1,000's of stalls at the Peterborough Festival of Antiques. For those of you who have never been it is absolutely HUGE.... I consider myself to be a SHOPPER but I have yet to get all the way round it and usually give up defeated. You really need two days to do it all properly.

Whilst there I bumped into the Bargain Hunt crew and Tim Wonacott was busy discussing the teams buys with them. Hubby strategically placed himself in the camera's way for his two seconds of fame.....

There is just so much to see and buy but I feel that the prices were a little high, although so saying I did manage to finds some little treasures - how unusual.....

This great basket, which I kept bumping into people with and the wonderful old tin sea side bucket were my favourite finds.

Also found these old Christmas cake decorations, just to let me know that Christmas is on its way. I have displayed them with some Christmas pictures that I have made for our November fair.

I also found some Christmas presents - but they will have to remain a secret as the people they are for could read this blog - no peeking until Christmas!!!!!

MAKING THE MOST OF THE WEEKEND SUN

Mum came over for the weekend and we decided to make the most of the sun.  This Indian Summer is a sheer delight and it wont be long before we are lighting the log burner and toasting our tootsies but knew we had to make the most of the weekend by visiting our nearest National Trust house Canons Ashby and take a walk around the gardens.

There they make the moistest apple and cinamon fruit cake which they serve with cream.  Of course that is mine.

These pears were just ripe for the picking but we resisted the urge to go scrumping.

Lovely last summer roses.

The trees are just beginning to turn which only means one thing autumn is on its way.

Lets hope we get to keep the sun a little longer.  Mind you Autumn with its falling leaves has its appeal too, what do you think?

MY FAVOURITE PLACE - WELL ONE OF THEM.....

Had another day out this week and visited one of my favourite little towns in Suffolk called Clare.  We first came across Clare when we stayed there for a few days  as our Easter treat and we fell in love with it.   The village  is full of the quintest pink, yellow and blue painted houses and cottages that are so pretty.

First port of call is coffee and cake in Number One Delicatessen and Cafe who serve the most scrumptious coffee and cake, I had chocolate and caramel covered shortbread - not good for the waist line but what the heck.  The olives and cheese looked wonderful but I resisited the temptation.

Clare has its own ruined castle and also a monestry which are nestled just over a river and it is the most tranquil of places.  What a marvelous gate this is - go through it leads to

Whilst I was there I popped into the great antique mall that is nestled down one of the back streets for a little browse - four levels of antiques and collectables and the dealers prices are good too.  The staff are really nice and helpful too.

Did I get anything I hear you ask - now for those of you who know me they will know that that is a silly question - of course I did.

BEST LAID PLANS.....

I have just had a week off from work with the intention of spending time creating, sorting out items for the November fair and just generally doing jobs around the house that need doing.  My mother always says "Don't tell the Devil too much of your mind"...how right she is, all my planned activities went out the window as Hubby had decided he wants to move home and DOWNSIZE.....  He has to be having a laugh, with all the bits and pieces in this house.  Oh well.  I have spent the last week looking at other people's houses, getting mine ready to put on the market (which means tidying up my work room - no easy task I have to say) and making visits to B&Q to pick up paint etc.

I did take some time off on Saturday to meet up with Ann and visit the newly reinstated Antique market on the Market Square in Northampton.  Hannah (youngest daughter that shows no sign of leaving home) came with us and straight away found some furniture for her bedroom - "Hold On" I said "We are downsizing" - oh well worry about that later.  So we endned up coming back with a piece of furniture.....

There were not that many stalls but true to form I managed to find a man with lots of interesting bits and pieces.  In a box he had a lot of old mixed jewellery.  I picked thorugh it and found some wonderful brooches - "How mcuh for these" I said showing him my handful and he came back with £2.00...BARGAIN...what do you think?

JESSIE WILCOX SMITH

I love children's illustrator's and one of my very favourites is Amercian artist Jessie Wilcox Smith 1863-1935.  I was introduced to her by by dear Amercian cousin Glynis who is an avid collector of her artwork and she started me off on yet collection.  Her pictures of children are just so sweet and I particularly like the one of children playing with their toys or reading their books.  She also did a series of mothers with babies and these are just to die for - in fact when my eldest was expecting her second child I managed to get a baby book that Jessie had illustrated which had been completed in 1911 with the sweetest entries.

 

She was prolific artist who illustrated many childrens books and  lot of her her work was published in Good Housekeeping  magazine in the 1920's and 30's and you can still find copies of them with front covers with her work on them.  I found two when I was in the States this year and have just framed the one above and am working on the frame for the second as we speak.

If you are not familiar with her work I urge you to take a look I am sure you wil love her as much as I do.

OLDER BUT NOT WISER

Oh well another birthday has come and gone, which makes me another year older, deep joy.  Still must not moan the upside is that I had lots of lovely birthday gifts.  As you know Ann of Vintage at the Corner House and I are good friends and she know I absolutely adore Niki Fretwell of Nostalgia at the Stone House and she treated me to two of her little lovlies a super vintage Violets teacup pin cushion and a Pansies Lavender bag.  Ann knows me so well she also knows that Vioilets and Pansies are two of my favourite flowers the other being Roses and I love the smell of Lavender.   Thank you so much Ann I love them.

My wonderful mother bought me Niki's book "Living with Nostalgia" which if you have not seen it  I urge you to take a peek.  Each page is a cornucopia of vintage delights. Her other gift was the pretty Victorian velvet covered pin box.

How do you like this little chap his name is Skeezix and he comes from the 1920's newpaper cartoon Gasoline Alley and he is just the cutest little nodder doll.  He stands just 2 3/4" tall.  I saw him when we were on holdiay this year in the US but he was rather too much for me to treat myself too so hubby bought him for me.   I can see another collection coming on as he is just one in a series of little dolls.

I also had a lovely message from Annie at Birdcages & Butterflies who it appears shares the same birthday as me, two Virgos' I wonder if she is as nit picky as me....

DOWN & UP THE HOVIS HILL

I always thought that the old Hovis advert where the boy freewheels on his bicycle down a really steep hill was set up north. Imagine my surprise to find it is in Shaftsbury way down south....

Hubby had a site visit to do in Shaftsbury and I went along to keep him company as it is almost three hours from where we live and we decided to take a trip into Shaftsbury to have a coffee before heading back home.  When we got there we came across the HOVIS HILL....  I did not have a bike and so I had to rely on good old shanksies pony to get me down there.  What was all the fuss about that was easy enough I thought.  Then I turned around and saw the steep incline up ...

It is one of the prettiest places I have visted in a long while and the cottages on Gold Hill are just so quaint and picturesque.  Could not help falling in love with the street, mind you I would hate to have to get up and down there especially after a few glasses of wine.

I also hit lucky as it was flea market day at the town hall and managed to pick up a pretty jug and a "mother" brooch there.   On my way in I had spied a little shop that looked interesting and walked back to it only to discover another little Aladdin's cave of treasures.  I picked up some old lace and a bag of vintage sewing bits and pieces all for the princly sum of £2.00.  I also found some more bits for the fair.  A 1930's gardening book for my sister and the cutest pair of plush black and white dogs - one wearing a bowler hat and one with a bone in his mouth.  Will have trouble parting with them.