What did we do BI (before internet) .......

My second daughter has returned to college this year to do the Access to Health & Social Care course in preparation for undertaking a midwifery degree next year .... consequently she keeps nicking my laptop and although I can read a few forums from my phone I can't comment and have had severe withdrawal symptoms this week!

Having said that I have got lots more done and by making a list every day and updating it as the week went on, it is amazing how much can be achieved when not attached to the interweb ;-)

Felt Christmas decorations have been completed with some lovely felt from Annie The Felt Fairy but like a numpty I forgot to take photos before I took them down to Country Matters at Hexton .... this glorious Aladdin's Cave of goodies is decked out for the Christmas period now and I picked up a couple of bargains myself down there this week.

This is last year's Dotcomgiftshop's Advent Box .... it is so sweet and will last for years for the grandchildren to open and thankfully there is enough room in each little box for sweeties for all of them!

This little hanging ornament in the shape of a tree is simply three copper cones that make a lovely ringing sound when shaken .... it was only £1.25 and I hope there are some left when I go down again at the end of the week.

A visit to the wool shop in Baldock was on the agenda yesterday .... Baldock is a small Georgian market town with some lovely old buildings on the High Street

I am loving Katia yarn .... it is from Spain and the range is fantastic .... the Triana is used for boa scarves like this

I did make another grey mix one last night to go with my bargainous M & S coat from the charity shop but a certain little lady who has been on sleepover with us this weekend pinched it!

It's a wool/cashmere mix and is so light and soft and looks as though it has never been worn all for the princely sum of £8 ..... Ellie did make laugh though when she said nanny Pat from Eastenders wears a coat like that!  Mmmmm I was quite confident till she said that .... better not be wearing any big dangly earrings with it then!

Some more finds this week were ...

an Oak tea trolley from the CS .... now on the project list for a paint job but in the meantime commandeered by said little lady as her desk cum dolly trolley

A nice little occasional table ... again on the paint job project list

Three vintage needlework magazines all with the pattern sheets unused inside

I had no idea that the Littlewoods catalogue had been around this long and that sitting room !

Can you imagine having to wear this???  Especially if there was a wet accident .... yuk !

and a little forward thinking to next summer ladies ..... fancy having a go at some rather fetching crochet headgear ?

 

I found this in one of my craft room drawers .... probably acquired at a car boot but I really can't remember .... perfect for these dark evenings and the Christmas tree when it comes down from the loft in a couple of weeks.

The Victorian Oak mirror from the Essex auction has had a polish and now hangs in the hall

 This charming print of Fred Morgan's oil painting 'Never Mind' came from the same auction and must have been living in an attic next to a chimney .... it was absolutely filthy with soot but has cleaned up nicely and the frame has had a coat of black enamel paint .... he apparently painted some of the Pear's Soap pictures and this one dates to 1884.

Finally my daughter's friend wanted a personalised present for her mum .... this is her favourite verse which I have transferred to a piece of vintage linen which is sewn onto some blue ticking stripe fabric to make an envelope back cushion cover.  Hope she likes it!

The 2nd Olney Vintage & Handmade Fair

On a chilly Saturday morning we set off for Olney in Buckinghamshire to take part in the 2nd Olney Vintage & Handmade Fair organised by Ann & Trevor .... Ann was sadly absent and I missed our catch up chat especially as she has recently acquired some chooks and was patiently waiting for her first egg.

A lovely mix of sellers including some regulars like Sharon of Shabby Polkadots & Clover Cottage and Wend of Ticking Stripes were there and some new faces too and I'm not sure if they are fellow bloggers too ..... put your hand up and give us a shout if you are please !

Starting time was midday and there was a good queue forming with some peeps trying to sneak in early and once the doors opened it was all go.  Word had obviously spread about the event and there was a wonderful buzz in the room .... it's great to see young and old alike coming to these events and thoroughly enjoying themselves.  Deb over at Home Thoughts from Vintage Wants was next to me which did get confusing at times when 'Deb' was called out and we both looked up. Her sister did a magnificent job in the tea room and her cakes are to die for ..... chocolate, coffee, lemon drizzle ...... are you drooling yet???

I've told you previously about my grand entrance to the first ever fair that I did with these lovely people (arriving fashionably late with around 20 mins to set up) and since then I ensure that we arrive in plenty of time to set up and also to have a mooch around at all the lovely stalls before the public come in.  My lovely blocks from Lajoni at Painting New Memories had their maiden outing and took pride of place in the centre of my table.

I was even asked if I was selling them though I have no idea what use they would be to anyone else !

We had a very good day sales wise so treated ourselves .... on the stall opposite sat this

Now who could resist them ?????

I certainly couldn't .... they are Sealyham Terriers by Mabel Gear

When I was googling for some information on her I came across this on a well known auction site and before I knew it I had pressed the bid now button ....

Mr Lala's birthday is in a couple of weeks and as a keeper of canaries and master to a naughty black cocker spaniel by the name of Ruby I thought it would make the perfect present.

She's been to the dog groomer today for a haircut, wash & brush up and now smells divine.

All the fun of the fair

Yesterday was the 6th Northampton Vintage and Handmade Fair arranged by Annie & Trevor of Vintage at the Corner House  .... it was a roaring success as always with hundreds of people flocking through the doors despite some heavy rain showers.  There were a couple of last minute stall cancellations and I do hope Amy of Blighty Boutique and Jo of Hesta & the Pugs are feeling better this morning ... you were missed ladies and of course Amy's lovely mum Annie the Felt Fairy.

All the stalls looked lush .... would you like to look at some of them?

Of course you would!

Sharon of Shabby Polkadots with some lovely china & glassware and her hand painted tea trolley

This was the stall opposite me with a clever way of displaying lovely handmade bags

 Then there was this Lalabibaby woman ;-)

who spied this platter in her most favourite blue & white transferware on Sharon's stall ..... Sharon was off taking some photos and having a natter before the fair opened so I shoplifted it when she wasn't looking

It's a real beauty and now I just have to find some shelf space for it!

I also purchased a gorgeous needle case made in vintage embroidered fabric from Suzanne of Hearts N Kisses  .......... Suzanne doesn't have a blog but this link is to her website and Etsy shop .... do take a look it is beautiful and I am kicking myself now for not taking a photo of her stand.

My last purchase was a vintage velour throw

No new Lilian Rowles or Bessie Pease Guttmann to add to my collection this week but I was lucky to find this luscious fabric on Ebay this week

I was telling Debbie of Vintage Wants Not Needs about this find as I'd purchased a Bessie Pease print from her at a previous fair.   I'll be thinking of you tomorrow Debs x

Finally these pretty postcards were found at Hitchin Flea Market this week ... I can see this becoming another addiction

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend xx

All is quiet ...... do you want to see some goodies ???

All is quiet on the Lala front now .... and the back for that matter as the borrower next door has retired for the day thank gawd!

We were intending to pop to a local produce show today .... this happens every August BH where local allotment holders bring all their excess produce and for a donation to the Keech Hospice you can fill a bag with all manner of lovely fresh fruit, veg and flowers but last night we happened to drive past the Hertfordshire Showground and saw that there was an antiques fair today.  Well I didn't need much persuading to change the plan and off we went this morning.

These are the goodies that I bought

 

Royal Albert Plate

 

Cute tray in the shape of a duck

A little pewter candle holder and behind you can see a selection of EPNS sugar tongs

Copeland Spode Cake Plate in the blue willow pattern

and what's this ????

The most exquisite Victorian leather bound photograph album which is almost full of family photographs and the only indication of the previous owner's name is Nellie which is handwritten on the inside cover.  Most of the photographs were taken in studios on the Kent and Sussex coast but what caught my eye the most was the delicate hand painted detail to these pages .... tiny little flowers, birds and insects and the colours are still so vibrant. 

Another book of 'lost people' .... I can never quite understand how such things get discarded.

My little treat of the day was this sewing table

We arrived home at lunchtime to find this

Our big brown bear Mollie and she was absolutely sparko .... don't know how she'd managed to kip with all that noise on the other side of the fence.  Poor dear is starting her season and always feels very sorry for herself at this time.

Hope you all had a super bank holiday xx