That's how I feel reader, like a stranger to my own blog. It's been far too long, I'm shocked to see how long, since I popped in here, so without further ado, let me get on and rectify that. Sooo much has happened recently, life always seems to get much busier at this time of year. I hope I'm finding you tickety boo and enjoying this rare sunshine. Hurrah.
As I just uploaded my photos to the computer and looked through them, oh so many of them, I realised I'd better group them into some sort of order so today, I'm looking back at the times we've spent in the West Country recently. Oh wonderful Wessex. We've enjoyed some sunny days down at our little cottage, everything looks so much better in the sun, don't you find? I picked a pretty posy of lily of the valley, and not a lot else (come on flowers, start blooming.) The scent was heavenly.
Back peddling a little, before arriving at our bolt hole, we stopped off via the Vintage and Handmade Fair at Chipping Sodbury. I'd been busy in the week leading up to the fair, working on some new goodies for sale. Decidedly pretty but damaged cloths had their good bits salvaged and turned into these vintage-style hanger covers. I added a little felt flower, 1940's style, to each one, and some pretty lace or crochet trim.
Talking of 1940's flowers, I produced an array of posy brooches and also, some cute little hair clips. On the day, they were housed in a lovely vintage French fabric-covered box which I had bought the week before at the Decorative Living Fair.
The stalls were customarily beautiful. Donna Flower tempted me with the most gorgeous of vintage textiles, of course. I re-homed the 1940's pot holders.
Organiser Michele (Cowboys and Custard) had squirrelled away the cutest children's toys specially for the day. A young lady was later seen sporting the wonderful vintage Clarks' shoes.
Ali from Betty and Violet had a stunning display, these tiny dolls were particularly lovely.
My stall was looking rather pink, of course. I ran up some cushions from my stash of vintage barkcloth, much like the ones in my sitting room.
I've decided to have a rest from stalling at the fair but you will find me and my goodies in my Etsy shop, of course. I'll be adding some barkcloth cushions, hanger covers and posy brooches and clips in the next couple of days.
The next day, it was time for some thrifty retail therapy of our own and we headed off to the car boot sale which has a very civilised start time of 1pm. Alongside the usual linens and novels, we managed to pack a pair of wing chairs into the car. They look pretty hideous right now but it's the shape I'm interested in and not the covering. Watch this space for a make over.
We finished our half-term trip with a visit to our beloved Bridport, but this time on a Wednesday instead of our customary Saturday. We were lucky as the sun shone and whilst there weren't quite as many stall on the street market, it was nice and quiet so easier to look, and much easier to park.
I fell in love with this stunning hand embroidered 1930's blouse but it was badly moth damaged. There are only so many "display" pieces I can justify. I'm feeling wistful as I look at it, though...
This kitchen cabinet was rather fetching, too.
Bridders never disappoints!
Memories of my cosy cottage bed stay with me. This was the first patchwork quilt I ever made and still remains a favourite despite its somewhat less-than-perfect execution. It was good to catch up on sleep which always seems in short supply with these light mornings.
The chairs have been installed in the sitting room and temporarily covered with an assortment of quilts, blankets and cushion which, funnily enough, I have quite a hoard of.
The morning after we arrived home, I enjoyed unpacking all my thrifty and vintage goodies. Hmm, a pretty good haul. I've already used one of the 10p vintage zips to mend a vintage circle skirt. Just in time for sunny weather.
Also on the mending front, I finally finished this pretty 1940's silk blouse which I bought from the Shepton Mallet flea market. The arm holes were teeny tiny so I removed the cuffs and re-hemmed the sleeves. I also added some pretty vintage glass buttons, the originals had been replaced with inappropriate ones. All ready for a Summer outing.
So there it is, back home to Summer in the City. What better way to remember our time in the West than with a traditional cream tea. (I used for the first time, Paul Hollywood's recipe for scones on the BBC Good Food website. Superb! Even my mum approved and requested the recipe.)
Now I am organised and life is back to a regular routine, I'll be back soon. Once I've restocked that Etsy shop!
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Your coat hanger covers are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI remember wearing a pair of those Clarks shoes for school. I wore either those or Start-rite.
Julie xxxxxxx
A wonderful post Hen. You do put on a fine display! I love the barkcloth cushions. They look so summery! x
ReplyDeleteWhat an action-packed post! You seem to do so much. I love it. Those West Country street markets and boot sales seem well worth visiting. One day.
ReplyDeleteAnd the fair too. An abundance of gorgeousness. Those clarks shoes looks rather familiar.
I'm off to search for your scone recipe. Such a great food website.
Love to you and the furry boys. Sarah xxx
What an action-packed post! You seem to do so much. I love it. Those West Country street markets and boot sales seem well worth visiting. One day.
ReplyDeleteAnd the fair too. An abundance of gorgeousness. Those clarks shoes looks rather familiar.
I'm off to search for your scone recipe. Such a great food website.
Love to you and the furry boys. Sarah xxx
Lovely to read you again, as usual. I love the fabrics from the fair...so cute! I completely understand what you mean about one's first quilt. (Even if I've only just made 2 simple ones:))
ReplyDeleteYou do sound like you have been having fun. The Clarks shoes are so cute and I'd have snapped them up if they fitted me too. I have just checked to see if you have listed the hanger covers yet ... can you let me know when you do and will you be at the Frome Rag Market on the 29th? m x
ReplyDeleteSo many gorgeous things in one post! Love the cushions.
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
What fun to get caught up with all you've been up to, Hen.
ReplyDeleteYour Wessex getaway looks a delight in every way. That Munchkin is certainly a handsome lad...his winning smile is so charming.
Bridport does look like a treasure trove. Where oh where do all these treasures come from? Perhaps not all younger generations appreciate vintage gems?
Now...here's something funny about the Clarks shoes. One of my favorite current pair of shoes, bought last year, are shiny tortoise-shell brown Doc Martin's very much based on the classic Clarks. They are comfy, stylish in a strange sort of way, and always attract compliments.
xo
So much vintage loveliness! Had to smile at the nightdress pattern. Look at the waist and then her expression. She is holding it in! Fab job on the silk blouse.
ReplyDeleteThose hanger covers are brilliant- now I know what to do with my odd tray cloths- I do like a fancy hanger. I also like wing armchairs, very comfy, but always covered in GRIM fabrics!...I'm wondering if you are going for similar to that wonderful 'houses' patched chair you showed me on pinterest? Those Clarke's sandals were the sort I spent my youth in,red was my favourite colour, so comfy, I seek similar shoes out even now.Good to have you back!
ReplyDeleteLove your hanger-covers, Hen, and those photos of fabric covered 'thingies' wonderful eye candy!
ReplyDelete'm sure that kitchen cabinet belonged to my (long-departed) aunt Sophie! Exact replica. And I am waiting with bated breath for your chair-covering story to emerge, come on!
Lx
lovely to read you again, and relish all the colours in your pretty photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking thetime to share it all with us- much appreciated!
Love your pretty hangers!! Your stall looked so lovely!! And, such sweet treasures you brought home!! Wishing you a wonderful and creative week Hen! xo Heather
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photos of your great days out, and we don't even have to go anywhere to enjoy them, just sit in our own homes. Beautiful cushions (glad I got in early lol)✿
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. It was worth the wait and worth rereading. Love it all ... the sight of your cozy quilt made me want to crawl back into bed.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! Full of beauty and fun. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
What a lovely time you've had. Love all your makes on your stall I'm surprised you didn't sell everything, and the quilt on the bed looks so inviting, Lucey x
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a lovely halfterm break
ReplyDeleteI love all your photos, they are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYou get to see the most fun sales and things! Your booth looked wonderful, wish I could have shopped it, but thank goodness for Etsy! I just finished knitting a dress for my Miss Maggie Maria bunny.. I just posted photos. It was quite a challenge for me! I will check your Etsy shop soon. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteYour lovely vintage posts always make me feel so wistful, so much loveliness.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love the barkcloth. Actually, every time I look at the peonies currently blooming in the backyard, it makes me think of your blog and all the wonderful floral things you find/make.
ReplyDeleteA joy as always Hen. Also, a while back one of your readers was saying that she wanted a new blog following tool. I have found Bloglovin and it's great. Really easy to use. Enjoy the sunshine! Sue x
ReplyDeleteWhen did your Munchkin stop being cute and turn into a handsome young man? I am thinking it must have happened overnight!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to see what you do with those wingback chairs!
ReplyDeleteVictoria xx
Florence and Mary
Lovely post, so many great images. Those tiny dolls are beautiful, so chic. I want one! I really like the look of your cushions :)
ReplyDeletehttp://missmel7.blogspot.com.au/
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