Hullo Ducks!
Where has the time gone? I'm just going to tease you today, I've been busy since the end of July and seem set to continue in this manor until well into Autumn. Not that I'm complaining, I love what I'm doing and hope it can continue.
On the subject of busy, could I beg you a favour? Next week I'll be uploading (if I can work out how to do it!) a survey. It'll be interesting (ish) and I'll try and keep it short. Would you be able to fill it out for me? And if possible, pass it around you chums too.
T'other week, when t'sun was t'out (it's one of those days!) I had a very unusualy afternoon with Ma. We sat out in the yard and watched Wimbledon on a portable player - That being Wimbledon the film, not the actual tennis matches (I don't have a TV, so can't tune in, though I do use the ketchup (catch up) services). With strawberries and clotted cream and drinkies. It was a really hot day, so that might account for watching a film outside in the afternoon.
I also picked up a new pair of shoes, well two actually. I got these striped flats and another pair of the same style in a red paisley pattern. Not vintage, but perfect shoes for running errands, and they seem to go well with vintage outfits - Hurrah!
The skirt is fairly new too, from the charity shop in the kids section - Still the size of a 12 year old! It's actually a dress, I was going to cut off the top as it a red and white hooped jersey, but it's so easy to throw on in the sun... Well, the top is safe for now! Plue, it matches the shoes!
Anyway, enough of that for now. I had no plans for another post of finds, but here we are again!
A few weeks ago, or was it last week? Anyway, sometime in the past, Mama was given a cabinet from her friend. It was intended for my sewing room, so we hauled it upstairs. Fast forward 24 hours and Ma thinks it woul look good in the living room - Yes, I did grumble! So we got it downstairs and it's now living in the corner being well used. It's stuffed with records, and the modern record machine is up top. I put a handful of my books on the bottom shelf, just to fill it a bit. Wish I could tidy up all my books... Then again, I'm not a tidy person!
The same friend also gave me a bag of vintage buckles, very tasty little numbers. I don't have a snap of them, but I'll have to be back with one as I can't work out how one of them works! I should probably ask a 5 year old, they'd know!
Then at the flea I picked up quite a few things, again, I just didn't take snaps of most of it, though I do have one of this little hankie. It needs a iron, but I couldn't wait to get a snap for you. It will has the original price tag sewn on!
It's dated 1937, in case you couldn't read past the creases.
Yesterday I was in a new-to-me antiques shop and was faced with what must be well over 50 coronation/jubilee mugs! I managed to leave most of them, just one came home with me! This is an 1887 jubilee mug with Ickle Vicky:
And yes, that is the mother of all cracks. It also has a few old chips (not the potato variety!). But she was cheap, and I thought I'd give her a home as there are plenty of people who won't touch damaged tat, fussy bu.. people!
Also in the same lovely (it's really the best!) shop I saw this ring. I walked away, I came back. I said that if it came out of the cabinet for a look, I'd end up buying it and was about to walk when the lady called over and said that the cabinet was open if I wanted a look... Darn it! She didn't realise who was on the ring, which probably accounts for the price! It's also teeny tiny and only fits on my ickle finger. This is the best snap I could get:
Nice, huh?
Anyway, I think I'm done for now, but I'll be back to annoy you with survey if that's alright?
See you soon, and in the words of my dear Desmond, Bye for now
Jennie xx
Hello Lovely People!
As promised, I'll show you my recent haul. This is from a boot sale and a few charity shops.
A month or so ago, I didn't find anything at the boot sale, until I came to the last stall, I kid you not!
This isn't a find in the realms of a diamond brooch for 10p, but still, I didn't have one, now I do!
It's a 1951 Festival of Britain guide.
Then fast forward a few weeks and once again, I'm not finding anything, then half way through this beauty catches my eye and the lady selling was lovely. She said she found it at the back of her Mother's wardrobe when she was clearing out. What is "it"? A 1953 Coronation moneybox of course!
Then, when Ma was rummaging through a box of jewellery looking for another watch (seriously, how many does she need?) I noticed this brooch. It unclips at the back to become two clips! It's a bit tatty, but isn't she lovely?
Then coming to the end, I met a woman who I think is a star, not only were her prices reasonable, she even accepted my a-little-bit-silly offer! I'd noticed some brownish pattern envelopes in amongst piles upon piles of 1970s sewing patterns. I dragged them all out and this was my find:
Whilst I was cooing over them, the lady said they'd belonged to a seamstress and some of her magazines were on the next table... I grabbed the patterns and made a dash for it. Yes, a pile of 1930s magazines! I left the childrens, out-size and ones I already had (I'm thinking of heading back, don't worry!). One of the magazines doesn't have a pattern, one was missing the pattern, but the rest have their patterns! Yipee!
This is my favourite, the 1937 Coronation issue, add it to the sewing pile!
Then out and about round the charities, it's been a poor year for decent finds, or at least, ones I can afford! Is it just me or are the prices going up? Ma did find Series one and two of Upstairs, Downstairs for me the other month though (costume love!) - Thank you Mama!
I did find this on me holiday though:
I've never seen one like this before, so I'm a happy bunny. On the back is "Llandyssul". I was paying for this when I spotted my next item. I looked at it but didn't have enough money on me. So I continued round town having a think, then got the money out and made for the shop in question - It was still there, and now it's mine!
Not in the best of conditions, but it's a 1937 Coronation compact - Happy Jennie! The inside is a bit tatty too:
Then, last week I had a wander into my favourite antiques shop to annoy the chap in there! He'll usually charges quite a bit, but sometimes I'll get a bargain. Anyways, this little stunner was under the counter:
I know it's got bits missing, but isn't it lovely?
Then on Saturday I was given this box of knives by the lady Brother Elder lives with, I think they belonged to her parents.
I'm not usually one for collecting cutlery, and I'm sure Ma is praying I don't start! But I wonder if the rest of the set is out there somewhere...
I'm in complete love with this box though, the packaging is wonderful, but each knife still has his little paper sleeping bag!
Anyway, that's me done for the day. Off to do some work then get the polka dot dress of doom out to work on! Then I'm going to treat myself to a read of the ghostly tales book I picked up the other day.
Happy Bargain Hunting!
Jennie xx
Well well well, you've caught me at the moment in which I'm trying to look busy and in truth, I am well and truly stumped. Here's the deal: I have been awarded The Irresistibly Sweet Award by Sew Something Vintage (thank you), but part of the deal is that I have to give 7 random facts about myself... I cannot think of a single one, you know everything there is to know!
So, I propose that you ask me a question or several, and my favourites will be answered and if you have a blog, you will receive this award... Deal?
Oh, and about that 16 day jumper - I made a stupid mistake, it wasn't 16 days, I took a day off to do a spot of sewing for someone... It was 15 days
Enough showing off, the basket weave jumper I mentioned, well, after a lot of minor swearing (fiddlesticks and the like) and throwing the giant ball of wool across the room, I gave up! Well, I say that, it's been put in a bag for a later date. I was knitting the sleeve and discovered I had trouble counting to 6, so kept changing after 5 - I don't know why, but also the jumper is in 2-ply and felt very light and thin, so it's a Spring jumper - It will be finished for next Spring (ho ho ho).
In the meantime, I've picked up my sticks and some surplus wool and started a really simple, and a bit plain jumper from 1937. It's a mustard-y colour and has a lacey detail on the yoke. Almost finished the back, but it seems to be taking an age - It might just be a 30 day jumper at this rate!
I'll be back with some answers (if you ask my anything!), and hopefully a bit more of a jumper
All my best wishes to you on this changeable Thursday afternoon
Jennie xx
