Not More Tat! She Cried

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

The Haul

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

The Airman, The Mugs And The Soldiers

'Ello Ducklings!

Five months since my last post, but I'm back now, and I'm excited to get going again.

We'll start off today with a little round-up of Christmas. It was a quiet-ish affair, but I did get some lovely things, including a yard of Jaffa Cakes! They do count as one of your five-a-day, along with Jammie Dodgers...

I knew I was receiving the next two pieces as I hinted towards them, then imagine my surprise when I unwrapped them!

One more for the collection?

And this... I was really excited about this one as I've yet to see another one, even though they obviously do exist - It'll turn out that all you lot own one!

Awarded to me for services to vintage!

Then it was on to New Year's Eve - I spent mine with Mama, Auntie J., Uncle B. and their friend, G. We spent a few hours chatting and have a gay old time, before hopping into the car to head off to the free fireworks display in Saundersfoot - I really can't believe that they wouldn't charge for a such a good display... Though I'm not complaining!

We got into the car to return at about 12.15 ish, as it was getting a bit rowdy (screaming drunk teenagers... charming) and this was on the radio, much to our delight - Sing along now!

We came back here for tea, and more chat, then I finally made it to bed around 2.30am! Before I donned me jim-jams, I had a really good chat with Uncle B. about The South Wales Borderers in connection to some "tat" I own - There's more discussion to be had, but there will be a dedicated post on all this... Watch this space!

Then, yesterday, it was my Burpday - Again, many hints led to a wonderful present:



At last!

 This may shock you, but I've never seen the first series - I wasn't allowed to watch it on the telly-box! I'm four episodes in.... Naughty Lady Mary, such a straight character, but what a story! Safe to say, this should keep me quiet for a few hours!

Also, before I forget, and whilst I'm rounding up everything... I was at the last of the antique fleas the other weekend and picked up a few goodies, less than last time though. The time before I found myself eleven handbags, this time, just three! Plus skirts, a Christmas card (which led to the South Wales Borderers discussion) and plenty more.

Anyway, this past time, I picked up these:

Maybe one more then!

This was in a £1 basket... £1! Could I really walk away at that price? Then I found this beauty:

1918 Peace Mug

And the back:



Presented in Cardiff!

 I've also paid a visit to one of my favourite antiques shop - I was talked into some sales, but I had to leave so much as his prices are bit high. But I picked up these two lovelies:

WW1 postcards

The one on the left is dated Jan. 31st 1918 - I'm having a spot of trouble reading it, so I'll have to get back to you, but it does mention their boy, Stanley (I think).

Oh, back to the flea, this photo caught my eye, as did the soldier in the bottom left - What a smile!

Bottom left - Swoon!

And back, once again, to the antiques shop - I realise I couldn't just edited this all, but I'm lazy today! What do you think of my new young man?

What's the word I'm looking for, dashing?

I fell for him months ago, but I really prefer to have my pictures ready-framed... I gave in and he agreed to come home with me - Should I re-phrase that?

I should've snapped the back for you. It's stamped with 'V.G. Studios - 9, Kendoa Rd. - Clapham. S.W.4.' and written on is 'D. Brown - Tanned slightly - Air Force' - It's a good size snap too, with the board around it - Just need a frame!

So, I think that's me done for the day. In the next month or so we'll have a chat about the South Wales Borderers, Christmas cards, soldiers, museums and a dream about Rorke's Drift (I kid you not!).

Anyway, I've had a lovely time, I hope you're still awake!

See you soon

Jennie xx

Cake And Jelly

I do hope you're all having a wonderful cake and diddy sandwiches weekend!

I'd had so many plans, but due to rain and a bit of laziness, not much happened. Though please do keep your fingers crossed for some fine weather tomorrow, it doesn't have to be hot, just rain-free!

So, as it was a special weekend... Though I didn't see much evidence of that, the one weekend I really wanted the telly back! Where was I? Yes, food;

Did you happen to see the Chivers Jelly Crown here? I wanted to make one, but I didn't have enough jelly to make a proper big 'un, so it looks pretty.... child-like. No, that's insulting, a 4  year-old could've done much better! So among my excuses - Not enough jelly, over-whipped cream, the piping bag was leaking, the royal icing didn't set...

It's funnier every time I see it! But I've learnt my lesson, look at the picture and ignore the instructions!

I ought to point out that me and dairy don't mix, so I'm just going straight in for the jelly, cherries and jelly sweets!
My more sucessful delight was this Victoria Sandwich, which I have been told is "better than Sainsbury's".... There you have it!
I used a 1951 recipe, hence the sucess :)

We don't really have much cake, so this is a treat. Remember what I said about dairy and me? I feel awful after only one slice! I'm not ill, but I am trying to decide of that one slice is worth a headache?

Yes, yes it was!

Ma had seen some biscuits in Marks & Spencers, they call them "Jazzie Biscuits" and slap a nice price tag on them - So Ma made some "Jazzie Biscuits:

And finally, after moving around the furniture and trying to make the old dining room worth of a photo...

Please excuse the "home improvements", it was left in more of a state than this - We've actually tidied it up! But enough of that talk, home made bunting, Coronation mugs and one from the Golden Jubilee (10 years ago!)

I have to go now, but I just wanted to wish you all well on this long weekend. Hopefully I'll be back in a few days after having a lovely day out tomorrow... If the weather holds!

Happy Jubilee Weekend

Jennie xx