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 Weekend

Oh Boy, oh boy! What a weekend I've had, I get to that in a moment. Back to the dentist I mentioned in the last post - He has the whitest smile I've ever seen, he really is wasted in the dental profession, his dazzling smile should be gracing bus stops, advertising toothpaste. Whatever brand he uses, I'd certainly buy it!

Also, I'm having issues with commenting on blogs. I'm asked to sign in each time I try, even after I've signed in (again), it keeps sending me to sign in. Any solutions? I'm aware that if you'r having the same issue, you won't be able to comment to tell me, but if you've solved the problem, could you let me know how?

Anyway, I'll work backwards: Last evening, Charlie was in clear discomfort, eventually it was realised that although he was digging holes and constantly trying to "water the garden", it just wasn't happening. A quick call to the on call vet and he was in his basket and being rushed to the practice.
After the vet gave him a good examination, he brought in the ultra sound machine. He was diagnosed with an inflamation, and given two injections and sent into the reception to pay. Then the vet came out with a bottle of tablets (I think he said they were essential vitamins, or osme such thing), this was clearly designed to make sure the bill topped the £100 mark!
£101.01 lighter, we left for home. About half an hour later, Charlie picked up. By this morning, he's happy as Larry.
That was my stressful Sunday evening, which is also my excuse for not listing half as much on eBay as I shoud've.

Sunday morning was a much nicer affair, not only was there a bootsale on, but also Gwili Steam Railway were hosting a Transport Weekend on the showground.
I am feeling rather duped by them however. The lady on the tannoy said the cost of entry was £3, no, it was £4. Then there was a £1 charge for the programme, which is full of adverts and not much else. But by far the worst thing, we'd had rain in the middle of the night, though the ground was dry by morning, a good number of the cars advertised were no where to be seen!
There was a rather fine 1942 Fordson - Doesn't it just scream "Land Girl"?

So, the bootsale:
3 compliments really made my day. They were: "I thought you looked like a fabric person when I saw your skirt" from the woman I bought the dress and nightie from. "Two stylish ladies" from a man with a 1930s table I didn't buy (when I went back to ask, he'd already gone!) and "I really like the way you've done your hair. No, I love the way you've done your hair, your whole look" from the lady who sold me a table...

These two, the long one I'm sure is a nightie, it's long, with one waist tie (one has been torn out) and the detailing on the shoulder. The other is shorter but seems to be better made. Both need a bit of work.

Then I found myself buying a table... Do I need a table, no? Could I walk away form such a fantastic find? No!

So that was my excitement for the day. Oh, I haven't even shown you an outfit! You can't see the wrap dress I'm wearing, and I look truly awful, but look at my hair! It's safe to say that this was a very relaxed "Casual Sunday Outifit"...

Jumper: Hand knitted by Ma, indeed it was the first "vintage" jumper she knitted for me

Bandana: Modern, from a bootsale, and I only paid 10 pence for it!

Dress (not seen): Modern, from the Ethel Austin Closing Down Sale of 2010, reduced from £12 to £3!

Shoes (not seen): White tennis shoes, also from Ethel Austin when they were in the stages of being under a different name and having somewhat of an identity crisis

Bag (not seen): 1940s straw clutch, from eBay

I must dash, I have a pile of sewing to finish and deliver this week and we're not going to talk about the jumper!

Hugs to the cats

Jennie & Charlie xx

A Proper Oufit Post - At Last!

Blimey, is that the time? It's been a busy old day, so I shan't keep you long.

I've finally realised the sun is out to stay a while, so dug through my suitcase to find something suitable, will the desire to wear something I haven't won for a long time.

Yes, I know this is an awful photo, but it made me laugh I looked through them - I have a touch of hayfever and my eyes are watery, it's driving me mad, but you have to laugh at these moments... right?

The sporty skirt is 1930's (I believe), with three pleats in the back, fancy like. I've owned it for two years and this is the first time I've even tried it one!
The jacket is 1950's and also the first outing, after being owned by me for four/five years... Bad Jennie!
The jumper was hand knitted by myself from a circa 1941 pattern. It's actually the irst jumper I ever made, and yes, the first time I've worn it!
The tennis shoes/pumps/pimpsols are from last Summer, very much worn and loved.
The bag is circa 1940's and woven straw... Yes yes, the first outing, and owned for three years or so?

My hair is awful, apologies. I did manage a quick curl but was rushing this morning. I did, however, start the day with red lipstick... I think that may now be on a tea cup!

Anyways, after lunch I headed back out to go see someone special, I'll be introducing him sometime in the next week.

In the meantime, check out this little beauty, found in a charity shop at lunch time. The tongue pulls out to be a tape measure! His original price is one the bottom, 4/11.

Toddling off

Jennie xx

Shrove Tuesday Bicycle Trouble Outifit Post

Good Morning All,

I realised last Thursday that I just post enough outfit pictures... Probably because I don't take many, nd the ones I do take are rejected because they were taken in the mirror and I'm pulling a "mug-shot" face! This is entirely down to my inability to get the self-timer to work.

On Thursday, after lunch, we took a walk over the back, a mile or so, to go and vote in the referendum. On the way back, some photos were taken, here's the best of an awful bunch!




Coat (modern) - Present from my Gran
Beret (Accessorize) - Boot-Sale
Elk Scarf - Hand knitted by me
30's/40's Leather Bag - Charity Shop
White Scottie Brooch - Hand made by me
40's zip-up bootees - eBay
Leather CC41 gloves - eBay

 I was also invited to a picnic on Llansteffan beach on Friday afternoon. We were terrier-ised by a little black dog who smelt sandwiches, after a scuffle, we started eating only to discover we were eating sand-wiches! Gritty!

Then, this weekend I cleaned up my bicycle... I bought her a few weeks back, but the wrong size was given, and she is far too big for me! So after a thorough clean and some photos, she's made her way onto eBay. If I can get my money back, I can buy another bike - The sun's becoming a common sight, and I can't even go out and cycle!


Rudge - Britain's Best Bicycle

 Although I didn't have a place on the Tweed Run, I did intend on riding 10 miles that day with a Tweed theme... I just need a smaller bike! If she was just two inches smaller, she'd be perfect for me - 1956 Rudge in deep red... bliss

I also listed my Dad's late 1940's (?) Raleigh, and it seems I'm getting the bug for listing on eBay again, which is a good thing, I've been living in clutter for too long now!

But enough about me, how are you on this fine Shrove Tuesday?

Jennie xx

Extreme Sports: Skiing And Knitting

This will only be a quick "hello" today, I started with a sore throat on Monday evening, and now I think I'm going to loose my voice. I last lost my voice in January, the day of my Birthday, of all days! Apologies, I'm feeling sorry for myself today.

So I've been at home, watch T.V. and knitting, and of course, trying to get better - honey & lemon, fruit teas and some chocolate...
Monday was a pretty good day, I managed to get up and out of the house fairly early. I even pinned my fringe up!
Lady Cherry's comment on leopard print amused me so much that I decided to wear my leopard (faux) swing coat to keep me warm. Here's the proof, though I forgot to hold my 1960's gold/bronze bag for the picture, doh!



Jeans: Freddies of Pinewood
Reindeer cardigan: Hand knitted by my Gran
Vintage Leopard print coat: eBay
Beret: Charity Shop
60's bag (not shown): Boot Sale
60's Gloves: Boot Sale
Boots: Asda

I finally finished the skiiers pullover, the pattern is early 1950's. This is certainly going to be one of my favoured items in my wardrobe!
Skiing looks a bit of the dangerous side, so I'll stick to knitting skiing motifs!

Detail of Skiiers



Skiiers Pullover

 If I get to it, I'll be finishing a headscarf tonight, yay!

Happy knitting, Jenny xx