I love putting it all together ~ that eclectic mix of Christmas decorations, shabby roses, a vintage pair of shoes (who says they can't be used to add a bit of style to the festivities?) sparkling trees, mercury glass, a bit of old linen and lace, charming hand~made delights and not forgetting the odd candle...
No matter how hard I try, I just can't do minimal when it comes to Christmas!
The biggest job still awaits ~ untangling the lights for the tree...
I like to play around with the placement of all the accessories adding more as I go ~ and eventually I arrive at a complete arrangement that I like (I just can't do minimal!)
A recent purchase ~ a lovely old textile printer's woodblock, I have brushed the lightest coat of white paint across it to highlight the pattern.
This little pair of frames have had the shabby paint treatment ~ if it stands still I will paint it!
I can quite happily spend a few hours achieving this vignette which gives me such pleasure to sit next to; while upstairs on the guest bed the ironing pile grows all by itself into a veritable mountain, last night's supper dishes still balance in a tower on the kitchen worktop and just in front of these very shelves a stack of books and dvd's need to find their way home ~ amazing what a bit of photo cropping can do....!
It was just like a page out of Country Living magazine, quite simply one of the most gorgeous events I have participated in ~ the sunshine did help of course, but it was the friendly atmosphere and lovely stallholders who really made the day ~ along with the nicest customers you could wish to meet!
I had to order one of these signs for my workroom ~ very appropriate...
One of my latest creations...
My stall...
Chris serving refreshments ~ divine Swedish cookies and cakes baked by her friend Geraldine who came to visit especially...
I could have brought everything home with me from this stall ~ fabulous chippy painted furniture and kitchenalia...
Beautiful hand embroidered and printed textiles from Sue...
and lots of lovely goodies from Rosablue
On Saturday I finally managed to get to the Vintage & Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury ~ my very first visit and I wasn't disappointed! I think the colours from my floral bouquet were very much in my mind, as when I got home to photograph my purchases I realised everything just went together very naturally...
Along with some beautiful ribbon corsages from Clare at Daisy Darling ~ this one is in shades of pink and green and I also bought another in shades of plum & violet which has already found a new home in the guest bedroom...
A pretty padded coat hanger with lace and vintage brooch trim from Niki at Nostalgia at the Stonehouse ~ this is destined for my wardrobe door when I eventually re~decorate our bedroom ~ I just want to find a delicate 1930's satin nightgown to hang on it for display...
Some bundles of old ribbon with original paper labels ~ I can't remember the name of the stall, but it was full of wonderful small treasures. I also bought some large old linen mangle cloths from Liz at The Washerwoman ~ but very appropriately they have just been laundered and are still damp waiting to be ironed!
Until next time
They normally start with just one innocent item that somehow calls to us ~ something about it that fills a gap in our hearts and homes. Then (for me at least) an obsession starts and the need to find more of the same or similar in order to create little families of objects that all belong together grows and grows. Sometimes, collections happen quickly and others take years to gradually come together. As both a dealer and personal collector it is often hard to decide which of those precious finds to keep and which to pass on ~ but often it is equally easy to make the choice ~ and last weekend I found a treasure that is a keeper....
Edwardian silk wedding shoes ~ the bows are still perfect...
glass diamante tiaras from the 1950's/1960's
a selection of lace trims, old flower corsages and fabrics
c. 1920's French florist's silk posy holder
lustrous ivory silk satin ribbon still on its shabby reel
one of my own handmade miniature pillows ~ an antique French silk brocade with old silk ribbon and a carved mother of pearl button
old wedding photos ~ a perfect reference for fashions of the day
handbags always feature heavily in my displays as they are one of my favourite accessories ~ both old and new!
this one is a little shabby ~ but perfect for display
a rarely found original 1930's large cake topper ~ still in its original box...
as were these 1950's wedding shoes...
...complete with their matching handbag
more shoes ~ much later dating to c.1990 ~ handmade and a collector's item for the future!
I am a button hoarder ~ my evenings are spent sewing them onto little cards for display...
My mother will be with me as usual with her wonderful collection of original vintage costume jewellery dating mostly from the 1950's & 60's ~ something blue for the bride?
handmade lavender filled hanging heart with a Swiss embroidered monogram c.1900 on vintage white linen
the perfect sentiment...
