Vintage Fair Finds

This week seems to be our family's turn to suffer from the various
germs and viruses that have been going around lately. Unfortunately
it's the girls who've had the worse end of it and they haven't been
happy bunnies these past couple of days. They're much better today
 although still feeling very tired. Fingers crossed they're now on the
mend and we'll finally see the end of these nasty bugs. Well for now
at least. I just want us all to be well again--we have a little seaside
 break to enjoy this weekend!

Anyway let's now talk about nicer and more cheerful things such as
 my purchases from Sheffield Antiques Quarter's autumn vintage fair.
They're quite a mixed bunch, my finds, but I'm delighted with them all.
First off are these Midwinter milk jug and lidded jar. 

I've never seen pieces with these colours and pattern before
so I got quite excited when I first spotted them. I thought £7 for
the two was a bit expensive but after looking online I realized
I actually did well. My mother-in-law collects vintage dinner and
tableware and she's impressed with them so I'm even more pleased.

There were many tempting haberdashery items from buttons,
knitting needles and sewing baskets at the fair but I was happy
with just these two bias bindings. I like this shade of green
and I also like that they're still both in their original packaging.
As for the little flower brooch, it was simply too pretty to leave
behind especially at just 50 pence!

Last but not least is this basket. To be honest with you
this was not my first choice. I had my eye on something nicer
with a green trim but the seller didn't have any change for my
twenty pound note. We both asked around for change without
any luck and someone suggested I go to a nearby Tesco which
was a bit annoying as my time was quite limited and aren't sellers
 supposed to be ready with coins and smaller notes for change?

I was about to give up when I spotted this one. It was cheaper
 and the stallholder was more helpful too. I thought it would do
but I'm now really happy with it. It's sturdy and roomy and
can hold all the yarn for my granny square throw so it actually
turned out to be perfect.

So these are all my happy finds from the fair. I hope I'll be as
lucky on the next one.



Thanks for stopping by. Back soon!

Lovely Bargains

Two Sundays ago my mother-in-law and I had a good

nosey round some of the antiques and vintage shops here
in Sheffield. We went to four different places, stopping for

 tea and cake along the way. It was a nice little outing that
I thoroughly enjoyed and it was made more exciting by all
the lovely bargains we found.

First of the lot was this old basket which, at £2.50, was
my most expensive purchase that afternoon. The size is just
perfect for storing my yarn stash and for such a happy price
it would have been silly of me not to buy it, so I did!

My next lucky buy was this colourful shopper,
another steal at £2.

My mother-in-law found this little plate amongst
other items on sale in one of the vintage shops.
The colours are pretty and it was less than a pound
so why not?

Last but not least was this Cath Kidston mug which
was a bit of a surprise when I was looking through some
old kitchen items. Again it's in great condition and still looks
nice and just a £1. So it came home with me too.

And that's my lovely lot, great bargains found
on a happy Sunday afternoon. I'm hoping to have another
afternoon just like this very soon.



Thanks for reading!

Have  a lovely week!

Some Nice and Happy Things

I like going out for walks with my girls.
 It's nice to get out of the house, have a change of scenery
 even just for half an hour or so.

We look at flowers and leaves, pick up 'special' sticks
and look for frogs and snails.
And when we get back there's always hot chocolate,
well, for me really. The girls have a very milky, tepid version but
they like it just the same, a lovely treat after spending
a little time outdoors especially this autumn season.
.............................

We love eating cake in our house and we try to bake at least
once a week. Yesterday I made crunchy top lemon cake
with my eldest girl.

It's a Mary Berry recipe, one of her mix-it-all-in-one-bowl
cakes which I love because it's quick, easy and fuss-free.
This one turned out nice and lemony and it's keeping us happy at coffee
and snack times this week.

...................................

I finally finished the cushion covers I was making for a friend
and just in time for her birthday.

She's been patiently waiting for them for months and I'm so happy
(and relieved) that she likes them all.

.......................................

An hour- even just an hour- all to myself is always welcome.
And even better when I get to spend it at an antiques centre like I did
this week while my husband took our youngest daughter to
swimming class. I came home with all these lovely things

including another addition to our Ogden's tobacco tins collection.

It was a nice break from my usual busy mornings at home-
an hour (and twelve pounds) truly well spent.

.........................................

My eldest daughter, who's three, loves Katie Morag and
was genuinely delighted when she got this book.

It's a charity shop find by my father in law and it's full of
stories and poems--just perfect for any Katie Morag fan.
I love that both girls like books and it gladdens me to see
how much fun and enjoyment they get from them.

......................................

The best and happiest thing for us this week has been
hearing that all my family back home in the Philippines are safe and
my parents' house wasn't damaged when that horrible typhoon swept
through our town. But our relief and joy are tempered
from knowing that countless others have not been so fortunate.
We are giving help both through donations and prayers and really
hope that aid will get to each and everyone of them very soon.

.......................................


Thanks for reading!
Wishing you a lovely weekend!