New Treasures

When we were in Derbyshire a few weekends ago
we stopped by one of my favourite second hand shops,
the Carlton Emporium in Castleton. The old guy who owns
and runs the place was there and we got chatting to him.
He's quite a character, a bit of an eccentric. Well, not just a bit.
We found out that two or three times a day he gets visitors
to re enact the Titanic with him. We missed this 'show' when
we were there in spring but couldn't really avoid it this time.
He played that Celine Dion song and passed around a microphone
to get everyone to sing along. And we all had to wear sailor hats!
My husband gamely sang with him while I tried not to laugh
out loud. The girls, bless them, didn't really know what was
going on. If anyone had come in the shop at that time they'd have
 wondered what on earth they'd walked into. It was just so funny
 and bonkers! Luckily our little show didn't last long and it didn't
put us off from having a browse around and making a couple of purchases. Although I think next time we'll head for the exit
as soon as we see those sailor hats coming out!

Anyway here are the lovely old things we got from there:

These melamine coasters with sweet little cherries
(only 50p for a set of five--yes, please!)

and these wooden figurines. 

I like the details in her dress, her earrings and the basket 

she's carrying. She looks very graceful and regal. He looks 

rather plain next to her but he's got a fine looking moustache

and together I think they make a handsome couple. I had to

take them home. 

So those were our finds from that funny old place in Derbyshire. 

This next new found treasure was recently given to us by my

husband's parents. It was my husband's when he was little and

was found amongst a box of old toys and baby things in their attic.

It's a set of five wooden nesting houses, each house with

a different coloured roof. Aren't they cute?

They're all in great condition and we're so delighted that the girls

can now play with them too. It's one of those things that is not

worth much but holds a lot of happy memories. They will
definitely be treasured!

That's all from me for now. Hopefully next time
I'll have a finished project to share with you.

Have a great weekend!

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!

Happy Finds

It's been awhile since I've posted about my charity shop finds and
I've got quite a few that I'd like to show you here plus happy finds
from various other places.

These first three items were from a funny little shop in Castleton,
Derbyshire. It doesn't look much from the outside but it's a real
treasure trove inside, full of weird and wonderful, fun and interesting
things, mostly old and used. It's the sort of place that I love and oh,
I wanted so many things. But I was limited by time and money
(they only accept cash and I only had about ten pounds with me)
so I only got these three plus an old spice rack that's now a wall shelf
 in the girls' room. I'd definitely go back there the next time
we're in the area.

I like finding craft supplies like these rubber stamps from a car boot

sale last spring. The girls sometimes like to 'do stamping' and these

are just perfect for a bit of crafty fun. We use them all, even the

 Christmas ones.

These little jars were from a local charity shop. I'm not sure
what to use them for but I like the flowers and they're sweet.

Last but not least, these craft books. A couple were from
table top sales while the rest were bought from charity shops.
 I love craft books even old ones with outdated designs.
I find them interesting and they're always a good source of
ideas and inspirations.

So these are my happy bargain finds these past few months.
If I have to choose a favourite it will have to be the wooden
building bricks. I think they're fantastic.

Thanks to those who wished me good luck for my driving test.
Unfortunately it was cancelled halfway through because of
some car problems. It was actually bizarre becase even the
examiner couldn't figure out what was wrong but later on after it
was decided we had to stop it was fine again. Up til then I was
doing fine so I feel encouraged by that. I've rebooked for next
Friday so keep your fingers crossed.

Thanks again! Enjoy your weekend!!

Peg Bag

I have another finished project that I'd like to share with you.
This one's a peg bag I've made to replace this one. I'm actually quite
fond of our old peg bag (I love those apple appliques) but after a year
of service it now has a few holes and the stitches on one side have
 unravelled a bit so I thought it's time I make us a new one.

I used pieces from an old table cloth that I bought ages ago
from a vintage shop. Part of it was used to make this cushion cover.
I kept the left over pieces hoping to use them for another project
and there was just enough to make this peg bag.

I like how the solid orange border looks like bias
binding along the opening. I added this small orange
button to keep it closed and for the loop I used one of the
girls' orange elastic hair bands.

I just love the colours and the simple retro design.
The flowers actually remind me a little of Orla Kiely's
Giant Abacus cushion.

So that's our new peg bag. It's bright and cheerful
and makes the job of hanging out the washing a little
bit more fun. It was easy to make too and didn't cost a
penny so I'm even more pleased!


Hope you're all well and having a great week.
We're off to the Isle of Wight for a week's holiday
but I'll try to be back here soon. See you!

Craft Room To Be

Last month when we did our spring clean I tidied up and did some
 reorganizing in the tiny space where I keep my sewing machine and all
the rest of my crafty bits and bobs. This little space is in our box room
which is currently Lulu's bedroom. Hopefully I'll be able to turn this
 into a sewing room/craft room when she moves to Markie's
 (bigger) bedroom this summer. I have to say I'm very much looking
forward to this--no more lugging of my sewing machine downstairs
 whenever I want to do some sewing and I can leave the mess and not
 have to tidy it off the dining table everytime. Anyway here it is after
last month's spring clean.

The photo below was taken just before I moved things around to
create a bit more space on the desk. The wooden shelf was a birthday
present and it's perfect for keeping button jars and other sewing
notions. The poster was bought from the London Transport Museum
shop a couple of years ago. I love the colours of the flowers and it
reminds me of a wonderful day we've had at Kew Gardens just before
we got married.

I love this wire wall storage from here. I've had to make do
with some  furniture we've already got and this is the only new
thing I've bought recently for this room. I think it's brilliant.

Next to the desk is a flimpsy old book shelf we've had for years. The
bottom half has DVD's and books while the upper shelves have some of
 my fabric stash plus tins filled with ribbons, rubber stamps and various
other craft things.

My husband thinks it's a bit bonkers that we have baskets

and old picnic hampers all over the house but I find them so useful.

These ones have the rest of my fabrics as well as some vintage 

sheets and linen.

I got this colourful pinny from a vintage shop in Whitby. I've

thought of re-using the material to make a small bunting

but we shall see. At the moment it's cheering up this little

 corner by the door and I rather like it there.

This chair was in my husband's bedroom when he was growing up.
His parents gave it us when we bought our house and I used it as
a nursing chair when the girls were babies. Nowadays it's used for
reading bedtime stories although I also like to sit here sometimes
when I want to look at magazines and have a bit of peace and quiet.

So far I think I'm nearly there with creating a nice little crafting place
for myself in this tiny room. It's more organized and definitely
looking much happier and more inspiring than before and I'm looking
forward to spending time here this summer. What I'd really like
 now is a good desk lamp next to the sewing machine, although a
radio would be quite nice too. I've added them both to my birthday
 wish list so fingers crossed...


Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely week!

Lovely, Funny and Happy

L O V E L Y

The new Hoop-La! Magazine.

It's a great first issue, full of  adorable projects. Can't wait to make
Charlotte Lyons' pocket dolls for my girls.


This vintage cup and saucer.

The colours are cheerful and the design reminds me of spring.
Lucky Sunday afternoon find.


This print and three postcards from the spring craft market 
at the Millennium Gallery in town.

  

They remind me of the designs on Norwegian Figgjo Flint pottery 
wall plaques. Looking forward to more beautiful things from the
 designer Karoline in future craft fairs.



F U N N Y

The things Markie packed in her little suitcase for her stay at Nanny
and GrandDad's house.

It's always good to take a pair of fairy wings with you--you might need 
them, you never know.



H A P P Y


Feeling treasured and spoiled on Mothering Sunday.

I love all my Mothers Day card especially the one Markie made at 
nursery. Her drawing of Mummy is perfect and so sweet.


Making the back for my granny square cushion cover-hurray!

I'm still enjoying this project and always love the chance to sit down
and do a bit of work.




 Thanks for stopping by.
Hope you've all had a great weekend!

Friday Bargains

My mother-in-law and I went to a newly opened tea room

this morning for some tea and lovely cakes. Of course 

we couldn't resist dropping in at the charity shop next door

to see what's on offer and we were not disappointed.

While she found a couple of painted wooden bowls, both small and

still with the labels 'Made in USSR' attached on the bottom,

I found these:

Aren't they all lovely?

 The little wooden bear is just so sweet I had to take him home with me.
 I couldn't resist the pretty plate either. My favourite of the lot though
 are the three jars. I've seen and admired exactly the same set
at a nearby vintage shop a few weeks ago but they were too expensive.
These three were only £4 but when I brought them to the till
I was told I can have them for £3! I was even more thrilled.
 Now that's what I call a real great bargain
and a really lovely morning!


Thanks for reading! Back soon!

Little Finds

I found these lovely little things in a charity

shop last week. We were on our way to playgroup so 

I only had a quick look, not really expecting to find

anything and these three caught my eye.

I'm not really sure what the little house is for. Probably 

a tea caddy or a trinket box. Anyway I think it's sweet and

it's happily on display on our mantlepiece at the moment.

I hope you're all having a lovely Wednesday.

Hope to be back with a crafty post soon!

Nice and Happy Things

Just a few of things making me happy lately.......



.........making this little bag for my older daughter.

It was a quick and easy project and now she has a
bag to keep her dance shoes in.

.......another Sunday afternoon spent baking with the girls.

This time we made Mary Berry's sultana and orange traybake. Yummy!

.......a dry and sunny morning like we had today.

We went for a walk before heading to a nearby playground for
some playtime, something we haven't done in ages and
the girls loved it.




.......this Bjorn Wiinblad plate from my mother-in-law.

It was a surprise Valentine's Day present for us and it's a lovely
addition to our little collection.




........reading my favourite magazines with a lovely cup of tea.

It's my preferred way to spend an hour in the afternoon alongside
crafting, baking and looking round antiques shops of course.



Thanks for reading!



Have a lovely week!

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!