Oh, Annie!

I have been well and truly felled by a virus this week, so I've been operating on very low batteries. Luckily I'd got most of my stuff ready for the sale on Saturday. This little cupboard has been in our shed for about three years. It was white, grubby and lacked hinges. But a coat of Farrow and Ball and some wallpaper, and tlc from my Dad (hinge angel) has worked wonders. 

(Little cupboard now sold)

I love the wavy edge and the tiny brass catch. It also has an enamel toothbrush holder on one side - a very ingenious design. But this post isn't really about my cupboard, it's about a very exciting discovery: Annie Sloan paint is finally available in a local shop! I have read about this wonder paint on so many blogs, notably Thriftwood, and Fading Grace (thank you ladies) but I could not find any nearby. Finally, yesterday, I tracked some down:

It is amazing. I have already coated a stool, and it went on like a dream. There is now a small table waiting, and plenty more besides. No preparation, I can't quite believe it. And it was cheaper than F&B, too.

Stock take

Vintage Sale at Foxtail Lilly, 41 South Rd, Oundle September 8th 11am-3pm.
Little dog tin (top right) now sold to a sharp-eyed blog reader!

Sorting out stock  for next Saturday's sale. Tiny shopping baskets from Spain, retro picnic sets, vintage shoes and a few clothes, tins, toys and games. It's fun getting everything together and labelling it up.

 Little cotton chemise for a baby. I always take lots of linens to this sale, people enjoy rummaging through a basket of tablecloths and fabrics. 

Not forgetting those cushions and blankets...
The new magazine arrived on Friday with the results of the shoot in our house.

I am pleased with how it has come out. 

And I finally managed to track down the last issue of this lovely magazine,Pretty Nostalgic.

I don't know why our area always lags so far behind the rest of the country but WH Smiths only got these in on Friday (and the third issue is due out now!). £8 is a lot for one magazine, but I do very much admire what the publishers are trying to do with this. I bought it instead of Molly Makes (I find the Makes are a bit too hard for my limited sewing skills), and I loved their features on vintage children's books and thermos flasks (I thought it was only me that was so geeky about both of these subjects!).

And finally, new winter shoes from Clarks. Spotted while buying school shoes for my son and unable to resist...

Quick renovation

I do like these 1950s stools, but as I already have four to sell at my sale, I didn't really need any more. Then I found this pair in a junk shop for next to nothing, and I could not resist bringing them home. I used some John Lewis oil cloth in a mid century modern-ish print. They began life like this:

Easy to make over because the tops are secured by four wooden pegs and you just turn them clockwise and flip them out. What a great design, perfect for reusing again and again.

The three musketeers

We were in Sheffield yesterday, seeing my brother and collecting these three characters. I saw them in an auction catalogue a few months ago, and asked my brother to put a bid on for me as the auction house is close to his home. They are so threadbare. The bear has no ears, the little dog is missing an eye and the large dog has been loved almost to death.

I have plans for these chaps. They are going to have to earn their keep. 

I do have a favourite. Better not say which one, I don't want to hurt any feelings...

Love these faces!

Bank holiday bonanza

Winning cupcakes with amazing decorations (tiny sandwiches!)

It was a packed Bank Holiday Monday, with friends, family, car booting and the Garden Show all in one day. Let's start with the Show. It was rather grey and chilly by the time the gates opened at 2pm, but as usual, the exhibits were looking good. More baking entries than ever before, but the garden produce was much depleted because of the terrible weather this year. But there were still some fantastic entries:

Lots of pots of jams, jellies,chutney, and curds.

How did we do? Mum took the first prize for her jam, and I was third! I got second prize for my raspberry and redcurrant cordial, and a big fat nothing for my Victoria sponge :) Better luck in the cards class, with a first and a second for my creations....but I should really add that they were the only entries in the entire class, so I am not sure that really counts. Outside, a cracking display of vintage cars....

Or how about something a bit smaller?

This beauty turned out to belong to my cousin. I didn't know he was bringing it along...seems that the vintage thing must be in the genes....

I was smitten with the picnic basket on the back seat.

Earlier in the day, I went to a vast car boot sale. It's held every August bank holiday Monday and rarely disappoints, although there was less old stuff there this year. I still managed to find some lovely bits and bobs.

These look lovely at Christmas time, planted with moss and little flowers. 

A nice old stool, pretty cake stand, tins and a jug. And I found just the thing to display my cushions at the sale I'm having soon. It is a massive basket, not sure if it was originally a bakers basket, but I love it, and I had to move quickly to snag this one....

I found some pretty old William Morris curtains, currently in the wash, and a rather nice old sign which was a real bargain. I will photograph it soon. I'm also fond of these jolly  souvenir tea towels...

 I was shattered by the evening, but it was a really lovely holiday....

No boot sale is complete without a vintage tablecloth....

Sponge cakes at dawn....

Things are hotting up here for the village show on Monday. Entries have been very thin in recent years, but there could be an upturn this time, as I think people are inspired by the Great British Bake Off and there is definitely a greater sense of community since the Jubilee celebrations. At least three of my neighbours are entering Victoria sponge cakes, which has lead to some pre-show jollity on Facebook. Today, with husband working in Manchester, and the eldest away, I've had time to do lots of preparations and plenty of cooking.

I spotted the first Victoria plums on the market on Friday, so I bought a kilo and made some jam to enter. I love Victoria plums, their flushed skins and the fact that they are only around for the briefest time. Their taste reminds me of late summer, it's good to eat this jam in the winter months.
I've also made some cakes for the tea tent. The same stalwart team of ladies does this every year, and I realised guiltily that I have never volunteered, so I've been baking for that today. Date slices and sticky banana and chocolate cake.

Victoria sponge will be made tomorrow (blinds drawn and doors locked, safe from prying eyes)...and a few last minute adjustments made. It's all good fun.

The forecast is a bit dodgy for Monday, but the show will go ahead, rain or shine. The entries are always housed in a huge marquee. Do come along if you're local, it's always a great afternoon. The brass band will be playing, there will be vintage cars, stalls, a dog show and chance to look at all the gorgeous fresh produce that has been lovingly grown and presented. A real village day out.

A little horse, and other tales....

This will be a bit of a patchwork post with no particular theme, as life is all over the place at the moment, typical summer holidays with no routines. 
I have made a little purchase. I saw one of these horses at a car boot sale in another seller's arms, and I just knew I had to try and track one down on ebay. I was quite amazed when I found one very quickly and nobody else bid on it. He was not exactly a bargain, but I am smitten.

I am sure that my obsession dates back to childhood: my next door neighbour had a tin Mobo horse, the kind that 'walked' when you sat on its back. I wanted one so badly. It had very similar paintwork to this character, so perhaps that explains my slightly strange longing to own a tin horse. I saw a Mobo horse for sale on ebay, too, but they are quite large, and there really is no room for one at the moment.

I am not really on holiday any more, so there's work, and my sons have been out and about, having sleepovers and friends to stay. Eldest is getting ready for Reading Festival, his first one. I am trying not to be worried, although I am. Staying outwardly calm with some of my favourite books and magazines. I found this old Marie Claire Idees and it is full of gorgeous images. Two beauties:

And this one:

I borrowed this lovely book from the library, too. Well worth a reservation if you can (plenty to drool over):

And here is my own version of 'farmhouse chic...' pots on our little cream dresser, perfectly proportioned for our house rather than a mahoosive country residence....

I am in the middle of a painting project but it's taking me ages, so more on that soon (hopefully).