Holiday Memories

Niki had a nice idea with her recent post about memories, so here are mine. Just a couple of years ago we had a wonderful holiday in New England. We stayed in Southern Vermont, in the town of Bennington (where the English were defeated by General Stark!!!) at a beautiful colonial clapboard house - complete with verandah which had a resident robin family (see photo).

Most of us have regular holidays to far flung places, but of all the countries we've visited this was the hardest place to leave. The people were wonderful, the scenery was breathtaking, the streets were clean and we felt so much at home there.

We crammed a lot into our 10 days - which felt like 10 weeks, we did so much! We met up with some friends from Pennsylvania, we visited the most enormous antiques fair at Brimfield MA, and experienced an evening at a 'traditional English pub' in upstate NY. We visited all the small towns we could and drove the 5 miles to the top of Mount Equinox. We delighted in seeking out the old covered bridges (who didn't shed a tear over 'The Bridges of Madison County' - both book and film!) We revelled in the beautiful old houses and the charming Dutch barns throughout MA.

When we came home we mused on the idea of living there. It's something we still talk about and as I type this I feel a really overwhelming sense of longing. Since our return, life has intervened in our plans - someone once said 'life is what happens when you're busy making plans'. How true. Still, we may yet return, be it for a holiday or to live there. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Shopping at Shepton!

Yesterday, I went to the first day of the DMG Antiques Fair at Shepton Mallet. The weather was horrible - heavy rain and winds which gave way to calmer - but colder!- weather later in the afternoon. Not one to be deterred, I managed to find some nice things to buy! I also met up with Sue of Vintage to Victorian, Niki of Nostalgia at the Stone House and Kelly of Vintage Lifestyle. Sue and Niki had stands at the fair and Kelly was doing the same as me - shopping!

Here are some of my buys. The bag is a beautiful creation of Niki's - lovely old floral barkcloth with a sumptuous satin lining - and a dramatic black rose for that final touch! Next, I just couldn't resist the 50's plastic clothes protector smothered in large pink roses - they certainly don't make 'em like that these days!

The impulse buy of the day was made just ten minues before the gates closed! On our way out, I spied a beautiful Victorian prie dieu - a French prayer chair (hope my spelling is correct!) Amongst many other things, I also collect vintage tapestries and embroideries and this just called out to me! Shown with it, are some of my old tapestry items, including a Victorian cushion with roses and a shell in the design. Now my main concern is how to deter my cat from exercising her claws on it..!

Antique Centre of The Month!

Here are the details of the Antiques & Collectables Magazine feature, naming Brackley Antique Cellar as antique centre of the month for October, plus some photos. My unit - No. 62 Vintage Home - is shown at the bottom of the second photo - yes, I know, it's only a small piccy! Hopefully blogger will allow you to click on the photo and enlarge it! I am currently gathering together lots of new stock which I'll be taking into my unit next week - here's a taster of a few of those items...
This is a pair of beautiful old decorative metal fans which have handpainted, exquisite roses on them - they're actually quite big and I've nowhere to display them properly so have decided they must go!

Vintage Home Antiques Unit 62, Brackley Antique Cellar

Here are some photos of my antiques unit at the Brackley Antique Cellar in Northants.

I have had the unit for a year now and thoroughly enjoy stocking it with all manner of vintage items. I sell mainly textiles including eiderdowns, quilts, curtains and fabric, plus floral oil paintings, pretty china, kitchenalia, painted furniture and some vintage toys.

The Antiques & Collectables Magazine have named the Brackley Antique Cellar their Antique Centre of the Month for October - and included a photo of my unit! Yes, it's a rather small one at the bottom, but it was still a nice surprise! (Blogger is playing up at the moment and won't let me add any more photos, but I'll try again later!)

I can thoroughly recommend a visit to the centre. It is a huge place and has over 150 dealers, plus cabinets. It's open 7 days a week (353 days a year!) from 10 til 5. There is a nice cafe and the staff are friendly and helpful. The only drawback with having a unit there is I always have a stroll round the other units (which can take a few hours!!!) and invariably buy several things! If you're not local, it's certainly worth making the journey as it's a great day out!

An Autumnal Blaze of Colour!

It's turning into a really gloomy day out there; for the first time in a long time it's feeling decidedly cold and the wind is blowing up a storm! So, I thought a dose of colour was needed to liven things up! Do not adjust your monitors - although you may need sunglasses!

Yes, I do like a splash of colour in the kitchen - particularly as we head into winter!

A New Project!

I had a lovely time on Saturday at the antiques fair at Shepton Mallet and came home with some gorgeous things! This is one of them; a pretty painted and glazed cupboard, intended for my bathroom. I may yet change the interior colour as my bathroom is painted in a Laura Ashley paint; 'pale crocus' - perhaps I should cover the interior in some vintage wallpaper - what do you think? Either way, it will be a new home for my growing collection of old talc tins!

As usual, Sue & Niki had some lovely things for sale. Sue; the crocus jelly mould has found a good home and Niki; that old postcard album is quite beautiful, I will treasure it!

More photos of newly acquired treasures to follow soon...!

Coast 2 Coast Bike Ride!

Okay, so there's nothing vintage or crafty about this post, but I felt I had to tell you about the challenge my husband and our friend are about to embark on!

They are leaving on Saturday 23rd September '06 to ride twice the length of the UK, on their motorbikes. They hope to raise lots of money for a cancer charity - in fact they've done quite well so far and have collected £3,000 already!

Pete was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year, aged only 38.

I think it will be quite a gruelling experience for them, as they have to ride for 5 hours a day to complete the challenge on time. They will be filming the ride and producing their own DVD of the journey!

The local newspapers and Central News have been following the story, and will film their departure on Saturday morning.

We have arranged a surprise for Pete - Ewan McGregor (Long Way Round, with Charley Boorman) has sent us a copy of their book about the road trip, with a personal, signed message to Pete. They were his inspiration for this ride so it will be a lovely surprise for him. Mike intends to present the book to him during the filmed interview on Saturday - should be a great moment!

Pete is married with a 4 year old son and is determined to leave a lasting memory for his little boy.

So, good luck both of you!

Baking Day!

My husband overheard the neighbour telling his young son what he was cooking for Sunday lunch and decided it was high time that he too should get to grips with that strange appliance (the cooker!) in the kitchen and create something tasty (or at the very least edible!!!!) As I'd just got back from blackberry picking down the lane, and our apple tree is heavy with fruit, he decided it had to be an apple an blackberry crumble - not too complicated - but mixing the topping with crushed digestives and plenty of cinnamon ensured it was a really tasty pud! The only dilemma was whether to serve it with custard or icecream - or both!!!

Needless to say, it didn't last long - I've now looked out a few more adventurous recipes for him - watch out Jamie Oliver!!!

Eiderdowns - Continued!

I just couldn't leave it there - I thought I should show you a few more photos of eiderdowns!

Of course, they'll all have to go back on the beds soon as it won't be the weather for taking them outdoors!

I'm sure this will get it out of my system once and for all! Although there's still many more hidden away in the cupboards etc!

Phew, all that lugging eiderdowns around has worn me out - time for a nap! This is what they're meant for after all!

Eiderdowns;

Eye Candy for Lovers of Vintage!

Although I love all things vintage, I have a real passion for textiles and for me, the eiderdown has to be the ultimate ’must-have’ of vintage textiles. Not only are they beautiful to look at - but they’re useful too!

Bundles & layers!

I have quite a few I've lost count!) some are in use on the beds, some are rolled and folded, displayed on top of the wardrobes and tucked inside my armoire. Perhaps I shouldn’t mention the ones under the bed and in the wardrobes and in the linen cupboard and…! I’d better stop there, anyone would think I was obsessed, but I can’t help it - I love them!

My oldest dates to the 1920’s, it’s made from silk and filled with light fluffy down. It has the prettiest pattern of delicate lily of the valley and sugary pink blossom. Then there’s the largest one I’ve ever seen; over 8 feet square and covered in a rich red and green paisley and roses pattern!

Shown here are just a few of my collection (there‘s also a couple of quilts in the photos, did I say that’s another passion of mine?!!)

What’s your particular ‘vintage passion’?

Pottery Cottage

This has been my home for nearly 20 years. It is a 200 year old brick, stone and timber cottage and is one of four in a row. The cottages were once thatched, but a fire in 1908 destroyed this, and so the level of the roof was raised and tiles were laid. The original roof timbers have been exposed internally and it is amazing to think how low and narrow the upstairs would have been. It isn’t a big house - in fact, it’s tiny - but I love it and nowhere ever feels as welcoming and cosy as Pottery Cottage! In the summer months, the top of the stable door stays open all day, allowing the gentle breeze through. The interior of the cottage is cool in the summer months, but come the autumn when the evenings and early mornings bring a chill with them, it is time to light the woodburner, which warms the downstairs rooms and casts a welcoming glow as you walk through the door.

I have filled our cottage with vintage treasures and had a great deal of enjoyment finding them all! I will ‘share’ these items with you in the form of pictures, over time; there are a great many! In my search for vintage, I have also met some wonderful like-minded people, who have become friends, and this has made the search all the more rewarding!

I look forward to meeting many more ‘Lovers of Vintage’ in the future!

Hello to everyone reading this! I have decided to create a blog for myself and my 'hobby' business - which is called Vintage Home! I buy and sell all manner of vintage treasures, but mainly textiles, including quilts, eiderdowns, curtains and stacks of fabrics! I have a real passion for vintage items and have filled (literally!) our small cottage with all of my finds. Whenever I realise I have far too many of something, I decide it is time to pass it on and let someone else appreciate it! I have an antiques unit in The Brackley Antique Cellar, Northants and also sell vintage treasures on eBay. I look forward to sharing ideas and thoughts with like-minded 'vintage fans' in the future!