Sunday 15 November 2009

Lots to tell and show

I might bore you to tears of course with this long post, but because I haven't posted every day, things have kinda piled up.

Well, Saturday was probably my last Fair, and it didn't go very well. The weather was absolutely awful, at one point we could see horizontal rain! I can't really blame people for not wanting to come out in such horrid condition. However, it turned out to be a really fab day anyway, because one very special person braved the horrendous conditions and paid me a surprise visit! I first "met" Charlie on the Fresholi soap forum a couple of years ago ( she is a fantastic soapmaker ), and I also read her great blog, all about her life in Italy. She comes over to the UK occasionally to visit her dad, and she suggested that we meet up. I had told her I was doing a Fair in TW, but I never expected her to turn up there out of the blue ( well, out of the very grey and black really, lol ). But turn up she did and I had such a fun time chatting with her. It seemed as if I had known her forever. Here we are, Charlie is the gorgeous, tall, willowy one on the right, I am the short little dumpling on the left, lol
Just as well there weren't very many customers about, we didn't really want to be interrupted by people wanting to buy stuff!

And as if that wasn't enough to make the day a happy one, the very lovely Debbie, who organises the Fairs in the area, and who makes the most fabulous jewellery, gave me this beautiful necklace for Christmas -


The stall next to me was like a magnet for my DS Nick. Beautifully turned bowls, vases, candlesticks, and a very knowledgable gentleman, who didn't mind at all chatting with Nick and giving him lots of advice on which tools to use for his woodturning, where to get exotic woods etc. This fascinating little vase was turned from a Banksia Nut, and I just had to have it, parts of the vase are almost velvety, very very tactile indeed -

The journey home was almost scary, I mean, a Volvo Estate is a pretty heavy car, right? And ours was full of stuff, but we were still being chucked about in the galeforce winds. BUT, when I got home, I got to unpack a package which had arrived for me, all the way from New Zealand!!! I was sooooooooooo excited because I knew it had been sent by Sarah, from Red Gingham, who has become a wonderful friend over the last few months of blogging.

Just look what the gorgeous girl has made with her own fair hands for meeeeeeeee. I went from putting my needles in this stupid thing

to using this! Bit of an improvement, don't you think?

And another "before and after". This is how I used to store my crochet hooks, not surprising really that they used to get lost in the depth of the wool bag -

And this is where they live now, in this beautifully made crochet hook roll-

This pretty little heart is coming to France with me on Friday, and I know exactly where it is going to live ( not telling yet, I'll take pics though )-

And look at this bookmark, isn't it just the sweetest thing? Its already in use now -

This little birdie is going to join some other birdies on our Christmas Tree. Again, it is so beautifully made, Sarah really is a fabulous needlewoman -

And last, but definitely not least, I got this brilliant card, designed by no other than Molly, one of Sarah's daughters, and obviously just as talented as her mum-


The world is indeed a happy place when you have friends like Sarah. A huge THANK YOU to you, and a big big hug.


On to today then. Of course it was raining when we got up (6am-ish, the doggies let us have an extra hour today, woohoo ), so we snuggled down and watched "Twilight". Neat movie. By the time that had finished, it had stopped raining, so we went and checked whether the local bootfair might be on. Hmm, there were a few stalls, perhaps a dozen in all, all professional booters, sigh. Why don't professional booters ever want to haggle? Geez, haggling is half the fun of going to a bootfair after all, but most of them are such miserable gits, grrrr. A little smile wouldn't hurt once in a while, humph. Anyway, this is what I found -

A vintage Chen Yu Cloud Silk face powder, still completely sealed. I love the packaging -

At the same stall I found these three little brooches -

This little squirrel is so sweet! It is French, and I think it is made from Bakelite-

Next stall and some buttons !!! Some newish ones, some very old ones, and all of them pretty darned gorgeous

They were in this little inlaid box. It is such a shame that it is damaged, but I love it anyway, and it still has the little key, which is a bonus-

I expect you want to see close ups of the buttons, don't you?

Those large buttons with the kind of Greek or Roman looking woman are pretty impressive. The set of buttons also has a matching brooch. There are also two sequined and beaded large buttons and those very shiny shimmery little glass ones -

Fabulous faceted jet black glass buttons -

Ribbed glass toggles!

Some odd pretties -

Some more modern ones

And some of the most amazing mother of pearl buttons I have come across -

Look at these two beauties, huge, delicately carved and the most fabulous colours-

Some pretty ordinary brown ones, but then, I do love browns and beiges -

And right at the bottom of the box was this Victorian button card. The card is very badly damaged, and there are only 10 buttons left, but they are wonderful! Quite tiny, with the prettiest design inset in the middle -

I cleaned one of the buttons, you can probably tell which one without me pointing it out, lol
Such a pity that the beautiful design of the card has been ruined-

At another stall, I got a whole village with people n all for granddaughter Paige,

and this lovely stallholder was smiley and friendly and prepared to haggle, he threw in this dinky little pin cushion

I love the quizzical expression on its face-

We did go to another bootfair, an indoor one, but I'll leave that one til tomorrow, I am all blogged out now.
xx

13 comments:

Croap Queen said...

Well, at the moment all I can think of to say to that little lot is HMPH.

All far too gorgeous to comment on so I shall sulk until I can come up with something else LOL. Sarah is far too talented for her own good, and you told me you weren't booting today. Can you tell I'm jealous? Heehee

Michela said...

Wow! I don't know where to start commenting! Sarah has been so generous and thoughtful! And the little turtle is so gorgeus and unusual!
Sorry to hear that the fair didn't go well..Mr Postie is asking me when will you back from France?...

P.s. the ornamental cabbages are all for real, they have been painted with a spray (except the violet one which is natural)

Marigold Jam said...

Well... too much to take it all in but I love those gifts you got! Love the beautiful buttons too.

Jane

Pomona said...

I am sorry that your fair wasn't a great success - but it looks like the boot fair made up for it. The buttons are wonderful! Lovely things you have from Sarah - she is so clever, and I do love her little birds. I was lucky enough to get one, too!

Pomona x

Kelly said...

Wow you've been so busy!
sorry to hear the fair was quiet!
but at leaast you got lots of chatting time!
Great parcel, love everything and what a pretty necklace!
As always great finds at the bootsales. I want your button collection!

Unknown said...

Wow - all is fab, especially the cute turtle!!

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hi! Those buttons are absolutely fabulous! Glad you made it back home in all that bad weather...your gifts are wonderful! Hope you have a great evening! Take care, Laura

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Liz you mustn't call yourself a dumpling! Although it does sound kind of cute. I call my little one Pudding! I'll have to stop soon I guess, as she might cotton on to why I call her that.

Just how long does it take you to post all those photos in one go?!! Rather lovely ones too. Nice turtle and beads.

Thanks for your very kind message to me, I'm glad you like your gifts.

Anonymous said...

Wow, how nice. I love those buttons with the Roman figures and the pearl ones. I have started using buttons on my journal I am doing for my GDs for Christmas.
QMM

Unknown said...

That sounds like a fabulous time with your friend! Too bad about the weather. Now, I want to hear all about your move to France so I will probably follow your blog, LOL! I ♥ France and have never been.

Well, the goodies you got are lovely!

Sally said...

Beautiful finds as usual! I LOVE your crochet hook roll - what fun fabric! Bet the Happyland village goes down well with Paige, my two loved playing with theirs!
Sally x

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Oh lot's to chat about!

So many lovely things, handmade and thrifted you lucky thing!

Hope you have a fabulous week,

Victoria xx

harmony and rosie said...

Hello. I've been sent over by Floss who read my post on monograms and said you had loads of similar goodies in your archives. I've been working my way through but got rather side-tracked by your buttons - oh my!