Vintage Style Bunny

On the weekend, while sorting out some stuff in the garage to make space for more stuff, I came across the box containing my stash of bear making supplies from when I used to make bears. I haven't done much bear making in recent years but after opening up the box containing lovely mohair fabric & more, my fingers were itching to stitch so last night I had a go at making a vintage style rabbit while watching TV. Normally I would have used the machine but I sewed him by hand while watching Midsomer Murders...hope that doesn't affect him too much!


He is made from a 'matted' style mohair to give him an aged look with wool felt tummy & glass eyes. He wears a vintage ribbon & bell around his neck (or maybe it should be 'her' as it is pink?)


He/she needs a name now....any suggestions?

Half Price Biscuit Tin Of The Week

I know those of you in the UK can probably hear Harry Hill in your head when reading the title (I can hear it myself!) but it did seem right under the circumstances!

As you may know, if you have been reading my blog for a while, I have a thing for tins - I love tins, old & new, & Mr C says I'd buy anything if it was in a tin!

I love that in days gone by the tin was just as important as the contents & remember those special biscuit, chocolate & toffee tins that we would get at Christmas.

Nowadays, it seems they are mostly generic with just a picture of the contents on the lid....all except good old M&S, who come up with some fabulous tins every Christmas so I am always tempted to buy them. I have noticed that they seem to be having 'specials' every week, selling a particular tin of biscuits at half price, so how could I resist?

Two weeks ago I bought the Gingerbread Man tin below which is filled with mini Gingerbread men.


Last week it was this super musical Woodland biscuit tin - it winds up underneath & the inside layer moves around while playing a tune - it is filled with mini white chocolate chip cookies.

I thought I'd let you all know as I'm sure lots of you would like these too - I wonder which tin is half price this week? I have my eye on a rather lovely one in the shape of a shelf of vintage children's books.....will keep you up to date!!

What's For Pudding?

"What's for pudding?" is a question which is asked quite often in this house....they all like a nice pudding!

Last night I was going to my monthly book club meeting where we all bring something nice to eat so we have dinner as well as a chat. I have to admit that most of the chat is not related to books as we all catch up with the latest news.
There are 7 of us & we all met when our children were at primary school, so saw one another every day at the school gates. We decided to get together & form a book club & have been meeting monthly for 10 years now! We don't see one another as often these days as our children are either in secondary school or university & no longer need to be picked up at school, so it is a great way to keep in touch on a regular basis.

Anyhow, I am known as the provider of puddings, so yesterday I made a fruit cobbler - the recipe was given to me by my friend, Trish, and is really easy (and very tasty). Ideal for the weekend.

It uses just a few ingredients - you can use any fruit, but I used this pack of frozen berries which worked out very well. Serve it with custard, cream or ice cream, whichever you prefer.

• ½ cup butter
• 2 cups fruit
  
• 1 cup self rising flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 1 egg, well beaten

Melt butter in dish.

Mix all remaining ingredients and pour over melted butter.

Place fruit on top of batter.

Do not stir

Bake @180 C for 45 minutes. Let set 10 minutes then serve.

Shop Update

It seems like a million years or more (OK...so I exaggerate a little!) since I updated my online shop. I have been so busy with fair organisation & planning as well as stocking my unit at the antique centre & now that Tamzin has returned to university I have Dylan the horse to look after too....I'm pleased to say that his injury is improving & he is allowed out for a few hours a day which makes him very happy!

Anyway, as I recently bought a collection of delightful vintage toys I thought it was time to add some to the 'Second Childhood' section of my shop. I know how much you all like to see vintage goodies so I thought I'd show them to you here.

Above is a sweet handmade donkey & below a cute pup made from silk plush.....

Sweet souvenir sailor boy....

Jolly Jumbo.....

A very surprised looking Dachshund...

Wills the Terrier dog....

Lee the Lion cub.....

Finally, a miniature Morphy Richards iron complete with cord & 'plug' - perfect for dolly's washing day!

Sun & Fun At The Fair

Even though we had been planning an 'Autumn' fair it turned out to be the hottest October day ever recorded, but that didn't stop the eager vintage treasure hunters from filling up the hall in Chipping Sodbury! We had a steady flow of shoppers all day snapping up lovely goodies - even tweed jackets & knitted gloves although everyone was in in summer attire.


This was my view from behind my stall...note the cute handmade felt donkeys - so cute!


The pretty tablecloths didn't last long & went off to new homes.


The vintage goody bags attracted lots of attention with buyers carefully inspecting the contents to see which they preferred.


This little sewing machine was purchased by a lady who had a whole collection of them.

Sewing baskets proved to be popular too.

Of course I had to do a bit of shopping myself & my Buy Of The Day was this wonderful counter top paper dispenser from a haberdashery shop - here it is in it's new home just waiting for me to pack up internet orders!


I had such a lovely day meeting friends old & new - stallholders & visitors alike....as always I'd like to thank everyone for making such an effort to make it so successful.

Michele & I are planning for the Christmas Fair already, so hope to see you there!

If you'd like to see more photos of the stunning stalls please visit our Facebook page where we have 200 photos to drool over!