Almost Mid Summer!

Well, here I am, the second week in and I'm writing a post!

Hopefully the summer solstice tomorrow will bring a return of the lovely weather we had before the rain this past week.

I picked some lovely David Austin roses from my garden...the roses are flowering like crazy at the moment.

I visited the outlet at Clarks Village and bought two skirts...now, I don't usually have much luck with skirts as I think they can look frumpy on me, plus you have to find a top to go with them. I find they often don't fit well as they fit on the hips but are too big on the waist. This time I was in luck...this appliquéd horse design with Pom Pom trim was from White Stuff and fits a treat. Plus it was marked down from £55 to £20! One for the Autumn/Winter with a jumper, tights and boots I think.

The second one was from Seasalt and is a longer length, reduced from £60 to £25, so two good buys!

On Tuesday Michele and I enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at Tortworth Court Hotel. It was a decadent treat which included Pimms...two happy V&H organisers. 

A view of the roses from my bedroom window.

We have a long and very fast growing hedge along the back of our garden. There are about 60 Leyllandii trees...they truly are the devil's trees. They never stop growing... I don't know why anyone plants them as they need constant cutting. Mr Cottage has started work on reducing them, removing some and cutting back others. He has to check each tree for birds nests first of course. If you consider that the platform in the photo is about 6 foot high you can see how big these trees are. Just cutting back a few reveals our view across the farm again.

On Saturday we held one of our Vintage Jumble Sales in Box, Wiltshire. They are always such fun and you never know what you may find. The next one is on the 16th July in Rangeworthy.

See our website or Facebook page for more info.

www.vintageandhandmade.co.uk

Finally, another puppy pic....we will be bringing him home on Friday. There is much excitement and preparation going on here at Cottage HQ! 

Trying to Blog

I really used to enjoy writing my blog and interacting with other bloggers and readers, but it seems that I have ended up hardly doing anything at all. This morning I was thinking about it and was wondering if I could get back into it again. I have come up with a plan (a cunning plan perhaps?). I think the most enjoyable part of reading blogs is looking at the photos that are posted of houses, gardens, pets, vintage

 finds and outings etc so I wondered if I should try and do a weekly post of the photos reflecting what I have done the previous week? I wrote some posts like that in the past and it encourages me to take photos too.

So, if anyone is actually reading this after all this time, do you think? 

Shall I start one now as it is Monday morning...a good time to reflect on the past week and perhaps think about what is happening this week....

Last Monday Mr C and I had breakfast at The Canteen in Nailsworth.

I am working on a new flower bed and look who moved in!

I bought a new waffle maker so had to try it out for breakfast.

The Boy earned his keep by mowing two acres of buttercups that had exploded like invading zombies while we were away on holiday.

My garden roses are looking so pretty.

Our big exciting news is that we are getting a new puppy. We went to visit him again on Saturday, he is 6 weeks old now and Mr C is in love! 

There was manic puppy love for 10 minutes and then he promptly fell asleep upside down. He is a little Italian Greyhound and he comes home in two weeks time so brace yourself for lots of puppy pics.

We bought the puppy a little igloo bed and look who managed to squeeze himself in! 

Finally, this week I am looking forward to the next V&H Vintage Jumble Sale in Box where there will be vintage bargains galore. 

Easter Extravaganza

Where does the time go....I have just realised that it is a whole *year* since my last blog post!
I have no excuse except for being busy with life. I really would like to be blogging properly again....maybe I will be better in 2016?

The V&H Fairs & Vintage Jumbles have taken up my time, they are just as much fun as always & the Jumbles are becoming very popular.

Our next event is the Spring Fair in Chipping Sodbury which we are holding on the Easter weekend for a change so expect all things bunny, chicky & cute!

It will be an Easter Extravaganza on Saturday the 26th March. Now in our 8th year, the V&H is a firmly established favourite on the South West vintage scene. Our fabulous sellers from across the South West & beyond always make a huge effort to bring along their best stock & display their wares on attractively arranged stalls. The V&H has always presented the very best combination of vintage treasures & handmade delights.

Expect to find everything from vintage home wares, toys, haberdashery, fabrics, clothing, books, jewellery accessories & more, plus beautifully handmade hats, decorations & gifts to suit all tastes. In addition, our favourite vintage publication, Pretty Nostalgic, will be there & of course our fabulous tea room will be serving teas, coffees & home baked cakes to raise funds for local good causes.

So, why not join us on Saturday 26th March at the Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, South Gloucestershire, BS37 6AD. We are open from 10am - 3.30pm. Entrance is £1.00 (children free) & there will be special Easter treats for the first 50 visitors of the day.

Jumble all the way....

Tomorrow is the first of the Original Vintage & Handmade Fair events of the year - so why not join  Michele & I for a fun day out at the V&H Vintage Jumble Sale in Box. 

Saturday 28th February 2015
at the Selwyn Hall, Box, Wiltshire
SN13 8NT
10.00am - 1.00pm

The Vintage Jumbles have become a firm favourite with bargain hunters locally & further afield. Some of your favourite Vintage & Handmade Fair dealers will be having a clear out & offering vintage goodies at bargain prices starting at just 50p.

There will be everything from china & glass, textiles & toys, books, ephemera & much more....something for everyone. The hall will be full to capacity with tables piled high with bargains galore, so come along & relive the days of the good old village jumble sale!

Free admission & plenty of free parking.

Home made cakes, teas & coffees will be available.

www.vintageandhandmade.co.uk

V&H Autumn Fair

Just a quick post to show you a few photos from our Autumn Fair this past Saturday. Everyone had a lovely time and it was so nice to meet up with old friends and make new ones too.

I made a few purchases which made my day!

Our next event is the Vintage Jumble in Box, Wiltshire. The Jumbles are such fun and there are oodles of vintage bargains to be had.

For more info do visit our website at www vintageandhandmade.co.uk or find us on Facebook for up to date notifications.

November

Time does fly and I've just realised how long it has been since I last wrote a post. I don't even know if anyone is still reading my blog after all this time! My time seems to be taken up mainly with hunting out vintage treasures, keeping my unit at Gloucester Antique Centre stocked, organising the V&H Fairs with Michele and looking after animals. The garden has been tidied up for winter, the chickens are moulting so we don't have any eggs, I have made chutney for Christmas with the last of my tomatoes and my neighbours excess apples.

 I thought I'd share some photos to highlight what has been going on in my life instead of writing reams of text for you to read as there is a bit of catching up to do!

I surprised myself by winning a cup at the village show for my flower arrangement (a vintage cup of course!).

Dylan had a bath...yes, that is newsworthy!

I bought a new car - another Mini (my third so far!)

The Boy started university in Wales ....when did he grow up??

We held our V&H Textile & Fashion Fair in October.

We have had a wonderful feature about the Christmas Fair in the December issue of Homes & Antiques Magazine - out now!

The Girl & I made some new cushions for the winter.

 

We had a fun family trip to Gifford Circus in Bath.

Toby hurt his paw....don't worry, he is fine now!

The Girl & Balli have had lots of fun.

And Dylan got new pyjamas!