National Baking Week

It's National Baking Week this week, so why not tie on your vintage apron, get out your favourite recipe book & whip up a tasty treat?
Or have a look here for inspiration.

There's nothing as nice as a piece of homemade cake, a cup of tea & a little sit down!

Sustain on Saturday

This morning Mr Cottage, The Boy & I drove over to Stroud to visit the "Sustain" exhibition.
Lovely Annie of A Saucerful of Secrets fame was there with her wonderful felted animal dolls - such a fabulous feel of whimsy & creativity. I particularly fell in love with her charming pug.

There were other exhibitors of course, but I didn't want to take photos without permission. Annie was happy for me to snap away (with the phone camera as I hadn't taken a camera with me).

Annie will be bringing her fantabulous menagerie & other delights to the Vintage & Handmade Fair next month....it's exactly 4 Saturdays from today!

In the meantime you can see more of her work at The Little Wren House Factory.

Bags, Tea Cosies, Badges & Buttons..

This week The Boy went off on on school history trip to Berlin (it's alright for some isn't it?) & took my camera with him so I haven't been able to snap any bloggy photos for you, so I thought I'd show you some of Miss Cottage's work which has been added to the Handmade department of my shop.

Miss C loves applique & embroidery & she has used this to great effect in these items. Everything is beautifully made using new & vintage fabrics, trims & accessories.
If anything catches your eye please do pop over to the shop - she'd be thrilled to have a few sales to boost her bank account now she is a university student!

Real or Not?

Sneaky Peek & Shop Update

As the Vintage & Handmade Fair gets closer & closer I have been turning my thoughts to which vintage lovelies I will be taking along to delight you.
Since the last fair I have been accumulating lots of gorgeous goodies & some of them have been happily living on this set of shelves in my office/studio so I snapped a photo to show you.
If you click on it it should enlarge for a closer look. See anything that takes your fancy?
(Please excuse the duster - I only just noticed that it is tucked under the shelves!)

In the meantime the shop has had a little update including the following.....

A pretty china rose brooch & wooden hat stand in "Boudoir"

Sorry - the brooch is SOLD

Sorry - the hat stand is SOLD

The most adorable Pixie cake decorations in "Kitchenalia"
Sorry...Pixies are SOLD


Plus, as an avid dog lover, I have created a new section which I have dubbed "The Dog House" where you will find all things doggy such as vintage ceramic dogs & the sweetest pyjama case.

Suzy The Spaniel

Scruffy the Terrier - Sorry, I'm SOLD

Lulu the pyjama case

Vintage & Handmade Christmas Fair

I know I've posted this twice but not everyone reads the V&H Blog & this is exciting!

I have just noticed on the countdown on the Vintage & Handmade Fair website that we have exactly 40 days to go until the Christmas Fair!

Coincidentally, today I received the November issue of Homes & Antiques magazine & there we are on the "Out & About" page!

Some great news that we want to share with you is that Homes & Antiques have asked if they could have a stall at the fair!
It really makes us feel that we have been accepted into the "serious" fair brigade to have such a well known & loved magazine attending!

And the winner is....

I put the numbers into a random number generator & it chose number 5 - Isobel from The Cosy Corner.
I even found a trophy with an "I" on it! But you will be receiving the embroidered tea towels instead!

So, Isobel, let me have your address & I'll send them off to you asap.

:-)