Despite knowing that it was coming for the past year, Christmas has snook up on me again and here I am wishing it wasn't quite so close! Still, I've managed to make the house look festive and mostly I am ready.

Mr. Bloom will do the last of the food shopping tomorrow and collect the turkey - ha! rather him than me - serves him right for finishing work today while I don't finish until Friday.

Really, I'm most looking forward to the extended break after Christmas, I intend to spend at least one day being a couch potato with a few good DVD's and Christmas leftovers.

I was fiddling around with my camera settings and my pictures have come out rather 'warm'.  Maybe I should also spend some time learning how to use it properly!

Anyway, wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas, thank you for visiting and following throughout the year, see you in 2011!

Lovely things

I feel I should be starting to put out my Christmas decorations, in fact I would love to be doing that but I am still dealing with the aftermath of the Fairs (the ongoing 'not enough house' problem).  At the rate I'm going I might just have time to think about decorating by Christmas Eve!

As promised, some pictures of my purchases at the fairs.  First two pics are a divine lavender sachet, tags and crumpled ribbon, from Shirley at Simply-Chateaux.  In fact most of the things I bought were from Shirley, her stall was just divine, makes my mouth water just to think about it.

Above, lovely pink fringing bought from Leonore at the Vintage and Handmade fair, plus a pretty quilted blue cushion just seen in the top right corner.

French books and Ephemera from Shirley.

This fairy doll just epitomises vintage Christmas for me, I bought her at the Vintage and Handmade fair, sorry but I don't know who from, I was doing my usual rushing back to my stall at the time.

I'm so glad these lovelies are mine - otherwise I'd be very envious (hee hee!).  Back to the grind, hope to have some Christmas piccies soon!

Two Glorious Days (and a feast of loveliness)

If you read my last post you'll know where I was last weekend - two glorious days at two glorious events. Not even the freezing weather could put a damper on them, I had such a wonderful time. Of course, it's hard work too, and for me a little stressful until the doors open, but I'd do it all again in an instant (and hopefully I will next year!).

In case you didn't read my last post,

Day 1:  Sunday 28th November,The Vintage and Handmade Fair, Chipping Sodbury.

From small beginnings the Vintage and Handmade fair has gone from strength to strength with an amazing 40 beautiful stalls this time.  Once again Jayne and Michele organised a fantastic day with hoards of customers and even some carol singers to entertain us this time.  Thank you ladies!

The "setting up" frenzy

This time I managed to get set up with some time to spare and managed to snap a few photos of the other stalls.  I just need to learn how to used my camera properly, as most of the pics of my stall came out blurred.

A feast of loveliness - some of the other stalls

Day Two: Monday 29th November, Vintage at the Village Hall, Pamhill, Dorset

My stall:
(normally my lamps are lit, but the electric meter ran out.  Not a problem usually, but see that white cupboard on the wall to the left of the pic, the one blocked by one of my shelves?  That was the electric meter!!!)

If you have read other blogs on this event you will know that very few photographs were taken. I myself have the following excuses:

1. I was late getting there (driving in the dark and cold are not my favourite) and by the time I had set up and done a bit of shopping it was opening time.

2. During a rare lull I got my camera out and started with my own stall, the lull ended unexpectedly and I got no further.

So, all I have are a few pictures of my stall.  I would much rather have shown you the other lovely stalls, I guess I'll just have to go again next time and be more organised.  (I am hoping very much there will be a next time!)

When Elaine invited me to attend this fair I was thrilled to bits. I wasn't sure what to expect with it being the first one and on a Monday, but Elaine should be congratulated for such a fantastic job of promoting the event. Customers filled the hall all day long and at times there was barely room to move. There was a lovely festive atmosphere and the quality of the stalls was first class.  Thank you Elaine!

A few pictures of the fair can be found here on Lizzie's blog and on the Vintage at the Village Hall blog.

And of course to all the lovely customers who support these events, a huge thank you too!

Here's a peek at some of my shopping - more next time...

Bloom in Frome

I am probably the last to post about the wonderful Vintage Bazaar in Frome, sometimes it takes a while but I do get round to things eventually.

What can I say, it was everything I could have hoped for and more.  The stallholders put on magnificent displays, the crowds kept coming and the atmosphere was amazing.

I thought I had forgotten my camera, but towards the end of the day I found it so I snapped a few shots of my stall between customers.

Many more (much better) pictures to be found on the Vintage Bazaar blog.  Thank you to everyone who bought from me and the compliments about my stall.  My lovely friend Jayne deserves a mention - I couldn't have done it without your help!

Lizzie and Clare are to be commended for creating such a exceptional and unforgettable day - I've already signed up for the next one in April!

On my return home I put my feet up and indulged in a little crafty relaxation - this ballerina figurine had lost her skirt somewhere in her lifetime, so I gave her a new one from ribbon and lace.  I had some pretty floral braid from which I cut tiny flowers to make a hat and corsage, together with a couple of sparkly beads.

I have two more fairs to prepare for now, guess I'll be back in December!

Sunday 28th November : Vintage and Handmade Christmas Fair

Monday 29th November: Vintage at the Village Hall

In the Pipeline

I am so far behind with everything due to this nasty virus laying me low for a couple of weeks.  Still, all better now, I'm overdue in posting about this event which I have signed up for.

It's been organised by Elaine of the Ted and Bunny blog, and there is a website dedicated to the fair, where you can see you will be attending.  I'm very excited to be part of this.

Last time I posted about Violette's Cafe at Barn Antiques.  I have a few more pics to show of the rest of the centre, which also has a garden shop attached.

A peek at the garden shop.

Beautiful units inside, loved this one especially.

The barn is huge, divided up into lots of showrooms and has a really good variety of stock.  It's a good place to stop for half a day if you are in the area.

Before I go, a reminder that in just over a week's time is the Vintage Bazaar in Frome (Saturday 30th October) which I am busily preparing for. Hence will be rather quiet around here for a little while longer!

Poorly Blooms

The Blooms are poorly.  We've been poorly with a rotten cold for over a week now.  Mr. Bloom had three days head start, so he is feeling three days better than me.  Anyway, don't you just love this dresser.

I would love it to be mine, but it's part of the decor at Cafe Violette at the Barn Antiques Centre in Long Marston in Warwickshire. 

Mr. Bloom and I stopped there for refreshments at the weekend.  We had booked a few days away and no rotten cold was going to stop us so we coughed, sniffed and sneezed our way there, back and in between.

The cafe is a delightful mix of old, quirky, vintage, shabby chic, country, all the things we love in one cute and cosy place.  Mismatched tables and chairs, painted benches covered in squishy floral cushions,  fairy lights and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Just look a those spotty chairs!

I could only photograph part of the cafe as (not surprisingly) there were other customers who didn't want to be in on the act.   You really have to visit to get the full effect.  The tea and scones, served on vintage china of course, were equally scrumptious.

I was truly enchanted by the place, but I was curious to know what Mr. Bloom thought about being served tea from mismatched vintage china.  "It looks like they haven't made an effort" he said. WHAAAAT!!!

Despite the forecasts, Mr. Blue Sky was mostly very kind to us and we've had a lovely few days away.  More to report when I'm feeling better!

How far does a matchpot go?

I'm not telling you anything new here - buying matchpots as an economic way to paint smaller items.  I  wouldn't normally buy Farrow and Ball paint as it is a tad pricey but I was lucky to acquire a lot of their matchpots a while back at a knockout price. 

So just how far does a matchpot go?  This little pine cupboard is about 20" tall and 14" wide.  I painted two coats back and front and used just over half the matchpot.  Just the drawers were painted in a contrasting cream.

After painting I rubbed back some areas for a distressed look.

And added some floral motifs at the top and on the drawer knobs.

A few knick-knacks strategically placed for effect.  It's now gone to my unit in Lechlade, you might have spotted it there a couple of posts ago.

(A sunny day for painting outside is also useful!)