Flea Market Finds

My cat actually woke me up on the day of the flea  market.

It was 6 am...........oops I slept in !

Yes it is always a very early start but believe it or not 6am wake up is heartbreaking because all of the antique dealers have been through the flea market by this time. They have been there since 4:30am with their torches looking for goodies for their stores.

Hats off to them, because no amount of cool finds will ever get me out of bed in the middle of Winter at 4am.......brrrr

I arrived at 7am and everything was completely picked over and their were spaces everywhere on tables where treasures had once been.........sigh !

The pickings were very slim but I did manage to find some bargains for my Florist store.

Vases and jugs were on top of my list and yes I found some ! YAY

I also found an old vintage baby basket for $5, perfect for carrying my flowers around to markets and very strong and durable.

An old metal bucket completed my haul and off I trotted home to clean and display my new found goodies.

Here are my items found.

 Rusty old tins, Victorian era pottery, Carlton ware biscuit jar, vintage gloves, lace tablecloths and old bottles for my flowers.

 This old Victorian era jardiniere (below left) is my favourite purchase.

 and this dear little bath salt bottle is an original. It's original labels are peeling off the back but the pretty floral label on the front is still intact. The lid has long gone but that won't matter a bit once I get my flowers displayed in it !

                                        How lovely the babies basket is !
 Can you believe that babies were allowed to travel in these baskets in cars until the late 1970's. No seat belts or harness. It is so scary to think about it. I remember sitting next to my baby brother on a very hot vinyl seat in mid Summer in one of these baskets. How fortunate that safety regulations have improved over the years.

 I am always on the look out for old vintage metal buckets for my flowers. The price for these buckets can be ridiculous at times but this one was $7 so I was happy to pay that price.  These buckets have been around 'since the arc' and almost never die like more modern buckets.  

I also picked up 2 pairs of vintage gloves. 1 lace and 1 plain with little rosettes over it (oops I forgot to get closeups)

 These goodies of mine are now all washed up and ready to sell in my florist studio full of flowers.  All one off pieces and totally gorgeous. The thrill of the chase looking for antiques is half the fun but recycling these wonderful pieces into amazing arrangements will be even more fun. The real test will be parting with these treasures !
I hope your weekend was filled with lots of sunshine and fun !

Mabel Gets A New Dress and 3 HATS !

It all began in a dark little second hand store.

'CLOSING DOWN' said the sign

'For Sale, everything must go'.

Who could resist ?

There were racks of clothes, stacks of doilies, old (smelly) shoes and a tub of old vintage purses and scarves.

and when I walked into the back of the store I saw them !!!!!

A quaint old fireplace stood inside a cavity of a wall and a row of the prettiest vintage hats stood there in all of their glory looking at me !

I swear they were smiling when they saw me (yes the hats !)

It was one of those moments where lightening strikes, cymbals clang and your heart races with excitement.

They may as well have had my name flashing above them.

and of course my dearest 'Mabel' came to my mind.

(Mabel is my old rusty dress form)

I pictured her at home in my studio wearing an old shabby pink vintage tulle skirt with a little tear in it.

I knew that this these new hats would be perfect for her (even though she doesn't have a head !!!!!!  frown )

Next thing I saw an old vintage white tulle skirt on a cheap rack for a couple of dollars.

It was perfect Mabel attire on a shoestring budget.

So out I walked with 3 new hats and a new skirt for her !

When I showed Mabel, her new things she almost squealed with excitement (well she would have if she were a real vintage person !)

PINK, WHITE AND BLUE HATS for her to wear on her.............aaahhhhhhhh..........Uuuuuum   Waist ?......Collar ?

Pretend head ?

Oh well, Mabel and I will have to sort that little problem out for ourselves........

Do you like her parasol ?

It's from the 60's

It does well to protect her rusty old bones from the sun

The more I looked at her dressed up the more something appeared to be missing. She needed just a bit of ooomph !

So out came the pink feather boa

and then Mabel really kicked up her (invisible)feet.

Anyone would think that she was hitting the town she was sooo excited !

                 A pair of dainty pink gloves completed her look

                   As pretty as a picture is my sweet girl Mabel

So that is my story about Mabel and her new dress and three hats.
I hope that you liked it.
Maybe you even giggled.
Maybe you might think I am a little crazy
But I definitely keep myself entertained in my little make believe world.  

I was going to introduce you to Mabel's new friend Ettie tonight but I am honestly tired and ready for bed so she will have to wait until another day.  I can assure you that she will be just as out there and zany as Mabel though..........but one little secret about Ettie.
SHE LOOOOOVES the colour blue.
and you can imagine that I am going to make her as pretty as a picture too !

             HAVE A GLORIOUS FUN FILLED WEEKEND !

Yes It's Me and I Have Something To Share With You All !

Hello Peachy Pink friends :-)

I have something very special to share with you all.

It was my birthday last week 

and I was spoiled rotten by my friends and family.

There was love, cake, laughter, a yummy lunch and beautiful heartfelt gifts.

THIS, is one of the very special gifts that I received from an old friend of mine Miss M.

You see, I had found this beautiful Victorian collar box on line and I fell in love with it.  It was completely ancient, age to perfection and served a purpose. I just wish that it was still full of the beautiful lace collars that once upon a time would have graced it.

 Oh can you imagine how much I would be squealing if they were still there......sigh

Well.....

A friend of mine took it upon herself to surprise me with it and managed to keep it a big secret !

and when the secret was revealed there was no wiping the smile from my face.

ISN'T IT GORGEOUS !

It has 2 compartments to keep lace collars.

One at the top and the other at the bottom.

Below, Top

Below, Bottom

and I plan to store my beautiful lace cuffs and bows in there.

Aren't these girls pretty ?

I LOVE their pretty posies of flowers.

The box is in great condition for it's age (Approx 1880) 

The velvet fabric on the middle section has worn over the years but the celluloid on the base and lid is absolutely perfect.

My French lace cuffs pictured below will now live in the bottom section of my box.

I am thinking that the little brass plate on the inside lid of the box may be for some type of bow tie .

Any thoughts ?

 Thankyou so much Miss M for such a beautiful thoughtful gift.
                                         I ADORE IT !

            I had a very happy birthday and I felt very loved.