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 !

Washing Day Peachy Pink Style !

As one side of the world prepares for glorious Spring, here in Australia we are in to Autumn.When the seasons begin to change and rain arrives I always pack up my precious lace and textile collection and pack it away to protect it from the elements.  

It's not that I have my beautiful things outside or anything, it's from things like dust from the wind and sunshine streaming in but mostly from  the damp. There is nothing more damaging to fine cottons and lace then mould.  

Protecting it is a must.

So today as the sun is happily shining I decided to take my treasures out into the garden and hand wash them, dry them in the shade.

Once they are dry I will press them with a very cool iron and pack them all away until Springtime.

It makes me love them all the more when I unpack them all when warmer weather approaches.

I do keep a small selection of lace out to enjoy over the colder months but the most valuable and precious pieces are packed safely away in boxes lined with tissue paper.

Today I thought that I would share my little ritual with you all.

This washing day is my most favourite of the year ! (yes perhaps I am a little crazy but I love to wash !)

I always use the mildest, most gentle soap possibly to wash these delicates with.  ALWAYS make sure you rinse all of the soap out after you have washed. Remnants of any soaps or powders can damage your fabrics and laces.s

I unpacked my gloves and they seem to have grown a little in numbers since last I remembered.......

My Grandmothers wooden ironing board and a vintage washing trolley made my wash day all the more sweeter.

I really am an old fashioned girl at heart.

and of course my wooden dolly pegs had to come out to play !

BLUE !

PINK

WHITE

AND INTO THE BATH THEY GO !

An old basin I have is the perfect vessel to wash in.

Today I washed with soap and warm water.

and my 'Peachy Pink' bed cap even had a quick dip !

I have had this bed cap for many years and I love it. It is the the perfect shade of pink that I like.

 A big puddle of French Blue and Peachy Pink gorgeousness !

and then I wheeled my trolley out to the clothesline and dried them all in the shade.

                                  Isn't my vintage laundry trolley so sweet !  
                              It makes washing all the more fun.