Bye For Now - Be Back Soon!

My youngest daughter finally breaks up from school tomorrow. We all need this much anticipated rest, as we haven't stopped since the few days off at Christmas. I intend to close my website today, until August 5th. (Orders can still be placed, but I will not be able to process them until the August date. I will not be responding to emails during this time either) I hope to have a summer sale later to clear some of the vintage treasures.

I'm looking forward to spending some time with my family and to making decisions as to how best to take my business forward in the light of certain events that have occurred this year.
I shall leave you with some photos of my favourite flowers at the moment, taken in this morning's sunshine.

A second flush of Wisteria blooms and my passion flower which normally flowers right up until Christmas!

The Hollyhocks have seeded themselves everywhere!

Bye for now - be back soon!

Niki x

My Perfect Sunday....

Hubby and I set off early on Sunday morning to a sale in Frome, where I bought a tin filled with old buttons and two beautifully hand embroidered tablecloths. One has four attractive appliqued crinoline lady panels, which I shall recycle into bags and cushions.

After leaving the sale we headed off into the Dorset countryside to Dairy House Antiques. Many of you will know that Sue recently took over the running of this fascinating emporium, where she has created a very welcoming establishment! Sue and hubby Paul greeted us at the car park and very quickly had the kettle on making tea for us!

Sue's stock is on display as you walk into the newly created entrance and offers a visual feast for us vintage fabric loving girls!

There is a tasty mix of stock throughout the two main floors, with rooms set out in different styles, with pieces to suit all budgets.

We really enjoyed our visit and Sue deserves to do well, having already made some beneficial changes to the running, with lots more improvements to come to delight its visitors.

I bought a beautiful French textile from Sue and couldn't resist this cute couple from one of the other dealers! (When I got them home my daughters thought they were hysterical and so typical of my taste!

Can't think what they mean.... ;-))

We left Sue and Paul as another customer was just arriving and drove the short distance into Shaftesbury. I'm sure some of you will know of the wonderful view obscured by the church in the centre of the town. (There is a big clue at the bottom of the photo below!)

'Gold Hill', where the 'Hovis' advertisement was filmed many years ago, takes your breath away as you round the corner.

To enjoy the view for as long as possible, we decided to lunch in the cafe at the top.....

Where wholesome salads and homemade pies are served.

Well refreshed, we decided to walk-off the lunch and head to the bottom of the hill....

...That was the easy bit.....

....walking back up was much harder work!

We continued along to the Abbey and soaked up the stunning views over the plateau and the pretty herbaceous gardens.

After our walk we had to get back to our car to drive a little further through this laid-back county. My friend who is the antique textile dealer (see post below), had made a final sort through of her lifetime's collection of fabrics and had invited me back for one last look through her treasures.

We drove past an old cottage being re-thatched......

along the perimeters of blue flowering fields to reach her home.

I was thrilled to find so many more beautiful antique textiles to add to my collection and am very grateful to have been invited to have a final rummage before she enjoys her well earned retirement.

Here are a few of my favourite fabric panels. I really don't need to buy any more vintage fabrics ever again....but don't hold me to that!....I may not be able to help myself!.....

Hope you all had a perfect Sunday too and have a great week.

Niki x

All Grown Up.....

One of my babies is 19 years old today!!

You're never too old for a fluorescing iced sponge Birthday cake....

...covered in Jelly Tots and Fruit Pastels.....

....made for you by your younger sister, are you?!

Happy Birthday! xxx

Just wanted to add this photo of tonight's sunset, taken over the field to the front of our house - the colour of Birthday cake topping!

Looks like we may be in for a fine day tomorrow......wonderful!

Back to Black

I decided to go for a sense of drama with the little cupboard make-over. A 1920's cotton with a jet black background and rosy pink roses trailing across, now lines the door panel.

I used PVA glue to hold it in place (at about 11pm last night!)

I thought I would also include a photo of my velvet flower framed mirror, which is in the same room, as I haven't shown it in place before.

A favourite postcard of mine nestles amongst the pansies and violets.

Hope you're having a great day,

Niki x

Moody Mauves.

As some of you may have noticed, I often try to take five minutes out of my day to do something for 'me' or my surroundings. Working on my own from home has the effect of making me feel slightly loopy sometimes! - so a quick breather to think about something else other than sewing or answering emails, seems to restore the sanity levels!

Today I thought I would walk to the end of our garden where a huge buddleia bush grows in one corner. I cut a few of the sweeping branches to bring indoors.

I am quite a fan of purple - I seem to remember a debate occurred on Lucy Bloom's blog recently, as to whether it was a popular colour or not. Its certainly a nostalgic one and for me holds memories of growing up in the 70's. Fashions seemed to be either the zany orange, yellow and browns, or potty purples! I was always a lover of mad mauves and still have a soft spot for them.

And if its good enough for the butterflies....then its good enough for me!

Niki x (signed in purple of course!)

What's in my 'Flea-Bag' This Month?!

A sunny Sunday (hooray!) was spent by me at the Shepton Mallet flea market. This is going to have to be a quick post as I have so much to do this week....
My purchases included some fabulous old ephemera....
Victorian scraps, French confirmation photographs, mini gardening books from the 1950's, a framed cottage print and a French advertising board.

A sweet Victorian print of a chubby baby.
I think it may be part of a Pears' soap advertising poster - sure I've seen it somewhere before.....

These wonderful old handmade ribbon violets from Sue.
I may have a go at creating some flowers myself from old ribbons - should be fun.

Silk velvet ribbons in old fashioned shades, C1930's fabric and a teeny floral corsage, all fresh from France.
Perfect for making some ribbon flowers.....

And this lovely lady from the 30's - she's a plaster wall mask and should display well amongst my hat collection.

It seems to be getting a lot harder to source pretty vintage stock. I know the popularity of the flea market has increased dramatically since I first started to visit quite a few years ago.

On my way home I stopped off at my friend's junk shop and came away with this little painted cupboard. I love the colour, but not sure about the little hand painted doodles(!), so may line the door panel with vintage fabric or wallpaper.

Have a great week,
Niki x