Vintage Jumble

I remember growing up in the 1970's (yes, when dresses really were that short! ;-)) ...

Money was tight in our family, which meant play times were very creative. I always remember the excitement I felt when a local organisation held a jumble sale. My friend and I would always be one of the first in the queue, with a few pocket money pennies grasped tightly inside our colourful beaded purses. Those few coins would be all that were needed to buy lovely things to fill a carrier bag to overflowing. Favourite buys were fun clothes for dressing up in...these would include floaty and frilly nylon and satin bed jackets and lace trimmed nightdresses, slips and petticoats - The kind that I used for my re-vamp it challenge in 2009.

We'd also wait until the end of the sale when the organisers often let what was left, be taken away for nothing...this was the time to select some clothes in pretty fabrics that I could cut up and sew with. One of my makes years ago was a toy clown whose body was made from lots and lots of Suffolk Puffs (Yo-yo's - I think the US girls call them) - Just like this chap, who is probably from the same era, which I happened to find at the weekend! (He will be heading to my shop tomorrow...If I can bare to part with him :)

Those simple childhood pleasures have certainly had a bearing on the lifestyle I have led throughout my adulthood.

Anyway...It seems that Jumble Sales have become few and far between these days...Maybe its because we recycle so much more?...It seems easier just to throw items into recycling bins, than to organise a fun event :( Our village primary school even has a grand collection day once a year, where textile items can be taken to the school to be recycled, and the school gets paid for the tonnage...nothing is available to buy, which is really sad...

We also send a lot to Charity shops these days too...or we try to make some money for ourselves by taking our unwanted goods to sell at a car boot sale.

When there has been an occasional Jumble Sale (usually on a Saturday morning), I've always been working, or had family commitments...I can't remember the last one I attended...It must have been when my own children were small...I would buy flowery pillowcases to make into baby dresses when they were tiny!

Well, as I say, I can't remember the last time I had the fun of a good old rummage through piles of clothes and bric-a-brac...Until now, when two opportunities have come along at once! Sadly I can only attend one of these, but (depending where you live) you may be able to attend two on the same day! I promised my friend Jill that I would mention the Jumble that she is organising, to be held at Saltford, to raise funds for the huge Saltford Festival and Country Market Day that she is also organising for this summer. It will be on Saturday 5th March in the Saltford Hall.

I'm sure it will be a great event, with lots of bargains to be had...And you'll be supporting a worthwhile cause too.

I won't be able to go as I will be having a stall at the Vintage Jumble Sale organised by Michele and Jayne. The exciting thing about this sale, is that all the goods available should be vintage, so it may be like stepping back in time and be reminiscent of those sales from our childhoods.

I've started sorting through some of my stuff at home...I have lots of books from the 1930's, including wonderful children's story books with colour plates. I also came across my vast stash of fabrics from the 80's and 90's (hope they're not too modern?) - these were from when I made rag dolls with an American/folk art style and include homespuns and cottons printed by Rose & Hubble and Debbie Mumm - these were expensive at the time, so I hope they will be of use to someone...I know I can't keep everything, so it would be nice to think that they could be made use of. I have generously filled around 8 carrier bags so far, full of fat quarters and useful scraps.

I still have lots more cupboards to sort through, if I can find the time before the sale. If you can make it there on March 5th, I'm sure it will be a fun event and offer a chance to take home a few treasures at reasonable prices. Just to say that my Hubby (bless him!) has offered to man my shop for me on that day, so Nostalgia at No.1 will be open as usual.

This week is a busy one for me...If I can check into my blog again, I will, but Wednesday is expected to be an emotional day. It's been a long wait for my lovely Nan's funeral, which has made it difficult to move on when goodbyes need to be said. My Nan, was a fantastic role model and she instilled in me a gratitude for the little things. I feel lucky to have a part of her, as a part of me. She was a truly lovely and faultless person and we will all miss her greatly, but we remain grateful in the knowledge that her life was long and happy, and that we each have a lifetime of happy memories of her.

Niki x