Thursday, May 31, 2012

A Diamond Jubilee

I love this photo! It was taken when the families who lived in my Mum's road all got together to celebrate the Queen's Coronation. The Grand Union Canal flowed along the bottom of the gardens, which made it the perfect place for a picnic. My lovely Nan is the first lady on the left of the row of Mums standing at the back. Thankfully her back is slightly turned, as that is my Uncle (her son) just in front of her, making the rude hand gesture!! There's one in every family you know! ;-)) My Mum knew how to behave herself however - She's on the left table, second row, second one in, looking straight at the camera. It was my Mum who sent me this photo for my blog... Thanks Mum! x

And here's me and my family celebrating the Queen's Silver Jubilee. 
(1977) 
We went camping for the weekend with our cousins and that's my 
Uncle again, in the cowboy hat! (- with his hands nicely folded out 
of harms way!)

This weekend will be the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. 
I shall be at my shop on Saturday, when there will be a celebration 
on Shepton Mallet's Market Place, including a fancy dress parade 
for the children. 
We've been asked to decorate our shops to enhance the atmosphere...
...So today I've been making a few decorations. 
I stuck some old paper scraps of the royal family onto ribbon...
I've put these along the edge of one of the shelves.


I've also been making short lengths of bunting, using vintage fabrics and salvaged pieces of hand crochet lace.
These I've strung up in each of my shop's windows. I've gone to town with the red, white and blue theme, and displayed lots of vintage and handmade treasures in them too. 









I hope you enjoy the extra long weekend.
Have fun!

Niki x

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

A bit of the old Red, White & Blue


I've just been adding some of my special one-of-a-kind rag dolls to my on-line catalogue this evening  - I hope you will enjoy taking a look if you have a moment.


Niki x

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Nostalgic Plot

Yesterday I was out with my good friend Debbie - For those who visit the Vintage Bazaar, you cannot failed to have noticed her beautiful gardenalia stall. After getting back from our day out, I asked Deb if I could take some photographs in her gorgeous cottage garden. So here we go...
You may remember back in February, I bought a lovely hand painted sign for Debbie's Birthday. This is the spot she has found for it...I think it looks perfect here in her little seating area. 
Most of her plot is, typically for an old cottage, to the front of the property. It always makes me smile as you walk down her lane past similar cottages in the row. Several have tarmac or concrete slabs to the front, with not a single green specimen to brighten the space...But not Debbie...You know instantly when you've arrived at her home!











































Isn't it wonderful?!
Debbie will be selling her wares at the Cotswold Vintage Fair in August...
She's already started to collect some lovely treasures. 
Hope you enjoyed your visit,
UPDATE: Thank you to Sharon for including photos of my little garden hideaway and some of my china tea cups on her blog today. 
Niki x