Sunday 29 July 2012

A Handbag!!!

I have been neglecting you dear RRs and OVs.  The last few weeks of term were hectic and stressful and, when it was over, it took me a week to unwind. But now I'm back to show you my finds from the last week or so.

Last weekend I bought this splendid thing ....





Now, I thought it was a Gladstone bag but I was mistaken - it is a conversation piece!  Normally, my peregrinations around the car boot a fairly solitary affairs:  I have short conversations with sellers generally consisting of a comment on the weather, a quick haggle over price (always my favourite bit), good wishes for the day/their health/continued good weather and a good bye.  I might stop for the occasional encouraging word to a small child or to pat a passing dog on the head but I am rarely accosted by strangers wanting to discuss my purchases.  Not on this day though - suddenly I was public property and was stopped by all sorts of  people congratulating me on the splendour of my bag, asking where I bought it, what I intended to do with it and, several times, a rather blunt enquiry as to how much I paid for it.

I've also bought some lovely vintage embroidered table cloths ....




and this wonderful vintage knitted doll's dress...

So far, so good on the taste front.  Then I had one of those moments .....
and bought these totally OTT examples of the art of cartonnage.  They are about 12" square and are covered inside as well as outside.  Someone is going to love them ....




Unfortunately, the aged parent does not want to do the next Shepton Mallet Flea Market on 26th August, so my next fair will be The Vintage Bazaar at The Victoria and Appleton Centre in Hartley Witney on Saturday 22nd September.  Put the date in your diaries!