Sorry for my absence and vintage delights

Hi Everyone,

i am so sorry for my absence the past week in blogland time just seems to be running away. I have been struggling with a bad chest and head cold and its made me feel pretty yuk, i can't believe how one small nose can hold so much snot its horrible. I have also been trying to sort out everything for my stall next month and the Fair i am organising in July and they are both coming together nicely. I have also been ringing and searching things etc for the wedding and i have to say that i have found my dress and it arrived on friday afternoon, Its an orignal vintage dress from the 1950's and it fits like a dream its in amazing condition and still in its orginal box and i did cry even though i have been married before i never had a proper wedding dress or an evening reception or a proper main reception so im very excited being able to organise it. We have booked a 100 year old brick barn for the reception and we are going to view a 1948 bus today but i will tell you more and show you a few photo's of the wedding plans next time. But not of my dress im afraid i have to keep that secret until December ;-)

I have been vintage shopping again well chairty shopping and car booting here is what i have found..

Another gorgeous vintage coat in brown its pure wool with fake fur collar its a little large so im going to get it adjusted to fit. Even though i don't need another coat at £5.00 i just couldn't leave it there. Its a little bit of glamour i feel.

My 3 gorgeous early 60's hangers were given to me by a lovely friend they used to belong to her dad. I love them ;-)

I have wanted a black Kelly bag for ages but i refuse to pay lots for them which many chairty shops seem to be doing. This is in gorgeous condition with such a lovely gold clasp on and at £2.50 i was dancing as i left you think im joking but yes i really was skipping down the road much to Mr J's amusement ;-))

This little 50's gem is the 3rd one i now own and they are all different. I payed £1.00 for it yesterday at the carboot sale but i put my own 50's frosted glasses in it. 

This little 50's beauty by Crown Devon England is now living on top of my vintage breadbin again £1.00 ;-)

As you know i collect 1950's frosted glassware my lovely mum found these for me ;-)

A lovely blue and white vintage serving plate by Royal Winton Grimwades

A lovely 60's tray which i will put onto the wall as its to nice to use

And another lovely 60's tray again i will put it onto the wall somewhere.

2 gorgeous 50's glasses and at 20p each they just had to come home

I am now aware of how many photo's are on here so i will show you my favorite item that was bought and leave the others until next time...

Isn't it just gorgeous a 50's compact for your handbag and its gone staright into mine.

Inside is a mirror, brush and comb and a complete manicure nail set its in brand new condition £2.50 it was my weekend gift from Mr J ;-) I adore it.

So what did i wear on our weekend Saturday vintage shopping trip..

One of my new 60's dresses the green and white one, with my white brouges and white vintage kelly bag.

We are off to Bristol childrens hospital this wednesday with Jake as he is finely having his endoscopy and no matter how safe being put to sleep is i hate seeing it happen to him he isn't good when he comes round bless him. But hopefully they will be able to tell us what is happening and we can then sort his medication out and also be able to get started more with his medical home tution.

I promise to pop over and visit you all and try and catch up with all your lovely blogs and posts this week.

Thank you so much for all your beautiful comments and warm wishes on my last post even though i have never met you all, you are such a lovely part of my life and i feel so very blessed that you pop over and share in it. I am excited to finely meet the lovely Emma at the end of the month from ivyandruby.blogspot.co.uk we have been following each for a couple of years now and she is such a gorgeous lady i can't wait.

Right i better go have a great week everyone,

Big hugs dee xx

My life is all engaged ;-)

Hi Everyone,

from a very wet Somerset my goodness is it ever going to stop i know they say April showers and all that but come on now its May ;-) At least it makes you want to craft its a good excuse for staying in doors. Do you remember me telling you about my summer house? well we had to stop building it as one of my stupid neighbours who i have to say complains about everyone and everything, and that i seem to do and what my fellow neighbours do complained to the council but today i have recieved the go ahead so its happy days ;-) So once this silly rain clears it will be full steam ahead. So today i thought i would show you the summer house so far and a few more of my buys. And just a little bit more exciting news.

The frame going up all recycled timber

Mr J is building me 2 raised beds to help with my joints and back i will fill them with cottage garden plants, herbs and vegetables ;-)

And this was it this morning as you can see the frame is up and  so is the roof frame he is also building a patio so when you open the doors you step out onto it.  Sorry for the washing line its been so horrible i didn't want to venture out there. I can't wait its going to be such a lovely area to use. It will be all decked out with vintage retro and i have the furniture and textiles all ready to go ;-) I just need to make cushions, curtains and a patchwork cover for the chairs.

So at the weekend Mr J and myself went off to Bristol for a moouch around the chairty shops there were slim pickings there this time so we decided to stop off at Weston Super mare on the way back. Were i found a few lovely things but the most magical one of them being Mr J got down on one knee on Weston pier and asked me to be his wife ( well actually he asked me to be his husband ha ha ha ) And i said yes ;-) An hour before we had been walking down a back street and came across a secondhand jewellery shop and he said do you want to have a look so we go inside and i see a lovely little ring and the man behind the desk said he could size it for me within the hour so Mr J says yes please and the man says do you have something to celebrate and we look at each other and Mr J says yes i believe we do ;-) So we go off and Mr J rings my dad and asks for my hand in marriage we head back and pick up the ring and head off to the Pier where mr J then gets down on one knee ;-) So im so excited we were going to set the date for next year in June. But my bestfriend who lives in Tasmania is coming home in November this year and going back at the end of December and as i want her to be my bridesmaid and for her little girl Maggie to be my flowergirl we are now planning to get married a week before xmas ;-)) I have so much to do the location is booked and we are off to look at a 100year old brick barn tonight where my friend had her reception and its a gorgeous place. We are able to light the log fire and i will be having a christmas tree i have so many ideas im afraid my head will explode ;-)) So now its full steam ahead and i am now hunting for a vintage 50's wedding dress. What with this and  organising the fair in July and my stall and stock for June i feel like im full time worker.

So what did i buy just a couple of things..

A gorgeous 1950's frosted glass vase which is huge as you know i collect 50's frosted ware and at £2.00 i left with a huge smile on my face.

A very lovely 60's blue snowflake design pyrex serving dish

And a cute vintage duck pie flute ;-)

Right i better be off thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my last post. Have a lovely week and if your in England hopefully you wont get to wet. O yes one more thing...

Its a very pretty two banded ring with 30 tiny diamonds in that sparkle like a disco globe ball. And i love it the photo doesn't do it justice. Im not a huge jewellery lady i like delicate things and this is just perfect for me ;-)

Have a great week and take lots of care

hugs dee xx

100th Post and a Tretchikoff

Hi Everyone,

Well this is my 100th post and i can't believe that on the 31st August i will have been writing my blog for 2 years. I can't begin to explain to you how great the journey on here has been so far and also how far my own personnal growth has developed and a lot of it is down to you guys. You that have always supported me and commented and helped my confidence to grow and the most thing of all inspired me and taught me to believe in myself and that anything is possible. So from the bottom of my heart thank you so much. I will arrange a give away for later in the year at my 2 year anniversary.

So life is hetic there is no doubt about it what with getting my stock ready for my first stall in June and now organising the handmade and vintage inspired craft fair it has given me no time this week for anything else. But i wanted to share with you my finds over the past few weeks that i haven't had a chance to show you so get ready for a photo heavy post and im saving the best until last ;-))

First is my little 1950's bambi well he is actually not little he is quite big really but i love him ;-)

Don't you just love this even without the lid i had to bring it home. A 1950's Egersund Norway casserole dish and at £2.00 what a bargain ;-)

3 little 1950's egg cups

 

Another Taunton Vale tray to add to my collection 50p ;-)

Opps yet another casserole dish by Johnson Bros

And the matching plates and bowls in a set of 4 but i didn't get them all out the cupboard to photograph so another set of 60's dinnerware i have ;-)

A gorgeous set of 50's tall glasses which i adore and just right for pimms ;-)

5 vintage dresses and a gorgeous 50's skirt and blouse i will show them over the coming weeks

The most gorgeous 1950's hat made by Mitzi Lorrenzo of London i am sure i will find an occasion to wear it ;-)

And another lovely vintage hat with white flowers all the way around it and brown bows

Have you see enough yet? ;-) I am sorry just a little more to go....

And i told you i was saving the best until last my Tretikoff print Pink Magnolias found at the carboot sale for £2.00 yes that is what i said 2 whole pounds can you believe it i couldn't ;-)) I snapped it right up. This is a print i have wanted for such a long time but as you all know Vintage in the past year has gone into stupid figures but it just proves to me that a real bargain can still be had ;-))

What do you think? doesn't it look gorgeous ;-)) im so pleased.

So after being a collector for myself for the past few years changing my house into a lovely vintage home i finely have one of the prints i have always wanted. So all good things do come to those that wait ;-)

And i will leave you there thank you again for all your lovely comments on my last post i will be catching up with you all over the weekend. Oh yes i nearly forgot just one my photo....

Another gorgeous nightdress this is so floaty and soft and edged in blue ribbon all across and around the shoulders i love it ;-)

If you have got to the end of the post and your not worn out then thank you ;-)

Have a great weekend everyone

Big hugs dee xx

Summer days handmade and vintage fair

Hi everyone,

this is just going to be a quick post even though i have so much to show you i will have to leave it for another day. My Friend Lynne James and i are organising our very first Handmade and vintage themed fair. It will be held in Trull village hall just outside Taunton Somerset, On July 14th 10.00-4pm. So all you lovely crafters out there if you would like to be a part of something new please come and join us at the first Summer days handmade and vintage themed fair. Trull wants to bring back handmade items to Taunton so the emphasis will be on handmade textile items with a touch of vintage to. We want to encourage local craft people to share their work on a new and exciting platform. If you are interested please email me direct. The cost of the table will be £15.00. More details to be arranged and to follow. I am so excited to be involved with this and really want it to work for everyone as there are so many talented ladies out there.

So what do you think ladies would any of you like to join us? Be great if you can. I would love it and appreicate it if you could advertise this on your blogs to, to help me get the word out. Posters are to follow.

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my last post i appreciate everyone of them and it keeps inspiring me to do more and more with my life.

I will just share with you my new little line....

My little vintage inspired draught excluders made using 1970's vintage curtain fabric they will be coming with me in June and looking for a new home ;-)

And that its i can't wait to hear what you think and hopefully many of you can join Lynne and myself in July for the very first Summer days handmade and vintage themed fair ;-))

Take lots of care everyone,

hugs dee xx

I have taken the plunge

Hi everyone,

i know 2 posts in one week whats going on ;-) But i wanted to share some more news with you. Work have accepted my notice to quit and as from Sunday i am no longer employed for the first time in my life. Am i mad? I don't think so after all children and one's health comes first. Am i excited or scared a little bit of both if im honest but everything in life is about timing and right now i feel its my time to try something that i love doing. So today i created a facebook page to advertise my stock for the fairs and to let people now where they can find me and when. So if  you are on facebook please pop over and say hello i would love to see you there you can find me under the name Dee dee's vintage retro delights i tried to add the link to my post but i couldn't seem to.

As well as my aprons i have designed and made my own pegbags also and i thought i would share them with you so here goes...

Made using vintage fabric and lace this is a one off unique colour design due to having no more fabric.

Made using 70's fabric brown and yellow flowers with white lace

Vintage fabric orange and yellow flower and cream cotten lace

Pretty pink and brown leaf vintage fabric again this is another unique one off colour design.

Pretty purple and white vintage flower another one off unique colour design.

I have made ten in total all different vintage fabrics and colours but i thought i would just share a couple here with you. They will all be sold with lovely little wooden hangers. I will be selling on the 2nd June at the Thistle hotel in Exeter at the Crikey Queenie its vintage fair have a look here if you haven't done so already www.crikeyitsvintage.co.uk

I will leave you all there but before i go thank you to everyone that left me so such lovely postive comments on my last post. My mum and dad read them and my dad asked me again how the computer and blogland works bless his heart i tried to explain but i still don't think he understands how google works. He said what a lovely bunch of people you were and i so agree. You have all helped me to get where i need to be. So thank you for always being there and inspiring me and giving me the confidence.

Have a great weekend

Take lots of care dee xx

Decision's

Hi Everyone,

i hope you had a lovely weekend. I thought it was time i write again and share what is happening in my little world.  I have made some serious decisions over the past couple of days and its going to change my life and hopefully make it a lot easier. My health is suffering again and i have been in a huge amount of pain  with my joints and muscles i went back to the docter yesterday and had more blood takens i have now been referred to the Rheumatology department at hospital as they are not sure it is Osteoarthritis anymore. I have been signed off work for a another week which means i can rest at home. Jake is also still poorly with his Crohn's his MRI scan showed the small bowel to be ok so he is going up to Bristol childrens hospital next month to be put to sleep and have an endoscopy that way we can see if and where the uclers are. They are wondering if he is suffering with Chronic fatigue syndrome as well as his crohn's but at the moment with out further investigation we are still not sure what is happening. We are nearer to setting up medical home tution for him now which is great. So you could say were a right healthy bunch ;-) So with all this going on i have come to the decision to give up work i am finding it increasingly hard and people have been giving me advice for years about the fact i have to slow down and think about myself. Having been a single mum for years and having always done everything myself i am finely listening to my body. So i have given my notice in today. Mr J has given me his full support i am so lucky to have him in my life. It means now that i can be home to support Jake and it also allows me to work at home and sew and im really excited about that i will throw myself into the vintage fairs and then in time sell on line also and im not going to worry about the money im just going to believe its all going to work and what will be will be ;-) 

I thought i would just show you a couple of my little buys and makes not many as its hard at the moment for me to sit at the computer.

This is my latest apron and i love the colours. Its made using a modern blue and pink spot and  then a vintage pink and blue sheet. Vintage blue lace edged with ribbon and a pink lace also

Its one of my favorites

My large granny square crochet blanket is starting to take shape ;-)

I thought i would show you the size against a normal small granny square.

I have had a few vintage buys i will share a couple of them...

6 lovely 60's egg cups i love their colours

A cadburys chocolate tin for the Queens Cornation in 1953

A very pretty 50's plate from my lovely friend Lynne made by Royal Winton Grimwade.

And a gorgeous vintage Welsh tapestry bag pure wool from a chairty shop

I have also bought 4 new vintage dresses i will show one of them as i wore it when i went out at the weekend with my friend. The others i will show you next time. I also have to tell you that my summer house is being built and its huge i will show you next time to i am so excited about this because its going to be my work room and a space for Mr J's twin boys to stay over in ;-)

Its a lovely 60's navy blue and white stripe dress with gorgeous blue bobble buttons on.

And im going to leave you all there. Sorry its a bit of a bits and bobs post. Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post i am trying to pop over to all your lovely blogs when i can but at the moment its hard on this computer when i have my laptop back from the repair man it will be easier for me and more comfortable so please bare with me.

Take lots of care

hugs, dee xx

Crikey its dee dee

Hi Everyone,

well what a hetic week i haven't known if i have been coming or going my brain is full of things i have to do over the next 2 months. I have had no time for blogging sadly and im so sorry i have missed lots of your posts but sometimes real life has to come first and i have felt guilty enough this week with not cooking fresh meals etc for my family. I have been sewing away madly and at meetings with the tea shop which to be honest im thinking twice about, i wont go to much into it but i have had to stand up for myself and what i believe in and what feels comfortable for me and i think they are going to take over to much with my own designs. My real love and heart is set on the vintage fair and i have some fantastic news i have been asked by the Crikey its vintage team if i will do a stand at their Jubilee event on the 2nd June  ( crikey queenie its vintage )and not in November like i asked i am so excited and have paid my fee and i am now getting my stock ready. I have been sewing from 7am in the morning and cutting out fabrics until 11pm at night some days. I am going to not only make my aprons and own design pegbags but some lavender patchwork pillows using vintage fabrics. I have also been collecting some beautiful art deco 1930's and 50's china a few different pieces to sell and some linens also. They asked also if they could feature me on their webpage its only a little mention but i was really chuffed you can find it here www.crikeyitsvintage.co.uk

So you could say its all go ;-))

Last Saturday it was Mr J birthday so i packed up the picnic basket full of goodies and homemade scones and jam and we went to Totnes to the vintage fair. I have never been to Totnes but its a beautiful town and with the fair and markets on it reminded me of Nottinghill in London. I bought a couple of things i will show you in a mo but i didn't take any photo of the town.

I wore my one and only 50's dress which i love it nips in so tight to the waist and cream cardigan and brooch.

While in Totnes we found a lovely vintage clothes shop i tried a few dresses on but sadly didn't buy as they didn't fit or look right. But i did try on 2 stunning 1950's wedding dresses i have never tried on proper wedding dresses even though i have been married before.

This was beautiful and i had a few tears when i saw it and touched it the lace detail is stunning. It was Mr J's idea to try them on it fit lovely around the waist but i couldn't do the back all the way up they had such tiny frames in the 50's. And i felt suffocated by its lengh. It was only a £100 .

But this gorgrous 50's dress was perfect in lengh it was stunning but again it fit everywhere except cross my back. And this was only £60.

Just look at the back on it ;-)

So during my travels last weekend carboots included i managed to find these delights...

A 60's wide eyed girl print for 50p ;-)

I adore this little boy by Constanza bedtime children

Another 2 vintage suitcases to add to my collection.

A gorgeous pink dressing table powder compact.

I haven't bought any clothes for ages but i did manage to find these..

A lovely 70's dress in brown, cream and red for £6

I love the pattern and the triangle zip

But my favourite has to be this... ;-)

My little green vintage coat 100 percent wool bought for only £3.50 it has to be the best bagain ever it has a lovely bit of detail on the back with a tie and buttons.

So that its, sorry for the large amount of photo's i didn't have time to put them into a mosaic. Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post and for all your continued support. I may be a bit quiet in blogland over the next couple of weeks i am finely returning back to work after the half term i will have had 5 weeks off in total and i can be honest and say i am not looking forward to returning i have really enjoyed being at home and being able to support Jake and being able to sew every day but the time was a gift and i have used it well.  I will try and pop over to all of your lovely blogs when i can.

So i will say goodbye for now and leave you with a wish for a happy holiday and easter break from Mr J and myself...

Take lots of care everyone

Hugs dee xx