1940's Weekend

As promised here is a glimpse of the lovely 1940's weekend in my home town last weekend. There were lots of people dressed as WW2 soldiers and nurses and a living camp with lots of people staying on site in authentic tents. There were others who looked very glamorous in their 1940's outfits.

There was a vintage fair and memorabilia of all kinds. 

There were even people demonstrating household tasks from the 40's.

There were also lots of vintage vehicles on display......

and even a Spitfire....

Unfortunately it was very cold and wet so I spent quite some time in the tea shop! I also had a look around the town and a few of the shops had made an effort to join in. The local hospice shop made a great job of it.

They were also offering a free sherry to their customers so that helped to keep me warm :))

All in all it was a good day. The only thing I was disappointed about was the tent where the dancing and the 40s fashion show was held was way too small and lots of us couldn't get in. I love the 40's music and was sad I couldn't watch the dancing. Never mind.... there's always next year.

Duck Race

Out and About

I love Hebden Bridge. The place has such a lovely arty feel to it. So many gorgeous shops and crafty treasures. The town itself is so pretty with a lovely canal, park and a river running through the middle of it winding underneath a sweet little bridge. We've been a few times but this time we were there with a purpose. It was the annual Duck Race! We purchased our tickets early and so had plenty of time to look round the town and browse the many shops.This is a little glimpse at one of my favourites. It is situated in the Hebden Bridge Mill.

It is jam packed with clothes, furniture, vintage linens and household items.

I especially like this kitchenette and if I weren't counting my pennies, I would have been seriously tempted to buy it!

We found an amazing tea shop but I'm going to save that for another time as it's worthy of it's own little post. Also in town were street artists and a jazz band which all added to the wonderful atmosphere.

After lunch, we headed over to get a spot ready for the main event. The suspense was nearly too much to bear. The Town Crier commentated whilst 7,000 plastic ducks were launched into the river. (There doesn't look to be so many on the photos but the stream of ducks went on and on.)

Sadly we didn't win this time but there's always another year. Have a wonderful weekend whatever your weather and I'll see you on Monday x

Let's Celebrate

Homely Matters

Easter preparations are officially under way in this household.

Every year it brings out the same old friends. Can I introduce you to Heidi and Olga. My beloved Easter bunnies found at a market and loved to bits. They are so very vintage looking and I love everything about them. They are two of my favourite finds.

This is my hen. She doesn't have a name but is also very loved as she was my very first project on a sewing machine, thanks to my lovely friend Lisa who showed me how to make him.

And no Easter celebrations would be complete without a host of chickens!

How are your Easter Preparations going? Why not boil up some eggs and get a few friends to help you decorate?

Have yourself a wonderful jolly Easter with all the trimmings xx

Heskin Hall

Our latest trip out and about was to Heskin Hall near Chorley in Lancashire. It is a place full of contradictions. A beautiful old hall alongside a modern build- a contemporary art gallery and a plethora of antiques – period meets present-day.

         Initially, I was disappointed as we entered the modern building first. There were about twenty different retail units but there were less makers/crafters and more repro gifts than I imagined there would be and I was hoping it would have more character. There is a little permanent farmers market and a tea room with a wood burning stove, but for me, it just lacks something. We had a little browse round and then decided to check out the Hall itself. We walked a few yards down a path and were met by the stunning, grade 1 listed manor house. It was well worth a visit after all. Inside it is in need of a little TLC but if restored to its former glory it would be wonderful.

Each of its rooms are crammed with antiques and vintage ephemera for sale. So much so that it sadly takes away a little from the beauty of the hall. Still, there were some good finds to be had if you looked carefully enough. I fell in love with this little chap. He looked like he needed to be hugged and given a good home but his £110 price tag meant he was out of my league! Doesn’t he look forlorn? Oh well, I guess he’ll have to wait a little longer to be rescued.

This cash register also caught my eye and Mr K was very taken with a beautiful vintage child’s bicycle. (He has quite a penchant for bicycles especially vintage ones and we have two in our lounge at the moment!!) I would have been quite happy to take this one home but I think we need a suitable house first – it would look out of place in our modern home.

I dread to think what we’ll be like if we ever get our Victorian dream house. For now we appease ourselves by buying lots of lovely old books. I love them – the smell of them, the history they bring with them and the character they give to a room.

As well as my growing collection of home management books, Mr K has bought me several old craft books which I adore. They take me back to another time and they are precious to me. Through them, I feel somehow connected to the women who have owned them before me.

 This weekend  we won't be visiting any halls or vintage fairs as I am going on the first day of a two part course in Manchester to learn to sew a skirt. I am quite nervous as sewing is pretty new to me and I will be using a machine I’m not used to. Wish me luck and I’ll be back on Monday to let you know how it’s gone. Enjoy your weekend however you are spending it. xx

Out and About - Vintage Winners

Last weekend Mr K, our lovely friend Emma and I went to a vintage and craft fair held at the Continental Pub in Preston. There were the usual collection of the vintage (and not so vintage) clothing, bags, shoes and jewellery and a couple of little stalls selling handmade soaps, loose tea and herbs.

One of the stalls was being run by a couple of girls who have just opened a new shop in Preston on March 10th called 'Wonderland' which promises carefully sourced vintage clothing and general wonderment! They were more than happy for me to photograph them and their stall and as you can see they look quite the part.

There was lots of lovely browsing, oooing and aaah-ing but not much spending and then suddenly the major highlight of the outing occurred. Mr K won top prize in the raffle. He won a staggering £25 worth of vouchers to spend at the fair. Sadly for Mr K (and rather happily for me) the fair was quite female orientated and there wasn’t anything he wanted to buy. So I had to step in and help relieve him of the burden of spending the said vouchers. What a hardship! Below is a photo of my gorgeous purchases – namely a beautiful bag (Dottie angel style), 3 wonderfully fragranced bars of homemade soap and a splendid little bag of happiness tea which I had sampled before the raffle excitement but not got round to buying. Not accustomed to winning anything and usually quite careful with my money at these events, I went away a very happy bunny.

 I hope you have a glorious weekend and I will see you here next week to tell you all about mine.