Vintage Valentines

I recently read an article in Homes and Antiques magazine about vintage valentine card collections, it featured some really beautiful photos, and I felt inspired to search out some of my own. I’d never really thought about collecting vintage cards, but thinking about it I already have a collection of normal cards so it makes sense!!
After a quick search on eBay I was not disappointed, I fell in love with the cute animal drawings and the little jokey catchphrases which are slightly cheesy but really add to the character of the cards. They are very much of their time! There are some beautiful cards made with tissue paper patterns that fold out and parts that pop up – little works of art!! I was lucky enough to find a pop up Christmas card at a recent antique fair, so I’ll be making sure I’m on the look out for more at fairs to come!!

Photos from a selection at:
http://craftyvintagegal.wordpress.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/calsidyrose/galleries/72157626025025732/

http://www.vintagefangirl.com/

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Carboot Finds

Well I struck gold at the Carboot this weekend – first one of the year and I could have spent a fortune. Stall after stall of rummage boxes, my favourite when the items are 50p or 4 for a £1.
There were so many battered vintage suitcases and trunks, I was in heaven! And everything was so cheap! I think I was lucky I took only a set amount with me, otherwise I’d have bought a lot more!!!
Main purchases of the day included a wicker basket for £5, and pair of Mucha art nouvea prints for £5. Lots of random vintage toys from a lady who’s stall was just like an attic, everything from cuddly toys to board games. A vintage hand held mirror for 50p and a kitsch cherry vase also for 50p!
But my favourite find of the day were the vintage wind up toys!!! I’ve never seen ones like this before – never seen a ladybird or frog!! The gentleman on the stall had a table top full of them – and It was really difficult to chose!

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York Does Vintage Christmas

I’m really excited to see York Does Vintage returning to town for a Christmas special on the 3rd December! The event, run by Now and the Events was a great day out last time with something for absolutely everyone and this time around there’ll be the added benefit of being able to get some serious Christmas shopping done! Held at St Williams College (situated behind York Minster) with its amazing old beams and rich history, where could be more perfect for a vintage event.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Christmas tearoom, as last time there were some yummy cupcakes and beautiful china cups and saucers, bring on the mince pies! I also don’t want to miss out on the hair and beauty girls that will be there too, hopefully I can get some tips for Christmas and New Years Parties!!

There is a lot more going on including vintage stalls, bunting workshops and even live singers and all of this will cost just £1 (or 50p if you are a student)! What makes the whole day even better is that 15% of all money taken on the door goes to help the Alzheimer’s Society. Vintage clothes, christmas cupcakes and helping charity? Count me in!

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Saltaire Festival & Vintage Fair

I spent a lovely morning at The Rose and Brown vintage fair in Saltaire today, which is easily my favourite vintage fair  it’s set in a beautiful venue and is always packed with some great stalls, it even has it’s own vintage refreshments area.

I love looking through all the wide variety of stalls – you never know what you might find, one of my favourite stalls today was Claire’s Vintique, she had some beautifully displayed teacups (pictured above) and she made some lovely jewellery pieces, including some little bird pendants and cute little earings.  Another stall I liked was the Goldings Old Things stall, which was beautifully laid out, and had some lovely plates displayed.
My mum purchased some really unusual handmade jewellery from a stall named Steamstress, really unique pieces which were made from everything you could imagine old parts of pocket watches, poker pieces and lots of different charms. My purchases of the day included some cherry patterned button earings and a floral print blazer.

We can’t visit Saltaire without going to Salts Mill, so stopped off to see the new David Hockney exhibition and have a hot chocolate in the Opera Cafe! The day was finished by having a walk round the food market, before the rain sent us home!!

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Simply Vintage Fair

I spent Sunday morning at the Simply Vintage Fair in York – firstly what a great idea to hold a vintage fair in the street, like a street festival! It was a lovely sunny day, just a bit breezey first thing but all in all such a good morning was had!

I purchased a beautiful floral print blouse from the Nancy’s Vintage Boutique stall, which was great she had lots of lovely items – some homeware bits and pieces, and lots of dresses all at really good prices.

And the floral patterned dress is a hand made vintage style dress by Moira Davis  ‘Moira Sews Vintage’ priced at £65, which is a great price for clearly a lot of work- I love the fabric and style of it.

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