Barnes Fair

I think I can safely say the best purchase I have made in a long time is the gazebo I bought just as Homebase was closing on the night before the Barnes Fair. My optimism that the rain would stay away was dashed when I saw the BBC weather forecast on the 6 o'clock news.

Luckily with the gazebo and the fact that the heavens did not really open until it was time to pack up, nothing got too wet (apart from my shoes which are now two toned due to the water marks)! Although the sun barely shone it was a lovely day. I was able to wander around as my mum minded the stall. I was tempted by lots of gorgeous treasures but due to a lack of space in the car I was restrained and only came away with a set of six cups and saucers and a kitsch angel. I have plans to line the cups up on my mantelpiece and plant hyacinth bulbs in them in Spring and after a good clean ( in case my mum is reading this) I have grand plans to use them to decant homemade pink milk jelly into! The angel's wings move when you wind her up and she glows in the dark- I think she will be featuring in the range of vintage Christmas goodies I am currently putting together to sell at fairs and on line.

I am getting much better at parting with the treasures that I have for sale. It was tough to part with this picnic hamper but part with it I did. From the floral pattern on the china, to the cutlery and the colour of the lids of the tins there was a lot to ooh and ah about!

A lady bought it as a wedding present- I think that is such a good idea! I also said goodbye to this very cute Triang rocking horse but again it went to a good home- I admired the skill of the lady who bought it as she hung it from her pushchair and wandered around Barnes Green.

The poodle made it into another pram and the Scallywag book was bought for a little girl whose nickname is Scallyway so all in all things went to good homes. Now I think about it with these things gone there was room to fit some more purchases into the car... oh well!

Anyone for tennis?

With Wimbledon fortnight drawing to a close I thought I would mark this sporting occasion before it is too late! I found this vintage Victory tennis game on my travels. My mum recalls playing this game and I think this version was superceded by Swingball, the game that I used to play- those were the days when I actually partook in some form of sporting endeavour!! The contents of the box are in good shape but it was the images of the lid that captivated me. I think this is too lovely to be shut away in a cupboard- it is worthy of being put on a shelf to be admired!













While out and about I came across this other tennis themed bit of treasure and I simply could not resist this lovely lady.... While tennis whites and strappy sandals are not exactly practical I love her for her novel choice of footwear! I will be taking both of these with me to Barnes next Saturday. I am really looking forward to the day- there will be some great stalls there and the location is lovely. More details of the fair can be found at www.barnes.village.org.uk I am on stand 278 so do come and say hello if you make it along.

Getting back to the tennis, no Wimbledon is complete without strawberries and cream! I went fruit picking this week at West Green Fruits in Hartley Whitney. It was so enjoyable rummaging between rows of strawberry bushes in search of ripe red fruits. This is what we came home with.... I wish you smell them... they were delicious!

I am off to look at a 7 day weather forecast... fingers crossed it is dry for next Saturday!