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Showing posts with label boats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boats. Show all posts

5 February 2012

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Treasure Hunting ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠


Yesterday I ventured out in temperatures of -7 (nothing compared to some places I know but it was cold) to go to Nettlebed, Henley to see what all the fuss is about. Lou of Vintagenie and White Rabbit Bakery had mentioned this place full of stuff that I would love. Tempted by the sound of filling my shoppers with materials for hats it was an opportunity not to be missed.


We went to the Sue Ryder Sale at Nettle bed Hospice. It happens around twice a month and is located a at a house crammed to the rafters full of donated goods. We trawled through boxes of books and maps, rummaged through fabrics both for my hats and for Lou’s new venture and purchased items at very low prices. Lou’s deck of cards priced at 5p were the bargain of the day, sadly missing the all important Ace of Spades though.



Pots, cake stands, hideous tea pots... I know at least 10 people that would love this part of the sale.


Toys. I tried to look for a few bits for Darren but I hadn’t a clue what to look for. I am sure one day he will experience the pushing and shoving.


Even though it was only at half capacity, it was still pretty busy. There were queues to enter the garden shed full of tools and the women’s clothing area. We did go into the mens room and had a look at the rails of some rather nice jackets and some hideous shirts! I managed to purchase a knitted tie pictured below. It is quite special.



Some of my purchases included a stack of fake flowers perfect for Easter bonnet season! Some picture cards, Thunderbirds and a set of Platnik Animals. I could have easily purchased a stack of maps but I had to restrain myself. Although mostly priced at 25p each, at one point I couldn’t carry the pile. It was time to edit. 


You can’t quite appreciate the fabric in my dodgy picture. I wish I had taken my decent camera. 4 yards of tweed, 3-4 yards of houndstooth, brown velvet and a black wool fur type fabric all for £6. Beats the high street any day. There were plenty more fabrics to choose from mostly at £1 a yard. I couldn’t leave these 4 behind.


Middle left is a little boat. I have to search high and low for the perfect vessels for hats. The galleon I created a while back is so heavy. Hopefully I can transform this mini one into something spectacular soon and get it in my Etsy shop. The hat was kindly donated to Soobird by Lou. It had been sat on her Vintagenie stall for some time now. She even gave me some tubs of feathers. I think I am going to save them and create something unique as part of a White Rabbit Bakery/Soobird collaborative project. So many ideas!

23 August 2011

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Porlock ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠


So.. we had a scenic drive down to the coast to visit Darren’s dad and Eileen in their new house. Both are keen gardeners so I knew we were in for a treat. I got a bit sad (not in a grumpy way, in a geek way) about the Eucalyptus tree in their garden. It not only reminded me of my time in Oz but also Borneo. As a textile artist the patterns and colours just stood out. I think I was stood looking at it for a good hour. Now that is sad.


We had been to Porlock Weir before. I never get bored nosing around the windy little streets looking at the gardens and the cottages. It’s a gorgeous little place, just too quiet. Not sure I could live there but appreciate how others could.


After dinner at a quaint little pub in Porlock Weir (I highly recommend the Steak & Ale Pie and Mash - WOW) I was introduced to possibly the best thing I have ever seen. It’s what I aim to have, decor wise, one day. I am familiar with the Miller’s Antique Guides, my parents have every single one and are keen collectors of all sorts. Not like me and tat, they look for antiques and unusual pieces of glass, jewellery etc to add to their ever growing collection. So when Joe took me into the Hotel run by the daughter of the author of the Miller’s guides I knew I was in for a treat but never expected to see a hotel crammed, floor to ceiling with antiques and unusual bits and pieces. It was heaven. The taxidermy deer and 1920’s feel to the place was crying out Murder Mystery. I am not even a fan of Murder Mystery but if they had one there I would definately go.

If only I had my camera with me, my knackered old IPhone just doesn’t do the place justice!




I’d like a staircase like this... I felt like I was being watched.



What a fireplace. Jealous.