Feathers, teeth and patches....

Plumpy soft, double eiderdown with pretty posies of flowers and pink piping....

An equally plumpy soft cot eiderdown......

With faded green satin inset on one side.....

And pretty roses fabric.....

The little and large of the eiderdown world .....

A fabulously heavy, dog tooth tweed coat, a good generous size (16/18) and fastens both ways so could be for a gent either.....

Made by Jacksons the tailor, with its 1940's utility mark and subtle pocket and cuff detail....

It would make a great winter coat ........or even as an authentic coat for 1940's re-enactment enthusiasts.

Finally this unfinished 19th century patchwork with lovely muted browns, blues, pinks.....

And a very vibrant yellow and red glazed chintz which looks as if it could have been done yesterday....

It reminds me of the Northumberland flag.....

Or is that just coincidence?

 Julie x

Maid's box.....

The pretty original paper inside this box must have lifted the spirits of a young girl in the 19th century as she unpacked her belongings in the unfamiliar surroundings at the big house......

 Underneath the brown floral paper is another.....a hexagonal blue spotty design...

 A plain simple box with studs, iron lock and iron carrying handles.....nothing fancy....

When I come across pieces of history like this, I can't help but wonder what stories they might tell.

Starting life as a maid began at an early age.....the thought of a 14, 15 or 16 year old, alone, away from home, enduring the hard work of early morning starts, lighting fires, cleaning, washing and ironing then retiring late in the evening to a cold, soulless attic and a rickety iron bed would be quite incomprehensible to girls today.
No thought of work for our modern girls.....
Too pre-occupied with the celeb lifestyle, make-up, Facebook, X factor and permanently attached to a mobile phone......

 How things have changed.....could they cope going back in time?

It would be very interesting.....

A working perfume bottle spray, made in France and a long crucufix....

And a sweet nursery print from the 1930's.....more additions for Sunday at Gateshead.

Hope you all have a good weekend, I'm hoping for one!
 Julie x

A little bit of handmade.......

New goodies for the Vintage and Retro Fair next Sunday at Gateshead Stadium.

A mix of vintage handmade....... crochet, embroidery, sewing and knitting.......

A pretty embroidered linen tea tablecloth with sprays of delicate flowers and an embroidered garden picture.

A crochet "granny square" cot blanket and knitted beret, unworn with the wool label WG "Trianon" mohair, tartan shade - Ancient clan red Frazer.

A funky chicken made from scraps of tweed, felt and what looks like a piece of candlewick bedspread  (do you remember those?)  for his feathery face....quite ingenious.....

Not handmade, but would indeed be helpful,  is The Patchwork and Applique book from 1931 full of fascinating ideas......

In the Patchwork quilt selection there is a lovely introduction to Great Grand Mamma with a sweet rhyme/song above.......

And the "aeroplane ride" is worked into the applique picture below, when all the world was talking about Amy Johnson's solo flight to Australia......so incredibly brave and daring!

Finally the little battered suitcase which has seen a bit of life......

Jolly holidays for a little boy in the 50's perhaps, packed with his toy cars, books and teddy....

Now sadly empty and looking for a new home......

Hope you all have a full and happy week,
Be back soon......
Julie x

Preparing for Valentine's Day......

Isn't this great?

A little technical advice for all romantic couples.......circa 1920.

Aaah.....love is in the air.......x

Julie x

French boxes and pretty postcards.....

Lovely French biscuit boxes with keys came home with me yesterday from the Fair at Hexham.

Some vintage ribbon for future sewing projects.....

The dinkiest pen nib box.....

And a selection of vintage postcards that caught my eye....

This last one brought a smile to my face......

Everytime I look at him I start singing.

Not the World War 1 song....... but the Eliza Doolittle version from last year......

Enjoy the rest of your week and remember........smile, smile, smile! 
Julie x

Giveaway winner.....

Thank you to all 28 lovely ladies for entering my 100th post giveaway......

I put all the folded entries numbered 1 to 28 in my Cloth Shed raffia house which is actually a box when you lift the house up by the chimney!

 Having given it a good shake, I picked one out.......

Number 26.......

Comment number 26 is......

LOUISE......from Vintage Pink.

Congratulations Louise and so sorry to the other 27.......I will obviously have to do another giveaway when I hit my first year blogging at the end of May.

Julie x

Giveaway.....

 The Cloth Shed giveaway as promised for reaching 100 followers......actually it is now at 107 which I still find hard to believe.....thank you all.


 A vintage French fabric heart with little rose buds and a sparkly paste brooch......

 A Danish hand towel with initials......

And a pair of fabric pictures made from French toile de jouy in hand painted grey frames......( I know.....grey again.)

So in the time honoured way...... if you would like to take part, just leave a comment and I will announce the winner on Sunday 6th February.
Good luck....x


Julie x