Super Singer

Hello long time no post.  No particular reason.  I have been a busy bee.  Working in nursery, driving Belle to and from her work experience placement at Hope and Elvis, colleagues leaving parties and playing shop at a Vintage Fair.  Yes I had a stall at The Vintage Fair in the very grand Town Hall in Sheffield and it was great.  I met lots of lovely people, made a profit, my lovely friends J and S popped in with a surprise visit and K was a happy bunny chatting to stall holders, talking to customers and generally being a very helpful fetcher and carrier.  I really enjoyed it.  So much so that I am doing it all again tomorrow this time in the City Hall with Judy's Vintage fair.  This weekend is Tramlines Festival in Sheffield which is a free event with lots of bands, stalls, etc. So if you are in Sheffield this weekend it would be lovely for you to come to the Ballroom in the City Hall to say hello.

Now I will explain the title to my post.  On Wednesday one of my neighbours called me over as she had very kindly taken in a parcel for me.  She then mentioned that she knew I liked 'old' stuff as she had recently seen me at a car booty and had spotted my old books, china cabinet etc in my house.  She is not nosey we live in a 60's house with huge picture windows so all the above are clearly visible from the road, along with my laundry, the clothes horse drying clothes - all the time - come on sunshine give me a break from the dreaded clothes horse.  Anyway long to short.  She said she had an old sewing machine she was selling and would I be interested.  I said that I already had one and she said ok its just that its old, it has a treadle, it's a Singer and it is in a beautiful cabinet.  Oh my goodness then I WAS interested.  She asked if I would like to have a look.  I was sooooo excited when she showed me.  It is a beauty.  I said yes please as quick as a flash and showed her my goosebumps to show her how delighted I was.  I also told her that Nellie would love it too.  She replied by saying Oh I have another one, its not in as good nick but you can have it.  Wham.  Two Singers to find homes for.  K did raise an eyebrow and fuffawacked a little (which equals swearing words in our house)  about where we where going to put it but for me it was LOVE at first sight.  Here she is.

This is mine squished in my teeny tiny hall but will be moved - sometime.

This is Nellie's she stripped it, oiled it, cleaned and polished it, Brasso'd and WD40'd it and now it sews like a dream.

So neighbour Lucy thank you so much for giving us two Super Singer's.  Neighbour Lucy also said I've got lots of threads as well, you know the old ones on wooden bobbins, I will dig you them out too.  Oh and I have a concertina sewing box, a wooden one in the loft I will dig that out for you too.

THANK YOU 

Day at the Races?

Another event at yet another Race Course our third in three weeks - I think.  This time it was the Festival of Vintage at York Race Course.  We set off nice and early with Betty in tow.  There was a big queue to get in it must have taken about 20 mins.  Oh the excitement.  As soon as we entered I knew it would be a good one.  Lots of stalls, music and a Make Do and Mend corner.  Workshops for free!!  We signed up for the first one and left K to have a wonder around.

Kit to make a bracelet

Great start you think - no - Betty did not feel well and we just made it through the workshop.  I wondered why she couldn't sew a button on or thread a needle.  She isn't as crafty as me but she can do the basics.  Long story short, sick on the stand of York Race Course, then half an hour - at least on the floor in the toilet - not attractive - she was grateful that the toilets were immaculate although she did say she felt so ill she would have lay her head down in the scruffiest of holes.  We then tried to get her outside - disaster - just heading for the lift as she could hardly walk and low and behold she was sick in a bin - just next to the Vintage Beauty Parlour.  Luckily K and I shielded her well with our bodies and my large green cardi and I really don't think anyone saw.  In fact I don't think they did because one couple started to get out their picnic about a metre away from us - I told them out of politeness but they carried on regardless.  I was gutted.  Because she was poorly but also because it looked sooooo good.  Betty declared that she felt much better and she was sure after a sleep in the car she would be fine.  Her Dad took her to Vera the Volvo and we went back to the fair. 

It was great.

There was a skiffle band, lots of stalls, lindy hoppers (you could join in if you wished - I was not brave enough but I would love a go).

The Band - didn't get their name

A bit of vintage dancing (sorry about the photos not sure what's happened)

Lots of folk dressed up for the occasion and were happy to have their photos taken.  I really loved the dungarees and spotty blouse outfit - probably because it was what I would wear.

 The cafe was serving tea and cakes from what I could see.  It was packed out and I am sure it took the organisers by surprise.

Outside were vintage cars from various eras with was right up K's street.

Although K does love to look around fairs his taste is quite different to mine.  He likes Marcel Bruer, Dieter Rams and Lubs. More stylised than my tastes but that's good - ish.  We are now in conflict about whether the top to the dresser may return into the house from the garage - think i'm winning - only just.

We met a lovely family all dressed up in 1940's outfits, Granny, Grandpa, Mum and three children.  The children told me their Daddy was at work and had missed out.  Baby was in a vintage Silver Cross pram - so cute.  (I have more photo's but am having trouble getting them downloaded) - someone - Nellie - has changed the settings  on the camera and I didn't know.

Anyhow Betty was indeed Ok - the course of her woes Mrs P (code for period pains).  Yuk she has always been like this but now she is older she is normally on top of it with pain killers etc.  This time caught her out.  As she was recovered and her face was no longer green we went for a good ole stroll around York.  The sun was out so it was really busy but it made a change the last three times we have been its either been freezing cold or chucking it down.

We had a picnic near the Minster School, strolled around the outside of the Minster, had a brisk walk around the shops and then RAN to see Cath.  Oh yeah the CK shop in York is a good one. 

Betty bought herself a new bag and I got new plimsolls,  one is never too old for plimsolls specially when they are navy blue and covered with stars.

 Oh yeah a good day indeed.!!!!

A Grand Day Out

Today K and I have been to Chester.  Although we have been to the zoo before we haven't ventured into the town centre before.  K noticed on the net that there was a vintage and textile fair at the racecourse so that's where we started our day.

The Grand Stand (I think) and K just in shot.

You can't see on this photo but an elderly gentleman was running and he had just passed the finishing post.  I did chuckle a little bit but not in an unkind way.  We were having a lovely cup of tea sat on the stand in the sunshine.

We had a stroll around the fair.  It did have quite a few stalls and was nice to walk around but I didn't see anything striking and some of the prices were a bit steep.  Whilst I was there I noticed a lady whom I had seen on a stall at a local second hand market on Thursday and a chap who always stands at Doncaster Racecourse antiques fair.  So had a nice potter but didn't buy anything.  I do feel that I get a bit tight fisted at fairs as I do like to grab a bargain on the car boot or in a charity shop.  Actually I did say to K that my pal Louise and I could put on a great stall at one of these places with all the stuff we have collected.  

After that we had a stroll into Chester along the wall and then by the river.  It was very pleasant indeed.  We walked up the hill and into town.  We spotted Romans at the Amphitheatre.  

I have just spluttered on my coffee looking at this photo.  What is that Roman Soldier doing. I think he is having a wee but K says he is tightening the guy ropes.   Did his mum not tell him that when bending down whilst wearing a skirt you should keep your knees together.  Don't worry ladies (and Gent's -Crochet Dude if you are reading) he was wearing  pants - I know this for a fact as whilst he was stood up he had a VPL.  Yep Romans wore Y Fronts Oh and grey socks.  I did actually laugh at this but he was a long way from me I zoomed in with my camera.  They were good sports because a group of Japanese tourist went over and the whole gang of Roman's posed with them letting them hold their swords (don't snigger) and wear their helmets.  The tourists were delighted and were clapping and tittering behind their hands.  It was really sweet.

We then approached town 

Stroll around the shops lots of lovely black and white buildings and shops on different levels

Vintage style touring bus

A window on the Cathedral which strangely is attached to a Barclays Bank.  Admittedly it was an old building but a little strange.

K is partial to a bag of Yorkshire Mix sweeties but as we were not in Yorkshire he had to make do with a Cheshire Mix and yes they are different.  K is getting grumpy as our local Post Office has not had any Yorkshire Mix for about three weeks which in his book is not good.

K decided to go the alternative way home I was sure we were going to land in North Wales but we did get home eventually.  The scenery was breathtaking  I took these from the car whilst it was moving and they have turned out ok.  

Beautiful

It was a tadge scary though with some very sheer drops I did ask for a bucket (not to be sick in) but to put over my head as I am not fond of hilly/mountain type drives it makes me a bit twitchy.  One day I will tell you about the trip over the Mountains in Granada on my 40th Birthday - I was not a happy bunny.  K is now groaning as he says I should 'let it go' OMG that was very  high and very scary.

A grand day out.

Note for Diane we went to Nona's -I told her that you had sent us and she said you were lovely and then she explained to her son that you were the lady that ate the cake mix out of the bowl.  LOL.  Think she was a bit confused when I said that I knew you but we had not met.  Suppose blogging is a bit strange in that way isn't it.