How much fun can you have for under a fiver ($10 US) at the weekend? Lots, if there is a jumble sale at our village hall. There aren't many nowadays, but there are always treasures to be found. One peculiar rule here seems to be that if it is advertised as a 2pm opening then one should aim to get there after 1.30, as the organisers have a very loose attitude towards time. I did so, and was lucky to be first at the book stall and snaffle this bunch of beauties for £1.50 ($3 US) - a complete set of the Book of Nature study in fine condition, plus a couple of other old nature-oriented books. Having ascertained that there was nothing more of interest to be had in the melange of dog eared paperbacks, I moved swiftly on to the bric-a-brac stall next door and picked up an excellent little pair of Praktica pocket binoculars for 50p.($1 US)
Gone are the days when vintage clothing (oh, how I remember the Glory Days!) could be picked up for pennies...but dodging the old ladies elbows, I did grab some potential sewing material, a 60's wrap-around and a (possibly naff but good for making pouches) reproduction embroidered waistcoat courtesy of 'Past Times', both for 20p (40 cents US) each.
And lurking sadly under a trestle table, a pair of proper hand made brogues, with stitched leather soles and segs on the heels; obviously once lovingly cared for and still showing their quality, despite much wear...
I tried them on, hopefully. Too big even for my slabs and at a size 10 1/2, too small for Andy. But it was like finding an old courtly gentleman in the gutter and I just had to rescue them, if only for decorative value. (And they were only 20p/40 cents US).
Now I am a born-again needle felter, I need something to hold my bits in, and although I have many storage baskets and tins, they are all crammed with paraphenalia. So I was holding out a vague hope that I might find a Victorian sewing casket nestling in a box of vintage silk remnants. I didn't, of course. But I did find an unused rice steamer for 50p ($1 US)
- which comes apart in three layers and is perfect for storing my ever growing supplies in.
Topped by a gorgeous (how on earth did this arrive in our little village?) mint condition Australian flour sack, for 20p (40 cents US) - just the ticket for keeping my lovely wool tops in.
Somewhat weighed down, I staggered home, to be met by a groan from Andy when he saw not just a full rucksack, but two bags as well. However, I am an expert at making my stash fit in, and now you would hardly know it was there...
Many thanks to cMaille at Etsy, who posted my artwork Koko on their blog, very much appreciated!
