Slight conflict of interest this week.....

Us women are generally pretty good at juggling our lives, but this week was a tricky one for the washerwoman.... On Monday I purchased over 120 vintage items of clothing, mainly dating from the 1940's and 1950's. Things that had been stored away for years and in need of dunking in soapy water & a blast of fresh air. Most of this week has been spent trying to prepare these great garments for the Bristol Archive Fair on Wednesday & the wonderful Vintage Fair in Bath on June 14th.

There is always a great sense of the past when you handle such items, and the wonderful old labels conjure up images of a very different way of life. For example Frothy nylon petticoats to be worn under a full skirt by "Harlie"..... a CC41 demure day dress from the 2nd World War...... a 50's "Harella" coat made from Moygashel..... a flamboyant "Hillora" floral creation, a cotton polka dot frock by "Rodney" or a "Trimwear" dressing gown with a CC41 label tucked inside..... the list is endless!

Here is the reason for conflict. I recently started a part time job as a nurse working in a great little rural practice with some very friendly people. There have not been quite enough hours in the day, or days in the week to achieve everything..... but luckily the weekend is almost upon us so the washerwoman can keep on washing... and ironing...and sewing on the odd stray button!

Enjoy the weekend everyboday!

Wonderful Wychwood!

Anyone who follows my blog (with the volume on) will know that I am pretty passionate about music, so it might come as no surprise that I was very keen to visit the wonderful festival that is held every year just outside Cheltenham....The sun shone, the atmosphere was brilliant... these guys (above) are the Shtetl Superstars, they play witty funky Jewish ska! (oh and they have a female vocal lead called Barbara..)

..... the above shows the original "Grumpy old man" aka Attila the Stockbroker in full rant.. very clever observations & witty poems. Loved him!

This is the Wonderful Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara.. a brilliant combination of driving blues guitar and African lyrics.. and an instrument that looked a bit like a cricket bat with one string. Bought the album, its fab!

But had to wait until after dark to enjoy the best, Johnny and the boys, the Dohl Foundation. We saw them play a few weeks ago and knew we had to see them again.
and they certainly didn't disappoint. They were wonderful from the first drum beat to the final number, and had everybody jumping and doing that Bhangra thing which involves a lot of energetic arm waving (have just tried to google it to get the correct name..) and failed!

It was a wonderful day and has certainly wet my appetite for the WOMAD festival which is next month.

In the words of Lou Reed.... what a Perfect Day.....

Saturday 30th May 2009 started early with a calm misty sunrise over the Washerwoman's washing line (and very overgrown flowerbed!).. Luckily you can't see the weeds.

It was time to get up early & drive to the long awaited & much anticipated Vintage & Handmade fair in Chipping Sodbury.......
On arrival it was "all systems go" to unpack and set up for the fair.. Michele's stall was looking soooooooo tempting with fab vintage toys & goodies.....

The Green Shelves were soon groaning with an eclectic selection of textiles, trimmings, buttons & bits'n'bobs....

Niki had a selection of mouth-watering Nostalgic pretties....

Cakes were beautifully displayed in a tempting calorific array....

There were just so many wonderful goodies to tempt you.....

Wouldn't you want to give one of these a home? I shouldn't think that Nicky had many bunnies to carry back to Devon after such a fab fair. From the moment the doors opened at 10 am there was a constant stream of wonderful, enthusiastic and friendly customers. I met some lovely people including Sarah & Jo from Hardaker & Pope, Isabelle from Suzy's Vintage Attic, a pair of sisters who spent lots of time on my stall (and were so lovely & complimentary)..... Elaine (from Kitsch & Curious).. Judith & Viv who raided the slowly decreasing "Tweed Mountain"... Corrine Phillips...Annie (from a Sauncerful of secrets) and a super customer who was into Triang dolls houses (please do email me as you left one of your purchases behind.)

It really was a wonderful and special day, so BIG Thank you to Jayne & Michele for all their hard work..and also thank you to their hubbies & family (Mr Country Cottage you saved my life with that cuppa!!)