Babyhead? Name the mannequin.

This week I have been busy sorting out my stock for the next run of fairs. I have quite a few new items, including vintage buttons, Victorian and French ephemera, postcards, vintage cut-out dolls, books on fashion from the 1850's to the 1950's.

I also have accrued a small collection of Vintage children's hats and clothing that have come my way over the past few months. I bought this child mannequin from Niki some years ago when she had a stand at Shepton Mallet Antiques Fair. Most of my mannequins have names, and after meeting Jo I realised that I had never given this one a name. Now, I am never really sure whether this is a boy or a girl? So, was thinking "Bertie" might be a suitable choice as it could be short for Albert or Roberta. Any suggestions please. It really is about time the poor child had a name!

Anyway today the mannequin is modelling a funky selection of Vintage children's hats which I just could not resist.

A selection of some of the vintage dresses I will be taking to Ardingly and Frome in the next week. It is the big countdown until the Vintage Bazaar that Clare and I have organised in Frome in Somerset. For anybody who hasn't heard about it, just click on the word Frome above and it will take you to the blog!

As well as the above, I have some fantastic vintage silk scarves and cashmere jumpers..... alongside my usual rails of winter coats, baskets of hand knitted gloves, hats and scarves

Vintage Jacqmar scarf from the 1950's modelled by ??? Wots her name?

Horrockses exhibition and a day out in London

Yesterday I treated myself to a day in London. My mate Emma has been on at me to visit this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NQsa-tbEQM

What a treat it was! All beautifully presented and relaxing beach/seagull background sounds to evoke a time on the beach in the 1950's when a girl could sashay on the promenade in her fab Horrockses cotton frock!

Sorry the pic above is dark, photos were allowed, but not with a flash. Don't you just love those seagulls suspended from the ceiling?

I got a beautifully illustrated catalogue - with all the history and story behind the Horrockses ready to wear range of dresses.

Once I had looked around the exhibition, there was one extra bonus. All the people who had visited the exhibition in the past months had sent in photos and letters of their personal memories of wearing these dresses. It was a delight to read!

After enjoying lunch with my brother I headed west to Portobello, a favourite haunt from when I used to live in London. This was a shop I wanted to visit for a long time. I met "Dolly" some years ago at a London Vintage Fair and soon got chatting about the joys of the county of Somerset. The window was beautifully colour coordinated with browns, creams, tweeds and a general Autumn feel to it.

The market itself was just about finished by the time I got there, but I did enjoy a stroll down there, taking in the sights and sounds of London. After which I was content to hop back on the train and head for home.

Choose me! Choose me!

Here are the finalists in the line-up, all competing for the chance to be on the telly.......The action took place last Friday at the Shepton Mallet Antiques Fair where the film crews were busy filming the next series of Bargain Hunt

"I think this is my best side"

So, which duck was chosen to accompany Mr Tim Wonnacott in the opening scene? I confess that I wasn't cheeky enough to take a photograph during the filming, so you will have to wait and see which lucky duck had its 15 minutes of fame!

September means Shepton Mallet 3 day Antiques Fair and the chance of free tickets

Just a short post today bloggers as lots going on at Washerwoman HQ! I will be at the IACF 3 day Antiques Fair at the Bath and West showground next weekend (the  17th ,18th and 19th September). The purpose of this  post is to ask if anyone would like complimentary/reduced entry tickets for the fair on the Saturday or Sunday. If you would like a chance for tickets, please leave a comment and names will be drawn out of a hat on Tuesday 14th September.

Just a small update as I have just returned from a few days away. It was our last chance to get over to France before the weather changes and ferry crossings become just too hideous for words.

 I was lucky enough to find vintage dresses, shoes, hats and bags..... as well as a few Boudoir dolls....

 Textiles, painted hatstands, little cupboards etc. Some of these items are going to the Dairy House tomorrow, and the rest will be coming to Shepton Mallet Antiques fair at the weekend. The draw for Shepton tickets will take place later, so there is still time to leave a comment!

The Washerwoman's winter collection!

The return of the good weather has meant that I have been able to dig into my storage crates to see what winter clothing I have squirrelled away over the past 6 months.

Waistcoats and tweed jackets from the 1940's and 50's have been steamed and hung out on the washing line to air.

1940's pinnies come in all shapes and sizes

 Beautiful hand knitted rainbow coloured  fingerless mittens from deepest Devon. Although we are experiencing a fabulous "Indian Summer" a girl has to think ahead.

Locally made hand knitted cardigans and jumpers. 

Last years "best seller" scarves in all colours! The above will be coming with me to The Vintage Fair in Bath this coming Sunday, and then onwards to Ardingly Antiques Fair on Tuesday.

A rather special Shepton mallet Antiques Fair photo shoot.

Hands up - who has seen the latest Cath Kidston catalogue? Does anyone recognise the textile-laden back drop??

Several months ago while I was at the IACF 3 day Antiques Fair just outside the town of Shepton Mallet some very friendly and smiling people asked if they could use my stand as a backdrop for a photo-shoot? I then asked what the images were being used for...

The answer was the Autumn/Winter Cath Kidston magazine! It was a busy Saturday morning, so the stall was heaving with prospective customers, but everyone was smiling and good-humoured (apart from one grumpy gent who pushed his way into the stand. tut-tutting). Not sure what he thought he would find at the end of the totally floral girly emporium? .......but the beautiful models played and posed as the camera clicked oblivious to his rude comments.....

They took the top three photos on my stand and then moved on to my friend Terry (aka The Snooty Fox) for a more wintery tweedie look!

If you haven't seen the magazine, it is worth a peek. There are lots of interesting insights and articles (and recipes) as well as the usual tempting goodies that you might want to purchase.

More than a touch of Nostalgia!

Today I took a short visit "back in time" to the 1970's - well, a mock-up of a 70's boutique in Shepton Mallet. I would have liked to have visited earlier in the week when everything was happening there. Unfortunately I had chosen to host one of my Sales at Home on Thursday so was unable to get over to experience the 70's. Niki has done a brilliant job on her blog of  documenting the final part of the filming.

Anyway, I was there to collect the garments I had supplied for the making of the final part of the programme they have been filming there all summer.

A bit silly of me to wear a black linen skirt, I might have known there would be a white shag pile carpet in the boutique. I managed to get plenty of white hairs on my clothing as I sorted through the bags of stock! The interior was really funky and pretty authentic looking too. It would be great if somebody could open a vintage shop there, the décor is already in place!

Another shop that I would have loved to have visited when it was open was the 70's record shop with some tantalising covers displayed in the window. Had most of these albums.. needless to say. (except the Tom Jones as that was in my mum's collection!)

But of course no trip to Shepton Mallet is complete without a visit to Niki's shop. I thought this wedding inspired window was just beautiful. As usual I treated myself to something from the shop. I will blog that  another day!

PS I do not have any photos of my Home Sale, but hoping some of the following might have taken a few pics.... Sallie.... Tracey....or Clare might be able to oblige! Thank you to everyone who came to my sale on Thursday, it was a fab day despite the weather.

Catching Up!

After many weeks of frustration at not having full access to a computer, I have finally got an opportunity to catch up with my blog.... Here are a few sunny reminders of our most recent trip to France. 

We visited plenty of markets and vide greniers, but also had time on the beach

There was an opportunity to relax by the pool at a friends house.

Spotted this house which I fell in love with....it reminded me of something straight out of a TIn Tin book. It is in need of much love and attention....

......the sign on the front was temptation....

I bought this great little vintage dolls house bathroom at a Depo Vente. At present it is "resting" in my collection until the start of the fairs at the beginning of September.

Another day we watched a cycle race - the French do love their bicycles.

On our return from France we were off again to enjoy the sun at the WOMAD festival. At long last we got to see the wonderful Skip McDonald ( aka Little Axe). He is a regular at the WOMAD festival, but we usually missed seeing him as he played on the Thursday evening in previous years.

Other highlights were Toumast, if you like African music with a Hendrix influence, then this is the band to check out! Above are the excellent Toubab All stars - a lively French Ska band which got everyone dancing.
Below is Gilzene & the Blue Light Mento Band   traditional Jamaican music.

I have discovered a lot of new things to enjoy, including this - Kormac's Big band which has to be my absolute favourite find of the month! There is no CD available yet, but I am sure it won't be long....... Lastly, I was a little disappointed by the tracks that Gil Scott Heron played. He has a fantastic new CD, and should really have included this in his set. Hey ho!

It is all happening in Shepton mallet this week!

As you may have seen on Niki's blog in recent weeks, there is a lot of activity in the town of Shepton Mallet at the moment.

Today I went over to see the next transformation and collect the items I had lent them for filming the previous era.

It is now the 1940's, and the streets are realistic with sandbags, taped windows and vintage vehicles....

This is the building (below) which was a 30's dress makers last week where I met the lovely Gilly Woo.
We wanted to see inside today, but sadly they were filming.

We had to console ourselves with a delicious lunch in Peppers (well recommended Niki!) surrounded by the cast having their last big meal before living on wartime rations for the next week. They were all suitably dressed in wonderful 40's attire, brilliant to see. For those of you who have not heard about this new programme. It is going to cover the history of the High Street, next will be the 50's, 60's and 70's, so watch this space! Belinda gave a very good explanation on her blog a while ago, click here to read it.