Tuesday 28 August 2007

Not the best start as a blogger!!

Hi to anyone reading this - I was going to be so good and blog regularly but by the time I have so many its time to go to bed !!

So this is only my second blog - I have just left a comment on Sophie Honeysuckle's blog re her beautiful new units and whilst chatting to her about what kind of house I was trying to find (and which I never will in this area) I realised that as I described what one of the houses I really like had - how much I actually liked it - so thanks Sophie for making me decide.

I went to a car boot yesterday and bought a lovely pine corner cupboard for £10! I am so thrilled I just need a new house to put it in now. I am looking round here and knowing how much I will have to get rid of - even furniture but I still need storage on the wall don't I. This downsizing is going to be very hard.....................I have viewed two houses this week and I long to find a Victorian/Edwardian house with a garden and no kitchen and just enough £ left from the move to have cupboards like Sophie's. I am struggling to find my vintage house in this area which is where two kids still living with us(21 & 19!!) want to stay. There just arent the properties available. I found a lovely 1928 semi with a lovely kitchen diner - beautifully done, modern and clean looking, a complete contrast to the lovely old fashioned lounge with its original fireplace and bay window. All the doors have been stripped back and beautifully repainted and the original handles put back on. Roll top bath, lovely high level flush! Bedrooms are a bit nipped for a six foot welder son! and a daughter with a clothes fetish! there are fitted wardrobes which will help but they are very modern. The garden is lovely and it has a cellar (no garage) its just that its difficult to downsize. We are doing it now (me 51 and Hubby 61) so we can enjoy the our earnings with no mortgage and no car loan and smaller bills. We have a lovely house here but it has to happen as we are sick of working to live and Alan can also retire at 65. I digress - the other house we visited was soooo sensible (70's bungalow with loft conversion)we wouldnt have needed to get rid of anything but it had no soul..........when I told Alan he said "I didnt like to say but I prefer that one as well but the other is so sensible!"

Anyway back to what I got on BH Monday - a roman blind in exactly the fabric my friend wants which was £4.00 and I will make into cushion covers for her. The boot didn't yield anything else but we then went off to a local fleamarket. My husband was thrilled to get two vintage cameras for a good price and I did well off a lovely stall that has stuff for. I got a lovely vintage childrens book in vgc, an old collars box, a brand new brass triple hook (Past Times) for my new wall storage!, a Denby jug - dark brown with a pale blue inside, four matching Denby cups and saucers, and a little jug . I then went over to a lovely hospice stall where they get the loveliest scarves, hankies and my downfall - old linens. I wasnt disappointed and was happily rummaging whilst talking to a lovely lady who cant resist hankies - I shall loOk out for her at the next one in October - I told her about blogging and she was so excited she was off to have a look at http://www.vintage-home.co.uk/ which is where I found blogging. Anyway readers I got the most gorgeous Barbola mirrors ( the lady I met checked them and assured me they were real) plus this was a hospice stall not a dealers - one was £6 and one £10 - I bought a tray cloth for 20p and the lady let me have everything for £15. I was grinning like a demented woman!!!! I came straight home and cleaned them up very carefully with a toothbrush and cotton bud - the difference was amazing - they have pride of place on my bedroom drawers. I have wathced them on ebau for so long but the command huge prices now.
We are off to Shropshire in the morning to stay in Ironbridge for a couple of days - havent been there before so looking forward to it. Here's hoping I have some responses when I get back -
Alchamillamolly

12 comments:

Shropshire Girl said...

Hi there! Thanks for visiting my blog. There is plenty of parking in Shrewsbury but it is quite expensive. There is a park and ride but don't know anything about it.
Good luck with your blot
Best
Sandra.

Shropshire Girl said...

Oops! I'm obviously too tired tonight! That should have read = Good luck with your blog!
Sandra

Rosie said...

I've enjoyed reading your blog and hope you soon find the house you are looking for. You will, I'm sure, enjoy your visit to Ironbridge and Shropshire it is the most beautiful area. I will return to read more later:)

Clare and Mike said...

Hi!

Thanks for visiting my blog and how wonderful to know you came to blogging via my website!

Good luck with the house hunting - look forward to hearing more about it - although you may not have much time to spare for house-hunting if you get addicted to blogging!

Clare x

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi - Thanks for popping in to leave a comment on my blog birthday. I'm glad you've been visiting, and hope you'll continue to drop in.

As far as the downsizing is concerned, trust me it's soooo difficult but can have its lighter moments. It's rather a case of 'looking on the bright side of life' and seeing cardboard boxes as a new form of shabby chic storage (some hopes!), and your garage or shed as an additional living area!!!!! Just don't do what we do every time we move - pack everything, intending to sort it after moving!!! That just doesn't work!!

It sounds as if you've found some great items just recently. I'm a sucker for embroidered linens, too and am in the process of sorting some for my website.

Good luck with your blogging. Before you know it you'll have reached an anniversary too.

Sue

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Oh exciting news on the house front then!! I hope you find something soon-keep me posted!! Good luck in your hunt!!

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

OOh that's great news! I think you can always tell when you find the right house! And how exciting it has a cellar and all the original features still!! I'll be keeping my fingers croosed for you! Are you going to put an offer in?

Country Cottage Chic said...

Welcome to blogging! I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I always love to read about people's vintage finds & good luck with your house hunting!

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Me again! Just wanted to say good morning, and I know all about that horrible, sinking feeling about going into work! How awful that yours lasts for 3 days, I do hope you get the problem sorted out! One thing I always tried to keep in mind when I was hating work would be;

Will it even matter in 10 years from now? Or five?

It justs helped me to remember that I worked to live, not the other way round!! Hope it's not too bad this week-I'll be thinking of you! x

mrsnesbitt said...

Ooooooooooooooh! What a small world eh?
Thanks for your comment on my blog, great to think and know we are neighbours. I often pop over to your market! We could have a coffee sometime!
I understand what you say about downsizing, we are in the process. I now am a housewife with just my artwork to focus on, plus the odd supply teaching. This was a decision I made and a turn in my career after 25 years as a school teacher, deputy head at one point. Blogging is a great tool in connecting with like minded people. I will add you to my blogroll as we must keep in touch.
Denise
xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for visiting my blog. I can understand you wanting to stay in Northallerton, as it is a charming market town and one of my favourites to visit. Good luck with your house hunting.

Do you know Poppie's blog? http://the-creative-spirit.blogspot.com/ She must be a neighbour of yours, as she also lives in Northallerton.

Marie x

Mary said...

Hi there, thank you so much for visiting my blog. I am still amazed that people on the other side of the world are reading!

Best of luck with the house hunting -- I know it must be stressful, but also a little fun to look at alot of different houses. I must tell you that I envy you those car boots! I imagine that England is just filled with wonderful old things!!!

I look forward to visiting again!
Mary