The Last Of The Summer Flowers & The Colours Of Autumn

"A Tense Moment" From The 1930s

I have mentioned my love of the illustrations found in children's books before, especially those from the 1930s such as these two fantastic plates which I found in an edition of School Girls Story Book. Sometimes you find a copy only to realise when you open it that the pictures have long since gone but it is great when they are all there (there are only ever three or four).

A Very 'Deco' Image

The lady fishing for salmon (the colour of her sweater and the flow of the water gives the game away) and the group of women bathing were both found in a copy from around 1934. The warmth of summer which has lasted so long is finally giving way and the flowers in my garden will be no more for another year.

The Last Flowers Of Summer

I walked down the slippery brick path to pick the last of the Chrysanthemums at the end of the garden, I am hoping that they will last until the Northampton Fair on Saturday.

The Northampton Fair - Saturday 8th November

The Northampton Fair will be taking place at St Matthew's on Saturday.There will be an 'old style' tea room serving homemade cakes, two rooms of stalls inside and hopefully more stalls outside if the weather is good. The address, if you have not visited before is St Matthew's Parish Centre, 27A The Drive, Northampton, NN1 4RY.

Saturday 8th November 11-3

October proved to be as busy as September and there were lovely stalls at the Leamington, Olney and Stamford Fairs.

Random Makes At The Stamford Fair

Wendy from Random Makes joined us in the Blue Room at Stamford last Saturday and brought along some lovely handmade pieces for the home and to wear. Wendy will be at the Northampton Fair on Saturday.

Half of Antoinette & Fred's Stall!

It was lovely to see Fred and Antoinette who joined the fair for the first time at Market Harborough back in 2012.

One Of The Stalls At Olney

There were some very pretty stalls when the fair visited the Church Hall for the Olney Fair, I do not think we have ever managed to squeeze so much into such a small room, it looked fantastic.

Suzanne - H&A Ambassador At The Olney Fair

Suzanne will be at the Northampton Fair on Saturday if you want to subscribe to Homes & Antiques, along with her range of lovely handmade wares.

'Handmade By Astrid'

Astrid uses shrunken wool, old embroidery and fabrics to make lovely bags, cushions and purses and made a pretty picture along with old china, linens and vintage toys at Olney.

Our Things In The Foyer At Olney!

I decided to take a few things along to the Olney Fair and put a small table table together in the very windy vestibule and huddled in the corner as I greeted everyone who came along on the day.

A Very Cute Chap

Many thanks to the lady who spotted the Ludo game and arrived early to ensure that it did not escape!

Worcester Ware - 'Boutique'

Back on the 'home-front' we found a lovely set of Worcester Ware canisters when we visited Brackley Antique Cellar, they were on Unit 60 (our old unit!), a lovely space dedicated to vintage kitchenalia. Research lead to no trace so they must be quite difficult to find, I would love matching spice jars, cake tin and bread-bin. Interestingly Cath Kidston have used a very similar design on a dark midnight-blue background in the latest range.

A Lovely Wool Rug

The rug was an indulgence as it was quite expensive however it is so colourful and is around four feet wide so makes quite an impact. The cottage garden scene has been inspired by 1930s crafting.

Another Vintage Rug

As if one rug were not enough another came along, found under a cupboard and hardly visible, obscured by vintage clothes downstairs at Most Marvellous in Northampton. It is quite large and dates from the 1940s (possibly 1960s - please advise) and has brightened up our landing at home.

Most Marvellous - Northampton

I popped into Most Marvellous again this week and found this lovely little child's chair in yellow formica, the yellow collection is growing!

(Some Of)...The Colours Of Autumn

I found this box of vintage 'Sylko' cottons at the Stamford Fair, I would love to find more in different shades. My last picture is of a Sadler biscuit barrel in turquoise and gilt, I found it on a stall near to till in Most Marvellous, I recognised the lovely tag straight away as the work of Jake and Linda (who had a stall at the very first fair and will be with us again for the January Jumble.

A Pretty Sadler Biscuit Barrel

Best wishes and hope to see you at the Northampton Fair on Saturday.