Out And About, This and That - Finding and Receiving Treasures

The weekend before Christmas Lu and I decided to have a little trip to the beautiful, little town of Bridgenorth in Shropshire ………..

…….. a town that holds many happy family memories for all of us, to get some fresh air and a change of festive pace.  We had heard that the bustling market at the back of the town had gone  a little while ago, so we were very pleasantly surprised to find that there was a smaller version still there with a few stalls of the second hand/car boot variety ………

There was one stall where the prices were insane, where I would have bought everything lock, stock and barrel, even though I had nowhere to put it all, but Lu sadly/fortunately reigned me in.

However, I did make two considered purchases …… this set of two complete trios plus an extra saucer was just £1???????

I don’t think it’s by any great maker, it’s not particularly finished off that well, but it was black lace like pattern that drew me in ……

This will be going on my turquoise re-vamped display shelves that I haven’t actually had a chance fill up properly, because once I’d finished painting and varnishing it, it went from Halloween and then Christmas type mode, however I think this set would look good on top of a couple of old books? 

This unusual lusterware vase was also in the same box (as above) and also £1. I picked it up and put it back at least half a dozen times, before realising that I would be plagued by none buyers regret if I left it.  I am so glad I did, as I love it.

It sort of looks art deco, but I’m not that sure it has the age. I can’t find anything like it online so any help would be most welcome.  It does say Italy on one of the feet and has a hand embossed D on another, which I assume is the initial of the maker. 

I found this German Christmas Nativity Pyramid for just £2.50 in the Vale Wildlife charity shop in Evesham. As soon as I saw it I knew Bertie would be absolutely fascinated by it and how it works.

When I opened the box I found that one sail was missing (I have since found out spares are available), however once the other sails were positioned it worked perfectly, but because I didn’t like the thought of having a space, making it look uneven  (a little OCD I know) I tried it using only half the sails with equally pleasing results.

It also came with a complete box of 24 small candles (I will need to source some more for next year as we’ve used them all over the weeks). Needless to say Bertie loved it, insisting that it was lit at every meal time, bless him.

This tiny machine embroidery in a small brass frame was a Christmas present from my sister in law, again I just love it. It found it’s way on to my festive shelves and has stayed now that all the decorations have been put away.  Just seeing the words is inspirational, especially on the days when I’m not in the mood to craft or don’t have any idea what to do.

I asked Tom for this Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits Village die set (16 pieces). OMG the buildings are so tiny, it took me quite by surprise, all the little pieces!  However, after seeing an article on Pinterest I have ordered a couple of A4 magnetic photographic paper sheets to help hold everything in position when putting them through my Big Shot. I’ve not tried it out yet, so not 100% it will work, we shall see. I have a couple of ideas for putting a little scene in a clear Christmas bauble and shadow box dioramas, I just need the time to play.

I am a little tempted by the new Tim Holtz Village set  (87 pieces and not, I don’t believe, compatible with the smaller and earlier set above), but I think I need to play with this set first to see the potential and wait for the price of the new set to drop ………….. has anyone else got this set, what do you think?

Think that’s it for now …….  Marc sent me a resin set for making all sorts of treasures and a huge pack of acrylic paint pens that I’ve been wittering on about for ages, but they are for another day, when I’ve had a chance to play more …………