Latest Vintage Acquisitions

I'm pleased to announce that car boot season is now in full swing in Sheffield, and I went to my first one of the year yesterday. It took an hour to get in (my poor knee hurts today from all that clutch control in loooong queues!), but myself and Beatrix certainly enjoyed getting back into searching for vintage treasures, haggling and chatting to the stallholders once again. And eating meaty treats (Bea, not me).

Here's what we came home with.

First of all - and I think this has to be my star buy of the day - some more Dean Enid Blytons for my small but growing collection. I have never read The Magic Faraway Tree, and it was one of the books read by another group of the Pretty Nostalgic Vintage Book Club while we were reading The Wind in the Willows in Sheffield, so I'm very pleased to have a copy in my collection at last. Will it make me have psychedelic dreams?

There was even a makeshift bookmark inside one, on very 1970's paper!

Here is my Dean & Son collection as it stands now.

Next, and speaking of The Wind in the Willows, here are two Ladybird books I snapped up. The first has gorgeous illustrations and makes a wonderful introduction to the story for young readers, and the second replaces a copy I had as a child, and which my now-forgiven mother gave away with a great deal other of my children's books when I was away at university. I've nearly bought them all back now! I know I had another Ladybird Disney book, and it was blue, but I can't remember what it was. I'm inclined to say Peter Pan. I do remember that they came from Woolworths! 

"The clever men at Oxford

Know all there is to be knowed

But none of them knows half as much

As intelligent Mr Toad!"

There was a shiny motor car like this one in the car park at the car boot sale yesterday. Fate! Poop poop!

More books. I have never owned these two Beatrix Potter Ladybirds before but I think I have read them, so can only assume I borrowed them from the library when very small. The photo illustrations are nothing like Potter's drawings but are still rather lovely.

A collection of Ladybirds, scooped up at 50p each. It's quite rare to find them these days.

This decoupage had to come home with me. This is my very favourite of the Mrs Tiggywinkle illustrations, because she looks so cheeky! In fact she reminds me a little of my gran! This will look splendid on my gallery wall along with my Beatrix Potter Alice in Wonderland picture. 

Lastly, some linens, which reminded me of both a Spring day and the talented Jenny of The Custards. Apologies for the pre-wash photos...

And here they are, resplendent and clean on the washing line, after I'd done my own Mrs. Tiggywinkle act. Not bad for 25p each. 

So after that quite literary acquisitions update, have you found any treasures recently?

Autumn Adventures with a Vintage Ladybird Book

This vintage Ladybird nature book from 1966 was always present in my home when I was growing up, but it's only been this year that I sat down with it and looked at it properly. Looking turned to admiration at the stunning artwork within its covers, evoking a longing within me to don my wellie boots and go out nature spotting.

So that's exactly what I did. Using this book as my own 'I Spy' guide (remember those?), I captured autumnal images over a period of several weeks. 

Our pre-Christian ancestors celebrated Autumn as the New Year, marking the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark. 

I have always loved getting out and about in nature, but this project made me really notice the little changes that happen as the seasons rotate, and appreciate everything from a hilltop scene changing colour to the arrival of a single mushroom.

As much as I adore Autumn and Winter I do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, so it's really important that I get out in the daylight during these months as much as possible. Using What to Look for in Autumn reminds me that we are all natural creatures, and that by living more by the seasons and less by the clock, the television schedule and the demands of working life we can feel more in tune with nature and get more out of each season. As the adage goes, 

"Those who never get outside cannot thrive."

I certainly feel much happier when I get outside and don't spend the entire week under electric lighting.

I think I need the other three books in the series, now! What do you love most about Autumn?

Wishing you a leaf-crunching Monday,