The Joy Of A Car Boot Sale

What a warm welcome back you all gave us it was a wonderful feeling to know that we were missed.  Last week I  made a start visiting your blogs and trying to catch up but I think it will take awhile.  It certainly was a busy week trying to get back into a routine, unpacking washing and ironing the list goes on.  The hospital and doctors appointments seemed endless but all is well, once again thank you for your emails of concern.  Gerard has a new regime of medication which started last week and assessments as we need a little help with some extra equipment.  What a difference having some extra tools have made for his independence.  We were of course both very tired it was a long trip and a long time to be away but we wouldn't change one second of the joy we had.  We spent quality time with our three daughters and their little families so lots of adventures and outings.  We were also blessed to spend some time with my Mum and Dad who are still doing well, so that was wonderful creating some lovely memories to cherish.

As you all know I am a great fan of a car boot sale so it was a delight to be able to take a stroll around  one whilst away.  Yes I did pick up a few bargains so I was thrilled. 

8 x 100g balls for £4 perfect for a project I have in mind for the long Winter evenings.

These were 20p a ball which I thought might work for the edging of a shawl.

Scrapbooks which were priced up at £2 each but I got them all for £7.  I simply asked what her best price as if I took them all.  I also bought loads of bits and pieces for cardmaking and scrapbooking off the same stall so lots of bargains.

Some old crochet patterns were found for 10p each to add to my collection, I love to take them out and browse through them.  I do also use them now and again and get great joy from creating something from a bygone era.

It was also a joy to be able to tick things off my shopping list as we had little outings around the shops.  I have finally found the perfect fabric to be used for the lining of the tweed coats for Wilbur and Hector.

Wooden embellishments seemed to be featuring everywhere and are always useful.

Some header tape for the new valances I have in mind for the kitchen.  Along with some new pens for my bible journaling and a beautiful pair of glass knitting needles, which I fell in love with.

Notebooks were bought from Home Bargains so cheaply and are perfect covered and given as gifts.  I bought some Harry Potter fabric for the grandchildren so are perfect for their stockings.

I fell in love with the Christmas fabric of the trees on the trucks/cars, that was my only impulse buy but I am sure I will make something out of it.  I have done all of my Christmas shopping whilst away as there are so few shops here on the Island, a little early I know but reassuring to know that I am not under any pressure.  I still have a lot of gifts to make as hampers and a crafted gift always feature, along with handcrafted cards and tags.  We are once again going on our travels over the festive period so not long until we see our loved ones.

Isn't it strange how little things can bring so much joy.  I love a stroll around a car boot sale and the pleasure of finding treasure amongst someone else's rubbish.  How do you feel about a ca boot sale?

See you soon.

Weekly Plans

Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments on my last post.  It was a wonderful feeling to share with you and to be blessed with such a huge response.  We have certainly been humbled.  Lily had a wonderful morning at school and said although she hadn't learnt anything yet she would go again.  That's good to know and certainly made me smile.

I finally stood at a car boot and got rid of the bulk of my rubbish.  They say that one man's rubbish is another man's treasure.  The money will certainly be useful for this ever increasing family.  The rest of the stuff is going either to the tip or to the charity shop this morning.  I then intend to get the windows cleaned indoor and out whilst there is a break in the weather and the carpets cleaned.  I didn't have chance to have a stroll around the sale but I did manage to buy this beautiful enamel dish from a neighbouring stall for the tiny sum of 20p.  I love it, its not particularly old but will still look good in the kitchen with some of my older enamelware.

I have a whole list of jobs for the week both in my own home and at my parents.  I have also started a list for Christmas so that once again I am organised and not rushing about and feeling pressured.  I have already made a good start to the craft presents.

 

This is a Cath Kidston organiser that I use each year and add new recipes that I want to try.  I love to spend a few hours browsing some of the recipe books  and adding a new recipe to the already enormous section.  Food plays a very large part in our festivities..  I also have lists for Christmas cards and presents and plan the designs for the card and gift topper.  I have started making some of the gifts already so that I am not under pressure  but the cards and gift toppers I like to do nearer the time with some Christmas music in the background.  You can be too organised and miss out on some of the simple pleasures.  Gifts although exchanged are not a large part of our Christmas.

 

I have made some more jam to add to the Winter store cupboard this time plum jam, with plums from our neighbours tree.

 

 

I have also just picked all the basil and intend to make pesto for some lovely Italian delights. 

 

Wilbur is having a Peter Pan birthday party and although it is not until December I have made a start with the bean bags needed for a Tick Tock Croc game planned.  I have started the prototype but didn't have a fabric pen or dried beans/peas.

 

 

I also have some trousers that need altering and some cloth heavy duty shopping bags to make.  Free carrier bags will become a thing of the past very shortly, as from next month we will have to pay for them.  I already have bags for life but intend to add to my car and handbag some cloth bags so I don't get caught out.

 

Finally I had the pleasure of winning a pattern for a vest style sweater for the Grandchildren, my dear mum is going to make a start on one later today.  Thank you so much Miss over at My Wool Valley I am delighted.  Pop on over and take a look, she has some amazing patterns to share.

 

Have you any plans for the week?

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 

Car Boot Sale/New Home Gifts

We were blessed last week with a mini heat wave which I must admit I really did enjoy.  I am obviously a sun worshipper and loved the warmth on my skin.  It brought the crowds out as people from inland flocked to the coast.  I have to admit to taking full advantage of the good weather and finally stood at a car boot sale selling my wares.  I had sorted out all my clothes that were too big since I had lost weight, books, toys that the children had grown out of and umpteen other bits and pieces that were no longer needed or wanted.  One mans rubbish is another mans treasure I sold such a lot of things raising over £300.  I was so pleased with that and intend to go again when we have some half decent weather once more.  The mini heat wave was indeed MINI and has come to an abrupt end, once again bringing rain to the East coast and a cool wind which is normal for us.  I did however manage to get the bedding washed and dried this afternoon.

 

I love the smell of sheets that have been  hung to dry outside.  I have also been busy altering a dress that I came across in the pile for getting rid of as I didn't like the neckline.

 

 

Instead of discarding the dress, I decided to make it into a skirt ready for my trip to Florida in the Autumn.  I cut out the zip and cut off the top, then simply re stitched the seam and turned over and sewed the top edge.  A few simple adjustments and it is now an item of clothing that I will wear.

 

 

Amie, my daughter and her little family moved home a couple of weeks ago, so we are going down for the weekend to visit.  I have some Cath Kidston fabric that she adores so I have made them a table cloth and a runner for their new home. 

 

 

I have edged the cloth with some vintage lace to give it a luxurious feel.  I have also stitched a plain runner for the coffee table in the same fabric.

 

 

I hope they will be very happy in their new home.   The rain has certainly saved us a job of watering today and has given some of the blooms a renewed lease of life, the sun was giving them a hard time and making them wilt.  They are coming back with a renewed vigour.  What's the weather like in your neck of the woods?  I am certainly getting the impression that there are some unusual weather patterns about at the moment.

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 

100 Followers Giveaway and Car Boot Treasure

Drum roll please....and the winners are...

 

Janet from Yellow Pink and Sparkly and Mrs Tiggywinkle from A Shropshire Patch, if you could email me at mamasmercantile1@gmail.com with your address I will get your little parcels in the post.

 

 

Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments, I appreciate every single one.

 

My husband and I took the birthday girl (my sweet Mum) for a stroll around the car boot sale this morning and are meeting up later for afternoon tea.  I managed to get vegetables from an allotment holder this morning selling some of her surplus so it was all at bargain prices.

 

 

The turnips were 10p each and the rhubarb 30p a bunch, I bought several to put into the freezer.

 

 

I once again managed to get 3 more games to add to the nursery for the children.  £2 for all 3 with all of them in perfect condition and complete. 

 

 

These rubber animals were a bargain at 20p each so I picked up £2 worth to add to the box, the children have a tendency to take them home with them so I am always topping off the box when they are at bargain prices.

 

 

Finally, a baby's crib...no there is not another baby on the way.  We picked it up for the bargain price of £4.  We bought it for the wood, it is  solid pine and we want to upcycle it into a dressing up box, we couldn't buy wood for that price.  Watch this space...

 

Did you bag a bargain today?

 

I was asked to show my favourite/special buttons after my five on Friday post yesterday so here they are... another drum roll please...

 

 

Here are some of my favourite buttons, they are quite large vintage buttons that I use when I am making cushions.  They all have a story and some special memories of places and people I bought them from. 

 

A very warm welcome to my new followers, I hope you enjoy my little adventures and pop in now and again for a visit, the kettle is always on but I am cutting back a little on the cake and biscuits.

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

Car Boot Treasure and Scrapbooking

Thank you for all your lovely comments and enquiries about my daughter.  She actually had a minor heart  attack and consequently has undergone tests to see if she has a heart problem or other underlying health issues.  She is still having heart palpitations intermittently so is waiting for a 24 hour ECG and scan.  She is at home and feeling a whole lot better.  Once again thank you so much for your concern.

We have Bertie for the weekend so we took him for a stroll around the local car boot to see if we could find some new games for the children when they visit.  For the total sum of £1 we have managed to top them off quite nicely.

 

Snakes and ladders 20p. 

 

 

Build a beetle 20p.  Both the boxes were a little battered but all the pieces were there, so a real bargain.

 

 

Although not a game, a great activity to do, a snip at 20p.

 

 

 

A wonderful box full of card making things, a fun activity for the children, yet again 20p.

 

 

Finally playing cards, yes you guessed it 20p.

 

 

Bertie's treasure was a car for £1, he was thrilled with it.  Just shows, you  don't have to spend a fortune to entertain children.  We had a great couple of hours playing with our car boot treasure.

 

 

I also managed to get some scrapbook pages done whilst Bertie and his Grandad had a nap.  I love looking through the pages, remembering the moment the picture was captured and the fun I had creating the page.  Such a relaxing way to document special moments that I want to record.

 

 

 

 

I finally got around to recording some wonderful memories of a family get together in January to celebrate Lily and Daisy's Birthdays.

 

 

A visit from Wilbur and caught red handed playing with the spinning wheel - precious moments

 

 

Bertie, loving the board games and colouring.

 

 

Finally up to date recording the crafting with Granny.  Another busy day planned so will catch up with you all later.  Wishing you all a great day and some special moments.  How do you record special events in your life?

 

See you soon.

 

 

An End To The Summer

Autumn is definitely on its way, but we have been lucky in that we have had another week of nice dry and warm weather.  I have also been lucky in the garden and we are still reaping the benefits.  We have had an abundance of tomatoes this year and green beans that I pick most days and have been putting some in the freezer for a taste of summer later.

Before we come to the end  of the harvest I thought I would share a beautiful supper with you.  I used tomatoes, courgettes, green beans,  pepper and fried them with some minced beef adding some chopped basil and a garlic clove.  Add some tomato puree if needed and simmer until the pasta is cooked.  A very quick, tasty and easy supper.

 

It won't be long before we are thinking winter stews and casseroles so its nice to still have a taste of summer for a little longer. 

 

I have also squirrelled away some rhubarb for the freezer for a tasty warming pudding, rhubarb and ginger crumble.

As the end of the summer draws to an end so does the car boot season so we had a stroll around one this morning.  My car boot treasure this week was an old chair picked up for the bargain price of 50p.   An ideal project to do outside before the weather breaks.

Finally I am still working on the wedding every day as well as trying to get as much done for Christmas as I can.  I have made more washcloths this time tying them with ribbon and adding a poinsettia they look quite effective.

I have also completed some mini wreaths that will be lovely tied to a bottle of wine.

All in all a productive couple of days.  A warm welcome to new followers and a big thank you for all your wonderful comments, it always makes my day reading them.

 

See you soon.