Monday 5 October 2009

You make the moon a mirrorball...

Hello Lovelies...Couldn't you just eat one of these? Yeah, me too. I did indulge just a little over the weekend, as we visited Amiens, just north of Paris for another French Flea Market.
The city of Amiens has very interesting architecture. We, unfortunately, didn't get chance to go inside the Cathedral. It was H U G E and very detailed.

We arrived in Amiens on Saturday and doesn't the weather make all the difference? It was cold and windy and instead of being able to sit outside and watch the world go by, with a glass of something alcoholic, we had to scuttle inside for warmth and shelter. Sunday, was the day of the Flea Market and the moment we started searching for bargains, the drizzle broke into a torrential downpour...


Such a shame, as an awful lot of items for sale must have been ruined with the rain.
A very large part of the centre of Amiens was taken up with Antique stalls and car booter booty. But after an hour of persistent persisting down, the current Mr. Hens Teeth had a face that matched the miserable weather :-( I did manage to find a man with a van, who was selling the contents of two large trunks of lovely old linens. So not all was lost! We left Amiens around 1.30pm and arrived home at 8.30pm.
The mannequins below were really lovely but reproduction. I wished that I had enquired about the price now, but isn't that always the way after the event???

Onto 'stuff' created in the last week or so.
I was lucky enough to be given a huge collection of paper doilies, which I have silk screen printed my drawings of birdies. They look really delicate on the lacy paper, so I have attached the printed doilies to greetings cards. They will be part of my stock for the Vintage and Handmade Fair in November, which I am getting really excited about now. If you have not sampled the delight of the V & HM, you are missing a treat. The atmosphere, goods for sale, tea room, organisation, meeting bloggy friends...every aspect of the Fair is thoroughly enjoyable and a great day out. Please see link at sidebar for more info.
More 'stuff' made....
A 1950's envelope with textile collage.
A gathering of brooches...
and a coin purse...

All of which are residing in Etsyland as we speak ;-)
My last post was entitled "I was sitting in a bar.... " thank you to all who knew "In these shoes" by the much missed Kirsty MacColl. Just incase you have forgotten what a bloody good tune it is, click the link below. Bet you can't keep still to this!


Thanks for stopping by. x

26 comments:

Greedy Nan said...

What a lovely day you had and yes, I too liked Kirsty McColl - sad end to another marvellous artist's life.

Corinne Phillips said...

What a shame the weather tried to spoil your trip. I know what you mean about thinking of what you should have done after the event, There are only a few times I have tried to be "sensible" and resist a purchase and every single time I have regretted it. To hell with sensibility I say!! x

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Oh wow! I love all your beautiful things, but especially "doily bird". I love the plumpness of your birdie

Good luck with your Vintage and Hand Made Fair, you are sure to sell like cup cakes for Christmas!

xx

Unknown said...

I too wonder what those mannequins cost ?

Helen said...

Trip to a French flea market sound great! Shame about the weather. The Doily birds cards are lovely.

Country Cottage Chic said...

What a shame you were washed out Viv.
Really looking forward to seeing your work at the fair!

Jayne

Anonymous said...

This plucks at my heart, and I do agree that if the inner voice says 'buy', one always regrets it later if one moves into self-denial. I always come back from abroad with something, even if it is paper table napkins!

Jackie said...

What an amazing time you have at the weekends!
I go for a walk in the woods or a trip to a local gallery..you go to another country!

menopausalmusing said...

Going to be raiding my piggy bank on the 14th of next month, I think.

lilylovekin said...

Thank you for introducing me to Kirsty MacColl, I loved the song and her voice.

cathy said...

Viv - what a bloody great song is right!

A time to dance said...

Been there done that...on holiday of course...there isnothing worse than a wet car boot in france or a huge flea market, everything damp and covered in plastic sheets and you cant get in to look as everyone crowds under tents...how wonderful to go for a day...how do you get there? hope you and yours are well and happy love and hugs H ps I LOVE YOUR BIRDS

Ravenhill said...

I dream of going to the fleamarkets in France on day... How much I admire your work! Always fresh and pretty as can be!
~Emily xx

JuliaB said...

Oh I am a Kirsty Macoll fan too! Her last album is so fantastic and having been to Cuba I can see why she loved it there so much. ahhh ... Such a talented lady. x

RosesRadishesandRubbish said...

Hi Viv!!

I am so envious of your Flea Market jaunts. Your work is just beautiful..love your new brooches and your coin purses. Thanks for the always beautiful posts that brighten my day.:) hugs, Amy

Primchick said...

Man with a van...!! now he sounds interesting...
Lovin' your new work sister...!!
Marion ;0)

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Poor Mr Hens Teeth, all that rain - so glad you had an opportunity to sample those amazing cakes, Viv and to purchase some linen. Like your new blue patterned bags. BFN. Lesley

Cathy said...

So much to see on your blog. The doily bird is gorgeous and those brooches are beautiful. The fair sounded great but what a shame about the weather. Ours has turned very wet today but we did need it for the garden.

Love that cathedral architecture. I have never seen so much decoration on anything. It must have taken stonemasons years and years to produce all that. I would have picked out the Calais cake btw.

thevintagemagpie said...

Hi Viv, lovely work as usual.. I'm off to Paris next Fridayn for the weekend, and our 11th wedding anniversary.. I'm so so so excited... can you hear me squealing? Anyhoo, I am determined to visit a flea market French style whilst we are there, have you any recommendations?? xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Viv, it's Xi from college. I just wanna say hi and tell you I love all your handcrafts! They are exactly what i want to do! I will keep coming back and steal inspirations, if you don't mind ;-P

Margaret said...

At least you didn't let the weather dampen your spirits! looks like a lovely trip! Love your doily bird, what a wonderful idea! Mx

Margaret said...

At least you didn't let the weather dampen your spirits! looks like a lovely trip! Love your doily bird, what a wonderful idea! Mx

paperbird said...

You have a sweet blog- I adore your bird stitchings- alot!

Country Cottage Chic said...

What a shame it rained as it looks like it would have been a fabulous place to root around for treasures.

Jayne

Anonymous said...

So glad I stumbled on your lovely lovely blog today, it's always nice to find other blogger out and about on the net!

I must tell you that I like like like your nice blog!

Agneta & Sweden

thevintagemagpie said...

OH, oh la la, I can't believe I've missed this flea market.. we just got back from Paris, staying on the outskirts of Monmatre and had the most beautiful time, but the flea market we found was Marche de Puces at the end of the blue metro line, and it was all really expensive, but OH SO GORGEOUS, antiques.. no bargains, and I do so love a bargain. Will put some piccies up soon on blog, but wished I'd found more of a car booty for my booty!! Ahhh Paris, you can't beat it can you. xx