Textile Treasure Seeker

Where, oh where does the time go? One minute I was packing up my treasures and heading to Chipping Sodbury for the very first Vintage and Handmade Textile Fair and the next, it's nearly two weeks later! Anyway, I hope that the adage "better late than never" goes some way to making up for my recent non-bloggingness!

It really was a fabulous day. Michele and Jayne, as always, did a wonderful job of organising and running everything. The atmosphere at the Old Grammar School Rooms was buzzing and for me it felt like a day out meeting up with old friends.

Here's my stall at the start of the day, just before the doors were opened and the fair was declared officially open.

I had great 'next door neighbours' in the hall. On one side was the lovely Viv of Hensteeth, with her wonderful creations. We managed to have a jolly good catch up in between customers...most exciting of all is Viv's new space at The Wear-House in Ludlow. I for one can't wait to pop in for a browse!

Viv had all sorts of gorgeous vintage textile-ness to tempt us with! From buttons and lace...

...to these glorious treasures.

My other 'next door neighbour' was the very talented Suzie Johnson of The Wool Sanctuary (on the right) and her friend Annie.

You may recognise the knitted beach huts from 'Kirstie's Homemade Home' as Suzie was one of the creative bods who was featured. I loved hearing all about Suzie's adventures as a tv star!

A group photo (from left to right): Barb (one half of WooBarb), Viv, Donna, Woo (the other half of WooBarb), Aileen (Donna's lovely mum) and me.

Mr Treasure was an absolute hero all day - carrying boxes and baskets to and from the car, making sure I didn't collapse in a heap of excitement or panic (as this was my first ever foray into the world of fairs!), fetching mugs of tea, fluffing cushions and straightening linens.

Donna found herself a new dress on Lizzie's stall and it was as if it was made for her! Mummy Treasure said that Donna reminded her of one of those polish dolls, so we borrowed one from Viv's stall for this photo!

Emma Boyne's gorgeous print block cushions, complete with vintage fabric backing.

I could happily have taken home everything that Woo and Barb had made!

No textile fair would be complete without the fabulous Donna Flower!

Handmade by Jayne, I think this has to be not just the prettiest, but also the yummiest cupcake I've ever had!

I was drawn to Sal's gorgeous 1940's fabrics like a moth to a flame!

This is some of them close up.

Here's Selvedge magazine's stall.

Shabby Chick's stall was a feast of vintage loveliness.

Handmade treasures from Hen.

Lizzie's stall, complete with vintage buttons and stashes of enticing fabric.

I couldn't come home from the fair without making a few purchases! One of Viv's fabulous brooches, some glorious '40's fabric from Sal and beautifully wrapped parcels from Woo and Barb...

...that contained these delights. A pin cushion by Woo and one of Barb's needlecases.

What a fabulous day it was...I can't wait for the next V&H fair!