I'm Back!!!!

Hello everyone xxx

Sorry it has been a while since my last blog but our whole familys' lives have just been turned upside down.

Our daughter Molly - aged 9 was diagnosed with Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes on the 4th October. This means that her pancreas no longer produces insulin so she will be insulin dependent indefinately.

When we were told by our GP it came as such a shock to us as Molly was such a healthy child - gaining a place in our local swimming club just a week before diagnosis!!

We were immediately rushed to hospital where Molly & I spent three days trying to adjust to the new life that lay ahead of us.

Molly, without doubt, is the bravest girl I could ever hope to meet. I love her to pieces and I am so proud of her. She has taken this on board like a true star and although we have moments of frustration she really is going about her daily life just like she did before the news.

My other three children have been equally as brave!!! They have been backwards and forwards to hospital at all times day and night and been looked after by countless numbers of people. I love you all too!!!!

Myself and my husband have taken a little longer to adjust - but we are getting there. I think it was because it came as such a shock that is why it has knocked us for six.

Anyway at times like this, I have to keep myself busy so I have been tidying, sorting and re-organising all of my china in the house. A 4 hourly blood testing regime throughout the day has meant that I could not venture to far away from home/school so gave me time to finally do all of these chores.

I hope you have enjoyed a little peek into my china collection.

Bye for Now

Kerry xxxx

Playing around with photography

After a successful meeting with the web designers this morning, I have been playing around today with my new camera - hope you like the results:

Bye for now

Kerry xxxx

The Early Bird Catches The Worm

Hi Everyone xx

It was a very early start for me yesterday as it was my fortnightly trip to Kempton Antiques Fair. I was up at 4.30am which wasn't to bad as it was so warm anyway, the birds were singing and it was too beautiful to be in bed.

I got to Kempton at 5.30am which was far to early as the traders cannot start trading until 6.30am. I knew I had to be there early though as I had some really special items to find.

I had a wander around all of the vans, which were all shut up so decided to go and get some breakfast. On the way I had a little sneeky peek inside one of the vans which to my amazement was crammed full of just what I was looking for.

I must have looked really strange hanging around the van for just under an hour but I knew that come 6.30 this one van would have a lot of people interested in it.

Because it was such a gorgeous morning a big queue was forming outside of the entrance (I must have been mistaken for a trader to have got in so early - whoops!!!!).

Once 6.30 came it was like something from the Harrods January Sale. Hundreds of people ran in from the entrance gate and made a bee line to exactly the same van I was interested in.

I knew I had to act quick - as soon as the van was unloaded I had to make a decision. And there they were............... a pair of chairs from France - just what I had been looking for!!

They are just so gorgeous and so much so that I would love to keep them. BUT, I am now setting up a business so my business head must take over. I am going to get them re-upholstered in some gorgeous fabric and sell them on my new website (once it gets up and running!!!). Their future will I am sure be fantastic!!!

After my amazing find, I had to calm down and get down to business and find yet more china. It can be difficult sourcing the right kind of china and teapots in particular can be really hard to find. I was in luck though and came across all of this - and all before 7am!!

The first photo is of a complete 1930's tea set - so pretty!!!

The second photo shows two teapots - of completely different designs but will look fab with all of my other mismatched china.

After these early finds, the heavens opened. I was outside and a good 10 minute walk back to the indoor stalls. I got absolutely soaked and when teamed with a white dress and sandals, I really was not a pretty sight!!! On my rush back through all of the puddles I came across this little chap. He was as wet as I was and it was this that made my heart melt!!

Isn't he adorable!!! He may be a little dirty and a little worn but I really like this about him - so much love over the years really does make him unique.

After a coffee and a little dry under the hand dryer in the ladies I felt a little better and so decided to continue my search for just one last item that I really wanted to find. Along the way I picked up these little treasures:

50p each - how could I refuse!!

I just love old Ladybird Books and the ones from the 50's and 60's are a passion of mine but one that I really must share!!

I was at the point of giving up and it still was only 8am. Matthew had taken the day off though so he could come and meet me after the school run so I knew that I had an hour to kill. Another coffee and possibly a cake was an option for me but with holidays just round the corner I had to think of my bikini!!

That obsession with my bikini was a blessing in disguise as I came across just what I had been looking for for months:

I just love this old factory bobbin holder and it is just perfect for what I have in store for it.

Well that was it, Matthew arrived and we had a leisurely stroll around the fair again without the mad dash that I had been doing all morning. I must admit though I did finally have that coffee and cake - oh well, there is always tomorrow!!!

Whilst posting, I would really like to say a big thank you to Hen of HenHouse for these beautiful postcards. It was lovely to get them in the post yesterday on my return from Kempton. I've just got to decide where to hang them now!!

Bye for Now

Kerry xxxx

Here are a few of my favourite things

Just so you can get to know me a little bit more:

I absolutely adore my garden and this was one of my finds at my children's school May Fair. It is a really well weathered terracotta planter - just how I like them to be!!! As a bonus it came with plants too.

Another one of my lucky finds - this time at Kempton Park Antiques Fair which is held twice a month and is only 10 minutes drive from where I live. I love the galvanised buckets and thought this hydrangea looks beautiful in it.

Now this beautiful lady has to be one of my most treasured possessions and was purchased by my husband as a surprise present for me - Thank you Matthew xxxx She is a late 19C Wasp Waisted Mannequin and comes complete on her original stand. I hope you all agree that she is absolutely adorable.

Isn't he just adorable!!! One of my ebay finds - how could I resist!!!

I have many tins dotted around the house but this one has to be my favourite. I just love the seaside scene on the lid and it is just perfect for my bathroom to store all of my children's shampoos.

And now for some of my favourite china:

This has to be my favourite pattern - Shelley Melody - as it reminds me so much of my Grandma who sadly passed away 7 years ago. She had a whole set of this given to her as a wedding present back in the 1940's and it all lives at my mums. I couldn't wait though until it gets passed down to me so I have collected some pieces of my own including this trio.

I am a big fan of chintz and this Royal Albert set is so unusual. I found it at Kempton Park along with another set so couldn't resist - then again who could!!!

I hope this gives a little glimpse into the things that I love and I will be posting much much more over the coming weeks.

Enjoy!!!

My lucky find

Thank you for all of your lovely comments that you made after I made my first post yesterday - it was really nice to hear from you all.

Today started really early this morning with a trip to our local car boot sale in Walton on Thames. After dropping the children and my husband at the refreshments stall - located at the entrance I went on a rare wander on my own!!!

After failing miserably to find anything that caught my eye (except for a Polly Pocket Rollercoaster!!!) I came across the most loveliest set of china I think I have found to date:

It is a Crown Ducal Breakfast set and is complete with no cracks, crazing or chips - and all this for £8!!!

It was a little grubby and I was a little undecided about my purchase but after a wash in warm soapy water I must admit I have completely fallen in love with it. I hope you all agree.

My first post

I have been putting this off all day as I must admit I have been wondering what to write about.

I have had a lazy day today pottering around the garden and soaking up the beautiful summer sunshine. Whilst lazing about I have been thinking about what to put on my first post - so here goes!!!

I am a busy mummy of four children aged between 3 and 8. I live in South West London along with my husband, children and all of our lovely pets - photos will follow......

My love for all things vintage has been a life time affair but really came into fruition when I was spending a lazy afternoon in a tea rooms not far from here. I loved the china tea cups, the beautifully crafted teapots and the gorgeous linens that they had. So this is where my journey began.

Since then, I have accumulated up to 250 cups, 250 saucers, 250 tea plates - not to mention the cake stands, teapots, coffee pots and silver spoons and sugar tongs. I am now in the process of setting up my own business so that everyone else can share my china with me.

As well as this, I also am a hoarder of vintage fabrics, ribbons and buttons. With these I turn them into beautiful cushions, lavender bags and greetings cards.

I am sure you will get to know me more as I continue to post and of course I will be putting lots of photos on here so that you can share with me all of my vintage finds.

Nice to meet you all. xxxxxxx