Car Boot Booty

The boot sale season is underway in West Cornwall again, and yesterday I headed out to check out what The Plant Man had on offer. I came home with a few other things too:

I love a vintage cake stand, and I spotted this hidden away at the back of an old boy's stall. He had a few cute bits and pieces all in a jumble on a lop-sided table. It was my favourite kind of bric a brac. It reminded me of all the jumble sales I used to go to when I was growing up in Bristol. My friend Joanna and I used  to hit the church halls on a Saturday in our quest for 1950's dresses, twin sets and costume jewellery.

I loved the colour (these photos don't really do it any justice, I'm afraid), the silver rim and the simple flower pattern. There wasn't  blemish or crack on it. And it was a total bargain. It was only when I got it home and turned it over, I noticed the word 'Midwinter' stamped on the bottom.

After a bit of Internet detective work, I now know that it is part of the Midwinter Stylecraft Fashion range of pottery that was produced in the 1950's and 1960's. This particular pattern is called 'Rhapsody.' I was chuffed to bits!! There are a few pieces selling on Ebay at the moment, not for a huge amount, but a lot more than the £2.50 I paid for it.

How odd that while driving to Hayle, I wondered whether I would be able to find a copy of 'The Country Diary Of An Edwardian Lady.' I was given it for Christmas when I was much younger, and never really appreciated it. And for a while there seemed to be nothing but Country Diary paraphernalia everywhere. Tea towels, table mats, address books and such. The Edwardian Lady became a bit twee.

It's such a shame because Edith Holden was a talented artist, and the book is full of delightful drawings and observations of the natural world. I love her knowledge of the wild flora and fauna, and the poetry and folklore she wrote in her journal. I have wanted to get another copy for a while now, and always keep an eye out whenever I am browsing charity shops. I found this in a box under a stall. I couldn't believe my luck. "How much?" I asked "Oh...fifty pence," said the man.

In my last post I wrote about wanting to grow roses, and Pearson's Encyclopedia Of Roses is as good an introduction as any. There are some lovely illustrations. But I particularly like the man in the photographs - flower arranging with a cigarette hanging from his mouth!! (well you'd never catch Alan Titchmarsh doing it now).

I did pay a visit to The Plant Man. He didn't disappoint and I came home with a lovely fragrant plant that will be covered in purple flowers for most of the summer. Don't ask me the name - I can't remember and will have to look it up!! I could have bought more, but I have strict cash policy at a car boot.

My only regret was not buying a mug commemorating the Labour Party's victory in the 1997 General Election. I laughed out loud when I spotted it, and knew just the person I could give it to. But my eye was drawn to something else, and in all the excitement I completely forgot about it until I was driving home. I may have to go back and seek it out next week!


Leanne xx