Sunday 5 April 2009

Spring Cheer

What a lovely feeling to finally be getting outdoors and spending more time in the garden than in the house.
Little things like a cup of coffee in a favourite mug, sitting on my rickety old bench with a beautiful magazine and watching the washing (including a new thrifted 50p tablecloth!) flap about in the breeze, really cheer me up from the inside out.
Easter is almost on us so the first job of the holidays is to decorate the egg tree for the kitchen table.
I couldn't find any blossoming twigs (well none that could be easily snipped from the hedgerows, plenty overhanging people's garden walls but I'm not brave enough, too worried about getting arrested for pilfering!) Luckily the grocer in town is selling bunches of pussy-willow for £1 - perfect.

Just like Christmas, less is never more for my boys where decorating is concerned so we're a bit overladen but looking very cheery and seasonal.

Do you remember me mentioning some lovely new treasures that I turned up at the vintage market last week? Well here they are. Can you see what's peeping out of my basket? Only the softest, brightest, most charming crocheted granny squares blanket which I feel like I've been searching for for years! Every week I scour the charity shop linen rails, hoping to discover a gem of blanket I can afford - and last Friday it happened!!

Honestly I was squealing inside with delight but somehow I managed to keep a lid on my glee and not terrify everyone in the shop. Oh it's so beautiful, I'm ridiculously pleased with it and have spent most of the week moving it from room to room, from chair, to sofa, to bed.

I am completely in love with this blanket (can't you just tell!). And it was just £2 - criminal I know but oh I'll treasure it always.

And honestly I'd have been over the moon to bring home just one of the finds I got but there's more!
Couldn't resist this old board game for my two. We have plans afoot to solve our summer holiday dilemmas (price mainly!) - of which more next time - and this little game has a place in them.

And finally, another vintage diamante bracelet, (for just £1) which is possibly even nicer than the one I found a few weeks back. What a lucky girl. I'm expecting a bit of a thrifting drought now, which is only fair really because this little haul is the best £7 I've spent in ages.
Happy thrifting everyone, I'm sending my good luck your way!

33 comments:

Sal said...

I love your crochet blanket!I can imagine you shouting with joy when you found it!
I've just done my Easter tree..always a fun job!
;-)

Dawn said...

The granny square afghan is a beauty ~ an awesome find!

...Nina Nixon... said...

Absolutely gorgeous Steph and my what lucky girl you are!

Love the blanket and Noddy game and bracelet and garden and - oh everything!!

The sun is finally shining here today, fingers crossed it lasts.

We are off down the beach I really should of gone to a boot fair this morning, but hey ho there's always next week!!

Have a lovely Sunday,

Nina x

Anna said...

I love your pictures! So much spring and godness for the eye!

Leisa said...

Your spring garden is looking fantastic. The blanket and bracelet are great finds. Hope you have had a lovely weekend.

Tvert-om-tanten said...

What a beautiful blanket! And so many flowers you have allready in your garden, here in the eastern part of Norway we still have snow, but it's melting every day =)
There is allmost nothing like the smell of clothes that has been dryed outside at springtime, and it looks nice too!

Joanne said...

What a wonderful spring post and your garden is just calling out spring. such a cheerful post.

Joanne x

pinkgreen said...

Gorgeous thrifting finds - I am so jealous! I haven't managed much thrifting recently and am desperate to have a browse asap. Hope you have a great Easter and you get to spend more time on your bench!
Cathy xx

{Love, Love, Love} said...

Great finds and love the tree too! x

Frances said...

Your Easter egg tree is lovely. Grand to have your children enjoying a tradition.

Now...you must be joking that you found that gorgeous crocheted afghan (as we call them over here in the States) for ... did you really say two pounds? Just amazing!

Wishing you a Happy Easter.

driftwood said...

oooh that blanket is gorgeous, what a find!
love your Easter tree, I couldn't find any twigs either, and our market plant man didn't have any pussy willow, so I had to evict my necklaces from the jewellry tree instead.
enjoy the rest of your lovely spring weekend x

Pixiedust said...

Wow what goodies you've found, love the crochet blanket very pretty. I'm hoping to do my Easter Tree this week, just got to find some nice branches now. xxx

Ali @ Betty and Violet said...

Oh my word, you really did do well with your vintage finds this week. I covet that gorgeous blanket ~ amazing price!

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Thank you so much for your kind & thoughtful comments on my blog. It was very much appreciated!
What a lovely setting you live in. Your pictures really convey a feeling of springtime. Gorgeous blanket. Lovely post!
Isabelle x

Pink Feather Paradise said...

You are one very lucky bunny finding those thrifty bits!

I have some lovely blossoms on my victoria plum tre, but I think I will leave them there and wait for the plums! lol

X Alex

The Fairy Glade said...

Hi Steph, love your new header photo. I see you have a pansy cup and saucer, aren't they just the prettiest flower? The diamante brooches are gorgeous too, or are they real diamonds perchance! I cannot believe that crochet blanket was only £2..what a bargain! I can't tell you how much mine has cost to make so far. We had a beautiful weekend weather wise but overcast and bit foggy for the first day of the hols...typical! Dev X

Diane said...

Gorgeous finds.

Funkymonkey said...

Seeing washing blowing on the line always gives me a good feeling...I must be very sad! I love all of your finds. It always seems to be be that you either find loads of things at the same time or look for weeks without finding anything. Lovely post.

Tracey

Knittings Nice! said...

Love looking at your blog.....I'm in my 50's and so many of the items you covet...were things I was brought up with....and crochet blankets...I think I knitted about 3 in my early 20's and threw them away later on.....strange how things do a complete come around again....even in the fashion stakes.....those chanel type handbags with chain straps are all the rage....had those in the 80's too. Humph!!!!!!!....

Tee of Vinnord Cottage said...

oh woaw... you have a garden in bloom... and outside my window it is still rather white... but it is melting, thank goodness!!! I spent this sunday on my porch lovinge very moment of it!

have a blissfull easter!
-Tee

Jacoline said...

LOVE your crochet blanket!!!

Pipany said...

Lovely things today Steph. Your arden is looking so pretty. Hope the sun is shining today as it's a bit in and out here. Colder too.

Off to buy mags to read tonight as Dave and kids are camping so the evening is mine!

Haven't done an Easter tree yet, but will get round to it soon. Inspired by yours. Have a lovely week Steph xx

creative by nature said...

So pleased to have just discovered your lovely blog through Vintage, Pretty & Shabby. Your beautiful photos make me want to hop on a plane to England. It is snowing here today in Canada! I will enjoy coming back to visit you again.

Sarah said...

What great finds. I love the Noddy game!
x

Brenda Pruitt said...

And to think when I was likely your age (I'm now 52 and my daughters are grown), we use to practically sneer at these old granny crochet pieces! Now we drool! They're like the quilts I've made over the years: timeless and priceless. Enjoy!
Brenda

Bobo Bun said...

What great pictures Steph. Your garden looks perfect for a hot cuppa and to sit and dream in.

The packaging on the Noddy game is gorgeous. Big Noddy fan here.

Oh and lucky you, finally finding a blanket.

Lisa x

Claire said...

What a beautiful bracelet, I'm sure I used to have the Noddy car game, do you have to add shapes to build the car?? What a find with your crochet blanket!
Your garden looks gorgeous as ever, I'm on the lookout for some plants and pots as we have a new deck area and I hope it can look as pretty as your container area!!
Enjoy the hols.....Claire xx

Lucy said...

Oh what a lovely post. I LOVE your thrifting treasures. I'm sure you will enjoy that blanket all the more because it was so cheap and obviously made by someone with care. Lucy xx

Jodie from the team at cherrymenlove.com said...

I love your garden, so full of colour and what a wonderful view you have over the open fields... just beautiful.
Great thrifty bargains too.
Jodie
x

Summer by the sea said...

Love your easter tree and the thrifty finds are great, i especially love the granny blanket - Natalie x

prettyshabby said...

Hi Steph..just goes to show good things come to those that wait! well done on that little haul of yours, the blanket is gorgeous.
I would so love to have my washing swaying in the breeze on a proper washing line..a perfect picture of spring!
have a lovely Easter xx

Anonymous said...

Hi~~I just wanted you to know that I enjoy your bright and cheerful blog...love that afgan!

vanessa said...

I'm so glad you left me a comment, on my blog, because it's led me to your wonderful blog! I've been reading down through your blog entries, and had to stop at this one with the crochet blanket! Wow! Now that is a find. I love the colours, it's very inspiring, and I immediately want to crochet one just like it! You are one lucky lady finding that, and such a bargain too. I sometimes see these crochet blankets for sale in car boot sales and the like, but the colours are never very nice in them, so I totally appreciate what a find this is! Well done on hitting the jackpot.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog.
Love Vanessa xxx (do you mind if i knit)