This weekend has been a breathless and whistle stop tour of the flea market, junk shops, vintage clothes shops, a vintage camera shop, a couple of charity shops, old bookshops, and a short walk on the beach. It's been lots of fun, especially as I had a marvellously enthusiastic sidekick in the shape of a friend who we'll call Katie, mainly because that's her name. I haven't known Katie for long, but she proved herself to be excellent fun and expert in all secondhand matters.We were at times measured and at others completely giddy kippers. Some treasures got left behind, but we came home with bags aplenty and a dressed crab for supper. I'm already looking forward to our next adventure. Today, I added to my riches by going to the carboot sale. So, where to start?
A bag of stencils from the junk shop - too many to list here, these are two of my faves.
Vintage toffee tin for Iris from Katie 
1940s court shoes.
Sigh, they are perfect... 
A great many books - might have to do another post on the rest!The Peacock Party by Alan Aldridge, published 1979.
Tinker Tailor by Charles Keeping, published 1968
Page detail - lovely, eh?
Balbus by Oliver Hill and Hans Tisdall, published 1944
Page detail - extraordinary snail 
Groovy Sultan eggcup
Tiny red enamel candle holder
Two wooden owls 
Pretty bird plate
Abstract ironstone plate
Wowzers, what a haul! Maybe I can encourage Katie to share her finds with us...?
*UPDATE* See Katie's Flickr - she's posted her finds!
I'm a little late posting my finds from yesterday, but I have a good excuse. We've all been outside in the sunshine with friends, planting some living willow to make a wigwam for the children to play in at The Field, which is where we grow lots of vegetables. It was a very satisfying thing to do, and it looks really beautiful even though it's not finished yet.
My hands are still ingrained with mud but I didn't want to wait a moment longer - yesterday's carboot sale was the stuff of dreams. Well okay, my dreams anyway. Despite still feeling distinctly under the weather, there's nothing like a spot of rootling about in boxes to restore one's spirits.
Here's what I found...
A big pile of books for Iris - too many to list here, even by my self-indulgent standards. But there are a couple of absolute gems I'll be showing you soon.
A bird. Oh, poor neglected birdy, I found her lying on her side in a box of other ephemera, but she's perked up considerably now she's home. She's a pretty pigeon.
A groovy stainless steel brooch and some vintage Avon jars for a dear friend's birthday. She is very stylish and discerning and she also makes her own face creams and cleansers so they totally hit the spot. Also here's the card I made to go with them (viewed here as a work in progress).
Buttons - well, I couldn't resist. Some on cards (Fashionable buttons no less) and a big bag of mixed ones.
A nesting set, not of Russian dolls as you might've come to expect, but enamel roasting tins. Lovely lovely colours. Unused. And so criminally cheap, if you want to know how much then ask me discreetly.
A(nother) plate for the wall. Colours are a little reminiscent of the Corkey book so I might put it near the red bird plate (see here) for maximum impact. 
A Penguin paperback, The Comforters by Muriel Spark - bought, shamefully, for the amazing cover.
There's was so much more to be had, had funds allowed, a wonderful red and cream child's piano with matching stool from the 1960s, some hardwood plan chest drawers, a little g plan here and there. I don't need a house, I need a warehouse...
