French Bric a Brac Finds

A Typical French Bric a Brac

Just back from warmer and sunnier France, where the melons were ripe... 

And the bread was tasty and fresh... we always buy too much.  

 I got to experience a very local "Bric a Brac" that we had missed last year. I am not sure exactly where "Bric a Brac" falls between "Vide Grenier" sales (mostly old cast offs- don't say rubbush! from someones garage or more likely barn) and the Brocante (mostly almost or wannabee antique and vintage stuff alongside childrens toys and clothes). 

I had heard friends speak of the event months before in excited tones: the village is full to the brim, stalls jostle alongside each other for space, so many interesting finds just waiting to be discovered. If I wanted a stall I would have to get up at 6.00am to stake my claim etc etc at which point I decided that this was probably not for me. 

The evening before I witnessed the village official with measuring wheel and spray tool marking out stall places precisely and strictly allocating who should go where. It was clearly no laughing matter. Friends took what they were given and went about setting up their stalls, hoping for success...  

And it was great, the sun shone, it was very warm, the streets filled with people and the PA system boomed out as the tombola draw was announced, and beer flowed from the impromptu bar set up on the square. Best of all, for me at least, the range of dogs who came to see and join in the fun..   

Best of all, were these finds.....

Fifteen silver spoons and an original linen dish cloth....  And a fine wicker chair that is just so comfortable, but I think that it needs a good cushion or maybe one of those Swedish sheep skins. 

Finally, before we left I picked the Mirabelles or wild plums from the garden, Mr C photographed them beautifully, and then went into the pot for jam. Oh happy days.  

Heading for the Hills

 
I found this lovely woodcut at the local charity flea market. I like the stark quality of woodcuts, just showing the shapes necessary.  In this I know so well the simple bamboo chair that sits empty in the garden, the kind that you see in loads of vintage shops. I wonder who is going to join her? The artist?  The artist is local, so I am guessing that the scene must be local as in Swedish, but the house looks very French I think, and that's why I just had to have it.
Also, I have to admit that this is how I would like to see myself over the next few weeks, sitting in a sunny flower filled garden, needle in hand working on something, and I can just make out her mouth asking for a glass of Pimms to someone in the house. Well we can all dream can't we? We plan to be digging terraces so that a fiercely steep garden can at last be tamed, so perhaps less Pimms and more spade work.  

The lino-cut or wood cut put me in mind of the lovely lino-cut work by Mark Hearld that you can find at St Jude's print store. 

All of this is a round about way to mention that as Summer gets underway posting here may be a less frequent until July. In the meantime, Frank will enjoy forays around the garden, chasing anything that moves before taking a rest in the shade of the garden bush ..... 

 
And the Little Cocker is prepared with the addition of an Amber necklace that people here believe keeps those horrible tics at bay... Let's hope that it doesn't get lost in the bushes.

          Looking forward to enjoying this late and slow early summer.... 

Pewter Coffee Pot Lamp

You may remember this coffee pot from last January. I had been inspired by  the "My Re-purposed Life" blog  but it took a while to get all the things together to complete the project. I am greatly inspired by the US recycling blogs but then get a bit crest fallen when I realise I have to try an find alternative products here in Sweden. So.. the lamp holder adapter kit came from E Le Clerc Brico Depo in France this summer and the wiring kit came from the UK completed by a suitably qualified person. The lamp shade was a bargain find in the local DIY store. I covered the inside with silver guild. My biggest thanks go to my friend Lasse who helped with the drilling, filing and cutting of the lamp itself.   Thanks also to Mr C for the atmospheric photo shoot. 

Crazy Cats and getting the bug

I took a detour this week.. and despite my best efforts ended up making a dog sock that looked more like "Smokey" the cat...  a resident of Battersea Dogs Home (Cat Department). 

I am having great fun making these critters using wool of different textures and weight, so when you sew it together it twists and turns in all kinds of unexpected ways. This is really good for ears and tails.  Shrinked  cashmere sock with loose grey walking sock seems to be fun at the moment. I learnt a lot of these techniques from Sue Haven's book. You can also find her on you tube.  

                                                               

Glad to say that Smokey has now found a home, despite being 10 years of age. I can't look at the cats at the Battersea pages without thinking of a stray cat who wondered into a public meeting on a housing estate in Stockwell back in 1997. Amid the hubub of the meeting a gentle and then not so gentle "MEOW" could be heard. I looked over the landing to the lobby below, and saw a beautiful black long haired cat who just eyeballed me ! I put her in my office overnight and bought food in for the next day before taking her to Battersea Dogs home. She turned out to be a previous resident who had been re-homed and her new owners had abandoned her. How sad is that. Her name was Lucinda and I was so pleased when a friend offered a home for her.  

Finally, just to say, the upholstery supplies have not yet arrived so the Pappa armchair is sitting in the hall lobby, looking at me, just waiting for its new clothes.... so to fill the time I have been grazing the web discovered great ways to transfer images onto wood, fabric or anything else that stops long enough. My Re-purposed life has proved to be a great jumping off point to loads of free tutorials about furniture/junk re-purposing. So inspired was I that I managed to collect 5 pallets from a factory for free, hoping to turn them into something a bit useful , and I am off to the BlaaHal in Copenhagen tomorrow, yiphee! Let's hope the old Volvo suspension is up to it.    

Copenhagen's Antique Market

Last Saturday the sun shone brightly and it was a great day to step out and find the well known Copenhagen antique market in Gammel Strand by Hojbroplads. 

The guide book said it was a place for ming vases, delft tiles and not to expect a bargain ! What I found was very relaxed, buzzing with people, and instead of "just" high end antiques there was a smattering of junk as well....

Have to admit, I was sorely tempted by the blue kitchen enamel ware and Scandinavian vases, but resisted....... just. 

                                     The Cassock ( is that what it is ? ) was just hanging from a "give way" sign by a                                     

market stall, lovely gold and brown stitching detail on fine wool fabric.