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.  

Springtime Picnics

New "Grab-it" Button for my blog
You may have noticed that I have increased my focus on updating this blog, and putting a few gadgets to make it easy and fun to use. Well, I have long admired the "grab-it" buttons  on my favourite blogs like My Repurposed Life and today I learnt how to make one. I would not have a chance without good free online tutorials like the Code It Pretty blog - Thank you Karen ! 

Picnic, Bucket and Spades....

Blue skies at last, and a bright ( if not warm) sun bring everyone out of doors, clearing the garden, dusting off the garden furniture and even heading for the beach ( here are least). Which brings to mind this lovely print from a French Women's Magazine from 1949, that I found at a French Brocante last summer.  I just noticed that the magazine was for the month of July... oh well,  there's no harm in hoping is there...  

If this inspires you to get your picnic kit ready, I have founds  a few great free tutorials to make vinyl backed blankets at The Cottage Home and super stylish picnic baskets by Juneberry Lane  which are otherwise so expensive to buy. Happy Picnic-ing.  

Dog Photography and Dog Patterns for a Late Spring

Dog Models and Photography

At a Brocante last month I cam across this great Pattern for a dog coat, I would guess from the 1960s or 1970s. 

Two things occurred to me, with some experience of trying to get a dog to pose for the camera, how did they manage to get the poses in those days. We find that it is so difficult to catch the moment even with digital cameras and editing, and a good supply of treats. If you want to leanr more,  Learn My Shot on You Tube and Antoine Khater's post here with 9 tips for success has helped me.  I must thank Mr Cs invaluable skills of course without whom I would be lost. Here are a few shots of a recent shoot...

Finally.. a good pose, but Frank looks a bit miserable...  

Frank courtesy of Narkibar at Flikr.com

Dog Coat Patterns

Also, the designs with the super chunky rib, still good after all these years. What about the names though? Maybe something got lost in translation....

With the late Spring meaning that our little furry friends could still do with  a warm coat to keep the East winds at bay I found some neat patterns and off the peg items that you may like to try... 

 
Short at sweet number from Mailo.   What a good pose, I wonder how they managed to capture the pose so well. 

Woolly Hats from PoshPooch Designs above

Or perhaps a 3d standup card of your favourite Pooch that sits still and looks beautiful,without the need for treats is more your line? This example is made by Just Like Pictures. 

Whatever your fancy, keep warm and keep crafting.