Friday 11 June 2010

VINTAGE FINDS from France and Belgium PART 1



Hello everyone!
I hope that you have all had a good week. It's been a busy one for me, plenty of catching up after having been away. My ironing is finally up to date (hooray!) and I have almost finished putting all my vintage finds away. That was quite a job as I brought back a fair bit as you will see from the photos. I decided to split the photos in two posts. Although I tend to have quite a few photos per post, I decided it would be a bit too much to have them all on today's post. In fact the photos are only a sample of what I brought back. I didn't photograph everything as some have already been stored away. Anyway, it will give you some idea of what came back home with me.

I'd like to say a BIG thank you to my parents who are a HUGE help!!! When I arrived in France, they showed me a big selection of vintage goodies they had found for me since I last visited them at Christmas. Every time they go to vide-greniers or brocantes, they look out for things which they know I like/need. ;-)

I had such fun shopping for vintage items whilst in France and Belgium! Here is a selection of things which I found and things which my parents found for me.

In need of a bit of a clean. A bit chipped around the edges but I don't mind that.





My Mother found this lovely suitcase, the lining is beautiful.







Needs to be tidied up a bit and given a fresh vintage fabric cover




Buttons galore! Soooo pleased with this selection.

I love these buttons



I found 20 metres of 1950's pink lace (top left hand corner)


An unused corset in its original box


A selection of sheets

The weekend is here at last! It looks like the good weather is back. It's been a very wet week and I have been keeping my fingers crossed for good weather on Sunday as we are doing a boot fair. Every evening this week, we have been bringing things down from the loft. We need to make some space up there. A few weeks ago someone came to have a look at our loft as we had water coming through the roof. He was amazed when he looked around, his comment was : "I have never seen a loft as full as this in all my years of going in people's lofts!" In a way I wasn't surprised, as both Alan and I are hoarders...However, we both agree that there is a lot up there which has to go.

VINTAGE FINDS from France and Belgium PART 2 will follow within the next few days

I wish you all a beautiful weekend! ;-)

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

59 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

WOW! What really lovely things. I love the buttons and the crochet lace.
Julie xxxxxxxxx

Annie said...

What beautiful finds, I love the colours of the enamel bowls. I don't think I have seen pink enamel before. The collection of buttons is amazing, the colours and design of some of them look quite Deco. You are lucky that your parents know what to look out for for you. Enjoy the weekend, hope your boot sale goes well.
Ann x

Lyn said...

You got some great things while you were there. I too love the suitcase!
Love
Lyn
xxx

Louise said...

I am green with button envy !! What lovely finds . Have a great weekend xxx

My Grannies Attic said...

What gorgeous finds - I am especially loving the enamel ware - the pink is scrummy!!!!

Kerry xxxx

Heloise said...

You have some great finds. Amazing collection of buttons and I like the suitcase very much.
Have a good weekend.

Hen said...

Oooh Isabelle. I'm jealous! Where do I start...the pink (and other) enamel bowls, the buttons. Oh the buttons. Yes I would love those. Lucky you and well done you! Good luck for the boot fair. We're not in the West Country this week so won't be able to say hello. Hope to maybe see you 3rd July at Chipping Sodbury? Hope you're all keeping well.
Hen xxx

Sandies' Patch said...

Gulp! It's all wonderful, so many buttons!
Beware de-cluttering the lof.... it does provide quite a bit of insulation LOL!

Sandie xx

The sewing room said...

Oh such lovely goodies lucky you ,particuly like the suitcase at least thats gives you something to bring your bootie home. Have a great weekend hope the sun shines on you and your family.


Hugs Pat

Anonymous said...

Hei. :) ) love your blog,it`s beautyfull. :) Hugs, Mette from Norway.

Lululiz said...

A girl after my own heart, I would have bought exactly the same things. Those buttons, omg, and the corset, and and and........ Really fantastic finds.

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Your treasures!!!! THOSE BUTTONS! That corset!!! The pastel enamelware... the linens... oh my, you are so fortunate!!!

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

I already loved visiting Belgium and la France and now I really do love your perfect pretty finds, Isabelle! Those buttons are too cute!!!
Have a happy happy weekend. xx

Elderberry-Rob said...

I love your copper pans, what an investment find and the lovely lace bed linen, well found.

Sylvia said...

Lovely finds, Isabelle !
The suitcase is so beautiful !
Have a nice weekend,
Sylvia

Susan Freeman said...

Hello Isabelle! What lovely vintage finds!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

koralee said...

Every single treasure you found is amazing...you hit the button jackpot my friend..thank you for sharing. oxxoxoo Happy weekend.

Hesta Nesta said...

What lovely finds Isabelle, I love the original corset and the monogrammed sheets especially. I know how you feel, Andy and I are hoarders, we are currently having a mass clear out ready for the builders to start on Monday and keep finding things we had forgotten about!! Good luck at the boot fair.
Love
Jo xx

Kar said...

Love the old pots! Very pretty colors. And the sheets and buttons are most wonderful. Lucky girl!

Serenata said...

Ah, but he hasn't seen OUR loft! :-D

Lovely finds and some simply gorgeous linens and as to the buttons, well one can only say WOW really!

It's me said...

What a treasure! i love them all !!!!...thanks for share................happy weekend............have you got my mail?? hugs from me Ria,........thanks that i may used your pictures their are two on my blog........

rosenresli said...

Dear Isabelle,

much thanks for your nice omment. I love old metal tins especially with flowers on it. At the moment I have great luck to find them on fleamarkets. Sometimes it is a problem to find places for my treasures in our house but if I see a beautiful tin I must buy it.
Your french vintage items are gorgeous. My favourites are the enamelware in the so romantic colours and the vintage buttons. I have never found such beautiful buttons in germany and would use them for my crocheted bags and hearts. I live near france but sadly I have no time to visit it because I work very much.

Have a beautiful weekend,

rosenresli

The fabric of my life said...

Fabulous finds Isabelle, what lovely treasures x

♥ Welkom bij "het Zolderluik" op Nr.5 ♥ said...

Lovely stuff you bought, it are treasures!
Hope you anderstand my bad bad englisch? ;-))
I like the bowls, and the buttons...everything ;-))

Have a nice weekend!!
Hilde

Anonymous said...

Lovely stuff you bought.
I am delighted.
Enjoy them.
Best regards and nice weekend.
kisses

Les Cotrions said...

Waw! Just amazing treasures!!! and this is only the first part!!!
Happy week end!
Vale

Enitram said...

C'est incroyable tout ce que tu trouves, cela me donne envie d'aller en Angleterre!!!!!!
Bon week-end

Unknown said...

OH, how I want that Pink one. And those buttons. Droooooooling bad. Off to see if you stopped in Bruges in the last posting. My favorite place in the world.

Toodles,
Katester

LiLi M. said...

Oh I love your finds! I always think Belgium is the best, France is very good to but a tad more expensive in my opinion. Cannot wait to see part 2! Have a lovely weekend!

petals and vintage said...

What absolute treasures you have found. I love it all but my favourites would hvae to be the enamel ware. We don't use our roof space over here mmmmm....

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

WOW and I can't believe there's a part 2 to come! Next time you visit can I come along to?!?!

Victoria xx

Sweetpaintedlady said...

Lovely post and what beautiful finds! I adore all the buttons and the stunning vintage corset.

XX Rosina Lee

Hos Jorunn said...

I have to agree with all the ladies before me, I love your vintage finds..they are so beautiful!! Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog. I'm sorry the google translator was not working for and I reinstalled it again. I tried to translate from Norwegian to English and it did translate but the words are very funny most of the time, only a few sentences now and then are correct translated. I wish you a great weekend! Kind Regard, Jorunn

The Tablescaper said...

Oh such beautiful finds!!! I think my favorites are the pastel enamelware. Just love the colors!!!

I'm hosting a new meme called "SUmmer Sundays". It's all about what summer means to YOU.Like some terrific finds. I'd love to have you come and join us.

- The Tablescaper

Elyse said...

hello isabelle,

your photos and blue-on-blue blog are always so lovely to visit. your recent finds are fabulous! love all the buttons!

xo
elyse

Michelle said...

Those beautiful buttons!
It is a shame it such a distance between Queensland and Europe- such beautiful vintage finds.

salty pebble said...

beautiful finds xx a real delight to view...must have been a truly wonderful trip. lovely post xx

Anonymous said...

Wow amazing!! I do love the suitcase! Those are all definitely treasures!!

Brenda

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

Hello Isabelle, You make me laugh. What are you going to do with all your buttons? Can't you open an Etsy store so we can all buy! Your house must be bursting with loveliness Isn't the detail in the suitcase with the lining just superb? That's why I love vintage so much. And where are you going to wear your corset? Lovely post and I did start to chuckle when I saw you had to split the post into sections. Lucky we got our Broadband this week! Enjoy your weekend We have the long weekend in Australia for the Queen's Birthday and so we are off to the mountains to scrunch Autumn leaves. And your parents have lovely taste! xx

Shannon Fricke said...

What a lot of treasures! Lucky you. great blog.

Unknown said...

Ooohhhh! I love those enamel bowls. The colours are just perfect. Fabulous finds....well done you (and your parents!) Lucyxx

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Isabelle,
What marvelous treasures you found! The suitcase is just my style and that pink lace... How lucky you are to have such wonderful parents that looks for all those special finds for you.
Anxious for part 2!
Mimi

melanie said...

Wow, fab finds! :) xxx

Fleurette said...

Hello my dear Isabelle, Your treasures are amazing!!!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend:)
Hugs
Fleurette

hens teeth said...

Oh good for you Isabelle. You have found some exquisite finds. Wouldn't it be good if it were a full time job...buying abroad and selling here? Sigh.

Guenievre said...

Bonjour Isabelle !
Quelles fantastiques trouvailles ! Bien sûr, j'aime beaucoup les boutons (j'adore la mercerie ancienne)Le corset n'est pas mal non plus.
Have a very nice (and sunny) week-end !

Madelief said...

Hi Suzy,

What an amazing collection of enamelware, lace, buttons and other lovely things you brought with you from France and Belgium. Wish I could have joined you on your search! Looking forward to part two!

Happy sunday!

Lieve groet, madelief

made-and-found said...

Isabelle I am almost choking with la jalousie.What treasure! I would love to do a brocante road trip around Northern France or Belgium.Is Bruges a good place to start? I loved near Nantes for a year but of course didnt have the vintage illness/adiction at the tender age of 21.Thank you for sharing.I cant wait for Part 2.
Anne x

bellaboo said...

What wonderful vintage finds Suzy! The buttons are really gorgeous,and the linen too.I am very envious.

Bellaboo ;0)

Vicki said...

Hello, Isabelle, and thank you for sharing some of your wonderful vintage finds from France and Belgium. The enamelware is so charming, and I adore the colors. You found a fantastic array of buttons. So many things to use them on. Enjoy your weekend, sweet friend, and I look forward to part 2 of your shopping finds. Love and blessings always~ Vicki

red ticking said...

your blog is so charming... happy to have found you..xx pam

Loveforpiemonte said...

Thanks for following my blog, and count me in as a new follower here, I loved your page!
greetz Madelon

Lisa said...

Bruges looks like an absolutely charming place to visit and live. Thanks for sharing so many beautiful photos. All of your finds so amazing, so handy to have your parents looking out for you too. Love all the buttons.
Lisa x

bijzonder-oud said...

Hi Isabelle,

What a beautifull things you've found!!

I love the enamelware and the corset is verry, verry nice to :-).

Yolanda

maría cecilia said...

Dear Isabelle, I`m so happy you have found such lovelies... how fun shopping in France and Belgium, you came back with full hands, and your parents are so nice gathering your favorite things for you!!! Those enamelware are my favorites!!!.. and the sheets, oh so beautiful!!!
Hugs many,
Maria Cecilia

Vera Amos said...

What an amazing array of vintage goodies, I particularly love those buttons they are gorgous.
Can't wait to see vintage finds part 2.
Nicky x

Andi's English Attic said...

Oh that was a fab post. The corset is absolutely my favourite. xx

Ghislaine said...

That is a real treasure!!!

Vintage Home said...

...wow I have to say I am having button & Linen envy...Thanks for sharing!