Sunday, June 14, 2009

Following the trail...

On my first full day in Edinburgh, I set off with full treasure hunting kit: my Clover Cottage bag (with plenty of other cloth carriers inside), my mum's vintage map of Edinburgh (this is not an affectation, it is just the map she found me in a drawer!) and the first of the Charity Shop maps - Stockbridge! This area of Edinburgh is known as a wonderful place for charity shopping. I ticked off the shops as I came to them. Two had closed, but everything else was accurate.
I found a modest but pleasing haul: two fat quarters from a bargain box, a pretty necklace and a few MOP buttons.My moment of discovery came when the St John's Ambulance Book Shop was actually open! I've been past many times, as this is my normal hunting ground in Edinburgh, but it's not often open. This battered but superb book should please the boys - Ben and I both adored the Adventure series when we were their age.My mum also remembers loving it, but it wasn't new, even then...Another vintage Enid Blyton should give the boys a proper taste of what the characters look like - I'm annoyed by the modern reinterpretations.I also got two other books that should get my boys, and my pupils, reading...
So this is the Stockbridge treasure:Yesterday I looked up as I walked between shops and was given the chance to think on Higher Things!I started at Castle Street, in the wonderful Self Aid Society craft shop. I cannot praise this shop too highly. Amazingly, Jackie, my fellow 'nearly Edinburgh' blogger, was in their yesterday too, but we didn't meet. So near and yet so far! I had the brainwave of looking for some teacosies for my garden party. The choice was endless...
Is this actually Cath Kidston, or does it just look like it? There are at least five more in the shop, ladies...This traditional teacosy has already been useful, as it matches my mother's teapot and kitchen perfectly. It's still coming home with me, though.Leaving the New Town and heading up past Greyfriar's Bobby, my feet started aching as I headed for the charity shops. I resolved to buy myself a more sensible pair of shoes in the first charity shop I came to, and now am the proud owner of a pair of very pink trainers!
I was following the Old Town charity shop map, which takes the shopper into student territory. I found this lovely piece of Sandersons fabric, which is the same design as the glazed blue one I've used for many projects - I bought the blue as an offcut in the 1980s. This is my old friend reinterpreted with a white background.Some charity shops looked bemused at the idea of stocking buttons, but others had a few pleasing sets:And two had proper button boxes! Oh, the delight... This tiny one was right at the bottom of the last button tin.
In the same shop I found another 1930s piece.
How summery!

If we can dodge rain showers, my mum and I are going for a walk in the Botanic Gardens tomorrow morning (they have free wheelchairs, which is really helpful), and I'll aim to polish off another segment of the Charity Shop map in the afternoon!

16 comments:

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

You have been tagged! Come and have a look on my blog. I've sent you an email too by the way you lovely, lovely, lady. See you just can't keep out of those shops!! Nice to see more button buying though. Keep it up!

Sonia said...

Ow Floss,
I loved reading Enid Blyton when I was a kid. I was so hooked on her books. Me and my sister shared a bedroom then and we always fought because she was annoyed by my light on so late while sneekingly reading Blyton Adventures.
Love all the treasures you bought.
Hugs
Sonia
PS. Sorry I haven't been by much. Oldest son is out of school and hubby works out of town so I'm on mummy duty all day now with both boys. Just need to adjust.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I love reading about your shopping adventures.
Glenda

Lululiz said...

Another fabulous haul! And yet more to come? How many more shops do you have on your list??? And ooh, ooh, I have some of the very same fabric as well, its gorgeous! Good amount of buttons again as well, nice one.

Josie-Mary said...

Great finds, I love the fabric & bowl. I'd like to go to Edinburgh again I thought it was beautiful. :)

Heloise said...

Enjoy the botanical gardens and the other charity shops. You seem to be having a great time and getting some great finds.

Elizabethd said...

What a haul! how lovely to find that old favourite Sandersons fabric, I had it in our first house.

Jackie said...

Floss ~ you found some more beautiful things, how lucky! I can't believe that we were in the same shop on Saturday and missed each other. As you said "so near and yet so far" ~ maybe there will be a next time though! :O)

The Curious Cat said...

Were you on holiday or did you used to live near Edinburgh? I love the city - it is so beautiful! Looks like you found some great stuff there too! xxx

Beck said...

Looks like a lot of fun Floss! The bowl is so sweet and I love the Enid Blyton books. I read all the Famous Five books over and over. Enjoy the rest of your stay x

Country Cottage Chic said...

Oh what a lot of fun & so much more interesting than the usual touristy trails.

Jayne

Alexandra said...

More wonderful finds! Especially those Blyton books!

chandlerguera said...

If I'm ever out hitting the charity shops in Edinburgh, I'm taking you with me! You uncover the best finds and I love how you photo and describe the treasures!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Floss for your comment, you are a lovely lady. xxx

Mandy said...

Hello the lovely Floss
I have tagged you on my blog xxxx

Olga said...

Lovely finds, Floss! You can't imagine how lucky you are to have those charity shops arouund! :) The fabrics with roses is just gorgeous and I love how the teacosy looks in your parents' garden..Thanks for the Italian joke you shared on my blog - it is SOO true :)I just love the Italians making comments on the way how he rest of Europe doesn't know anything about drinking coffee :P