Augusta's and Christie's

As Summer is slowly saying goodbye to us, the anticipation of Autumn is getting greater with each passing day.

Autumn weekends, for me, are often spent browsing flea markets and attending local artisan and antique shows.  And this year hasn't disappointed. Since I don't have my own sale to prepare for, and with our dollar the way it has been, I really didn't think I would get much shopping in. But I was very wrong.

I've visited the top ten antique malls in Ontario. I will have attended all of the local handmade markets and shows, as well as the top antique shows in Ontario - Christie's and Aberfoyle.

I find browsing through these shows so peaceful and inspiring. I loose myself in rows of beautiful old things, dreaming up how they could be brought back to life in my home. And when I need a few minutes to rest, there's always a good cup of coffee.

Two weekends ago was a local show - Augusta's Fall show.

Her little farm, complete with a mule and a few sheep, is merely a few minutes from me. And while her style is more primitive, there are always things that I love.

This year I purchased a pair of cast iron urns for our front porch. I will show you them when I have the entrance decorated for Fall. I also found a few handmade gifts for Christmas from another local artist.

Christie's, while considerable slower than other years, and maybe not as full, was still a success for me. I managed to find a few great things!

I also rediscovered a childhood favorite that brought back many sweet memories - Apple Floppa (Fritters).

These fried pillows of donut-covered apple were warm and tossed in cinnamon and sugar. They were the perfect treat with a hot coffee and kept me warm and cozy while it began to drizzle. My Opa and Oma used to take us to a farmer's market on holiday's and every time we visited we had a slice of Hawaiian pizza for lunch, and watched them make Apple Fritters by hand. Then we'd buy a box to enjoy on the way home.

I picked up this cream scale, which will likely find it's way to my dad's, amongst his collection of antique scales.

One of the first pieces I came across was this pretty little pitcher. It immediately caught my eye. When I saw the price tag, my heart started fluttering. It was $4 because there was a crack in the spout. I nearly paid and ran before she changed her mind!

Another great find was this wicker basket. It's going to be a trash can until Christmas, when it will become a base for a small tree.

I also picked up a lovely antique linen towel.

And two small ironstone pieces.

And this.

One of my other great finds was this painting. It's quite a large piece, with an ornate frame in great condition.

I experienced another episode of heart fluttering when she told me for $65 I could take it.

It will most likely go in the family room, but for now it's hanging above our bed.

This weekend is the Aberfoyle Fall Outdoor Market, and I'm looking forward to another wonderful afternoon browsing. 

Hopefully I will have just as much luck.

Antique Finds - Floral Frog, Trinket Box and Soap Dish

While away this past week, I visited quite a few antique shops. I even managed to find a few small  items that I could fit into my suitcase and fly back with. There were some lovely items I would have wanted to purchase, including quite a few old creel baskets, some larger ironstone, and a beautiful old painting, but they just simply wouldn't fit.

I found this larger round flower frog for $9.00.

I picked some herbs that were in flower this evening from our herb garden, along with some Honeysuckle and Astilbe. It made for a very whimsical and airy arrangement, for which the flower frog comes in handy, and it smelled divine.

This little ironstone soap dish will go in one of the bathrooms when it's renovated. It was $12.00.

And finally, this little ironstone trinket box. I've never really seen one quite like it. I love to collect  little unique pieces, especially ones like this, with the more ornate handle. It was $12.00, and will go on my night table.

At Auction and Some News

You know when you have one of those days that just seem to be perfect? It's not that anything particularly monumental happens, it's just a perfect day.

Last Saturday was one of those days.

I spent the most beautiful first Saturday in May at auction. I love a good auction. I love browsing through piles of curious things, wondering which of the lovely pieces I'm handling will come home with me, what kind of deal I'll get on them, and where they'll find their new place in my home. But it wasn't that it was just a good auction. It was the most perfect day in May. The sun was shining and the day was warm and yet the boughs of old pines brought shade. The auction was held on one of my favourite estates - it's drive lined with a fascinating collection of pieces, more of which were scattered through it's well-maintained barns. There were even a few pieces on display inside the now empty house, which provided the opportunity to view the inside of this lovingly restored home.

I even had the company of my sister, a coffee and a few hours free of worrying about what the boys were getting into.

It was lovely. 

I really had to exercise self-control as there were so many pieces I wanted to bring home.

This, however, was what I was most excited for. I have never, in all of the auctions I've been to here, seen a collection of ironstone like this one up for auction. Ironstone is quite a rare find here. It's not as common as it is in the States, which is where I usually find most of my pieces. So you can imagine my excitement.

I happily picked up four lovely covered dishes, all for a great price. However, not every piece was a great deal. Some of the pieces went for what I would have expected to be retail prices. But that's to be expected when they are so rare a find at auction. Also, the condition of the collection was really exceptional.

While I didn't find this pitcher and bowl at the auction, I did pick it up that weekend. It was another steal from Kijiji at $40!

It has beautifully intricate floral detailing, and is in great shape.

I left happy.

I also stopped by a garage sale down the road, that same weekend, and picked up this collection of antique children's books for a mere $5.

I thought the colouring of the books made the perfect collection for a little boys room. 

But I think what made it so particularly relaxing was that the previous day, Ryan and I officially signed off on the sale of our current home, and purchased another.

We have been looking for a home in the area for the past while, and finally found a small property in Port Colborne. We are quite ecstatic.

The sale of our home has consumed a great deal of my time for the past two months. We seemed to have continual viewings, which required a home that was always in perfect condition, and that can be exhausting. Then the stress of negotiating, and paperwork, and waiting, and unknowns, and inspections - it's a lot! 

So to arrive at the auction, and know that it was all finalized, and that I could now allow myself the indulgence of purchasing a piece or two for our new home, was a blessing.

With our closing date being five weeks away, we've begun to slowly pack. We can hardly wait to be there and begin making it our home.

For now, here are two photos taken from my phone of the exterior. It's an old stone home, built in 1835, full of character and rich in local history.

More New Items Added

Well that was short lived.

I was so excited to finally have some items listed in the shop, but before I knew it, they had been snatched up, and the shop was empty once again.

Luckily I've been collecting for a while.

So, don't worry, more lovely items have been added.

Like this gorgeous antique oval frame, with an antique photograph and a beautiful matte.

This is the charming Mr. Charles Slingerland and his belle in 1906, more than a century ago! It was taken locally, and there are even a few families I know with this same name, though none of them that I know of are related to this particular couple.

I think the gold trim adds charm.

I've also listed more ironstone.

Including this lovely scalloped wheat platter, perfect for hanging on your wall.

I actually have a pair, and they would look even lovelier hanging one above the other.

I also listed this little brown transferware vase. It's a favorite of mine, and compliments pretty garden roses and peonies, but also looks particularly nice displayed in the Fall. It has the feel of a piece from the Aesthetic movement.

I'm working on adding a few pieces every day or so.