Liberty scarf du jour

The current favorite from my vast collection of vintage Liberty scarves is this one. 

Probably from the 1950s, a beautiful warm, flattering coral, I chose it by just dipping my arm into an over stuffed Tupperware
 box.

Just right for these chilly mornings.

Farmers Market

Some mighty fine summer squash were to be seen at the Brickworks Farmers Market yesterday.

It has not been the very best year for me,  but I always enjoy meeting the customers and the farmers.

My pitch is down by the quarry. Above,  some vintage textiles I took with me. 1950s barkcloth, 30s damask and a Casa Pupo type rug from the 1960s .

   Vintage Aran sweaters, always a good seller,

 and I  hung some old quilts about the industrial machinery.

 This 1940s- 50s blanket, in perfect condition is from Lanark, Ontario and the river Clyde runs through it. A customer told me all about the area, I always learn something new.

Fabric picking though the ages

There is nothing my granddaughters like more than a day out with Nana.

This consists of a troll about the thrift stores and a sushi lunch.

During these forays this summer I managed to pick up for myself

a narrow - 11 inch wide- long piece of turkey red print that I am pretty sure is 19th century.

A dressmaking length of scarecrow cotton, 36" wide ...how 1930s  can you get!

and a couple of yards of  wild 1970s psychedelic cotton/ poly mix.

A nice variety don't you think?

Can a label tell a story

A most evocative label inside this mid 1950s wedding dress.

" tailored in Kenya by Modern Tailoring Co. - Tailors & Outfitters - PO Box 173 - Nakaru"

Not exactly a couture garment it is made of ivory flocked taffeta with a lace insert ,

I wonder what the story is? How come it tipped up in a Toronto thrift store.
 I would have said 'ended up' in a thrift store, but hopefully,  that is not the end of this gowns career as I have it listed in one of my etsy shops.

Peter, who blogs under Male Pattern Boldness, has labels on his mind this week too.

Monica and Pete help out.

My granddaughter and her friend, visiting from Yorkshire

helped me at the Brickworks Market yesterday.

 They both have a great 'eye'  and Monica immediately snaffled  a 60s bejeweled cardigan ( seen above) as well as some other pieces.
  

I could not have done it without them.

Coldwater garage

The font used on the Coldwater garage must surely be  the original from the 1930s 

We pass through Coldwater ( pop 600) on the way to our summer cabin and I have  long admired it.

Now I have had the chance to get up close and personal
.

Looks like our old  jalopy is headed to the great parking lot in the sky.

Brickworks Farmers Market

One of  the pleasures of selling at the Brickworks Farmers Market for the past 9 years 

is my friendship with Brenda, who helps Pegeen with the flowers. She usually pops by later in the day to cheer me up.

Here are some photos taken over the last few years.

But, whatever is going on at the market these days???

My sales have been down 80- 90 % over the last few weeks!! ( that's a helluva lot )

I have heard that farmers markets across Toronto are down 25% and read that the downtown restaurants are hurting. The blame is being put on the Pan Am Games , that were taking place,  now thankfully over.

Lets hope things improve and our regular customer will return.

Brenda, last week! Cheery as ever, Some things remain the same.