Vintage Finds in France

I'm way overdue posting on my blog, after a disastrous trip to our 'petite maison' in France. It was our first visit this year, we usually go earlier in the year - March/April time, but this year we had a new puppy - 'Alfie' and we didn't want to leave him until he was a little older - so July was our 1st trip this year.  We were aware January 2012 had been extremely cold with temperatures at minus 28 degrees!

Anyway we had a broken water meter and lots of burst pipes! so things were a little tough - finding plumbers etc.  I was determined it wouldn't stop my annual visit to the local Brocante! and I was blessed with the best finds I've had to date, and such great prices! Which made up for the lack of hot water, although I don't think my hubby thought so.

First thing I spotted was this cute little typewriter, (10€) it has some of the fabric missing off the wooden cover and the base, but I'm going to use some Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint to give it a face lift and the colour I will use is suitably named 'Typewriter' as that's the name of her soft black shade in her new paint line (more about that in a minute)

Then on the very next stall I spotted this old 'bakerlite' telephone (10€) complete with the bell, I love that it has the French names and emergency numbers printed on the old fashioned dial.

I then spotted this coffee grinder - I was attracted firstly by the colour as its almost the same colour I have painted a large unit in my kitchen and secondly I love the way the paint has chipped, plus the guy selling it was so funny - he was a French Rugby player with a real twinkle in his eye! although he was very stubborn about his prices and this one cost (15€) but coffee grinders are very collectible in Europe & UK so I was happy with the price, and it is fully functional as well.

This solid wooden vintage 'stamp' is amazing and caught my eye as it was so pretty - I will try this on a furniture project very soon  as I think it will be very effective - maybe on a drawer front?

Lastly this great earthenware storage pot - I just love the soft grey colour, and best of all the number '12' is stamped into it, think I may use this in the garden for growing herbs.

So all in all a very successful trip.

Anyway back to Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint... I am going to be a UK/European Retailer - I am so EXCITED and I have been beavering away building an 'On-Line' shop where I will be selling it.  This has been very time consuming and challenging as I have no experience at this sort of thing, but determination and the passion I have for painting and refurbishing furniture has driven me on - I'm in the final stages (I think!) and on target for having it live for the release date of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in early September!

I will post more updates when i have more info and when my on-line shop goes live.

Bye for now

CJ
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My entry into Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Party is sponsored by Appliances Online and the Best Range Cooker.