Holiday's end.

We took our last holiday bike ride today
Down to the river in the crisp early evening. The blackthorn blossom is incredible this year. I love when it starts to drop everywhere like confetti.
The wildlife is looking a bit strange locally - possibly due to genetic engineering you think?
Our boy's dislike of brown chocolate is so well known that many of us bought him white chocolate Milkybar cows this year - he has a find herd of cattle of which he is very proud!
And now some thrifty wondrousness!
This lovely tea cosy was calling to me from across the street! Sitting all neglected on the cheap table outside the store! Want to see the other side?
A few of the squares need to be restitched but otherwise it is in perfect condition and the colours are still so pretty and bright! A close up? Ok....
Every time I look upon this precious treasure I find another little square that makes me squeal with delight!
It has made itself very at home in the kitschen.
The ladies in the store were oohing and aahing over how many secrets it must have kept in it's time. How much gossip it must have shared, how many woes put right with a nice hot cuppa. Then they sold it to me for the princely sum of ..... 50p..... 50p!!!!! I felt so guilty but apparently nobody uses tea cosies anymore... Who cares?! I just want to gaze upon it in wonder and joy!
Have a lovely weekend everyone. t.x

Comments

Leisa said…
What a wonderful tea cosy - the fabrics are amazing. Hope you get to enjoy a lovely cuppa this weekend!
A Thrifty Mrs said…
50p! Cor blimey. I love tea cosies, I don't drink hot drinks but we always use the tea cosy when people come over.
Love that herd of cows, I've never seen them before.
Your bike ride looks beautiful.
Emily said…
Those look like great deals! Very beautiful where you live :)
pinkgreen said…
What a bargain! It is gorgeous, and you can study the squares whilst supping a hot cuppa! I love the one with the lady. I have real tea cozy envy now!!
Cathy XX
We had just commented about the blackthorn the other day. It's incredible this year, isn't it? Loved the teacosy. The work that has gone into it!!!! Also found myself looking at the textiles and loving the squares depicting women. It's a treasure and has found a good home. x
bex said…
ohh wow! you lucky thing!!! i love the tea cozy!!!
xx
Floss said…
Have a great weekend yourself, and carry on enjoying that wonderful tea cosy! What a fantastic find. It's not something I'm likely to discover in France, unfortunately.
hens teeth said…
The early blossom and Magnolia tress are spectacular, as you say. I wish this time of year could be put on hold just for a little longer.
Oh that tea cozy...what a find. Good for you and the fabrics look like they could go back to the
40's??? It's good to know that there are finds out there, it's keeping your eye open.
hey! loving the tea cosy! and your blog!
I might be going to Norfolk for a holiday this year... my boyfriends mum had a chalet in Cromer, you got any tips for any good antique/2nd hand shops or flea markets around the area?
xxx
I would definitely have arm wrestled you for that one T... can't buy things like this for love nor money usually... What a find!

MX

P.s Love your rural splendour photos..
Le_Vintage said…
those quilts are so unique...each patch with an entire story to tell! i'd love the creativity and my hubby would love to have something keeping him that warm, so it seems like an all around win! love you're blog =]
Sarah said…
What a bargain! I wondered what the blossom was called. We've got loads of it surrounding our 'plot' and it's so pretty especially when it falls.
Mr Lee said…
like it! very Lovable!!
The Curious Cat said…
It would be quite fun to make one of these!!
A time to dance said…
where is it you live...because you have the most amazing charity shops...aving said that we picked out some brand new Laura Ashley spring curtains yesterday for £15...but too short when we got them home ...evey window has a 6ft drop at least ...so its ebay for the curtains...I am so sad as they match the border in the dining room and its one of my favourite fabrics....never mind...nothing ventured...hope next week goes well..love H
Niki Fretwell said…
Hi T! Another fabulous treasure to be sure...!
I love the square with the little black figures and then I noticed the pink rose bud...patchwork is such fun isn't it?
We always make tea in a tea pot and so I really should think about getting (or making!) a pretty cosy...me thinks 50p won't even buy the piping cord around here!

Have a great week,
Niki xx
aneela said…
That's ridiculous, tea pots need blankets too!! Why should we have all the cosiness!
Must have taken many, many cups of tea to stitch this little beauty!!!
vanessa said…
I did a sharp intake of breath when I saw your fabulous tea cosy! Actually, I'm feeling slight pain at how gorgeous it is, and how lucky you are to have found it! It's a work or art isn't it? And the price tag makes it even more special, cos you got an amazing bargain when we all know how valuable it is.....................
Love Vanessa xxx (do you mind if i knit)
Aqeela said…
I just found your blog, it looks like ANOTHER one which i am gonna love!

Your teacosy is similar to one i found, ive blogged about it here...

http://aqeelas-house.blogspot.com/2009/01/week-of-new-things-and-firsts.html

You gotta love a tea cosy! Even if you never use it!

Look forward to reading more of your blog,

Aqeela xx
Helen Charlton said…
Gosh,thats wonderful, how stunning is that tea cosy. Although we've never met I feel we have much in common! I to get excited about tea cosys!!
Attic24 said…
Gawd Teena, you have amazing thrift shops in your neck of the woods...I just adore all your treasures (granny square blankies in particular, oo and the porcelain flower brooches), but that tea cosy is just astonishingly lovely, and I am astonishingly jealous!! LOL!
xxxxxxxx
MarmaladeRose said…
Scrummy, scrummy tea cosy. Lucky you and only 50p!
Marion said…
I'm coming at the end of a long line of commenters, but I'd like to repeat what everyone's saying. The tea cosy is wonderful - I love to see the hand stitching too.
And more importantly I've just found your blog and think it's beautiful - colour, fabric, pattern, embroidery....
LissyLou said…
Those choccie cows are adorable!!
Mr Lee said…
Hi,Teena Vallerine
Happy every day!Coming to your blog We are very pleased to.
I use tea cosies and this is the second wonderful bargain seen in blogland - the first was completely hand tapestry stitched, a lovely thatched cottage scene, bought for a £1!

Love your home, makes me feel so inadequate.
Kind of makes you think of a time when every little scrap was precious and to be used, doesn't it?