Flea Market Shopping in Brussels

Morelles Market at La Place du Feu de Balle is open everyday 5am-2pm and well worth a visit.
It’s a good old fashioned flea market selling bits and bobs from house clearances.
It takes a keen rummager to find the treasure so allow yourself a good few hours to browse.
As for prices, I love a good haggle – I managed to haggle down to around half of the original price, only paying what I felt it was worth.  
There’s everything from furniture, ceramics, jewellery, paper ephemera and of course textiles.
Two stalls had boxes of chandelier crystals.
 
 
Morelles Market at La Place du Feu de Balle is open everyday 5am-2pm and well worth a visit.
It’s a good old fashioned flea market selling bits and bobs from house clearances.
It takes a keen rummager to find the treasure so allow yourself a good few hours to browse.
As for prices, I love a good haggle – I managed to haggle down to around half of the original price, only paying what I felt it was worth.  
There’s everything from furniture, ceramics, jewellery, paper ephemera and of course textiles.
Two stalls had boxes of chandelier crystals.
 
 
A receipt for macaroons dated 1938
   
 
These goodies came home with me.
 
This book is full of vintage wooden matchbox covers.
  
The tiny piece of film – the kiss.
 
I ran out of small bank notes early on and had to buy a coffee at Pin Pon (fabulous bar decor!) to break into another large bank note – note to self: take plenty of change and small notes next time. 
I arrived at 8.30am and by 11am some of the stall holders were offering ‘anything for a Euro’.
It’s a brilliant place with plenty of cafes dotted all around the square. Good food at good prices so you can rest your feet if it all gets too much.  
It’s a traditional Belgian Flea Market with an absolutely, fabulous atmosphere. 
I’ll be returning on my next visit to Brussels with a much larger suitcase. 

A receipt for macaroons dated 1938

   
 
These goodies came home with me.
 
This book is full of vintage wooden matchbox covers.
  
The tiny piece of film – the kiss.
 
I ran out of small bank notes early on and had to buy a coffee at Pin Pon (fabulous bar decor!) to break into another large bank note – note to self: take plenty of change and small notes next time. 
I arrived at 8.30am and by 11am some of the stall holders were offering ‘anything for a Euro’.
It’s a brilliant place with plenty of cafes dotted all around the square. Good food at good prices so you can rest your feet if it all gets too much.  
It’s a traditional Belgian Flea Market with an absolutely, fabulous atmosphere. 
I’ll be returning on my next visit to Brussels with a much larger suitcase. 

Textile Treasures at Denman College

If you expect the Womens’s Institute’s Denman College, to be all about Ham, Jam and cake, then think again. Prepare yourself to be bowled over  – it’s Needlework heaven.

I was there for a day’s visit with my fellow Paper Dollies on a guided tour of the house and grounds. It’s a beautiful venue.  It wasn’t until we were shown the studio space, that my heart really skipped a beat. Exquisite hand embroidery, Dorset Buttons collections and vintage needlework lined the walls. I was in absolute heaven.
Which one is your favourite?
The perfect day was rounded off with a visit to the College Fabric Shop…
… where I found these fabulous, vintage treasures.  Happy Days x

Textile and Haberdashery Shopping in London

This week has been very decadent. Two trips to London in two days with my very good friends who share my adventures.

Sunny Thursday, was all about buying dressmaking fabrics and sourcing silk for future Nuno felting projects with the Felt Makers. We’d met Mr Rosenberg many times at the Knit and Stitch Shows. So when he invited us to visit his new warehouse, it seemed rude not to accept.   
It’s a stunning space. Every type of fabric imaginable for making garments – and plenty more hidden is the back.  We were looked after by the lovely Jenni who made us tea whilst we browsed.  
 
Look out for the Art Deco building and number 17

 

 
  
I came away with some gorgeous, red boiled wool, brocades and plenty of silks to play with.
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Friday was my Birthday and I spent it with a dear friend on a trip to Marylebone High Street. It’s a place like no other. There’s a French feel to everything.  Fabulous high end clothes shops, wonderful cafe’s and then there is the one and only VV Rouleaux.  How can I describe this heaven of a shop. Words can’t do it justice. Just look….
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Trimmings galore and they do workshops too! 
It’s a shop I’ll be introducing some more of my friends to soon. ✂️