Making Good Use: All Kinds of Everything

Well, the jumble sale on Saturday certainly didn't disappoint. I arrived about 20 minutes before the opening time and joined the already huge queue. There must have 30 or 40 people ahead of me and I was most surprised when we were all let in to find that everyone in front of me had gone straight to the field at the rear of the scout hut where all the bric a brac, electricals and childrens' toys were laid out. For a few blissful minutes I was the only one in the main hall so I had the first pick of the linens all to myself.

First to be scooped up was this lovely crochet blanket - already washed and dried and now ready to be put to use.

Then there were a pile of vintage country cottage style slub linen curtains. Not sure how many of these I managed to get but I think there are at least four.

A boxed navy blue velvet bow tie - very Jason King

And a boxed vintage black cummerbund and matching bow tie. The box says the cummerbund originally cost 30 shillings. Probably quite expensive at the time.

A partially completed cross stitch that came with the wooden embroidery hoop.

In a box in the back field I found these unworn Missoni socks, two silk ties for P - one being a gorgeous Jaeger tie - and a huge Clothing Crew silk scarf.

Amongst many other things, I also came away with a skirt and waistcoat for my Mum - as requested, a Jasper Conran T-shirt for my nephew, plus some Dr Who pyjama trousers (couldn't find the matching top anywhere) and various items of clothing with posh labels like Boden, Windsmoor, Hobbs and Monsoon.

And for me, found tucked away in the bottom of a box, a M&S string shopping bag in the most wonderfully vibrant green. I'd been meaning to buy myself on of these bags in M&S for a long time but they don't seem to sell them any more. I've already put this one to good use doing the shopping yesterday and it is quite amazing how much you can fit into it.