Brimfield Flea ~ 2011

The day may have started off with a drizzle, but it didn't stop us from finding lots of great treasures and loads of inspiration!

My friend Tracy and her gorgeous wares in Mahogany Ridge always gets us hung up for a bit...so many great vendors in this field

I love how so many booths merchandised their wares this year

Nesting on Main is one of my favorite booths for fresh home & garden inspiration

Beth Hylan was on hand to chat about her beautiful jewelry made from vintage elements & mother of pearl buttons

We always bump into some fun friends ~ Jill Shwartz stopped to chat for a bit(we did see Marcia Ceppos & Wendy Addison, but decided not to interrupt their scurrying around as they picked up their treasures.)

Lisa, Me, Jill, Janet & Paula

(Paula and I met at the WWC event and recently moved to MA, glad she joined us!)

As we were leaving Leslie Mueller stopped us for a little interview ~ fun

The annual picnic did happen, although I did not get any great pics, sorry.

Join us next year, and bring the sun!

A Flea Market Picnic ~

I have wonderful friends...

Heather, Lisa, Tamsen, Janet & I

Many years ago Tamsen started the tradition of packing a picnic lunch to bring to Brimfield. I didn't really give much notice to the large backpack she hauled - I was focused on treasure hunting after all. Not only was it sweltering hot, but that thing must have been heavy! When we all decided it was time for a lunch break, she chose a spot in the shade by the pond...then out of that backpack came a vintage tablecloth, and one by one delicious things kept coming; chicken salad with rolls, fruit salad, homemade brownies, and other goodies. We were amazed and grateful ~ it made a perfect day all that more special ~ so sweet!

Lisa, Crystal & Tamsen

Keeping with the tradition, I sent out an e-mail asking everyone what they'd like to bring for our picnic lunch. Well...Lisa felt paper & plastic just wouldn't do, so she took it upon herself to bring china plates, crystal glasses, and she made cloth silverware holders tied with a bow for each of us ~ can you imagine!?

...and sweet Heather surprised us with gifts ~ eeek! Saltshakers filled with vintage mercury glass beads ~ that put us over-the-top

I don't think we could possibly top this years picnic ~ I love that each year the tradition and the circle of friends has grown

Thanks for a perfect day spent at the flea with the most wonderful friends ~
xo Heidi

Brimfield Treasures ~

Brimfield Flea Market was wonderful ~ of course

We spent a lot of time at our first stop, Mahogany Ridge, where my new friend Tracy and Rose Mary Warren shared a space ~ we went crazy for all the fabulous millinery! My friend Lisa and I bought straw hats ~ I'd been wanting a new one

Along our treasure hunting we bumped into Marcia Ceppos and Wendy Addison. Our paths kept crossing throughout the afternoon...I think they were stalking us ~ lol! Birds of a feather do flock together! It was great to stop and chat with them for a bit

I gravitate towards the creamy palette, and found this amazing silk net piece with hand sewn beads on it ~ an absolute steal!

I can't resist mother-of-pearl doll buttons whenever I see them

A wax flower headpiece, aged pearls, ribbons and glassine envelopes

A mirrored push plate from France, found at a favorite booth ~
Nesting on Main ~ love the keyhole cut out

Another one of our favorite fields is Central Park . Don't miss a stop at the tablecloth lady (that's what we call her anyway,) all tablecloths are $10. I bought a very Anthro linen round tablecloth with embroidery & lace for my outdoor table ~ always a great stop

A couple of practical finds ~ glass knobs & brackets for the garden shed & chicken coop, silver & silverplate, lots of tiny treasures for mixed media projects...and the list goes on!

We left feeling like we didn't get our fill ~ so much ground to cover and so little time

I'll be posting more pics later ~ you won't want to miss how my friends and I
picnic Brimfield style

xo Heidi

Getting Ready ~

I can't believe Brimfiled Flea Market is next week!

Of course I needed to make a new market bag to carry all my flea treasures in


...and I made this wonderful scrap rose pin to put on it ~ you can get the tutorial here. I've made similar, but this one is constructed different ~ Rebecca is so very clever!

There's a reason why I saved those tiny scraps of all my favorite French linens ~ I knew someday I'd use them. I know you guys get it ~ some people around here that don't ;)

I love my new bag ~ creamy linen, ruffles, lots of room for everything, and all my favorite colors rolled into that yummie rose

Even a little pocket to keep my Brimfield bucks in (stamped with permanent fabric ink)

I modified a bag pattern that I had designed to create a bag similar to this one, and if you'd like a fun ruffly bag, check out these ones here ~ love her!

If you're local, let me know if you're going to Brimfield ~

xo Heidi

P.S. I see Rebecca has gone to Haiti and will return June 1st ~ guess you'll have to wait until she returns to get the tutorial ;)

back from brimfield ~

yesterday i headed out for the brimfield flea market
with my son, hunter, the "big guy," as he's known around here.
usually i go with my girlfriends, but they couldn't make it.
just as well, as i don't get to spend many days alone with him.

...here are a few pics of our day ~

one day is not enough time ~ so many treasures to uncover and hunt for!

arrg! i'm kicking myself that i didn't get a picture of big guy ~
i know bad mum. anyway, i'll give you a visual ~
hair down to his shoulders with a vintage black bowler hat ~
too cool. here's a pic of him on his b~day.

he'd be thrilled that i posted him with cottage furnishings...haha!
when we came upon a booth that looked like my style, he'd say, "looks like they read your dreams." he's a sweetie and a keeper. we didn't buy much, but we had a fabulous day together!

gone fleaing ~

photo from ~ New England Motel & Antiques Market