The Book fairy ....and treasure hunting

I think the book fairy has been looking after me this week! I am an avid reader and collector of books. In particular I collect vintage children's books with a sub collection of Christmas themed books.
I visited a couple of op shops this week and found some really lovely treasures. Sometimes my local op shops are a bit overpriced but I did get some bargains this time around.

This lovely old hardback Christmas book was sitting on a table all by itself. Priced at a dollar I snatched it up quick smart! I love the vintage illustration on the cover.

Next I found The Poky Little Puppy and a couple of other hardback golden books for 50 cents each. I think they are from the 1970s era. Lovely condition!

Next a baby and toddler treasury of stories. I usually wouldn't have looked at this probably but it was a hardback in beautiful condition for just $3.

Then I came across this book.... The Enchanted Dolls House is just gorgeous! The hard cover is velvet embossed and inside there are 4 different pop up houses from different eras in time. Each of the pages is filled with little pop ups, lift the flaps and other surprises. It is just charming and I know as a new book it is quite expensive to buy. How could I leave it there for just $3? I do hope I have grandchildren some day!!!

Next I came across a 2 book set of Readers Digest Illustrated Dictionaries. Gorgeous condition, beautifully gilded and embossed covers for the bargain price of $5 each. I snatched them up quickly lest someone else lay eyes on them. On top of all this I was given a 10% pensioner discount at the checkout as they were having 'pensioners day'.

Move along to op shop number 2 which is my regular op shop but more expensive than some of the others I visit. I often spot treasures I would love to buy at this store but often leave things because I think they are asking too much.

The first item to catch my eye in the shop was this darling little cup and saucer. It was in the locked china cabinet so I knew it would be a higher priced item but I had to bring it home as it was so sweet. It cost me $15 and is stamped made in Czechoslovakia. It is smaller than a normal teacup but rounder so I'm not sure if it's a demitasse cup or just smallish because of the shape. I don't know much about china and usually just buy pieces that I think are pretty.

More books! Another thing I collect is quotes and sayings and I pick up any of these little quotation books whenever I see them. $2

They had $3 on this little lovely. It's a small book approx 6 inches by 6 inches and of course the cover caught my eye. Inside there are lots more lovely pictures and interestingly the history of lace!

More yummy vintage illustrations! I think they had $1 on this one. I have never seen a book so cheap in this particular shop before!

You just know I wasn't going to leave this one behind right? $1

This one perhaps not quite so old but I vaguely remembered having read this as a child so picked it up as well.
I've spoilt myself considerably this week with a few ebay purchases which I will share later and a few more books for the home library from book depository. At this rate by the time our extension is built we will need a new library wing added to the house! ;)
I have had problems with leaving comments this week so to my regular blog buddies I apologise. I have visited and in many instances tried to leave a comment but Blogger was not co-operating! Lets hope the Blogger gremlins are gone again soonest!

wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

More op shop goodies...

Apologies to anyone who stopped by yesterday for my 'Tuesday trinkets' post but I have been down with a bit of a tummy bug and was not up to posting yesterday. I'll have more trinkets to share next week.
Today I'm taking the easy path and going to post some pics of op shop goodies I picked up recently.

I can't remember if I've showed off this little coin purse before but I couldn't leave it in the shop for just 20 cents could I?

I have a bit of a thing for little jugs, although usually creamers. This little jug bedecked with olives called to me though. I assume it's for olive oil? It was another bargain, if I remember correctly it was something like $1.00. Almost unheard of prices for my regular op shops! (Rarely anything under $5)

More little depression glass jugs. I have a small collection of these which is fast becoming a large collection! These beauties were $3.99 each.

This odd little glass jar is a Pecks jar. I remember them making meat paste, I think they still do but it has not been in this type of jar for many years. For 50 cents I had to make it mine. I may use it as a bud vase. I really liked the shape of the jar!

Now this towel roll holder I almost left behind because I thought $5.99 was a bit much BUT it was in great condition and it is made from pine. I bought it to use for my craft ribbons. I may paint it white yet, I am undecided but I have plenty of time. The little drawer underneath will be great for those scrappy bits of ribbon that are too good to throw out but a pain to keep tidy. My beloved Mr B told me that there would be more than $5 worth of timber in it.
Hope everyone else is finding some op shop and market bargains. I love taking a peep at what other people have been finding. I've been a bit naughty on ebay this week so may not get to the oppie again for a bit.

wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

A little Christmas joy

Just another little piece of Christmas to share today. I get such joy from the decorations I collect each year.
I'm sharing a few of my favourites and I hope they will add a little Christmas joy to your day as well.
wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen