Vintage Suitcase Makeover

Hiya

We had a lovely weekend at the Pickering War Weekend in the North Yorkshire Moors.  The weather was a bit dodgy but there were some dry spells.

There were lots of interesting vintage stalls, mainly 1940's clothes alongside some vintage treasures.

Couldn't resist this old slightly tatty small suitcase.

At first I thought it was made of fibre board stuff but looking more closely at the scuffs, could be really hard leather.  Cleaned with my saddle soap which got the grime off but it still looked faded and scuffed.  So working on the principle that I couldn't make it any worse, gave it a coat of Danish oil.  I know Danish oil is normally for wood but...

It worked, brought the colour up nicely and gave it a nice sheen. Turns out its a case made for the Post Office, no idea of its age.  I am guessing around 1930/40 but if you know better, please let me know.

Was going to line the inside with Liberty Fabric but decided to leave it well alone.  Filled it with fabric (now there is surprise).

The other suitcase is another find, its in really good condition so apart from a quick wipe over, nothing to do with that one apart from filling it with, yes, fabric!

They look great together.

Cheers

Sharon

Victorian Cased Scissors

Good afternoon

Its a lovely sunny afternoon in North Yorkshire, just been out on the horse through a country estate with wonderful views.  Sorry didn't take my camera, Jester can be a bit tricky so need my hands on the reins not holding cameras.

Its a while since I have blogged, naughty girl!  Been changing my work van just before we went on holiday so a bit hectic.

We had a day trip to  Edinburgh where I found a little antique shop just off the Royal Mile.  Couldn't resist this little case.  Think that I paid too much for it but its sooo cute.

What's inside?

Stock scissors and a Sterling Silver thimble which is the right size for me.  Yippee.

The scissors are really sharp but a bit of tight fit in the case, especially the band holding them which got me thinking. Don't think they are original to the case, along with the Thimble which is slightly too small for its holder.  Did a quick check on the makers mark on the thimble, its a H.G & S. which translate to Henry Griffiths & Son.  Its just marked Sterling Silver so unable to date it but its also got the words "The Spa" marked on it.  He moved to Leamington Spa in 1920 he made these thimbles around 1930.  The scissors have a France mark so highly unlikely they started out together.  I am sure that the case will be Victorian.

So had a quick hunt on Ebay to see if I could find some Victorian scissors and found this very distressed case with 2 pairs of scissors

The small ones were just the right fit for my little case, they fit perfectly.

While I was on, glued the double case back together using a scrap of fabric to support the hinge.

Its still a tatty but I like it.

Cheers

Sharon