Saturday 21 December 2013

Cool Christmas flea market find...

Once upon a time I saw in a charity shop, a lovely wooden (Erzebirge?) German Christmas carousel. The kind that's propelled by candles to make it spin. It was only about £3 but for some reason I can't remember, I left it there. I've always regretted that. I didn't expect to ever find another at such a low price. They can sell on eBay for silly money.


Well it turns out that Friday was my lucky day when I spied this box at the flea market...




A quick glance inside and it appeared to be what was on the box. I paid my £4 and hoped that all the parts were present.

After my stint at the shop I assembled the carousel...




The only thing missing is the wing of one angel.

The top deck has angels blowing horns...




Below that, an angel appearing before the shepherds...




Followed by more shepherds...




At the bottom deck has Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the centre with the three kings and a camel surrounding them...




Isn't it lovely?




The candle heat powers the blades into spinning the whole carousel.

I'm very happy. Hopefully this will become part of our Christmas traditions for years to come.

Tomorrow I have nine extra in laws  for our Christmas feast. The dining room looks insane with two dining tables (one brought in from the garden - my sawing table!) and as many chairs as we can fit. And still, the three children have to eat in the kitchen, as is customary on these occasions. I was freaking out as I'd left the tablecloth buying til the last minute and I felt sure that the man on the fabric stall on the market would have sold out. But again, I was in luck. The PVC cloths tie it together and hide the grossness of the garden table.




There's just room to shimmy round and find a seat.




It's nice to be able to use the best china.




I sent my husband out for 12 red crackers. He came home with 6 gold crackers for no apparent reason. They really do speak a different language to us don't they?

I wish you all a lovely Christmas and a happy and healthy 2014! xxx



18 comments:

  1. I'd have loved that carousel thingy when I was a child!
    The table looks great, the tablecloth brings it all together so you'd never know what was lurking underneath. Have a good one! xxx

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    1. I'm really pleased with the tablecloth. I have fancy cotton ones but the muck on the table would have shown right through plus they didn't match. The man on the market saved the day! xxx

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  2. The carousel is lovely. I have never seen one like it before. Looks like you are going to be busy tomorrow so I hope you have a wonderful time XX

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  3. That carousel is amazing! The table looks great too; bless your hubby for the cracker confusion! Hope the meal with the in laws goes well and you have a wonderful Christmas! xxx

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  4. Thanks Katie, you too! Have a lovely time! xxx

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  5. What a wonderful find Emma ....I love it. I found the same design cloth at IKEA and I have a set of serviettes that are almost identical AND I am using a white dinner set ....spooky!!!!!! Hoping to eat outside but this week it has been 117 and 104 degrees ( All my David Austin roses fried)
    Merry Christmas xxxxxx

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    1. That is a little spooky! Merry Christmas to you too. xxxxxx

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  6. It's all lovely and so Christmassy. My hubby is much the same as yours where shopping is concerned. And I once worked for a woman who sent her husband out for 2 kilos of oranges - he came back with apples and she screamed and threw them out the kitchen window ... The new bread knives I spy look nice . Merry Christmas ♥ ♥

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    1. They really don't take in anything you say unless it's snarled at them through gritted teeth! Those carved bread knives were languishing in a drawer but I thought they'd look good on display. One has worn so thin from many years of use. Merry Christmas Teri! xxx

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  7. Merry Christmas to you from Liverpool. Hope you have a wonderful time, and that Santa brings you some useful stuff to help you with your makeovers!

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  8. Oh heavens! I can't tell you how much I love this, you lucky, lucky thing!!!

    Your husband and the crackers really made me laugh! Mine is just the same, if it wasn't so ridiculous it'd drive me bats! Your table looks great though, hope you have a marvellous Christmas!

    Kate x
    Just Pirouette and Carry On...

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    1. Thanks Kate, they are all the same! Have a great Christmas! xx

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  9. I've never seen one of those carousels before, isn't it lovely? And your dining room looks great in readiness for the guests - good call with the tablecloths! Dare I say I like the gold crackers? Yes, I dare! Have a wonderful Christmas, Emma Kate. xxx

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  10. I've never ever seen one of those carousels before - I love your finds, they are always interesting and charming! The Christmas tables look lovely, by the way. Have a wonderful time and best wishes for 2014 xxx

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