Summer Lovin'

Summer was fun, it was over far too quickly. The children had less than 6 weeks this year and we filled every day with activities. Although the weather was less than perfect when we did get a good day we could pop to the beach, which is a mere 10 minutes away. Even if it wasn't hot we found the loveliest new surfy cafe right down on the beach for cream teas or a hot chocolate. I booked Alfie into some boysie activity days so that the girls and I could do what girls do best, go shopping! I had lots of thrifty finds in the summer holidays and got to make a trip to Ashburton to visit The Snug, a gorgeous shop, where I missed Niki by minutes as, coincidentally, she was there on holiday with her family. We both bought vintage chocolate boxes too!

Our holiday to Port Isaac was wonderful. I go with mum and the children for the last week of August. We rented the same gorgeous cottage that we stayed in last year and it really felt like coming home. It is a stone's throw from the harbour and all the gorgeous little shops, cafes and pubs. I could quite happily live there full-time, sewing and selling my fabrics. I might just end up there one day! There are always great things going on and the weather was brilliant which was a bonus.







I spent a lot of time and money in this lovely shop, Charmed, owned by Jackie Lewellyn-Bowen.



We went to the Big Cornish Day out which followed on from the success of the party they had last year to celebrate the centenary of John Betjeman. This was like a village fete really with stalls selling Cornish goods, old fashioned fairground rides and musical happenings in the arena, like this band who, although traditional in look, were playing 'Let me entertain you' by Robbie Williams as I took the photo.





My favourite stall was one that was there last year and I looked out for it. It was there. A gorgeous little camper van selling the most delicious vintage goodies. The stall was run by Shabby Chick, a lady called Amanda, who recognised me from my blog and confessed that she is a bit of a lurker, so hello Amanda :-). She has a stall in Totnes market so I shall have to make a trip down soon. It's amazing the power of blogging eh? I stocked up on some pretty vintage tins, a basket, patchwork and crocheted blankets. My friend, also called Amanda, bought a pretty deck chair made of vintage floral fabric.






My friend Amanda and her son Elliot came down and stayed in Port Isaac with us for a few days which was so nice. Alfie and Elliot are great pals and always love spending time together. Amanda and I never stop talking once we get together, we are such close friends and have been for some 16 years now. We have been through a lot together. She, like most of my closest friends, lives far away so I miss her terribly. We had a great few days on the beach, visiting Padstow, going on a speedboat ride, which I remembered halfway round that I hated last year but had forgotten, much to the amusement of all on board!





We had cream teas galore, well it would be rude not to, shopped 'til we dropped, went for fab meals and talked and talked and talked. When she left she made me sit down and handed me a large, flat, heavy thing in a bag. She started to tell me that this was something she had chosen for me for my new home and my new life but couldn't finish what she was saying and just flung herself at me sobbing. I didn't even know what she had given me but started crying too which then set mum off! She had bought me a beautiful painting by Katie Childs. The cottage we stay in is full of her gorgeous art work which I always admired. Amanda knew that Port Isaac was a special place to me so she knew I would love it, and I absolutely do!


So summer was great and I really enjoyed the laid back relaxed time I spent with my children, I really enjoy their company (most of the time). I leave you with a few photos of my little, and not so little, pickles.





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I'm Back

Just to let you know that I am back, I am well and I have spent ages doing a blog entry on my other site so I am now too tired to post an entry here! The Period Living feature is out so if you want to see it I have posted photos here. Apologies for the quality of them but my scanner isn't working so I had to photograph them and they aren't the best.

I will be back my sweeties with tales from my holiday and what I have been up to over summer.

See you soon x Pin It

A quick update

Hi, Just popped out of my self-enforced retirement to say I am not in the September edition of Period Living after all, I shall be in October's, but if you want a laugh go to page 90 of September's Prima magazine and read an article about me and my mad collecting habit. Unfortunately the magazine omitted to mention my website so I look like a crazy lady who just collects loads of fabric for no reason, hahahaha!

Right I'm back off into the garden to soak up some more sun, toodle pip xxx



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Summer Break

It seems like a long time since I last posted a blog entry. Much has been happening in my life since then. More press coverage in Devon Life and Irish Tatler, which is really nice. I also have an article coming out in the September Period Living, available in August.

Thank you all for your lovely lovely comments. I do appreciate them. My website is still open but I am taking a break from blogging for now, be back soon xxx

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For those of you who missed it, here's the article. Enjoy!

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The Times on Saturday

Oooooooh how exciting, have just found out that the Saturday Times article will be out this weekend (9th June). Hope you get to see it but if not I am sure I will be publishing it here some time next week. Pin It

Beach Life

It has been a busy old half term. I have taken time off this week to spend some time with my 3 winkies. The weather hasn't been wonderful but it hasn't stopped us from having fun. The beauty of living here is that we can 'pop' to the beach. When the sun comes out we sit on the beach and if it clouds over we do something else. I remember living in London and what a palaver it was to get to the beach. It involved a whole day and usually meant lots of equipment and getting stuck in traffic.


The children have enjoyed being together. Jasmine is still a real family girl and loves spending time with her little brother and sister even though she is 17. Here they are playing 'it' on the beach. I'm not sure if Lizzy really knew the rules but she was just happy to run around laughing with Jazz and Alf. These pictures are going to be the inspiration for my next Janet Bolton naive applique workshop which is coming up in a couple of weeks.









I have made 2 beach pictures with her, the first when Lizzy was no more than a twinkle in her Daddy's eye so the second one (pictured below) featured her and I on the beach together. This new one will be all 3 of them. I am so excited that I have started the background already! The problem with starting a new business is the time it takes up. My 'creating time' seems to have all but disappeared!






Big Brother started on Wednesday evening which means my life as I knew it officially ends until the whole debacle is over. Every year I tell myself I am not going to be sucked in, it's rubbish, but I am weak and am addicted already! Pin It

Seven

I have been tagged several times to do the Seven Meme but I am going to cheat and just post a picture of my little man who was seven yesterday. Here he is with his cake (note cat in background cuddling a Pokemon toy!).

Happy Birthday Alfie.

Here are all three of my lovelies. I can't believe how they are growing. They are now 17, 7 and 2 and I am constantly amazed that they came from me. I think they are my finest work!




The last few days have been crazy for me. Since the Sunday Times published my phone number I have had loads of phone calls from fabric people, mostly wanting to sell ME fabric! Luckily I have also had a few sales. I have had to list lots more fabrics to replace the ones sold. Business is looking good and the feedback I have had from customers has been wonderful. It makes it all worthwhile.

Well it's Bank Holiday Weekend here again so I guess that means more rain. Last weekend was lovely, bright and sunny. We spent the day at the beach with Paul's brother and son, building sandcastles, crab fishing and watching the sunset.








Whatever you do this weekend, rain or shine, have a good one. x Pin It

Sunday Times

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How exciting to open my Sunday Times today and find a piece about my website. It was very unexpected and a real thrill!

'Chic', maybe but I'm not too sure if I am happy to be described as 'cheap' though, hehehe! Pin It

Ruskin

When I saw this little embroidered picture in an antiques centre I couldn't resist it. Anyone who knows me knows that this is my way of dealing with things anyway!




I will be listing a few quilts and crocheted blankets on my website this week. Just thought I would give you all a sneak preview. They are so sweet I would like to keep them all!











I have a huge amount of eiderdowns to sell too but I need to launder them first. This I will do when it stops raining. Will it EVER stop raining?!


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Milly Molly Mandy

I am currently reading the books of Milly Molly Mandy to my little boy as his bedtime story. I wasn't sure if he would like them as he is a biff, bang, pow, boysie-boy who is into Pokemon, Star Wars and all things Raaaaaargh! But he loves them. The wonderful stories of MMM, Billy Blunt, Little-friend Susan and Miss Muggin's niece Jilly. I am also enjoying rediscovering them. This copy is from 1946!




I used to trace my finger round this map plotting little journeys for MMM and her friends, lost in their magical innocent world where you could wander down to the village without fear of being taken away.

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I think this picture may have been the early inspiration for my shop!


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Back to Life?

You know you are all rather lovely. Thank you so much for the words of support, the lovely emails and for giving me the feeling that there are those of you who really care. I do appreciate your comments. I very rarely reply to them in my own comment box but be assured that I do read each and every one of them and find time to visit your blog or email you back. I didn't mean to sound as though I needed sympathy but rather to show that although my life can look as though it is perfect I too can have the usual bumps in the road that everyone else has. I am not immune but I do believe that what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger and I am feeling strong and happy folks.

This week has been a week of trying to get back to normal (whatever that is?!). I travelled down to see Celia to finish the interview for Period Living, sent off some fabrics to Marie Claire and World of Interiors to be used in their upcoming features. I have been getting to grips with my laundry, adding beautiful fabrics to my website, helping my little boy prepare for his SATS. I have been spending time nibbling my 2 year old's toes and feeling blessed that I have my beautiful children safe and sound by my side unlike this poor poor family. Please let her be found soon, safe and sound.

With thanks to Julie for the button, that she has designed and shared with us, in my side bar.





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Whirlwind

Thanks for your comments on my last post. I will let you know when the Period Living feature is out. For those of you who wanted to know, my dress was made from vintage fabric and came from Topshop in Oxford Street.

This week has really been a whirlwind week. We started off with Period Living coming out to photograph the house, then, a few days later, I was visited by two people from The Times. The lovely Vinny Lee and charming photographer Paul Raeside, who arrived in his convertible classic Mercedes, much to the delight of my other half. They were a breath of fresh air and very professional.








Then Devon Life sent a photographer round, a sweet, bumbling old chap who was utterly eccentric. We shared funny conversations about space travel, global warming and how he met his wife 6 years ago at a school reunion. He couldn't have been more different!

It has been a fun experience. I learned a lot and loved seeing my home through the eyes of other people. If I wasn't so busy with my website and the children I think I would love to be a stylist. The weather has been perfect, big blue sky and plenty of sunshine. I also had telephone interviews with The English Home, Irish Tatler and Junior Magazine. This press has come to me through my hard-working PR company who I can heartily recommend.

I also attended a Textile Fair in Honiton this week and picked up some delicious textiles including a pair of 1930's French floral curtains, that are just to-die-for, and a pretty paisley quilt. All of these will be appearing on my website soon as I have decided to be very strict with myself and stop collecting. I met up with lovely like-minded women and spent a sunny day shopping and catching up, perfect!





We finished the week with a fish and chip supper on the beach, skimming stones and watching the sun setting.





Along with all the wonderful goings on there has been down side too, nothing I want to go into detail about, some big stuff that has rocked my world and has made me realise that changes are needed in my life. Just in case you thought my life was perfect it's not all hunky dory you know!

Have a happy, sunny, Bank Holiday Weekend wherever you are x Pin It