Autumn Open House

Been having major problems with Blogger so its been ages since I last posted; relied on Facebook instead but you know I like to chat on so really prefer a good blog!
Really enjoyed Lucy's Lovelane Brocante in Sussex, an insane amount of driving in one day but lovely friendly people when I arrived more than made up for it

This fox terrier puppy was the hit of the day, posing happily for everybody
Bought this white hydrangea which sold my zinc container last Saturday at the Cotswolds Vintage Fair

Julie and Kristina had worked so hard to keep this fair going and it was a great success; I enjoyed seeing customers old and new and gossiping with my neighbour Jo

Not much time to buy but found these lovely letter scales now weighing coffee beans on my coffee table

Wasn't sorry not to sell this enormous French mustard pot, it looks great at home filled with wild fennel
Yesterday was Kempton and at last some sunshine after the washout last time. The day didn't start too well however when an extremely rude customer allowed his poodle to wee on a bag of cushions as I tried to unpack them; fortunately the bag was still closed and waterproof! Couldn't believe how offhand he was but as the day was a good one am wondering if this is like the good luck that descends with the bird poo which lands on you??

Have sold a record number of lampshades over the last 2 weeks so am determined to restock before my open house next weekend.

Have also bought several really lovely French crocks which are also good for displaying the wonderfully aromatic fennel

Will be parting with this lovely old bamboo chest of drawers as have found a table for the alcove in the sitting room
Come along and see..and lots more..Friday 6th September 10-9pm and Saturday 7th 10-4pm
Email hellish44@hotmail.com for details

Return to the everyday

We've just spent a very enjoyable week in Majorca where it was just lovely to enjoy the freedom of eating outside in warm sunshine, walking without waterproofs and generally lazing around, catching up on reading and eating and drinking far too much.

The backdrop of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains followed us everywhere, towering above the fertile plains where olives and oranges thrive.

We were musing on how artificial the turquoise swimming pool looks and yet that was the exact shade of the shallow waters at the the edge of the sea here.

I love walking along the cliff edge staring out to sea..this is near the beautiful Deia..where we visited Robert Graves' home. I could quite see why he fell in love with Majorca and never settled  back in England when forced to return during the war. His description of his first wife as "a feminist and difficult woman" in the film we watched made me laugh out loud...pity not to hear her side of the story.

And so back home last Saturday to a decidedly chilly and very grey Nottingham. At least it wasn't so difficult to sit down at the sewing machine and the reappearance of a customer who I hadn't seen for several years was cheering.

I made this pair of cushions in a pretty French floral to replace the pair she bought

I've combined textures in this simple contemporary cushion with a simple linen braid trim

This is a sweet 1950s French print which is great for covering notebooks but decided to make a small shade which I think would be lovely for a kitchen

I'm often asked for pairs of shades but not always possible if I can't get matching frames so I've kept this pair simple. Great for either side of a bed or a console table.

This portrait in pastels intrigues me; wish I knew who she was/is. I think its 50s but not at all sure but framed I think she is quite striking. Have several others to frame before the V&H fair in Chipping Sodbury this Saturday 26th
I'm very much looking forward to the fair and seeing other stallholders and customers who I only see when I'm in this part of the world. Do hope you'll come along and say hello.

But today the sun is Majorcan here in England so I'm going to spend the rest of the day in the garden where a host of jobs await.