Did someone mention a harvest update? Fairs? Projects? It all just went whooshing past in life's hectic muddle! No excuses anymore. I am now officially hopeless but I shall continue to pop in from time to time, sometimes more than others because I love hearing from you all!
Now, I shall update you because I took some pretty pictures to share and you know I love pretty pictures!
This is the only one I managed of the lavender harvest - these came from a friend's garden before our bunches were added; now all dried and bagged ready for workroom projects!
And these were made from the green stems as they were cut....
I have such vivid memories of weaving lavender bottles in my granny's garden. She was always scented with lavender as she used the oil to sooth her arthritis. It is a scent which never fails to make me feel calm and happy.
Perfect to hang on your favourite woollies to keep away those pesky over-wintering moths too!
A kind neighbour gave me huge quantities of Bullace (or Green Damson). We now have 10 yummy jars of Bullace Jam sitting in the store cupboard. Not one for the faint hearted....these bitter little fruits make a delicious jam which is not too sweet, but the little stone in each one must be skimmed and fished out of the mixture as it boils - good if you fancy 30 minutes of facial sauna!
Happily the Aga is now back on in the kitschen so chutney making can really go into top gear... I have a glut of apples and courgettes and green tomatoes waiting to be dealt with next!
And inbetween all this harvest goodness? The Woodbridge Vintage and Contemporary Market. Didn't I tell you? Oh so silly me!
We arrived bright and early to set up our stalls on a gloriously sunny day!
Faded Splendour were there setting out all their oustanding treasure!
And this hardworking lady served me copious cups of delicious de-caf all day.... I do like a good cup of coffee!
A couple of magazine excitements. My article is out in the current issue of Sew Hip. I wrote it back in May so it's nice to see it all come together at last! (Ooh look there's my fave cardi again!)
And there was another lovely commission for the Christmas edition of BBC Homes and Antiques magazine. But sorry folks you'll have to wait to see that one... I was working on it until 6.50pm the day before it was due to be in Bristol for the photoshoot! I managed to drive to the sorting office at Norwich Railway Station by 7.24pm with 6 minutes to spare to get my parcel onto the overnight train! Needless to say I didn't manage to get one single photograph! Pah!
So you see it's not just my blogging which has been disorganised! Life generally is being a bit disorganised these days! I shall try not to leave it so long before I'm back again but my poor little MacBook is off to the repair workshop tomorrow. Not sure yet if that is for a short or a long visit!
Meanwhile I leave you with a bit more weaving....
Howzat?!
Hope to be back before too long. t.x
Comments
I haven't seen Bullace since was a child, I remember taking a bite out of one and wished I hadn't! Ooooh! Lavender wands, I just love those, I grandmother showed me how to make those once.
Julie xxxxx
~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Adele
I have just visited your shop, you have some lovely things for sale!
The fair looked really good.
Isabelle x
Chaos is the way forward at the moment, I do agree :D
Sarah
When you are able, it's always a pleasure to read your blog.
Well done on articles.
And Bravo to the lad with the tie.
Reminded me of my son, many years back.
Happy today!
~Bairbre Aine
Now please ask your friend for me how she manages to grow such perfect lavender flowers!! Once again my many lavender plants have been useless...I love the lavender bottles that you made. I rememer years ago that Mum had one wound in satin ribbon that she said had come from France. I remember thinking it was very exotic and special!
Glad you had fun at the fair...wish I could have visited.
Bless BB and his demo...loved it!
Take care,
Niki x
You've been doing so much ... quite inspiring.
I do look forward to seeing that December magazine once it reaches the racks at Barnes & Noble, here in NYC.
Cheers!
Jeanne