Officially hopeless!

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

KC'sCourt! said…
I live on Organised Chaos, sometimes I wish life was simple, but then it would be somewhat boring!
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
Mise said…
You've neglected blogging for very good causes - the real is always preferable to the reported. I like the charming lavender bottles!
lucey said…
I've got some pennies that would like to live inside one of those purses!!! Any tip's on how to make a lavender bottle? Look's complicated to me hun love Lucey x
Your lavender bunches are so pretty!! I've never seen anything like them before. : )

~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Anonymous said…
It was really lovely to meet everyone at the Fair your stall looked beautiful, I couldn't believe how busy everyone was.
Adele
You have been a busy bee. I love the lavender stems. Picture one is lovely!
I have just visited your shop, you have some lovely things for sale!
The fair looked really good.
Isabelle x
Gina said…
The lavender bottles are fabulous.
Anonymous said…
Teena! I've missed you! But it's good to hear about all the exciting things you've been doing. I live in chaos too, but it's not very organised! Now off to see if I can buy a copy of Sew Hip...Penny x
Gosh, years since I saw lavender bottles! And bullace..... wow! The Beautiful Boy was brilliant to watch, the sheer concentration! Thanks for the lovely comment on my blog, it was just lovely and I do appreciate it. :O)
pinkfairygran said…
Never seen lavender bottles before...looks fiddly, but the end result worth the effort. Nice to see a posting from you again.
Faded Splendour said…
Yay welcome to the club....always room for more hopeless! A mac book broken? I can't believe it :D
Love the photos of the fair it looks like there were tons of good things!

Chaos is the way forward at the moment, I do agree :D

Sarah
Miss Prudence said…
Yay to see you back. Glad it was only chaos and not something serious and bad.
Thanks for the phots!
You've been very productive!
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
Niki Fretwell said…
Hi T - you busy bee you...
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
Frances said…
Zat's pretty fantastic!

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!
Unknown said…
I've never seen lavender tied like that but it's perfect. And those purses are so adorable! Im all into cute
A time to dance said…
Hello Sunshine...I have stacks and stacks of lavender drying....can you make the little bottles mid dry and if so...how? my worksroom looks such a mess... there is lavender everywhere....so a different project from taking the seeds off would be wonderful hope you and yours are well.... Helen
artycho said…
What a great and colourful blog you have! Love it!
Good to see you back. Do you know I don't know whether I actually replied to your comment way back when on my Wyken post, many apologies for that! Hope you had fun at the fair and thanks for link to Woodbridge Festive Market on 12 December - I shall amble along for that one. Congratulatins on the magazine article too!

Jeanne
Woo Gilchrist said…
Hi, I have just found your blog via another one and I have really enjoyed reading it. Very inspiring.
lemonade kitty said…
I've got some pennies that would love to live in one of those purses! How do I make a lavender bottle like those? they're wonderful love Lucey x
Greedy Nan said…
Loved the little ricrac-woven lavender you made - what a ridiculously simple and beautiful idea.
Shannon said…
Glad to see you again! I loved the story of your Grandma. If I ever get to England, I am going to schedule my trip to coincide with that fair - my eyes are still recovering from all of the wideness and rapid glancing. Such beautiful things!