Sunny Days

Finally we have sunshine and it isn't any old sunshine, it is sunshine of the Summer variety.  It is glorious and my soul is really cheered.  I rushed around like an idiot yesterday in the heat taking photographs of products which currently have Winter light in their photographs.  I say like an idiot because the heat and me really don't mix.....but it needed to be done and I was thrilled with the shots.

I love the dappled light under the Plum tree so soothing and restful.  I'd love to sit under it with a cold drink and a good book.....

I find photography of products tricky.....I love the styled shots you see in magazines but the garden or house never seems quite right.

Good old Plum tree comes in handy again but with the next door house in and the washing line it doesn't do a lot for me....I need a light, airy, white house with a garden surrounded with fields and no neighbours!

Enjoy the sunshine,

Caroline x

Creating a Sanctuary

My work space/office/bedroom is my little escape from the world.  A place where I listen to the radio and sew or rest.  However, it has in recent months become a little cluttered and I hate being cluttered.  I like space and to be able to see space beneath chairs and tables without nothing being stored under them.  So last week I decided enough is enough and I needed to create my sanctuary.

Space is limited and I have to store stock, fabric, paper work etc as well as have space to work and sleep.  At this point I thought it wouldn't take too long to sort out but.......

....by this point I knew things required a good old sort out!  I discovered treasured things as well as numerous baskets and tea towels!  From living in a three bed roomed house I have had to condense my possessions to fit into one room with a few boxes in the garage.

It was lovely to rediscover things but a little sad in some ways remembering memories.

I had, at this point become a little more organised and had great pleasure in filling a few bin bags!

Look! You can see under my desk again......this really soothes me....a lot!

This table houses underneath lots of stuff but it is all hidden and thus my new little sanctuary is created.  It is now an absolute pleasure to be in this room now.

Hope you have a good warm week and see some sunshine.

With love,

Caroline

Nice things

When you feel under the weather you need treats......for me it keeps me going and something to focus on.  A package in the post is so exciting, even if it isn't very expensive, it is the thrill of the post man knocking on the door.

Fabric, just little pieces but it is Liberty and a real bargain.  No, I have no idea what to do with them but they are pretty and they really cheer my soul.

A bag.....because there was an offer of free postage!  I also bought a scarf which was in the sale and an absolute must.

The scarf and a dodgy photograph of me!  I wear it all the time.....a modern woman's comfort blanket.

OK, so technically not a postal delivery treat but a treat bought in my local wool shop.  Avid followers will note the addition of the pale pink wool which is going to form the border of the Granny Stripe blanket.  So pretty altogether don't you think?

We all need a treat no matter what is going on in our lives.....a simple something to bring a smile to your face and make you realise how good life is.

With love,

Caroline x

After the Rain

To me rain is glorious.  A chance of escapism into a magical world.  This morning I threw my bedroom window open during a down pour and watched, listened and smelt.  Odd you may think but the sound it made against the long grass in the field in front of the house was captivating.  There is no sound quite like it.....incredibly soothing and it could quite easily make me nod off.  Tonight, in between the down pours I went out into the garden to rainbow spot and take some photographs of the skies.

Nature is, quite simply, brilliant.  The range of colours it produces, the scents and sounds.  I sometimes think whilst we rush around in our busy and hectic lives, how many of us take a moment to appreciate what we have been given.

When I took this photograph I could hear the rushing of water off the fields down into the ditch.....the power of the water sounded immense and not to be messed with. 

Rain water captured in leaves of the Alcamilla Mollis ready for garden fairies and foxes to drink at midnight perhaps?

Raindrops, caught before they fall and saturate the earth...

.....and as the song goes, After the Rain comes the Sun.  A flower just coming out into its full bloom and hopefully not spoilt by all this rain.

With love,

Caroline x

Harlow Carr Gardens

Bank holidays fill me with utter dread.  A day where nothing is normal which includes people.....a time where they insist on spending time together.  Well, that is all well and good if you have that someone to spend said day with.  To escape this I decided I would venture off to Harrogate and to the RHS garden at Harlow Carr.  Beautiful white frilly Tulips greeted me as I walked down into the gardens.  A flower I absolutely adore in all its splendour.

It was wonderful to loose myself in the Spring flowers and a little bit of sunshine!  It was even better to actually walk without too much pain and discomfort!

A sea of Tulips.....and my favourite one at the back in rich purple is Queen of the Night.  Beautiful aren't they?

This blossom was part of an Apple tree hedge....a concept I like very much.  Imagine all the apple crumble!

I have a thing about chickens....as soon as I walked up to their enclosure I felt instantly soothed by their gentle clucking.

 Auriculas.....I didn't note their names as I got carried away with taking photographs!

Last one I promise!  A peaceful day spent soaking in nature at its best.  I hope you had a good bank holiday break with some sunshine.

With love,

Caroline x

Perfect Rain.....

Yesterday afternoon the heavens opened and the rain fell and fell.  A chance to snuggle by the fire with a hot mug of tea and watch, just watch and listen to the pitter patter of rain drops.  On a day like that I love sitting in the conservatory where the pitter patter is some what louder and more dramatic.  However, the fire was calling so on this occasion I settled for the warmth and comfort.  I had oodles of fabric to look at, a film to watch and a little embroidery to do.......a perfect afternoon.

A very pretty selection which will start appearing in our new collection but more of that later on.  After much thinking about the new collection I put this little picture together.

All completed and a few sewing lessons learnt!  Namely always factor in the seam allowances!

Back to the rain.......it was still pouring by supper time and the little hairy one, who hates the rain and normally refuses to even set a paw out of the door, decided she needed to go out.  So out she went and I watched through the door so I could let her back in.....well, I have never seen anything so odd.  She hopped onto the rockery and sat down, in the pouring rain.  Mr Rat lives in the rockery and clearly she thought that he shouldn't and yesterday was the day to be rid of him!

She must of been out a good ten minutes and she was drenched so I opened the door and in my demanding voice said, or probably screeched "Get in NOW"  Luckily she agreed and came in rather embarrased and went to bed.  Life is never dull when you live with a Terrier! 

The rain continued to pour well into the night and this morning.  It has stopped but will no doubt return much to the Farmers delight.

I hope you're not too soggy!

Caroline x

All Change........

Long, rainy and dull days make me pine for things to do.  Not just anything but something that is pretty and something that I have never attempted before.  You could say I had itchy feet about spreading my wings a bit further and expanding the range.  I'd never really thought about a range or a collection in my design work....but it seems like an idea that might be worth exploring.  Normally I prefer to have a wide range of various bit and bobs that might match but don't belong together.  As a self taught "designer" I find the whole process of designing a scary thing but add in the collection idea and I'm just about out there in the rain, avoiding the whole thing.

I want to combine my new found sewing skills with using beautiful fabrics and bring a little prettiness to life.

We are headed in the direction of useful things.......Lavender hearts and bags are lovely but it's time for a change.  Of course there will still be old favourites like the Bunnies but now they will come with a twist!

The new range will start to feature cushions, coffee & tea cosies, cards.....ooh the list is quite long but you get the idea.

The first new arrival is available from the website and it's a pretty keyring with or without a filling of Lavender just mention at checkout which you'd prefer.

Love,

Caroline xx