Work and Play

 The rain is lashing down outside today, but wasn't it lovely over the weekend? I drove up to Chipping Sodbury on Friday ready for the Fair on Saturday, and felt sorry for all the people stuck in queues of traffic on the motorway heading southwards for the start of their holidays......


There was lots of loveliness as always at the Vintage and Handmade Fair, including these gorgeous confections of lace and ribbon and beads on Louise Taylor-Bowen's stand. If you look closely you will even spot a little bird nestled into this headdress! She also incorporates feathers and moss and shells into her work, and the presentation was beautiful with simple vases of fresh cow parsley straight from the hedgerow.




Here are a few pictures of my stand....


As usual I had far too much stuff to fit on my 6ft table, and after looking around at other stands I think I'm going to take a leaf out of their book and try not to cram so many things in next time. It's always a balancing act, but you know what they say, less is more....








Heather from Hellish Designs' stand had lots of French bits and lovely handmade linen lampshades.....



 Ali Hocking's stand (Betty and Violet) was really pretty; pastel coloured fabrics and ribbons...... 





delicate lace and beaded bags....



 bejewelled buckles and sumptuous velvet ribbons.....


Thank you Jayne and Michele for organising another fantastic Fair; it is a lot of work for everyone involved, but a great pleasure to meet up with fellow makers/traders and customers who appreciate what we do!


 Now that I have my camper van I can take a bit of time out to relax as well as work away from home. After a pretty exhausting day at the Fair it was so nice just to drive out into the countryside around Chipping Sodbury and look for somewhere to spend the rest of the evening. 


I drove down a small winding lane following an escarpment with spectacular views of trees and fields, and found this lovely old church at Hawkesbury. A footpath led into a field of buttercups and dandelions, so I took a pillow and my rug and lay down in the green meadow to soak in the evening sun....






Sunday morning found me waking to another glorious view of lush green hedges and fields. I decided to head off to Dyrham Park, a National Trust property not far away and one that I had not visited for many years. 


The house is surrounded by rolling parkland with deer and cattle grazing.


 There are views right over the Bristol Channel. Everything was looking so gloriously green. It seems Spring happened so quickly this year....


It is a real treat for me to see such magnificent trees like this in a rolling green landscape, because we really don't have that down in West Cornwall.



I do hope you have all had a very enjoyable Bank Holiday weekend too. x x x

Trevoole Garden Cafe


Those of you who have been following my blog for a while now will already be familiar with the wonderful garden created by Beth and Travis at Trevoole Farm, near Camborne, Cornwall. (If you want to have a refresher look, see my blog post of 4th July 2010). A wedding that was held there last year is currently featured in the June issue of Country Living magazine. Well Beth has now decided to open a cafe in the summerhouse, and on Thursday she had a trial day's opening to check that everything ran smoothly......


As I stepped into the cosy and colourful atmosphere of the summerhouse I could see my friends were already tucking into tea and cake!



I chose a piece of carrot cake.....and I must say it was rather delicious! Lovely and nutty and the creamy topping was just how I like it, not too sweet....



Beth started serving out lunch of homemade asparagus quiche, baked potato, homemade coleslaw and fresh salad leaves straight from the neighbour's garden......


There was also a spiced beef soup on offer, gently warming on the aga; the beef comes from a local butcher on The Lizard. 'Stupendous!' was the verdict from Sue as she finished her bowlful.


Beth and Travis will be opening the cafe on Thursdays only, starting on June 6th and running right through till Christmas. In the winter months the summerhouse will be made cosy by the Aga and the woodburner; meanwhile a lean-to greenhouse is currently being converted into an extra outdoor room under glass so that customers can fully enjoy the spring and summer sunshine.

After the rain shower I took a stroll around; chickens are happily scratching away in their enclosure, providing fresh eggs for the cakes and pastries....



and in the yard in front of the vintage shop, a 'theatre' of auriculas makes a wonderful display.





Gardening paraphernalia and deckchairs, baskets, enamel and china can be purchased from the little shop in the barn.....


(Angelica in her vintage apron (which she just happened to have in the bottom of her bag!))






....and a nice selection of plants can be purchased at the garden entrance.


Back in the cafe Sue and Diane were busy stitching away on their latest projects; the cafe is very relaxed and customers are welcome to bring sewing or knitting to while away a hour or two until it's time for another pot of tea and slice of cake!



There are magazines to browse, and comfy sofas to lounge in......




In fact the most taxing thing you'll have to do is make up your mind which of these tempting treats is going to end up on your plate first.....freshly homemade scones with Cornish cream and jam, 


coffee cake, chocolate cake, Victoria sponge with fresh strawberries and cream, fruit cake, carrot cake, 


or lemon meringue pie.....mmmmmm!


All the cakes are either made by Beth or her friends and neighbours.


You can even take a lovely bunch of flowers home! 
I for one am very glad that I can share in this little slice of nostalgic heaven a little more often. 

Trevoole Garden is open for The National Gardens Scheme on Sunday June 16th.


It's that time of year again when we vintage lovers gather for the annual Spring Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury, this coming Saturday 25th May.  I have put together a pretty collection of lace and buttons, china and glass to put on my stall..... 




As usual I will have a range of my handmade cards on sale


plus some new stitched fabric and paper collages.


I very much look forward to meeting some of you there. xxx 

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