Franglais at Ardingly

Monday we collected our van and after a full morning of packing and sorting we were happy to get on the road and have a nice gentle drive to The Copthorne Hotel , we go the pretty route and arrive in time for a relaxing evening with our feet up ready for the next day.
The Hotel is only a few miles from the showground so makes life simple with a 4.30 am start and in the line of vans an hour later.
There is such a feeling of anticipation and this time it is dry but freezing freezing cold.
We always line and carpet our Shopping Arcade pitch and it makes a huge difference when you are in a muddy field for two days. Doormats and carpets welcome our customers and they love it.
We hung our gorgeous French fabrics this time , so much hopping about on tables with pegs for moi
Thanks Alex for the help xx
There were some wonderful things to be seen all over the showground , lots of decorative stuff, some amazing lumps of reclamation, it was really buzzy and busy ....we love it
the first day we were so thrilled to get back to a warm room and deep hot baths a glass of wine and room service, we were frozen to the tips of our toes but at least not wet like last time.
Second day was more low key, a lot of public will pay to be there on the first day with the Trade, second day we still had some good sales and the sun came out hoorah but the wind soooo cold.
Got packed up by 4.30 and headed home via Mac's our naughty little treat at Petersfield.
French stock went well , lots of shops buying from us . we won't be there in April as we are heading south on a buying trip so next time is July

Beautiful boxes

Just filled my Etsy shop with a pile of little French favour boxes, had a good response already which is fun.
Franglais textiles and trims is my banner under Vintage

Franglais textiles and trims on Etsy

Bed or Board

This is a lovely old linen in that slightly grey white dated in corner Elizabeth Cromwell 1830 which does not match with the monogram so she must have done it as a present.
It has one neat patch done a long time ago at one end.
Price £45.00
I am using my Blog rather than my web site at the moment as Fasthosts seem to be having problems and none of my pictures are uploading they are seeking advice from a higher technology.....The Engineer Mr Moon is in charge.

A Lick and A Promise

Makes a nice break from Ironing napkins!
This is quite a big basket of it's type and although they were probably for root vegetables, the mud falls through . I think it would do a turn for laundry, perhaps even transport a tablecloth a few glasses and a bottle of wine on a picnic.
I am rather in love with Farrow and Ball old white this week, so gave the basket a quick lick and some frames too. No wonder I end up with so many containers, its a throw back from my treen and kitchenalia days.
Found Lizzie clutching this on one of our " truffling "days for Franglais
£25.00 for the basket

Box clever

I love fabric covered boxes ! and these lovely French fabrics were irresistible at our Couturier's Puce.
I love the cylinder lined as well as covered. It would be ideal for knitting needles and the long rectangle is almost a fan box but could be used for needles too.
The little set of drawers with metal handles is definitely Provence.
I would love to be able to do this as neatly as these are, does anyone know of a course I could do ??
£35.00 for the set of drawers
£35.00 for the rectangle
£28.00 for the cylinder

Fun at the Fair/ rag mkt French style

We were made really welcome by all the ladies who run the dressmakers rag market each year in a little Town about 15 miles from Ticky. We managed to get there last year despite the snow and bought some lovely things and Ticky had been before when we were unable to make it.
I occurred to us they might find us a novelty ! we packed about four boxes each I have never been anywhere with just four boxes , nevertheless we were happy with our day and met some really nice people, it made me practice my French too!!
The locals were intrigued with my darning mushrooms and I sold quite a few.
We had a little quiet time mid day while we all enjoyed a bit of lunch ,then they flooded back in and it was busy until 5.30.
We had a lovely surprise when Mark and Jean dropped in to say hello.
There were a good number of quilters there and there seems a good mix of French and English.
We have been invited to do another one further north at St Lo which we are considering whether we can manage depending on timings as we are soooo busy in May... it may be another quick "turn around" from one Fair to another but involving ferry travel so more complicated .
It was fun to be part of something in the community. Ticky was brilliant as always making sure we had lunch and were happily settled , when we got home a fantastic Sunday roast awaited us, then the fire and Bafta awards... happy bunnies