Small and beautiful

I love the way things can just turn up in the most surprising places . This is all hand painted and the actual picture I think is on velum . I think it is rather beautiful and a little exotic not signed though.
The horsemen are only about an inch high so that gives you an idea of the scale .
Anyone out there know anything about this sort of art ? Middle Eastern I would imagine

The joy of living near the sea

I never get tired of being near the sea ,I was born five miles from the North East coast and am now about the same distance from the South coast.
Today we were having coffee with friends overlooking the harbour , we went to see the results of the stone carving classes in a quarry on Portland. We think he did rather well with this relief in Portland stone.
It was a perfect excuse for a trip to one of my favorite places and the surf was pounding in! I love that sound. There was a stiff breeze so we got a good spray of salt with the fresh sea air. I managed to collect a few more bits of driftwood for another Christmas tree but I think the cove is popular for beachcombers and one of the few local places you can find any

Turn of the century Girls Realm magazines

I have 18 of these magazines stacked next to my bed and it is just the most amazing trip into life at the time!
This magazine was started in 1900 and I have issues from 1900 to 1903 . the advertisements are just fantastic reading.
They are the size and thickness of National Geographic so quite a good read.
Wonderful articles on how to conduct oneself in various situations , some travel stories, fiction,features on famous people and craft items. I have to keep reminding myself that this was of that time and not just stories.
I loved the account of a motor trip through France . I have the Coronation number for Edward v11.
As you see at 6d in 1900 .....not for everyone's pocket !

Christmas at Bridport

Caroline Bushell's phone number should read 01404 45901

Hand made felt buttons

I have been experimenting with a variety of layered fabrics, ticking, felts etc to make interesting buttons for various projects. My quilted flowers were the start and I have done some lovely red and white layered mattress buttons, I love those old mattress buttons especially the old French ones, they have been my inspiration.
I have been long pondering how to" dress up" my patchwork wool throws when I remembered some layered felt I made at Eileen Sarup's felting workshop.....perfect ! because it is multi-layered I can part the layers and get a really good effect.
I think it lifts the whole thing ?

French Leave

Twice a year Penny and I raid the £2 coin slush fund and book into our favorite little Hotel in Normandy .It is right on the sea front and looks straight out to Jersey. We always have the same room on the top floor , long hike but worth it. We get two windows looking out to sea and sleep to the sound of the waves.
We have three whole days as we are going overnight tomorrow. After doing four events in one week I so need the break.
However I will of course be doing some buying between seeing friends and having good lunches, we have even managed to find a big Vide to go to Sunday. I still get a thrill every time I book a trip

Washed out!

Thank goodness for a sunny day! Lizzie and I had a rather disastrous Shepton Flea yesterday. We were well prepared with gazebo and new large tarpaulin and were fine until the wind got up !
Our gazebo was tied to Freidatoo at the back but the front rose into the air and we had to quickly get the tarp off which was acting as a balloon. The gazebo now bent to thingy had to be turned on its back and the lovely security men dismantled it and carted it off ...thank you boys.
It was a really misseling wet rain which soaks everything , we were soaked through and now have cartloads of washing and ironing and drying out to do .
insult to injury! the dress rail fell in the mud
silver lining two ladies had been before the disaster and bought all our heavy coats !!
So as I am want to say " worse things happen at sea " and they do, it still remains we have a lot of work to do .
fortunately the next fair Talent for Textiles at Ilminster is November 4th so we have some time and after 4 fairs in one week a much needed break
Lovely to see all our Friends at Shepton and some faces from way back too