Wednesday 5 December 2012

Catching Up

Hi to you all.  It has been so long since I posted anything on here.  It has been a complicated time.  We were really busy with workshops and had some absolutely lovely days.  Weather was'nt on our side and it was wet on quite a few of the days but then it was like that during the spring workshops.  We had a lovely girl called Anna Tobin who came to assess the course for Homes and Antiques magazine and we will be in the next issue under 'Courses for 2013.  So exciting I love the magazine.
Have also had the house photographed by a fabulous photographer called Rachael Smith, do look at her website, the photographs are amazing, and when she showed me them I really thought 'is this my home' Think they are going in The English Home next year, not sure when, another magazine that I think is so good.
Then it was time to get ready for the Christmas Opening and found some fabulous things.  Restocked from Thornback and Peel and gorgeous soaps from Fickkets, all british made.  The girls were ready to come with their stall so it was with such regret that I had to cancel as my Mum became very poorly and sadly died.  I am sure some of you will remember her from previous open days and also her wonderful cakes on workshop days.  I really hope no one had a wasted journey, I tried to get around everyone with phone calls, letters and emails so I do apologise if anyone was inconvenienced.
I have sorted out the shop again now so if anyone wants to pop along for some christmas shopping do give me call. If anyone is looking for an amazing christmas wreath Tina Lovesey does fabulous ones with all fresh greenery etc.  just so different.  Her number is 01778 393068.  Also if you are looking for jewellery and remember Kate's fabulous selection at the summer fair just click onto www.katiane.co.uk.  Lyn has such a great selection of fabrics, all so tempting, find her on Stamford or Newark markets or give her a call on 07961 154948.
We will do a Spring Fair so watch this space. 
I have 2 super nursing chairs covered in Cabbages and Roses fabric and also just waiting for Ella to finish off 2 french armchairs covered in a dark grey/blue linen, fabulous.
Think next year will be a busy time as I have so many pieces of furniture that I can't wait to paint.
Very best wishes for a Happy Christmas and New Year. 

Sunday 29 July 2012

Summer catch up

Hi, I have to apologise for not writing on the blog for so long.  It has been a very sad time as a very dear friend of mine has died.  She was the most lovely person, funny, selfless, kind and warm and I miss her dreadfully.
The last time I posted on here we had been to France and since then I have been with family to Norfolk.  We had a lovely week in a house in West Runton which was owned by Amanda at Decorative Country Livings' mother.  It was delightful and can highly recommend it for a lovely break.  As you could expect furnished beautifully but also very relaxed.  We had Evan with us, 2 years old, funniest little chap, so we did things such as the steam train into Holt, sand castles on Holkham, things I had'nt done since the children were small.  The weather also kept fine for us.
Whilst we there we visited Felbrigg Hall, which was fabulous, with some excellent plant stalls as well, came back with the boot full.  There is so much to do in Norfolk, great places to have coffee and interesting shops.
We had a brilliant Summer Opening here in June and the weather although cold did stay fine.  It worked brilliantly, and all the other girls were really pleased with their sales and we had such a great mixture of things.  Coffee and cake was enjoyed in the house and we raised £320 for Cancer Research so a big thankyou to all of you that supported us.  We have plans for a similar event in November as it worked so well.  Tina has lots of ideas for Christmas decorations and demonstrations, Nicola with her willow and Kate is already sourcing jewellery.

Just a few pictures from the day.  The garden has suffered this summer as everyones.  I have alot of roses, David Austen, old fashioned roses and they have sadly been rotting on the stems.  Just bizarre weather?? Have had some successful days at auction for the shop, lovely french cheese pots and some good glass ware.  Now getting ready for Burhnam Market fair on Saturday, 18th August, a really great event in the centre of the village.  Lots of interesting stall.  I have just put the workshop dates for the autumn on the website as well so do book early if you are looking to come on the follow on course as it gets so full so quickly.

Wednesday 30 May 2012

It 's been a long time since I posted any news.  Lots happening.  We have been to stay with friends in France.  Jane and Andrew live in the Limousin, absolutely beautiful area, very wooded and green.  No traffic, fantastic food and the sun shone.  We then travelled to the Charente Maritime to stay with more friends, vineyards and houses painted white with blue shutters just lovely.  We then had a couple of days on the Ile de Re.  Somewhere I have wanted to go to for years and it did'nt disappoint.  It was fantastic, deserted beaches, lovely harbours just blissful.  St. Martin, the main town was beautiful.  Went to a few trocs and a french 'car boot'.  Furniture is expensive but did find a few things that I would have like to bring back but this time we were with Mr. Ryanair!!!!!!
Garden seems to have gone 'whoosh' since being away a week.  Thought I had it in control but no.  So now it is full speed getting things ready for a Summer Fair on 13th and 14th June here at the Garden Room.  This time I am being joined by Kate and her jewellery, Lyn with fabulous rolls of fabric, Tina selling all the plants you need for a 'cutting garden' and Nicola with her fabulous willow sculpture.  I have lots of lovely new things in the shop and am busy painting furniture ready.  Hope you can come, just email for times etc. will be tweeting info as well. Hoping to have dry weather and we can have drinks in the garden.

Thursday 15 March 2012

Spring, Swinderby and painting.

Started the week at Swinderby Antique Fair, very cold day but now go with clothes for every possible eventuality as you can have all 4 seasons in one day on that airfield.  Lots of dealers from all over the country but as always some brilliant and some no more than car boot but found some great buys.  A lovely bureau very pretty shape which will look great, probably paint in 'Old White' or ' Hardwick White' with a bluey grey inside.  Some more small antelope antlers on sheilds, look brilliant in 3's or 5's.  A grain sack to cut for a oak stool I bought at auction last week, will lime it.  I also bought a pretty small dresser from the auction.  So busy week coming up getting them painted for the shop. 
Next week I am helping a dear friend Ruth to do a sale of things she has from downsizing 2 houses.  We are holding it in Mary and John Richardson's lovely barn at The Grange, Morton on Friday, 10-5 and Sat.10-3, lots of lovely bargains and I will be taking a few things from the shop to sell.  Do come along.
Just about to paint a chest of drawer for a young lady in a fab. raspberry pink, great, nice to do something different.
Trying to make some changes in the garden as it got very neglected last year with building at the back.  Am aiming to do 1hour a day!!!  I am not very good at doing things in stages, I am much more a do it until you drop and then can;t move next day!!!  We have a parterre garden at the back and some of the shrubs are now taking over so have taken some of them out and will replace with more hebaceous and roses.  Love roses and because we started from scratch could have favourites, Mary Rose, Tuscany Superb, Geoff Hamilton, William Lobb.  
The follow on workshops filled up very quickly so have put 2 more dates on  and still have a few spaces, Tuesday, 24th April and Tuesday, 15th May.  
Initial workshops are filling, the Saturday is now full, but still have spaces on other dates.

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Cuba and all that!

We have returned from the most amazing holiday in Cuba.  Cuba because our godson James and his girlfriend were dropping off there for a month on their expedition cycling from Alaska to the tip of South America down the west coast.  We stayed in Havana for 4 nights savouring the sights, music, cars and staying in casas ( Cuban homes) something we would never have been able to do without James speaking fluent spanish (very little english spoken).  We hired a car and travelled to Trinidad which we loved, the fabulous beaches, bars with cocktails and salsa in the evening, bird watching,  just so much to see, we will certainly go back.
When we left Havana last Thursday it was 35degrees and landed to this bitter weather, quite a shock to the system. It was so special spending time with James and Sarah and Trish and John, Sarah's Mum and Dad.
It has been quite a struggled to get back into work mode.  Have a nice job this week doing some wardrobes made by Mark Goodacre, beautifully made and will look fabulous, painting in String. Some more commission work to do next week and then need to get some new stock done for the shop, it is looking rather depleated.
Have some real gems to paint so can;t wait. 
The other bit of news on the Haconby front is that we have bought the little chapel in the front garden.  It is a listed chapel and the smallest in the country with a balcony, which because it is so small, you can shake hands with the other side.  It needs lots of work, and will be lovely and so unusual.  We are not sure what our plans are at the moment but watch this space. 
Can't wait to get in the garden again.  Lots of plans, think I need to take out some of the shrubs so I could have more room for more perenials and roses, think I might have lost one or two things in the frost already.





Thursday 12 January 2012

Eventually got my paperwork in some sort of order.  Real lesson for this year not to get it in such a mess, after all it should'nt be that difficult I am not John Lewis!!!!Started stock taking today and there are some lovely pieces of furniture in the shop.  Just forwarded photos and details to Taff of furniture to go for sale on the website as he says I can have more than the 6 I have been doing which is great news as can have cushions and more mirrors etc. on there. 
Had a good morning at the auctions last week. Bought a fabulous georgian table, about 4' with rounded ends and fluted legs with its casters, will look brilliant painted.  Also a pretty edwardian table and lovely pine wall corner cupboard, make a great bathroom cupboard or pretty in a sitting room or bedroom.
Really exciting news before Christmas was that we had bought the little chapel in the front of our garden.  It is a baptist chapel and over the years we have been here they have had occasional services but very few and they have a very good chapel in the next village.  It is listed and is the smallest chapel in the country with a balcony.  We are not sure what we will do with it at the moment and it does need quite alot of work doing.  Looking forward to getting out there with my paint brush and tidy the front as it looks very sad and unloved at the moment.




Had a very quiet couple of weeks and lots of walks with Hattie having time to visit my dear dear friend who is poorly at the moment.  Sorting out new dates for the workshops to start in the spring and will get those on the website asap.  Lots of lovely things to paint and having had a break really enthusiastic to get started again soon. The Garden Room is closed at the moment as I want to have lots of new things painted and a spring clean and fresh look so hope to open again beginning of March but do give me a call if you are looking for something specific and come over and have a browse. 

Wednesday 4 January 2012

Nearly all over

I hav'nt taken the tree and decs down yet but will Friday morning as did'nt put anything up until christmas week so don't have that feeling of being up for ages. Had a brilliant holiday, relaxing with friends and family staying at various times.  The 'new room' worked fantastically - just such a great space. 
Trying to gain some sort of control over paperwork, have tax stuff etc to do.  Went to stationers to buy new notebooks and folders etc.  always makes me think I will be more organised??
Refresh the shop next week, do a stock take and bring some thoughts of spring in even a jug with tulips just makes you think of brighter times. Will be taking some new photographs I promise.