Well it's been a little while since I had anything much to say and in my defence m'lord.. I have been busy.. busy getting my head around the fact that our Vintage & Handmade fair is getting closer and closer.. 59 days to be precise.. and I have got oodles of things to do still!
It has not gone unnoticed that many of our stall holders have been slaving over steaming sewing machines for the last few months .. and this has pricked my conscience ... so I have not exactly been slaving.. more scavenging and collecting, lots of scrummy vintage goods to offer the unsuspecting public.. ( strong sense of deja vu reading this back)
I shall be specialising in vintage toys and assorted childhood nostalgia...amongst the usual C & C products..
I will just give you a little sneak at one of my latest finds.... Neddy the Donkey... well who else!
He is rather gorgeous and I will have a hard job offering him up for adoption...
As the saying goes... all work and no play makes Michèle a very dull girl... so Mr Custard and I wrapped up against the elements and took off for a little jaunt to our local NT property last weekend....The Courts Gardens in the pretty Wiltshire village of Holt.. not a many miles from Bath and one of our favourite haunts.. in all seasons.
The day was dull and surprisingly cold after the tantalising taste of summer weather we had last week...
At the main entrance we were greeted by these very pretty little Anemone Blanda flowers that lit up the ground ... sparkling jewels shining out of the gloom..
Every time we visit this garden we comment on how well it is tended.. not a weed in sight and always something of interest..
My favourite Hellebores..
A winning combination of primroses, peony shoots and Muscari....the little blue bobbled flowers that reminded me of Liquorice Allsorts sweets.. the blue ones with the tiny bobbles on..
These yew trees always make us smile... they have a life and character all of their own and remind me of those Weebles toys (that wobbled but didn't fall down) .. as they wobble along the path... You can tell I need to get out more!
There are a multitude of little paths and secret nooks and crannies in this delightful garden and it would be the perfect place to film The Secret Garden... 
Though not so secret.. as it does attract many visitors each year.. but we were lucky to have the place to ourselves for a while..
After the cold wind had sufficiently numbed my digits.. we made a hasty bee-line for the cosy little tea room and thawed out with a lovely cup of coffee 
There is as you know a recession going on in this country....or hadn't you heard..? Well I do tend to switch off when the news comes on the radio or t.v... there is only so much gloom one can take..
Aaaaanyway..... I have been fortunate enough to win some fabulous new outlets for my greeting cards this month and one such place took us on another jolly jaunt to the newly opened.. utterly charming shop called The Laundry and belonging to Gloria Nicols.. nr Lydney Gloucestershire.
I have long been an admirer of The Laundry's fine emporium which can also be viewed on-line and so I was like a dog with two tails when asked to supply some cards for the new shop...
Gloria has a fine eye for vintage finds and contemporary home-wares and combines these with harmony and charm in her new shop... I urge you to visit if you find yourself in the neighbourhood.. or just click on to the site and shop from your armchair!
Another cause for celebre.. was becoming a stockist for another of my favourite shops..Re:Found Objects up in the wilds of Northumberland.. I have drooled over their site many a time as it is a little too far for us to visit on one of our outings.
So in true style... I celebrated with a cup of tea and the delectable Custard Creams.. with a friend..
Reasons to be cheerful ...
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Jolly Jaunts..
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26 comments:
Congratulations on the new outlets, you must be very pleased. And what a fabulous garden, I love the wrought iron gate, thinking of doing one in punch needle with flowers round it. Thank you for inspiring me.
Rosie xx
We have an old dog like your donkey,hes so battered but is really one of the family :o)
Lovly pictures of the garden,the hellebores are so gorgeous,getting out in the fresh air does us so much good doesnt it,well done on the new contracts too!
GTM x x
Congratulations on the two new suppliers. Both are definite favourites of mine. I'm especially excited to see the laundry has a 'bricks and mortar' outlet now. Going to have to check out as it's in Gloucestershire if it's within a reasonable distance of my Mum and Dads and make a visit there soon. Hope preparations for the fair continue well. What with Wedding preparations in the early part of the year and distinct lack of money I just couldn't sign up for it after all. Maybe at some future event I will manage it. Fiona
congratulations Michele... you deserve it as you work so very hard. I am glad you had some time to play too.
ginny xx
Just how lucky am I?? I'm on the doorstep for the Vintage and Handmade fair, and now have discovered (via your blog) a National Trust Property and the wonderful Laundry outlet at Lydney. The joys of blogging! Lovely post, thank you.
What lovely gardens, and I've definately got my eye on the donkey......The Laundry looks great and not too far for me. I agree with RE found objects. Great products but again a little too far away. Thank goodness for online shopping!
Congratulations you cant beat a custard cream for a celebration- well apart from a hobnob !
Sara
X
Well so many things I want to say:
Of course you know that Ned has only one true home...
Why did you have to go and mention liquorice allsorts, my day will now be spent in search of some ...
Gorgeous pictures of a lovely garden ....
Time for another custard cream before the new computer is installed (no we still haven't got the password ....)
CONGRATULATIONS on all your new outlets
Mx
What great news Michele. Two fantastic stockists good for you.
Neddy is adorable and I bet he doesn't bray which makes he neighbour friendly.
I loved the gardens as much as the birdy cup and saucer, just perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa x
Thank you for the lovely day in the garden. Didn't even mind the cold with the cup of coffee at the end. :) Congrats on a new outlet for your gorgeous cards.
Congratulations on getting into some new outlets. Re is one of my fave places to visit (my sister lives quite near there), and I will have to go and check out The Laundry asap - looks like my kind of shop!!
Cathy XX
I think Neddy would like to join my stable of rocking horses! He's a great find.
Congrats again on all the new orders.
Jayne
Congratulations on the new outlets, loving the donkey.
See you at the fair :)
I love Neddy! Congratulations on the new outlets - I'll have to check them out.
I'd forgotten The Courts - I've only been there once, years ago. I remember buying plants there. Lovely photos!
Hi sweet Michele! oooh all these lovely photos! I want to be transported to those gardens right now. Just gorgeous. Your upcoming show sounds delightful...I know you will do a wonderful job.
xoxox...jenn
Congratulations on the the new outlets!I've just looked them up and they both have such wonderful stuff!Lovely photos of the flowers,feeling all 'springy now'!
Rachel x
...that Donkey is not called neddy..its Jenny and lives upstairs in our spare room...it was bought for me on my third birthday when I was a nipper...but Jenny had a red rocker...a red leather saddle and reins and I used to feed her carrots...chad valley made her...I think ..but she had to go to donkey hospital because the mice chewed he feet as she is filed with straw.....I loved your picturs of your day out...it looked like heaven even with the cold...love and hugs always..helen (and Jenny)
Your pictures are really making me excited for my trip to Bath in June!! Any shops there that are a must see?? I'm sure there are many wonderful things to see, but let me know if there is a real outstanding place that isn't touristy etc... restaurant tips welcome too :)
Lovely gardens. I must look up exactly where they are. I have to say the tea room china looked quite funky. As for The Laundry - I wonder if I can persaude Mr Funky that we need a day out in Lydney?
Tracey
The Courts Gardens is a new one on me and we are not that far away, a must go, by the looks of it.
Love Neddy......congratulations with the new outlets.
Jan
I adore your blog! I'm new to blogging and am enjoying seeing all of the lovely ways people are expressing themselves. I commented on your posting about your mum the other day.
I've always wanted to travel to England. It is on my list to do someday. I live in the Pacific Northwest in Oregon USA and following your blog helps me get my "fix" of the U.K. I enjoy your reflections and fun tidbits. You seem to have a precious whimsy to your soul and I admire that! Fun!
I hope to get to visit more homes and gardens this year? The Courts Gardens looks like a lovely place to be, even on a cold day. You cannot leave without visiting the teashop. I like how they serve up in Love and Peace, I have always coveted the pattern. Two new great outlets, fantastic news for you Michele. I would love to visit the V&H Spring fair, I so hope you do really well with all your bits 'n pieces. x
Oof Michele, that shop looks gorgeous - just the kind of place Mr P would pretend he hadn't seen from the car because he knos how long I'd spend in such a place. Magic that your cards are stocked there x
Hi Michele, lovely to see a post from you again, the gardens are indeed magnigicent, I love the Chrismas rose, particularyl the purple ones, and the muscari are my favourite colour. Congrats on the new oulets.The Laundry is a great little spot. The little donkey is so cute. How fitting that you had custard creams with your coffee and tea.good luck with the fair preparations. hugs Margie.
Stunning photos, Michele. How can you bear to part with that donkey?
Congrats on the new outlets for your cards etc. too.
Ruth x
This post made me go all dreamy. How I wish I could have strolled the garden with you and had tea and chatted. But alas, I am across the world near the Pacific. I can dream though!
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