The publishers of WHERE WOMEN CREATE and SOMERSET STUDIO are bringing you their new quarterly publication: via wherewomencreate.typepad.com I can't wait for this to come out. I love Where Women Create and now it's heading to kitchens. Perfect! Continue reading

At last, I've remembered to add a bake to my blog, which translates as I managed to take a photograph before eating! The other day we had a craving for pork pie. One of those great English things which I'll happily admit I could go years without eating. However, knowing that there probably wasn't one to buy within a good 400 mile radius suddenly turned the "Mmm, I quite fancy a pork pie" into a full on craving. So, a quick scour through the recipe book collection and a quick trip to the shops later we were ready to cook.... Continue reading

I'm not sure where the inspiration came from but about a month or so ago I suddenly found myself needing to try my hand at jewellery making. I found a book which inspired me further - to collect some vintage pieces, even broken bits and remodel them into something new. Well, not surprisingly, I'm very good at hunting around and buying pieces! There's nothing like nosing around Trocs and Vide Greniers with a purpose. However I almost became "stage-struck" when I started to try and create, I didn't know where to start faced with all the yummy pieces I'd managed... Continue reading

Well spring seems to finally be here. The blossom is out on the orchard, starting with the apricots a few weeks ago, we now have cherry and plum blossom. All the trees are starting to leaf and the grass is going to need a cut soon! This weekend saw a new addition to our family, Mertle. She's currently decked out in here original 1983 beige and peach but it won't be long before she's freshened up with some paint and new curtains. I've already got some perfect cushion covers that I made a few months ago. Can't wait to get... Continue reading

It might not be quite the weather for it just yet but I've been working on a picnic quilt. I was going to make one for last year but unfortunately it never made it to the top of my (very long and always growing) to-do list. However, the bright colours of those fat quarters that I bought the other week have spurred me on with my orchard picnic quilt. The top is finished so I just need to find the right backing material. And wait for some warmer weather... Continue reading

...and this little piggy (and his little friend) walked across the orchard. The previous owner of the orchard had told us that there were boar near the orchard. It's good to see they've survived the chasse and are still around, or at least their relatives are. We followed the tracks - they went right across and up the orchard, but seemed to detour slightly to under the quince trees where some of the old fruit is on the ground. It's a very quiet time on the orchard at the moment. We pop down there every few days just to keep... Continue reading

Well Tuesday is market day in the nearby small town so early this morning I defrosted the car and trundled off shopping. It might have only been showing -1 on the car thermometer but it was bright and sunny and as I reached the end of the road out of our village the Pyrenees were on full view. As I was out and about quite early the market was relatively quiet. I quickly stocked up on my fruit and vegetables. There's always such a great selection, really good value and as usual I also got my free handful of parsley,... Continue reading

Yesterday we ventured to our first deballage marchand, a kind of large antiques fair, at Beziers. It was an early start (for a Sunday), although I'm sure we turned up at a very amateur time. Most of the dealer to dealer deals are struck long before 9am which was when we arrived. We weren't really sure what to expect but It was fascinating. Thousands of items being sold by dealers from all over France and a lot from Italy. So much to see, not only the items on sale but also the people, the haggling methods and the fact that... Continue reading

Thirty six yummy fat quarters. I've been starting at them re-arranging them into different orders ever since they arrived - they're so crunchy! They're for a new project I'm working on. Time to stop loving them and start using them!! Continue reading

It's been a busy start to the New Year. Having taken a bit of a break from things over Christmas I've started January with lots of ideas that I can't wait to get started on. They have been mostly makes rather than bakes (a slight over indulgence over the festive period has steered me clear of too many bakes recently...shame!). The sewing machine has been busy and I've treated myself to some new material that I can't wait to arrive. Some photos will follow. Yesterday had to cut work a little short as we had our log delivery. Monsieur B.... Continue reading