Friends,Hollyhocks and Cake...

Hello there....Yes i am still on the Hampton Court aftermath.. This time i would like to share with you some of the friends.. some new and some old we have met at the show and link to their websites. I was hoping to take photos of their stands but i didn't quite get it together.

Little Dye House

Jane (and Jane)...started in business around the same time as us designing and producing in the uk, beautiful garments for women and girls in the softest jersey pointelles, all hand dyed in beautiful soft colours using non toxic dyes.
Check them out as they are exceptional quality and so easy to wear. Lovely women too.

Beverley Hewitt Ceramics

We met Bev and her husband Steve for the first time at the show. They are a friendly kind couple, who minded our stand on the first morning when we got caught in traffic (us and loads of other exhibitors.. static for 40mins and only 5 mins drive away.. i walked 3 miles although it felt like 20 and then Alice caught me up in the car arghh.. hot , sweaty and not too chirpy.... thankfully most exhibitors are a good bunch and are always on the look out for each other and Bev and Steve were just like this.) Bev worked for Royal Daulton for many years and has now branched out on her own. They have a studio in the Staffordshire potteries and create all their own shapes which are then decorated with Bev's designs. Alice brought her individual teapot/mugs as thank yous for her mother and mother in law who had been taking care of the boys.

Daniela from Hope and Benson..

A lovely woman who along with her business partner Angela makes beautiful classic yet funky wool handbags. We shared the tea runs with her during the week. Danny also has her own fashion range and we hope to pop down to Bristol to visit her new store sometime.

Textiles at the Organic Farm Shop

This was the stand next to us. They sold organic linens which were block printed in India by a small workshop set up by owner Hilary. She has been passionate about organic, fair trade, and local produce for many years. Check out her website as she runs a farm, shop, cafe, holds courses, and rents out yurts. The farm is in Cirencester and looks well worth a visit.

Merrywood

Linda handmakes fantastic soaps which Alice always buys when we see her at shows . I brought some from her too this year as thank yous for all my friends who had been taking care of my girls after school. My favourite is 'cottage rose', a soft fragrance with geranium and palmerosa oils...divine.

Jane Hogben Terracotta

We love Jane and Edward and have been opposite them at Country Living Christmas for the last few years... it was through them that we met lovely Sally ( on my side bar).. an amazing photographer and beautiful person.. Her book is delightful. Janes's ceramics are beautiful too and the smell of her scented candles is pure heaven.. i have many! They were exhibiting large sculptures mainly and had a pitch outside braving the elements.. luckily the weather broke and the second half of the week was warm and dry.



This week i have been having fun with my girls, and with my cooking companion.....

The River cottage Family cookbook
by Hugh Fernley Whittingstall and Fizz Carr

we made this very yummy Victoria sponge after school on Tuesday...

I think Hugh is fab and i brought this book for the family at Christmas.. it really is so brilliantly written, he works through each basic ingredient, giving background info for greater understanding and showing how to use them in different receipes.( the choc chip cookies are to die for).
This cake was a team effort with my girls... it took a while to put together (as these things do when juggling each task between us and keeping it fair).. and whisking the double cream by hand was a little like torture but we got there in the end. I do not profess to being a great cook and i often lack inspiration and confidence, but i do enjoy the creativity of cooking and really try and inspire my girls to feel excited about it too. We were very proud of our cake and all had a piece for tea.. it really was quite scrumptious!

Hope you are all keeping safe from the rain..... we have our sandbags out just in case..
G
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