final post...finally!

I have been trying to find the words to write my last post here at The Flour Loft... hence the space since my last post...
It is so hard to express just how overwhelmed I am with the support and friendship that I have encountered here in this little piece of cyber space... I have met friends who brighten my day with their cheery and warm messages, I have received lots of encouragement and great advice too and have also made some very special friends.



I just want to say thank you to each of you who has visited and left a comment and also those of you who I do not know but who I hope have enjoyed reading my ramblings here.

The Flour Loft was started when Alice and I shared our Flour Loft studio and were working under the name of 'folkydokee'. With the studio vacated last Spring it now seems time to move the blog on too. Perhaps I shall be able to talk Alice into joining me with an 'alice and ginny' blog one day. In the meantime we are working hard creating the final projects and writing the text for our next craft book which is due out in October 2009. Further details of what we are up to I will try to add to our monthly catchup page (not yet updated) on our 'alice and ginny' website. Please do keep in touch either there or come visit me on my photoblog, 'sweetmyrtle', where I just enjoy posting photographs that I take and sometimes I write a few thoughts down too.

I am also delighted to say that Kitty has won my giveaway, so if you could please mail me you address I shall send you a little something x

So thanks again and although this blog has now come to it's natural close I will still be here in blogland and visiting all your lovely blogs as usual.

with warmest wishes
Ginny xxx

all the fun of the fair...

Yesterday as many of you will know was the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Rangeworthy, South Gloustershire, organised by Michele of Cowboys and Custard and Jayne of Country Cottage Chic.

I live a fair way away so made my way down with Alice and baby Rufus on the Friday afternoon to stay with Alice's brother, who lives near Bath. It was lovely to spend time with him, his wife and the 3 children. We were thoroughly spoilt and were even made a full English breakfast prior to setting off early on Saturday morning.

After getting lost, in my usual style we arrived at the hall. It was a pretty hall and perfect for a Vintage Fair. (see Hen's blog for a pic of the outside). The tables had been set out beautifully and each stall holder had a lovely space... it was not at all cramped.

I was excited and delighted by all the beautiful things that were there... everyone so amazingly talented.
Michele, Sal , Hen and Jayne have posted great photos of everyones stalls if you fancy taking a peep just click on their links.

I only managed to get a few photos to share...
Nicky from The Vintage Magpie's bunnies look fabulous on her site and were absolutely delightful to see in real life. Her stall looked great and she is so lovely.


I was so lucky to be sitting opposite Annie from A saucerful of secrets. Her work is exquisite, her dolls, works of art. I was bowled over by her talent. These dolls must take hours to create.

She and her husband are such nice people too. Annie trained in fine art and amongst other things also makes felt pieces. I fell in love with her needle felted birds. Look at this little blue tit who, unbeknown to me, found it's way back with me... thank you so much Annie I love it and shall treasure it.

I would have loved to purchase something from everyone as it was all so tempting but sadly I have to be careful about what I spend these days... still I did manage to buy a few gifts to put away till Christmas.

fab vintage nostalgia from the lovely Michele x

some treasures from Sal, who I was so pleased to finally meet.
We also had the great pleasure of meeting her lovely husband Mr Snippets too.

I also brought a wand for myself from Hesta who creates hats and pieces from recycled fabrics. It is a beautiful green colour with feathers and a bell on... it is for my fairy godmother duties as I never got round to making one myself. I shall have to keep it away from the kittens though.

...and a few cards from Joanne. I have always loved Joanna's paintings and it was lovely to meet her and also see her in the process of creating a new picture.

I also have a little something for Rufus which was made by Carol which I cannot show yet as I think he reads the blog!

It was so good to finally put faces to blogs ...everyone was so nice, thank you for being so friendly and letting me witter on. (especially to joanna!) It was lovely also meeting blog readers, particularly two couples who had travelled a long way to get to the Fair (one from Wales) and the busy stream of friendly folk passing through the hall. There were folk there too that I wished I had been able to catch up with but sadly missed (mainly you Emma).. next time hopefully.

All in all a great day, great cakes (see Jayne's blog) and lots of inspiring people. A huge thank you to Jayne and Michele who have been living and breathing this for months. I hope you both can now relax and enjoy the festive season.

Sorry this post is link heavy but if you haven't already met these great bloggers I urge you to visit them. (links for everyone on my last post).
ginny x

Kittens and a blog date....

This week i have been frantically cleaning and tidying... i had some very important guests arriving on Wednesday. Alice joked that they would not notice what a clean house i had and that there is now no 'stuff ' under the dresser and cupboards. I don't think they have noticed but i am so pleased i took the time to de - clutter and get straight before the arrival of these two lively 5 month old boys.



The kitten we were going to have did not happen... the family wanted to keep all 3 of the litter in the end. We had been visiting for 8 weeks and i was so worried that the girls would be upset that i telephoned the cat protection lady who i met when we looked after Fizz. She had five feral kittens... still tiny and only five weeks old. They were coming on well but she advised that it may not be the best option for us as they were so nervous.

On Saturday just as i was leaving to meet Diana, the CP lady called and said that they has two 5 month old black cats who had been found in a dustbin... and were we interested in adopting two. They were so friendly when we met them that we said yes please and then collected them yesterday. I even got carried away and made them a bed ... and then thought it's a bit tiny so made them both one.


...still a bit tiny as i made it before i got the cats. They do love them though and have been snuggled up in them today. This is Paws in his or 'scratchy' Paws as we have nicknamed him as he likes to scratch the furniture. I am so chuffed they like their beds as i half suspected them to take no interest at all.

The check fabric was given to me last week by a family friend and the wadding and fleecy lamb fabric was left over from folkydokee, so they cost me next to nothing to make. We never did know what to use the lamb fabric for but bought it on a whim (Alice's whim ... a long standing joke between us) as ex mill stock. We had loads of it... now most of it has been donated to our local schools, but luckily i had a bit left over to use.



They kittens are very cute and so affectionate and the girls love them. They just want to play with them all the time and don't want to go to bed. As the boys are so close it is fun to watch them play fighting and chasing their tales... hours of fun. They are also very hungry.
This is Magic who seems to be the greediest.



As well as the excitement of new kittens, i had the excitement of finally meeting Diana from Pebbledash. I set off on Saturday for Shere with a map. Even though it is fairly close to me i have never been. I didn't actually look at the map as i prefer to work it out , thinking i have a good sense of direction but actually i now finally admit that i haven't. Yes i got lost. I was very nervous, half expecting a 6 foot builder called Ray, although i had spoken to her the previous night and she did not sound like a bloke. phew! Finally i met Diana outside the Lucky Duck tearoom. She looked lovely and all smiley and i instantly felt at ease. We sat outside as it was a beautiful day and we ordered a large pot of tea and started chatting...
It is strange knowing someone but not knowing them if you know what i mean. I love Diana's blog and photos and her gentleness and kindness... i was so wanting us to get on and we did. I really hope we can meet up again soon. She gave me 3 pieces of stamped sea glass .. one for me and the other two for the girls and some of her beautiful printed cards... thank you again Diana.... we love them.



The afternoon was great but we didn't see much of the village which has been used in many films including The Holiday because it is so picturesque, as we just sat and talked. I think Diana took some photos of the ducks whilst waiting for me but i only took a photo of the sky as we were saying goodbye. Thank you again Diana... it was so good to meet you and please lets do it again. And to everyone else a big sky kiss from me to say thank you. I am so pleased i started to blog as i am richer for all your friendships.

musing...remembering what we do achieve.

I muse a lot.... i have been musing this morning....

This year we grew garlic.

We planted the bulbs in January ... they grew.. have been harvested and are being used in our cooking. I was just now cleaning out the garlic press whilst musing. The bulbs are only small, but still very tasty.

It made me feel happy knowing that we are using them and that this year we have successfully grown them.

I know that often i think only about the things in my life that i don't do and beat myself up about it. This is probably common for many of us. Maybe we all set unrealistic goals. However big or small i find that when i focus on what i do achieve rather than what i don't then i am much happier.

Yesterday I did something some may call brave and others may call crazy. I met a virtual friend. I am so glad that i had the courage to do it and thankfully it was wonderful. I shall write a little more about the day on my next post but all that i will say is that we both wished that Pipany could have been there too.
Wishing you all happy weekends .
ginny x

Cat update and an award

Thank you to everyone for your cat advice and stories as a response to my last two posts. Happily, although a little sad for us, our pretty feline visitor has now been reunited with her family.

On Saturday the cat protection lady finally arrived at 12 ish apologising that she has been held up at the cattery. Luckily for us but unluckily for her, my friend who was due to arrive any minute had been delayed too due to traffic held ups on the A3 so didn't arrive to find us now with resident house cat (she is very allergic to cats).

Whilst my friend was stuck in traffic the cat protection lady was 'scanning' the cat to check for a microchip. She didn't find one but did remember that she had heard of an all black cat who was missing. She said she would try to locate the family but in the meantime take the cat so that we could hoover etc prior to my guest arriving. We were very sad to see her go as she was such a sweet cat but asked if they could let us know what happened. We also offered to look after her ourselves should she not have a family.
About an hour later a car pulled up outside. It was the cats protection lady with a young woman and a 6 year old girl. The cat belonged to them, was called Fizz and had been missing for over a week. They had been so worried. The woman was overwhelmed with gratitude and really very emotional. The little girl was so sweet and really pleased to have her cat back. So a happy ending which was great. The family, unexpectedly popped by today with flowers for me and gifts for the girls along with a sweet card which the little girl had drawn to say thank you... i was so touched.(even the dad came too.. they were obviously so relieved).






So my sofa has an empty spot for a cat or a dog... it really feels the right time for us to have a family pet as we have lots of love to give. Maybe me turning 40 is an added reason ... and that i am having no more babies...?!


Now on to the award...



Lovely Sal at Sal's Snippets has passed on to me this blog award. Thank you so much Sal... i am so pleased you enjoy visiting here. Sal lives in a beautiful part of Devon and her blog is full of lovely images of her surroundings, her vintage thrifted treasures and her creative projects. I have just noticed that she also has an etsy shop... you might like to take a look.

Now the deal is that i now nominate 7 blogs that i love. This is so hard as i love so many and also i have done a similar award before. I have tried to pick blogs that i believe have not received this award yet and ones that i am enjoying at the moment...some old friends and some new.
So here goes.. my nominations are...

1. pipany for a sensory delight as she writes so descriptively and i often feel i am in cornwall there with her.

2. diana at pebbledash who takes stunning photographs and who has a love of the colour blue which i am increasingly drawn to. I always love to pop over and visit her.

3. louise at This is my patch whose observations on plants, and wildlife are so inspiring and always informative.

4. caireen at the patchwork dress who is 'blog resting' just now although is very busy with her work. i find her posts somehow refreshing and love her observations and photographs.

5. michele at cowboys and custard who i will finally get to meet in November. Lots of interesting vintage and reflective posts and her shadow boxes are charming.

6. florence at flossie teacakes as i adore her writing style, love her long posts and she always manages to make me laugh.

and finally

7. raina at raining sheep. I met raina through her visual ephipany blog where she posts the most exquisite images. Her beautiful photography and amazing sense of colour shines through in her blogs and i now enjoy visiting both.

On receiving this award it is customary to spread the love further if you wish by
a) posting the logo on your blog. b) Linking back to the award giver c) nominate at least 7 other blogs and add their links to your post and d) post a comment onto their blogs to let them know they have an award.

Now i am off to do just that...
ginny x

Hello

I just thought i would pop in and say hello as I haven't had a chance to post for a while. Things are pretty bust right now and i know my posts will be few and far between for the next few weeks or so, particularly as i like to write long posts with a few pictures which take a bit more time to do so i need a good block of time to do one.

The workshop is on halt for a few weeks also as both R and i have a lot on. I am suffocating under the clutter in the house at the moment and need to get back into housewife mode before i can't find the children!! The end of the school year is coming up fast and there are lots of events etc to go to and help with... and Alice and I have 3000 of our guardsman shirts to label and bar code for the Royal Collection shops...gulp! (a little design side line for us, but this time since we have time...haha we thought we would do the labeling...we must be mad!)

Oh and please pray that Alice's solo creative project won't be premature (yes...she is gloriously pregnant with only a few more weeks to go) or i will be doing all the labels on my own!

I also have a solo project going on, though not as exciting as Alice's.... a new blog which is very seperate from this one and which i will run on the side but still keeping the Flour Loft as my main blog. It's really more of a personal photo blog where i am exploring my love of taking photographs, so you can always catch me there in the meantime. The link is sweetmyrtle .



I will leave you with this little Robin who flew down to say hello to me yesterday when i was lucky enough to go here for a few hours to see the gardens with my lovely friend Debbie.

Wishing you all lovely weekends doing all the things that make you happy.

1 year on!

It's my blog birthday!

I tentatively started The Flour Loft blog a year ago today. I had come across the world of blogs by accident after doing a few 'goggle' searches. Different blogs kept popping up and i found myself reading more and more and became inspired by the huge amount of creativity and passion which i saw. Initially this blog started as a background to the business 'folkydokee' which Alice and i have ran for the past 6 years. It has been a place for us to show some of the things we make and to keep folk informed of upcoming fairs and new projects. It very soon also became a place where i could share other interests such as vegetable growing, activities with the children and my enjoyment of taking photographs.




I have also been working on a major project with Alice during this past year but have been unable to show much of what i have been doing, which has felt a bit strange. The process has involved many late nights, pressing deadlines, lots of cups of tea and most of all lots of fun.This project is now near completion and i can soon share more with you. This of course is our book, 'Sew Fabulous Fabric', which is published by David and Charles and is released on September 18th 2008. It feels great to finally tell you the title. The book is about using fabric, particularly as you may have guessed, using recycled fabric. In the book we offer 20 different sewing projects which we hope the reader will be inspired to create using some of their own saved and recycled fabrics.

On Friday i drove down to Devon for a last day's photo shoot and on Sunday Alice and i sent off the final text revisions. The book is nearly ready for the print stage and we will see the final colour proof in the next few weeks. It is very exciting. I am waiting for an image of the completed cover to show you and of further details should you wish to pre-order.

Sadly this week the Flour Loft Studio will close.(more news of home spaces to follow) . I am undecided as to how to continue this blog. Should I change it's name or even start a new blog as a continuation? I really hope that in whatever form it takes that i can return to posting about mine and Alice's sewing projects and explorations.


I would like to finish today by saying a huge thank you for all the encouragement and support which you wonderful bloggers have shown me over this past year. Your comments and posts really do make me smile and lift my days.
g x

another tag...

A while ago Caireen tagged me for a 4 things meme. I have only just got around to doing it.

4 movies I'd watch again:

Amelie

Finding Neverland

Moulin Rouge

Delicatessen

4 places I've lived:

Leeds

London

York

Belfast

4 tv shows I watch:

Ashes to Ashes (just finished)

Flight of the Conchords (long finished, but i have the cd!)

Gavin and Stacy (just discovered)

Hotel Babylon (for trash fix!)

4 places I've been:

Barcelona, Spain

Carnac, Brittany

Lucca, Tuscany

Mount Sinai

4 people I email:

Alice

Ali (our publisher)

Caireen

Florence

4 things to eat:

black olives

Blackberry and Apple crumble

homemade leek and potato soup with crusty bread (buttered)

'Divine' Chocolate, or as my youngest calls it, ‘Delightful’ chocolate.

4 places I'd rather be :

relaxing in bed

spending time in the garden on a warm summer’s day

snuggled up on the sofa with my family watching a film

on the top of a mountain with the breeze in my hair, the warm sun on my face and not a care in the world.

4 things to look forward to:

Sept and book release date!

moving into my home studio

the warmer weather returning

spending time in the garden.

4 people to tag:

Tash

Florence

Lynn

Louise

A giveaway and a breakaway

The giveaway first.
Drawn by my two girls at the Dinner table on Sunday. The name they both pulled out together was......

Congratulations to Emma at Sew Recycled. I will send you the little springtime bundle.

Thank you to all who left a comment guessing correctly that it was indeed a galvanised watering can, roseless but nevertheless perfect and it arrived displaying a tag with 'C1940's ' on it. Amanda said she couldn't resist it especially the 40 bit... she's just rubbing it in... she's 40 next! I was thrilled with it especially as i know she would've loved to have kept it. x Thank you also to those who left a comment for the first time, it was nice to meet you. If i haven't thanked you already, i will be off to check out your blogs soon.

Secondly the breakaway.

Well i'm not going anywhere but life has been hectic and i feel shattered. I have been going to bed early this week and i really need it. That balancing act, me 'juggling all those balls' , well i guess i have dropped some, anyway i need to be kind to myself, not take on to much and hence the blog 'break...away'. I will be back as i do enjoy the little space we all share in blogsville. Until then enjoy the newness and hope of Spring and i leave you with a little bundle brought for me by my man who has just been to New York and found Purl Soho.


p.s. Alice and I are taking part in a FREE Open Day at RHS Wisley this Saturday 8th March 10.30am till 3.30pm. It's all to do with growing your own veg. For further details click here.

g
x

I have been tagged....

Willow at Contemplating Change has tagged me for this archive meme... thanks Willow..... These are the rules as follows;

Archive Meme Instructions: Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you’ve written. … but there is a catch:

Link 1 must be about family.
Link 2 must be about friends.
Link 3 must be about yourself, who you are… what you’re all about.
Link 4 must be about something you love.
Link 5 can be anything you choose.

I think this is a great way to circulate some of the great older posts everyone had written, return to a few great places in our memories and also learn a little something about ourselves and each other that we may not know. Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be *newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better….and don’t forget to read the archive posts and leave comments!

1. Rain rain... I have chosen this post as i love the everydayness of it... A half term rainy day full of glitter, glue and chatter with my wee girls. Little moments that memories are made of.

2. Mixed Feelings Although this is a bitter sweet post, i wanted to include it as it speaks of friendship and support during painful events. It represents being there for others and being grateful for others being there for us too. Friends are something to celebrate, but to never take for granted. So i thank all my friends, virtual and 3 dimensional (you know who you are) , for all your love and support and for just 'being there'.. i feel very fortunate to have you. x

3. The Flour loft and a bit about us... This was put up when i started posting on the Flour Loft blog and introduces the studio that Alice and i have shared for the past 4 years. We are now clearing the studio and are due to hand the keys back in March. This is tinged with a pang of nostalgia and sadness as this has been an incredible journey and a lot of fun. Change is inevitible and the time seems right to move on to a new stage in our lives and to explore new possibilities. It is an exciting time.

4. Harvest Reflection When i looked back over my past posts for one to include in
'something i love', i realise that i have started lots of posts with the phrase, 'i love to...'
I have picked this one as the garden, growing veg, cooking our harvest and just generally sharing the whole experience with my family captures many loves and represents my desire to simplify my life.

5. Five have fun in the meadow... I have included this post as it sums up the friendship between Al and me and our kids... we love days like these.. sharing, playing, laughing and just generally 'hanging out' all together.


So now i need to tag 5 others. If you would like to join in please do but it's entirely optional.. so no pressure.

Florence at Flossie Teacakes

Caireen at The Patchwork Dress

Jo at French Knots

alice c at The Magpie files

Michele at Cowboys and custard

Happy weekend!
Next time i write i will be 40!
ginny
x

For Florence

Thank you Florence for nominating me for this Blog award...

....and now you get to find out 7 weird things about me.

I feel, as i am sure most who have joined in this tag feel, that i am not at all weird .. i am just me... so with help from my beloved who says all of me is weird here are my offerings into weirdness.

1. According to my husband when i talk , the end of my nose wiggles in a ' cute bunny way' (his words!). When this is pointed out to me i feel very self conscious, so if you meet me .... please don't look at my nose!!


2. I have only ever had 2 cups of coffee in my entire life. The first one ... weak and milky, at age 16 at my school leavers do... yuk! ... and the second one when i brought an old boyfriend a small stove top two cup expresso maker.. so very strong and very yuk! I have a real aversion to coffee and can even taste it if my tea is sugared and stirred with a spoon which has just been used to make a coffee. When my mother in law used to come and visit (she is sadly no longer with us), she would always bring a cake. Her specialities were coffee and chocolate. How i prayed for it to be chocolate as i never could say i didn't like the coffee one for fear of offending her.

3. Kissing my girls on the cheek......One of my best feelings ever is giving my girls a big hug and kissing them on the cheek. It makes my heart soar... the only problem is that it has to be on the lovely baby soft fleshy part of their cheek. I hate it when their hair gets in the way or if they turn their head and you get a mouthful of ear. Is that weird? maybe?

4. Ahh ... the yellow cup. Well this one maybe is a weird one but i am sure some of you will understand. I cannot bring myself to drink out of a yellow cup. Yes this is completely irrational and i don't know where it stems from, although my grandmother had negative associations with the colour yellow to the extent of not having anything yellow in the house. As a result my poor grandad had to watch snooker on a black and white telly. I am happy to say that i am not that extreme. My issue is with the yellow cup. The fear is of something bad happening if i drink out of it. It makes me mad for i know that it is crazy for a cup to hold such power. I expect that one day i will forget and drink out of it and all will be ok but until then if you ever stop by for tea be prepared to be given the yellow cup for i am not allowed to get rid of it as my husband loves it. I shall stick to my blue cup.

5. When someone touches the back of my neck i shiver. This combined with the fact that when i was in my early teens my sister used to force cut my hair and then leave it half done because i moved slightly, means that I 'm not keen on going to the hairdressers. The last time i went was at least 7 months ago. I usually only have my hair cut twice a year. It does save a lot of money. The crazy thing is that i always feel so much better about myself when i have a good haircut. I am getting a birthday haircut in a few weeks... (hoping to cut a few years off).

6. I absoluetly can't spell.... yes i know ..... that dotted red spell check line and i are great friends. My girls are much better than me at spelling and now have realised that if they want to know how to spell something they need to ask daddy or use a dictionary as mummy is rubbish.

7. I am always cold. As a previous post admits i suffer from icy cold feet. I also more often than not, have a cold nose. My circulation is pretty bad and i really do feel the cold. I do not possess bed socks as such but invariably keep my socks on when i go to bed. Sorry Florence .. no bedsock picture i'm afraid. I also keep most of my clothes on too when i first get into bed until i get too hot and overheat as my husband is really a radiator in disguise. Improving my circulation in an ongoing challenge.


Well, that was hard to do.. so i won't nominate anyone else but please do partake if you would like to reveal your weirdness.

... and as Florence said of her weird reveal..... 'after that, i do hope that you will still want to be my friend!'

This post is also for my lovely friend Sarah who i know reads my blog. Hope this makes you smile!
x
g

Happy New Year

As this year draws to a close and a bright new year, full of hope, possibilities and excitement approaches, many of us like to take time to reflect, take stock, review and make changes in our lives. Hopes and dreams may be voiced, resolutions made and future paths laid before us.
My year has been full to the brim but at the same time very rewarding. There has been great sadness and many tears but also so much laughter, fun, creativity and good times spent with family and friends.

The future is always uncertain, we do not know what lies ahead, we can make plans, work towards our dreams and make choices. I plan to live well, for myself and my family. I want to listen and observe the subtleties of nature, the wonder of life and feel grateful. I shall savour every moment of this precious precious life in the year ahead.


This year i have so enjoyed becoming involved in the blogging community. I am blown away by everyones creativity and passion, whether it be cooking or crafting something, gardening, sharing stories or just making us laugh. I feel enriched by reading about your lives, loves and celebrations. I have learned so much from so many warm and brilliant people. 2008 brings many personal changes, some exciting, some scary.. i am going to face these changes head on. (even the turning 40, which i plan to celebrate for the whole year).

Wishing you all a very very Happy New Year.


Thank you for all your friendship this year, enjoy your celebrations and see you in 2008.
g x

Mixed feelings...

Tomorrow is a day of mixed feelings..
Firstly the girls go back to school after a lovely long holiday. I will miss having them around although i do need to have some time to get on with some much awaited work at the studio. It is my youngest's 7th birthday too. She had an animal and wildlife fancy dress party on Sunday which was great fun.





It is also baby 'Poppy's' day. She was due to be born tomorrow. Sadly she died earlier in the year. Very hard and very sad for my best friend and her husband. I lost a baby some 10 years ago during pregnancy in similar circumstances. My baby had a rare condition ' not compatible with life' (in the professional's words) and died at 20 weeks. He is up there in the clouds with baby Poppy. It's so hard to understand why such sad things happen, Talking has helped me.. i have always wanted to talk about my baby...i don't want to lose him again. Sometimes it's like a dream.. very surreal. Whilst in the midsts of trauma and tragedy you just go with it. But it's hard too. My friend is such a beautiful special woman.. she has helped me through so many things over the past few years. It pains me to know what she and her husband are going through. They are such strong vibrant people and i love them dearly. They are coping really well. I know there are so many people out there with similar experiences and my heart goes out to you all.




Life is so precious and there is so much to be thankful for despite the hurts and pains. Experiences like these make us realise what is important to us and how fragile life can be.
I think Bella enchanted did a lovely thing when she started an award called 'Nice Matters '. This award celebrates those who inspire good feelings and inspiration, are just nice people and good blog friends. Something i feel is worth celebrating. I am heartened at how many nice people there are out there.



I was so touched recently to be nominated for this award

by French Knots and Willow at 'Contemplating Change'.

(Sorry it's taken me so long to respond.)

I would like to further pass on the good feeling to 2 bloggers in particular .....

(although all of you i exchange with i feel deserve this award as you're all 'NICE'!)

Manda at Treefall

She is an amazing woman and in every sense is an inspiration. She has her own heartaches and yet has done something very special for my beautiful friend. Thank you Manda, your gift touched her so sweetly and dearly (i was on the other end of the phone as the surprise package arrived this morning. ) Such a thoughtful and generous thing to do. x

Tracy at Cupcakes at home

She really is the sweetest person. I recently brought this lovely fawn from her for my daughters birthday (all wrapped up and ready to give her in the morning) and she also put in a sweet little note and an extra little present for the birthday girl. So very nice of you Tracy and really appreciated. I know my little one is going to love her presents. Thank you. x

Isn't she just gorgeous!

and finally i want to send special love to my lovely Alice who is also very nice!
see you in the studio.....
g
x

Reflections...

I have been awarded a blogger Reflection award by Ally, a mother and great face painter from Canada. Thanks Ally... I'm not sure if i deserve it but i am touched and very grateful. Check out her blog
Simply Nice
, when you get a chance.
I am now to choose 6 blogs for the same Reflection award and then contact them letting them know. I understand that i need to pick blogs which have touched me or inspired me in some way. It is hard to choose as i enjoy reading so many blogs for a variety of different reasons.

The blog which has inspired me the most is

'Contemplating Change
' by Willow.

It is because of her that i have been reading 'Timeless Simplicity' by John Lane and that my husband made vanilla ice cream ... delicious. What i love about Willows's blog is that she shares with us her journey in low impact and simple living.

Carrots


2. is the amazing Tash at Vintage Pretty

Her blog is inspirational. Not only are her photographs of flowers,veg and wildlife stunning but she raises many questions and debates on ethical issues.. from seasonal food, food production methods, to toxins present in everday products and other enviromental issues. A blog to make you think with photographs to make you dream.

Dad's Dahlias

3. is Jane from
Snapdragon's Garden

Her passion and love of her small business growing cut flowers is inspiring.She writes most days and is often the first blog i read in the morning. As i know Alice does too. She likes a good debate and i love reading her comments. Direct and to the point , just like Alice. Jane also makes textile crafts which she sells through her website.

Posy of Dahlias

4.Tracy from 'Cupcakes at Home'

A blog full of beautiful creations and many photographs of her 'girls'. Tracy is off to live the life in Scotland starting with building a home with her partner Stephen. I am so excited for her and look forward to joining her as she writes about this new journey on her blog. Since starting the Flour loft, she has been really supportive and left lovely comments. I have also ordered a special something from her for my daughter's birthday. Will reveal soon.

lavender

5. is Marie Chantel at
Wild Rose

Marie is from Toronto and has a natural skin care range. Her blog is really informative and of particular interest to me as i am passionate about growing herbs. She seems like a lovely sweet soul and i find her blog warm and friendly.

Sweet Myrtle
6. Emma at Sew Recycled

I have only recently found Emma and have been reading back in her archives. She is a fellow textile artist also using recycled fabrics. She has 2 young children and I instantly liked her when she said she loved Charlie and Lola as i love them too! A recent post showed her boys enjoying a magical place
which thanks to her link we are set to check out this Summer.

Geranium in bud

Well i hope if you don't already know the 6 i have highlighted that you will go and have a look at their blogs. I have been taking photos of the garden again today as you can see (the geranium bud was taken a few weeks ago). I may get around to showing some creative stuff soon too and to talking about the business which is ticking over, but is in need a few more web updates. A big new project is now underway which i will talk more of in the weeks ahead.
Thank you to all who stop by, i really enjoy linking up with you all and hearing your comments. Happy Sunday.
G
x

day off?

Today is Friday my day off. No yoga today as the class has stopped till September. There are classes on other mornings when it's not possible for me to go. I shall have to remember to stretch when i can.. between the sewing machine and the ironing board i expect!.
I have done some useful things today. No .. not tidied up (although my brother in law and girlfriend are coming down from Leeds to stay tomorrow) . I really am good at putting that housework off till the last minute. No, I have actually washed and line dried some base cloth (a sustainable cotton/ hemp mix ) for our new shopper bags. Then the rain came. Just managed to get the first lot in and then rigged up this indoor line..



Did the trick and fabric is all pre shrunk and pressed. Lovely. Just need to applique them now... oh and sew them up. All the motifs and straps have been designed weeks ago, fabrics carefully selected and prepped ready to be applied. Here is my sample one which i am happily using.



They are a kind of anything bag. Our version of a nip to the veg shop bag, library bag or just fun shoulder bag to chuck everything in for a day out. They have an outside pocket for your purse so no rummaging deep and an inside key loop. We are gradually moving over to sustainable or organic base cloths wherever possible. This fits well with our recycled fabrics and ethos and just feels the right thing to do. We have wanted to do this for a while but for a small company like ourselves pricing has been and still is a consideration. Will post some others soon when they are completed. They are all different. We always individually design each item and use many varying fabrics. We usually do a limited number using the same fabric. In using recycled fabrics once a piece runs out then it's gone thus keeping products varied and we feel, more interesting. We have 6 motif designs.. won't spoil it but suffice to say i am still feeling fruity!

apple shopper

I have also spent lots of time reading and commenting on many blogs... well it is my day off ( not that i should have one as i've far too much to do ). Am over at the studio tomorrow so i don't feel guilty. I wanted also to say thank you to everyone who leaves comments here. We really appreciate them. There are a lots of questions out there on the ether at the moment that i have been enjoying today:
When does something become vintage?, questions about buying handmade or mass produced and what constitutes originality? Lots of food for thought. If you are interested in reading more the blogs are raindrops, snapdragon and gigibird.
Unfortunately i probably won't have much time to blog over the next few weeks in the build up to the Hampton Court Flower Show ( 2nd till the 8th July) . I will hopefully post some of our new stock for you to see though and also will take lots of photos of our stand etc to show on our return. Wish us luck.. this is a very big show for us and we are very nervous about it.
We are also busy redesigning the folkydokee website which needs to be up in early July to coincide with the show.. not sure if we are going to make that. We can but hope. I'm still photographing products each evening against a piece of painted shiplap propped up on my birthday present easel. Won it on ebay 18 months ago with the intention of doing some painting but haven't quite got around to it. Still it has been useful for the photos!
Have a great weekend.
ginny
x