Baby news

Congratulations to Kate and Wills on the birth of baby George. 

For all new babies, we have two gorgeous baby pattern books that have just arrived at Jolie.

Sarah Hatton's lovely little book 10 Simple Projects for Cosy Babies.

And the new arrival from Debbie Bliss - baby cashmerino book 5. 

15 beautiful patterns in either baby cashmerino or eco baby for little ones ranging from age 3 months to 5 yrs.

Turkish tranquillity

Linda went to Olu Deniz in Turkey at the end of May. Olu Deniz is loosely translated as The Blue Lagoon and renowned for it's beautiful turquoise calm waters.....

...and Turkish delights.

They found bags of fun at the market and came home with some pretty purchases.

 

Spoilt for choice with this wonderful selection of hubba bubba pipes.

This is Tom, the tallest Turk in Olu Deniz!

So relaxing!  A perfect place which lives up to it's name.

Chair story

Linda and I did a yard sale swap. I gave her this chair that had been in my son's room for an age and she gave me a pretty vinatge Laura Ashley tea set complete with sugar bowl, and milk jug and two teapots.

The chair needed some tlc and a certain amount of bravery to paint it. It was a pretty quick job in this heat - paint was dry in an instant.

It looks fantastic with handmade Alpine cushion (made by Karen).

And ta daah, a new cushion made by Linda on Sunday, from vintage fabric covered with a large square lace doilie. Beautiful!

Bargains

We held a yard sale last Saturday outside Jolie.

Liz and Sue found bargains aplenty and with posh Sloane St carrier bags to take them home in. All pitches gave a donation to Marie Curie Cancer Care and with others kindly donating, our collection box is nice and heavy.

Hot Fuzz

Local PCSOs Adam and Neil dropped in for a bit of care in the community last Wednesday. We were having Knit and Cream Tea and photographer Maurice Ballard was documenting the event for a project he is doing on village life in Walkern. The PCSOs thoroughly enjoyed the freshly made scones and were very complimentary re our tea in bone china cups. We are hoping to see more of Maurice's pics, but in the meantime he sent this one as he was quite chuffed with it. We think it is rather good too.

A date with Ray

 

 Mr Ray Savage was the winner of our raffle prize at the Walkern Fair for a free Knit and Chat session. Due to work commitments he was unable to come during the day, so joined us for Knit and Wine last Tuesday evening. 

He doesn't normally drink wine, but accepted a glass of rose and Linda crocheted him a pint to make him feel a bit more at home. Ray chose some fetching pink wool and Linda taught him to knit.

Ray services farm machinery, so we commissioned some tractor socks, hand knitted by Mary Miller.

It was a great evening and a huge success. Ray felt very honoured to be the only chap at Knit and Wine and he kept us in stitches all evening. He has offered to show Linda and I how to change a tractor tyre in return.

We moved on to the White Lion pub afterwards, so Ray could have a real pint. He did another row to prove to his mates that yes, he can really do this. 

Why?

These tankards are perfect for needles (and flowers). They were produced in the 1950's for Bass Worthington by T G Green - the makers of blue and white Cornishware.

They are pastel coloured, so not very blokey and feature Dickens' characters. We have managed to find Mrs Gamp, Miss Nipper and Little Nell. Uriah Heap, Mr Macawber and Mr Pickwick are also out there somewhere. But why????

Mini break

I was very lucky last week to be able to accompany Phil to Italy where he was doing a gig in Forte dei Marmi.

It was at a very nice beach club. There are rows of exclusive private beaches here. It was very smart, but a whole different experience to our seasides and a lot more expensive!

 The sun was out, but the sea was rough.

The stage was facing the sea. This was the sound check at about 5pm.

The following day, Phil and I went to Pisa and stayed on one more night at The Royal Victoria Hotel.

After a little shopping and a couple of ice creams, we had drinks on the terrace and enjoyed the sunshine and peace and quiet.

All in a days work, huh? It's not always this like this he keeps telling me....

Knit and wine

Tuesday 2nd July, 7.30-10pm.

Do come along x

All the trimmings

Happy pom poms - we've been using them everywhere. Linda put mini pom pom trimming on a pretty patchwork bag that she rustled up yesterday. 

I edged my basket with sombrero effect pom poms for a Spanishy feel.

Dad's day

Almond biscuits for Father's Day.

Hello campers

Not just for campers........this new book has some lovely projects based around outdoor living. Crocheted bunting, a traditional knitted tea cosy and this really nice seaside blanket amongst others. Just need the weather.

Linda's shrine

Linda spent last Sunday afternoon with souvenirs from Paris, some lace and trimmings, old bits of jewellery and some glue. She spotted a keepsake box that Libby wasn't really using and a couple of hours later the shrine is finished. No - she hasn't changed her religion, just inspired by Catholic iconography. 

Unhappy hens

'They don't like it up 'em you know!'. 

Chickens hate the wind - it ruffles their feathers and upsets them. I came home yesterday evening to find the hens sheltering behind the big hedge outside the shop. 

Happy hens

Now the weather has perked up my free ranging hens are roaming all over the place and have been checking out the kitchen. A quick shake of the broom and they're off again. 

We are rewarded with lovely eggs every day. This was today's quick and tasty alfresco lunch.

Hooray for sunshine

We had a great bank holiday weekend in Norfolk and felt lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

The weather was beautiful and we spent all day on the beach at Burnham Overy Staithe.

It's a good mile and a half to walk out there, so consequently there weren't many other people around.

 Or dogs. Billie loves to sunbathe and sniff the sea air.

After the walk home the ice cream van was still there. Pretty perfect really.

Postcard of Walkern

I was astonished when Linda called me into the shop on Friday, to say someone had come in with a painting of my house..... a passing art dealer thought someone in the village may be interested. Well, yes I am, but I can't afford it just yet. The painting is by John Haskins, who is quite a renowned artist and still painting and we reckon this was probably done in the early 1960's. My house is the first on the left and Jolie is tucked behind the house. The Yew Tree pub is still there, but now has tables and chairs outside and is also a Chinese restaurant. Not much else has changed, except there are a few more houses and of course the traffic - there is no way a child could play on a trike in the road these days. Oh my, it is so pretty! I would love to have it. Maybe one day when my ship comes in........