April you’ve been fun and full on

April you have been full on, but then I did know that as it’s me who organises events, so I can’t complain about being shattered can I.

We started with a few days away with my mum and sister at Alvaston Hall in Cheshire.  The weather was lovely as was the evening entertainment and food.  We even managed some outdoor games.

We followed this with a day aboard the elegant Northern Belle train, travelling from Todmorden in Yorkshire up country then back down via Lancaster.  Our friends who were celebrating their 60th birthdays loved the whole experience. 

NORTHERN BELLE LINK

The day after we drove upto the Lake District to open our caravan for the start of the 2024 season. Again the weather was kind to us. Our friends followed us up and we went to see our favourite band My Darling Clementine.

MY DARLING CLEMENTINE LINK

What a quirky venue, high above the town of Ulverston, in the village hall at Water Yeats.  We rocked upto a wooden hall painted blue and inside it was laid out cafe style with an audience of around 30.  We had been told to bring our own drinks and nibbles and had a fabulous evening.

Sunday we drove five minutes up the road to yew tree barn antiques and restoration centre.  It’s like Aladdin’s cave and always a must to visit.  

YEW TREE BARN LINK

Look at the gorgeous interior of the Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge where we had our evening meal.

Even the loos had amazing wallpaper.

Add into the month a few lunches out with other friends and we move onto last weekend and two trips to Manchester.

Friday we had dinner at the Bridgewater Hall followed by a concert by the Average White Band, their final tour ever.

We were transported back 46 years to our courting days, driving down to Port Madog in Philip’s Ford Mustang with their music blasting out of the cassette player, and also the soul sounds of Earth Wind & Fire.  Happy days.

Still with me ?

Saturday it was an early start with the drive over to Bolton to look at kitchens for my sister Jill.  This was followed by a quick dash over to my favourite tea room Park Farm in Ramsbottom for Afternoon Tea with friend Sue who needed cheering up.

Sunday saw us at the annual Antique Textile Fair at Fallowfield, Manchester.  We saw lots of fellow Instagram chums and had our photo featured on the Textile Society’s page.

I was quite restrained in my spending but couldn’t resist this 50’s fabric covered box.

I also picked up a piece of 1950’s barkcloth and a bundle of French print scraps.

Art & craft wise Ive played about making a mood board then using the app PhotoGrid I created a blended image of fabrics and a ceramic jug I have, made by artist Karen Shapley.

Well that’s it from me and a very busy April.  I’m leaving out the sad bits as I want to remember the month as a joyous one with lots of fun times with friends.

Hope you’ve all had a good April and are looking forward to May and all it will bring us.

Linking up with What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday 

LINK TO WOYWW

March blogging

Hello and thanks for popping by.  I’ve had a few problems with disappearing blog photos so I’m hoping that this lot stay put.

Above is a screenshot of my Instagram account and a look around my studio, housed in the centre of our 1950’s country cottage.

Im weaning myself into blog writing as I’ve a bigger project coming up and need the practice.

Spring is on its way, the first signs in our garden are the snowdrops and the camellia which is a beautiful bush but the heaviness of the flowers mean it doesn’t last long as they drop off.

This pic made me chuckle.  It’s my 20 year old VW Beetle Frida getting a good wash.  How I love my car, I’ve had it since new and will never part with it.

I’ve done a bit of crafting in the form of an Easter wreath using dried flowers.  There’s been some fiffing and faffing about curating the studio wall.

And we had a meet up with some of the members of The No Rules Textile Society members.  We met up at Jayne Emerson’s home and studio in the beautiful village of Dumbleton, Gloucester.

And of course the wandering welder came along as well.

He loves a good rummage through the fabric stash.

We’ve visited the magnificent newly renovated Rochdale Town Hall.  You may recognise it from the tv series Peaky Blinders.  It is well worth a visit if you are in North West England.  There’s a great pub over the road for lunch as well (The Flying Horse).

As April brings us longer daylight hours it’s good to get outside.  Hope to see toy again soon. 

Lynn x

I’m still here - What’s on your Workdesk

THIS IS AN OLD POST THAT DISAPPEARED 

Happy new year one and all.  I’m still here, albeit in the background of blogland.  How do you like my Wonka coat. Did you see the film.  I liked it so much I’m going again next week with friends.

I’ve not been out the house for three days, we are snowed in. On top of that the front door handle has snapped off on the outside so the wandering welder is having to do his stuff and repair it.  We’ve not been short of company though as we’ve had mice since before Christmas.  The joy of living in the countryside I suppose.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading recently.  If you’ve watched the Netflix series Fool Me Once with Joanne Lumley and Michelle Keegan, read the book it’s gripping.

Here’s another great read and a new author to me.  I watch Sara Cox’s, Between The Covers programme on bbc2, Watching the programme has led to me discovering authors I wouldn’t have given a second glance.

There’s been many a late night and early morning spent with a good book already this year.

Craft wise there’s been nothing going on apart from a Christmas wreath I made for my sisters’ new door

I’ve done a bit of fiffing and faffing in my studio, rearranging stuff on the walls

Hopefully writing this post will get me back into the swing of things. 

I mustn’t sign off without telling you what the wandering welder is upto, beside mending things and chasing mice.  He’s now co-presenting a country music radio programme on a local radio station. I have my very own Vernon Kay haha.

  See you soon.

Lynn xx

Woyww - Eeh! August you’ve been a busy month

My August has been a busy month. Tomorrow I’ll finish my ‘Walk 31Miles In August’ charity walk for Maggies Cancer Centres. Then I am walking for Dementia UK throughout September.  I’ve got new walking boots at the ready for that one.

We’ve had two lovely breaks with different friends in the Lake District, one at our little caravan and one stay at the beautiful family run Clare House Hotel in Grange Over Sands.  If I could live there I would, it’s so welcoming, relaxing and the food is some of the best I’ve ever eaten.

LINK TO CLARE HOUSE HOTEL

Lunch with best friend Sue 

It’s years since we visited the house and gardens at Holker Hall so we scheduled that into our plans during our Cumbrian break.  It’s a grande place that is still a family home to the Cavendish’s.  One of the guides told us that the family must have been playing billiards the night before as they found an empty wine glass. Everything in that room was large scale including the 16th century games table.  

The thing I loved best was all the textiles and patterns. In one room I counted ten different patterns of varying colours and designs.  No minimalism or matching up in there and it all worked together.

In the library there were over 3000 books including this one 

Some shots of the gardens

Weird garden gnomes haha

LINK TO HOLKER HALL


We’ve also had another trip aboard the steam train at the East Lancs Railway in Bury, Lancashire.

This time we did the fine dining evening. Good company, a four course meal and good wine for the drinkers amongst us.

But the best thing about August is that my sister has at least moved five minutes

up the road to us from Oxford, after 15years away. The bad news is her furniture is still

in storage and will be until the house has been rewired, replastered and a new staircase fitted.

We can get through all that though because at the end of the day

at least she is home.

So crack on Philip there’s tons of work for you to do.

Hope August has been kind to you all.

Who knows I may even get to my desk at some point in September.