Tag Archives: Cath Kidston

Sick of being sick!

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AAaarrggghhhh….my busiest time of year and I’m sick of being sick! At least I work at home and have been able to potter around making candles (at a greatly reduced pace though!)

You may remember that I did some candles in unwanted Cath Kidston stuff that I had hanging around the house, well they are back for Christmas by popular demand (more pix on my facebook page) I have been cracking on with my orders….

These are for my postie who knocked with parcels the other day while I was making creme brulee candles…”what are you cooking?” he asked and then ordered four! Bless him.

I have been messing around with candles in 1950’s pottery, as vintage teacup candles seem to be popping up everywhere now and I don’t like to be doing the same as everyone else (unlike some people in Birmingham I could mention!) The trouble with programmes like Kirstie & her vintage home, is that things become more expensive and increasingly difficult to source. I am fortunate to have lots of vintage contacts now though, having been doing the shows for the last few years. They often let me know if they have jelly moulds etc. Don’t think I could survive without them now! Thanks gals!

My lovely friend Emma is organising this Christmas Craft Fair in North Devon on 29th November, it is in the Carriage House of a friends property and sounds lush (haven’t seen it yet) There will be various artists and makers, mulled wine and mince pies plus lots of festive goodies if you want to shop handmade and local this Christmas!

I have just found out that I am doing another local fair on the evening of November 27th, 7pm at The Crab Shack, Teignmouth (on the back beach by The Ship Inn) this is in aid of a fishermans charity. There will be lots of local goodies including driftwood & my candles…more info to follow..

I am in Portscatho on Sunday 10am – 3pm at The Memorial  Hall. This is always a fab day out run by the artist Jane Winton and Gertie, who runs the gorgeous shop “The Sea Garden” in Portscatho village. Free entry, great local crafts, vintage homewares and yummy cakes!

I’m getting quite excited about Christmas now and hoping I’ll be lurgy-free….. I made my Guinness Christmas pud during the week and have my Christmas cake fruit soaking in Cherry Brandy in the fridge – yum! Today I’m making Amaretto candles, the whole house stinks and it’s making me feel extremely hungry. I should be trying to shift a few pounds in the run-up to festive over indulgence but I’m too ill & have already nearly finished the jumbo tin of Celebrations I bought for the hol’s and told the kids to leave alone! Fortunately MadMen 5  dropped through the letter box the other day so I have had Don Draper etc. for company and I’m reading a great book “The Woman Who Went To Bed For A Year” very encouraging, think I may take a leaf out of her book! Can’t wait for The Killing III on Saturday night too but for now I had better go and make some candles x

a wonderful wedding…

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My friend Charlotte got married on Saturday and what a beautiful day it was! The sun shone and she managed to contain over 200 people in her huge garden and keep 80 children entertained with a jester, a tuck shop and a bouncey castle. The adults had live music, a curry tent and a drinks tent (obviously). Doesn’t she look gorgeous in her stunning GHOST dress…?

 

I love a wedding me! After about four hours sleep I struggled to The Craft Hub fair, only to find out that it was the last one in Topsham and there won’t be one now until December 2nd (it will be at Exeter Castle though – how exciting!)  I only managed to get through the day because I was next to  Sally Waters and her gorgeous vintage fabric creations (had to buy myself another cushion while I was there, and a couple of lavender bags). Poor Sally had to listen to me going on, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if she requests the furthest stall from Peagreen in December!

 

My friend (and loyal supporter/part time, unpaid assistant @ Peagreen) Helene, found this fabulous little coffee cup the other day whilst rummaging around in a charity shop. I’m not sure if I can bear to part with it yet, it’s so unusual. I also found some unwanted Cath Kidston beakers which are being transformed into candles, I though they would be perfect for the Exeter Cathedral Flower Festival next week…

Another hectic weekend lies ahead.  We are off to friends for dinner on Friday night, due in Bath on Saturday afternoon for a family 40th birthday celebration AND need to be back at 1pm for a BBQ on Sunday with our friends Steve & Helen down the road. Having set Monday and Tuesday aside for candle making the reality is that I’m more likely to be recovering from too much wine, rich food and not enough sleep (again!) Oh well…

I’ll be in the craft marquee from Weds 11th – Sat 14th July at Exeter Cathedral 10am – 5pm (still haven’t quite worked out the double booking but will also be at Trull Village Hall, near Taunton, from 10am – 4pm on Sat 14th) and at Stokeinteignhead Summer Fete on Sun 15th (along with Tracy Hill from My Sister Mabel) so hoping to see some of you then…

I’ve just found out that HRH The Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting the flower festival on Thurs 12th July…wonder if she’ll buy a candle or two…?