Off again....

Back to Paris again to see my lovely daughter and this time I am taking  my lovely Mum along for the ride.
She has never been before, so lots to show her.

A leisurely boat trip will probably be on the cards...a great way to see the river sights without pounding the pavements and incurring aching feet.

Staying in a what looks to be a very nice hotel with toile bedding....excellent start...

Wonder which colour we will get?

I like the red.....Mum likes the yellow....

Last weekend  the Autumn Fair at Rheged in Penrith, Cumbria was very busy,

Lots of  lovely customers,

Yet I still had time to treat myself to a couple of pairs of dangly earrings....

Silver nuggets / discs and black glass beads on clever hoops that don't fall out of your ears.

I think both pairs are coming on the trip to Paris... one for daytime... the other for evening....

Made by the talented Meryl Lusher from Newcastle, who not only makes her own jewellery and raku ceramics, but is a dab hand with the sewing machine.

Her lovely bags are beautifully made with great attention to detail....

And very reasonably priced too.....her shoppers start at £10 to £25 depending on style and pockets.
She is in the process of starting her own website, so I will let you know when she is up and running.

In the mean time, lots to do before Mum and I jump on that orange plane..... will report back very soon.


Finally, can I just say a big hello to all my new followers... fast approaching the 200 mark!!.... and a big thank you to all who leave such kind comments on my blog....

Julie x

Autumn ....

Autumn is well and truly with us...windfall apples to make into pies and crumbles...the product of windy days in the garden.

Autumn leaves to sweep up in abundance at the moment......

yet still the trees are full....

 In fact I  have never seen so many acorns and beech nuts as there are this year and the holly tree is awash with berries.

The Virginia creeper is  turning a beautiful red now......

Matching quite nicely with my old paper garland of leaves that comes out for decoration this time of year.

 This weekend sees the return of the Autumn Fair at Rheged Discovery Centre in Penrith, Cumbria....gateway to the beautiful English Lake District and full of autumnal colour this time of year by the side of the lakes and on the hills.

So with a rustic theme and the realisation that nights are drawing in, I have been pricing and packing....

A mix of decorative new and decorative old....

Wall lantern, wooden bird with tin wings, iron candle holder, wooden pot and dried hydrangeas from the garden, giant twig star.....

Limewashed pine box with brass nameplate, bundles of candles in vintage manuscript and embroidered linen cloths.....

All packed and ready to go.....
Julie x

Random pieces......

A gaggle of shoe trees.....

A metal box full of brass stencils....letters and numbers...

A Shaker style wooden bucket with lid...

A nice Victorian pitcher with a steady, hand painted black line around the top and down the fancy handle....

And a little humane mouse trap.....

All coming with me to The Antique and Vintage Fair at The Willowburn Leisure Centre, Alnwick, Northumberland this Sunday.

Alnwick, Northumberland..... home to the famous Alnwick Castle (Harry Potter et al )

and the impressive Alnwick gardens with its brilliant tree house restaurant.....

Hope to see you there...
Julie x

From Provence.....

Gorgeous, French linen nightshirt dyed with natural pigments...a pale mustard / lemon.....

Pleat detail at the front with button placket......stand up collar.

And initials JL on the side vent.....

Similar style once again, but this time in a soft, pale blue.

More pleat detail than before.....

And initials CB in red on the side vent.....

From Provence via Lincoln Antique and Home Fair to Northumberland....and I am keeping them because they fit! 

Two other nightshirts that don't fit ( too small ...boo hoo ) will be coming to Durham on Sunday

Simple style linen shift.... pale tobacco / brown with initials OL in red....

And a dramatic, indigo blue linen nightshirt.....

Stand up cotton collar....

With interesting cuff detail...

So, from a windy but not yet rainy Northumberland.....( I think it is lurking over the hills.... )

Hope you all have a good week.

Back very soon,
Julie x