Category Archives: candles

Crazy days….and Country Living Magazine

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Portscatho was fab, saw lots of familiar faces and had a stall next to Kirsty Elson who makes beautful little houses and boats from recycled beach finds, slate, driftwood etc. I am now the proud owner of a little white cottage, one of hers of course! She is such good fun & the hours flew by…

The next day we left for London (via Buck’s to catch up with my old friend Shazza, who I haven’t seen for 6 years since moving to Devon). During that time she’s had 2 beautiful children (Gioia & Jack) It was a wonderful day, posh cakes were produced and there were lots of screams, tears, hugs & kisses! That’s her above with my daughter Billie – both looking gorgeous!

Another stop off in the village of Bourne End, where we used to live, to see my friend Jane and drop off a jelly mould candle that one of her friends had ordered (thought I’d save her the P&P) then back in the car to South London finally reaching our destination at 7pm. After a few days of shopping, socialising, drinking and eating too much I was happy to return to the quiet, wet country lanes of Devon on Friday. A pop-up “All things Vintage and lovely” went ahead in Torquay on Saturday & Sunday. I did the one on Saturday which was a bit slow but it’s always a good opportunity for a catch up.

I then spent the next couple of days pondering whether or not it is worth all the time and effort I dedicate to Peagreen (generally how I feel if I’ve had a quiet fair!) only to find an email from Country Living Magazine sitting in my inbox, asking me if I would like to sell my candles on a stall at their Christmas fair in Islington in November!  Well…as you can imagine I was blown away and had to take five before I was calm enough to call the number. “Do you know of Country Living Magazine?” asks Miranda “do I know it? It’s my bible” I wanted to scream back excitedly, as my eyes swept over the enormous pile of them on a shelf in my office – but didn’t, calmly agreeing to have the application form submitted within the next 24 hours, and ignoring the whopping fee, I hit “send” yesterday and decided to cross the next bridge when I came to it.

Off to Teignmouth with the family to meet some friends now – gotta make the most of the sun when it shines! I found these gorgeous Art Deco sundae dishes in a charity shop there yesterday which will make beautiful candles…

One last thing, my partner in crime got back from Spain last night after a month long holiday (how dare she leave me for so long!?!) Obviously I was straight round there this morning, wading through the piles of laundry and ignoring the fact that she had loads of other things to do I had to give her my Country Living news. She sent me this postcard whilst on her travels which made me smile…

… it looks like Poor Pauly don’t you think? Except PP is a lot more smiley and has a lot more stubble!

Downderry, Cornwall…

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Had a wonderful day in Cornwall last Saturday mostly spent slurping Pimms on the beach deck of Paul’s cousins gorgeous house in Downderry. Three generations of Paul’s huge family were there (three sisters, their nine children & partners and their seventeen offspring!) The sun shone and we all had lots of fun.

I awoke the next day to my 43rd birthday which started well with coffee and brownies at Ode in Shaldon with my girls…

…and finished well with dinner & drinks at The Thatched Tavern with my buddies! As always I managed to drag the celebrations out for the majority of the week, spending Monday with my old pal Simon, we visited Ashburton & Totnes (via Dartington for lunch at Cranks) He cooked a curry in the evening & my neighbours came round for dinner, I also heard from a very dear, old friend after a 6 year silence which made my day! I spent Tuesday night with my folks, brother and Aunt in Teignmouth (out for dinner again) Wednesday with the in-laws  (drinks by the sea at The Cary Arms and lunch at Ode on Thursday) before they left to head back to Birmingham.

I had lunch out again yesterday and had dinner with some pals last night so have barely cooked all week – it’s been fantastic! Although I may well have a change of heart if I jump on the scales! Anyway…I’m supposed to be getting ready for Portscatho Homespun Fair in Cornwall tomorrow, where I will be selling my candles, so had better get on and stop letting myself be distracted by the computer and the Olympics!

Summer arrives at last…

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Well Exeter Cathedral Flower Festival went by without a hitch, I was pretty busy and even sold a vintage Jubilee candle to Paul Burrell. I didn’t realise it was him and he was chattering away about how lovely my candles were, then after a bit of investigation… I learn that he owns a flower shop in Cheshire (where they sell those disgusting Yankee candles I might add!)  I was exhausted after four long days and am in awe of all those full-time working mums. I was having to rise at the crack of dawn in order to get everything done!

My youngest daughter experienced her last day at primary school, my oldest daughter passed her grade 2 harp exam and PP had the pleasure of holding the fort for me at Trull Hall on the day of the double booking! Last weekend I had a two day pitch on Paignton Green (Torbay Carnival)  Tuesday morning we drove to Swanage and met up with friends on Knoll Beach. We spent the day there again yesterday, in and out of the sea in the blistering heat, 25 of us out for pizza in the evening (to the dismay of the young staff team!) We arrived back home at midnight and collapsed in our beds. Needless to say we are having a lazy day today & all look a bit pink!

No craft fairs now until Portscatho on August 5th so I’m looking forward to some family time. We are out for drinks tonight on the beach in Shaldon then off to Downderry, Cornwall for a family party on Saturday. It’s my birthday on Sunday so it’ll be down to The Thatched Tavern for dinner and drinks with friends and more catching up next week with my brother (down from Buck’s) my Aunt (over from Canada) and the in-laws (visiting from Birmingham) Let’s hope the sun keeps shining…..

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…?

Lilla Lotta…

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After weeks of waiting my ribbons finally arrived from France…

I discovered “Lilla Lotta” whilst messing around on facebook and couldn’t resist her beautiful style, knowing her ribbons would finish off my candles beautifully (not particularly cost effective but never mind!)  I had to deliver a box containing two jelly mould candles on Friday, which was a gift from one of my friends to her hubby, I think the addition of my new ribbon makes all the difference don’t you?

I had a great weekend at The Bedruthan Steps Hotel & Spa in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall – we even got to lie by the outdoor pool in the sunshine on Sunday afternoon….bliss! Back to earth with a bang though as I have candles to deliver tomorrow to Holly Keeling for her “Barn Open Day” on Thursday, candles to make for my friend’s wedding on Saturday and more candles to make for the “Summer of Love” fair in Topsham on Sunday (Can’t believe it’s July 1st on Sunday!) So I’d better get on……..

Just had to add a photo of this little Sylvac jam pot I found the other day… it’s in perfect condition, I wonder where it has been hiding…? Think I might have to put a coconut candle in it to take me back to my  Pina Colada days!

fun in the sun…

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wow – it’s been so beautiful I haven’t been able to motivate myself to do any blogging for a while! Instow Vintage was fun, a little quiet but that enabled me to have a natter with Emma (Birdy Furniture) and Jill (Rosiebud Designs) and Fenela, who organises it, do some shopping and eat lots of cake – you know me!

On Sunday we joined in the “Torch” festivities at our local pub, where they held an “Olympicnic” on the green in front of the pub with silly games like egg-throwing (guess who got covered??) The next Maidencombe event is a picnic and barn dance on Tuesday, not sure if it’s my kind of thing but I’m sure after a couple of glasses of wine it’ll look more appealing…

Instead of spending these gorgeous past few days lazing around on the beach I’ve been doing chores (painting the summerhouse, gardening, kitchen floor) we did manage to have an afternoon crabbing in Stoke Gabriel on Sunday at the mill pond & dinner in the pub garden last night so it hasn’t been all work and no play. I’ve been cracking on with my candles this week though, just in case I’m really busy at Tavistock Vintage tomorrow as I need to have something left to sell at “Crikey” on Saturday….and then there is Shaldon on Tuesday……       

I am trying to decide whether or not to take a stall at the Exeter Cathedral Flower Festival on July 11 – 14, four days of 9am – 5pm, it’ll be like having a proper job…momentarily! All things Vintage & Lovely are venturing to Plymouth in September so I shall be doing that I think, as I’ve not done anything in Plymouth before. They are also running a pop-up Vintage market on August 11th & 12th in some empty units in Fleet Walk, Torquay which I have booked to do on the Saturday. Remember to keep an eye on my on-line calendar for up to date information of where I am selling locally….

Boats…..

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I fear that I’ve turned into one of those people who collects things…

I could justify jelly moulds (candles) vintage plates (cakestands) crates (display) fabric (to make things) but my “collections” are becoming more bizarre and less necessary like…boats

These are old lamps that I bought at an auction, I keep meaning to brush the dust off them and get them restored to their former glory but haven’t got around to it yet – it’s on my list

 

This was a birthday present from a talented lady in the village, it’s made from recycled pallets and driftwood that she found on the beach – I love it!

I just bought this wind-up toy from “retro-on-sea” a fantastic ebay shop which specialises in vintage things for beach huts and campervans, great for pressies but think I’ll keep this!


and…..I love old glasses with boats on them!

and….little wooden boats!

Portscatho Homespun Fair…

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Yay! I have just found out that I am doing the brilliant Portscatho Homespun Fair in Cornwall (on the Roseland Peninsula) on August 5th. I did it for the first time on Easter Monday and it was a great success, run by two lovely ladies Jane & Gertie, who had arranged an eclectic mix of vintage sellers and crafters in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with really heavy footfall – no mean feat I’m sure…! Not to mention the fab cakes, which had been made by the stall holders to sell on the day for charity and in return the stall holders got free tea, coffee & cake all day! What a great idea. Below is a bunny made by Jane, which I couldn’t resist buying for my daughter’s 11th birthday in August.

Earl Grey anyone?

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I just found this wonderful vintage, bone china tea set which looks great teamed with some 1960s  green Poole pottery that I had hanging around at home – can’t wait to fill with them up with candles! They conjure up images of country cottage gardens, bunting, cream teas and steaming hot cups of Earl Grey tea don’t you think?  Nobody does tea like the English, it’s a shame that the number of sunny days is now on the decline….