Spain, Bude, Bath……& candles!

Life is a whizzing by at the moment, in a flurry of friends, family, travel & candles (not enough creating of the latter I might add!)  Since my last post, far too long ago, I have managed (amazingly) to spend a day with my family in the sun on the beach! I bid farewell to my Aunt who returned to her life in Canada after a four week visit, the girls and I had a trip to the hairdressers – & I came out looking quite posh I might add!

I’ve been to Spain to see one of my oldest, dearest pal’s for 6 nights on my own, which was wonderful (thanks Sally!) I returned to the UK just in time for my daughters 11th birthday (which we celebrated on the water-slides at Quay West) and to an acceptance email from Country Living to stall at their Christmas show. After further investigation I decided not to do it though, as it is such a huge expense I will need months to make up the stock – hopefully I can do it next year instead, and be better prepared……I did get a lovely reply about how disappointed they were and as soon as the bookings open for next Christmas they’ll be in touch so fingers crossed.

I’ve done a vintage fair in Devonport Guildhall which was worth a visit just to see the gorgeous venue and to catch up with Teresa from Willapark Designs. We had a family 2 night camp at Wooda Farm in Bude (excellent site, clean and friendly) and the day after the kids went back (both mine are at Secondary now – shock, horror!) I drove to Bath for a 2 day catch up with family and friends, and to relieve one of those friends of a vast collection of jelly moulds that she had been collecting for me for the past 14 months! Thank you Valie!

I’m currently cleaning and packing away the huge haul and preparing for “Crikey it’s Vintage” on Saturday in Exeter. I also have 3 orders on the go and all my Christmas stock to start making so on that note……….

didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to…Bude

Crazy days….and Country Living Magazine

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!