Saturday 15 March 2008

Country Living Spring Fair - Episode 2

This is my "show and tell" post for all the goodies I bought from the show and my favourite stalls.

As I mentioned before, our pink carnations really attracted loads of attention and one stall actually knew what we were talking about when we mentioned our blogs. This was where we bought some gorgeous pocket mirrors and I bought this sweet little badge.

They are actually bloggers too and this is their shop website - definitely worth visiting!

One of my absolutely favourite stalls was The Polka Dot Pear
where the textile artist Sharon Blackman makes the most beautiful fabric pictures. She was originally inspired by Janet Bolton (like many of us) but her work is much brighter and happier (in my opinion!!!). The stall looked absolutely amazing and I asked if I could photograph it to share with all of you.
She doesn't have a website yet but it is in the pipeline and here is her email address if you want any further information:- thepolkadotpearco@btinternet.com

I bought some of her cards so I could frame them

I think the tractor one is my favourite from this set but I really love these seaside ones too.

Jennifer Collier had an amazing stand with fabulous art works made out of old papers including dresses stitched from envelopes and sewing ephemera set into resin jewellery.
I didn't take any pictures of her stall but this one is from her leaflet and do visit her website - her work is inspiring!

My lovely big sister Ally bought me these wooden birds after I had admired them. She managed to do it without me even guessing too which was pretty clever (but don't tell her I said that!)

And I treated myself to this Greengate tea-towel and napkins - which I plan to cut up and re-invent at the earliest opportunity!!!

I managed to get the chance to talk to Janet Bolton again and she has signed a little card for me to stick in my new book (she was offering to sign any books bought at the show)

And my other ambition had been to buy some Caroline Zoob mugs as my last one broke ages ago. I love her work and her book is one of my favourite sources of inspiration. I did ask her when she was writing another one but it doesn't seem to be on the cards at the moment.

Finally here is our delicious goats cheese tart with guacamole and roasted hazlenuts and roast pumpkin - this photograph was taken especially for Kaz who wanted to see what yummy things we had to eat - she gave me special dispensation to ignore my diet for the day - thanks Kaz!

- you can see how delicious it was here (although Lesley refused to lick the plate!)

I met up with my other friends at the end of the show and while Ally and Lesley went to catch their tubes we went to the Slug and Lettuce for a well deserved glass of wine (couldn't believe how much it cost though!) and some scrumptious food. We then went to King's Cross where I treated myself to this book (it's really enjoyable) and finally caught our train at 9pm by which time we were all dropping with fatigue and after what seemed like a never ending journey got home at 1am.

However beautiful the stalls and however lovely the goodies I bought, the best part of the day was definitely having a trip out with my lovely friends from home and meeting up with Ally, Lesley, Gina, Val and Jane - can't wait for the next grand day out!

28 comments:

Jennie said...

All the things you got are lovely. I love that badge! It seems like a fantastic day out was had by all.

I have left you a brand spanking new award over at my blog. :D

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, I wish even more I had gone now, those stands look fab, love those Janet bolton inspired pictures.Love the look of the lunch too yummy yummy.x

Kitty said...

What a lot of loveliness! I clicked on each and every link and photo - some really interesting ones.

Thanks for sharing it all with us.

Take care. x

Jane said...

can't wait either! how about moving down here? no i don't blame you. Beach at Hartlepool in the Easter holidays was always my favourite Freeeeeezing even in wellies and duffle coat or staying in the Wainright's hotel listening to the foghorn which shook the windows!!!!!! Jane x

May Britt said...

The small cards re beautiful. I guess she sold a lot of them.

Florence Knapp (Flossie Teacakes) said...

What a fantastic day. Those birds are gorgeous and lucky you with the greengate goodies...I love them! x

monda-loves said...

looks and sounds like you had a fab time - what a long day though phew.

I actually bought some of Jennifer Collier's work a while back when she was showing at Chelsea craft fair.
When I met her she was hand stitching away at something in paper - probably a later piece of work or jewellery.

Polkadot Pear looks fab - will be looking out for her website too.

Thanks for sharing all this loveliness.

Monda
x

Mrs Moog said...

Lovely photos Sprocket! Spo glad to see my dinner again ...but in a good way !?!

I have so much buzzing round in my little befuddled brain after all the loveliness of the show that I just don't know where to start!

Yay!!! 'They've' gone and whadya know the kids calmed down straight away!!!!!We even had some chilled Mommy time :)

xxxx

dottycookie said...

I love the tractor too - I was planning to frame it for the girls' room. Though I think my favourites were the cakes and chocolates ones :-) I am very tempted to order a daisy picture from that lady - so clever.

It was so lovely meeting you yesterday, you gorgeous, funny woman, you! thank you for asking me to come, and hope we can do it again soon!

Leah said...

Sounds like you all had a fab time.

Lina said...

Thanks for sharing all this. It's great to see it. I love greengate - I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with those tea towels!

Jodie said...

Cute stuff, love the badge - you must have been exhausted !

Anonymous said...

What a lovely goodies! I love that tractor too, and I guess my husband would love it too! He's a huge traktor-fan!
I shipped my parcel today!

Gina said...

So much more lovliness to see here... and wonderful to keep reliving our day out. Wasn't it fun!
Miffed I missed that lunch!
Gina xxxx

Leanne said...

I love your little wooden birds they are really sweet - your day out with friends from far and near seemed perfect.

the vicious chicken said...

Well, it all just sounds so super - except, perhaps for the getting-home-at-1am part: must've been a very tiring day indeed, all in. Glad you had so much fun though, and got so may lovely things :o)

tintocktap said...

Sounds like you all had a wonderful day out!

Monkee Maker said...

Blimey Charlie! You bought LOADS of stuff! Your shoulders must have been really aching come 1 am!

And I'm impressed that you've blogged about it all in one day, your hubby must be a peach. If it was me I'd be saying .... "what, this old thing? I've had it AGES ...."

Fab goodies though .... start saving for next year!

:)

JuicyFig said...

WOW! jelous as usual - don't get to many fairs - my favourite ones have to be the knitting and stitching show at Harrogate and the pot fest at penrith.
lucky you!!!

Kath aRe

Carin said...

sounds like a blast!

Livvy and Me said...

So pleased to see you like your mirror and badge! Glad you made it home safely in the end, it was lovely to meet you. We are gradually recovering from all the excitement and going back to life as normal! It's also great to find some new lovely blogs to look at! Jennifer

mc said...

Thank you for telling us about your day out. Great to see your photos of the stalls at the fair.Those fabric pictures are wonderful!Looks like you all had a fun day together.
c*

Twiggy said...

ohhh blogtastic. Your stuff is lovely, I love the tractor card too, Twiglet would love it. I love everything you bought and I'm soooooo glad you had a grand day out,what fun
Twiggy x

Thimbleanna said...

Oh Lucy! What a fantastic time you've had! You're so lucky -- I sure wish I could have been there too! Thanks for the report!

Anonymous said...

WOW - what an amazing time you had!!!! And oh my goodness, that tart sounds and looks too good to be true! mmmmmmmmm

julia said...

Wasn't it a fabulous show, I loved Acorn & Wills stand, it (nearly) had me drooling!
Sharon Blackman's pictures were so lovely, the colours were great.
I'm now trying to remember it all & wishing I'd got a show guide because I can't remember any of the names of the stands!
Julia x

Sal said...

I would love to have been there but reading your blog is the next best thing...thanks for all the lovely pics etc.Love, Sal;-)

Angela said...

It sounds as if you really enjoyed yourself.The little mirrors you all bought are lovely. I cheked out the website it's an ideal place to shop for beautiful presents.