a trip to sussex (part one)

Just got back from a lovely week in Sussex. We were staying on a beautiful organic farm called Hawthbush Farm, in the depths of the East Sussex countryside, surrounded by wild flower meadows, woodland, cows, sheep, butterflies and birds. It really is a magical place.

 

We were staying in the Piggery, which I could quite happily move into. 
Every morning we would wake up to these ladies.

 

We wanted to stay a few nights in one of their shepherd huts but they were all fully booked. There are a few to choose from dotted around the farm with views over the meadow. This one was my favourite with its little stove, lanterns and vintage pictures, maybe next time...

We also visited Lewes for the first time which is really pretty, lots of lovely shops and cafes and Brighton which is always full of inspiration.

I'm still editing lots of photos of the beautiful gardens and houses we visited, so more to come!  

a new year

Happy new year everyone! Thank you all so much for being a part of found and sewn, I've really enjoyed sharing it with you, I love reading your comments and visiting your blogs which are always so inspiring.

I'm looking forward to 2012, planning to be more creative, visit new places and to take loads more photos...

It has been a bit of a grey start to the year so far, so I thought I would post a few colourful pictures to brighten it up. The little glass bowl is a recent charity shop find and is perfect for these candy coloured macaroons.

cupcakes & milkshakes

After a busy week with the exhibition I felt like I deserved a bit of a treat. So my boyfriend and I headed down to London for the day. We wandered through Notting Hill, stopping at the Hummingbird Bakery for one their delicious cupcakes. Looking through the antique shops at all the lovely old Christmas decorations, but somehow managing to resist, we walked over to 'Lucky Seven' a classic American diner that serves the best milkshakes and fries.

No visit to London would be complete without a trip to Liberty's department store. I fell in love with their Christmas windows displays, is it wrong to want a stuffed swan for Christmas? Perhaps I should ask the queen!

My final and best treats of the day were the Liberty book of sewing, which I have wanted for ages, a mouse pin cushion and Nars nail varnish in 'endless night' for those winter parties.

What a lucky girl I am!

this week ....

I haven't just been drinking tea and eating cakes ( I love the packaging on these teacakes) I have also been making cards and I've just finished a new drawstring bag plus an envelope purse to match. The vintage silk fabric is beautiful. I've just enough left for a little purse.

We've also been busy down on the allotment planting potatoes, carrots and salad. So all in all a productive week, plus the sun has been shining!

A collection of fabric pieces, old stamps, vintage french letters, lace and  botanical prints that I used for making cards.

Buttons from a flea market

A sneak peak at a new bag - This vintage silk has a lovely pattern. I have lined the inside with a dark grey.

tea time

It's nearly time for tea....

Sometimes you can't beat a cup of tea and a slice of cake. I bought the cake plates at my local flea market. It's seems only fair to use them!

Here's a close up of my workspace at the moment.