Life at pink's barn
Jane's JottingsWelcome to my everyday treasures…
The dictionary would have it that ‘jottings’ are brief notes, very possibly
thoughts and ideas that need to be written down before they escape. That’s
exactly what you will find here with notes on my travels, the things I’m
making, what I’m up to in the garden and even the odd recipe.
Special linens for sale
“Oh, my word! The quality and the designs of the Italian linens was simply out of this world!”
An addition to Pinks Barn
“We live in a conservation area and there are some very specific rules about this sort of thing.”
How I came to know my bookmaker
“Just in case you think I have taken up gambling, let me reassure you. I am talking about Kate Bowles, bookmaker extraordinaire!”
Distressed thread drawers almost done…
“After my recent success with the kitchen sideboard, I was fired up to have another go.”
Rebecca Scott & Witney Antiques
“I am never happier than when designing or stitching a sampler project.”
Time for something sweete
“These extremely collectable objects originally date from Tudor times – I have been lucky enough to hold and examine Elizabethan examples”
Out with Monty for the afternoon
“We followed a footpath and were simply staggered by the smell of wild garlic.”
Almost catastrophe!
“There was a loud crack and my lovely old wooden chair collapsed!”
The garden is glorious, but will anyone see it this year?
“I do regret that none of my chums will see Pinks Barn garden at its best…”
The Current Bead Rack
“I like wearing chunky and interesting jewellery. I feel it can distract the eye from all else!”
The Colours of India
“You will see the piece of printed silk fabric and will understand why I could not resist buying all they had!”
A Visit to Gawthorpe Hall and the Shuttleworth Collection
“Cherish the past, adorn the present, create for the future” – definitely a motto worth its salt!
Messing with my stencils
I quickly learned that the golden rule of stencilling is ‘less is more’!
Another visit to Monet’s garden
I think hundreds of books have been written about this place but nothing prepares you for the cleverness of the garden.
A sampler book
This child’s sample book was created in 1890 as a careful record of what she had learned at school.
Bluebells & Bottles
We squeezed through a fence and found ourselves amongst the bluebells. Nothing can beat that magical blue haze.
Playing with Paints
Once I had discovered that if you make a mistake with a paint colour you can just cover it up again, there was no stopping me.
Sarah Maydman Sampler
You could have heard a pin drop as we gazed at what was an early band sampler stitched in 1693.
My Little Office
I was left without an office but with the feeling of needing a fresh start. I have now moved upstairs to a room with a view.
Family Portraits
I’m guessing you’ll know exactly what I mean when I declare that I am not one of the selfie generation.
A trip to Norway
The scenery and quietness of the place are just wonderful, and so is the traditional embroidery!
Cooking up my County Beef mixture
A very flexible recipe and a good way to hide vegetables from those who pull a face at the mere mention of a courgette.
I Just Love Roses
I can’t imagine my garden, my house, or my stitching without roses. Climbers or standards, they are all my passion.
Enjoy Comforting Rustic Mash
I make this in huge comforting quantities, so I have something to warm up when other more pressing matters take over the day.
Garden Cuttings
The greenhouse is always filled with the promise of what’s to come. And it’s a lovely place to hide for a while!
Going to Liberty of London for the first time
I’m still amazed that the buyer agreed to see me. I told myself that I was just going to see behind the door marked private!
About my greenhouse
My dream was a large wooden greenhouse. As usual, I had ideas above my station.