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.
A surprise visit to Nantes, France
The journey was so smooth that I had no idea we were already in France when I looked up from my lunch!
Bloomsbury and the Charleston Farmhouse
I have been painting and distressing furniture and other objects for years, but this took house painting to a whole new level
Just one more trip to Canada…
Bill wanted a road trip, so we flew to the far side of Canada!
The evening steam came to Fairford
One of the big events in Fairford was the Annual Steam Fair which was held at the top of the Market Place
Sally Garner’s Antique Sampler
Aged around six, she recalls staring at the sampler when she got bored!
I am not sure I even like chickens…
I seem to have a chicken collection!
When we were married, his mother said he came with a free piano
When the piano arrived at our little cottage and was brought through the door on its side, I nearly passed out.
Pots & pansies
Bill and I combined looking after our granddaughter with visiting Helianthus, a remarkable antique and bric-a-brac venue.
I thought you should see the truth
I tell myself that I am being wildlife-friendly by leaving everything until the baby birds have fledged and the nests are empty.
French embroidered postcards
Silk panels would be bought by publishing manufacturers and mounted into embossed cards and sold to soldiers.
Cotswold dog walks
In a mad moment Bill had agreed to us being dog owners for the first time!
I think I invented breakfast potatoes!
I suppose this all started with Domestic Science at school…
And to Canada again!
Then began the unforgettable journey up through the Inner Passage to Alaska…
Probably the best garden in the world…
Bill and I spent the whole day wandering the gardens and turning corners to discover yet another glorious view
A visit to a Shaker village
It was a wonderful surprise to visit the Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts
A day at Thyme & The Country Brocante
My husband Bill does not get the term ‘brocante’ and is often speechless when I arrive home with my treasures!
The Great British Sampler Weekend
I got chance to talk to dozens of the guests and signed books and flirted all day long
When Dave came to visit
Dave has travelled from Suffolk to help me in the garden for a few days – I am not certain why
Four Days in Berlin
In 2016 I returned and found it a very different and even more fascinating place
And a bat came to visit…
At first, I thought that a bird had found its way into the house, but it was not a bird.
Play house or face the garden?
What it is to have the wisdom of grown-up children!
About visiting India
We somehow felt more part of the event rather than as observers
Sitting still & watching
After fighting my computer, I took myself to the courtyard with a glass of wine and just sat
Bread with a difference
The breads were marked with pretty patterns, and I thought it would be fun to try this at home.
Textiles in Uzbekistan
All these places were full of fabrics and embroideries that simply blew my mind.
The blacksmiths of Bukhara
This is about the blacksmiths, the storks and the scissors
Fabulous plants – stitched and real!
I was reminded of the last time we met at the museum for coffee and cake, during an exhibition of glorious stumpwork embroidery
Quite a day out!
We just had to get out of the house for the day…
A day full of twiggery!
I have to tell you about a day course I attended last week.
Hunting for stuff & chair wrangling
I intended to hunt for old flowerpots and I came away with a chair.
Quite a year in the garden
It seemed easier to have more slate and pebbles than lawn, but I was quite wrong.
A Snowdrop Walk
It was a glorious day and I have never seen such a carpet of snowdrops.