Life at pink's barn

“This would be a special purchase for me, my first genuine antique sampler and I happily agreed that it could be instead of an eternity ring.”

Silk winders are now very collectable, particularly the mother-of-pearl varieties. The most famous and sought-after are come from Palais Royal sewing boxes.

When I discovered the nest, I was thrilled and now always leave little bits of thread near or on the bird table.

“We live in a conservation area and there are some very specific rules about this sort of thing.”

“Just in case you think I have taken up gambling, let me reassure you. I am talking about Kate Bowles, bookmaker extraordinaire!”

“After my recent success with the kitchen sideboard, I was fired up to have another go.”

“There was a loud crack and my lovely old wooden chair collapsed!”

“I like wearing chunky and interesting jewellery. I feel it can distract the eye from all else!”

I quickly learned that the golden rule of stencilling is ‘less is more’!

This child’s sample book was created in 1890 as a careful record of what she had learned at school.

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.

You could have heard a pin drop as we gazed at what was an early band sampler stitched in 1693.

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.

I’m guessing you’ll know exactly what I mean when I declare that I am not one of the selfie generation.