Our friend Pebbles discovers fabulous French holiday apartments, crabs and goats!

Dear Dizzy and Creative,

I hope you're both keeping well and steering clear of these nasty cold bugs that seem to be going the rounds again?  Also that you're keeping out of mischief, but I hold out little hope on that score.

View from my bedroom window -
with garden boat and flags!

I promised to share a few of my holiday experiences with you, so here goes - I do hope they come across well, as there's nothing worse than someone else's holiday snaps without the personal context or emotional links forged through actually being there. I'm sending this in two parts, as so much happened, even though I was only away a short time.

I stayed with my French friend Danielle, who has a house down on the Quiberon peninsular in Southern Brittany. It's a fabulous location with an enormous amount of fascinating things to do and see, all within incredibly easy reach. Danielle's house is just 50 metres from the sea, in a little fishing village called Portivy. The house is divided into self catering apartments, so anyone can share this adventure, and to demonstrate the link to the sea, there's an old fishing boat sitting in the garden!

Portivy

Boat in the garden

Danielle flew the Devon flag and the Union Jack in honour of my residence. 

The whole area abounds with everything to make a wonderful holiday - fabulous beaches with two distinct coastlines so there's everything from surfing or canoeing to swimming and fishing. There's a vibrant artistic community and a wealth of inspiration for all kinds of creative medium. The food and drink are a gastronomic delight and the history breathtaking. You can walk or cycle everywhere with ease, or take the local bus or train - who could want for more?!

Rockpool colours and shapes

St-Pierre Quiberon (from the bar)

Every day was sunny and warm, so I could explore the rock pools and walk around the area to my heart's content. Just a kilometre or so across the width of the peninsular is the little town of St-Pierre Quiberon and as there's only a small supermarket in Portivy, I walked to S-PQ in the morning to fetch fresh croissants and bread from the patisserie, together with Danielle's newspaper. If I was in good time, I could sit on the sea front with a coffee and watch the beach getting up and ready for the day, or even visit the 'petit ferme' down a narrow lane. This is where a local smallholder keeps a

Inquisitive goats

startling mix of small animals, including goats, pigs and poultry of every description, all running side by side in one huge enclosure. The hedges were laden with great fat, ripe sloes (the French don't appear to consider sloe gin!) and so I picked some and fed to the animals. I had to be careful of the turkeys though, who became extremely viscous at the sight of a sloe, and were inclined to peck!

Dolmen used as a playhouse

The village children play house in an ancient Dolmen, tucked in a corner amid a jumble of cottages. I can just see Heritage England allowing such close liberty, and I'm enchanted to see the juxtaposition of the human effect in the region. 

Danielle's husband Michel took me out on his fishing boat - a little adventure in itself - and we caught a potful of crabs which we brought home and cooked straight away with lots of bay, seasoning and cayenne pepper.

Michel fishing for crabs

Eating our endeavours - yum!

We  ate our catch with great relish. The crabs were preceded by fresh ripe melon, accompanied with sparkling wine and fresh bread, and eaten in the company of good friends whilst watching the most glorious sunsets - I just didn't want to be anywhere else! How you two would have loved these evenings, it's such a shame you couldn't spare the time to come with me.

Sunset - our view from the dining table

For anyone wanting to book a holiday - www.homelidays.com 
Then follow the pathway of clicks - Monde Entier - Europe - France - Bretagne - Morbihan - Pays d'Auray, Location vacances - Saint-Pierre Quiberon - Location 6098650 (6 people) / Location 6098640 (4 people).   It's worth the effort!   

That's all for now, girls - more to follow soon,
Lots of Love,
Pebbles   xxxx

© Jay Hooper and Carol Kennedy July 2013 all rights reserved

All Things Vintage and Lovely

Hi Creative,                                                                                            

Dizzy texting to Creative

I hope you are having a good afternoon. 

A quick text to let you know, whilst I was out  I have met the designer at Pontia Rose to find out what she is getting up to. Guess what? She is not unlike me in many ways, certainly a bit scatty and very similar to look at too! I had a lovely chat with her, she is tweaking away at her new website and hopes to launch within days.

She was telling me about her friend, Jay, who is very talented at creating all kinds of things from garments and all kinds of crafts.  The pair of them are off to the ‘Miss Ivy Event, All Things Vintage and Lovely’  at the Guildhall in Plymouth tomorrow, Saturday 26th September. 

Together they are going to be demonstrating with a few garments a fashion time line from the twenties to the eighties. It sounds right up our street, shall we pop along and see what it is all about? Oh, and, they will be running taster classes in Dorset button making and smocking, how lovely it would be to have chance of trying something new. Are you up for it? It would be an opportunity for us to meet them and see who else is around to put into our next blog.

Smocking taster workshop

Dizzy x

PS  What’s for dinner tonight? 

Hi Dizzy,

Creative texting back

How lovely to hear from you, and thank you for the latest news on Pontia Rose. I have been thinking of her in recent days and it's great to know she's about to launch her new website, I will look out for the exciting moment. 

The Vintage event on Saturday sounds really interesting and if Pontia Rose is going to be there, it would be a great opportunity to go along and give her my best wishes and support for her re-launch; I think she's amazing to have got herself together to this point. As you rightly point out, she can be a bit scatty, but I have every faith in her amazing creative abilities. I'm sure this is the right path for her, and things will take off for her.

Button making workshop with
Orchard Learning Studios

We could take part in a workshop while we're there as well - I quite fancy a go at the dorset buttons but the demonstration also sounds really interesting.  Those Orchard Learning Studios workshops are all so good, it's always difficult to choose.  Shall we toddle along together?

I've been writing most of the afternoon, instruction sheets mostly, for that new partnership. Did you know they are using us as the inspiration behind their latest product? Very flattering, as long as they don't make us look too fat!  

I'd better go, as I have a nice pieces of Hake waiting for the grill. 

Creative x

©Jay Hooper and Carol Kennedy July 2013.  All rights reserved

Goodwood Revival and Ooh La La!

Our Revival picnic

The event of Septmber has got to be the Goodwood Revival (www.grrc.goodwood.com) and we were there to soak up the atmosphere of old fashioned Britishness and fun. Preparations took us a long time as we had to decide on how to dress within the period 1948 - 1966 which reflects the heyday of the racing circuit. In the end Creative decided the 1950s were for her, while Dizzy went all out for the Audrey Hepburn look.




As well as all the fabulous racing, stunning period vehicles and wall to wall music, the event had all it's usual surprises and fun features in a terrific all-out party atmosphere.

Spin in the Jag

We were lucky with the sun although the wind did give Creative a couple of hat moments. 

Dizzy found her dream car with Pocket Classics (www.pocketclassics.co.uk), and both of us enjoyed a quick spin in a borrowed Jag!

Creative was in her element with so many men in uniform to choose from!!!! 
Dizzy:  I just looked the other way and had to pretend I wasn't with her.....

Dizzy's Dream car from Pocket Classics

Dizzy's selfie at The Black Fox Inn!

As usual we had a warm welcome at The Black Fox Inn

(www.blackfoxinn.co.uk) at Liphook, where Julie, Alan and the team made us comfortable and cooked us delicious meals each evening. 

Dizzy was clowning around trying to take a selfie outside the Inn.

All in all, a wonderful weekend of fun and sun.

On our way home, we were excited to receive a text from our friend Pebbles, having a wonderful time on holiday in France.

Pebbles getting to grips with oysters

She sent us a photo after a visit to an oyster farm and we can't wait 'till she gets back in a week or so, when we can hear all about her trip.

Top Tips for a Posh Picnic - make sure you include:
Smoked salmon, cold chicken, strawberries, chocolate, damask napkins and the butler!
Creative: ...and don't forget the champagne and glasses!

Next public appearance: Miss Ivy Events (www.missivyevents.co.uk) All Things Vintage and Lovely Fair, Plymouth Guildhall Saturday 26th September. 

Look forward to seeing you there!

©Jay Hooper & Carol Kennedy July 2013 all rights reserved

Baking and Summer Trips

Postcard from Dizzy - Thanks a bunch for leaving the kitchen in such a mess!

Dizzy's 'Madeira' cake

Creative's email response: 

Dear Dizzy,  

I noticed the changes in the kitchen as soon as I got back home and this explains the strange stickiness of the worktop, the dark blobs stuck to the bottom of the oven and the fact that I can't find the spatula! I did also wonder why you should have taken all the eggs with you, when I couldn't make the omelette I was looking forward to last evening.

Still, I'm pleased you got there safely, and I hope Boo and Bea aren't being too superior. Despite the state of the kitchen and the look of the thing, your cakes usually taste OK - although if it's like that chocolate thing you made last month, any sneering comments will be stifled until they can prise their jaws apart again.  At least they'll give you all the latest fashion news, so we can get sewing and run up some new trendy clothes before they come and visit (I bet they invite themselves down to Devon for Christmas this year).

I've been talking to Pebbles, who is getting very excited at the thought of a family trip to France in a couple of weeks' time. I told her she must send us a postcard, and send photos of where she visits. She's a bit worried about the ferry 'cos she's prone to seasickness but let's hope it's a smooth crossing and she's always got her copper bangle and rescue remedy.

I'll look forward to seeing your photos, but please try to get one of Boo and Bea this time and not your thumb.

Love, Creative X

Dizzy's last postcard before heading home

Creative: Get your foot our of my ear!

Saying of the month: The proof of the pudding (or Madeira cake) is in the eating!

Shamrock Sails Off

                                                               

On Dizzy's return to the Westcountry we made another visit to Cotehele in Cornwall. On this visit, instead of viewing the house and grounds, we went down to the ancient quay and went on board the sailing vessel Shamrock which is moored on the river Tamar, from where ore, wool and lime was loaded and transported off across the world.

In the Galley - where's the cake???

National Trust Barrington Court

In Stitches

Dizzy and Creative in their new tops

We've been looking through our summer wardrobe, discarding the tired old and faded clothes and then realising that there was not a lot left! 

This inspired us to rummage through other drawers and cupboards and we found the February 2015 issue of the Sew Home and Style magazine (www.sewmag.co.uk), and with it  a FREE Simplicity (simplicitynewlook.com) pattern for a pretty summer top.  

Now really enthusiastic, we dug deeper and found some pieces of fabric and decided to have a go at making our own new tops. We fought a bit over the colours, but eventually agreed that Dizzy would dazzle with purple silk, and Creative would highlight her eyes with a pretty blue.

Here are the results.  What do you think? We are really proud of ourselves and plan to make more clothes soon.


Dizzy went out gardening (not before changing out of her lovely new top), and spent a relaxing afternoon in the sunshine, amid scent and colours. She came upon this beautiful rose, with it's voluptuous shape and deep scent reminiscent of Grandma's bathroom.  

However, neither Dizzy or Creative can put a name to this lovely flower, which starts it's bloom as a vibrant coral pink, fading to salmon and apricot hues as the flower opens fully. Do you know the name of this rose? Please add a comment if you can help us to identify it.

Pontia Daplidice butterfly, photographer Lee Hurrell

This is a picture of the beautiful female Pontia Daplidice butterfly, taken by photographer Lee Hurrell. We love the delicacy of the markings on this fast flying, rare visitor to the UK, have you seen one this summer? 

We kept our eyes peeled in the hope of spotting one when we visited National Trust property Buckland Abbey, Devon - once home of Sir Francis Drake (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey). 

On a warm sunny morning we delighted in the beautiful wooded setting and followed the trail of giant footsteps which lead the visitor towards the ancient buildings nestling at the heart of the valley. 

Peter and David take us for a ride!

We were welcomed by fun and cheerful volunteers Peter and David who gave us a ride the buggy. They were in stitches as we all posed for a snap.

Dizzy - I know they weren't in uniform, but I still had to hold Creative back, you know what she's like! 

There is so much to do and discover in this rich setting full of history and surprises. We strongly recommend a visit this summer, whatever your age or interest.

Drake's Drum

In keeping with our Buckland Abbey visit, our Quote of the Month comes from Sir Francis Drake himself: "There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory"

Dizzy and Creative
Girls making Art Work
Dizzy and Creative copyright 2013 with CarolAnn Design Studio and Jay Hooper, Orchard Learning Studios.   All rights reserved

Summer Sensations

Dizzy not yet ready for the beach!

The long-awaited burst of warmth saw us preparing to head for the beach. First job was to dig out the swimwear and try it on, test for moth holes and midriff bulge.

Creative: Dizzy! I'm sorry to have to tell you.... I think you need a little visit to the beautician, before you expose anything further in public!

Suitably chastened, Dizzy made the booking and we took ourselves off to see the lovely Tara at Tara's Treatments in Woolwell, Plymouth (www.tarastreatments.co.uk). 

Tara's Treatments provides the best service!

'Helping' each other!

Tara knows her beauty stuff and also supports the Look Good Feel Better charity for women with cancer. She helps with skin care and make up in monthly workshops at The Mustard Tree at Derriford Hospital (www.lgfb.co.uk).


As well as Tara's gentle ministrations we gave each other some assistance with our treatments. After much mirth and merriment, we emerged in much better shape and fearlessly ready to meet the sunshine and display a little flesh.

The Cool Rider Album release

Our London cousins Boo and Bea LaCheste sent us some exciting news from London.   
Monday 29th June saw the launch of the brilliant original cast recording of Cool Rider. 
This cult musical saw a week-long run in the West End in 2014, following a one night concert performance at The Duchess Theatre.        
Now, following a funding drive through the Kickstart initiative, there is a terrific album which soared into the top ten in the i-Tunes UK soundtrack recording chart before the first day of release was over (www.cooriderlive.co.uk).  We think it's well worth a listen.

Leather outfit for 3-month old T-Bird!

Boo and Bea are urging us to go to London for the offical launch party, but so far we've only got as far as making the cutest leather outfit for one of the producer's 3-month old nephew. We may have to make more for ourselves, when we go to party!

When we saw Orchard Learning Studios at Cotehele House last month (www.orchardlearningstudios.co.uk) we met Jay Hooper who was teaching the art of making Dorset Buttons.  Carol Ann of Carolann Design Studio (www.carolanndesignstudio.co.uk) learned the techniques from Jay, and is now combining the ancient skills with her own contemporary designs to incorporate these into her new product range.

Carolann Design puts her own stamp on a traditional craft

Jay will be running Dorset Button workshops on 23rd July at the stunning Madhatters Studio in Plympton, Devon - get signed up now! (www.madhattersstudio.com)

Quote of the month:

It takes two to speak the truth, - one to speak, and another to hear
Henry David Thoreau

Dizzy and Creative copyright 2013 with CarolAnn Design Studio and Jay Hooper, Orchard Learning Studios.   All rights reserved

Creative Crafts and Dizzy Delights

A burst of fine weather at the beginning of June saw us heading off across the majestic peaks of Dartmoor to the Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey (www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk).
As always, we were overwhelmed by the high standard of work, and here we are sharing a few of our favourites.  

Brett Payne's wonderful candlesticks

Silversmith Brett Payne  (www.brettpayne.com) 

Brett creates elegant and exquisite designs which give sleek sculptural shapes to objects such as candelabra, which may be displayed and used in numerous variations to suit the occasion and mood of the moment. We found his designs mesmeric.

The wit of vinegarandbrownpaper

Vinegar and Brown Paper (www.vinegarandbrownpaper.co.uk, Facebook.com/mendyourhead)

Andy Poplar takes glass etching to a new level with his fun and funky ideas to enliven glass storage! 
Off the shelf or personalised pieces, we were delighted with his wit and wicked sense of humour - much along our own lines of thinking!

Trying on hats!

Fiona Baker  (www.fionabakermillinery.co.uk)

We just couldn't resist trying on a hat or two, especially some of the quirky designs so beautifully executed by friendly Fiona Baker.  Her stunning leather dahlias were only eclipsed by the toadstool treasure that Creative is modelling.

Haywood Sisters modelling the fascinators we made

This dressing up session reminded us of earlier in the year, when we created some fascinators for London-based singers The Haywood Sisters (www.the haywoodsisters.com). 
Their fabulous repertoire of Vintage and close harmony singing sees this lovely trio in great demand, nationally and across the channel. 
Our London cousins Boo and Bea LaChest  tell us in their latest emails the Sisters have now branched out further to give workshops in singing - how much fun can that be?!
Dizzy: I challenge us to go to a singing workshop, next time we go to London!
Creative: Oh my Gawd, heaven help the Haywood Sisters!

Getting ready for our vintage frocks

Keeping with the Vintage theme, we spent a fabulous weekend at the Miss Ivy Events (www.missivyevents.co.uk) All Things Vintage and Lovely Show, hosted in the beautiful setting of National Trust Cotehele House (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele). 
We dressed up in our prettiest frocks, taking our time to get ready so we looked at our best.
The rain held off, picnics came out, and everyone had fun with music, dancing, stalls, cars, and craft workshops. Together with friend Lis we helped Jay Hooper from Orchard Learning Studios  (www.orchardlearningstudios.co.uk) to run the craft workshops, and to stage 'Get Your Vintage Look' - which we hope to repeat in Plymouth, in September.

Soo embarassing

Dizzy: The only problem with fine weather, great music and vintage cars, is that it also draws in the soldiers and their jeeps - and just guess who couldn't resist the pull of those men in uniform! 

Creative: I didn't spend all my time flirting, you know! 

Dizzy: Maybe, but the lovely wife Helen was a surprise! Thankfully she came along to rescue the moment, and both she and her husband were terrific sports.

Helles Belles, and a little jealousy! 

When Dizzy could finally drag Creative away from the uniforms, we made a new friend in Winnie. 

Dizzy and Creative meet Winnie

She is a Memory Bear, who uses fabric and clothing to create enduring memories of those we have lost. We were touched by the sincerity and compassion of the work that Winnie undertakes with people at their most vulnerable. The comfort and delight her quality designs bring must be considerable. (www.BagsFullofMemories.co.uk) 

Winnie works alongside colleague Sarah Chapman (www.celebrationceremoniessouthwest.com), an independent celebrant who will help to arrange individual ceremonies for individual people.

image from www.vinegarandbrownpaper.co.uk

Quote of the month :

 The Pen is mightier than the sword 
(Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton)

Our next Public appearance:

Friday & Saturday 28th & 29th August 
Moor Foreshore Craft and Gift Fayre, Tavistock, Devon 
(www.aquariusdesignsjewellery.com/moorforeshore/events)

Dizzy and Creative copyright 2013 with CarolAnn Design Studio and Jay Hooper, Orchard Learning Studios.   All rights reserved