Cocktails, Cabaret and Culture

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Dizzy and Creative 
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Trunchball Sour, with Cool Rider in the background

Our journey from Devon to London was comfortable and uneventful, until Dizzy discovered she had lost her one of her gloves. She caused mayhem and disruption amongst other travellers by asking them to look between their feet, even to stand up to check if they were sitting on it. One passenger kindly looked out of the window to see if a lonely left hand glove was lying abandoned on the platform. By the time we reached Bristol, Dizzy had reluctantly resigned herself to the fact that her favourite gloves were no longer a pair.

"Oh, that girl is just soo embarrassing!"

On arrival in London, we made our way to the Phoenix Artist Club (http://phoenixartistclub.com/), recently voted the Best Bar & Club Covent Garden in the Time Out London Love London Awards 2015 (http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/the-time-out-love-london-awards).

Peter was in the middle of creating a new range of show-themed cocktails, and we were invited to taste and critique.


'I liked the Trunchball Sour best, complete with newt swimming!'

"My favourite was the One Sip More, which had a super lemon twist"

The decor in the club provides reminders of great shows and artistes throughout the West End, and the display of last year's monster cult success Cool Rider caught our eye. We thoroughly love the cast recording, available for sale from the Cool Rider Store (http://coolriderstore.com/)!

Dizzy Lightweight!

So, we whiled away a very pleasant afternoon, tasting and testing in the interests of good customer feedback. Eventually, it seemed to be time to toddle off and find somewhere to eat before strolling down to see Showstoppers at the Appollo Theatre.

"But when I look round to see if Dizzy was ready to go, I find that she's spent the last half hour flat out, the lightweight!"


'It was just the early morning start and all the excitement of losing a glove, and ....'

"Lightweight. It's probably just as well that cousins Boo and Bea LaCheste are out of town this week, or they would have been shocked to see you."

Restoration of The Rose Playhouse

In the theatre, we made the acquaintance of a lovely lady who told us about the Rose Playhouse (http://www.rosetheatre.org.uk/), and the ongoing project of restoration of 'Shakespeare's first theatre'. The lady is a volunteer on the restoration project.  It sounded fascinating, and although we didn't have time to fit it in on this trip, we made a resolution to do so next time we're in London.

One highlight of our few days was to see the Christmas lights in Oxford Street.  We were particularly taken with the horoscope and space themes of the windows at Selfridges  

Christmas lights in Oxford Street

(http://www.selfridges.com/london) , and also the colourful masks depicted in the windows at Harvey Nichols (http://www.harveynichols.com/), although we had to say that the Selfridge windows were our particular favourite. It was disappointing that the windows at both Libertys (http://www.liberty.co.uk/) and Harrods (http://www.harrods.com/) were still under wraps so we missed seeing them, despite our best efforts to peer through the cracks in the paper coverings!

Creative was fascinated by Denis Lock and Hamish McCann
 as the perfect English Gents!

Our other highlights were visits to two very different performances. The first was to La Soiree (www.la-soiree.com/), housed in it's own Big Top on the South Bank. This is a touring Cabaret-cum-Circus family of extraordinarily talented artistes, and a show which defies description. Suffice to say, we were spellbound.

'...and my turn to be embarrassed. You know what Creative's like with a man in uniform? What happens when it's a man in a business suit complete with bowler hat - or Union Jack boxers. Hmmn. Enough said.'

"It was a totally fascinating show, you just have to go"

Then finally, a trip to the Royal Albert Hall (http://www.royalalberthall.com/) and an evening with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing the best of the Hollywood Greats. What a way to round off a magnificent few days! 

An evening to remember at the Royal Albert Hall

Saying of the Month: In the light of the tragic events in Paris, our hearts and thoughts are with all those who are suffering or whose lives have been touched as a consequence. Our saying this month is given in this context.

"No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive" Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948) 

Next Public Appearance: Saturday and Sunday 28th & 29th November, when we'll be with Jay and Carol who are running some fabulous Christmas craft workshops at the Miss Ivy Events (http://www.missivyevents.co.uk/) All Things Vintage and Festive at Dartington Hall, Totnes






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

A Month to Remember

Dizzy and Creative Doll Pattern now on sale!  

'Hey Creative!  Have you seen the post this morning?  Look - those funny designers Carol and Jay have sent us a copy of the doll pattern they based on us!'

"Oooh, let's see. How wonderful. Look it includes the knickers, dress and even little shoes. Oh, I'll have to get sewing and make us one each. They said the pattern is now on sale and we can buy it online at http://www.orchardlearningstudios.co.uk/ or from any venue where they're running workshops or selling their quality handmade creations" 

'We'll have to send them a note to say Thank you, to let them know how delighted and honoured we are'

"Good idea. Perhaps you could write to them once you've done your pile of washing, while I'm replenishing the store cupboard yet again."

'Creative, I am confused. What's happened to the kitchen? I tried to open the washing machine and when I did I found I was hurling my smalls into a dishwasher!  Where did that come from and where is the washing machine? There is no way that I am going to to do all the laundry by hand!'

'Dizzy, I wouldn't want the mess, anyway! I am worn out tidying and washing up after you. I made an executive decision and bought the dishwasher. Christmas is just around the corner and we will be having our London cousins Boo and Bea staying, I refuse to be tied to the kitchen sink and be everyone's housekeeper whilst you're having all the fun."

'Moi?.... the washing machine ?'

" The nice plumber David Joyce (http://www.davidjoyce.co.uk/)  put it into the cubby area that you normally use as a dumping ground, where your pile can build up without being seen."

' Good decision, where was I when all this took place?'

"In your colouring in world"

Creative's favourite painting

Dizzy's favourite painting

'Talking of which, didn't we have fun at Nita Sculthorp's exhibition of work, charting her journey through a diploma course with the Royal Botanical Society of Artists.

We each had a favourite piece, although it was difficult to choose just one.'







Nita has produced a beautiful collection of cards and prints which are available to purchase

(http://www.orchardlearningstudios.co.uk/)

"Nita's work was so lovely, it took me back to the work of Billy Showell (http://www.billyshowell,com/)

- have you seen her depictions of shoes, through botanical art? I'd love to own a pair just like that!"

'I'm so glad we wore our sensible shoes when we went to visit Tony and Cherry at the Cornwall Nature Conservancy. Do you remember that moment when we thought it best to withdraw with haste?'

RUN!!!!

Little and Large

"I do, but I also remember that cute little tortoise, just 6 weeks out of his egg - it's hard to believe he'll be as big as his giant companion one day!"

We so admire what Tony and Cherry are doing to conserve some of the rarest and most beautiful animals in the UK and in the world generally. We hope their newly formed Trust gets the support through membership which it desperately needs, in order to carry forward their hugely valuable work. If you'd like some more information about the Cornwall Nature Conservancy and the fabulous work they do, and to access a membership form (individual or corporate membership), please contact them: cherrybcornwallnatureconservancy@outlook.com 

'Creative, what are you cooking today? I'm starving!'

"You can't possibly be hungry after all that porridge - although I think
 I scraped as much off the top of the cooker, as you actually managed to eat. I'm going to cook us one of the homemade pies we bought at Tudors cafe and Delicatessen (http://www.tudorstorbay.co.uk/) last week."

Tudors scrummy homemade pies

The comfort test!

'Ooohh, scrummy!  I simply adore their pies. I like the place as well, it's so welcoming and their coffee is really good'

"It is indeed a lovely place and we had a super time with Kamila and Shaun who were so understanding when you - for some reason - decided to try out the comfort of the umbrella stand!"


NEXT PUBLIC APPEARANCE:
Miss Ivy Events (http://missivyevents.co.uk/)
All Things Vintage and Festive
Dartington Hall, Totnes Sat/Sun 28th & 29th November

Where Orchard Learning Studios will be running some great Christmas Craft taster workshops

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
From the poem For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon.


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

Dizzy's Bake-Off

Dizzy empties the larder on to the kitchen table

Saturday morning started with an Autumn chill, which sent Dizzy straight into the kitchen to look for something warm and comforting to fill the day with.
Creative was out refilling the store cupboard (again), so Dizzy had no restraint on the larder shelves, and started rummaging through ingredients. There was plenty of flour, and she found a few apples and some other likely bits and pieces, so brought them all to the kitchen table and reached for the recipe book.

By the time she heard Creative coming home, Dizzy was extremely pleased with herself for producing a loaf of bread worthy of Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood's approval, and she positioned herself with the loaf, where she could present Creative with the results of her labours.
Creative let herself in to a house redolent with the glorious smell of fresh bread. Once the initial 'Yummy' factor had passed, and before she reached the kitchen door, a sense of dead had taken over

Eat your heart out, British Bake Off!

."Surprise!" Dizzy greeted her, proudly displaying a beautiful fresh loaf, still warm from the oven.

Creative managed to cling on to the shopping bags, as she took in the chaos left behind after Dizzy's busy morning. Putting the shopping away and pulling on a new pair of rubber gloves, she resignedly began the task of (yet again) cleaning the kitchen. She only hoped eating the bread would be worth the hard work of cleaning up!

"Oh, no, not again!"

Later, with a fire blazing in the grate, she congratulated Dizzy on a successful bake-off, but implored her once more, to try and clean up after herself, when trying out her cookery skills! 
As they shared a sandwich they caught up Creatives news:  

Bronwen Wells
Ink and Clay
www.InkandClay.co.uk

" I called in to see Bronwen Wells at her studio whilst I was out, and stopped to look at her new work, which is lovely, all nature inspired, using the colours and shapes we both like so much". 

Dizzy (unabashed about the kitchen mess) also had some news - " We've been invited to go to the private view of a new exhibition Botanical Art - a Personal Journey, by Nita Sculthorp. I've RSVP'd, saying we'd love to go"

"How lovely! That'll be a real treat, we can always go again during it's public opening, at The Works   http://www.artattheworks.co.uk/  in Tavistock, Devon, from 26th - 30th October.

"That's not all the exciting news, either. Remember our photo shoot for 'the pattern'? Well, some of the photos have come back, and I think we came out quite well in them"
"Considering I was having a particularly bad hair day, and you kept looking the other way,

Dizzy and Creative Doll pattern on sale soon
Photography by Stuart Bailey Media
http://stuartbaileymedia.co.uk/ 

that's great news. I'm really excited about the Dizzy and Creative Doll Pattern that Pontia Rose and  Orchard Learning Studios have produced, based on us truly!"
"They've asked us to stand by for the official launch when they'll want us to pose for some more pics."
"I'll have to practice my smouldering pout"
"Down, girl. Photographers don't usually wear a uniform, you do realise that?"
"Well, no harm in practicing!"

Quote of the month:  "All sorrows are less with bread"  Miguel de Centares Saavedra

Next Public Appearance: Miss Ivy Events Heritage Craft and Gift Fayre, Tavistock Pannier Market Sunday 1st November 

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

Morning surprise

A Chilli moment!

Text message from Dizzy to Creative;

Morning Creative,

Where are you, are you at the shops?  As you know, I love your delicious Rhubarb and ginger jam. I like it so much there is nothing like a good thick dollop spread onto my toast.

I nearly choked and wheezed as my breath was taken away, it was the batch of your very spicy chilli and tomato chutney!

My mouth is still burning and I can't find the yogurt and mint dressing in the fridge, to help sooth the discomfort. I now see that you have had another one of your blitz and clean out the fridge episodes, with yet another re organise  of the shelves!

Thanks for putting jars into the fridge without labels attached, not to mention contents with the same colour!

I suppose you are shopping again, please buy me some sorbet.

See you when you dare to return home.

Dizzy x

A Chilling soother -
Raspberry or Lemon?

Text message back from Creative:

What are you like!!!!
The reason why none of the open jars in the 'fridge have labels on them any more, is that I had to wash them to get rid of the horrible sticky goo you let dribble down the sides, every time you use them!

I also had to throw out the yoghurt and mint dressing as it seemed to have sprouted some great furry warts. It may have had antibiotic qualities, but I didn't want to put that to the test!

Am in the freezer section right now - do you want lemon or raspberry sorbet? I got some more rubber gloves and degreaser, by the way - just in case you're planning on some cookery this weekend.

See you in an hour or so,
Creative



P.S. I got raspberry, as I thought it might sting less than lemon!

After the little jam/sorbet thing, we are so excited to get some awesome news in this morning's post!  Our friends Jay and Carol at Orchard Learning Studios (http://www.orchardlearningstudios.co.uk/) and Pontia Rose  (www.pontiarose.co.uk) asked us some time ago if we would mind modelling for their latest product. Always game for a laugh we naturally said Yes of course, and now we hear that all will be launched at the Moorforeshore craft and gift fair (http://www.moorforeshore.com/) in Tavistock Town Hall this coming Saturday 17th October - just when we had planned to go along, how good is that?  (http://www.tavistock-devon.co.uk/)

Apparently, Jay and Carol have developed a doll pattern based on us! The only thing is, what do we wear?  We obviously want it to look as though we have just casually popped in for a look around and to see if we can pick up any interesting early Christmas gifts or decorations. On the other hand, we would want to look our best if we've been the inspiration for a brand new product - and what if the Press are there??

Casual Chic

At last, we decided on casual chic, and both wearing our new berets. Do come along and say hello, we would love to see you.

Recipe of the month: Creative's Rhubarb and Ginger Jam

Ingredients: 2lb (1kg) rhubarb; 2lb (1kg) jam sugar; Juice and zest 1 lemon; 2 oz (50g) crystallised ginger, finely chopped; 2” (4cm) piece stem ginger, peeled.

Method: Slice rhubarb into medium size chunks, add sugar, lemon juice and zest and stem ginger. Finely grate the peeled ginger over the top. Cover and leave for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. 

Place all in a pan over a medium heat, stirring until all sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and cook on a rolling boil for 15 – 20 minutes until a set is reached. Remove pan from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Pour into prepared jars, seal and label when cold.

Creative's note: Don't dribble the contents over the sides of the jar, as the label will wash off when you clean up! 

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

Pebbles in France discovers an Oyster Opener, a Living Art Village and a Scarecrow in a hidden garden!

Hello Girls, me again!  As promised, here are more of the highlights of my trip to Brittany.

On Tuesday we went up to Locmariaquer http://morbihan-way.fr/en/ which is famous for oyster production, and 

Hunky Davide

visited friends who own an oyster fishery. I met the cutest chap called Davide who told extremely rude jokes and smelt rather of fish. He had lovely broad shoulders though, and he certainly helped the day to pass by very pleasantly indeed! I thought how much Creative would have enjoyed his accent, although not too sure whether oilskins pass as a uniform.

Lake-bound house guarding the oyster beds

We strolled around the area and I was very taken with the beauty and tranquility of the place, despite the numbers of (French) tourists milling around. 
Can you believe, this house was built in the centre of a lake in the 19th century, in order to guard the oyster beds. It's now a listed building and very lovely in it's setting, although probably impractical and doubtless very damp.

Delicious fresh oysters

We ate fresh oysters in the evening. I must admit I had been dreading this, as I have never ever managed to master the opening of these little beggars, and it does rather take away the enjoyment when you're skewering your hand and flicking bits of shell and oyster flesh around the dining room. However, never fear - Michel is a practical and enterprising chap and he has invented a brilliant oyster-opening tool. This simple gadget is so easy to use, it's astonishing and even I could do it! Michel has put his invention into production and it sells worldwide, particularly to restaurants. How cool to be able to design and produce something so practical, makes me feel a bit small.  

       www.louvhuitre.com

The fresh sea air means I slept extremely well (possibly helped by the wine imbibed 

Old wash house,
with Tourists

with the evening meals, which stretch from around 6pm until bedtime). 

Reclaimed land at
it's best

Wednesday took us a little way down the peninsular to a suburb where the community have been given a piece of land about 10 hectares in total. It's a long narrow valley squeezed between a railway line, industrial and housing estates and six years ago was just a patch of gorse and bramble. It's called le lavoir du Ragout, as it was at one time the site of a village and they have retained the ancient wash house which is now a sunken garden feature.

Very slowly, a group of volunteers have started to enjoy the land by planting a wonderful garden. A stream patters down the centre of the valley, where every year, more land is reclaimed and planted out. Every single plant and tree is named, and the group foster the inclusion of anyone interested in being involved, at any level.

Bird Tree House -
made for climbing!

Scarecrow - also
made for climbing!

 I loved the bird's house tree, and Mr Scarecrow was a delight - and only gardening clothes, so even Creative can visit here without others being embarrassed! 

There were butterflies everywhere which was a real treat, but I couldn't identify any with certainty - Dizzy, you would have recognized a Pontia Rose straight away, I'm sure.

Pontia Rose?

Selfie at the Semaphore Tower

Another kilometre away from the hidden garden is a Semaphore Tower - you can see I tried a selfie here! From the very top you have a full 360 degree view of the peninsular with both coasts and you can imagine the signals flying to and from ships sitting on different sides of the land, relayed through the tower and passed on up towards the greater mass of Brittany.  

 And so my lovely holiday passed by, with interesting things to see and learn about, including the vibrant, massive Saturday market in Quiberon where we bought the local delicacy Kouign-amann (butter pastry tart) for Sunday - along with everyone else as this is a traditional Sunday staple. I've brought the recipe back for Dizzy to have a go at making some, as it's absolutely scrummy.
By contrast, the Sunday market on the quayside at Portivy comprised just eight or ten stalls selling fish, fruit, household goods and some local art and craft.

Every wall is an exhibition

Every garden a sculptor's delight

Our final excursion was up into Brittany, to the most surprising, enterprising and exquisitely pretty village of La Gacilly, Its traditional stone cottages are bedecked with flowers, and heritage features such as old bread ovens, fountains and menhirs abound                

 It is a town of arts and crafts - you would simply love it. Potters, painters, metal workers, glass blowers, leather craftsmen, book binders... all manner of crafts are represented here with ateliers (workshops) to visit and goods offered for sale. 

Gardens grow more than plants

Every Street a feast for the soul

The majority of residents are artists or artisans of some kind, and the entire village is a permanent exhibition of work and open studio.

It is also the home of the Yves Rocher beauty empire, and the luxury spa hotel he had built there to showcase his products has a fabulous restaurant, if you feel like a real treat!  http://www.lagreedeslandes.com/uk/yves-rocher-la-gacilly.php

Huge representations of artworks - more than 600 in total - are mounted on boards absolutely everywhere. It's a feast of colour and inspiration, and I'm afraid my little camera and meagre description just can't do justice to this enterprise. You would both adore this place, and I urge you to visit the next time you visit France, it's truly something you have to experience. You can get a better sense of the place by looking at the images: la gacilly photo  

You're probably relieved to hear that that's about all I have to relate. It was such a lovely break and one which I know you'd have adored - do say you'll come with me next year, and let's get booked up straight away!
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!   

Look forward to seeing you both soon,
Lots of Love,
Pebbles xxxx

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

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