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A Surprising Inheritance

07 Oct in Brush Cottage | Comments (5)

I received a surprising letter in today’s post. An envelope posted in the UK – stamped by smartstamp.co.uk. Inside the envelope was a letter – claiming to be from a solicitor in South Africa – Christian Nyengeri Solicitors – Pretoria, SA.

The long and short of the (lengthy) letter is that a certain Mr Arieo Bell (what a coincidence! That’s my surname!) passed away some time ago. This honourable and trustworthy solicitor has been trawling the internet, embassies and “other means” to locate dear, departed Mr Bell’s next of kin – as, would you believe, there is some inheritance that he is honour bound to pass on……

Goodness me – I was the “Bell” that popped up in his extensive search and he would now like me to contact him so that he can set up a “legitimate arrangement to protect both of us from any breach of the law”.

Now, I’m pretty sure that I get as much spam as anyone else – clever phishing emails, designed to con you into logging into false banking sites, tempting offers to “enhance your male-ness”, Russian ladies who would like me to look at their pictures…. I’m pretty sure I have seen them all. Someone must fall for these things – or whoever is sending them out wouldn’t bother surely…. But this person paid .41p to post this letter to me – in a windowed envelope, which made me think that there must be a return on his investment somehow and somewhere. It’s worrying isn’t it ?

I am going past a Police Station this afternoon, I’m going to drop my “letter” in to them – I wonder if they will do anything about it – they might just laugh at me…..

Conkers and Candles

29 Sep in Brush Cottage | Comments (4)

You know those conkers you are driving over and squashing all over the road? Well dont…… stop and pick them up, you will love their rich, chocolatey, shiny’ness.

Fill up an old silver bowl with them, tuck in a candle or three and light them……

Autumn is here.

A Love Affair with Pearls

19 Sep in Jewellery | Comments (3)

A couple of weekends ago I went off to London to attend the premier jewellery event of the year. I go every year – there is always plenty to inspire, buy and then just look and lust after.

I haven’t had time to unpack my purchases, but I did this morning. I bought things that I normally wouldn’t have – seeds, wood etc. I bought some beautiful silver. Last year I came home with exquisitely faceted semi precious stones – some of which went into the making of these earrings.

This year the bulk of my purchases went on a collection of pearls. I have always loved pearls, I find them irresistible. They don’t need to be perfect to tempt me and I doubt I will ever tire of them. All of my pearl strands this year came from a German company and I have spent a little time this morning reading though their brochure, which gives an interesting overview of the history of the pearl – but this little snippet really tickled my fancy:

“In the early 19th Century the new American money aristocracy started to buy pearl jewellery, which had once awarded the European royal houses shine. Until the beginning of the 20th Century only the rich upper class could afford these treasures of the sea. In 1917, the French jeweller Jacques Cartier bought a six storey building on New York’s noble 5th Avenue – and he paid for it with a two-row pearl necklace, valued at 2,5 million dollars.”

Isn’t that a wonderful story?

The Handmade Christmas Card List

11 Sep in Christmas Decorations, Links | Comments (1)

This is the list I have compiled of UK artists creating Christmas cards – please support them this year!

Houdini Cards:

“My handmade card creations use original, although mostly Victorian, images which I enhance using 21st century technology. Every card is unique with images on both the front and reverse, individualised by hand-stamped lettering. Each card can be custom made to order with lettering of your choice – and choice of envelope colour if preferred.”

Contact Houdinini Cards through Etsy, Facebook or Twitter.

Nyoki Handmade London:

Nyoki Handmade London label is inspired by a mother and daughter duo that combine each of their talents to create exquisite handmade gifts and greeting cards with love and care.

“Our style is eclectic – a combination of vintage, traditional and contemporary. Eco-friendly and unique, each item will stand the test of time and they come in a wealth of beautiful and natural colors.

Our products are designed in London and handmade in both the UK and Kosovo. Nyoki works closely with job creation programs in Kosovo, giving female survivors of the war the confidence and the financial means to support themselves and their families. When you buy one of our products, you are helping to rebuild their lives.”

Contact Nyoki through their online shop, Facebook or Twitter

Nithria:

“Nithria is a new cottage business bringing you special cards and gifts for friends and loved ones, or as a treat for yourself. All products are made by hand and produced from various sources.”

Nithria can be contacted through their Folksy shop or their online store

Rhiannon Thomas

“My cards are prints of my colourful pen and ink paintings. This is the third year that I have sold the Christmas cards, each year a third of the profit from my cards is donated to the Vietnamese Charity Hue Help. I spent the summer of 2008 in Vietnam volunteering for Hue Help; a charity set up to provide assistance to the large numbers of people still living in poverty in central Vietnam. The funds support children’s orphanages and mobile health clinics.”

View Rhiannon’s work on her site or her cards can be purchased through her Folksy page

Penny Lindop

“With a background in archaeology, I now design and produce a huge range of cards and artwork, including many Christmas designs. The business was started 12 years ago, and I am continually amazed by the wonderful comments made about my work. With quirky animals, flowers and cakes, hand finished with my “signature” of woolly additions, the designs are charming and touched with gentle humour.”

Penny Lindop’s cards can be found on her site , or you can contact her on Twitter or Facebook

Storeyshop

“I’m Helen. I love making cards – especially bespoke, personalised ones. I individually hand cut lots of my designs to order, so they are unique and really say what you want to say. Christmas is one of my favourite times of year too, so here’s to a cosy festive season and special Christmas cards a-plenty! ”

Storeyshop cards can be purchased through the Etsy shop. You can also keep up to date with Helen’s creations through her blog.

Georgina Kay Designs

“Georgina Kay Designs are a mother and daughter team who specialise in everything Christmas related! From gifts, to cards and decorations we have it all. We have cards for all ages and they range from traditional scenes through to more modern contemporary images.We especially love Custom orders and relish every opportunity to work with individuals to create their perfect Christmas card. Our shop is on etsy ”

You can also follow Georgina Kay Designs via their blog

Cards by Sophie

“Cards by Sophie started in 2009 creating unique, handmade wedding stationery and has since grown to provide other greetings cards. This is Cards by Sophie’s first range of Christmas cards, they can be easily personalised and are available with a variety of ribbon and crystal colours. Each card is made by hand for that special touch! A range of Christmas cards and other greetings cards, baby and wedding stationery will be available from the Cards by Sophie online shop from the end of October. Contact Sophie in the mean time if you wish to purchase any!”

Sophie can be contacted through her site, on Facebook or on Twitter

If you would like to be included in the list please send me your contact details and and image of your cards.

Handmade Christmas Cards

11 Sep in Christmas Decorations, Links | Comments (6)

Someone reminded me just over a week ago, that it was 4 months until christmas….shocking. Before we know it the shops will be full of christmas paraphernalia, and while all Bell family members are more than delighted to partake in warm mince pies and brandy butter as early in the year as possible, Christmas in September is a bit too early for me.

I love Christmas, I love the long dark, cold nights, the twinkling of Christmas lights (the Winchester ones are by far my favorite) and the decorating of my home. I always make my own crackers and last year.. I even made my own Christmas cake – honestly … iced and everything! I am a handmade girl.

Before I get carried away, the point of this post is this: As well as everything I have already said, I love Christmas cards dropping through my letterbox, and I love sending them too. I always go to a lot of trouble finding the perfect ones. Last year, I chose this one, from The Little Dog which I loved 11/10. This year, I am tempted to find something bespoke, there are wonderful handmade card artisans out there, who might well do something special just for me … or for you…?

I am compiling a list on my blog of handmade card artists – who have christmas offerings . Let me know if this is you, send me a photo and your details and I will put you on my list. And if you would like to support handmade Christmas in the UK, please keep checking back on my blog, who knows, you might just find that perfect Christmas card!

See the Handmade Christmas card list here.

The case of the Missing French Sole Shoes

17 Aug in Brush Cottage | Comments (2)

What you won’t do to keep your child entertained during the summer holidays…..

Sainsburys – Bishops Waltham

15 Aug in Brush Cottage | Comments (1)

We live nestled between beautiful, historic Winchester and the quaint market town of Bishops Waltham. It’s the best of both worlds for me – all the bigger shops and conveniences are available in Winchester, while Bishops Waltham provides small, individually owned, unique little boutique shops and restaurants – that and far less expensive parking!

Over the last year or so, the Bishops Waltham community has been all abuzz with the pending planning applications by Sainsburys to build a store in the town. The question for me has always been - “Do we need it?” Within 10 miles there is one (and sometimes 2) large store of every supermarket chain in the UK. How many more do we need?…….But then I can get in my car, whenever I want to and drive to wherever it is that I want to go.

Bishops Waltham has an individually owned, green grocer, butcher, fishmonger and deli as well as a (okay, I admit…frankly dismal) Budgens and 2 Co-Ops…. isn’t that enough? I have no doubt that these businesses will not survive for too long after the arrival of Sainsburys.

There are other issues for me as well… there will undoubtably be an increase in traffic and will this traffic do as the locals do and grind to a halt, patiently waiting for the swans and ducks who live on the pond to cross the busy road?

How will the building works and increase in traffic affect the medieval palace ruins – just a stones throw from the proposed site?

As fas as I know, most people are against the proposal – the Community have formed an action group and the Liberal Democrats have been very active in their campaign against it. But sadly, most people I know seem to think, that regardless of this and the petitions we have all signed, it’s a forgone conclusion.

I went into Bishops Waltham yesterday morning , for the first time in about a month. I was sad to see that 2 really wonderful shops have closed. Jannaways was a unique little shop, always filled with decorative items and small pieces of vintage style furniture – the perfect place to pop into if you were looking for that little something special.

Mad Max has also gone – this was a little womens clothing boutique, again filled with clothes that you would not find on the high street. Mad Max was the first boutique that bought my jewellery from me when I started Twinkleberry and was selling through boutiques, before I had my site. I will always be grateful to the lovely Jan – who owned it at the time – for always chatting to me over a coffee and giving me, a fledgling business owner, advice and encouragement.

Did these shops close because of the imminent arrival of a Sainsburys store… I don’t think so, I don’t know why they closed. But the sight of 2 empty spaces in a small shopping district made me all to aware of how this little town will change – I think for the worse – with the arrival of a large and undiscerning retailer.

Style vs Substance

15 Aug in Brush Cottage | Comments (0)

Over the last little while, through some of the blogs I follow, I have become aware of the seemingly contentious little issue of Style vs Substance in Blogland.

How do you feel about it? Personally I like to have a little bit of both ….. sometimes, when I have the time to sit and read, I like a long, wordy, issue laden, thought provoking post – in the case of the eloquent Mr Fry I need about half a day! At other times, when life is busy, an inspiring or just pretty picture and a couple of words does the trick….. Do you think there is place for both in this big ol’ interweb…?

Ardingly 2010

21 Jul in Brush Cottage | Comments (3)

Yesterday, my friend Suzie and I set off to Ardingly in West Sussex for the International Antiques and Collectors Fair. Suzie is a hardened antiques collector and car booter of note… I am not… so I thought that she was an excellent choice to go with! It’s a daunting first impression when you get there – masses of stalls and seemingly miles and miles of things to see in one short day – I hate to feel like I am missing out on anything.

I love old silver and antique damask linens, so from the word go, I knew I was in extremely dangerous territory…

These were the first things that I saw, that I really loved – old shoe lasts – beautifully arranged:

Quickly followed by these charming dovecotes.

I loved this – I don’t know what it is … but I want one! I think it might be a dried bit of seaweed actually?

I came across the perfect colour to paint my garden furniture:

(Yes! The decision has been made – I am going to paint it!)

We had a lovely day, just 2 girls wandering around looking at beautiful things – I didn’t buy much, I came home with a wad of beautiful white damask napkins – did I need them? No, but they are pristine and we only use cloth napkins, so you can never have too many – that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

I also bought a beautiful monogrammed cloth – none of my linen collection is monogrammed, and I couldn’t resist this.

Just look how beautiful a place setting would be!

It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

14 Jul in Brush Cottage, Links | Comments (1)

If you follow me on Twitter, you might know that I was chosen as an Official Cupcake Tester for Genii Cupcakes. As you can imagine, this made us very happy because:

I never win anything
Cupcakes are becoming my nemesis

The lovely Laura spent a lot of time in her car on Thursday, delivering to the chosen few, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to meet with her then and so she arrived on friday, clearly nervous that mine were delivered a day later than everyone elses.

Dave and I knew that we would be in trouble if we started without Tessa, but we’re not scaredy cats and so immediately tucked into the Lemon one.

We’re perfectly matched, Dave and I. He likes cake and I like icing. He found the lemon cupcake had too much icing, but I liked it that way. The little droplet of lemon curd hidden in the middle also broke the sweetness and gave it that lovely lemony tang – we liked this cupcake 10/10

As expected, we did get into trouble on T’s return home from school – she promptly launched herself into the Oreo Cupcake – 10/10 for ingenuity – who would have thought of an Oreo cupcake? We particularly liked the creamy frosting on this one – a surprise as you expect to get a mouthful of sugar and then it’s actually soft and dreamy creamy. The only comment from T was that the little Oreo perched on top was soft and not crunchy….

She liked the Oreo Cupcake 10/10

Next up was the Vanilla – I liked the little pink and white spotted cupcake paper of course.

We liked this one too – perfect sugary frosting and the lightest of sponge – personally I don’t like those little pink dotty bits on the top – they look nice, but who wants to eat them? Tessa and David have no such qualms though – we liked the vanilla 10/10

It couldn’t be avoided any longer … the Jaffa Cake Cupcake….

Personally I think that whoever decided to combine chocolate and orange should be flogged – that is dangerous talk in the country that the Jaffa Cake and Terry’s Chocolate Orange calls home, but I live on the edge. While visually, this cupcake is quite something, David and I stayed well clear of this one. Tessa of course, was not going to pass this opportunity up. She thought it was very ” masculine”, liked the chocolate sponge texture, but thought that the flavour could be more chocolatey. She liked the frosting both in appearance and flavour, but it’s very rich and she couldn’t eat the whole thing. We gave this one a solid 7/10

You might think that our enthusiasm was waning by this stage but you would be wrong, we were taking our responsibilities very seriously and so next on our list was the Cherry Bakewell.

This one was a dilema for us…none of us like Cherry Bakewell. We didn’t like this one …. out of the 6 cupcakes we tried – this one was our least favorite, but I think that it was just a matter of individual tastes. The sponge was – as with all the others – perfect , visually it was lovely and I think if you do like Cherry Bakewell, you would probably love it! I also thought that the litttle slivers of almond might be nicer if they were toasted and crunchy

We gave this one a 5/10

Are you ready for this?

Behold the magnificence of the Strawberry and Pimms Cupcake!

Laura clearly is a genius for thinking this one up – we loved it 11/10. Perfect for Wimbledon fever and the English summer time. Light as air Pimms infused sponge and frosting with a strawberry that has lapped up all the Pimms it can before being wrapped in dark chocolate … who could ask for more?

We would like to thank Laura very much for selecting us to test her wonderful cupcakes, we loved them and would not hestitate to recommend them:

www.genii-cupcakes.co.uk

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