Finally inspired

It was a lovely weekend of mixed activites, a bit of shopping, a bit of sailing, a bit of pottering and finally, a bit of creative inspiration.

We stayed in Kew on Saturday and it was just what we needed. Our weekends are generally a little busy so it was nice to not go very far. We caught up on a few jobs and generally lazed around. The best bit was having an indoor picnic in the living room while watching 'Swallows and Amazons' which was just a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

On Sunday we headed down to 'the country cottage' as we've now christened the boat. So it's not quite the size of a cottage but it does offer us our little bit of home away from home. It was actually too windy to sail so we just spent the afternoon pottering which was really lovely. George had a few jobs to do on deck so I cooked us our first proper meal. When I say cooked what I really mean is opened the packet and poured into the pan! Actually what we had was delicious. I discovered a company at the Country Living Fair called Look What We Found who do really lovely kind of packet ready meals. I never normally eat ready meals but for the boat these are fantastic. Definitely beats a tin of beans or soup! Basically they produce lovely easy to prepare dishes using small specialist producers. Rather than me going on, have a look at their website. Even as someone who really likes cooking properly from scratch, I think these are excellent for certain situations.

So on Sunday we sat in our little cabin eating steaming bowls of delicious mutton stew flavoured with rosemary and looking out at the beautiful little creek that is our second home. Bliss.

The pictures you'll see in this post are of the production line I started yesterday. I knew I had to start making a few new things for the fair but I've been struggling to get going. So on Saturday evening I sat with a few books to see if I could inspire myself, and these little napkin rings are the result. I spent a lot of yesterday quietly sitting hand sewing which was very relaxing and also very satisfying seeing the little pile building up next to me. I did actually need a bit of relaxing as we had some unexpected stress on Sunday evening.

After spending the day on the boat, we went for dinner with George's brother and girlfriend so headed off back up the A3 to Kew at about 9.30. We'd been driving about 15 minutes when it started to spit with rain so I flicked the wipers on. Something was clearly wrong as they dragged very slowly accross the screen. I tried all four settings and all were the same. It was at that moment that we also realised the headlights were not quite as bright as usual and within a matter of minutes they got dimmer and dimmer. I have to say that I am very glad to have such a sensible and level headed boyfriend. I don't mind admitting to you all that I did get into a bit of a panic. For those of you who don't know the A3, it is a very dark road, as, apart from in a few places there are no lights and the surrounding countryside is pretty dark. Driving along such a dark road with virtually no headlights is really quite frightening I can tell you and I started to get in a bit of a flap. I was convinced someone was going to come crashing into the back of us but there was no where to stop. Luckily George kept his head and kept me going until we reached a safe place to stop which luckily was a small service station. Unfortunately the garage was closed but there was a travel hotel and after waiting two hours for the AA to turn up, we checked in there for the night and told the AA not to bother coming until the morning.

So yesterday morning started with a drive, we weren't sure would end at home. Mr AA told us the alternator had gone and although the car started, it might not make it all the way to Kew. His parting words were to not use the lights or wipers unless we had to. Easier said than done on a very gloomy morning that threatened rain all the way from Petersfield to Kew. We kept our fingers crossed all the way! But we made it back. We celebrated with a delicious brunch of smoked mackerel and scrambled eggs and an afternoon of films and sewing.

So I'm feeling a little better about the fair. I need to make some more cushions and perhaps a couple of other bits and bobs. I think the fact that so many bloggers seem to have had fairly negative experiences at Craft Fairs, I feel I don't want to go too crazy with my preparations, or produce too much stock. It's difficult to get the balance right. We'll see.

You never know, if ladies don't want my little napkin rings, maybe little girls will like them as bracelets?! What do you think?

Comments

[Rebecca]

They are delectable, lovely, crisp. My girls would definitely use them as bracelets, actually, I'd wear them as bracelets. And what about even as a posh pooch collar?!

[Alison]

They are really cute napkin rings. They should go well.
Alison x

[Victoria May Plum]

Cute napkin rings, I love red, white and blue - very fresh and seaside-y, They would be perfect for a little girls birthday tea, and then they could all wear them home as bracelets! Good luck at the fair.
I love the thought of your 'country cottage' boat, it's nice to have a place to escape to once in a while.
Victoria x

[Aina]

I think they look beautiful as a napkin ring Nonnie :)

[Aina]

I think they look beautiful as a napkin ring!!

[Kim]

Those napkins are really lovely - I'm sure they'll be a success. Good luck with it all! It started off soundling like a perfect weekend until the cat business - I hate it when anything goes wrong with my car so I fully sympathise - driving with no lights etc sounds awful.
Kim

[Sue]

Hi Fiona

I love the napkin rings!

I knew as soon as you started to say about the wipers and the lights ... 30 years ago the same happened to me, driving home from Devon to Northampton with Hannah only just 3 years old in the back of the car.

We ground to a halt outside a house in Street and I had to be brave and go and knock on the door in the dark. We were taken to a B&B just along the road, and the son of the house owner kindly got my car to a garage the next morning. We then had to drive all the way home without stopping or turning off the engine - not easy with a 3 year old!! A journey I'll never forget!

Glad you got home safely, and that you had George to look after you!

Sue

[Sarah]

hello.... I'm sorry to tell you but - yes that's right... you've been tagged!!! - You have to tell the world 7 weird/unusual things about you and then tag 4 other bloggers to do the same!

Have fun!!!

Sarah

[Angel Jem]

Love the napkin rings & wish you luck with them at the fair!!
Driving in rain/no lights/ no wipers sounds really scarey! Glad you made it home in one piece!

[Jo]

It must be like going on holiday at the weekends, having the country cottage to escape to. Hope the car is working ok now.
I think it's hard to predict how a fair will go as it can depend on the weather, where it is, what the other stall holders have etc but I'm sure your lovely work will sell well

[Lisa]

Hi Fiona,
The ready meal company were at the Scottish CL fair too. I didn't manage to get to their stall but my friend bought a few for her husband while she was away skiing! They're a great idea in the right situation - especially for on your little boat, which by the way sounds fab!
Love the napkin rings, I'm sure they'll go down a storm, little things always sell well. As Carolyn said you just never know whether it will be a success or not, just keep smiling and I'm sure you'll do great. Good luck with it all, you'll have to take lots of photos.
Glad you got home safe and sound.
L xx

[lazylol]

Yum - those ready meals look lovely and just what I need to take camping.
Love the napkin rings too, I sure they will be a good seller.
I would have been scared in the car too, glad to hear it all turned out ok!

[carolyn]

Great napkin rings/bracelets, looking forward to seeing your other creations for the fair. Don't be put off by other peoples experiences it's a bit like buying a house - location, location, location. If the fair is in the right place to attract the right sort of punter everything will go well. Good luck anyway.
So pleased that your motoring disaster ended in a cosy hotel room. I remember loosing all the electrics on an old Range Rover once, it was just out of the garage, fortunately I wasn't far from home but stil had to make it in the pitch black. Scary, bit like the time I drove home from Cambridge at midnight with my sunglasses on because I had forgotten to take my regular glasses with me - scary!

[madeco]

Well done ! I discover your blog and I like it ! You have very goods ideas : I have my blog to in France !

[Isobel]

Hi Fiona,

I will have a look at the web site. I'm not a huge fan of ready meals but there are situations that they are quite necessary.
I think you napkin rings look lovely. Where are the fair you will be displaying your goodies?
x