good enough to eat!

This week seems to be horribly busy, not leaving loads of time to be creative. 

 So I though I would show you a project I did last year. 

 Buttons!

I love covering buttons and in the past have embroidered them, but an accident happened in the sewing room, and a tray of seed beads got horribly mixed up during our house move.  I did spend the evenings for a week trying to sort them out, but decided I had more interesting things to do! 

So a project was needed that could use the muddle.

So the Licorice Allsort button was born ( you know the jelly one covered in hundreds and thousands)

Very pleased with them I have to say.

almost edible

I replaced the boring grey buttons on this pink Seasalt jacket with them,

which I think makes it look so much better (the grey just killed it)

 and it has received lots of compliments, which is very flattering.

Sadly it is now too big for me, so need to start searching e-bay for a smaller one

to transfer the buttons on too. That is when life slows down a bit........

68 years of freedom

 On the 9th May 1945, after five years of Natzi Occupation we were Liberated.

And it is always celebrated, its our National Day and a Bank Holiday

A day when we remember what our parents and grandparents went through

Dawn breaking over the islands with the Liberating Forces waiting out in the Russel.

My Dad and uncle were down at the quay side as young boys waiting for the troops to land.

So its a day that means alot to me, so the Guernsey flag bunting is waving from our house

and many more up the street and over the island.

First job was to head down to the Fishmongers to collect our Chancre for a  celebratory crab super.  and we were met by an amazing pile of spider crabs, all gifts for the 100 odd French sailors, who had raced into the marina the night before, from the Harbour Office.  Can just see them all happily picking away at the crab, with a glass of rose on their boats, surrounded by the festivities!  Sounds like heaven.

The French racers

Stilt walkers promoting recycling

Our Baliff inspecting the Gurkhas who were on parade

Some very young soldiers!

and a very dignified veteran

Our Jurats in their gorgeous purple gowns and hats heading in to the Town church for the service of thanks giving, which this year also welcomed representatives from Biberach,

the German town that housed the internment camp where Channel Islanders were sent.

Inspecting the magnificent Chelsea Pensioners

Love the spurs!

More of the French racers enjoying the sunshine

and the wind!  Me in my Union Jack scarf!

The Piers were full of things for the children to do and the adults to eat, unfortunately we were on a fast day (5:2) so that was a bit of a torment!

The Liberation Monument down by the Weybridge.  Its rather clever because it acts as a sundial, with the time that thing happen carved into the backs of the seats (see below) but it only works perfectly for these markers on Liberation Day.  Very clever!

Oh and all made out of guernsey Granite

The town getting busier, and that was our moment to say lets head back to our garden with the crab,

 think we are getting old!

But time to stop at the Minon Plateau and enjoy the view over the Church and harbour

and castle

and all the children enjoying the rides, I hope they will always have freedom.

Happy Liberation Day

Bank Holiday Breakfast

One of the main differences between Chris and my self is I like to plan and organise where as he is more spontaneous. This morning as the sun was filtering through our curtains he said ' seeing as you are working all day lets head out to the cliffs for breakfast'. You see I would never have thought of that!

So by 8.15 we were up by the Pepper Pot above Fermain Bay with our coffee, cereal and the papers.

I have to say it did feel very civilised.

Looking out across the bay to the little harbour of Bec du Nez

Cheers! The dark and handsome chap I am stroking is Joey,

 a friends dog who we are looking after for the weekend.

 What a view!

 Joey is an Aussie dog, so he does enjoy soaking up the sunshine.

Heading back and looking down over Fermain, it has a fantastic beach cafe, definately recomend it.

 The cliff path back to the car, lined with bluebell, stinking garlic and pink campion.

Come on guys, what are you waiting for?

Gorse and Gulls

Lucky for us we were both able to get the afternoon off yesterday,

even though there was a strong easterly wind, the sun was out and it was a beautiful day,

so we just needed to find some shelter!

Down on the south coast we found a beautiful, secluded picnic spot,

 looking out over the Pea Stacks

Looking down the cliffs watching the gulls circling below,

surrounded by stunning wild flowers

Well had to celebrate 3 years with a glass of Rocquettes cider!

Only one mind you as we had to climb back up the cliff afterwards!

The cider enjoying the view as well. 

I do love that moment when the cliffs suddenly become alive with wild flowers, pink campion,

gorse, thrift, speedwell, blue bells, bladder campion and celandines.

 It really lifts you and makes you smile.

Heading back up the cliff path into a tunnel of May (blackthorn) blossom

Looking back over the Pea Stacks,

Chris really wants to have a go kayaking a round these rocks this summer,

exploring all the little inlets, so that had better go on the must do list!

One of the many German fortifications that litter our coast line (left over from the Occupation),

those soldiers would have had a brilliant view searching for Allied submarines,

 and now alot of them get used by twitchers for searching birds, I like the contrast of that. 

You can see Sark on the horizon.

Home then with pink noses and a happy glow, can definitely feel summer on its way ;-)

three years xxx

Well three years ago today Chris and I got married in the tiny Le Monnaie chapel (founded by Chris' grandfather)

It seats about 35 people, so it was a very intimate and special service. Put it this way, my brother (who gave me away) and I had to walk down the aisle in single file!

But it is some of the details I wanted to share with you.

Especially my shoes!

I embroidered them with our names and a design that echoed the design of the invites, with the date on the sides and then on the back of the heel was the name of the church.  I had found a lovely lady on the main land who could make shoes up in any fabric you wanted, and she sent me the pattern so that I knew the design would fit.

Then a few weeks later a box arrived with these beauties inside, was/am so pleased with them.  The base silk is the same fabric as the sash of my vintage inspired Candy Anthony dress.

Actually I might wear them out to super tonight?!

I also commissioned a fifties style hat with bird cage veil

I think it really set off the whole 'vintage' feel

Here's to many more laughing years Chris!!!