NEW ITEMS

I have just re-stocked my e-bay shop with some new items. I am currently working on some brooches, scarves, etc for an exhibition at Mushroom Works gallery in Newcastle - more on that in a future post!

Here are some of the items available for purchase on e-bay!

Tudor Rose brooch...

Vintage Bouquet brooch...
Lupin brooch...
Abundance brooch..... at 10cm in diameter this design isn't for a shrinking violet!
Happy shopping!

CHILLINGHAM CASTLE

Chillingham Castle is a medieval castle in the tiny village of Chillingham, Northumberland. It has been owned by the Earl Grey family and their descendants from the 13th century until the 1980s.

During World War II, the castle was used as an army barracks. During this time, much of the decorative wood is said to have been stripped out and burned by the soldiers billeted there. After the war, the castle began to fall into disrepair. Lead had been removed from the roof, resulting in extensive weather damage to large parts of the building. In the 1980s, the castle was purchased by Sir Humphry Wakefield, 2nd Baronet, whose wife Catherine is remotely descended from the Greys of Chillingham. He set about a painstaking restoration of the castle. Sections of the castle are open to the public, and holiday apartments are available for hire.

The approach to the castle is impressive ...

However, once inside the castle becomes distinctly quiet and somewhat eery! Its current owners market the castle as being the most haunted castle in Britain (and I can quite believe it!!!) and it has been investigated on television and radio...

The Great Hall has a typical stone flagged floor, tapestries, armour, weapons and the antlers of deer and wild cattle just as in former times It has a rare and surviving quality of those courtly days.

I just adored this chair..........

The castle had collections of various items including these mannequins - very strange????

The James 1st Room, named after the King’s Royal visit to Chillingham in 1603, is one of a suite of three rooms built specially for the future King. It is famous for its Elizabethan ceiling with the gilded ribbing and very finely moulded pendants.

And some of the items on display were fabulous....... look at these gauntlets - so bold but yet intricate.

A collection of rocking horses - I wonder who had the wonderful opportunity of riding the one at the right hand side of the picture. This one was my favourite.

We had lunch at Chillingham which was lovely too. This is the cafe which looks out on to the courtyard. It was very atmospheric and had a huge fire merrily blazing away whilst we ate!

The gardens were beautiful too....

This gentlemen almost looked real!

And finally..... the torture chamber. This was a little gruesome but we decided to have a look round and I took some photographs.

When I looked through my pictures I came across this one.............

Can you see the shadow on the curved ceiling.... I just cannot see what or who the shape relates to!!! Can you?? There is definitely a hand there - can you see it???

I can also see a young man's face just at the top right of the gibbet (cage)! This isn't as clear.

All in all, Chillingham castle was fantastic (and photographs were allowed!). It was totally unique and definitely had something for everyone. Needless to say, if you are ever at a loose end and in the North of England head to Chillingham!

JOLLY HOLIDAYS

Last week was half term and we booked a superb cottage in the coastal village of Beadnell in rural Northumberland. Beadnell isn't far from one of my favourite spots - Holy Island.

Holy Island is a tidal island which is accessed by a paved causeway. The North Sea covers the causeway twice a day so you have to check the tide timetables to make sure crossing the causeway is safe. The timetable varies considerably and over the years many vistors have been caught out by the fast approaching North Sea.

The views across the causeway on the way back to the mainland were superb - quite eerie!

Beadnell was a superb location too. Peter had a great time on the beach and many of Northumberland's finest castles were within a short distance - Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, Dunstanborough Castle, Chillingham Castle, to name but a few!

My parents bought me a fabulous camera for my birthday in March and I haven't really had a chance to try out the hidden extras so quite a bit experimentation with settings, etc went on whilst at Beadnell!

If you like the quiet life and breathtaking views of coast and countryside, Northumberland is definitely the place to go!

I love these photographs of the worn paint on the boats in the harbour - the colours are amazing!

I have so many photographs to show you - especially from our visit to Chillingham castle - the most weird and wonderful castle I have ever visited - and Alnwick Castle and it's amazing tree house; but I think I will leave those for my next post!

CROCHET MASTERCLASS

I love crochet and dabble every now and again but Elin Thomas' work is unbelievably beautiful!! The attention to detail and incorporation of buttons, beads, etc has to be seen to be believed.

Elin specialises in extremely neat, small crochet using size 20 threads and 1.00 crochet hook.

I love the colours in this ring - definitely eye-catching!

I adore this necklace - it would co-ordinate with so many items in my wardrobe!

This cuff is beautiful - precise stitching, beautifully finished and a handmade polymer clay bead to complete the look. What more can you want to jazz up that little black dress!

All of these items are currently for sale in Elin's etsy shop but be quick as there is only one of each.

AUTUMN SCARVES

I have been working on some new projects including some bright autumn scarves with co-ordinating brooches. They will brighten up any outfit and make a unique christmas present.

I have these two listed in my e-bay shop at the moment but hope to add some more colour combinations soon.

PRESENTING 'VINTAGE BOUQUET' BROOCHES - CHRISTMAS GIFTS?

I cannot believe how quickly these 'vintage bouquet' brooches are being snapped up. You'll be happy to know I am busy making some more and will list them in my shops as soon as I have embroidered them. I think they look so much nicer on the Applique Originals cards (thank you Jane and David) and make a perfect Christmas gift for the 'girl who has everything'.

I am hoping to list some new items in time for Christmas - brooches with co-ordinating hair clips, leather appliqued bags, pendants with matching sterling silver earrings (so cute) and some gorgeous bag/brooch sets.

I have had some orders to fulfil for several galleries/shops over the last couple of weeks so have not stocked my shops with as many items as I'd hoped for. However, fingers crossed there is light at the end of the tunnel and I will be stocking up very soon!

SINGIN' HINNIES

Singin' Hinnies - one of my favourite scones and a North Eastern (England) delight. Singin' Hinnies get their name from the fact that they are so rich that they sing and sizzle while they cook. I've tried several recipes for these scones but this one certainly is the best to date.

Usually the scones are cooked in a pan but these are cooked in the oven.

Ingredients

25oz (700g) self raising flour

8oz (215g) margarine

4oz (115g) caster sugar

1/2 pt milk

8oz (230g) currants

Rub flour and margarine together in a bowl until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar and currants and then add milk until you get a soft dough. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut out approximately twelve large rounds and place on a greased baking tray. Bake at Gas 4, 180 C or 350 F. After 7 minutes turn and flatten the rising Hinnie. Cook for a further 7 minutes until golden brown.

Serve warm with butter!!!