the circle of life

series 3 must be on soon, surely!

It's at this time of year that we most notice just how cyclical our life is here among the rolling hills of North Devon.  Whilst some people measure the passing of time using the gaps between series of Poldark, we are utterly beholden to the quarterly changes in the seasons.  

As we type, the fields are humming with new life - ewes and their tiny, wobbly lambs pepper the landscape like grounded clouds as sheep flocks double in the space of a few weeks, whilst underground the moles are busy tunnelling new kingdoms; their soil volcanoes popping up between the mothers and babies with surprising speed.

The evenings are noticeably drawing out too and there's a distinct shortening of the shadows as the sun stays higher for longer.  And, most importantly of all, the people are changing - we're all smiling more and there's an energy everywhere that is almost tangible; yes, some still look exhausted - it's a busy time in an agricultural community and long nights spent in the lambing sheds are the norm for many round here, but something's changed - the coming of spring and the new life it brings also brings hope and anticipation of the end to the harsh, cold, debilitating winter. 

And whilst we've been tucked up snugly in the workshop (relatively speaking - we do actually have at least 2 layers of down-filled clothing on each) we've been carrying out our spring resolutions.  Hilary redecorated the shop and has upcycled some lovely boudoir furniture adding a luxurious touch to our displays.  (We're also very lucky to have been lent a couple of fabulous paintings by the award-winning Tony Williams which look great against the freshly painted walls).   

Meanwhile, Susan spotted a couple of beautiful mannequins going for a song in a shop in Falmouth that was being refurbished and managed to get them and the kids back to the car Chuckle Brothers-style (to me to you) without knocking over too many fellow pedestrians. 

All of this has energised us into a frenzy of creative activity - the sewing machines are working non-stop as Hilary magics up new bags and replenishes the shop with bright spring colours. 

And as for a new series of Poldark...fingers crossed!

brrrrrr!

Just like the lands at the top of the Magic Faraway Tree, the festive season has moved on and January has come around again.  

For some it's a time for introspection and self-improving resolutions (dry January anyone? Nope, nor us) and for others it's a time to look forward to the impending arrival of more sheep in the world (that'll be half the population of our bit of North Devon then).

And for those that are under 10 it's time to whip off wellies and paddle barefoot in the sea!

paddling with grandpa, Saunton Sands

However, as we write this an arctic blast is on its way so full sea immersion probably isn't on the cards for us any time soon.

Nope, we are absolutely, definitely not at all cold.

(Although we can't say the same for our musician friend Clare Mactaggart who is one of the 'Clevedon swimmers' currently appearing in a new BBC One ident).

Maybe George Ellis got it right when he wrote his poem The twelve months back in the 18th century (and it's not just the under 10s that hope he did if we're completely honest).

Snowy, Flowy, Blowy,
Showery, Flowery, Bowery,
Hoppy, Croppy, Droppy,
Breezy, Sneezy, Freezy.
George Ellis 1753-1815

Happy 2017 everyone!

photoshoot fun

We were delighted to be invited to join in a recent photoshoot with emerging talent from Plymouth College of Art's photography course.  The students had been set the task of taking the brief for, and then running, a commercial photo shoot based around a selection of different products.  Most of the photographs on our website are taken within 5 minutes' trotting distance of our workshop in Chulmleigh and we don't have access to studio backdrops or lighting, so it was exciting to pack up a selection of bags and send them off to the city with course tutor Gem Pope (an amazing photographer in her own right - you should see her degree show portfolio). 

As anyone who has flicked through a glossy fashion mag will realise, a fashion story image should be so much more than a 'nice' picture - it needs to reach out to its target audience and to affect them in some way (in our case they should be left thinking 'I love that aspirational handbag and I am powerless to resist').

Part of the process therefore, involved writing a brief for the students - putting into words what we wanted to see in the pictures.  

When faced with what is effectively a blank canvas and an oyster's worth of choice it takes a bit of thought - we decided that we would like a clean urban look (given that most of our local locations are muddy and rural). 

It was also a great opportunity to allow the students to come up with their own ideas, including choosing models, outfits and backdrops, allowing them to practice all aspects of a commercial shoot.

The result was a very professionial, quirky selection of studio images - thanks so much guys - hope it was great fun!  

...and in another studio across the corridor some of Susan's hats were being shot too - we LOVE the lighting on these - amazing!

it's bespoke week

The workshop's been busy with some exciting bespoke orders this week.  First there was the laptop bag with reinforced strap details that will be winging its way to an office in Bristol shortly (as modelled by the slightly bemused Josh who was working nearby until we accosted him with our camera).

Josh and his man-bag

And then there was the chef's knife-roll for Max.  We love this piece - elasticated sections for each knife in his collection with protective suede covers all rolled up in a gorgeous thick chestnut hide with brass buckles.  Yum! (and thanks go to chef Keith and his team at the Red Lion for allowing us to invade their kitchen just as they were prepping for the lunchtime service.  These arty types don't half pick their moments).

Yes chef!

And then right in the middle of all of this we turned on the TV to catch the news only to see Susan and Helen in a repeat of their Bargain Hunt performance.  

Mortifying. But very, very funny (for everyone else at least)!
  

aaaahhha ha ha ha!

it's been a while!

Yes, we know it's a cliché, but where has the summer gone?  It only seems like yesterday that we were filming Escape to the Country (to be broadcast soon - we'll keep you posted) but that was in May and a whole season has been and gone since then (not for nothing is our blog's sub-title 'our seasonal country life'). 

the best honey in the world - ever!

harvest part one

us with hangovers

the view from the start line at the Carfest Time Tunnel - screeeeam!

In the style of the Horrible Histories Kings & Queens song (but without the outfits and dancing unfortunately) we've had (deep breath): Exeter Craft Fair, harvest, a pop-up-pub, bees, camping 1, hangovers, Chulmleigh Old Fair (five days of fun which have happened every single year since 1253), more harvest, Chagford Show, (yep, you've guessed it) harvest again, camping 2, sunburn...pause for recovery...North Devon Show, camping 3, Carfest (yes, yes, nothing at all to do with our life here - or handbags - but it was amazing and Rick Astley's new album is spectacular and we got to ride in the Time Tunnel and everything) plus horse-rides, surfing, hedgerows, sunsets, proseccio (as my dad calls it), swallows and housemartins, barbecues, stars, stubble fields at dusk, owls, fallow deer at sunrise, warm summer rain, cars full of sand, ice creams, tired kids staying up late, a firepit and a chilled out play-list...our perfect North Devon summer.

BBC1's Escape to the Country comes to Chulmleigh

The sky is a clear Prussian blue and the greens in the hedges and trees are so bright that if you painted them you'd never believe the colours were true.  Birdsong is the soundtrack of the day and a cheeky spring breeze is tickling the leaves into a merry merengue.  It's one of those May days in Devon where the whole landscape comes alive and there's a depth to the beauty that takes your breath away.

the team arrives

If we didn't already live here we'd probably want to escape to the country.  Which is exactly what the lovely couple Sally and Colin who came to visit us today are planning to do (now they've finished making their purses).

The day started with a walk down to the river followed by a chat on the bridge.  

Hilary being wired up

The scenery really sold itself - the dappled water meandering through the theatre of the steep valley.  

After a brisk climb back up to Chulmleigh followed by tea and biscuits it was time for the practical as Hilary showed Sally and 

Colin how to make a beautiful purse each. 

Everyone had a lot of fun - and it turned out that Sally and Colin were absolute whizzes on Hilary's massive industrial machine.

and...action

All too soon the crew were packed up and ready to take the couple to see the three houses; one of which may become their new home in the not too distant future, fingers crossed.  

And we were left with a very tidy shop, homemade biscuits and some great memories.  

busy glueing

Life's always fun and a bit unexpected in this little corner of North Devon!

Rosamund's transatlantic adventure begins

Some might say if you're going to live in Devon, surely you'd choose to live in a bit near an edge - a watery edge; one with sand, seagulls, cliffs, waves etc.  It's a fair point, and one Susan's husband heard quite a lot shortly after he persuaded her to live on a farm as far away from the sea as it's possible to get in Devon six years ago.

But North Devon is one of those places full of hidden treasures both on the coast and inland, and the gorgeous rolling hills, meandering rivers, otters, kingfishers and acres of bridlepaths and woodland to explore right on your doorstep have a funny way of taking your mind off the lack of a sea view.

And then for those moments when you do miss the sea a bit you can either jump in the car to the coast (we know, we are very lucky), or, FAR more excitingly, talk to Rosamund about her trip next year SAILING ACROSS THE ATLANTIC!

multitasking!

Not only is Rosamund an unbelievable professional musician, Hilary's right-hand sewing elf and general good egg she is also a pretty nifty sailor and is involved with the Rona Sailing Project charity.  

This fantastic organisation teaches young people responsibility, resourcefulness and teamwork through the medium of sail-training and has changed the direction of many disadvantaged young people's lives for the better.  So next year Rosamund will be training young people and then crewing the Rona II as it takes part in the Transatlantic Tall Ships Race 2017.  Amazing.

Rosamund has kickstarted her fundraising by making 200 gorgeous leather sailing boat keyrings.

They're selling like hotcakes at £5 each, so if you'd like one before they all sail away, please visit her facebook page and say hello.  Or you can pop in and see us in our Chulmleigh workshop.

(Now, just where did we put our copy of the Howard's Way soundtrack...)