Thursday 25 February 2010
Pashley Cycles have been hand building British bicycles in Stratford-Upon-Avon since 1926, and have named their new special edition model the ‘Britannia’ to reflect their pride in British manufacturing. The vintage styled Britannia cycle is based on their popular Pashley Princess and features a hand built frame, a traditional wicker basket and comes in a choice of red, white or blue. What better excuse do you need to leave the car behind and set out on one of these gleaming eco-friendly beauties instead? Find out more at www.Pashley.co.uk.
Saturday 20 February 2010
I do love a happy coincidence. Yesterday I slipped off for a spot of half term fun by taking my son to the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood. By a strange twist of fate which involved a small voice from the back of the car saying ‘mummy I need a wee RIGHT NOW!’ I took the next turning left and found myself parked outside Prick Your Finger, a fascinating haberdashery shop and textiles gallery which specialises in British wools and yarns.
Did you know that there are over 60 indigenous breeds of sheep in the British Isles? It was news to me. Owners Louise Harries and Rachael Matthews, who originally hail from the sheep farming areas of Wales and the Lake District, explained how they work with one of the last remaining British mills to create their own range of yarns, as well as offering a wide variety from British and rare breed sheep.
In this treasure trove of a shop you’ll find thick waxy ropes of wool from the seaweed-eating Ronaldsay sheep from the south Orkneys, Romney wool from the sheep which graze on Romney Marsh in Kent, and Herdwick wool from the hardy breed indigenous to the Lake District, as well as Swaledale, Wensleydale, British Alpaca and Cornish Organic, to name just a few.
You can catch up with Prick Your Finger at the Stanley Picker Gallery at Kingston University from 16-20th March, where they will be constructing the world’s first bicycle powered wool mill, turning unwanted sheep fleeces from within the M25 into a range of seductive yarns. Definitely one for the diary!
This year sees iconic ceramics brand Portmeirion Potteries celebrate its 50th birthday. To mark its half century, the company has launched a collection of limited edition products, all made in Stoke On Trent, and inspired by its best loved designs from the past.
My favourite has to be this Magic Garden Graphite Coffee Pot, which is a limited edition of just 500 pieces. Inspired by a pencil sketch for the original 1970 Magic Garden design by founder Susan Williams-Ellis, and featuring the company’s classic cylindrical coffee pot shape, it looks as good today as it did back then. See the rest of the Portmeirion Originals Collection at www.portmeirion.co.uk.
Thursday 11 February 2010
If you’re looking for a last minute valentine’s gift (or want to send a hint to someone else!) snap up this silver heart pendant from The Atlantic Blanket Company. I bought one of these for my mother’s 70th birthday last year and it arrived beautifully wrapped in tissue paper, trimmed with a ribbon and a seashell. They’re handmade in Cornwall and mum was thrilled to receive a gift that was made locally to where she lives.
As if you needed any more convincing, The Atlantic Blanket Company are also offering our readers an exclusive 15% discount for online orders placed by 14th February! Visit www.AtlanticBlankets.com and quote FBWL at the checkout.
What a lovely idea! Print your own valentine’s goodie bags, fill them with tasty home-made treats and present them to your loved one on Valentine’s day.
I spotted this on the blog of Have a Go Flo! whose fabric corsage making course we’re looking forward to doing in April (book now if you’d like to join us!). The valentine’s bag designs were created by Twig & Thistle and you can download the free files to print your own bags here for the Sweetie Bag, and here for the Brownie Bag.
Why not make the Chocolate Truffles recipe in our latest Course Notes feature, and pop them in the goodie bag for a truly homemade Valentine’s gift?
Wear your heart on your wall this Valentine’s Day with a pretty painted key cupboard from Tumble Home. Handmade in Devon by Angus Cumming and Sarah Farrow Jones, they feature an oak top, five sturdy key hooks, and can be painted in your choice of up to 12 Farrow & Ball colours. So, while you may well lose your heart this Valentine’s Day, you can be sure that you’ll never lose your keys again!
It’s competition time again! This month’s prize is a very special personalised print from The Day That…
Every morning, the photographers at The Day That get up to capture the dawn breaking over the Cornish coastline. These beautiful prints are then framed and personalised by hand to create a memorable gift to celebrate a day that’s special to you, such as the birth of a baby, a wedding or anniversary. For a unique and very personal Valentine’s Day gift, why not choose a print of dawn on the day you met, or the day you got married? Visit www.TheDayThat.co.uk to search for your memorable date and to buy online.
For the chance to win a personalised print of your special day, worth over £100, click here to enter.
