Just splashing around

Labrador enjoying the sea

I had to add such a lovely photo to the blog. This labrador was thoroughly enjoying body surfing the waves the other day. The wind and the sea were cold but the enjoyment was worth it. His antics were fun to watch as he dashed to and fro, searching for stones and sticks that landed just beyond the breaking point of the waves. He would leap in, jumping over the bubbling lava of water, and then lay on his belly to be washed back to shore. We watched him bouncing around for about half an hour.

xx

Milford Designs is evolving

I start with an apology. The reason you have not been able to see this site for the last few days is that the server was moving and it took longer than we thought.

It was lovely to meet regular customers this last weekend at events in Lymington and Lyndhurst and a big welcome to new customers as well - especially the lovely lady from Preston, I hope you enjoy the silver pendant!

As the title says, Milford Designs is evolving . We now have a range of handmade earrings, made with vintage and antique beads, on sterling silver, silver plate or low nickel - new photos of the jewellery will be arriving soon. It is called the Mabel Maria Collection.

We are also playing around with the idea of producing a range of bridal jewellery consisting of freshwater pearls and select sterling silver pieces.

See you all soon  xx

The Mabel Maria Collection

I have spent the whole of today designing a new set of earrings using the antique beads from my mother’s collection. I really enjoyed matching colours, styles, sizes to each other and then was I going to make them for pierced ears or not?
Many people have pierced ears today but several of my clients do not and they complain that they can never find earrings that they would wear. So I have made some earrings for pierced ears and some for not. I’m going to be using clips and screw fittings as well as hooks.
I can guarantee that these earrings are definitely one-off as each one is made with different beads.
When making all these new styles I did think maybe I ought to make myself a set - so I teamed round pink pearls with crystal and pearl drops - and no I don’t have pierced ears either……..
If you are interested in any of the earrings or want a pair made to your design (if I have the beads available), they will be retailing from £8.50 each - depending on the age of the beads and the metal used.

Buttons and Beads

One thing I inherited from my mother was her love of buttons and beads, roses and everything pink.

Way back in the 1930’s mother trained as a dressmaker and, when I was growing up, all my clothes were handmade by her. In later life she made gorgeous necklaces using glass beads, crystals and shells.

She passed away last year and now I am left with a vast collection of antique lace, ribbons, buttons and beads.
I am playing around with the idea of making a specially designed collection of earrings, using the most stunning pieces, and calling it the ‘Mabel Maria’ collection (after my mother).
The ribbons and lace will decorate patchwork quilts, aprons and scarves.
Any other suggestions gratefully received……………

Spring in the forest

Dawn at Marlpit

It revives the soul to wake up, on a sunny morning in Spring, and watch the first mists of dawn condense in the golden light. This photo was taken in the area known as Marlpit near Brockenhurst. The sun was just rising behind the holly tree and the expanse of gorseland was shrouded in mist.
The photo was taken on a Canon 40D.

Kingston Lacey

Kingston Lacey

Kingston Lacey is just my most favourite National Trust house. The grounds are just stunning and the restaurant is in what was once the stables - so you have a cream tea next to the mangers - wonderful.
In January the grounds are awash with Snowdrops and in the Summer there are craft fairs and childrens’ events.
I love the decorations in stately homes - they were flamboyant in their use of colours, patterns and textiles - something which I aspire to.

Pebbles

When I first got a cat I knew she would be company but her personality has taken over our house so that we do feel like her servants sometimes. This morning I put my deckchair in the garden and went to get my coffee. I have this little routine at this time of year - I put a sleeping bag in my chair and wrap myself warmly in it if the weather is chilly. Of course when I came back Pebbles was already ensconced in the middle of the sleeping bag.

I didn’t have the heart to move her so I pushed her over slightly and we were both sitting on the deckchair side by side - she was comfortable- I wasn’t!

I’ve been replanting daffodils this week. I had a bucketful of daffodil bulbs given to me and I am trying to find places where they will look nice next year. Unfortunately daffodils look rather sorry for themselves when they are replanted. Hopefully next year the garden will look wonderful with a sea of bright yellow ‘beneath the trees fluttering and dancing in the breeze’ (William Wordsworth)

http://www.online-literature.com/wordsworth/514/

The trouble is Pebbles likes to make ‘her mark’ on any new garden features so not only do the daffodils have to put up with me transplanting them they also have to deal with cat approval - oh well it will be survival of the fittest.

Spring

I see that the celandines are just peeping their yellow heads out from under the new leaves on the bank by the village green and in the village churchyard the purple crocuses and primroses are making a gorgeous patchwork of colour in purple and yellow.

The purple crocuses were planted there by a vicar many, many years ago and they were to flower just as the purple of the Easter cloths were put on the altar - what a wonderful idea! Now the crocuses have spread and the churchyard is awash with the lovely purple carpet.
This morning was the first time I felt able to have breakfast outside; the sun was deliciously warm enough despite a cool breeze.

Collared Doves

The birds were waiting in the trees for their morning feast and the pretty grey collared dove, without his usual partner, is still watching me write this. The bossy blackbird was trying to chase the smaller birds (blue-tits, Rufus the Robin and dunnocks) away from his patch whilst all the time eyeing my cat Pebbles who was enjoying the sun’s rays sitting at my feet.
Pebbles has a love/hate relationship with birds - they are OK as long as they stay far enough away, but if they come near she runs off! Mice are a different matter altogether!
I’m going to sort some pink jewellery and handbags now as I have a window display in the village newsagents this week which is getting ready for Mothering Sunday - don’t forget 22nd March this year. Take care of yourselves.

Welcome

Setting up a new business in this current economic climate is probably not the wisest of choices but, as the green shoots of Spring begin to appear on our bare Winter trees, the small seed of an idea, about setting up a rural business, is now beginning to flourish in this tranquil part of England.

As I look out at the new life in my garden the birds are already starting to think about making nests and they are always hungry.

My local friendly Robin, who I have named Rufus, has been for food four times this morning. Meanwhile the crows are cawing in the 150 year old Oak tree nearby.

The hum of a Bumble Bee floating by on the gentle breeze is like a Spring song.

Wherever you are - welcome to life in the ancient New Forest.