Cattapilla Dreaming

I’ve washed and ironed and sewn and ironed again and folded and packed and labeled and priced and I think I’m ready!  Tomorrow we’ll load the van, pack some clean clothes, I’ll find some make-up and on Monday we’ll head for London.  Horace is booked into kennels, Rosie and Hercules are being minded by our cat loving neighbours ( thank you Mary! ) and whatever I’ve forgotton, it’ll be too late by the time we drive onto the Bere Island Ferry and head for Rosslare!

A real treat today -  the sun shone and it was warm.  So I spent time in the garden, soaking in the glory of this place and trying to inhale as much of it as possible.  I enjoy our trips to London but I miss the place so much.  So what joy to see such wonderful sights to carry with me. 

And the first bumble bee woke up this afternoon and sleepily buzzed around the Rosemary flowers.  So all’s well!

I’m looking forward to seeing customers old and new at the Country Living Magazine Spring Fair.  But in case you can’t make it please note that I will be able to take orders but not to despatch until I return.  And if you need to speak to me then don’t hesitate to call on 00353 861774657 or email me on this new address –  harriet56@ovi.com.

There’s a strong tradition in this area to burn gorse in the fields.  There are reasons for and against but after 1st March it is not allowed.  This is to protect wildlife at a vulnerable time.  Yet people persist in it and on Wednesday a fire very close to us got out of control, leapt across the road and into a field too close to a house. No structural damage was done but  the blackened vegetation is sad to see and the air is filled with the smell of burning.

On a more cheerful note, I  bought some lovely locally made soap the other day  and chose, from a large selection, patchouli.  What a blast from the past!  Takes me back 30, 40 years -  frightening -   to  gentle rose tinted memories of Iron Butterfly, Santana, The Stones, Judy Collins et al!!!  Long flowing skirts, cheesecloth, hot summers, freedom!  What a long time ago and what a wonderful smell.  I find myself washing my hands often, scenting my workroom with memories.

And the Heleborus argutifolius – the Corsican one – is flowering and in the heat of the sun room (in another favourite vase!) is giving off the scent of toast.  Very odd!  But an improvement on the smell of ash.

Headed off to County Kerry the other day to make a marmalade delivery and have a day out.  Left Kenmare and climbed up through the Kerry hills to Molls Gap, an isolated spot  and at this time of year free of coaches and cars.  Our destination was Avoca, a well known Irish shop and cafe.  But sadly not open yet so could only imagine the shop filled with soft vibrant woollen throws and rugs together with bright stylish clothes;  and I had already decided on my choice of salads to eat upstairs whilest gazing across the snow capped mountains.  That treat will have to wait!

But it was worth the drive as the day was clear and sunny and the deep blue sky was full of vapour trails, as if the planes had just come out of hibernation and were playing like birds catching the thermals

Back home I found  the stunning Iris reticulata finally in flower.  Which prompted me to find my favourite vases and give them a clean.  And so for the first time I used the Magic Balls!  These come from one of my favourite shops, Lakeland , and are tiny copper coloured balls that clean those impossible places like the inside of narrow vases that always get grubby.  I bought them ages ago knowing they’d be useful one day and they certainly were.  The two bubble vases I have are so good for displaying a single stem.  I have no idea where they came from, probably a charity shop, or anything about where they were made and when.

Back to the flower.  Irises are some of my favourite flowers and their perfection always surprises me.  The reticulata, so named for it’s net  like bulb surround, is normally in flower in early February so is a welcome sight.  I love the deep rich purply-blue with it’s splashes of yellow and white on the falls and it’s delicate sweet scent.  Back in 1937,  Vita Sackville -West encouraged  ’every flower-lover to grow a patch of the little reticulata somewhere in their garden’ and, as always, she was spot on.

I think spring may be on it’s way!

The air is still cold but the sun is warm, the sky is blue, the daffodils and primroses are coming out and there’s a soft haze over the sea.

I lay in bed this morning listening to a thrush singing loudly from the top of a tree and the fir trees are buzzing with nest building finches and bluetits.  I thought the frogs had returned to the undergrowth after filling the pond with frogspawn but this morning they were at it again.  The pond was heaving with croaking, mating frogs and the noise could be heard in the house!

People must be beginning to emerge from the long winter hibernation as shops are starting to order my marmalades again.  If you’re in the area  JAM  in Kenmare, a lovely place for lunch, stocks them along with a great deli in Castletownbere, TASTE, and THE STUFFED OLIVE, another foodies delight, in Bantry.

Cattapilla Designs Vintage Print Summer Bags are beginning to sell well again and there’s interest in the Country Living Spring Fair.  I get the feeling that we’re all heartily sick of the winter and that it’s time to celebrate it’s end.  I’m tempted to get outside and plant onion sets and potatoes as the days are now warm but the nights still bring clear cold skies so I shall have to be patient.  Wandering around the garden  looking for signs of growth - and they are there, just difficult to spot – I spied flowers on the twisted hazel.  From any distance hazel flowers are invisible, the catkins alone catching the eye, but on close inspection tiny, Schiaparelli pink flowers can be seen.  Magical.

 I have just discovered a terrific blog.  Many of you will already know of it but it’s passed me by until now.  www.yarnstorm.blogs.com  is the creation of Jane Brocket and it’s beautiful and inspirational.  Jane featured one of my Vintage Print Summer Bags on there earlier this week so of course she’s already a great favourite!

Dogwood, Willow and a Black & White Cat!

It may not feel like spring quite yet but it is the 1st March – happy St David’s Day to all you fellow Welsh out there -  and preparations for the Spring Fair are well under way.  It is held at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London from 24 until 28 March.  You can get a sneak preview of all exhibitors and lots of information at www.countrylivingfair.com

Cattapilla Designs stand R3 is downstairs this year in the Village Green area, just inside the main entrance.

I have found some wonderful different vintage prints for Vintage Print Summer Bags and Vintage Print Cushions.

And I’m very excited about my new ranges

Vintage Print Shower Caps and matching Wash Bags

and a new take on a traditional design

Vintage Print Peg Pinnies

I shall of course have all my ranges of Gorgeous Bags, Antique Sampler and Embroidery Cushions, Gorgeous Wool Cushions,  Reversible Shopping Bags, Vintage Mantlepiece Runners, Lavender Bags and Tea Cosies plus a few surprises!

As always, cash or cheque payments only please and free delivery on all orders placed at the show.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Antique Embroidery Cushion Bowl of Roses