A Wonderful Weekend at Hope & Elvis

Here are finally some impressions from the Gentlework workshop at Hope & Elvis in Nottingham-shire.

The travel on a Friday afternoon around the M25 and then up the M1 was as foreseen, very dense. I stopped quickly in Cambridge for to get EG's birthday gifts before shops closed and to have a look around the town. Very lively and lots of young people around, plenty of bicycles also, like in Bristol. There were even many of those parked bicycles which were not secured :-O! 

Arriving at my B&B (recommended by Louise from Hope & Elvis) I had a very warm welcome and was delighted to discover a four poster bed in my room. Everything was perfect and next morning's breakfast fulfilled every desire of a cooked full English breakfast.

the main house

the rooms

the ford

the B&B cat

cute doorknob 

Everything quintessential English at Browns Holbeck - well deserved 5 stars B&B.

Saturday was a fine day in the Welbeck Estate where the workshop was held. To my delight, there was not only the studio but also a fine garden center and a farm shop. All I needed in the closest distance!

Here are some impressions from the workshop but there are other pictures from ladies who attended, as well:

Gentlework workshop

Gentlework workshop

Christine had brought plenty of her items to show, explain and inspire

I am so pleased to know now how a feather is sewed on to the fabric

or how all the lovely details become centerpieces

the lady next to me made dainty little blooms like shown here

we all had a wrapped gift and inside were items to be used, if wanted

How beautiful these lasting flowers are

keepsakes- I have plenty of collars who wait to be put in evidence like that

one of my all-time favourite 'pages' of her rolled fabric book

every of her creation has so many details to be studied in detail

Lovely Louise

Gentle Christine

I feel so privileged to have been able to meet them and spend all these fabulous hours in their company.

all these busy hands

and the ladies themselves all so showing their creativity! This is a part of a handbag I saw

the table to seek for treasures to be used

all for to be chosen from

even the table decoration was one of a kind

There was the most delicious lunch being brought in and fine cake was also served - even the catering was creative and one of a kind!

Here are some of the creations which were done on the day:

Christine gave me permission to make pictures of her own clever garment- every detail is fabulous!
A vintage apron, probably a nurse's, she added the straps and gave it her personal, so unique hand stitched stamps:

The last picture shows the rear, underneath was the most perfectly matching lace dress.
And I loved all the stylish bits she wore with it - even in her hair were vintage buttons :-)

Sunday, I had to leave after another 2 wonderful hours in this unique environment to catch the ferry at Dover. Before leaving,  I took pictures of the most photographed place in the studio:  the legendary Hope & Elvis toilet. I have to share the pictures because this place also touched my heart.

on the toilet roll holder hung the most beautiful little book - a book about friendship

Inside on the first page was hand written: Me too, I want to be your friend. Tante Lotte Ludwigsburg 1964

Ludwigsburg is the town where I was born....

The travel back was a real challenge, heavy rain all way down South. The ferry had more than an hour of delay due to bad weather conditions. Eventually, we boarded but the journey was nearly 2 1/2 hours, 1 hour longer than usual. Easter holiday had started and the ferry was full. The sea was very rough and plenty of people (a part the Brits and those who are married to them) went seasick. It took me 12 hours of travel before I got home but it was worthwhile every effort!

Next day, EG complained that his British milk I got from the farm shop had gone sour -----too much of rough sea for it, as well. I so hope there was no dog on board that ferry.
The next Gentlework workshop will be in July in Tenterden, Kent, where I would have loved to go and it is just a hop over the channel but - hélas - cette une date très importante dans les Vosges que je ne peux manquer.

But on 19th September, there is a workshop held in-----


Montgomery- Wales

I shall be trying to make it and who knows? Perhaps there will be another encounter with lovely ladies I have met here

On The Road Again

Our last travel to Bristol gave us the opportunity to stop for a visit in Wisley Gardens.

EG had never been before and it was cool enough and we found a shady space in the (very crowded) car park because the dog had to wait there.

Signs of early spring and glorious sunshine let us enjoy the visit to the utmost.

Camelias, Daphnes and lots of little Iris were out. 

witchhazel

Daphne

witchhazel, daffodils and winter aconites 

We then entered the big greenhouse where the butterfly exhibition was advertised but the waiting time was indicated with 45 minutes - we would have skipped it.

But when we arrived to the butterfly glasshouse entry, the queue was only 10 minutes long and we decided to wait. Not even one minute later, we could enter - it is always a limited number of people admitted to view the butterflies.

beautiful medinillas

butterfly-like callistemons

real biotops for all the wonderful butterflies

they adored the fruit plates which were scattered around

bromeliaceae

my camera lens got immediately steamed-up and I had to put it for a few moments close to the sunlight to warm it up

if they were not still, it was very difficult to 'catch' them

isn't nature the most beautiful creator?

I think this is also a tillandsia type

those 'beards' will always remember me the real Bayous in Louisiana

it seemed as if all the flowers were in direct competition to the butterflies

We were so happy to not have missed these wonders.

Further outside we could admire all the little spring flowers.

some different iris came with us from the shop

some snowdrops came with us 'in the green' as well

Due to the sunshine, the bees were out

the alpines were under glass

I first thought that this was an ant hill

From Bristol we went next day to the Vintage Jumble Sale in Box where all of us found something nice to buy and then we went to the closely Bradford on Avon - since  a long time on top of my wishlist. 

what dilemma for to decide about the haircut - I think my brother-in-law  would sign it ;-)

The weather was not as good as the day before and when it started to rain, we decided to enter the pub:

The DANDY LION

Great place, fine food, lovely refreshments,  a good time was had by all.

Right now, I count down the hours to leave for the UK again. Nottinghamshire will be my destination. OH JOY, another workshop of Gentlework!

So much looking forward to visit an area in the UK I have never been to and to discover the place where Hope & Elvis is situated.

The Nikon will come this time and I hope to be able to show a lot of this very special weekend then.