Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Picnic Soiree


Our next day found us working on our puppets, sewing all the outfits by hand. Each puppet developed a personality as we created their clothing and embellishments and thought about the story they would tell.


For our evening meal a special adventure was planned for us. A visit to a small village with a picturesque pub and cafe for aperitifs.


With a lovely view of the valley below.


We then hopped into our awaiting cars for a ride to our "picnic soiree" at the lovely home of our hosts friends.


A beautiful table was set outside...


and two more inside....


while our host barbequed butterflied chicken to perfection.


We had some time to enjoy the home and gardens before it began to sprinkle, then rain, and then the biggest hail stones we had ever seen! A mad rush inside with food and table settings and all was well.


We had a most delightful dinner inside the centuries old farmhouse. Denise was one of my table mates. Had to get a photo of her with the wire sculpture "ears" behind her! After all she is Grrl + dog!
Had so much fun getting to know her and sitting and stitching in the evening hours in the Barn. I had always enjoyed reading her blog adventures through the years and one of my first memories of her adventures was her courageous yarmbombing of statues in her native Australia. Then of course I love her fabric creatures with words stitched on them and her papier mache too.


A bit of Denise's banner work-love those fabrics and her silk screen in the center.
We headed off for our "home" after the best dinner and delicious dessert, a fruit tart, to prepare for another day of art and adventure.

8 comments:

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Oh all so fabulous, that kitchen is a weeper. Could a day get any more perfect?xx

Pixie said...

OH Mary these posts just bring such joy to my life at the moment.....and i am so in love with your header picture, what a great puppet, i would dearly love to have a go at making one myself, these posts i have re-read over and over....thank you for sharing such wonderous times.
x x x

Tammy Burks said...

Wow! Your trip is looking like the things that magazines are made of...so beautiful!

Mary Stanley said...

thanks, all...so happy to share these memories with you. Feels a bit like a dream to me now...

Hazel Terry said...

You are having a wonderful time :D It looks amazing!

Marie said...

Love your new banner with the puppet and bunny and bunting! This trip seems like it was packed with so much fun and charm. Thanks for sharing xo <3

Gaëlle said...

Hi I'm new to your blog.I'm french and i misanderstood your comment and understood that you stayed in UK but looking at your pictures your brocante the house you stay in the sceneries,I thought: It looks like France...
Would you tell me the secret story,how to meet this wonderful teacher in my country.my friends and I are very interested.
have fun enjoy your stay with your friends learn many
bises=XOXO in french

Mary Stanley said...

Gaelle, We were in South western France for our workshop with Brit Julie Arkell. visit:" Les Soeurs Anglaises "to sign up for next years workshop. Julie also teaches in the UK at Loop, and West Dean college. If you can check out the previous posts on my blog for more explanations.xxoo