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.