Fun in May!

May is such a busy month for me that it goes with in a blink of an eye. Exhibiting in the Brighton Open House zaps all my energy and at the end of May I question whether I had seen any of it. Well this year I made an effort.

I decided to take a couple of afternoons off from being at the Open House and actually get out of Brighton and visit a few of the out of town ones.

These pics are from a fantastic venue, The Handmade House in Ditchling. Every item in the house is a piece of artwork ready to be purchased, gazed at and drooled over. There is a little trail in the garden (more like vast acres!, jealous...oh yes!) with strange , weird and wonderful sculptures.

Of course you have to stop for tea and CAKE! MMmmmmmm my fav, cooked cheesecake!

After refreshments were had, we ventured fourth to the John Skelton studios in Streat. What a wonderful place. Jo Sweeting who was one of Johns apprentice has her work here and also teaches classes. I bought Mr Sew Recycled a course in stone carving for his birthday this month and he is loving every minute of it, he comes home cuddling his stone!

These sculptures are in the garden, some were carved in situ as we found out from one of his old apprentice. She said that she remembered when John was alive that in the winter they would put Vaseline on their hands, load up the wheelbarrow with a flask and tools and head off to the garden to work on a piece.... mad and amazing!

My father many years ago used to do a lot of carpentry work on the house and studio, he fondly talks of his little jobs there and its great to see evidence of my fathers craft in such a beautiful place.

Where did this little gate lead to, Mr McGregors garden?

If only this was smell -a-blog! I love old roses, the scent was beautiful.

Well you know Kim and I went to see Anish Kapoors C Curve the other day, I took the boys and Mr SewRecycled to see it the other evening.

Such a contrast to the daytime pics.....

The atmosphere was very lovely too, we took a blanket and a flask of hot chocolate, many people were there with bottles of wine and simply taking the whole experience in.....

We stayed and watched the sun go down.........

As we walked back down the hill the sculpture took on a whole new identity....... the boys were convinced aliens had landed!

Now all you keen gardeners have been showing off their gorgeous poppies, well take a look at these!

They are huge, bigger than my two hands cupped together,

The centers are really amazing as well........

Imagine being a busy little bee in this huge pollen world.............................


Today we heard on the grapevine that there was an Open House opening for an extra week, so with maps and crayons (in a fine crayon wrap if I might say so!) and tummy's ready for cakes we st of to The Old Forge in South Heighton.

If you love views, great art, sculptures and gardens go go go and see this place

The lounge has this massive window which just makes your jaw drop at the view, the picture below does not do it justice!

Amongst the various little garden hideaways were sculptures and perfect little places to have tea and cake......

In one section even the chickens have a beautiful place to call home, look at the roof!
Christian Funnell is so talented, each roof tile is a unique metal scallop shell, I wouldn't mind having a little roost in there!

Oh look, another place to sit and munch on a homemade scone WITH clotted cream! (A very happy Mr Sew Recycled!)

An image straight out of Country Living!

So, hope you have enjoyed my May, I have certainly! Bring on June!