Autumn Notes: Harvesting, Huts & Corfu

Published: Sun, 09/22/24

Updated: Mon, 09/23/24

Hi ,

September brings the equinox and the turning of the year. The nights are now longer than the days and the dawn comes later, so there's no longer any rush to let the chickens out early when they wake at daybreak. The garden too is changing, falling back in upon itself, softly and gently preparing for its winter sleep.

I'm busy gathering my autumn harvest.... squashes, courgettes, onions and shallots. The beetroots, carrots, leeks and cabbages can remain in the ground but will all be eaten by Christmas I think, after which we will have to rely on our local farm shop for provisions. But still, I have planted more perpetual spinach, onions and garlic to over winter, and have bags of cheerful spring bulbs to plant - I always think you can never have too many daffodils to bring a little sunshine-y cheer to the often cold grey days of March.

It's been a busy summer here at Station House - our first summer of opening the Shepherd's Huts, Rhubarb and Custard. It's been a steep learning curve for us as we'd never done anything like this before - the amount of laundry was definitely something I hadn't really thought about. But on the whole, it's also been a lot of fun as we've met some lovely people including a number of "Bustle and Sew-ers" (who it was specially lovely to meet!).

Still, it felt as though it was time for a rest so a couple of weeks ago we packed our bags and, leaving Station House and all its occupants, both furry and feathered, in capable hands, headed off to sunnier climes.

We stayed at the most beautiful waterfront property (through Airbnb of course!) called the Angel House on the east coast of Corfu. The pictures above were all taken from our patio from which we could swim directly. We chilled, swam, enjoyed simple Corfiot food - olives, rustic bread, marvellous fruit and vegetables and local wine too of course! But I didn't forget to take my sewing with me, and spent the mornings working on a couple of projects for the October magazine.....

There are two little fox terriers waiting for Santa Paws - lots of French knots which I really enjoy working though I know not everyone likes them. They also incorporate ghiordes (turkey) knot stitch, a variation of which I used for the fringes on the edge of the standing terrier's scarf. The Autumn still life uses mainly split stitch so is simpler to work. I will be taking "proper" photos of all the projects for the October issue now I'm back and will let you know full details before publication date on Thursday.

And finally, now I'm back all rested and refreshed, I'll be starting to send out the pre-orders for the pear pin cushion kit (image above) with a little help from teenage step-granddaughter's nimble fingers too! So if you've ordered a kit thank you for your patience, and there isn't too much longer to wait now.

If you'd like to order and haven't yet done so then please just CLICK HERE to visit my Etsy shop and check stock availability. (note, both the pear pin cushion and wheel of the year kits will be sent out a lot sooner than the dates on Etsy suggest - I haven't quite got around to amending them yet).

Until next time, very best wishes from us all here at Bustle & Sew HQ,

Helen x

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I also include lots of other articles and features – seasonal recipes, nature notes, craft ideas, poetry corner and much more besides that combine to make this a totally unique publication!

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Station House
West Cranmore
Shepton Mallet Somerset BA4 4QP
UNITED KINGDOM

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