Sunday 17 March 2013

Chatsworth, Stash and Stitching :)

Hi every one :) please pull up a comfy chair , grab your cuppa and goodies ... you may want to make sure the kettle is filled ready for your next one ...lol this is gonna be a long post with lots of oooo and wow and gorgeous photos ... are you ready ??? then I shall begin heheheh............................................................

As I said last week DH and I escaped for a few days R&R to the wonderful "homesford Cottage" at Whatstandwell in Derbyshire, it is a gorgeous wee place and Julie is a wonderful hostess and does the most yummy breakfasts , we missed it the first time we went past  so had to ring up for instructions ... we were soooo busy looking at the scenery ... that's our excuse and we are sticking to it ..... just don't follow the sat nav it will take you to the place... but actually above it in the middle of nowhere hehehehe . The bed was soooo comfy I wanted to bring it home but Julie wouldn't let me *sigh ..... we got to meet Dillon and lettie as a special treat as they are normally not allowed in the guests part but she knew we were mad on poochies as we showed her Master Bentleys photos :) I must say that the service was second to none and the room was well stocked with teas and hot chocolate etc and home made cookies yummmmmm .... in fact Julie and her DH are opening up a tea room just opposite the cottage and I for one can't wait to go and sample the goodies once it is up and running :)
But I digress before we went to the cottage we bobbed into Bakewell as DH had never been and I had to let him sample the delights of the Lavender Tea Rooms .... Gillie and Denise I had a scone for you ;) before I subjected him to the Wye Needlecraft shop ..... well to be honest I was actually disappointed in it .... or it could be the fact that I have been spoilt with the Nimble Thimble and Harrogate but ..... there wasn't many GAST threads or CC ones or even WDW and my list was only tiny and I only managed to get about four of them and a couple of DMC that I was missing ... I dropped on the kreinik for Ally by sheer luck and managed to find the Plum Street Sampler chart "Christmas Tea " and that was hidden in a funny place ..... when I went to pay for my goodies I found the LHN chart Alphabet birdhouse I think it is ... just stuck in the section with pins n things .... *ho hum , don't think I will be going back there in a hurry ....

However I did find another wonderful shop after we had been to Chatsworth House on the Wednesday which I will tell you more about later heheheh .... 
Chatsworth well all I can say is we dropped on with the weather those few days .... it was lovely and sunny but cold but as we were wrapped up warm it didn't bother us ....
we arrived early and had a walk up to the stable blocks where they have a restaurant and some shops so we had a quick look round before going back down to the house and we were one of the first ones in that morning and it was lovely to be able to pootle round at our leisure .... well lets face it I can't rush anyways heheheheh .... sooo armed and dangerous with my new camera I took lots and lots and lots of photos .... somewhere around ermmmm 200+ mark hehehehe .... I promise you I won't show them all ... otherwise you will be here all night and a few more pots of tea later ....
There was sooooo much to look at around the house but one thing made me giggle was the fact of them putting teasels on the chairs so that you didn't sit down on the treasures ..... 
We looked at loads of paintings and artefacts and ooooo'd at the library as it was a wonderful room and also had a baby grand in there as well ... and it looked like someone had been practising before we came into the house ..lol
as well as admiring the bedrooms and state rooms before coming out of the house into the wonderful gardens .... you can tell how cold it was as there was still ice on the water and waterfalls ....  
soooo do you want to hear about the new stitching shop then ???? ...... better make another brew then hehehe ....
The shop is called White Peak Embroidery  and the best thing is it has a tea room attached for all those partners that go with you ;) and I went in and just went OOOOOOHHHHH and can I take some photos to show all of you and Ann the owner said yes and promptly put the kettle on for DH and I heheheh .... it is full to the brim with wonderful trims (colour of rick rack that I have never seen before) silk ribbons , silks and perles and fabric and threads and lots of goodies and yes I did come out with a wee stash haul  ... did you expect anything less hahahahahah ....  she also owns the patchwork shop just down the road which I just had a very quick peek round and got a couple of FQ's and a lovely pair of new scissors ....
I even managed to get some stitching done on Wednesday night on Dandy Dreams well you don't think I went away without anything to stitch on now did you ...lol 
My RAK to Lesleyanne arrived safely so I can show you that now and also my stitchers day exchange piece arrived while I was away and I just had to giggle at the sentiment on it .... 
As it was Hermitting weekend this weekend I have been busy working on Dandy Dreams by Silver creek Sampler some more , The North Wind by LHN and also the Friendship Blooms SAL with DJ by Blue Ribbon Designs....
sooo onto the photos ..... 
our gorgeous room

stash from Wye

robin at the cottage 

driving towards Chatsworth 

the stables where the shops were


see ice !!!

look at the roof detail 

just loved this statue

check out that roof

ouchie don't sit down

just loved this doorway

and this lamp ..lol

amazing details everywhere




want one of these ..lol

just look at the patchwork of colour stone

check out the cross stitched border

one of the many bedrooms

now this one looked comfy 

the libary

love the wee gallery 

any one for dinner 

close up of the settings


see that rood detail again same as before but guilded

atmospheric shot

loved this waterfall

view from the top of the waterfall looking down 

part of the gardens

amazing waterfall to the side of the house 

from the folly again 

White Peak Embroidery Tea Room

and the shop



and again

drooling here

and here 

and a wee bit of stash enhancement from both shops ..lol
progress as of today

and again

and I have finished all the branches now but not taken photo
stitchers day exchange from Jess ... how apt is that ..lol
                                             
Master Bentley so pleased to see us home he posed for the camera :)
soooo folks hope you have enjoyed the whistle stop tour of Chatsworth and beyond ..... I am looking forward to going back to the tea rooms  ..lol and we will go back to Chatsworth again but preferably when it is a wee bit warmer round the edges .... I am back at work again tomorrow so stitching progress may slow down a wee bit ....
so what ever you are doing this week take care and happy stitching until next time :) love mouse xxxxxx

47 comments:

Catherine said...

Just loved this post!! Thanks so much for sharing ~ I always love seeing pictures of places I may never get to visit!

Margaret said...

Loved seeing all the wonderful pics of Chatsworth -- gorgeous! Great stash too! Lovely stitching as well! Bentley is always so adorable....

Karen said...

What beautiful pictures! That's the way to live. Love your stitches too! happy stitching...

Gillie said...

The shop looks gorgeous! Glad you enjoyed the scone. Chats worth is one of the best looking houses, it really is.

Linda said...

Looks like you had a great time Mouse. I'm guessing the pics you showed of the "house" or castle or ?? were wonderful. Is this a historical building or home. Great new stash and that new shop looks awesome. Great progress on your stitchy pieces.

Linda

Peggy Lee said...

Can I squeeze in to a suitcase of yours next time? What a beautiful place!
Oh that shop is lovely.
Thanks for the tour.
:o)

CalamityJr said...

What a great getaway! All of us wish we'd been along!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Loved seeing all the photos of Chatsworth. I'd love to visit there one day. I know Bentley was happy to welcome you back home.

Southpaw Stitcher said...

What a wonderful post--loved traveling along with you! Great progress on your WIPs! And Bentley is the George Clooney of dogs, isn't he?

Beth said...

Your English Robin is so sweet - he makes our American Robin look like a big thug! Chatsworth - wow - can you imagine the staff need to run a place like that? Sounds as though you had a perfect mini-vacation.

Lesleyanne said...

Great post. Beautiful pictures from your trip. Looks like you had a fantastic time. Lovely new stash. Great stitching. Thank you again for my RAK.

Christine said...

I love Chatsworth, we used to visit often when we lived in Derbyshire. Great stash haul

Shirlee said...

Gorgeous photos ... thanks so much for sharing! Looks like you had the perfect getaway : )

Chris said...

Swoon! What a lovely post. I loved going on this getaway with you. Wonderful stitching progress too.

Sue said...

Loved the photos of Chatsworth House it's a while since we've been but I've a good excuse to go again now to check out the stitching shop...x

Nicola said...

Wye Needlecraft is a big let down, it used to be much better before it changed hands some years ago. I was in there the week before last while we were staying near Ashbourne for a couple of days, I saw a Just Nan chart that I wanted but wouldn't pay £14.50 when I knew that I could get it for £10 .79 + p&p from Sew and So. I came out, and not for the first time, empty handed. Thanks for the link to White Peak Embroidery and tea rooms. We actually get over that way for the odd afternoon so will call in sometime. It's about an hour or so's drive from us, as we live near Stafford. Chatsworth was closed when we were over there, but we went to the farm shop and had a lovely cream tea, expensive but so worth it!

Cath said...

Lovely stitching and great pics . Wye has gone downhill over the last few years. It used to be a lot better than it is now. I may have to persuade DH to take me to the other shop though ,lol.
XXX

Emma/Itzy said...

Lovely photos, I love Chatsworth it's just so beautiful. If I am ever over that way I will take a detour to the tea room hehe

Vickie said...

Oh thanks Mouse! I am feeling rather blue today, these lovely photos cheered me. Your new camera was well worth it!!
My favorite photo? Master Bentley. What a great shot of him.♥

Tricia T said...

Oooo... what a wonderful getaway! Stitching, tea, gorgeous views, and shops, too!! Sigh! Your stitching is coming along so nicely! I actually saw 4 robins yesterday - the first of the season for us with our inches of snow still on the ground. It's a nice thought, though, that spring might really be coming!

Hugs!
Tricia

Rhona said...

What a wonderful trip you had! Love all your pictures....and your new stash too.

Teresa said...

Sounds like a lovely little adventure. I would love to visit the tea room / shop.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Oh Mouse, I wish I could have been there too. That home looks amazing and the stitch shop is divine! Two of my favorite things, tea and stitching! It doesn't get much better than that. I'm glad you had a good time!

Michelle said...

Beautiful photos Mouse - real eye candy - that shop looked stunning. I was disappointed also with Wye Needlecraft x

Barb said...

I love seeing the photos of your trips! It is my little view of your world and it is quite beautiful and so full of history. Your stash is great and your projects are looking very good. Give Mr. Bentley a pat for me!

butterfly said...

Great Photo's thanks for sharing, Looks like you had a fab time, hugs.

Meari said...

What a great weekend. Beautiful places!!

Your stitching looks great, and nice stashing!

Ziggyeor said...

Oh I love your trip and all your beautiful findings too!

Kaisievic said...

Loved the tour of Chatsworth - would love to go there one day. Thanks also for showing us your visits to the embroidery shops and your new stash, too.

Julie said...

Such a lovely post, and beautiful piccies of Chatsworth, i really must visit again. I wonder if the new shop has opened due to people disappointed with Wye, i have heard lots say its gone downhill in recent years. Great stash haul.

Annette-California said...

WOW!!! I love what and how you take photos. Only a lady would think to photo the place setting on the table, lovely trims and ribbons and attention to close ups for all the beautiful details. oooooh Thank you so much. Great goodies you brought home:) Love seeing what you stitched since last time:) Pretty exchange you got from Jess too.
love Annette

dixiesamplar said...

What an awesome trip! Thanks for taking us along with you, and I love all your stash goodies.

The stitching is looking fabulous! And Master Bentley certainly is a handsome fella.

Ali said...

Yoo hoo, ooh just having a bloggy catch up!! Great post Derbyshire/Chatsworth are on my to go to list - hopefully this might be the year we get there, hmmm liking the idea of a bit of stash shopping too - lol. Hope you are well xxx

Jane said...

Love this post Mouse, really interesting and great photos.
Visited Chatsworth many many years ago, pre-children! but don't remember much of it, think I need to go back and maybe just pop to that gorgeous needlecraft shop whilst I'm there!!!
Your current projects are all really pretty, good work xxx

Maggee said...

What a wonderful post you sent us, sharing your trip to Chatsworth and such! Loved it! Great pictures! Thanks so much for sharing! Your North Wind project is coming along nicely, as is Dandy Dreams! Think both of those are in my stash...Gotta say the picture of the robin amazed me, as it is so different from our US robins! How very interesting! Give Master Bentley a nice big hug!

DJ said...

Ooooooh....aaaaaahhhhh....oh I'm definitely going to have to visit Merry Old England!! Loved seeing the beautiful pictures of Chatsworth!! Seriously, Mouse, these pictures could be in a souvenir book! The White Peak Embroidery and Tea Room looks like a place I could spend hours in! I wish we had a place like that around here. Somewhere you could drop in for a spot of tea and spend time stitching with friends. The wheels are turning! Your stitching is lovely too! Thank you for the lovely tour of your vacation, and I can understand the look on Bentley's face, I'm sure he missed you terribly! *Hugs*

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow no wonder you got distracted when driving there! Gorgeous scenery and wow the historical buildings!!! Being a "newer" country we just don't have sites like that in Canada.

Carol said...

Such gorgeous photos from Chatsworth--I simply must visit England one of these days... Even if to glimpse your sweet British robins... they are so much cuter than our American robins :)

Andrea said...

What an enjoyable post. I haven't been to Chatsworth in a few years, the last time we went at Christmas time and it was all decked out with Christmas trees and decorations. Beautiful!
White Peak looks very inviting.
Thank you for sharing all of your lovley photos.

Jeanne said...

What a great post Mouse. SIGH....I hope someday I'll get to visit some of these grand estates in the UK...I've read about Chatsworth and fun to see your photos. So hard to imagine getting to live in a place like that! You managed to find some good stash too.

If you don't know of this blog you should check it out - just for the photos of the amazing felted mouse. I think of you every time I visit! http://elsasdesign.blogspot.com/

hugs

Sally said...

Wow fantastic photos Mouse. Wouldn't mind going there myself!

I have heard a few people say Wye isn't as good as it used to be. Wish I could go back to The Nimble Thimble. Now that's a fantastic little shop!

Lovely progress on your stitching and love the exchange piece you received.

I shall be ready for our SAL by Wednesday if that's OK? I'll email you later.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Great trip, I'm torn between living in the Library with the balcony or the Needlework shop! I really want a double height room so I can have a gallery or balcony, not very safe with the Small Boy however!
I love the way the threads and ribbons are displayed in colour groups.

Denise SA said...

Thanks for the tour and glad you got to have a scone for Gillie and me.

Jo said...

Sqeeeeeee! Peak embroidery looks AMAZING. I used to go to Wye all the time, but it changed hands and I didn't like it so much afterwards. I'm not surprised it was disappointing, but sad all the same. Planning trip to Peak District....

Astrids dragon said...

Looks like you had a great time, I loved all your pictures! Take me with you the next time!

woolwoman said...

I'm a new follower on your blog - found thru the Inspired Stitcher - lovely gift you sent her btw ! loved seeing the photos of Chatsworth and hearing about your B&B adventure and all the shops you visited. Cheers! Melody

Jan Gartlan said...

What a lovely getaway, stash, and stitching.