London Visit

London
I've just returned from a weekend away in London town. Here are some highlights from my trip.... 
   
The historic Thames, beautiful even on a drizzly day....

 Tracey Emin at Tate Modern....

 Lunch was Mexican street food, which was delicious and a there was a wonderful chalk board to doodle on too....

 
We stayed near Monument, where the great fire of London started in 1666...

  
Picasso at Tate Modern ....

 
I'm obsessed with the architecture in London,
and love the mix of old and new buildings, so wonderful.

There is just so much to see and do in London, I need to arrange another weekend soon to explore more!

Open Studios

Events
I have some very exciting news! I've got the keys to my new studio, I've moving to the beautiful Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire! 

The Studios stretch along into the ‘Tan Gallop’ which borders the Victorian kitchen garden. The Tan Gallop Studios were built on the site of the 5th Duke of Portland’s covered training gallop. This was used in the winter months to train racehorses; the gallop was heated and the ground was covered with oak chippings, which made it more comfortable for the horses’ hooves.

You can come and see my new studio space and meet my new neighbours at the Welbeck open weekend. This weekend 14-15th June 2014

For more info please visit www.harleygallery.co.uk 






Debenhams Q & A

Ashley Thomas at home

I recently did a Q & A session over on the Debenhams Blog.
Find out what no home should be without, how to transform any room and my design tips for your home this year.

Here's a snippet from the blog...

"Ashley Thomas, one of our talented homeware designers, knows all about how to make a house a home. Her signature designs include playful images of wildlife and her quirky dinnerware designs make mealtimes fun. 

Creating your own fabulous home is a great achievement. Put your own stamp on your lounge, kitchen or bathroom and make the difference between living in ‘just a house’ to ‘your home’.
We caught up with Ashley and she spilled the beans on her top tips and advice."

Click this link to read the full interview.



Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!

england
I've just returned for a long weekend in Brighton! It's definitely one of my favourite places in England. There's such a wonderfully creative atmosphere down there. Lots of beautiful independent shops, characterful cafes and bars and of course the wonderful beach and traditional British seaside amusements. Here's some snaps of my trip.

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New Greeting Cards

ashley thomas


I'm very excited about the launch of my new greeting cards, which will are available to pre-order on my website now. With hand-painted florals, sweet sentiments and hand-drawn patterns, printed on a beautiful textured card which is made in a old paper mill in the Lake District from sustainably managed forests. My new cards are blank inside and include a brown kraft paper envelope, all wrapped up in a protective cellophane bag. They are perfect for almost any occasion and will be available in a few weeks time. Available to pre-order online now.


Date and fudge bars

baking

Makes 10-12 slices
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
55g (2oz) Flora Buttery, plus extra for greasing the tin
115g (4oz) soft brown sugar
2 eggs
125g (4½oz) self-raising flour, sifted
55g (2oz) fudge pieces
85g (3½oz) dates, chopped
For the icing:
55g (2oz) Flora Buttery
225g (8oz) icing sugar
1 tbsp maple syrup
Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C/fan/350°F/gas 4.
Place the Flora, sugar, eggs and flour in a mixing bowl then beat together for around 2-3 minutes, until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix in lightly. Pour into a greased and bottom-lined 20cm (8in) square tin. 
Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, then cool in the tin.
Combine the icing ingredients and spread over the cake before cutting into bars. 
Recipe courtesy of The Sunday Express
Cake plates featured above are from my Spring collection for Debenhams

Iced afternoon tea biscuits

baking





Makes 20
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
175g (6oz) Flora Buttery, plus extra for greasing the tins
55g (2oz) caster sugar
55g (2oz) icing sugar, sifted
½ tsp vanilla essence
175g (6oz) plain flour, sifted
To decorate:
85g-115g (3-4oz) plain, milk or white chocolate
15g (½oz) Flora Buttery
Cake sprinkles
Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F/gas 4.
Cream the Flora, sugars and vanilla together until light and fluffy then gradually work in the sifted flour with a wooden spoon.
Lightly grease two baking trays. Put the mixture into a large piping bag with a star nozzle at the end and pipe fingers or star shapes on to the trays.
Bake in oven for 16-18 minutes, until the biscuits are set and only just beginning to colour. Then lift them carefully from the baking sheet on to a cooling tray.
Melt the chocolate in a basin placed over a pan of simmering water. Remove the basin as soon as the chocolate begins to melt and stir in the Flora. Dip the ends of the biscuits in the chocolate mixture, decorate with sprinkles and leave on waxed paper to set.
Recipe courtesy of The Sunday Express
Tableware featured above are from my Spring collection for Debenhams