After such a long, hot and extraordinarily dry summer, I must confess that I’m absolutely ready to welcome autumn this year. The grass has been scorched brown, streams have dwindled and my garden has struggled through week after week of heat, so the prospect of cooler days and proper rain feels particularly welcome. The blackberries ripened early  in the summer heat, but the rose hips are glowing red in the hedgerows, the leaves are changing colour (though whether this is due to stress from heat and drought or the beginning of autumn I’m not at all sure)  and there’s that unmistakable autumn chill in the early mornings, even when the afternoons are still warm.

I don’t know if you know the old song about the weather by 1950’s comedy duo Flanders and Swann? It describes July as follows…. “In July the sun is hot, is it shining? No, it’s not!” but this year we could change those words…. “In July the sun is hot, is it shining? Yes, a lot!” And possibly a bit too much – something I never thought I’d think or write here in usually cool and cloudy England!

I do enjoy this time of year though, I am most definitely in love with colour, which is present in abundance during the next few weeks, both indoors and out.  On the image at the top of this post you can see on the top row from left to right, the very autumnal view from my bathroom window now the maize has been harvested, sunflowers on my table (a lovely surprise gift from the Engineer) and our little apple tree.

Below, apart from my “artistic” shot of some blackberries, you can see my finished “Peace by Piece” blanket.  This is a pattern by Annah of Needle & Feather and I’m absolutely delighted with how it’s turned out.  It never felt overwhelming as all the squares are knitted separately – though 144 squares did take quite some time!

The bottom right photo was taken in my kitchen.  When I brought the beans in from the Kitchen Garden I had the thought that as Farrow and Ball paint colours include Elephant’s Breath, Mouse Back and Dead Salmon, I should re-christen the colour of my freshly repainted kitchen cupboards “Last of the Runner Beans” green.  I’m not sure if it will catch on though!

And thinking of “Last of” this brings me very neatly to the main purpose of this particular post…

CLICK HERE FOR A LITTLE LOOK AT THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

The Bustle & Sew Magazine is now entering its final twelve months. You may perhaps remember from earlier in the year that the September 2027 issue will be the last, bringing to a close a very long and happy chapter in the Bustle & Sew story. There are still twelve lovely issues to come, though, and I have plenty of ideas waiting in the wings: new embroidery and sewing projects, seasonal articles, recipes, countryside features and all the familiar things that have become part of the magazine over the years.

This does mean that September 2026 is your final opportunity to purchase an annual subscription to the magazine. After this month, annual subscriptions will no longer be available, as there will be fewer than twelve issues remaining. Monthly subscriptions will continue for those who would like to join us for the final months.

I very much hope you’ll join me for this last year and so I have decided to offer the final year of the Bustle & Sew Magazine for a single payment of just US$30.  (currently around £22.15).  This is equivalent to just $2.50 per issue (rather neatly, this was the original price of the first issue).

If you do decide to purchase the Final Year subscription, you will receive issues 189 – 200 on a monthly basis between 24 September 2026 and 26 August 2027 when the final magazine will arrive in your inbox.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE FINAL TWELVE MONTHS SUBSCRIPTION

Back again soon with more news!