Snowing all around you.. children playing...tis the season...

My front garden and pathway outside my house last night, the snow had stopped falling by the time hubby left work. I wasn't aware it was snowing until Mum rang and told me and then half way through our conversation about arrangements for Christmas Day, Dad burst in to say that the snow had stopped, and we all groaned in disappointment. Seconds later, I could hear Dad's cheers in the back ground as snow was still coming down on the roads, houses, gardens and was settling. Part of the excitment is how we all reverse to being children again, this is probably due to the overall lack of snow we get in UK it is so scarce for us, we can still see it's magical qualities.

See you all later when I read The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, it is my all-time favourite poem, and traditionally it is read outloud in the family household every Christmas Eve.

Other Competitors

Sadly our Christmas Pudding design did not even manage 3rd place, but it was such a fun day on Tuesday, the whole office floor were in high festive spirit and eagerly awaiting the judges decisions.

The designs are very clever and I love the gingerbread house and garden, it even comes with curtains for the windows.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to take photo's of all the competitors, as some were taken down very fast after judging.

Hope everyone enjoyed making their table top scenes!

Table Top Christmas Scene

My colleagues and I have entered into a competition to create a Christmas scene (theme, of our own choosing) which will be judged next week. There are 8 departments who have entered and each person pays £1. Whoever wins overall, gets to keep all the money.

I feel we have a very good chance of winning this competition, afterall we have lucky dip items within the paper-mache pudding (to entice onlookers) and with our home-made penguins made from icing - it is just brilliant!

Wish us luck!

Hey!
I am wide awake at ten-to-ten this Saturday evening, there are a million issues buzzing round my head and I am looking for answers to quiet them down or distract them in some fashion, so at least I can get some shut eye.

Unfortunately I left my very warm (perhaps too warm) bed for a leather chair within a cluttered study, I'm feeling somewhat chilly around my extremeties. Just brace it, Lily (sigh).

Paperweight - Pink Dotty

I utilised a garden pebble wrapped it in a very dotty patterned fabric, twisted the corners and arranged the handmade flower (previously posted) into the perfect gift. You can use in the home or at the office or give to your child's teacher as a unique gift this Christmas.

Gertrude or Heidi

Do you think this pretty little girl with yellow ribbon in her hair should be called Gertrude or Heidi?

I made her as a gift for my sister.

Happy December 2009!

Look I made a very pink flower with 3 buttons for the centre, this will adorn one of my handmade journals very soon...

I can make different colours as I have plenty of coloured and patterned fabric, please let me know if you would like one, I can make and post you one ;)

Mallards on the River

Hello You!

I had a really yummy toasted tea-cake in the Victorian coffee shop and although I didn't do much Christmas shopping, we did walk along the river and admire the abundant wildlife.

There were at least 25 ducks lined up along the banks of the river, it was really lovely to see them all together.

Update

It's Friday, can you believe it?
This week has been really hard for me, I am feeling very frustrated by my overall lack of flexibility. Of course, it is now 3 weeks since my operation - really a short space of time - but it feels like forever. The pain is much reduced, although this week early mornings have been quite bad and my sleeping routine has been disturbed. This morning I was out of bed for 5am, unusual for me.

I'm keen to become more independent. In the back of my mind, I'm aiming to be ready for next Tuesday - "Why you ask?" Tuesday is when hubby returns to work and I shall have to cook lunch and answer any phone calls and take care of myself. This I think I can manage, afterall, I did cook dinner once this week, without any problems however I did have to attire to bed early that evening.

I'm going to town today with my parents, I'm hoping to pick up a few Christmas presents and we are having tea and cake in an old victorian coffee shop.

Hope you have a jolly good day!

Do you know, I had a really great weekend. I spent most of Saturday playing World of Warcraft and chatting to my 3 best friends. Zakai helped 'boost' Kaedan and I through ZF which was brilliant because we both levelled and completed the dungeon getting the achievement. Then Zak logged off while Kaedan and I still played online and finished off another four quests which meant we levelled again!

Mid-afternoon my friend /work colleague stopped by the house to drop off some books and DVD's to keep me amused for the duration of my sick leave - another 3 weeks to go.

Then on Sunday, hubby was playing another computer game called Company of Hereos which is all about commanding and re-enacting a WWII battalion. He loves his new game. Basically apart from having to use the facilities and cooking, I hadn't seen hubby move from his seat in a few hours. This gave me lots of peaceful time to read Going Dutch by Katie Fforde. I like her books, you can always tell who the heroine will end up 'falling madly in love with'. LOL!!

Exemplary a Life and Conversation

I would like to share with you a tribute I read in my local newspaper I enjoy the style of writing and underlined my favourite section.

Last Sunday died suddenly in an advanced age, one Ann Harper, a single woman who had been upwards of 20 years a pauper in the parish of xxx. This truly good old woman was universally esteemed, met with the countenance and friendly assistance of many respectable persons, and upon her death a very handsome coffin was provided for her at the expense of some worthy ladies in that place. Her corpse was carried by six young single men who had gloves given them, and over the coffin was suspended a white sheet by way of canopy, supported by six single women who raised a subscription among themselves for a necessary refreshment on the occasion, and to drink to the pious memory of a woman of so exemplary a life and conversation, though in so low a sphere of existence. - Wow what a description!

Heron

I have a good feeling about today, this theory is based on the sighting of a majestic heron gliding past my study window at 07.30 this morning. What a beautiful bird.

I can remember doing a drawing of a heron for my Grandma for her wall when I was much younger. I wonder if she still has the artwork, it was a graphite drawing on cartridge paper.

To: the first born

I ventured outside with hubby earlier as we needed to post a card to my friend who has recently been blessed with their first child Congratulations !

As hubby and I walked tentatively to the nearest post box, we were both surprised by the warmth of the November day and the enormity of the blue sky. A few grey clouds blemished the blue, but otherwise it was a beautiful clear day.

On our arrival at home, we realised we had forgot to get a pint of milk, so decided between us, to make that a reason for going outside tomorrow. Each day, I walk for 10 minutes gradually increasing the length and speed of my step, having an extra purpose like posting a letter or buying milk is brilliant.

Home at Last!

Hi Everyone!

Last week I went into hospital to have a minor operation and had major surgery instead. When 'they' opened me up they discovered more damage than anticpated, and the surgeons did a marvelous job of clearing it all up.
I am now home resting with my husband and family who are taking great care of me and providing me with lots of refreshment and entertainment.

I also want to say a big Thank you to all who sent me cards and gifts, they were much appreciated.

xx

Boys versus Girls

Can you believe it? I can't stop laughing, can you?

Yesterday hubby and I received some very surprising news, our adorable bunny rabbits, (Sylvanas and Myleena) were taking a day trip to the local vetinary's for a certain procedure that will eliminate more little bunnies. A nurse telephoned hubby mid-day to explain that the operation was successful for both however, "Are we aware that they are both boys?" Come again?

BOYS!

Myleena is a boy rabbit. I'm shocked.

Both rabbits have completely different personalities and well... gets regular (unwanted) attention by Sylvanas. According to the results on Google, this is normal same sex rabbits showing who is the dominent male. Myleena now Mylo is completely terrified by this invasion of his/her privacy.

Does anyone have any suggestions how to ease this relationship?

Today, I found out that I had been christened at the Church and that my parents lived in a small house on  Estate. I now want to return with fresh eyes.

31st October

Sir Rowland Berkeley Sarcophagus

Plantpot Fred

31st October

After hubby and I had done the necessary errands in town, we made our way to a park. Where we admired the gorgeous autumal colours, the lake with the Canada geese and in the kitchen garden we were surprised to find Plantpot Fred.

We were unable to go into the house, although we did suceed in looking through the old Victorian sash windows and discovered the interior. Very large paintings hung on the walls with thick wooden frames, the furniture was dark wood and the walls were painted white. The expanse between floor to ceiling was surprisingly impressive. Maybe because I was technically snooping and therefore more aware of my surroundings, but I felt a little unerved by the obvious emptiness of the house. It was spooky.

After the house, we went in search of the little white bridge, which is said to have a lady ghost walk across it, after an unfortunate accident with horse and carriage, the lady died and now is apparently seen to walk across the bridge .....in my opinion to warn others of the peril of road accidents.

After walking across the bridge and managing to terrify 4 innocent pheasants who had taken up camp there, we strolled back through the Park, to the Church, where we found and admired the sarcophagus of Sir Rowland Berkeley and his sons Robert and Thomas Berkeley. Sir Rowland Berkeley had a clothier business  his business thrived and later he was able to purchase Park for £1,400 in May 1606.  Quite a lot of land!

Hope you like the pictures!

Hallow's End

I was invited to spend a morning in an arts workshop helping to make witches hats and skeletons with moveable limbs, it was brilliant fun and the kids really got messy with paint and glitter. Charlie drew an intriciatly patterned dagger and made a small incision into the skeletons head and stapled the dagger in place and then drizzled red paint across the blade and down the left cheek of the victims face, it was very clever =)

Lazy Days

Inspiration

I'm baffled... I have mislaid my watercolour paint set. This has never happened before. My paint set, always sits on my middle shelf in the bookcase. I searched the house. Nothing. Well, perhaps if I explained a little behind the reason for wanting to paint this evening, the paint set, will appear forthright in front of me in baited anticpation.

I was reading an article, an interview on the web, by Jenny Kostecki-Shaw- a children's book illustrator, her work is amazing (see painting above). I love her attention to colour and pattern, the trees (above) have their own individual story to tell and share with us their delight in bearing witness to the giant swan's journey. Maybe, I have too much imagination, but that is how I read the painting.

In Jenny's interview she explains that:-

"In 2006, we traveled by plane, bus, train, rickshaw, and foot for 4 months around Nepal and Northern India experiencing chai culture. We went to small villages, remote tea farms, peaceful ashrams and populated cities, connecting with locals all the way. We documented our days in journals, sketchbooks, photography, interviews, stories, video, etc. This was FAR different than researching on Google! It was an adventure and so tactile. It was also the most challenging assignment I've ever had. These kinds of projects demand a lot of endurance and faith but are the most rewarding. It's so important to follow your passion (and instincts) and go for something you believe in".

See the full interview at:- http://illustrationfriday.com/blog/2008/07/15/if-interview-with-jenny-kosteck-shaw/

I visited a really old country house last Sunday with my family and was really taken with the semi-wild deer roaming the grounds and the beautiful georgian stonework, which got me thinking...a new "assignment"....?

Unfortunately my beloved watercolour set is still missing, so crayon it is!

Artwork on a Massive Scale

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/10/the_berlin_reunion.html

Follow the link above to read and view the animated story celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The story is played out with two main characters and is performed by France's Royal de Luxe street theatre company titled "The Berlin Reunion".

Although still pictures are not the same as watching the performance directly, you can appreciate the enormity of the project, alongside the staggering 1.5 million viewers...wow!

This is a home video of our garden shed being erected, each piece (the walls, roof, doorway, side panel, window panel) all came delivered as a kit, and my very clever husband nailed the whole thing together, by himself, isn't he brilliant!

I love balloons!

bunnies

Thinking

What is my reason, my true purpose for being here, on Earth?

Travel Journal

Is it just me, or does anyone else find their best work, is often the ones that are least planned? Today, I knew I was going to make a paper journal, I just didn't know what papers I would choose, or what decoration or illustrative design would embellish the front cover. I didn't know that it would become a Travel Journal. However, I do know that this book will begin and end it's journey in the hands of a true adventurer.

Speaking of digging things up, whilst I was clearing away a few old books the other day, I came across this piece of work tucked into one of the pages. I painted this piece in 2006 and thought it needed a few bits of colour adding to it. So with my red crayon I set to work and I'm very pleased with the end result.

I can imagine the red petals falling from the sky colouring the landscape an intense crimson. Strange creatures lurking within archways, four legged carnivores and a red snake, all seeking shelter within the jagged walls of the Great Yello Castle.
Can you find the slugworm?

Animal bone?

I agree. Further investigation is needed to clarify the purpose, the chemical composition and the overall structure of the item on the right of this photo.

While I was turning over the soil in my backyard, I unearthed this strange artifact. I believe it's animal bone, my husband thinks I'm daft, but look at the hole running through it's centre and the rough uneven edges on both ends. About one inch in length and as I run it through my fingers, it feels too brittle to be a manufactured bead. What do you think?

The pretty blue and white floral object is probably from a china plate or cup that I dug up too.

Good Morning

I came down the stairs and walked into the conversatory to wish Sylvannas and Myleena a
Good Morning and what did I find? Sylvannas reading the Property News of the local newspaper, was she comparing house prices or trying to find a new home? No-one will ever know, but it made me chuckle!

Have a good day!

On our 7 hour journey back from Devon (via London) we were fortunate enough to stop for lunch near a pet store and are delighted by our purchase of two adorable 6 week old, female rabbits - pictured. They are sitting on a picnic blanket on our sofa admiring the view of their new world.

Myleena (brown coloured) and Sylvannas (black coloured) are new members of the Clan. Myleena - so called after a famous classical musician and Sylvannas is Queen of the Forsaken...LOL!!

Introducing Myleena & Sylvannas

Tapeley Park

Bideford

Good Morning,
Nice to see you here again.

I am spending a few days in Bideford, North Devon with my family. We are tempting our tastebuds with the local cuisine and imported French wines. This morning, Friday, we are deciding where our adventures should begin, Appledore - a little town of picturesque quaint streets or Tapeley Park - a House and Garden. My husband I are looking on with eager eyes hoping the Garden will offer some interesting planting and layout designs that we could use on our own little patch, back home.

I will let you know how our ideas develop.

Finding Pleasure in Silly Things

Hello you, I am glad you came back.


Just for fun and to share with you my silly moment, here is a picture of...yep you guessed it...


a smiley face!

The Mattress Springs

They look so content!

Murder Mystery

It is supposed that while the family were at prayers, a man effected an entrance into the lower portion of the hotel, as soon afterwards the half decent body of Mr De Villere was discovered submerged in a vat of the hotelier's best wine. (swimming in wine....now there's an idea!)

To elimate 15 suspects and 6 possible weapons, embarking on a 1.5mile trail, hunting down clues on lamposts, war memorials, famous landmarks, advertising posters and car parking meters, a successfull narrow down of suspects to just one, a truely low life individual who had committed the murder most terrible.

The treasure trail described above was the entertainment at a birthday party and the way I've written it, was inspired by my local newspaper journal. They re-print news from 100, 150 and 250 years ago, and the language and contents are so amusing. I look forward to the paper every week.

FIRE, EARTH, AIR, WATER

There are many writings on the topic of the Four Elements or Temperaments depending on what your individual beliefs are, what your native customs are and which century you were born in. I understand that you can't have one element without the other and that they make contrasting pairs; earth and air, fire and water - pictured diagnally opposite one another.

I like the explanation given in 'Symbols in Eastern and Western Art' by James Hall.
"The Middle Ages...believed that man was a microcosm of the universe and that his body was therefore governed by various planetary influences. They worked through his internal organs that produced four kinds of bodily fluids, or humours, which determined his temperament... "
These humours had a similar essence to the Four Elements, but were also associated with the Four Seasons, Four Rivers of Hades and Four different Animals that shared the same character.

I sense another project.....

EARTH

The brown buckle represents the Earth, a significant circular 'element' that due to its structure and composition can adapt to a new purpose. The green beads and the larger rectangle button represent nature; trees and plants.

FIRE

The cylindrical shape that is red and frosted is the heart of the fire, it combines with the oxygen from Air and heat from the Earth to produce the state of burning, shown as dark red beads.

AIR

The completely clear glass sphere is the invisible gas and then the surrounding beads and buttons are the different particules carried within the atmosphere.

The Oxford Dictonary describes Air as:-

the invisible gaseous substance surounding the earth, a mixture mainly of oxygen and nitrogen.

Time for Creativity

Hello!


Did you miss me?
Don't you find, that you go through phases, sometimes you have so many ideas that you struggle to get them all down on paper and then other times, you have ideas, but perhaps no time outside of daily life to do anything about them.


I have made a list of my ideas so that when I get a spare hour one evening or at the weekend, I can review and make a start. Here is the (short) list so far:

• Create pincushion cupcakes - need to purchase the materials
• Floral broaches / bag accessories
• Make more themed notebooks - need better quality thick paper
• Christmas themed gifts
  

This morning I spent a lot of time on my kitchen floor rummaging around in my favourite Button Tin for particular colours and shades to complete my fire, earth, air and water representation.

Below is the symbol for water:- I love the huge bead in the middle with two colours representing water and oxygen. The purple and mauve shaded beads represent the coral and sea creatures.

Diversity

View from Casares

View from atop Casares overlooking the valley with little hamlets, a single main road and dozens of wind turbines. In the far distance is Gibraltar with it's familiar Rock.

The church in the foreground was a ruin, refurbished with modern materials and is now used by locals as a meeting place. I used artistic licence - the rolling valley is more to the right of the church, rather than behind it, but as I was perched upon a rock making my sketch and notes, the wind was bitingly cold and so I quickly documented the landscape, and drew in the church afterwards, in a warmer more sheltered spot.

Villacana

Hello Everyone!
I've just returned from my holiday in Spain. The weather was gorgeous and we got up to all sorts of mischief.
I managed to do quite a lot of drawing and painting despite all our adventures, will let you see them shortly. To give you a flavour, here is a photograph of a set of 4 tiles that make up a floral design, the blue background is quite popular, and when I think of Spain, I think of that colour; blue sky, blue sea, blue flowers.
Hope everyone is well.

Swords & Shields

"Richard de Wych was born in 1197 and was the Bishop of Chichester. He performed a local miracle and ensured the continuing prosperity of a local town, Droitwich Spa. One of the town's brine springs had run dry, but after being blessed by Richard it began to flow again.
St Richard de Wych died in 1253 and was canonised nine years later. A beautiful mosaic made from millions of Italian glass tiles depicts his life and can be found in the Church of the Sacred Heart".

Me and a freelance artist are holding a workshop creating swords and shields in celebration of the life of St. Richard de Wych (1197-1253).

Majestic Heron

Hello!

I was feeling rather low this morning, having kissed my husband and wished him well for his working day, the house was quiet and I was alone. I gazed out of the window, admired the tree opposite with its heavy branches now green with leaves and little pink blossom. Overhead I witnessed a magnificent sight of aerodyanmics - a bird in flight, its legs neatly tucked under its body, the beating and gliding technique of its large wingspan. It was majestic.

The real question, is where was the majestic Heron flying to?
Where had Heron come from?
What had Heron witnessed along the way?

In our busy lives, where are we all flying to?

Rag Cushion

I made this sunflower image from a rag making kit, the design pre-drawn onto the netted background, that was fairly easy....but what now? How do I turn this bright furry image into a cushion?

"The best present isn't necessarily something very expensive -

often a simple gift

given with love and consideration

outshines all the others."

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Lumpiang Sariwa

Over the weekend my husband and I made some Lumpiang Sariwa (vegetable spring rolls),

the little water bowl in the middle is for 'glueing' the pastry wrappers together and the big bowl on the left contains the filling: beansprouts, green beans, onions, sweet potato, oyster sauce and finally a secret ingredient. (Any ideas....?)

We made over 40 in the end, individually filled and wrapped and sold at a local charity event. Everyone enjoyed eating them!

Pig in Residential Street!

I left work early, and for a change, I walked the very long route back to my house. I crossed the busy dual carriage way and nipped down a small track between two hedges, walking past a lovely modern house with a very welcoming sheep dog. After saying 'hello' I walked on further westwards and came across a very grumpy, and rather large pig!
I was amazed to find a pig (leaning against an old metal farm gate) in an otherwise residential street. It was the only field visible, but the pig had definetly resided there for some time, for in the field was a sty and a mass of hay and a lot of mud.
I grunted at him/her for some time and him/her replied with much deeper grunts, as if to say "Can't you see, I'm sleeping here". So after this riveting communication, I left him/her to his/her slumber and continued homewards.

The Lonely Piper

To continue on the book theme, I created another piece with my sister in mind -words and literature inspire her.

When I visited the local art gallery to view an exhibition called Deviants (A Craft Council Touring Exhibition) I was really inspired by the playful nature of the pieces on show; common objects took on intriguing appearances such as Jill Crowley's Teapot on 7 legs.

To accompany the exhibition was a handout with words by

The Lonely Piper. He had allowed his imagination to expand on the pieces and provide a humourous insight into the meaning of their creation.

The exhibition handout is the book cover. Stained with tea, to add an aged look and surface texture. I hope you like it as much as I do......

Little Notebook

Little Notebook
The paperclip shows a size comparison.

Words & Diagrams

This is a page from my sketchbook explaining in words and diagrams how to make the little notebook. I was influenced by an article titled 'Fresh as a Daisy' (Article from Stitch magazine, Issue 57) by Angie Hughes - see her work at the bottom of the page. Angie had created her 'bookwraps' using textured fabrics, layering of paper and fabric, stitching and contrasting colours.

To make my notebook I used materials that I had on my shelf at home: aida fabric, netting, baking paper, beads, cotton and embroidery thread and a button to fasten and through experimentation of materials, I made a sample piece. I am really proud of my little notebook, and can't wait to start on the final larger-scale piece.

Notebook Open

Sunset

The road winds in a south eastern direction with farm land on either side and the odd cluster of houses along route. The land is fairly flat, and the eye is drawn to the dark shadowy expanse Hills to the west. They are a familiar landmark, and one that always represents 'home' to me.

I was feeling very satisfied that my days voluntary work had been a success and the beautiful sunset was mesmerizing. The perfect ending to an enjoyable day.

The time was coming to 4 o'clock, the roads were still fairly quiet and therefore I was able to drive slower to take in the views. As soon as I got home, I grabbed my camera from the study, walked a short distance down the road to take these two photographs, so I could share my joy, with you.

Sunset

Walled Garden at Croft Castle

Castle

I love this photograph, the composition works well with the tree in shadow on the left and its foliage branching towards the right. I particularly like the twisted bark on the trees and the lush green pasture, it conjures up fantasy storylines waiting to be unraveled.

The picture depicts an avenue of Spanish chestnuts that lead the eye towards woodlands and then further afield, an Iron Age Hill Fort at Croft Ambrey, which has amazing views stretching across counties.

Croft Castle is a late 17th Century house with beautiful Georgian interiors and a fully restored walled garden.