Valentine's Day

 

     Now that I have confirmation that my card has been received I thought I'd 'show-off' a picture of the card I made for the bf.  Apologies for the 'rope-y' photography....

A Watercolour

      I thought I'd share with you one of my paintings - a watercolour/mixed media of Dennington church in Suffolk, the original sketch is on view in an earlier post.  At present it awaits a mount.

'Follies'

     My brother lent me this book on Saturday.  Entitled 'Follies' it is one of a series of guides produced for the motorist in the sixties, by 'National Benzole'.  Do they still have petrol stations?  Perhaps they were issued in competition to the famous 'Shell Guides' - who knows?  In any case 'Follies' was first published in 1963, edited by Sir Hugh Casson, and researched, written and illustrated by Paul Sharp, and published for National Benzole by Chatto and Windus.  Just the right size, perhaps, to nestle happily next to the tin of travel sweets in the glove compartment...

       The illustrations alternate between line and colour.  I think the latter are more successful.  As you can see they have a lithographic quality that is rather attractive.  I particularily like the narrow colour palette. They also show the influence of John Piper, which for me is seldom a bad thing.  (In a the notes at the end of the book - first mention of the artist at all, poor chap - it states that 'the colour drawings were worked out as auto-lithographs.')

     As I type this post I am listening to 'The Late Paul Barnes Show', broadcast originally late Saturday night/early Sunday morning.  (Good old i-player)  It's one of the best, if somewhat eccentric, jazz programmes on British radio, and local radio too.  I recommended it.

Gift tag

 

 

      I made this tag on Saturday morning to accompany a birthday present.  I hope you, and the recipient, like it!  It's based on Medieval Cosmati work, such as you would find all over Italy.  (The craftsmen were from Rome.)  There is only one example of such work in Britain: at Westminster Abbey.  I made no attempt to marble the paper.  My sole aim was to match the wrapping paper.

     There are a number of Victorian examples of Cosmati work in Britain:  in Peterborough, and Truro cathedrals (both designed by Pearson) and Durham (Scott).  I don't consider them to be in anyway inferior just because they aren't Medieval.

Another half hour in the garden...

     Since I have ceased to be a full time carer (my father has gone into permanent care) I've begun to look at those things which I have neglected of late.  One of these is the garden.  Gardening, and gardens, are a great pleasure but the commitment of looking after another person, particularly when they are so ill, made gardening a chore, just another call on my time.  I attempted to maintain thigs at a certain, passable level, but I itched to do more.  The small veg patch at the end of the garden was particularly neglected. 

 

 

     However since Christmas, and weather permitting, I have tried to spend a few minutes each day out there tidying up ready for the spring.  This morning I had a go at the veg patch.  Believe me it was worse.....
The idea behind this small patch, is still as it was when I first cleared the ground  four or so years ago:  to grow those things that are not found in local supermarkets, or if they are for sale are only available in wasteful amounts.  For instance: chard, radishes, lambs lettuce, board beans, runner beans, rockett.

Stamford, and three discoveries....

     I had to pop over to Stamford today and browsing around before my meeting I made three lovely discoveries...

     Firstly I popped into the Robert Fogell Gallery on High St Martin's to seee what was new and found a number of wonderful prints of fens by Carry Akroyd.  Here is a link to her website. 

     Secondly in a nearby antiques place I came across a set of four charming coffee cans designed by Susie Cooper.  She has always been my favourite of the three so-called 'Pottery Ladies', but, perhaps, the most over looked.  This is a shame.  The cans are, I think, post WWII - the period of her work I personally find the most satisfying.

 

     I have no idea of the name of the design.  It has a suggestion of Fornasetti to it, and an almost timeless quality.  Utterly Charming.

     Thirdly browsing the magazines in a newsagents I found in next month's (March) 'World of Interiors' I found an article on St Catherine's Monastery on the Sinai Peninsular.  I had to have it, although I had undertaken not to spend anything today.

About time I restarted this....

     It's been a difficult few months, what with illnesses in the family....but I hope now that things are, perhaps, settling down to blog on a regular basis....what have I failed to post?
Well, it would have been good to record the sole piece of Christmas 'crafting ' I undertook this year - a vase full of painted twigs (Farrow and Ball 'String' and twigs from the garden, decorated with retro baubles mainly from charity shops)
     Another trip to that marvellous bookshop in Ely 'Topping and Company' when I treated myself to 'English Style' by BenPentreath and the 'Mark Hearld Workbook'.
A break from the post caring confusion when the bf and I motored over to Suffolk for lunch with friends.  Their's was a most colour co-ordinated Christmas tree! (that's not to mention log-fire etc...)

And if you want to know I'm currently re-reading 'The Lord of the Rings'.