Nature Calls...

Hey.

Fairy tale Mushroom

Moo.

Lovely leaves

Charming...

Every now and again I get that teeny little urge to draw something.  This 'urge' comes and goes at lightning speeds, so I have to grab the chance and put pen to paper before it fizzles out again.  Here are some little charms I made for one of my best friends who moved across the pond...

Cake Time...

I've been busy baking yet more cakes to try out on my friends and family...

Ultimate Chocolate Cake

Victoria Sponge Cake

Naughty Chocolate Fudge Cake

... and I wonder why my trousers are starting to feel a little tight... hmm. 

Countryside Walks...

Since 'Summer's' arrival, my friends and I have taken to going on long walks with our faithful hounds, around different parts of our local countryside.  Here are a couple of pictures I took...

A Hobby In The Baking...

Well it's been a fair while since I last posted something!  Here's a couple of pictures that may explain what I've been up to...

They were pretty yummy, even if I do say so myself!

Daisies...

Here is a picture of the painting I made for my Mum's 50th...

Hooowweellll...

My latest drawing, requested by one of my best friends, Sam Howell (hence the letters on the drawing), for her music room...

I hope her pupils enjoy it!

Rachel Lévy...

Whilst one is at work and has nothing to do, one does like to browse magazines.  Today's choice was The Sunday Times Magazine, from the 23rd January.  I really like these supplements, as I find they contain good articles, and today... inspiration. 


I came across a section on French artist called Rachel Lévy.  She works with wilting flowers that have aged naturally, specifically Kronenbourg roses and blue anemones.  She then photographs them and prints them onto cotton paper which produces a 'watercolour' effect. 


These prints, to me, appear to have an association with death, with their dark tones and shadows, but they are photographed and printed in such a beautiful way, that it appears to turn this 'dying' process into something much less sinister and much more elegant and sophisticated.  It's as if they have been captured in a state of 'Limbo'; their delicate contours and stunning colours portraying their last moments of life,  mixing in with those slightly crisp edges and tiring petals... the signs of the 'other side' calling.


Simply alluring, don't you think?

If you want to find out more about Rachel Lévy, or to see more of her work in real-life, they are on exhibition at the Stephanie Hoppen Gallery in London from January 29th to February 26th.

I think I might have to take a little trip there myself.

Oops...

Well now I've messed up my blog design!  If anyone can help, it would be very much appreciated!  Thanks!

A Reason To Draw...

Hallelujah!  I've got back into my drawing again!  That's all thanks to the motivation (i.e. a kick up the butt and a stern talking to) from my friends - I thank you - it was truly needed.  My first, of hopefully many more, was as a leaving present to my friend leaving for Ohio.

It took me a couple of evenings to draw and add the colour, and another day to ruin it (sticking the lettering the wrong way), but I managed to get it done just in the nick of time.

Here is the process and end result...

I kinda wanted to keep it myself!

x

An English Day Out...

Today I spent the day with one of my bestest friends, Kerry.  She is hopping over the pond to live in the big ol' U.S of A... (Ohio to be exact) to be a fancy-pants fashion designer!  In order to make the most of the last few days she's here, I decided to wangle a day off work so we could do all things English and lovely together, one... last.... time....

Here's what we got up to...

 Luncheon in Woburn...   

Bizet! the beautiful hound...

                                                                             All my pics are a bit higgledy-piggledy, but I kind of like it like that.

Antique Shops...

  

                                Afternoon (or in our case, evening) tea...

 

 

I'm going to miss my Kerry, very, very much.