Happy New Year!
Wishing everyone a peaceful 2015.
I've been enjoying time off work to mess about with some lino printing. As one of my Christmas presents, I've been booked on to a day's course in Sheffield to find out more about this technique which I love but have yet to really get the hang of. I am very excited for February when I'll be taking part.
I love the break between Christmas and New Year when there is usually time to do some painting and drawing. I've been reading some of my inspirational art books too. I love these two.
Generally, things have been quite low key around here, as my father in law is very ill. But we've seen family and friends and that has been lovely.
This chair is a recent acquisition which I'm planning to re-cover in the New Year. I loved the carved back, and it is also very comfortable.
More of my scribbles.
See you in 2015 when I hope to be back here on a more regular basis.
I quite often hear people talking about why they don't like - or use - social media. But I must say, I am a devotee because of the networks it creates. I've found out about some fantastic places via Twitter, blogs or Facebook, and last weekend, I visited one of them. Burwash Manor, near Cambridge, is about 40 miles away, and I spotted it popping up on my Twitter account about six months ago. Last Sunday, my friend Jo and I decided to go and explore. Burwash Manor is an organic farm, which has about ten independent shops based in the barns. It's so charming.
No big crowds, easy parking and a tea shop on site too. Couldn't really ask for more. We were lucky it was a sunny, crisp day. We loved a shop called Providence which sells made to measure furniture, but also utilitarian household items, such as lavender beeswax polish, big wooden chopping boards, all sorts of brushes, reconditioned lighting and plenty of vintage items. Another favourite was Homestuff with History, where my first photo at the top of the page was taken.
I thought the shop was so beautifully styled. I bought some of the black and white letters...
There are Christmas trees and decorations, a food hall, deli and butchers, and a few clothes shops too.
If you like to avoid the high street at this time of year, and prefer to choose some really individual gifts, I'd recommend a visit.
A day rounded off with a pot of tea and a slice of coffee and walnut cake in the popular tea room. And all thanks to Twitter!
