the patchwork dress

settling in

I feel as if I had a bit of a blogbreak over Advent - and really needed it, (moving is more stressful than you think, especially when trying to heat an old vacated house during a coldsnap, both coming down with colds, and Christmas errands too!! - but all evening off now, thank goodness!) so looking forward to building up a head of steam for the new year...

meanwhile, things I love and have been doing about the new house:

...the bird feeding station (or back garden) has been so busy, I just love it. Blackbirds, chaffinches, sparrows, blue and coal tits, and robins. You can just see the robin on the wall in the exact middle of this shot, looking right at the camera ("my best side"). He's such a ham,I love the way they seem to stop and pose, and look at you as if to say... "ah yes, the foot up on the frosty treestump pose - one of my best Christmas 1979". He's like an old theatrical who's been "doing the Christmas card game for years, lovey", and each pose is reminiscent of a vintage scene.

However, while drinking my coffee the other morning, I had to exclaim outloud when I saw 4 robins!! I'd noticed 2 who seemed to tolerate each other, then 3, but 4 was just too much for this poor robin - having his limelight stolen, his robin-ness wasn't putting up with that! What? Robin? You mean there are others? You're not the solo star of all the Christmas cards?

...putting up birdsnests...just in case.

...learning to light and keep a fire! Better than any tv. I love it when the flames lick through little portholes in the logs. I keep thinking of spanish galleons and the Armada for some reason, as the logs, all lit up inside, can look like one of those tudor galleons with stratas of cannon fire, portholes and windows.

The other day I noticed a little offshoot of wood, glowing from within. It seemed to have a smile and two little eyes. As I watched it, the smile lit up, then the eyes - then they would go out, relight etc. Then the eyes would alternately wink, on and off. "You're a little fire toad" I thought - "a funny little ugly toad in the fire - a little fire dragon..." and then I realised I may have seen my first fire salamander!" (or maybe I've been spending too much time alone!...)

...also finishing off (frenetically) the last of an order of Christmas cards and gift labels for Entrading before Christmas. The paradox being that I haven't actually had time or energy to make my own Christmas cards yet - they will be going out soon as more of a change of address/season's greetings combo!

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I've just noticed, this is my 101st post!, just over 100 posts in time for Christmas!

This image is another favourite Christmas card from last year, made from a postcard bought by the sender in Rome - so it is in Rome somewhere. A lovely image, and there is something about the radial stainedglass I could imagine as a patchwork.

I would like to thank everyone who has left a comment on my blog over the year, and most especially if I haven't managed to reply to you, you are still very much appreciated. Thank you for joining me for the advent journey. I really value your interest in my blog, and of course all the support, the wonderful and creative comments. It's been great fun.

Wishing you and yours a very merry and peaceful Christmas/Holiday!

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...hey-hey! what could be better? an angel under a patchwork coverlet! another postcard image from the Swedish quilt collector and writer, Asa Wettre.

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...snow angels!

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the 21st... today is the midwinter solstice, the shortest day here in the northern hemisphere, and from now on the days will grow longer, the sun returns. Over this period at Newgrange in Ireland, a shaft of sunlight penetrates the monument as a precise and exact alignment. Why this was built is an enigma - but I do think we need to take a step back and say it is not about the alignment, the precision is exact - it's what they used the monument for, and why go to this enormous effort? Something to think about over your mince pie! Every year there is a random draw of names to be invited to enter Newgrange during this amazing spectacle. The event actually happens over 4 days from the 17th to the 21st, and the guide when I was there said there is a chance that on one of those days they do actually see the sun!!

You can watch it live here at 8.30am GMT for the first time ever today!

the image is from a postcard (apologies as badly scanned) - NOT of Newgrange, but of 'The Mound of the Hostages' at Tara, not far away in the Boyne Valley area. Along with Knowth, Dowth, Loughcrew - I expect most of these monuments served a similar purpose, or at least shared a similar form.

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...ah..., vintage scraps, picked up I know not when. Labelled 'Raphael Tuck & Sons - Relief Scraps/series R34', they are embossed and slightly 3-d - they could be 1950's??, they have that sort of feel about them. I always liked the bit about the star, the 3 wise men and the stable.

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I just love this image... it could be my fantasy Christmas outfit - inspired perhaps from watching "White Christmas" too many times! I've forgotten the original source for the picture, but love everything about it - the colours, the shape... hey, is that our house in the background?

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...a favourite Christmas card image from years past... Ansel Adams's photograph taken in Yosemite National Park 1948...this image just sums it up for me...

17 - remembering John Crawford

Around this time of year I would often receive a Christmas card from my uncle John - my mum's brother - of a local Norfolk scene that he had watercoloured during the year.

John died several days ago after a long illness, and the funeral service will be held today. I wanted to remember him by sharing some of the beautiful paintings he sent as Christmas cards over the years.

I am rather annoyed with myself that I can't find last year's image, which was the first one he'd had printed. (...packed in a box somewhere, but won't reveal itself)

He was a successful businessman, very sociable, and had a passion for golf from an early age. I understand that he played well, at a skilled level and remember him telling some entertaining stories.

Grandma was a keen watercolourist of both flowers and landscapes, and John really encouraged her often promoting and selling her paintings on her behalf.

As you can see, it was a talent he also shared.

John always had a great ability to make me giggle since childhood, and I shall remember him fondly for his great sense of humour.

country moo-ves

This last week has been preoccupied both with moving, but also adjusting to new circumstances, a new environment, new routines and outlook...

I did manage at one point to climb up onto the highpoint behind the house and take this photograph - looking down Loch Lomond. It is amazing, and so much more peaceful than life in town. - but basic things like keeping warm in an old stone house, running a woodburning stove, driving to the shops - all these things are new to us, and have to be learned and accommodated into new patterns. I notice whenever I go somewhere new that it takes a while to adjust - that you have to 'think' what you are doing, rather than the automatic pilot of familiarity - and all this takes time and a lot of energy!

I managed another short walk today just around the village. Flocks of wintering geese were landing in the fields, and it was a real joy to see and hear them. I was just contemplating how quiet the lane was trafficwise, when a car drew up and a woman advised me to 'keep into the side, there's a bull coming'. I stepped in to a passing place and watched the farmer usher the trotting bull along the lane.

I then contemplated, slightly more quickly, that wearing an orange scarf to be cosy, may not have been a good idea on this occasion. The bull seemed to agree, and at the last minute looked like he was about to veer towards me. I hopped quickly over the gate into the field, and the ginger bull ran past. Another lady pulled up and asked if I was 'ok?' I was actually very happy, as I felt as if I'd had a mini adventure.

As a friend later asked me - "..was it a dark bull or a ginger one? - because the ginger ones, they're the meanest..."

These are some more Christmas style recycled magazine cards made for Entrading just before we moved.

Images show the card fronts and the corresponding envelopes. I'm noticing that I've photographed a few batches this way - including a recent order for Bridal invites which I'll post about shortly - almost like a 9 patch quilt block.