Creative diary

On Saturday I made some large holed beads trying to get going on things to sell at an event I go to each year called 'faites des fleurs'  -  they did not seem quite right - but I found a nice old branch in the woods and decided to use it as a display and inspiration for pendants. I began with leaves - and made them on copper wire to bend into loops for the cord.

St. Valentine

      My friends Jane and Lea have moved to the North of France. Before they left I gave a valentines meal, - with heart shaped food,- and glasses engraved with each person's initial for a toast to friendship - for a memory. I made the roses from paper and gave them away and forgot to photograph anything - so I made more.   I then took photographs of each stage of making the roses  -   to show people how to do them - I was thinking of the papier maché class.  The 'candles' are glass tube oil lamps which Bill used to make. Bill has not been able to do any glass blowing since some time in March - he had another minor stroke - and now his hand won't work properly.

creative diary

On Friday I was mowing a neighbour's lawn and did not want to waste the pretty pink daises, so I picked some and scanned them into the computer to make some decorated writing paper and greeting cards.

This may be too obvious to mention - but - when you scan or photocopy things that are not very flat, put a thick cloth over the top of the printer to block out the light.

collections

I collect.
             

My son suggested that I paint my collections when I said I was stuck.   In this painting of some of my bottle collection, I wanted to balance the paint marks with the subject matter, so the bottles could only be understood as a collection, and not individually.

a commission from my village

         I was asked to make signs for the old school -where I hold the papier maché class, and there are painting classes, and modelling, and sometimes, mosaic- they will be installed outside the two classrooms.
         Another commission,  for Nadine, the lady living opposite the Mairie -----

 - decoration of a large plant trough . Years ago I decorated the Village Bar with a frieze all around - grape vines, -and the fruit etc that are used in the manufacture of the drinks and the favourite flowers of the customers - so she wanted something similar. ( I had my heart more in the Bar - Maria, the owner, is wonderful.] Unfortunately the Bar is now closed.

still trying to close the gap

The Guédelon drawings are approx. 60cms. x 45cms.

  Here is more bead work. It is all made in the flame in glass.

I do necklaces [or bracelets] made in favourite colours......

Guédelon

Guédelon

After 40 mins. drive through beautiful countryside listening to beautiful music I arrive at Guédelon. It is a 25 year project building a castle exactly in the way it was done in the 13th century. It is magnificent. Everything needed for constructing the castle and for the community involved is sourced and made on site. Before Guédelon shut for the winter I felt I needed to go there to do some drawings - for 3 hours I am engulfed in a medieval world and feel completely at home. Then I drive home and leave home behind.

continuation

• Sorry for the long gap - not that anyone has sat waiting for news - I broke the computer key board. Bill still insists that the cat is to blame for sleeping on it because it is warm - but I knocked over my gin and tonic.  Even though my brother bought me a new computer, I couldn't think that anyone would be interested.   On Christmas day at our friends' house I was sitting next to Jane, and on the coffee table there was a bronze hare,- I mentioned my blog, and Jane was interested.  My Dad said I am a drifter - drifting into significance came Jane - she can speak and my life comes into focus.

papier maché