Hi there. Friday’s blog a private peek. It’s the buses. You know how you wait for ages, and then they all arrive at the same time? Well this week, the buses all left the depot and headed straight for us. And not in a kind way. First Tina’s Mum and Dad. They are both so ill, and poor Tina has been at her wit’s end trying to juggle hospitals and doctors. I managed to finally talk her out of doing…
Hi there, Thanks for popping in. Decided it’s time for another book of papers. You know, like the Northern Lights one, but different colours. Dee’s already designed her next two, but I am dragging my heels! So out with the alcohol inks and the yupo paper…. It’s messy, but fun. I designed the last collection to work behind parchment as well as for regular stamp art and cardcraft. This is the Northern Lights book: We’re running low on this one, so…
Hi there. Thanks for popping in. The kids have been on my mind a lot since they were here for Dad’s birthday. It was great to see them, and I was so proud of them for making the time and effort to celebrate their grandad’s birthday with the rest of us here in England. They certainly got their priorities right there, didn’t they? But I hate that they live so far away. New York and San Francisco are too far…
Hi there. Thanks for popping in. There was a thread on Groovi Worldwide, our Parchment Facebook page a while ago, lamenting the fact that we don’t have enough Mens’ designs. Do you remember? It ended up as a very long wishlist of all sorts of lovely ideas. Well, you spoke – we listened. This coming Sunday, I shall be launching a brand new set of fab plates on TV – A One Day Special on Hochanda. 7 brilliant, diverse A6…
Hi there. Thanks for joining me. Had a fantastic night last night. It didn’t pan out quite as we had planned, but nonetheless, it was a night to remember, as they say! We went to spend an evening in the company of a few good people, a couple of extrordinary folk singers, and – wait for it – the nightingales. Magical? I’d say so! I switched my phone off as we approached the campfire, and so have no photographic evidence…
Hi there. Thanks for popping in. Just finished watching Rosie’s first hour on Hochanda. Didn’t she do well?! I loved the way that bow came out on the tag! It’s all in the whitework, I guess. I also was most impressed when Rosie showed an aspect of our Colouring Book which hadn’t entered my head. Feathered Friends There was me thinking it was simply a colouring book, or a painting layout. I’m very proud of it. Just wish I had…
Hi there! Thanks for popping in. Sun’s out, and I’ve spent all day clearing up and cleaning this pit of an artroom. Still doesn’t look very different, but it is! Has been seriously thinned out. Remember the other day, I made this print with one of our new pod stencils? special offer: 5 for 4. And this was the copy paper scrap. I deliberately used thin copy paper to blot, so I could make a canvas with it. Cut the copy paper…
Hi there! Thanks for popping in. Friday’s blog a private peek, right? Well, I’ve been in Manchester in thought all week, as, I should imagine, have most of us. Although just not able to tap into the news and constant updates, I have been there in spirit undeterred. Don’t need to be told the details of tragic loss and travesty. But there’s nothing like a senseless, barbaric, vicious attack on innocents to rightsize all the banalities of your own life, is…
Hi there. Thanks for popping in. Sitting in the garden and writing to you after a little siesta, and feeling better for it, I must say. The birds are twittering and the sun is pouring through the trees. Struggling to lift my spirits, but I know I am not alone. But this too shall pass. In the meantime, I immersed myself in paint and a brand new stencil today. A very special one, designed by Mel. It is beautiful to…
Hi there. Thanks for dropping in. Retreated to the back of the cave today. Stayed home. Cleaned all morning. Did laundry. Can’t listen to the radio. Can’t read the papers. Can’t watch the TV. So I’ve pottered away in silence all day. I suppose it’s my way of digesting what happened in Manchester. Not that it is digestible – ever. It sticks in my throat and makes me feel sick as soon as I think of it. But I am certain…