An Itty Bitty Book

A favourite artist blogger recently decided to put some of her art cards together in a project called an Itty Bitty Book. She very kindly sent me a copy which cheered me up no end this week :D I do love snail mail and I very much enjoy her art.
It is made up of some of her art cards, she described the process of making them here on her blog.
I have been so lacking in concentration that I followed her lead and decided to make some art cards of my own. This size of art is really good for me right now as I get tired so quickly but I need to be doing something. After all I have been spending quite a bit of time with my knee wrapped in frozen peas or elevated, lol. Besides, I offered in a post last week to send out a few ATC's and Spring greetings cards.

Up until now, I have had three takers which isn't too onerous a task, I have managed to undertake a few over the time. However, I so liked the idea of a small book that I sort of used it (sorry Ingrid, I should really be more original but the concept really appealed to me right now) . It isn't exactly the same, I am not very good at small but using a mix of Microsft publisher and other programs that I never normally get the chance to play with, I am in the midst of putting together a small booklet which incorporates a little art and a few quotes which reflect some of my feelings right now.
It still has a way to go but hopefully I will be able to include a copy with my ATC's. Meanwhile, I shall leave you with a couple of pages of Kastlkaos creation.



Thanks a lot Ingrid for the mail and the inspiration :) I wasn't sure I should do my own version but as Andy reminded me, imitation is the biggest form of flattery ;-)

Berrington Hall

Our visit to Berrington took place before the accident, I cannot believe that it was over two weeks ago now.
Berrington is known for having a rather austere exterior but I felt an instant affinity with the place that was quite strange. I love the plainer georgian unfussy lines.



Inside was beautiful, the ceilings in particular are spectacular. I would have liked to take a picture but National Trust policy on picture taking is a little unclear right now. Some say no photograghy at all, other say no flash. Anyway, rather than get thrown out, I resisted. Well until I got to the staircase that is, when I managed a sneaky one, I am sure they will forgive me!



The history of owners was quite fascinating, it was originally purchased by Thomas Harley, a banker in 1775 who commissioned Capability Brown to landscape the gardens and Henry Holland as designer for the House.



Thomas Harley's daughter married the son of the Admiral Lord Rodney and many of the art works on the walls are of naval battles. However, much of the art was also sold off after George, the 7th Lord Rodney gambled a way all the family wealth.

Frederick Cawley, a cotton merchant bought the hall in 1901 and had it sympathetically restored. It was given to the National Trust in 1957 when death duties were too much for the family to be able to keep it.

I enjoyed the gardens very much, the man-made pool is something else. I also love walled gardens. this one also had a herb drying area. The smell was gorgeous as we reached there and I can only assume that some kind of fragrant bush was in the area although Andy and myself both experienced an odd feeling by the gate there. we did both feel as though someone were with us....it has been a long time since I had that feeling.
Anyway, it was by no means untoward, just a little odd.



I really look forward to visiting later in the year too, I very much want to go and view the gardens in the the Spring.

One thing I do have to mention is that the volunteers at Berrington are wonderful. Their enthusiasm and knowledge is second to none and I am sure that one of the reasons we felt so comfortable there, is due to their welcoming attitude. Often these places can seem a little stuffy, there was none of this evident here, the atmosphere is a credit to them all.

Happy Award

I was nominated this lovely award from Diane, her blog can be found here and is far from sucky, despite what she says ;-)

I have to say it was with some amusement that I read this nomination, there is a certain irony.
Just right now I confess to being far from happy.
At the beginning of last week, I was literally crawling around the house. There was some very quick recovery and in a couple of days, I was able to get up and down the stairs more easily and when a friend lent me a walking stick, I seemed to make inroads even more quickly.
This week has been almost the opposite. Apart from the fading of some of my more cosmetic bruises, there has been very little improvement. At 1am this morning, I was lying awake and feeling very sorry for myself. The pain in my knee and leg is relentless and seems to have taken over my life. Last weekend further bruises came up over my foot, I can only think that this leg was my braking system!



Just as my knee gets comfortable, then I get uncomfortable in the ankle area. Sort out the right ankle and pains materialise in the left and so on. Chopping my leg off seems a little drastic but just right now...........

Andy and I were meant to be away at the coast this weekend but all things considered, sadly we decided we needed to cancel it. I had also been lucky enough to get through a sift for a job promotion but as the interviews are being held this week and next, after a lot of deliberation, I decided to cancel that too.
So in the night, I was trying to think of something that would make me happy and all I could come up with was a Galaxy Ripple!
If anyone finds my sense of humour lying around, could they please send it me back, I am missing it.
So, perhaps now you will understand why I found this particular award quite funny. In the light of the morning of course, I can think of several things that make me happy and I thank Diane for reminding me ;-)

Andy
My family
Good friends
Nature
The sun,
My camera
Art
Wine,
Snail Mail
Having my hair brushed

I would like to nominate all the blogs listed in my favourite art and photo blogs for this award too.
Meanwhile, talking about snail mail, I have set myself a little target. I am going to take make a few ATC’s, just some small projects to get me going again. Shortly before the accident I had been making a series of Spring cards as well.



So if you would like one together with a small artists trading card, just email me your address, you too can take part in my therapy!

Spooky Cat

Well as you may have gathered, since the accident neither Andy or I have doing very much. We are pretty much grounded with both of us tiring very quickly undertaking the most basic of tasks, so it is a case of having to take it easy.
I haven't felt like creating anything much but yesterday some paper arrived that I had ordered way back in January. It had been put on back order as it was all out of stock.
So I had my first play on Stonehenge black paper.



I do think it looks a little spooky! One thing I have found already is not to use an erasor. This paper is very easily damaged and I am experiencing problems in they eye area from using a battery erasor. I am not too worried if it doesn't work out though, it is just good to be getting going again, albeit slowly.

Rollercoaster Week

Firstly I would like to very much thank all those who have sent their good wishes to Andy and myself for our speedy recovery following last weeks motor accident. I meant to respond to comments personally throughout the week but quite frankly the week has careered along at an alarming rate. You always think that when you are off work sick that you will have lots of time on your hands. Nothing could have been further from reality for this week. It has been a never ending circle of appointments, phone calls and various things to sort out.
Firstly, there was the matter of rescuing personal items from the van as it is clearly a write-off. These flowers were in the back on the day of the accident and I simply could not believe it when they were pulled out, battered and torn but still intact.



Andy gave them a drop of water and put them outside and they almost immediately recovered, I almost wish we could do the same with us lol.

Next there are all the legalities and I was so pleased that the local policeman that came to interview Andy as the driver showed sensitivity and little gentle humour which is so important when you feel vulnerable, an all round good guy. I was also very impressed with all the emergency services following the accident who arrived in an incredibly short time and were so professional.

I had also been very busy at work in the lead up. Quite naturally they wanted to know how far I had got, what needed doing and what has been put to one side that now requires action. It was trying to answer questions like these that made me realise quite the mess I was in. My concentration is poor, trying to recall things makes me quite tearful and decisions seem to be beyond me. It is a scary feeling!

There are also other things to sort out that you don't initially consider such as personal items that get damaged. For Andy, the worse one is probably his glasses which got broken.

The camera equipment was in the car on impact and sadly one of our lenses is also broken, it is a favourite of mine and I am disappointed. Don't misunderstand me, I know we should be grateful we are alive and believe me we are...but I am still sad at the demise of this lens. The last images on Sunday shortly before were of some Great Crested Grebes out on Dudmaston Lake.



However, I did make the decision to replace the lens, for some reason I have the attitude that life is too short :) For now I am not really up to doing much with it but when I do start to feel a little better, it will be good to sit and maybe take a few of the birds on our feeders. If indeed I ever get to sit ;-)
Meanwhile, I gave it to Andy to have a little play..he came up with these gorgeous images of the bullfinches.





Doubly meaningful because when got back from the accident on Sunday, these arrived at the feeder. Both Andy and myself watched them and smiled at each other. It was good to still be alive.
Both Andy and I were checked out at the hospital for breakages and fractures last week. Thankfully, we are both clear of any of those. Initially Andy looked to have emerged relatively unscathed, he had a cut on his face from where the airbag smacked into his glasses but since then his shoulder became very painful and it transpires that he has ripped the muscle. My knee has soft tissue damage but I was quite impressed that the Doctor referred me straight way to the physiotherapy department and I have an appointment with them next week!
The bruises and bumps are coming up rather well now as can be seen by my arm. I won't show you my face again, not a pretty sight haha.



And talking of colour, my work colleagues sent these beautiful Spring flowers in a basket.



together with this lovely card which has been beautifully made



Thank you very much all :D

Being so busy at work prior to the accident had meant that I had not had much time to keep up with my blog reading. I am hoping that as things settle down a little, I get a little reading time. The physiotherapist's initial instruction was to elevate my leg with frozen peas on my knee as often as possible with some exercise in between. I am already paying the price for ignoring the advice yesterday and undertaking by far too much, so my plans for next week are to do as I am told. Very unusually I might add....oh and I think as my babe is also off work I shall let him vet my phone calls.

As for Andy, I never take our relationship for granted and I shall always be eternally grateful that I was lucky enough to share our lives together. But, I have counted my blessing so many times this week. Despite his own pain and injuries, he has been quietly supportive and attentive to me. Andy has borne the brunt of most of all the hassle, run up and down the stairs looking after me and still managed to make me laugh and smile.

I am very fortunate.

Never turn down a Cream Tea

We were out an about at the weekend, notably Berrington Hall and then to Dudmaston on Sunday. The weather was kind and there were some lovely flowers. We found a seat out of the wind on Sunday and the sun was gorgeous. We sat there just soaking up the rays on our faces for the first time in months. When we go to any National Trust property Andy and myself both have a weakness for Coffee and Walnut cake. Sadly on Sunday they ran out by the time we got there.
With this in mind, we decided to pick up a cake from the shop on the way home. On the way home a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction suddenly veered onto our side of the road and hit us head on. Now if we has settled for a cup of tea and a scone..........



So I am sporting one heck of a shiner, this was yesterday and is getting more interesting as we go, together with some of my other bruises! Overall I am really glad that everyone involved is reasonably ok.
However, there is a technical term for my knee that I cannot use on a family blog and as Andy says, it has slowed my gallop no end, I am beginning to really appreciate the value of mobility!
Despite everything, there is always an amusing side, Andy's conversation with the Young Lady at the insurance company being one of them. It went a little like this:

(YL) "what damage is there to your vehicle?"

(ANDY) "major frontal damage"

(YL) "what, like the bumper?"

(ANDY) "yes!, and the bonnet, and both wings, and the engine and gearbox"

(YL) "are the lights damaged?"

(ANDY) "yes!"

(YL) "both?"

(ME) "yes!"

(ANDY) "was there any fluid leakage at the scene?"

(ANDY) "yes!"

(YL) " Do you know what fluids were leaking?"

(ANDY) "yes!... I think the washer bottle was leaking, plus the engine/gearbox oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant & diesel, there was also a small amout of blood"

silence for a second or two?............................................................................

(YL) "am I talking to the driver?"

(ANDY) "amazingly, YES!"

(YL) "I think you should consider yourself lucky!"

I am not sure Andy felt too lucky but at least it made us laugh and laughter is healing :D

Images of Spring

Skywatch Friday - Pink Tree

Haha, now that is different isn't it? For my regular visitors, this one is a good one for the theme of who's art is it anyway?

I can tell you it is the art of Phillipa Lawrence called Bound, Croft. It is a diseased Oak tree wrapped in cotton and I think last year it was red. However, after a year in the elements, it has turned a striking pink...especially against such a blue sky!

Other Skywatch images can be found here. Happy SWF :-)

It can be seen at Croft Castle as part of the Meadow Arts Commission 2009.

Food for the Soul

I decided to make the very most out of the day and took the opportunity to watch the birds in my own garden which is a rare occurence. We are lucky enough to have three bullfinches visiting right now, for most of the winter in fact.





I also went for a walk around Severn Valley, it was nice to relax. There were the usual mallards and swans but the Mandarin pair popped in too :D

Industrial Action by Civil Servants

I don't very often talk about what I do for a living on here. Somewhere I think I have mentioned that I am a Civil Servant but I won't bore you with the finer details. Today and tomorrow Civil servants area taking action in protest at the government cutting redundancy payments by simply slicing them down. More about this can be read on the PCS Union website. Most of us are aware that job losses will escalate in the next few years and there cannot be many of us that are not living with the possibility of redundancy.



Many people do not have too much sympathy with civil servants, I think they see them all as being the bowler hat brigade. However, in my experience, most of them are hardworking people who just get on with their job like many others who work for the private sector.
It has been more than 30 years since I last took any kind of industrial action and I am not really too happy about it now. However, when your employer messes with your terms and conditions without any consultation, at the very least there needs to be some form of protest. So these two days are my protest!

As it goes, we have been very busy at work lately, the workload has been very high and the environment has been stressful for many reasons. Together with the added annoyance of a virus that has given me coughing and sneezing fits in the night for a few weeks now, I am quite exhausted. I decided that as my two days of action are going to cost me in terms of money, it would be nice to invest in my well being. With this in mind, I have two very peaceful days planned and am going to enjoy my unexpected days off with relish. If the ground warms up enough, I have a few things to plant, if it doesn't I may do a little crafting for a change. Hopefully, I will get the chance to take a few photographs at least to share. With that in mind here is one from yesterday to remind us that Spring is on it's way.

Raf

Is it really last week since I posted? Life seems to be flying by right now, a sure sign of being busy! Thankfully, I may get a bit of "me" time in the next few days which will also provide some time to catch up with all my blogging friends.
Meanwhile, I am now able to share a project from last month as I know it has reached the recipient. Raf, is sadly not in the best of health, I understand he is reaching quite advanced years for a German Shepherd.



With this in mind, he was quite a challenge as I was working to small photo's from healthier times. I know a lot of artists won't do this as they feel the loss of detail is too great. However, I can always remember greatly admiring the work of one artist who created a wonderful rendition of a very loved cat for an owner that had lost a dear one from a 2 inch scrap. In my mind this is true artistry.
If I restricted myself to only ever creating art from perfect images, I think it would be sad. Sometimes, I think it is necessary to look beyond and be able to create a little magic.
Like many artists, I am my own most ruthless critique but was delighted when the people that love Raf were pleased and that his eyes were "him"!
That is quite an accolade and will do for me :)