Sale coming up...

I have been feverishly working away for a sale that I am part of next month at a beautiful venue called Burgh House in Hampstead. 

There will be a number of other designer/makers exhibiting  hand-made, lovely things....and although I hate to mention the 'c' word already, it is true that 'it' is hurtling towards us!

Come along and have a glass of wine and get those presents early...I promise there will not be a sniff of a mince pie but the cafe there does the best cheese scones ever!

Brian Cooke

I recently came across the work of illustrator Brian Cooke in this beautiful little book full of paintings of the British landscape. He illustrated a series of guides published by the Batsford press in the 1930's - 1950's.

His work ranged massively, from quite pared-down, subtley coloured English villages to wildly vivid views of evening light hitting the hills, with some of the most amazing colour!

My favourite is this view of a castle looking out over a Scottish loch - the purple and orange is fantastic! I have been trying to use these colours together ever since I first saw this painting and it's really difficult to not go off the scale and make something horrid! Very clever and very lovely I think. 

Cups of tea.

We spent a weekend by the sea in Brighton, and found this classic Betty in a shop called UTILITY. It is full of wonderfully simple and useful things. 

I love bootfairs, charity shops and the like, and am very content rummaging among rows of bits and bobs, in the hope of finding something lovely.... I did! Not tea pots I know... but close!

But nicest of all, my sister-in-law who makes beautiful, tiny objects, gave me this rather cross lady in a tea cup. It seems to say it all! You can see more of her work at www.pullo.co.uk and at she will be exhibiting as part of Brighton Open House at 99, Ditchling Rise, Brighton on the following dates:  December 1st- 2nd, 8th- 9th and 15th-16th.