Random Treasure

You must watch this all through!


Thanks Linds!

Line Out, Run and Scrum Down!

Some pictures from the match. It was a really good one, and ended in a 7:7 draw. a try and a conversion each. The Boy was in white shorts, having lost his blue ones. The Man remarked on the cleanliness of his boots, and we realized that clean=new that morning. I did not shriek on the touchline (unlike some!!!) and we all went for hot choc afterwards. Good Day.

Huge Mouthfuls

I was going to post a photo of the most delicious doughnut ever, but, alas gentle reader, I ate it. You do not need to see a photo of the empty bag, it might incite terrible feelings of jealousy and rage. My dear friend introduced me to Krispy Kreme yesterday; actually it was the first time for both of us, she was acting on information received from her daughter. Daughter was not wrong! It was an Apple Crumble Dessert Donut, and it was heaven in a bag. I meant to only eat half, and donate the second half to The Man, but I ate it all, and I AM NOT ASHAMED. He did have one of his own; and a bag of fudge; and a banana. At least I only had one donut. I have been up and down the ladder 10 times already as penance. And will only eat yoghurt today.
We are going to see The Boy play rugby at Rugby tomorrow. On 'The Close' where the game began. ' "Oh frabjous day, calloo, callay" she chortled in her joy'. About seeing The Boy, not the rugby!!!

Big Mouthfuls

Despite mega help from friend and son-of-friend, S2B still seems a long way from finished. I fear that I have bitten off more than I can chew in the time available. Disappointment on the work table front because I*** had the table top but not the legs (and the ones I hoped would do instead WON'T, snarl), so I won't have a table to work at until next week at the earliest. And there are boxes everywhere. I have a shameful amount of stuff. I have made about forty trips up and down the ladder, more or less laden, so my thigh muscles (adductors, abductors?) are sore. Will I become Miss Universe in time? The upshot is that there is a long way to go, and I feel very bad about the times I spent watching CSI instead of wielding a screwdriver to assemble drawers, or painting, or stitching, or drawing. College starts back on Oct 1st and THERE IS STILL NO SKETCHBOOK.
So I have posted a cheering picture. Because one thing I have learnt in the last turbulent year is that worrying about little things is simply too much effort, not to mention utterly pointless. What is important is to raise ones eyes from the problem and look at the good things that surround one. Like freesias. And sunsets. And lovely pebbles. And doughnuts. Only to look at of course!

Words from my Father

Discumknockerpooperated = tired
Discumknockershatterpooperated = extremely tired
I am somewhere between the two after marathon paint session. Now have to remove paint from hands before heading to a manicure. Am I bonkers? This made me laugh....

It's Friday and the Studio is still not finished

The picture is an early evening shot across the bay. You do not want to see another photo of S2B. As a shortcut, just look at the earlier pictures of S2B and mentally move everything a foot to the left. And add white to the locker. This is as far as I have got. I do not know where the time goes! I start back on Oct 1st, and I should have an A3 sketchbook full of work (a pristine empty one will not cut it). I cannot concentrate on that sort of work while everything in the workspace is umptydoodleum (one of my Dad's fantastic made up words). I have now acquired a laundry hamper to store fabrics in (which entailed drive to Essex, so that's one day accounted for) and some new paints and yummy papers. I am determined not to use the kitchen any more (scrubbing acrylic paint off Corian worktops is a stinker) so today is the day I finish painting the furniture and tomorrow we move stuff. The Man has promised to assist between rugby matches. If he is not in the depths of grief. England play South Africa tonight. Oh dear. They may hold the championship but they are not playing well. I do not know much, but I am told so. I only watch bits of matches since the time I had to be physically restrained from getting on a plane to give the team 'what for' after a spectacularly bad performance. It is too stressful and brings out the worst in me. I may get the chance to see The Boy in action soon as he has been in trials for one of the school teams, he scored a try, so may be selected for U16 squad. He is not the sportiest of individuals so is a real achievement. His school is where the game was invented, but they do not always win. Which is healthy. What a long post, and about a subject that was not where I started. I shall go and paint (white) but chant the names of lovely paints for inspiration. Quinacridone Crimson; Nickel Azo Gold; Interference Red; Transparent Iron Oxide; Burnt Umber. And my very favourite. Viridian. Viridian. Viridian.
Go for it Green Girl.

re: No. 8 on the gratitude list

You’re my servant, serving on my side.
I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Isaiah 41:9-10 The Message
(The painting '41910' is one of mine. Please do not copy without permission.)

Gratitude

My dear friend Linds has alerted me to the Morning Glory / Lei / Woman to Woman 'challenge' to find 11 reasons for gratitude, so here goes.
1. Salvation - God loves me, Jesus died for me, the Holy Spirit lives in me. Woohoo!
2. I am alive and well.
3. September 11th is primarily my mum's birthday.
4. I have a gorgeous and wonderful son: 'the best boy in the world'.
5. The sun is shining.
6. I have a home and enough to eat.
7. I have some fiercely loyal and wonderful friends.
8. I am safe in God's hands
9. I am loved.
10. There is always hope.
11. I am learning to enjoy being me.

The Foolishness of God

Just a quick post to share this fantastic song with you. Saw it on Songs of Praise last night. Sung in front of the Graham Sutherland tapestry in Coventry Cathedral. Then found this video interpretation on youtube. Hope the link works. The song is 'A Crucified Man' by Graham Kendrick. Goosebumps. And the urge to dance. Not in public. Yet.

A Dyeing Fall

Sorry for the dreadful pun. Some lovely new yarn arrived yesterday. Really fine (28/2) worsted and 20/2 cotton / linen mix. About 3000 metres of each. Joy and jubilation. Now I can dye and make my own colour blends of multiple strands. Should be able to get some lovely effects that way. I tidied up the dyeing room (aka The Scullery) yesterday too, so I KNOW WHERE EVERYTHING IS. Have a bid in on ebay for a yummy laundry hamper, so am about to tie my head up in a duster like Miss Moppet in the Beatrix Potter book and go paint that table. And the window frame. And the old Police locker which you can just see on the RHS of the photo of S2B. No supper for The Man tonight. Took some work to an exhibition last night. Hoping for sales and good feedback. And The Boy is fine. So am I.

O Me Miserum

The Boy goes back to school today (not by camel), so we are sewing name labels. We? I mean me! We (and I do mean we) made a chocolate cake for his tuck box, to go with the pile of sweeties.... He is sorting stuff to take back. We usually manage to fill the LandRover. Last summer break up we had three of us and all his stuff in Mum's little car. Tight Fit!!! I shall miss him like crazy.

TANFA's Log Supplemental

Does this happen to you too? I was in church yesterday, listening to the bible reading, and an idea for a whole piece just dropped in to my head. Before that, I had some moments of complete clarity as to how to overcome blockages on another couple of ideas. Whoo! Perhaps I need to start taking a sketchbook to worship. Perhaps God is trying to tell me something about future direction? If you don't know about TANFA, look at my website annlouisemorris.com

S2B (or not 2B)

Two views of the studio to be. You will observe, gentle reader, that there is much to be moved out (or down, as it is a loft space). Drum kit (Boy's, not mine - he is going to have my former sewing room as a drum space), assorted crates (Church stuff), sailing stuff and redundant games items. The floor and ceiling are good (thanks Dad) and Dad is also going to build a 'companionway' ladder to replace the metal loft one. He is a star. But I will have to move stuff to other places and into the new studio in time. First I have to clear the lower garage as a staging post. All this explains the 'not to be' of the title because I need to do some 'real' work (i.e. design stuff for uni / commissions / projects) and ought not to be distracted by rooms for too long. Plus, you should see the cobwebs that are hanging round the house.... There was a HUGE spider in the utility sink yesterday. I could see it was so, EVEN WITHOUT MY GLASSES. I think the Pterodactyl must have sent it. Maybe I will go and make a mug of tea....

The Road to Emmaus

Having decided (sorry Linds!) to go for the eclectic white look and lain awake until 2.30 thinking about where to start, the Man and I went to 'Emmaus' to look for stuff (and to take some excess stuff too, oh Good Girl). It is a great source of vintage stuff and I remembered seeing a formica topped 50's table when I visited last. And they do great cake. No 50's table but did find a solid wood one (see pic) and some vintage rose fabric (see other pic). The table is really sturdy and will do for 'messy play' in the short term, and (when painted) as a sewing machine table. I think I need to take some photos of the S2B (studio to be) so that you, gentle reader, can spur me on in my efforts....