In search of the perfect A

We have a guild assignment for the May Galleria.  I have been in search of a perfect A...

And so my quest continues and then to complete the assignment, using only one letter, we are to (as I interpret it) create texture, repetition, interest....... back to my desk!

Signs of Spring

Today was a very sunny, lovely, warm day here.  I went for a bit of a wander around the garden in search of signs of Spring and I was not disappointed! 

The Hyacinth smelled wonderful!

The Primula look a bit like they've already been lunch for some small creature...

The Bluebells are almost ready to pop open.

I think these are called "Hens and Chicks"? they survived the winter!

Even the rhubarb is making an appearance. 

Everything is at least a month behind though as ten years ago last week, the Magnolia was in bloom for my Dad to sit under and have lunch. We didn't know that he would pass away later that afternoon. The buds on the Magnolia are starting to swell but it will be a little while yet before they burst open.

Spring is right around the corner.....

Technically Spring is about 2 days away and all signs are pointing towards it!  These crocuses have been blooming in the garden for a few days now.  I especially like the mauve ones as I remember as a small person, going to River Park in SW Calgary and picking a skirtful of crocuses.  Just a small memory of a happy time.

This month, Erin and I were lucky enough to meet another rockstar! Well, really, if I am honest, I had nothing to do with it other than driving into the city.  Erin likes to paint portraits of people she likes and Jeff Martin happens to be on her list.  So, she painted this:

And that effort got us backstage after the fantastic show at the Media Club in Vancouver.  The club is one of those small, dark, poorly lit clubs in the city. There were no lights on the stage so videos shot are more about the music than watching the band, in particular Jeff Martin.  His music is very influenced by Middle Eastern music.  A very enjoyable evening, even if it was about 1:30 am by the time we got to meet the band!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMxnJ3Zkn6g&feature=related

I am not a fan of having my photo taken but I make exceptions occasionally even if I don't look that great!

And if that wasn't enough excitement for the month of March, it was also the annual trek to Yellow Point Lodge on Vancouver Island.  The weekend retreat is always a great time and this weekend was no exception. My friend Pat and I had volunteered to be part of the Saturday evening entertainment and so after the Shareshop in the morning which was led by Dellaine  - Pre Copperplate Italic, we had lunch and went right to work, organizing, setting up, etc.  We were so busy I didn't even get outside when the sun was shining to take photos of the water or the soothing scenery! And then Sunday poured rain. It was so wet that we had to take the group photo indoors standing in front of the big fireplace. I don't remember if I was ever there when that happened before.

My roommate, Jeanne, and I spent some of our spare time making greeting cards.  I had just taken a class at Country Lane, revisiting Twinkling H2Os, where we made four cards.  We used them as "jumping off points" and make some to have on hand. 

I don't think anyone could ever have a bad time at Yellow Point. What's not to like?! you wake up in the morning and know that you have to be in the dining room in time for breakfast which starts with juice, muffins, cereal, yoghurt, fruit, porridge and then whatever you chose to have for a cooked breakfast or a daily special such as Eggs Mornay.  On Saturday morning there is a mini workshop and there is always a coffee break halfway through the morning served with cookies.  Lunch! on Saturday consists of croissants with cold cuts, lettuce and tomato, other salad choices and soup.  Oh! don't forget the dessert! Saturday afternoon is free time for a nature walk or more lettering.  Dinner is served after Libations and is usually a Prime Rib Dinner with Yorkshire Pudding and all the trimmings and those of us who do not eat red meat, a fish entree is specially made for us.  Have I mentioned once about having to make your own bed or cook a meal or do laundry or anything like that?! no, it is all done for you and is quality through and through. A perfect place to carry on a long tradition.  And when the view from your cabin is this.....no complaints!

Is it Spring yet?

I really should watch when I am creating a post that it is on the right blog!!  Instead of the original post, which now appears on the Alphabeas blog.........I will offer this bouquet as a sign that Spring will appear one day, hopefully soon!

taken February 4th, 2011 in the Challice Well Garden, Glastonbury, Somerset, UK

by Bev

I recently spent ten days in the UK. Being a friend of the bride whose wedding I was attending, I offered to do the calligraphy for the reception.  I did the lettering over the month previous to the wedding and then carried it with me to set up there.  It worked out pretty well, don't you think?!

Seating Chart

Not knowing exactly what matte board would be available for me to set this up on, I think we did very well working via emails and fingers crossed!

close-up before the ribbons were added

photo by Keziah Trump

One of the table markers. They were double sided, the other side was a description of the Blue Anchor.

photo by Kez

The tables looked amazing!

I did the place cards as well. Everything turned out so wonderfully well.

After the wedding, my friend Rose and I were the lucky house sitters and carers to these adorable kitties.

Biscuit, a tiny cat with a huge presence! She rules the house and lords it over.......

Gray, who has only lived at the cottage for about three months. He isn't quite sure how to take Biscuit's snottiness but I'm sure they'll get it sorted soon.  He just has to realize that she rules the house! All he wants as much affection as possible and all the food.

We did a day trip to Dublin to see the Book of Kells. Of course, they don't allow you to photograph anything once you are inside the viewing room. It was wonderful, though, to go in the winter time because it meant that there weren't that many people there! We got to spend about 15 or more minutes viewing the books! There was a carpet page and a lettering page for the Book of Kells and a lettering page for the Book of Durrow and the Book of Armagh.  I think I liked the Book of Armagh page the best this trip. It looked to me that the scribe had over estimated the space required by the illuminator.  It was great to be able to have that time to actually look and realize that there was more space than necessary for the versal "P".

When in England, you always have to look for amazing lettering...

Notice the decoration on the bottom of the above page.  Reminiscent of an instructional sheet given to calligraphers by Cari Ferraro a couple of years ago!

How's that for an S?

Carved in wood.......

not bad, eh?

This video shows the amazing power of Mother Nature. There are a couple of caves in the rock face and as the waves come round the corner, a plume of water shoots out from the cave before the water crashes against the rocks.  We could hear the pounding surf from quite a way off. We stood and watched for quite awhile.

 

Ten days goes by very fast, especially when you try and pack as much in as possible!

Birthdays...

We have a lot of January birthdays in our Guild.  A long time ago we started exchanging cards and it is always nice to see the number and variety we come up with.  A couple of nights ago I decided before I put the light out in the studio, I should make a few for the meeting coming up on Saturday...

All the same but each a little different.  I am on a "use everything up in my studio" kick. It will take years.

New Year's Resolution?

Mine will have to be to write more often..... how time flies when you are busy doing something - just not sure what it is that takes all my time. Life maybe?!


My holiday card for 2010.......

I stole the fold design from a card I received last year from Liz in North Carolina.  By taping or gluing the left hand panel to the back of the middle panel you create a card that fits in a #10 envelope and it only has to make one pass through the printer or copier.  Thank you Liz!

It is always a rush in the late autumn to get "the card" done in time for the guild Christmas party.

In amongst all the rush were concerts and performances to attend.  It is now a must to see Billy Connolly when he comes by this way. This time we were treated to being able to meet him!  Erin painted his portrait so we waited back stage at the Queen E theatre until his limo arrived...

He seemed to really like it! and it was worth an invitation in out of the rain!

Erin and Billy

And although I really hate having my photo taken, how could I resist?!

Loree, Billy and me.

Here's a great Billy sketch from a few years ago.....

About a week later a group of us went to see Leonard Cohen.  What an amazing performer he is - still! I have listened to him since high school and have always loved what he does.  I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The sound was perfect, great company and I haven't stopped listening to his music since. If he comes near you, don't hesitate to go and see him, if you like him, you will love him live. He gives his best.

And then a week later, we went to see Roger Waters'  The Wall.  It was an incredible performance. The building of the wall and then watching it come down........

And now Christmas has come and the dinner is done, the guests have gone home and the dishwasher is nearing the end of the cycle.

I am listening to a Leonard Cohen album I received for Christmas and have the DVD from when he played that wonderful weekend that saw many rockers Live at the Isle of Wight in August 1970.  Now that would have been a good one to have been at!!

This next week looks to be another busy one but I will definitely be trying harder in the coming year to visit here more often and attempt to show what I am up to.  I am working on some projects for a wedding the end of January. I am hoping for much warmer weather by the time I get to England for the wedding!  I'll give some sneak previews as I get them done.... in the meantime, enjoy the music!!