New Self Published Cards

You may remember that last year I started to produce a small collection of self published cards as I had been asked by several galleries and shops if I had any featuring my designs that they could sell. Four new ones arrived this week, taking the total to nine in the range. They are all printed on lovely matt watercolour style paper.

I'd love to know which is your favourite?  I really like the Bullfinch and hope it will be popular as it is my guide image for Cambridge Open Studios this year.

They are £2.60 each available from my online shop.

Snowdrops

I've been wanting to design something featuring snowdrops for while, so when the manageress of Anglesey Abbey shop said she thought some coasters would sell well, I set to work.

The gardens at Anglesey Abbey have one of the finest collections of snowdrops in the country with over 300 different varieties, 60 of which can be purchased in the shop.  Mine are just the generic kind!

I've also designed a 'snowy' version with falling snowflakes, as a Christmas card, but I'll post that later in the year.

The three new coasters; Bullfinch, Lode Mill and Snowdrops can all be purchased from my online shop.

Lode print and coaster success

The 18th century Lode Mill is situated in the grounds of the National Trust property, Anglesey Abbey. It is a working watermill and grinds flour on a weekly basis.  In its history it has also been used to grind cement, although thankfully it has been renovated since those days!

I'm really pleased with how my new drypoint print of Lode Mill has turned out.  I wanted to highlight the silver birch trees on the right and contrast them against the vibrant orange hand-made tiles of the roof.  The reflections in the lode were also a focal point of the design.

I've also had the print reproduced onto coasters, some of which I delivered to the shop at Anglesey Abbey last Thursday - they had sold out by Sunday!  More are on order.

Bullfinch design

I've finished the secret project, which I can reveal in March.  It's not hugely exciting but it was very time consuming.  Hopefully it will also be used on some other products, so that will involve a bit more manipulating of the images, which is always fun to do.  I'm also waiting to hear about a Christmas roll wrap design and about to start on Christmas cards.

But before the festive season really kicks off I've been working on some new drypoint prints, one of which I will pick to be my image that represents my work in this years Cambridge Open Studio guide.  It's always an agonising choice to find something eye catching that sums up what I'm about.  I sketched this bullfinch design in photoshop, using some printed texture for the background and bird. I'm having a few made into coasters, but next week I'll print the drypoint version and see if I prefer it for my guide image.

After long tailed tits I think the male bullfinch is my favourite bird.  Much more elusive and therefore more thrilling when spotted.  I often see one in Milton Country Park, perched up high in the whitethorn bushes at this time of year.  I've seen two pairs there recently, silently plucking the emerging buds, at least I think that's what they are eating.

I will post the new prints as soon as they are finished.

Happy 2016!

I seem to be finally emerging into 2016 after semi-hibernating over Christmas and avoiding all the work I'm supposed to be doing, which I can't tell you about yet as it's secret.  But I am back in full studio mode now, only procrastinating slightly by updating my website.

I do have one new design to show you.  This very simple but effective 'Love' card just published by Phoenix Trading. It's embossed on matt textured paper, perfect for wedding, anniversary or Valentine's Day next month.

Cambridge Magazine Article

On 27th October I had the pleasure of welcoming Alice Ryan, head of editorial for Cambridge Magazine, to my studio.  We had a lovely chat about my work and the inspiration behind my designs and the reasons why I use various styles.

With her was photographer Keith Jones who took photos of everything from my tea towels, coasters, decorations and even of Ollie our dog (sadly Ollie ended up on the cutting room floor although he does get a mention). I had to pretend I was painting and also turning the etching press for an 'action' shot!

If you would like to read the full article, click HERE and scroll to pages 50 - 52. Or pick up the December issue in Cambridge.

Photos from the Winter Open Studios & Mulled Cider Recipe

We really enjoyed doing a winter open studio for the first time last weekend.  Kindly hosted by jeweller Cheryl Bird in her wonderful workshop, we were really pleased with how it went in terms of visitor numbers, sales and the lovely festive atmosphere.  We hope to do it again next year.



We had lots of compliments about our mulled cider and spiced apple juice, so here is the recipe:

Mulled Cider / Spiced Apple Juice Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 litres good cider or apple juice
• 6 cloves
• 3 or 4 star anise
• ¼nutmeg, finely grated into the pan
• 1 cinnamon stick
•  vanilla essence to taste (half tsp)
• juice of 1 orange
• juice of 2 clementines
• 4 or 5 tablespoons of caster sugar, to taste

Method

1. Pour all of the cider into a large pan on a low heat and warm it through for a few minutes. Add all of the spices and fruit juices and turn the heat up. Once boiling, turn down to a simmer and leave to tick away for 5 to 8 minutes. As everything infuses you'll get the most delicious layers of flavour. Taste and add a few tablespoons of sugar to taste. You don't want it to be sweet;  you just want the sugar to join up all the different spices so you get a harmonious taste.
2. When you are happy with the flavours, ladle into glasses or mugs and serve while warm and delicious.

About 15 generous wine glasses per 2ltr bottle of cider or apple juice.