tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173950332024-03-14T02:56:12.930+00:00Gail's thoughts & doodlesGailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-48144799472166321912016-04-14T13:05:00.001+01:002016-04-14T13:05:30.662+01:00New look ...As I've started to paint again and be more creative beyond my graphic design work I've decided to refocus this blog to cover all my creative endeavours ... hence the new header and hopefully some new posts soon about my paintings and creative process.Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-55713506514144843742012-08-25T21:30:00.001+01:002012-08-25T21:45:24.956+01:00This was a fun project ... www.porcupinegutterbrush.comThis really was a fun branding, graphics and website design project to work on. As the business is called Porcupine Gutter Brush, the brief called for a porcupine, and I really like the results ... <a href="http://www.porcupinegutterbrush.com/" target="_blank">www.porcupinegutterbrush.com</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JNRPqxpt70/UDk1xtHbsuI/AAAAAAAAAR0/_h23rn2lhiE/s1600/pgb_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JNRPqxpt70/UDk1xtHbsuI/AAAAAAAAAR0/_h23rn2lhiE/s320/pgb_logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBV8AtLQuCA/UDk1hfdMuFI/AAAAAAAAARs/MaXSJ6bzafs/s1600/porcupine_gutter_brush_screen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBV8AtLQuCA/UDk1hfdMuFI/AAAAAAAAARs/MaXSJ6bzafs/s400/porcupine_gutter_brush_screen.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Please contact me if you'd like to discuss what Cardium Design can do for your business ... Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-35397464019432343392012-08-25T10:24:00.003+01:002012-08-25T21:45:10.724+01:00New client website launched ... www.theinteriorline.co.ukThis website has recently been launched for a client, new branding and a total new look and feel. This is a small Wordpress site with the potential to grow over time ... <a href="http://www.theinteriorline.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.theinteriorline.co.uk</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="262" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-huFesTU4Dhw/UDiZlID1vsI/AAAAAAAAARc/Q-EAM2YtvbE/s400/interior_line_screenshot.png" width="400" /></div>
<br />
Please contact me if you'd like to discuss what Cardium Design can do for your business ... Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-26632145502299715922011-12-09T13:07:00.001+00:002011-12-09T13:18:24.330+00:00digital downloads for crafters ...Hello all, sorry I've not posted on here for a whole year ... not sure if anyone actually still looks at this blog ...<br />
<br />
I've launched a new side to my design business - initially designing digital downloads for crafters and then moving into invitations and wedding stationery etc ... this will all be under the <a href="http://www.chocolatemouse.com/"><b>Chocolate Mouse</b></a> brand ... <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
For now the digital designs for crafters are available from:
<a href="http://www.craftsuprint.com/default.cfm?r=469888&designer=1542"><img alt="Craftsuprint - The Worlds Largest Legal Craft Download Site!" height="60" src="http://images.craftsuprint.com/images/craftsuprint/2.gif" width="468" /></a></div>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-85349239763077620202010-12-21T15:17:00.003+00:002010-12-21T15:22:28.044+00:00merrry christmas & happy new yearI'd like to wish all my blog readers a ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TRDFvHyUhXI/AAAAAAAAARE/24foUxZN-DI/s1600/christmas_card_2010_inner_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TRDFvHyUhXI/AAAAAAAAARE/24foUxZN-DI/s400/christmas_card_2010_inner_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553155753882453362" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TRDFvbp4qMI/AAAAAAAAARM/EQew2ulS_JU/s1600/outer_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TRDFvbp4qMI/AAAAAAAAARM/EQew2ulS_JU/s400/outer_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553155759215782082" /></a><br /><br />This is what my printed Christmas cards looked like, so I thought I'd share the artwork here with everyone.Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-41649099156940287022010-12-20T11:23:00.001+00:002010-12-20T11:24:39.293+00:00christmas ... already?Well I don't know about the rest of you, but personally I can't believe it's come around to Christmas again ... already!Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-57186002614301465242010-11-08T16:57:00.003+00:002010-11-08T17:00:48.430+00:00new email newsletter sign upI've just added a new page to the blog with a form to enable you to sign up for forthcoming newsletters - just go to the <a href="http://gailbennett.blogspot.com/p/sign-up-for-email-newsletters.html">email newsletters</a> tab and complete the form ;-)<br /><br />If there's anything in particular you'd like me to include on my blog and in the newsletters please let me know.<br /><br />Thanks xGailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-33665871994129198292010-09-02T13:40:00.004+01:002010-09-02T13:51:15.106+01:00advertising in UK Handmade ...I recently placed an ad in the <a href="http://ukhandmade.co.uk/magazine/"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Autumn issue of UK Handmade</span></a>, click link to view the publication online.<br /><br />This is my ad ...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TH-ZnoK4n3I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/3EJjIN1YZNM/s1600/cardiumdesign_ad_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TH-ZnoK4n3I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/3EJjIN1YZNM/s320/cardiumdesign_ad_large.jpg" /></a></div>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-61490304660192261762010-09-02T13:35:00.003+01:002010-09-02T13:39:20.641+01:00etsy graphic shop coming soon ...I'm currently working on some 'ready-made' graphic packages which I will sell through my etsy shop.<br /><br />These will include banner and avatar sets, some completely 'ready-made' and some more customisable. Watch this space ...Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-21359617370503502552010-08-17T17:15:00.004+01:002010-08-17T17:25:07.728+01:00cardium design business cardsI've had my Cardium Design business cards a while now and thought it would good to share them here ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TGq3Tv8VaGI/AAAAAAAAAQs/l9nHmenBSdM/s1600/cardium_bus_cards_mock_up.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TGq3Tv8VaGI/AAAAAAAAAQs/l9nHmenBSdM/s400/cardium_bus_cards_mock_up.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506415044328777826" /></a><br /><br />I'm pleased with how they turned out. What do you think?Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-88656143745073967932010-08-03T10:41:00.007+01:002010-08-18T10:21:01.286+01:00introducing Cardium Design ...I have been working for a while now on a launch of my Graphic Design business ... I had been working simply as Gail Bennett up until now but didn't feel happy with this so decided to do a re-branding exercise ... hence the birth of <a href="http://www.cardiumdesign.com">Cardium Design</a> ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TFfk3dTb8oI/AAAAAAAAAP8/eYwuJEbZO-Q/s1600/cardium_logo_web.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 192px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/TFfk3dTb8oI/AAAAAAAAAP8/eYwuJEbZO-Q/s400/cardium_logo_web.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501117111266439810" /></a><br /><br />Along with this will come a change of focus for my blog ...Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-13809474544320094232010-01-08T13:21:00.006+00:002010-01-08T13:39:23.724+00:00snow, snow and more snow ...Over Christmas and the New Year we were in Yorkshire and there was snow on the ground for most of the time we were there ...<br /><br />Here's some photos from our break ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0cyGgFyfXI/AAAAAAAAAOk/Cbt7wTvfrvM/s1600-h/PICT0023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0cyGgFyfXI/AAAAAAAAAOk/Cbt7wTvfrvM/s400/PICT0023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424359363465870706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czYI-OV5I/AAAAAAAAAPM/KvugxdzodgM/s1600-h/PICT0153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czYI-OV5I/AAAAAAAAAPM/KvugxdzodgM/s400/PICT0153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424360766009399186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czX4bQ30I/AAAAAAAAAPE/NbJg-SO8J8M/s1600-h/PICT0084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czX4bQ30I/AAAAAAAAAPE/NbJg-SO8J8M/s400/PICT0084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424360761567797058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czXRLQo_I/AAAAAAAAAO8/4iAQK4YBj84/s1600-h/PICT0066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czXRLQo_I/AAAAAAAAAO8/4iAQK4YBj84/s400/PICT0066.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424360751031690226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czXGHYQnI/AAAAAAAAAO0/GuXPhmwITWk/s1600-h/PICT0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czXGHYQnI/AAAAAAAAAO0/GuXPhmwITWk/s400/PICT0053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424360748062622322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czW8pcpYI/AAAAAAAAAOs/KNF8-hjGcIo/s1600-h/PICT0026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0czW8pcpYI/AAAAAAAAAOs/KNF8-hjGcIo/s400/PICT0026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424360745521161602" /></a><br /><br />Then, unusually when we got back we've had snow here in Plymouth and the surrounding areas too ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1SCN6k7I/AAAAAAAAAP0/LBXafm9vWNg/s1600-h/PICT0032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1SCN6k7I/AAAAAAAAAP0/LBXafm9vWNg/s400/PICT0032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424362860140204978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1R4PWs5I/AAAAAAAAAPs/pEvaqO_nZFE/s1600-h/PICT0020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1R4PWs5I/AAAAAAAAAPs/pEvaqO_nZFE/s400/PICT0020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424362857461887890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1Rv3PKyI/AAAAAAAAAPk/18ddbfpgX7Q/s1600-h/PICT0016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1Rv3PKyI/AAAAAAAAAPk/18ddbfpgX7Q/s400/PICT0016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424362855213247266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1RZJDzlI/AAAAAAAAAPc/oRC8QyV2acA/s1600-h/PICT0013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1RZJDzlI/AAAAAAAAAPc/oRC8QyV2acA/s400/PICT0013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424362849113984594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1Q-1RIeI/AAAAAAAAAPU/OtaLJOkCb60/s1600-h/PICT0007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/S0c1Q-1RIeI/AAAAAAAAAPU/OtaLJOkCb60/s400/PICT0007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424362842051650018" /></a><br /><br />These last photos were taken from a moving bus, which explains why some are a little blurry! ;-)Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-73368062827227764922010-01-05T15:47:00.000+00:002010-01-05T15:51:05.562+00:00Happy New Year!A few days late I know, but before any more time flies by I'd like to make a point of wishing anyone who should drop by a Happy New Year! May 2010 be a good year for all!<br /><br />I bore you all with a list of New Year's resolutions, except to say I plan to blog a little more ... and to be more healthy, happy and creative ...Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-80476409115811121092009-12-18T11:54:00.008+00:002009-12-18T12:20:47.128+00:00Christmas cards, holly & garlands ...Hello all, yes I'm still around despite the lack of blog posts this year. I just wanted to share with you all a few Christmassey things .... so I got the camera out and took some photos of some of the things that have been happening around here recently ...<br /><br />On Mondays I go to a botanical painting class, and as it's that time of the year we've been painting holly berries and leaves - here's my attempt:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytyWtnuaQI/AAAAAAAAAN8/SlV8fYG8Ymg/s1600-h/holly_painting.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytyWtnuaQI/AAAAAAAAAN8/SlV8fYG8Ymg/s400/holly_painting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416548711372056834" /></a><br /><br />After painting class this last Monday we set off on a little trip to Cotehele House in Cornwall for lunch, a stroll around the grounds ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytyjhLIQNI/AAAAAAAAAOE/rqlGdU0OW68/s1600-h/cotehele.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytyjhLIQNI/AAAAAAAAAOE/rqlGdU0OW68/s400/cotehele.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416548931369189586" /></a><br /><br />and to see the <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-devoncornwall/w-devoncornwall-news/w-devoncornwall-news-cotehele-garland.htm">60ft garland</a> ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytyxVdgmdI/AAAAAAAAAOM/I_R6El5pbx0/s1600-h/garland_2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytyxVdgmdI/AAAAAAAAAOM/I_R6El5pbx0/s400/garland_2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416549168743225810" /></a><br /><br />made up of over thirty thousand flowers grown on the estate.<br /><br />I've also made my Christmas cards with glittery sparkly snowflakes with a coat of shimmering embossing powder. These were an experiment as I've not use these techniques before. Some of you will receive a card in the post, but for those who don't here's what they look like ... although I don't think the photos do them justice ;-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytzTDX4OHI/AAAAAAAAAOU/MgvrIfMsROk/s1600-h/xmas_cards_2009_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytzTDX4OHI/AAAAAAAAAOU/MgvrIfMsROk/s400/xmas_cards_2009_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416549748003321970" /></a><br /><br />I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for a great 2010!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytzTR7rN6I/AAAAAAAAAOc/VUfUfIGoTbY/s1600-h/xmas_cards_09_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SytzTR7rN6I/AAAAAAAAAOc/VUfUfIGoTbY/s400/xmas_cards_09_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416549751911561122" /></a>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-76886982988821208682009-06-30T11:10:00.004+01:002009-06-30T11:24:00.616+01:00recent designs ...Recently a lot of my time has been spent working on designing various elements for a hotel in Salcombe - the South Sands Hotel - which is due to open this summer. So far I've designed the logo, stationery items and advertising, plus the website ... a few other bits including menus and newsletter templates are in progress. Here's a screen shot of the opening page of the website ....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/Sknk5lRRzoI/AAAAAAAAANw/PBHGQlf93Bc/s1600-h/wwwsouthsandshotelcouk.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/Sknk5lRRzoI/AAAAAAAAANw/PBHGQlf93Bc/s400/wwwsouthsandshotelcouk.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353061310014803586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The full site can be seen at <a href="http://www.southsandshotel.co.uk">www.southsandshotel.co.uk</a><br /><br />Like what you see? Contact me if you are looking for a designer to work on a project for you ...Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-34158268618181811762009-04-03T12:01:00.008+01:002009-04-03T12:41:47.945+01:00star fish, sea urchins, camellias and lots more ...The past week or so seems to've been no stop for me, some interesting trips, but a lot of mundane tasks too. I thought I'd better drop in and update my blog before people begin to think I've vanished and what better way than to share some images from my recent trips out and about ...<br /><br />Last weekend we made a trip to <a href="http://www.dawlishwarren.co.uk/">Dawlish Warren</a> and spent a good hour or so beachcombing and looking for creatures in the rock pools ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXw0YU0-wI/AAAAAAAAALg/KCpWcaxBD3c/s1600-h/PICT0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXw0YU0-wI/AAAAAAAAALg/KCpWcaxBD3c/s400/PICT0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320423317481782018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXw1AvRoCI/AAAAAAAAAMA/arILopKCggs/s1600-h/PICT0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXw1AvRoCI/AAAAAAAAAMA/arILopKCggs/s400/PICT0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320423328330129442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXw1MDPlNI/AAAAAAAAAL4/SvLmZ8RUCzg/s1600-h/PICT0020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXw1MDPlNI/AAAAAAAAAL4/SvLmZ8RUCzg/s400/PICT0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320423331366671570" border="0" /></a><br />I came across a group of 4 starfish, all the same type, but different sizes and with them was a little sea urchin too ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXw03nBeJI/AAAAAAAAALo/1GkzAi0ayWM/s1600-h/PICT0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXw03nBeJI/AAAAAAAAALo/1GkzAi0ayWM/s400/PICT0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320423325879597202" border="0" /></a><br />We collected lots of shells and when we got home we sorted them out and took some photos, these are some of my favourites, so colourful ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXyBu7ZpCI/AAAAAAAAAMI/xxWI_IJDils/s1600-h/PICT0082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXyBu7ZpCI/AAAAAAAAAMI/xxWI_IJDils/s400/PICT0082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320424646399075362" border="0" /></a><br />On Monday I went across to Cornwall for the morning, we went across on the <a href="http://www.tamarcruising.com/ferrytt.htm">Cremyll foot ferry </a>to <a href="http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/creativityandculture/mountedgcumbe.htm">Mt Edgcumbe Country Park</a>. The main reason for my trip was to see the camellias in the <a href="http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/creativityandculture/mountedgcumbe/methegardens/mecamellias.htm">National Camellia Collection</a> which is 'housed' at Mt Edgcumbe. I had a lovely morning, so peaceful and relaxing and was joined on my walk be the little fellow below ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzH18j3_I/AAAAAAAAAMw/1z60ZmA1nHI/s1600-h/PICT0397.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzH18j3_I/AAAAAAAAAMw/1z60ZmA1nHI/s400/PICT0397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320425850873831410" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some of the many camellias I photographed ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzH2IIKXI/AAAAAAAAAMo/F8BEOyhaNCI/s1600-h/PICT0268.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzH2IIKXI/AAAAAAAAAMo/F8BEOyhaNCI/s400/PICT0268.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320425850922346866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzHk1e4JI/AAAAAAAAAMg/YAzBGrm5C3E/s1600-h/PICT0263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzHk1e4JI/AAAAAAAAAMg/YAzBGrm5C3E/s400/PICT0263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320425846280741010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzHefnjBI/AAAAAAAAAMY/eGzfbfZ06KE/s1600-h/PICT0129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzHefnjBI/AAAAAAAAAMY/eGzfbfZ06KE/s400/PICT0129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320425844578421778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzHWCgmBI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/dKLGjMdXmU0/s1600-h/PICT0119.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdXzHWCgmBI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/dKLGjMdXmU0/s400/PICT0119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320425842308847634" border="0" /></a><br />There were also fields of daffodils like this one of pale yellow flowers, so springlike ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdX0XKHWg-I/AAAAAAAAANA/tkarZIWdq2w/s1600-h/PICT0596.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdX0XKHWg-I/AAAAAAAAANA/tkarZIWdq2w/s400/PICT0596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320427213497467874" border="0" /></a><br />And when I got to the end of my walk I saw these three sleeping peacefully next to the fountain outside the Orangery cafe where I stopped for a coffee before catching the ferry back to Plymouth ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdX0WpGOy-I/AAAAAAAAAM4/pLoMAm5Ngz4/s1600-h/PICT0449.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SdX0WpGOy-I/AAAAAAAAAM4/pLoMAm5Ngz4/s400/PICT0449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320427204634397666" border="0" /></a>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-31203714271576036372009-03-01T10:47:00.002+00:002009-03-01T10:51:39.221+00:00Happy St David's DayI'd like to wish all my fellow Welsh people a Happy St David's Day ... may you all have a lovely day - no matter where you might be ...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SapogNa0rzI/AAAAAAAAALU/Ex4hmtUPHN4/s1600-h/PICT0080.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SapogNa0rzI/AAAAAAAAALU/Ex4hmtUPHN4/s400/PICT0080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308170013376818994" /></a><br /><br />Some daffs from my garden looking very spring like ;-)Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-19621519336374242732009-02-18T14:35:00.001+00:002009-02-18T14:46:02.229+00:00snow and hares ...Just got back from a relaxing week away in Yorkshire. It was a great break, we didn't do too much, we had a fair bit of snow so it was warmer to stay close to the cottage. Here are a few photos to give you an idea of our week ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe-QwATrI/AAAAAAAAALM/LOUyUT-YcMU/s1600-h/PICT0336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe-QwATrI/AAAAAAAAALM/LOUyUT-YcMU/s400/PICT0336.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304148516132638386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe-GBmaBI/AAAAAAAAALE/vMwN-uKdiY4/s1600-h/PICT0307.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe-GBmaBI/AAAAAAAAALE/vMwN-uKdiY4/s400/PICT0307.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304148513253648402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe96AzDHI/AAAAAAAAAK8/zxMdm_mSkoQ/s1600-h/PICT0268.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe96AzDHI/AAAAAAAAAK8/zxMdm_mSkoQ/s400/PICT0268.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304148510029057138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe9tK_C1I/AAAAAAAAAK0/i8NKNFPLI7o/s1600-h/PICT0173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe9tK_C1I/AAAAAAAAAK0/i8NKNFPLI7o/s400/PICT0173.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304148506582125394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe9fVHmNI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_hKbRHI9BYk/s1600-h/PICT0119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SZwe9fVHmNI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_hKbRHI9BYk/s400/PICT0119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304148502866532562" /></a>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-11637770114870288162009-02-06T09:26:00.002+00:002009-02-06T09:27:43.185+00:00time for a change ...I decided it was once again time for a change to the look of my blog so I've changed the template, more chages to come soon ...Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-86605163791265933142009-01-28T16:39:00.003+00:002009-02-06T09:34:04.359+00:00Bloggers unite: CPSIA Blog-in"As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.<br /><br />Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To the Parents of Young Students:</span><br />Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To the Avid Reader:</span><br />Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To the Lover of All Things Handmade:</span><br />Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To the Environmentalist:</span><br />Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To the Second-Hand Shopper:</span><br />Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To the Entrepreneur:</span><br />Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To the Antique Toy Collector:</span><br />Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To the American Economy:</span><br />Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">To the Worldwide Economy:</span><br />Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.<br /><br />If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes: <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html">http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html</a><br /><br />And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law: <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html">http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html</a><br /><br />Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Thanks to <a href="http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/">Kitschy Coo</a> for the above text (used with permission) ... I hope this helps!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">UPDATE:</span><br />Well all the blogging about the CPSIA seems to have made a difference. It would appear that the proposed changes due February 10th this year are to be held off until 2010 to give further time to look at the proposals.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html">Full details here.</a>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-49550308450366754112009-01-05T15:34:00.004+00:002009-01-05T15:40:19.743+00:00hello 2009!Well today sees me back home from a lovely Christmas/New Year break in lovely Yorkshire ... as usual I didn't want to come back and it was all made worse with the icy roads and the fact that we got stuck in a traffic jam on the M5, which was closed for most of yesterday due to a fuel spillage, and had to go on a long detour ...<br /><br />Now I'm trying to get back into the swing of things ... and sorting through piles of spam ... back soon with some photos.<br /><br />Happy New Year to all - may 2009 be a good one!!Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-51460001121936903442008-12-19T16:02:00.005+00:002008-12-19T16:15:12.692+00:00wishing all a merry Christmas and a creative new year!I'm taking a couple of weeks away from blog land, so I just wanted to take this opportunity of wishing all who should happen upon my blog a merry Christmas and a happy, creative and fulfilling new year!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SUvG70ffVYI/AAAAAAAAAKM/TvEfMePSwZI/s1600-h/xmas_cards_08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 141px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SUvG70ffVYI/AAAAAAAAAKM/TvEfMePSwZI/s400/xmas_cards_08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281533719027340674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">... Season's Greetings from me & my needle felted friends ...</span><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SUvG84Q0fII/AAAAAAAAAKc/i1aCiyxw3xY/s1600-h/yellow_thing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SUvG84Q0fII/AAAAAAAAAKc/i1aCiyxw3xY/s400/yellow_thing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281533737219423362" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">'Custard'</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SUvG8OlWNjI/AAAAAAAAAKU/ahyXBn-gZWc/s1600-h/blue_elli.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SUvG8OlWNjI/AAAAAAAAAKU/ahyXBn-gZWc/s400/blue_elli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281533726031230514" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">'B'Elli'</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">See you all in 2009!</div>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-86657816381028529542008-12-18T10:36:00.003+00:002008-12-18T10:56:29.588+00:00An Evening with Ari Berk, Brian Froud and Alan LeeYesterday evening we went to a public lecture arranged by Plymouth University called: The Creative Influence of Dartmoor: An Evening with <a href="http://www.mythicjourneys.org/guest_berk.html">Ari Berk</a>, <a href="http://www.worldoffroud.com/index.html">Brian Froud</a> and <a href="http://fan.theonering.net/middleearthtours/lee.html">Alan Lee</a> ...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/files/extranet/images/aah/AriTREEpic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/files/extranet/images/aah/AriTREEpic.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Image courtesy of Plymouth University</span><br /></div><br />Now anyone who knows me will know how much I admire Alan Lee and his illustration work. I have met him in the past, on 2 separate occasions, once when I visited him at his home on Dartmoor to do an interview and later at a book signing. I have several of Brian's books too and some signed copies, I admire his illustration work but have never met him. So as soon as I heard about this event I had to get my seat booked.<br /><br />It was a lovely, relaxed and rather informal evening. Rather like a conversation between the 3 men, Ari Berk, Brian Froud and Alan Lee, who are friends and share a love of Dartmoor. It was interesting to see how the 3 men have been influenced by the magic of Dartmoor, all in different ways.<br /><br />I found it a truly inspiring evening and hope to take that inspiration with me through my Christmas break and well into the New Year ...<br /><br />Here are a few of my own photos of Dartmoor taken when we visited <a href="http://gailbennett.blogspot.com/2006/08/wistmans-wood.html">Wistman's Wood</a> in 2006 ... I think we're due another visit soon ... ;-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gailsportfolio.com/images/wistmans3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.gailsportfolio.com/images/wistmans3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gailsportfolio.com/images/wistmans4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.gailsportfolio.com/images/wistmans4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gailsportfolio.com/images/wistmans2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.gailsportfolio.com/images/wistmans2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gailsportfolio.com/images/wistmans1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.gailsportfolio.com/images/wistmans1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-64253697679525251132008-11-26T15:29:00.004+00:002008-11-26T15:33:57.902+00:00work in progress ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SS1rq2y6XII/AAAAAAAAAKE/_xvNvBxWmXM/s1600-h/plesi_progress.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SS1rq2y6XII/AAAAAAAAAKE/_xvNvBxWmXM/s400/plesi_progress.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272989122728451202" /></a><br />This is one of my needle felted creatures in progress ... I tend to have several on the go at one time and switch between them.<br /><br />More needle felted 'thingy' s to come soon ...Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17395033.post-39046337800068511392008-11-18T09:21:00.005+00:002008-11-18T09:30:14.363+00:00and now for something completely different ...One of my recent creations ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SSKKv4WpIJI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/TgV2-esQQaA/s1600-h/ambi_front.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SSKKv4WpIJI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/TgV2-esQQaA/s400/ambi_front.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269927069162741906" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SSKK28sPHLI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/YjiKaE-XUOc/s1600-h/ambi_side.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N3GwYIh70rI/SSKK28sPHLI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/YjiKaE-XUOc/s400/ambi_side.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269927190586137778" /></a>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480023031281581371noreply@blogger.com6