I am afraid it is a bit of a struggle to write this week. And yet it’s been a lovely one. The problem is that it could turn into a ‘what I did this week’ homework-style piece. Mostly it was spent with tulips and willow. We are near the end of the tulips, and they’ve got bigger and better over the season, to the point where they look like the C17 Dutch paintings I love. Only I do wonder how we managed to plant so of the many red-and-white-striped-toothpaste variety.
Jane, I love this piece! Firstly, you can never have too many baskets in a home, as my family will testify. (‘Wicker basket shop!’, shouted in high-pitched excitement, accompanied by eye-rolling from all but me, was a family catchphrase when my children were small...) Secondly, a ‘what I did this week’ homework-style piece written by you would always be a joy to read. And if you do find the secret to keeping tulips alive and gorgeous for ages, do share...
I’m with Helen’s comment too! I love hearing what you have been at and the way you wrote it is so comforting and joyous. Looking forward to next weeks post already while pondering on willow , tulips and must make rock buns which I haven’t made in years and I get excited!!!
i share your love of Herefordshire, even though i haven't been back in way too long. from what i see / read on IG, it seems to have escaped a plague of tourists. when i first visited in the mid 1980's, it was like a fairy tale vision of England for this Anglophile Texan. my friends lived in a tiny 300 yr old cottage called Rock Cottage on a hill outside of Mordiford. we would sit out in their front garden, looking at a field full of cows and across at Bagpiper's Tump. absolute bliss.
Those cooling trays! I would never have thought to make those out of basketry materials - may have to try fashioning something similar myself. Inspiring!
I was first introduced to Jenny Crisp’s work at a Contemporary International Basketmaking exhibition in Brighton in the 1990s. I remember Lizzie Farey’s work from that show too - both so beautiful. I’ve wanted to try basketry ever since. I’ve got as far as buying Jenny’s book ‘Willow’ and sizing up our allotment for its potential to grow the stuff. Maybe this year.....
I second Helen’s comment below saying that a “homework style” piece written by you would always be a joy - or even just your lovely photographs!
Jane, I love this piece! Firstly, you can never have too many baskets in a home, as my family will testify. (‘Wicker basket shop!’, shouted in high-pitched excitement, accompanied by eye-rolling from all but me, was a family catchphrase when my children were small...) Secondly, a ‘what I did this week’ homework-style piece written by you would always be a joy to read. And if you do find the secret to keeping tulips alive and gorgeous for ages, do share...
I’m with Helen’s comment too! I love hearing what you have been at and the way you wrote it is so comforting and joyous. Looking forward to next weeks post already while pondering on willow , tulips and must make rock buns which I haven’t made in years and I get excited!!!
Thank you
Beautiful baskets. I once watched the wonderful Joe Hogan making baskets at his home in Ireland. What a privilege.
What is more beautiful than ordinary life with its work, joys, baking, and making? I’ve yet to find it…..
i share your love of Herefordshire, even though i haven't been back in way too long. from what i see / read on IG, it seems to have escaped a plague of tourists. when i first visited in the mid 1980's, it was like a fairy tale vision of England for this Anglophile Texan. my friends lived in a tiny 300 yr old cottage called Rock Cottage on a hill outside of Mordiford. we would sit out in their front garden, looking at a field full of cows and across at Bagpiper's Tump. absolute bliss.
I was able to take a local basket weaving class. It was wonderful. Would love to do it again. Both functional and beautiful.
Those cooling trays! I would never have thought to make those out of basketry materials - may have to try fashioning something similar myself. Inspiring!
I was first introduced to Jenny Crisp’s work at a Contemporary International Basketmaking exhibition in Brighton in the 1990s. I remember Lizzie Farey’s work from that show too - both so beautiful. I’ve wanted to try basketry ever since. I’ve got as far as buying Jenny’s book ‘Willow’ and sizing up our allotment for its potential to grow the stuff. Maybe this year.....