Frosty days and the afternoons so short. It starts to get dark at half past three. I know places north of here have even less afternoon, if any at all. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away I know you lovely people reading this in Australia, New Zealand and other places will be looking at a lingering sun. Where ever you may be, I hope you are well.
photo: Sketchbook from 2022
I am so tempted to string fairy lights all about the flat, but not for a little while yet. My own tradition is to decorate my home the first Saturday in December. For years Christmas used to make me feel a little melancholy - it was all the past Christmasses in the shadows of my mind, things lost but not forgotten - but time can heal and now I relish the season. It is a bright pause before darker winter days and a time to find joy in small details and traditions.
As my dear friend Kath said in a talk she gave recently, and I hope she won’t mind me paraphrasing here: Joy is different from the whims of happiness. Joy is deeper, richer, more profound. Even when we are at our lowest we can seek joy in the most simple, basic and hopeful things. Creativity can bring us joy, deep joy. As can being in nature, or simply spending time with ourselves as we exercise or rest.
(Kath is @knitchings on Instagram).
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And so here we are - the final Sunday in November and it is that time of year when I must get practical - tell you about my shop plans and last posting dates.
My future shop updates will be:
Today, Sunday 26th Nov at 7pm UK time - a selection of tiny paintings. Note: you should be able to preview these in my shop from about 5pm. They can be seen as ‘coming soon’ - then will be available at 7pm.
Wednesday 29th Nov at 8pm UK time - a new collection of embroidery portraits. A modest selection of special pieces. I will be previewing these in my shop from about 5pm so you can see them all.
Sunday 3rd December at 7pm UK time - a new selection of tiny paintings (preview from 5pm).
Wednesday 6th December at 8pm UK time - a further selection of embroidery portraits - another small selection of special pieces. (preview from 5pm) NOTE: I will be keeping this update low-key - there will be no Instagram posts beforehand but I will remind you here.
Sunday 10th December at 7pm UK time - a new selection of tiny paintings (preview from 5pm).
And that is it until after Christmas. I will be offering my lucky dip paintings, postcard club and cards throughout December. Thank you to everyone who has purchased recently. I have restocked Christmas cards so have plenty at the moment!
I will be having a special archive sale shortly after Christmas. Quite possibly the 27th December - but will confirm this nearer the date.
Photo: a trio of owls - coming to my shop this evening - the larger one is my regular size tiny painting (88mm x 56mm) and the smaller ones measure 65mm x 45mm
posting dates -
There are official dates given by Royal Mail but in my experience of many years it is always best to send extra early. At the same time, packages can arrive far more quickly than anticipated!
I always do my best to send everything asap. Fortunately I am close to the main Post Office, can send Monday to Saturday and have my trusty postal team on stand by (son and daughter).
If you are outside the UK please make any Christmas purchases before the 7th December to avoid any disappointment.
If you are in the UK I will send your order asap, as always, and will hope it gets to you promptly. Any purchases made after the 16th December are less likely to get to you before Christmas.
I think that covers it! Any questions please do email me, thank you (you are welcome to send a message via my shop - I prefer this to Instagram DMs).
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Although I have stated it in several posts, in my profile on Instagram etc. I am still asked if I make commissions. I choose not to do this. My humble wish is to always offer my best work and that is my focus. Thank you for understanding.
photo: an angel portrait - coming to my shop this evening
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A few small stories
I look each day, anticipating that flutter of tiny wings. Then, the one day I almost forget, the tiny wren flies toward me. It skims the edge of a low wall and flickers right by my knees, does a little dance in weeds growing from the brickwork then scarpers round the corner to an old mossy roof. Here, can you spot the wren?
This part of the building where I live used to be a nineteenth century corset factory, if my estimations are correct. There’s a real mix of old brick, tiles and timber throughout this town. Wander about and you soon discover so many partly-hidden doorways to flats, just like my own (when friends visit for the first time I have to meet them on the corner of the main street it is so tucked away). So many cottages squeezed behind shops or shops that have taken what used to be cottage gardens. Like any old town, people have found ways of shoehorning in another dwelling, another business - and the birds, other creatures too, they adapt and make the best of it too. I am certain now there might be many tiny wren nests all about this town.
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Walking through the churchyard I spy - so many things including frosty headstones - but this morning it is a cat. A cat on a little curtained windowsill of a terrace house, a tabby looking out and just behind it within the small room a woman is eating a piece of toast. She makes it seem delicious. It is a perfect picture. As I walk home I am already opening my sketchbook and finding paint brushes. But alas no time just yet to make or share the image with you. Can I make that cosy scene come to life? I don’t know yet but will hope to soon.
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A busy lunchtime in the small fish and chip shop. I am waiting, hungrily. Two gentlemen, most possibly father and son, come into the shop and place their order. They sit on a small bench by the window and soon note a small painted door to one side, a door with no handle. Where does that take you, or is it an old store cupboard? The younger man asks the girl at the counter but she’s only worked here a few months and hasn’t really thought about it. All she knows is the door is never opened. Might it go to the next door shop, or down to a cellar? The man wonders. The older man takes a large bunch of keys from his tweed pocket. He tries one key, then another. Put your keys away, the younger man tells him but the older man is enjoying himself. The girl looks at them a little bemused but too busy to care. I don’t suppose, the elderly man says, anyone even has a key to it. Painted over, forgotten, he says. He shakes his head and puts his keys away.
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Thank you for reading here, for your kind comments (always read and appreciated!) If you would like to support my writing you are welcome to buy me a coffee - thanks to everyone who has done so.
Oh Cathy, pleased am I to have purchased your talent just now! I now know how to do it!
P.S. your recent description of your neighborhood. The buildings, the flora, the age, the
cultural history, could you sometime send pictures - the picture of the moss covered roof
inspired me to comment :-) Best of luck with your shop! Happy Day.
How, do I purchase the Angel you picture ?