Monogram

The Alphabet of Monograms, by Henry Lillie is a beautiful little book showing monogram designs. Published by Day & son of London in 1865, the leather cover has a very ornate gold stamping which sets the precedent for the rest of the book. Over 26 pages it shows examples of extremely detailed one, two and three colour monograms, it's aim to show customers and hand engravers what design was possible.

 

 

Poppies at Tower Bridge

We finally saw the mass of red ceramic poppies surrounding Tower Bridge, an amazing sight that covers the 16 acre moat. When the instalment is finished on November 11th 2014 there will be 888,246 poppies, one for each British fatality in the first world war. 

The poppies are being created by Paul Cummins who regularly creates 3D artwork focusing on nature. He was inspired by a diary entry of an English soldier from Derbyshire who later died in Flanders. The young soldiers were encouraged to keep a will and a last letter to their families in case of tragedy, but one line inspired Cummins to create a tribute to the fallen heroes - 'The blood-swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread'.  

Thousands of poppies are still in full production now at Cummins' ceramic workshop in Derbyshire, eagerly awaited by another host of volunteers. When the instalment finishes on November 11th, they will then be sold for £25 each, planning to raise an estimated £15 million for service charities.

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In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

 

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

 

 

 

 

Billie Achilleos Smythson Window

Such an amazing airplane in the window of Smythson, New Bond Street, created by Billie Achilleos, a self proclaimed 'maker of things'. She has used a variety of different products, from notebooks, passport holders to leather folders and diaries to create this powerful structure.

 

http://blog.billieachilleos.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/BillieMakerofthings 

 

 

Mugs!

Personalised initial Mugs are now available on Etsy!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/181099225/personalised-initial-ceramic-mug-with?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/181088384/personalised-initial-ceramic-mug-with?ref=shop_home_active_1

Halloween window display

I'm a manager of a childrens shop and between all of the stores we were asked to create a halloween window. There was only one rule, it had to include a mannequin wearing a new black t-shirt and tutu. Oh, and it wasn't allowed to be gory! From the moment the competition was set, we talked endlessly about ideas and created a sketch revolving around the main tree back drop and a rabbit dressed as a witch flying across the moon. We all painted and assembled the cardboard, using the masses of boxes we get in daily deliveries to the shop, a very eco friendly window! Well done to my wonderful team for putting it all together xx

Leighton House Museum

Possibly one of my favourite museums - Leighton House Museum in Kensington, London.  Once home to Frederic Leighton, (1830 - 1896) an english painter and sculptor. Leighton was very successful in his day, his first major painting was bought by Queen Victoria and he later became the president of the Royal Academy of Arts.

The most impressive part of the house is The Arab Hall, there is just so much pattern and detail to take in all around you. Leighton was a great traveller and purchased ceramics, textiles and woodwork from the Middle East to recreate his own paradise in London. Throughout The Arab Hall there are exquisitely patterned tiles which were purchased from Syria and date from the late seventeenth century. But this is only one small part, not to mention the great staircase that boasts a prize peacock, or Leightons studio with copious amounts of art. The whole house is truly beautiful.