Friday

Gothic Arch & more

Originating in 12th-century France and lasting into the 16th century, Gothic architecture was known during the period as "the French Style" (Opus Francigenum), with the term Gothic first appearing during the latter part of the Renaissance as a stylistic insult. Its characteristic features include the pointed arch.




Monday

Which adhesive?

Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.” Bruce Barton
Being new to these techniques I often wonder which adhesives to use when I play with my papers and so on. It probably is a matter of trail and error although it would be a shame to create a piece and ruin it with using the wrong stuff :(

Guess what, I found this great site  http://www.thistothat.com/

Saturday

Halloween

At first cock-crow the ghosts must go
Back to their quiet graves below.
Theodosia Garrison


Happy Halloween!

Sunday

Postcard From Heaven


The heart of a mother is a deep abyss
at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.

Honoré de Balzac

Wednesday

Friday

Sweet Lavender

Don't you just love the smell of sweet Lavender!

"Here’s your sweet lavender
sixteen sprigs a penny
that you’ll find my ladies
will smell as sweet as any"
Lavender Sellers’s Cry, London England CA 1900

The Victorian Era
Queen Victoria enthused in the use of lavender, appointing Miss Sarah Sprules 'Purvey of Lavender Essence to the Queen'. Lavender was very fashionable amongst the ladies. They bought it from street sellers who brought the lavender up from Mitcham. Fresh lavender was dried and put into muslin bags for wardrobes, used to wash walls and furniture and for lavender bags which were stuffed between sheets in linen presses.

It was used to repel insects, treat lice, to perfume potpourri, in furniture polish and soap, as well as a cure-all in household medicine cupboards. Smaller bags were worn in the cleavage of young women in the hope of attracting a suitor. The overuse of lavender contributed to its loss of popularity in the early 20th Century, when it became associated with old ladies.

Mitcham, a London suburb, was the centre of Lavender Oil production, English lavender products becoming well known all over the world. Production almost died out because of the pressure high land values in Mitcham, Wallington and Carshalton.

Lavender Sleep Pillow

  • 3 parts lavender flowers
  • hop flowers or lemon verbena leaves
  • rosemary leaves
  • marjoram leaves
  • sweet Cicely leaves
  • 2-3 drop lavender oil
Sew the mixture into a bag made of thin material which will allow the fragrance to escape, for example, organza or muslin, silk is ideal. Make a pillow slip to contain the sleep pillow.