henny designs

Don't be scared by the mess ... I'm spring cleaning ... it's all under control!

2012-02-21T15:59:00.001Z

I tend to think I can live quite happily amongst mess and clutter (after all I've been doing it fairly successfully all my life) but every now and again I have a sort of housekeeping meltdown.

It often happens around about Jan/Feb time, or coincides with periods of stress, and since the two have occurred together this year it's a double whammy!

Recently I've been quiet on the blogging front but let me ASSURE YOU, I've been a 'whirling dervish' in the housekeeping dept.

I've been a mad demon with a duster, flinging open windows and vacuuming curtains ... I KNOW! Mind you the curtain thing isn't all it's cracked up to be ... pulling rails clean away from the wall can slow you down somewhat.

I take one room at a time and I blast it ... it can look scarily like a demolition yard if you catch me half way through but the end result always give me a nice warm therapeutic sense of satisfaction.

That's the word actually, 'therapeutic'. I find by clearing the clutter I get back a feeling of inner lightness and a sense of control (just as a side note I can really see the correlation between OCD and housework).

I tend to tackle the clutter first because once that's gone the space left behind is then much easier to clean. My general rule as regards possessions is to ask myself the following questions:

1. Is it serving a purpose?
2. Does it lift my spirits?
3. Have I used it at any point in the last twelve months?

If the answer is no to any of these then I look a little closer. If I can answer no to all three then the possession and I part company!

Once the clutter has gone I can get right in there and deal with the cleaning, showing astonished visitors my filthy cleaning cloths and how full my hoover bag is! Marvellous!

The last stage of proceedings involves a few feng shui touches (I'll do a blog about that soon). I love the way feng shui has a level for everyone.

I've still got a couple more rooms to go but I'm already feeling so much less scattered and sleeping a tad better too.

THE FENG SHUI BIBLE by Simon Brown

NO MORE CLUTTER by Sue Kay

Meditation for the rest of us

2012-01-31T19:49:00.013Z

Meditation is for anybody and everybody (not just flaky tree huggers like me). It can be as practical or spiritual as you like and you don't have to be sat crossed legged, dressed in a kaftan on a mountain top to benefit either.

It's taken me many years to find a form that works for me. I can't be 'doing it' for hours on end and the whole ethos had to fall somewhere between scientific and logical, with a bit of holistic spirituality thrown in.

image - healing with art

Meditation doesn't have to be done sat down either - many people enjoy practising a walking meditation.

image - the most beautiful things in the world

The most important thing is that it's something you look forward to doing, not a chore, or yet another thing you feel you have to do.

It's time out, a rest for your overexcited/anxious brain, a little space in the day to balance your equilibrium.

image - we are here to inspire

I read a great book recently, 'One Moment Meditation' by Martin Boroson. It's ideal if you're just wanting to dip a toe into the meditation water to see what all the fuss is about.

There is a super (very short) video on his website here. Infact I wish this book had been around when I was first stumbling about trying to make sense of the whole meditation/mindfulness malarkey.

However the book that really brought it all together for me was Paul Wilson's 'Finding The Quiet'.

Paul wrote 'The Little Book of Calm' which you may have heard of and also this extra book below 'A Piece of The Quiet', which compliments the main book.

A gorgeous book that you can dip in and out of with quick and easy techniques to calm your day.

I now have a regular 20 or 30 minute meditation sesh pretty well most days and I also supplement it with odd bouts of 'one moment meditation' moments to top it up too.

Here's the general process I follow (without a few of the personal bells and whistles I usually add in).

image - healing with art

Firstly I make myself comfy (I favour mornings but it's not written in stone), and either sit crossed legged (cos I do yoga I'm a bit bendy), or just sit leaning against the wall (*as long as my spine is straight it doesn't much matter how I sit). I could just as easily sit on a chair too.

* the straight spine thing is as much about sitting tall so as not to fall asleep, as anything else.

I have my hands loosely together, relax my shoulders and jaw, exhale a big breath and add a hint of a smile.

Meditation can be done eyes open or closed (again personal choice). I just do what feels right on the day. Some people like to focus on something like a candle, or a lovely image.

image - we are here to inspire

image - healing with art

My focus though is either counting my breaths, or just following my breaths.

So if you were wanting to use the counting method you would simply count in your head '1' as you breathe out and '2' as you breathe in (all nice and slow) until you reach '10', then just start again.

If you want to just follow your breath you would say the words in your head 'breathing in' as you inhale, and 'breathing out' as you exhale.

You will get lots of thoughts distracting you (EVERYBODY DOES), mine can be anything from what we're going to have for dinner that night to what's happening in Corrie, or sometimes I can go on a real jaunt of a daydream and completely forget that I'm supposed to be meditating at all. Don't worry just go back to your counting as soon as you're aware you've gone off on one.

Some people like using mantras or prayers etc. Gosh, there can be so many variations on the general theme and they all have their own merits, it's just a case of finding something that works for you.

I would really recommend visiting both Paul Wilson's site and Martin Boroson's because obviously I've really simplified the process down to the basics and you'd get a much fuller (but well explained in normal language) picture.

My intention was to try and demystify the subject because so many people get put off from trying, thinking it's more for 'New Age' folk, or very spiritual people, when infact there is an awful lot of scientific evidence to back up the benefits of regular meditation.

I've barely managed to scratch the surface of this topic and would love to hear any comments if any of you meditate too.

image - healing with art

"And now for my next tunic!"

2012-01-27T17:22:00.000Z

I'm really on a roll with these camisole tunics now. This is the latest one hot off my needles and I've already cast on for a third.

It's a little different to my first one - it's actually a pattern that I've adapted/tweaked from a design in Jane Ellison's book 'Knits to fit & flatter

Instead of continuing knitting up the straps, I stopped and cast off where they would have started and substituted with satin ribbon. I also made the whole thing shorter.

The yarn I chose (mainly because it was on offer) is 'Aysen' by Araucania. It's a lovely soft merino, alpaca and silk mix, which is a hand wash yarn (we'll see) and was very nice to knit with.

I did have to swap to metal needles though (I much prefer plastic or casein - more about that another time) because as it grew it did start to bend my plastic needles abit, but I didn't mind because it was such a pleasant knit.

The only thing I would say is, it did say on the label to knit using two hanks over alternate rows because the yarn is hand dyed and therefore there are no dye lots.

Of course I totally ignored this and one hank was indeed quite a bit darker leaving a rather obvious stripe of difference at the front - however if anyone mentions it, I shall just simply say in a rather loftily manner (and a casual sweep of the hand), that it was meant to be so and was actually very difficult to achieve.

It isn't noticeable on the back though. And you can see on this picture where there are a few rows of garter stitch giving an empire line effect. I may move this line up a little the next time.

With the leftover ribbon from the straps I was able to add a bow at the front to give a little extra piz·zazz.

I think all I would do differently next time is to make it a little smaller (it looks quite astonishingly enormous when it's not on me, prompting my youngest daughter to ask, and I quote, "What the HELL are you knitting"). And I will probably also play around with the empire line seam too, to get different effects.

www.janeellison.co.uk

All this from a bag!

2012-01-23T13:33:00.000Z

Right, I finally decided to address my knitting storage issues (the tatty carrier bags had to go)!

Over the weekend I put my general stash of wool for future projects in cardboard boxes and plastic boxes neatly upstairs and out of the way, which just left my current WIP (work in progress) and accessories to sort out.

I don't know why I didn't think of it before but my own henny designs rustic jute bags are just the perfect size for having by your armchair.

They are nice and squat (so I don't have to root about in the bottom for hours like a Mary Poppins bag). They also stay open and stand by themselves meaning I can use my ball of wool straight from the bag, rather than keep throwing it through the air and occasionally hitting someone on the head (mind you I quite like doing that).

And because they look posh I knit better, and because I knit better I get a sense of mastery, and because I get a sense of mastery I get extremely confident, and because of this extreme confidence I get Kaffe Fassett ringing me for advice and then before you know it I'm a top knitwear designer/celebrity and getting asked to go on 'Strictly Dancing'!

All this from a bag!

Bags available from my Etsy shop here

Knitting ... 'a perfect way to switch off and relax'.

2012-01-19T17:10:00.001Z

latest FO - navy arm warmers

I have to say I've always essentially enjoyed knitting just because I love making stuff (that's what I do) but more and more I'm discovering its value as a great stress reliever too. The gentle repetitive nature of forming the stitches is just so deeply calming that I would actually do it for this reason alone, I think.

I'm also getting to the point where I like to have my knitting on hand wherever I go, or I start feeling deprived (wonder if they do patches for this). I think it's the relaxing equivalent of having a brandy after a meal, or a cigarette after 'you know what' - infact they should promote it in movies, instead of showing a couple lighting up afterwards, they should be getting their knitting out!

And if you're in a restaurant eating with chopsticks you're even halfway there already!

image - Choose Happiness

I happened to stumble across a good article quite by chance recently here in the Mail Online also about knitting as a stress reliever, by Sarah Stacey. Which then led me to a very interesting site called Stitchlinks. (Ain't t'internet grand!)

"We are at the core of groundbreaking research, and a movement which utilises crafts, in particular knitting, to improve wellbeing."

I totally endorse the idea of using crafts to improve general wellbeing - it works on so many different levels!

Latest FO

These arm warmers have been knitted using Rowan Cotton Glace (2 balls) which is a 4ply yarn giving a finer stitch than the beige pair I knitted a little while back.

Cast on 46 sts using 3.25mm needles and 1 ball of yarn for each one
knit 1 row, purl 1 row (stocking stitch), until the work is the desired length (14")
Cast off
Fold in half and sew together using mattress stitch

Not often I get to see this view of myself and actually it's nowhere near as bad as the very wide image I had in my head ... so that's nice!

Dad

2012-01-17T11:00:00.003Z

I haven't been blogging much recently because...

A very funny, grumpy, kind, clever, (and so much more), Dad, Grandad, Brother, Uncle, Brother-in-law, and Friend, passed away earlier this month and we all miss him already.

His 'Celebration of Life' was held in beautiful Cumbria last week and was really lovely - a day he'd have thoroughly enjoyed!

And as today would have been his birthday, I'd like to raise a glass and say "Cheers, Dad", and remember him with happiness!

Love henny xxx

Take a load of balls and ...

2011-12-21T13:04:00.001Z

... some sharp sticks, click them together in a ~~ferocious~~ calm manner, and ta da, ... you get a TUNIC!

My passion for tunics is legendary amongst my family and friends (even the word is fab .... TUNICS!). I shall use Dorcas's phrase from Larkrise to Candleford and add "They're my one weakness". Although of course much like Dorcas I also have lots of 'one weaknesses', another being knitwear. So a 'knitted tunic' is nothing short of clothing heaven to me.

Long, short, floaty, fitted ... tunics are the way forward, people!

I couldn't find the sort of pattern I wanted, or could even do (remember how basic I am) online, so I had to come up with something myself. It had to involve mainly squares/rectangles with no jiggery pokery fancy stuff, and something that could be knitted whilst watching 'Strictly (wasn't that marvellous this year by the way).

Anyway this is what I came up with for the basic pattern.

Once you've completed the front, back, and two straps, then sew together using mattress stitch. I did do a mini blocking of the pieces (using the steam from my iron - look up 'blocking' if you're not sure) to flatten out the edges making them easier to sew together.

NB: When you cast on you can either do straightforward garter stitch for 5 rows and then switch to stocking stitch, or, if you're going to do the cable cast on version (which gives a nice pattern to the edge), do as below,

Cable Cast On Version

Cast on using cable cast on method (shown in 'The Knitting Book' by Frederica Patmore, Vikki Haffenden).
Row 1 - knit
Row 2 - knit
Row 3 - knit
Row 4 - knit
Row 5 - purl
Row 6 - knit
Row 7 - purl ... and continue to work in stocking stitch until the garter stitch yoke part.

This yarn has a lovely drape to it and is not too splitty to knit with either. I found several sources that had it on offer, making it reasonably economical to use. I haven't washed it yet mind, but if it washes well (I'm going to try putting it in a pillowcase on the most gentle machine cycle I've got) then I fully intend to knit another - maybe a nautical one with thin stripes.

Any questions, do ask.

Calendars 2012

2011-12-04T16:32:00.000Z

Calendars are a fabulously economical way to get twelve prints by your favourite artist, all in one go! You get to enjoy the pictures for a year, and then afterwards frame them up, or glue them onto board (using border adhesive), as I often do. IKEA have a good selection of frames, including white and cream, that work particularly well against bright colours.

The calendars, available from Redbubble, are A3 in size and printed on deliciously thick paper (which smells posh - important to a serial paper sniffer like me).

They also make great Christmas presents!

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" ...

2011-12-03T13:29:00.000Z

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in ev'ry store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.

henny designs 'art to brighten your day' calendar available from Redbubble.

... And Breathe

2011-12-01T13:24:00.000Z

Breathing is a funny thing isn't it? Most of the time we're not even aware we're doing it but consciously using the breath as a tool for stress release and general well-being is one of the best self-help things we can do ... and it's free!

image - the most beautiful things in the world

The first time the idea of breathing as a 'thing' came up for me was 25yrs ago at antenatal classes. I pretended I understood and puffed and panted along with everyone else in the class but secretly I thought it was all a bit weird and decided I would just have a big pain killing tablet instead ... sorted!

The second time was about 10yrs ago when I was under a great deal of stress, and this time I started to think there might be something in this breathing lark. I was hyperventilating (over breathing) all over the place and blaming it on my diet, or the fact I hadn't done my pilates that morning, or that my bra was too tight, etc, etc.

It was at this point it all became a bit muddled as to what was influencing what and had me convinced I was having a heart attack.

All this activity led me to straight to my GP where I lay (I know ... lay) quietly in the corridor while people stepped over me and my friend Mandy calmly watched the fish swimming in the tank. It was fairly obvious to all but me that it was a panic attack, so once this was kindly explained to me I left and then did what I always do and bought a book.

The book touched on breathing and a seed was sown. Mind you it wasn't until a few years later when I got into yoga in a big way that I really started to look at it all in much greater depth.

image - attitude goddess

One of the best books I've read on the subject and is a 'must have' is Dinah Bradley's 'Hyperventilation Syndrome'. It's a super easy read and should appeal right across the board. It's not coming at breathing from a spiritual angle (if that's not your thing) just a straightforward jargon free one. I still refer to it now years later if I feel I'm getting into bad habits again and I notice there is a more upto date version too since I bought my copy.

Hyperventilation Syndrome by Dinah Bradley

A couple of other titles if you want to explore further are;

Ways to Better Breathing by Carola Speads (a little dated but none-the-less informative)

Concious Breathing by Gay Hendricks

The books explain it much better than I can but to sum up, here are my top tips for better breathing.

1. Breathe low (into your tummy not your chest) and slow, through the nose.

2. Make your out breath slightly longer than your in breath.

3. Drop your shoulders and your jaw and this will help relax your chest.

Calmer Cards available from Etsy

Learning to breathe well will benefit you in all sorts of ways and also give you a great starting point to use if you ever want to explore meditation ... and that's a whole new subject! *smile*

image - the most beautiful things in the world

Calmer Cards Collection

2011-11-24T13:35:00.000Z

*BOOKMARKS & FRIDGE MAGNETS*

I've been so thrilled with the popularity and feedback from the Calmer Cards affirmation deck, that I have now extended the range to include bookmarks and fridge magnets.

They compliment the original card deck beautifully and serve as a little uplifting reminder every time you visit the fridge, or read (one of which I wish I didn't do quite so much of).

I've only produced these in very small quantities for now though (to test the water), but if they go well, after Christmas I shall keep them as a rolling stock item.

If anybody is buying them for gifts, let me know when you buy and I will keep the tissue paper and label unfastened so you can check the order before you seal it without spoiling it.

The original Calmer Card 20 Card Deck

AVAILABLE TO BUY FROM ETSY

Cautious Knitter Goes Wild and Learns New Stitches!

2011-11-20T13:04:00.000Z

I've been a very, very, basic knitter on and off for the last forty years. However, I feel ready now (think it's my hormones) to throw caution to the wind and move to the next level ... I KNOW!

I'm excited to announce I shall be trying new stitches and I may even knit something that isn't a square, or rectangle! It's very heady stuff and I will need much help and support! So, with this in mind, I've done as I always do in such circumstances and bought a book.

I've hit jackpot with this one, first time! It's a fabby book crammed with useful stuff.

Lots of great pics about the different sort of yarn blends, and seeing them all knitted up in stocking stitch side by side like that really helps to differentiate between the types.

The 'Techniques' chapter is possibly the most important one for me and I've already cast on (I'm making a sort of swing style vest top of my own design ... let's not get too carried away though in case it suddenly turns into a cowl at the last minute ... old habits etc) using a new method called 'Cable Cast-On', which actually made me shake with excitement it looks THAT good!!

All in all I'm so, so, pleased with this book and would thoroughly recommend it to all other cautious knitters out there trying to break free!!

More on this amazing story in due course!

The Book People

Amazon

What shall we do with a tatty old cardi,

2011-11-15T22:19:00.001Z

What shall we do with a tatty old cardi,
What shall we do with a tatty old cardi,
Earl-aye in the morning!

I shall make it into a cowl and a pair of arm warmers.

I started by saving all the buttons - they'll be used next year when I make my next batch of bags.

Cowl

Start by cutting off the front pieces and the sleeves and then square it off and also cut off the ribbed edge too (I'm going to save that edge - I've no idea why but I feel I should).

Then cut the remaining rectangle in half on its longest side. Stitch one set of the short sides together which will give you a fairly decent long length of scarf.

Fold the long sides together (right sides facing inwards) and stitch together, leaving one end open so you can turn it inside out to get it back to the right sides facing outwards.

Once you've got it back to the right sides being outside again, stitch the two ends together - you should now have a scarf that is a continuous loop, or if my instructions were as clear as mud, perhaps you have some sort of mangled snake instead, which you could always use as a puppet to entertain the guests with this Christmas!

Arm Warmers

Arm Warmers

Take the cut off sleeves and square them off. Now if your sleeve is already a slim fitting sleeve you need do nothing more than hem the cut edge however the sleeves on this cardi are too loose so they need tweaking.

I cut up the arm seam and opened it out and then refolded it to make a new slimmer arm measuring 4" (giving a circumference of 8") trimming off the excess.

Stitch this new seam together and then simply hem the unfinished edge.

And voila!!! ....

I'm not sure that I would wear both items at the same time normally though because I hate being coordinated.

I didn't get where I am today by being coordinated!

Agoraphobia and Panic Attacks

2011-11-13T14:42:00.002Z

I know it may seem a rather 'off topic' subject to be blogging about here but it's actually something rather relevant to me. I started having panic attacks some ten or twelve years ago following a prolonged period of stress, which then led to varying levels of agoraphobia.

Image - Attitude Goddess

It's not something I talk about a great deal in the general way of things, and if I had a penny for every time someone has expressed surprise that I've had this then I would now be like "The king in his counting house counting out his money!"

Over the years I've tried to explain what happens in a panic attack for me personally (to non sufferers) and obviously not always managed it (judging from some of the reactions I've had). But it was watching an episode of 'EastEnders' on TV recently where one of the characters 'Tanya' had a full blown anxiety attack that made me want to get up and shout "That, that, that's what it's like". I've never seen a more accurate portrayal of my own panic attacks than that one.

Image - Healing with Art

Anyway the reason for blogging about it is not to dwell on what has already been, or the negative aspects of the disorder, but more to focus on some of the things that can help and that interest me in that regard.

Image - Healing with Art

There are lots of practical ways in which you can help your general stress and anxiety levels and the ones below work for me;

Exercise - Anything that raises your heart rate and that you enjoy. It can be a brisk walk (if you're up to being outside) to housework, to an exercise dvd. Don't go bonkers, you're not aiming for the Olympics, you're just trying to disperse excess adrenaline and release happy endorphins.

Food - You know the drill ... "You are what you Eat". Personally I avoid caffeine and aspartame wherever possible.

Yoga & Meditation - I find this invaluable for stretching out tension in muscles and for quietening the mind.

Living in the moment - This is soooo worth cultivating. Too much of the time we are re-living past conversations and upsets, or time travelling into the future and imaging things or conversations that will in all probability NEVER happen anyway.

Holistic Therapies - a particular favourite with me. I adore Aromatherapy (I'm never without Lavender oil), Reflexology, Crystals, Feng Shui to name but a few.

This is just a snippet of the topics I would like to blog more fully on in the future but for now I'll leave you with one of my own Calmer Cards images

A great place for help and support
www.nomorepanic.co.uk

I'll just knit one more row before bedtime ...

2011-11-10T18:02:00.002Z

... and then of course bedtime ends up being 3am!

Anyway, knitting being the ridiculously addictive thing that it is means I've managed to finish a couple of items this week.

Firstly you may recall my desire for a pair of arm warmers, so we'll start with those. I just wanted a really plain pair, nothing fancy, or knitting in the round (mainly because I don't really know what that even means). So I decided to make it up as I went along ... this meant a few false starts whilst I worked out how many stitches to cast on.

I started with 36sts at first and decided after a while (wrongly) that that size would only fit if my arms were in fact Twiglets. I then wildly cast on 70sts producing something that would fit around a large tree ... twice!! After calming myself down and actually reading on the ball of wool the tension gauge I decided on 40sts. This has been a pretty good call, although the original 36sts would have been embarrassingly fine.

By the way I didn't actually use these pink needles in the end, I went down a bit.

Simple Arm Warmer Pattern

2 balls of Rowan Handknit Cotton DK, in the shade 'Linen'

Use 4mm needles

Cast on 40sts (36sts for a slimmer fit)

Knit in stocking stitch (the old knit a row, then purl a row) until you reach your desired length.

Sew the long seams together using mattress stitch (there are lots of good Youtube vids on how to do this). Leave a thumb hole if you want to have them as gloves.

Mine measure 8" x 14" which make them elbow length if stretched out, or give enough length for the slouchy look I prefer.

I LOVE them but my youngest daughter informs me that they look like arm splints!!! How very dare she!

Now for my next finished thingy ... a snood ... a cowl ... I saw someone on t'internet called theirs a 'Simon Cowl' which made me laugh for a good few rows!

I was just about to get rid of a maxi cardigan but as I'd always rather liked the colour I decided to unravel it instead and re-use the wool.

Simple Cowl/Snood Pattern

Chunky wool - hard to say how much here because I didn't buy it. If I did I think I would buy 2 balls because you can always return an unused one (check when you buy though).

9mm needles

Cast on 50sts (which makes it 20" wide) and work in stocking stitch (knit a row, purl a row) until your desired length. Cast off quite loosely if you can.

Sew the shorter seams together, again using mattress stitch.

I made mine 30" long which gives enough length to wear up over your head snood style ... or as youngest daughter said 'burglar style'!

I'm very pleased with both of my new knits and I'm casting on my next project as we speak!

Christmas cards - 'funky wunky flowers'

2011-11-05T12:03:00.001Z

My Christmas cards are now available to buy in PACKS of TWO, from either Folksy, or SINGLY from Redbubble, or, if you prefer to buy directly from me, you can email me via the contact page on the main henny designs website to let me know your requirements.

If you buy the cards from my Folksy shop (or directly from me) then the cards come with the brown recycled envelopes, as pictured above. If you prefer to buy from Redbubble (great for my overseas customers) then they supply them singly with a WHITE envelope, and also offer both a larger size and a postcard option too.

I've already even started writing mine ... which gives me the lovely illusion that I'm terribly organised and in control, whether indeed I am or not!

'And far and wide, in a scarlet tide, The poppy's bonfire spread.' - Bayard Taylor

2011-11-03T11:54:00.000Z

henny designs 'art to brighten your day' calendar available from Redbubble.

Sneaky peek ...

2011-10-20T16:22:00.001+01:00

Yay, the first batch of my Christmas cards arrived this morning, which is always a ~~nerve wracking~~ exciting moment! Now and again I have to have things reprinted, (for one reason or another - nearly always colour issues) but despite the not so good photo here, the cards in the flesh are smashing!

I'm really pleased with them and couldn't resist sharing. I shall get them all packaged, labelled up, properly photographed, and ready to buy very shortly. *excited*

Arm Warmers - Sleeve Layering!

2011-10-18T12:47:00.000+01:00

I love the whole arm warmer/sleeve layering thing, it dresses up tops beautifully, giving plain outfits a totally new look, as well as the practical consideration of keeping you warm.

They can be made not just from knitting your own but from old jumpers or knee high socks etc, and there seems to be lots of instruction on t'internet to get you going too. As I've said before I love a bit of recycling, so being able to use things you think have had their day and giving them a new lease of life is BRILLIANT!

TENam - K N I T W E A R T O L O V E

As well as the recycled ones I do think I will have a go at actually knitting some up whilst I'm curled up of a cosy evening watching 'Strictly'.

These look pretty simple don't they?

www.clackerdine.blogspot.com

www.mooncalfmakes.co.uk

sandalamoon

hypericumfragile

One Man Went To Mow ...

2011-10-16T12:50:00.003+01:00

Right, I'm very much hoping that that's the last short back and sides for the grass now, until next Spring.

Infact, I hope that's true for the bulk of all of the garden chores because whilst I was being all 'Charlie Dimmock' (but with a cross-your-heart bra) this summer, it appears someone has scattered a sort of thick grey powder over every surface in the house, forming an almost 'felt' like blanket in places.

I have two choices open to me, I could simply ignore it (like I did with the Fishfingers incident in 1987) and carry on, or, I could actively promote it as some sort of volcanic ash 'cure all', sell it, and make my fortune!

When my girls were small one of their friends very assertively told me, "YOUR GRASS IS VERY GREEN!" We still laugh about it now but ~~secretly~~ boastfully I was extremely proud to be 'The Mother With The Greenest Grass' and I didn't even water it!

Yeah, who wants to be a cool mum anyway when you've got the 'best bright green grass' in your repertoire! *proud*

"The Earth Laughs In Flowers."

2011-10-08T13:02:00.001+01:00

"The Earth Laughs In Flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

If so, then sunflowers must surely be one of Earth's brightest chuckles of all.

This is the picture for the month of October on my 'art to brighten your day' calendar.

It's also a design that I'm planning to get printed on fabric at some point, it would work really well for curtains, cushions, runners, bags etc, etc, and scaled down to a much smaller size, for some clothing items too.

It's on the 'To Do' list!

More lovely Angela Smith jewellery ...

2011-10-06T17:12:00.001+01:00

I've always had very eclectic (isn't that a lovely word ... eclectic) fashion tastes, veering from wanting to dress á la Mary Quant style (although I can sometimes end up looking a bit like Pippi Longstocking), or like them upstairs in Downton Abbey! I do love a bit of old fashioned glamour, particularly from that era ... all that lovely beading ... yummy!

I bought the above dress in the sales quite some time ago and was thrilled when I saw these earrings designed by Angela Smith, they'll go a treat! If you haven't yet come across Angela's designs then I would encourage you to go and have a nose.

Angela Smith Bespoke Handmade Jewellery

Strictly Come Dancing 2011

2011-10-02T12:07:00.002+01:00

It's 'Strictly' time once more ... yay!

You may remember from my post this time last year that I can get more than a little excited by the return of possibly my most favouritist programme!

It far too early days to pick my favourites yet but from the shows so far I loved Russell Grant's fabulously camp affair last night (Flavia being my idol - if I wasn't a ridiculously tall blonde then I would most definately be a petite latino brunette!). Lulu losing the plot entirely but carrying on regardless was also a funny moment (in a nice way) ... most endearing!

And Robin's and Anita Dobson's waltz ... simple and elegant. I decided last year that I LOVE Robin - he was so great with the very nervous Patsy Kensit, their relationship was very touching, and he looks to be just the same with Anita. So I shall alternate my imaginary dances between him and Vincent this season (I could never totally abandon Vincent anyway, despite our unusual height difference, he makes me laugh too much)!

Here I am, all glammed up and ready to go (courtesy of a little help from photo effects site, face in hole), should the call ever come!

I'll be tuning in tomorrow night on BBC2 at 6.30pm to check out Strictly's sister programme, 'It Takes Two! This series has Zoe Ball replacing Claudia Winkleman, which will be one tough act to follow. I've actually cried with laughter sometimes at some of the unexpected banter she had with her guests. Anyway good luck to Zoe Ball whom I'm sure will stamp her own mark on the show!

Check out the official BBC Strictly Blog here.

Down the garden path ....

2011-09-30T11:29:00.002+01:00

Making the most of the glorious Indian summer this week, I've downed arty tools and picked up garden ones instead. It's a splendid opportunity to set the garden to rights before winter, and also a chance to enjoy any late summer blooms.

My neighbour built this dry stone wall out of all the old rubble in the garden - I love a bit of waste not want not!

Isn't Sedum lovely! Just when all the garden colour is fading it pops up bright and pink and feathery fluffy! For some reason it always reminds me of Laura Ashley, probably because it's such a country cottage sort of flower! Cowslips make me think the same.

I've now got a couple in the garden, neither one sited in its original spot, just somehow getting transplanted (by accident) as I've made structural changes here and there. I love their fortitude.

I've given my tiny pocket-sized front garden a good tidy up too (you turn your back for 5 minutes and quicker than you can say "Mine's a Bailey's" you've got all these long leggy weeds to deal with).
I've also cut back the shrubs quite a bit as as well, they'd begun to hold hands, which meant you couldn't play chase around them (if you'd a mind to). So I wielded my ~~sword~~ shears like the prince in Sleeping Beauty and brought it all back to some sort of order. Let the chasing commence!

Whilst I'm meandering in the garden I must mention one of my favourite 'simple pleasures', I can't be the only one who loves to see a line of fresh white washing blowing in the wind on a sunny day, can I??

It's right up there with wriggling bare toes in the warm sun .... and my all time number one of sinking into a hot bubble bath at the end of the day! Maximuss Blissimuss!

These beautiful blooms are actually all in my next door neighbours front garden but because we're like family it makes them sort of mine really!

Right I'm off back into the garden now to weed between the flagstones ... cos that's how I roll!

Toy Story meets Animal Hospital meets 10 Years Younger!

2011-09-25T17:08:00.000+01:00

This ~~pile of rags~~ sorry 'beloved rabbit' on the left belongs to my 22 year old middle daughter and has been so cherished over the years, it has needed to be patched, endlessly re-stuffed and in recent years even lost his head (I know how he feels)! Recently while she was away on holiday said daughter left him in my care, with the plea to 'sort him out', so that he could be cherished some more.

Firstly I thoroughly washed him, then gave him a new outer layer and lined it this time for extra endurance, then stuffed him (using the wadding from a pillow I no longer needed) and added a lacy collar. Then I pondered on a new head, worrying incase my daugher (who isn't fond of change) could cope with this - after all she's been more than happy with him being headless for the last few years.

I discussed the matter with my other two daughters, one of whom said leave him headless and just sew some eyes on the body, and the other one thought it would be an extremely jolly jape to transplant a head from a completely different toy, like a giraffe, or a plastic dolls head!!! Since I didn't want her to have to have years of therapy I decided to try and construct the exact same head as the rabbit originally had, using a white towel from NEXT.

Anyway the upshot is she's thrilled to bits to have her rabbit returned to his former glory, crying and cuddling him, and talking about his marvellous transformation to all our family and friends (I FEEL LIKE GOK)!

Oh, and incase you're wondering ... he doesn't and didn't ever have a mouth ... he's the strong silent type!

I've Got A Brand New Combine Harvester

2011-09-23T11:12:00.000+01:00

Well, I haven't, but what I have got is a traditional 'grow your own' neighbour, which is the next best thing!

I spent a lovely sunny afternoon yesterday 'assisting' in bringing in the crops! My important role was to stand under the pear tree holding the baskets and steadying the ladder. It was a most enjoyable task (other than the pears that landed directly on my head!).

I now have lots and lots of pears to go with the lots and lots of apples from this years bumper crop and a nice lot of Tommy tomatoes too!

If cows weren't so big and you could use your GHD's in a barn, then I could SO be a Farmer's Wife!

Now I got a brand new combine harvester and I'll give you the key
Now that we're both past our 50's I think that you and me should stop this gallivanting
And will you marry me?
'Cause I got a brand new combine harvester and I'll give you the key.

The Wurzels

Bobbi Brown Blog

2011-09-15T14:26:00.001+01:00

Oooh, look, Bobbi's got a blog now!

I LOVE make-up (it all began with red and blue Smarties) and like many women my make-up bag consists of a totally eclectic mix of brands. I'm not a make-up snob at all but whilst I do love a bargain (thinking Avon Glimmersticks lip liners here that I've been using since forever) I do also love the way a 'posh' bit of kit can make you feel!

Bobbi Brown whilst being a higher end range still represents very good value for money though because it lasts and lasts and lasts. I think she produces extremely wearable products for all ages and I've always enjoyed her tutorials and books too, so this blog will be a nice treat!

And don't even get me started on my main make-up staples, MAC if you're reading I deserve shares now!

Bobbi Brown Blog

Good Cosy Chick Lit Reads

2011-09-09T14:52:00.003+01:00

When I'm not reading the complete works of Hippocrates, Proust, Tolstoy, etc, etc, I like nothing better than to snuggle down with some good quality chick lit.

These two authors are amongst my current faves, both writing warm cosy romance (nothing too trite) that's just right for the 'winding down' process at the end of the day. Throw in a couple of M&S Lemon Mousse Bars and a small Bailey's and the job's a good' un!

Katie Fforde

Milly Johnson

'The Tailor of Gloucester'

2011-09-06T14:38:00.000+01:00

www.allposters.com

Just like the tailor in Beatrix Potter's, 'The Tailor of Gloucester' (without the mice!), I too like working with the very best materials available. Look at my latest stash of scumptiousness that has arrived this week.

Berisfords gingham ribbon, Gutermann threads, 100% wool felt material and lovely buttons from a seller on Etsy.

"One bitter cold day near Christmastime the tailor began to make a coat (a coat of cherry- coloured corded silk embroidered with pansies and roses) and a cream- coloured satin waistcoat for the Mayor of Gloucester."

"What should become of the cherry- coloured coat? Who should come to sew it, when the window was barred, and the door was fast locked?"

"But upon the table--oh joy! the tailor gave a shout--there, where he had left plain cuttings of silk--there lay the most beautiful coat and embroidered satin waistcoat that ever were worn by a Mayor of Gloucester!"

"And from then began the luck of the Tailor of Gloucester; he grew quite stout, and he grew quite rich."

"The stitches of those buttonholes were so small--SO small--they looked as if they had been made by little mice!"

THE END
The Tailor Of Gloucester

Sunny September!

2011-09-01T16:45:00.000+01:00

I LOVE turning the calendar page over at the end of a month to see what the next month's picture is going to be (which could be considered a little odd, given that I designed the thing, so it's hardly likely to be Harry Potter staring back at me!).
I'm liking this one muchly because it blends with my kitchen really well and looks nice and warm .... it's the small things!

September

Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing.
As we danced in the night,
Remember how the stars stole the night away

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in September
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day

Earth Wind & Fire

Calendars available to buy from Redbubble.

Angela Smith Jewellery

2011-08-31T14:23:00.001+01:00

Angela Smith creates the most beautiful bespoke jewellery at extremely affordable prices. I recently asked her to make me some earrings to blend with a necklace I already had. These gorgeous earrings arrived this morning and I'm absolutely delighted with them. I shall most definitely be commissioning more pieces in the future, both for myself and as presents.

What's in a name!

2011-08-25T15:29:00.001+01:00

I'm often asked about the 'henny' part of henny designs, so here we go.

Henny is my parents name for me (since the year dot). Although our given names are Jane and Helen, my sister and I have always been Jenny and Henny at home, which can get shortened even further at times, to Jen and Hen.

"Not a lot of people know that"

(using my best Michael Caine impression there).

Taking my bag out for a walk

2011-08-23T16:39:00.001+01:00

I wear such a lot of orange and brown, so this one is ideal for me.

I've added more colourways to the range and the ideas just keep coming!

All available from my Folksy Shop.

Treats!

2011-08-21T13:59:00.001+01:00

~~'Papa's~~ Mama's got a brand new bag' .... well a peg one anyway!

A lovely treat this morning was my middle daughter appearing on the doorstep, also clutching a present in a Selfridges bag (posh alert) from her recent jolly away in London.

Although I'm usually drawn to modern contemporary prints I'm never the less a sucker for nostalgic ones too, so I'm thrilled to bits with this pretty Cath Kidston peg bag. I'm especially pleased because my old one is falling to pieces and the pegs kept tipping out in the garden, causing me to use 'f' words.

I expect I'll recycle the fabric of this old one ... maybe a couple of little jackets for the squirrels in my garden.

Faster than fairies, faster than witches, ...

2011-08-19T13:32:00.002+01:00

We have a big bookcase full of favourite children's books in our house, which I regularly spend time perusing. I take one and sit next to it on the floorboards, or the bottom stair, going back in time for what seems like minutes but often turns out to be hours (pins and needles and a numb bottom usually reminding me of the time).

I love, love, love, 'A Child's Garden of Verses', a collection of poems by Robert Louis Stevenson and illustrated by Hilda Boswell. As a child some of these verses had a real impact on me. My exciting favourite being, 'From a Railway Carriage'. I would read this and others out loud, using a loud, dramatic and rather unusual accent, to all the assembled toys, whom I'd charged a very reasonable penny each for the privilege.

The one I found almost too thrilling to be read late at night was 'Windy Nights', which could give me nightmares and perhaps even make me produce a windy night of my own! Even now reading the first line gives me a bit of a shiver but then I also think 'Harry Potter' films should be 'over 18', so I expect it's just me.

Rustic Jute Bags

2011-08-10T13:53:00.001+01:00

I sometimes get a real hankering to step away from the paper goods, once in awhile, and go ahead and indulge my love of painting other kinds of 'stuff'.

Over the years I've painted pots, glass, tiles, plates, furniture pieces, etc, etc, not to even mention painting my own face each and every morning.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this recent venture and intend to add more bags, as and when the whim (and time) takes me. I will only be producing one or two in each colourway, so it's a limited edition range only. That way it will stay original and fresh and be fun to do.

AVAILABLE TO BUY FROM FOLKSY

International Friendship Day

2011-08-04T10:48:00.002+01:00

International Friendship Day is celebrated either on 30th July each year, or the first Sunday in August, according to Wikipedia. To my mind the sentiment holds dear for every day of the year.

Available to buy from Folksy

'Everybody Go Surfin'

2011-08-01T13:55:00.001+01:00

It's the 1st of August and a gloriously sunny day here in Dorset.

My henny designs calendar in the kitchen has my digital print 'everybody go surfin' as this months image and it feels very appropriate. Click here to read more about my amazing body-boarding skills ...

If everybody had an ocean
Across the U. S. A.
Then everybody'd be surfin'
Like Californi-a
You'd seem 'em wearing their baggies
Huarachi sandals too
A bushy bushy blonde hairdo
Surfin' U. S. A.

Everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.

by The Beach Boys

Calmer Cards

2011-07-25T10:01:00.002+01:00

* NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH *

A 20-card deck of colourful affirmation cards.

The cards are business card size, making them easy and convenient to pop into a wallet or purse, or I like to use mine as a bookmark.

They are brightly coloured, cheerful, reassuring messages, designed to give you that, 'You Can Do It' encouragement, and hopefully help you feel a little stronger and calmer as you go about your day.

AVAILABLE TO BUY FROM FOLKSY

Alright Me Old China

2011-07-12T13:03:00.001+01:00

I love ceramics and some of my favourite designs seem to be mainly from around the Art Deco period. Whether this be nostalgic chintzy patterns redolent of Miss Marple type cream teas, or the more simple and colourful designs of Clarice Cliff.

It's lovely to have true vintage items in your collection, but mine is made up from a real hotch potch of sources, some vintage certainly, some neo vintage/retro aka Cath Kidston, and some I've even painted myself.

Kraft Packaging

2011-07-11T16:55:00.001+01:00

There's something about the texture and colour of kraft stationery products that I've always been drawn to (you've only got to see my website and blog colours to tell that).

Anyway the last few days I've been producing kraft-card wallet type packaging, for a new range coming up very soon.

My Creative Process

2011-07-05T14:22:00.002+01:00

Whenever I start a new project it's rare for me to be able to plunge straight in. Most times I have to have long periods of contemplation while I turn the idea over in my head every which way, planning, colour, and design wise.

Sometimes I even indulge myself with daydreaming about the finished result being so universally popular, that I become more famous than J.K. Rowling, visualising myself accepting grand awards and trophies. The dream sometimes overlaps with my one about winning Wimbledon and then somehow to winning 'Strictly' (with many handmade costume changes along the way) and from there any useful thoughts involving my initial project are gone for a burton.

So if you see me looking gormless from time to time I am infact in deep contemplation!

On google images this pic has author unknown, so I

can't give credit where credit is due on this occasion

but whoever you are - it's a great photo!

July ...

2011-07-01T11:02:00.001+01:00

... and what a beautiful morning, not a cloud in the sky.

Calendar available from Redbubble

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

'What a Wonderful World'

Louis Armstrong

Card available from Folksy

And this week is mainly orange

2011-06-06T17:49:00.002+01:00

I seem to be having a bit of an orange moment (and that includes the chocolate sort) this last week or so. Orange is such an upliftingly vibrant colour and these flowers in my neighbours garden are glorious example - although I did nearly fall over the hedge taking the picture.

Fathers Day Reminder - Sun 19th June

2011-06-03T11:53:00.002+01:00

Cards for special dads everywhere ...

Available to buy from Folksy

This particular design is currently stocked in my Folksy shop priced £2.50, and the two designs below are available from Print on Demand service Redbubble, in two different sizes and priced accordingly.

Available to buy from Redbubble

Wikipedia
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in many countries and on other days elsewhere.
Read more ....

Here comes the sun ...

2011-06-01T09:55:00.000+01:00

Calendars are a fabulously economical way to get twelve prints by your favourite artist, all in one go! You get to enjoy the pictures for a year, and then afterwards frame them up, or glue them onto board (using border adhesive), as I often do. IKEA have a good selection of frames, including white and cream, which work particularly well against bright colours.

The calendars, available from the henny designs redbubble online shop, are A3 in size and printed on deliciously thick paper (which smells posh too - important to a serial paper sniffer like me).

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right.
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
The Beatles

Buying RedBubble Calendars is Easy & Awesome

Choose Your Own Starting Month
Worldwide Delivery in 5 - 10 Days
Full Money Back Guarantee
Highest Quality Calendars

May 2011

2011-05-03T22:43:00.001+01:00

The great thing about buying a calendar from Redbubble is being able to start it at any month you choose, which means buying one even at this time of year, you still get a whole twelve months.

GUENEVERE:
It's May, It's May!The lusty month of May!
That darling month when
ev'ryone throws
Self-control away.
It's time to do a wretched thing or two,
And try to make each precious day
One you'll always rue!
It's May! It's May!
From the musical 'Camelot'.

Buying RedBubble Calendars is Easy & Awesome

Choose Your Own Starting Month
Worldwide Delivery in 5 - 10 Days
Full Money Back Guarantee
Highest Quality Calendars

Wonderful Wedding

2011-04-29T14:49:00.002+01:00

Congratulations William & Kate!

SP Jewellery ... Sixpence Necklace

2011-04-28T21:23:00.001+01:00

I love being part of Folksy, not least because you can buy funky and gorgeous things for yourself too. Look at this sixpence necklace I just bought from SP Jewellery, and it's the year of my birth. What a lovely gift for a friend on a special birthday, or anniversary etc.

Easter is a great time for feeling springy

2011-04-21T11:12:00.002+01:00

The new shop opens at Folksy...

2011-04-16T11:50:00.002+01:00

Henny designs has now opened a shop within the Folksy emporium and warmly invites you all to visit.

Folksy was created with the aim of showcasing the work of independent UK artists, designers and crafters. If you love original and quirky gifts then you've just found shopping heaven.

Folksy logo badge by Emma Pickle

Loving what I do!

2011-04-02T18:15:00.001+01:00

About 25+ years ago I was on a training course for something or other, and whilst we were all in the circle introducing ourselves (which I love to do - NOT!) we were asked to say career wise what we dreamed of doing. I replied that I would REALLY love to have my own business selling my art and designing greetings cards. *happy*

http://www.hennydesigns.com/

Bjorn Clogs ..... more yummy clogs

2011-04-02T17:55:00.001+01:00

bjorn clogs

Bjorn Clogs ..... yummy clogs!

2011-03-27T15:52:00.001+01:00

'In these shoes'

Then I met an Englishman
"Oh" he said
"What are you afraid of"
"Won't you walk up and down my spine,
It makes me feel strangely alive."
I said "In these shoes?
I doubt you'd survive."
I said "Honey, let's do it.
Let's stay right here."

by Kirsty MacColl

Now for the second of my recent internet truffles .... Bjorn Clogs.

I adore wooden sandals and have done since my first pair of Scholls back in the 70s. So I'm thrilled ... no, ecstatic, to have found a site that have so many yummy colours and permatations to choose from. I had the above pair made for me last week as my general work horse pair, and as funds allow will add ~~a thousand~~ a few more pairs in different styles and colours ... thinking hot pink and animal prints now!

After drawing around my foot (which looked scarily enormous on paper) and measuring it we decided over the phone what size I would be, and I had them made slightly narrower for my slender trotters at the same time. They didn't take long to arrive and when they did it were as though they were made for me. *snort*

Check out the Bjorn Clogs website and they also have a Facebook page too.

'Solstice'...natural skin care

2011-03-26T11:59:00.001Z

I love it when I stumble across a little gem on t'internet, and if it's a small business to boot then that's even better, I'm as happy as a pig snorting for truffles.

The first truffle this happy pig wants to share with you is the gorgeous natural skincare range from 'Solstice'. I like the philosophy behind the company and their plain easy to understand literature is a breath of fresh air.

I love all the products I've used, my favourite being the cleanser which I now don't like being without, and the lipbalm which I have in my handbag all the time. The body washes and lotions are based on the Celtic Wheel of the year, which although I know nothing about, I found very interesting. Most importantly though ... my skin loves it!

More truffles coming soon ...

Solstice

solsticenaturals

Ten new 'noggins' card designs!

2011-03-19T13:18:00.002Z

I had lots of fun designing this range.

The font used for the text was created by the artist Pat Snyder. Pat took a little tracking down but I'm so glad I did because not only was I given permission to use the font but Pat very generously gave me a few more to use too. Cheers, Pat!

'noggins'

4 of 10 new 'noggins' designs

And here's one I did earlier ...

2011-03-07T16:21:00.001Z

Spring is here!

2011-03-04T15:54:00.002Z

I always know when Spring has arrived because the forsythia hedge in the garden lights up with the most glorious tiny yellow flowers. The last couple of days we've had clear blue skies enabling me to get out to take a few photographs, which will form the basis of some future projects.

Look out for this forsythia as it's about to get the henny designs 'treatment' and appear on some Easter cards shortly.

Work area

2011-02-08T16:26:00.001Z

It's always interesting to see where, or what environment artists choose to work from, isn't it. I use the word 'choose' loosely, because I, like many others, have had to commandeer my creative space from what's actually available.

Whilst it would be nice to have a specific studio (to contain all the materials mainly), it is of no matter, since I am happy enough where I am, it offers everything I need close at hand, and when my feet get cold I can rest them on the radiator.

This is pretty well where most of my work starts and finishes if it's a plain hand painting. I only move over to the all-important computer when I want to turn a drawing or an image into something with a very flat or uniform colour, or create designs like the 'Ted' range.

The important work I do on the all-important computer will be the subject of an important blog at some later date. Try not to miss it - it will be important!

Neat and tidy at the start of the day,
not necessarily how it will look later on though.

Something 'arty' in every
drawer.

Crystals, Gemstones, Fossils and Pebbles

2011-01-20T16:05:00.001Z

I love crystals, well stones of any sort really.

I think it all started with family holidays to Bournemouth, where as a small kid I could be seen bent double dragging buckets containing my own body weight in pebbles and shells up the zig-zag pathway, to the top of the cliffs. I would stubbornly refuse to leave a single one of my 'important' collection behind, making my family carry buckets, and strangers too if they made the mistake of looking my way.

There was also the most marvellous collection of geological stones situated outside the Russell Cotes Museum, right on the cliff tops. This collection consisted of columns about 4ft high, all of different types of stone, from granite to marble and everything in between, that you could walk around and touch.

I used to have to be dragged away from the place with the promise of fish and chips, when my parents finally got fed up of sitting smoking, watching me stroke every stone a hundred times, and my sister needed a wee, with the sun now down and no longer able see each other in the darkness.

It was magic that place was!

These are some pics I took of my present collection.

amethyst

blue lace agate

rhodonite

rose quartz

green aventurine

rose quartz

smoky quartz

Quotation Wall Art, Prints, Greetings Cards, Notelets and Postcards

2010-12-03T12:10:00.003Z

These brightly coloured quotations make great wall art, (the bright colours look particularly good in a contemporary setting) but apart from that they're also super in the larger greeting card size, for birthdays, or other events, with the smaller size and the postcards being useful for thank you's and letter writing.

Ding Dong Merrily On High...

2010-11-23T15:38:00.002Z

Ding dong merrily on high,

In stores the tills are ringing:

Ding dong! Profits reach the sky

And filled with owners singing,

Gloria, Bonuses in excelsis!

Brian & Beryl Christmas Cards

Christmas song lyrics

The One About Ladybird Books

2010-11-08T14:18:00.003Z

I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm, which started with a love for Ladybird books (amongst others). Even before I could actually read, I would just enjoy the pictures, weaving my own stories around the gorgeous illustrations.

I did find learning to read quite difficult, but once I’d grasped it (finger pointing neatly at each word) golly I couldn’t be stopped, and was always ‘doing it’, much to the annoyance of my sister, who wanted me to come out and play in the street, or drag frogspawn around in a bucket to sell to the neighbours.

At night-time I would curl up in bed with my collection of Ladybird books, (as a side note, who the heck thought nylon nighties and nylon sheets were a good combination – any sudden movement and your hair stood on end, or you fused the house) and read each one, then carefully place it under my pillow, until I had so many under my pillow that I was sleeping vertically.

Below are just a few of my favourites, with a ‘little extra detail’ added.

Jack and The Beanstalk

Cinderella

Katie County Mouse Goes To London
(may not be a Ladybird book)

Lost At The Fair

Piggly Plays Truant

The Three Little Pigs

My Collection

These illustrations we all loved so much as children are enjoying a bit of a revival at the moment, on various offerings, such as mugs and diaries etc. If you have a favourite, you can find it on either of the sites below........a real trip down memory lane.

vintageladybird

ladybirdprints

Calendars

2010-10-16T16:37:00.001+01:00

The henny designs calendars for 2011 are now available!

Calendars are a fabulously economical way to get twelve prints by your favourite artist, all in one go! You get to enjoy the pictures for a year, and then afterwards frame them up, or glue them onto board (using border adhesive), as I often do. IKEA have a good selection of frames, including white and cream, that work particularly well against bright colours.

The calendars, available from the henny designs redbubble online shop, are A3 in size and printed on deliciously thick paper (which smells posh - important to a serial paper sniffer like me).

They also make great Christmas presents!

art to brighten your day

a groovy calendar for blokes

a groovy calendar for girlies

Swedish Hasbeens

2010-10-05T15:13:00.001+01:00

I love wooden clogs, wearing them all the time back in the day. You could stomp about making satisfying 'cloggy' noises, feeling rather cool and important.

The current range from Swedish Hasbeens is gorgeous!

The One About 'Strictly Come Dancing'

2010-10-01T17:15:00.002+01:00

It’s back! Time to get caught up once more in the whirl of sequinned madness that is, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’!

I daydream A LOT and one of my most favourite imaginings (apart from winning Wimbledon - which comes close) is to take part in, ‘Strictly’.

dancer extraordinaire

In MY version I am the dancer extraordinaire (not even my cellulite holds me back!), as week after week I dazzle the astonished audience and judges, with my creative costumes, and death defying routines!

Mostly I pair myself with Vincent because he says marvellously silly things and falls off chairs, which I do quite a lot too. I’m about 2ft taller than him, which makes for an unusual partnership and involves me doing most of the lifting, but you can’t have everything. I tried pairing myself with Brendan once, but that dream ended up with me spending time in prison, so now I stick with Vincent.

Obviously all this dancing means an enormous amount of practice at home, which I do accompanied by my Ewbank (called Chris). We waltz, jive, quickstep etc, from room to room (doing a little light cleaning as we go), making use of the whole house, and ending with a graceful leap from the landing to the hall, (missing out the stairs entirely) for our grand finale – just in time to turn over for X-Factor and win that too!

The One About Punctuation

2010-09-22T16:30:00.002+01:00

I belong to that 'interesting' time in British education during the 1970s, where the teachings of punctuation and grammar got thrown into a black hole because teachers felt they got in the way of self-expression.

For years I didn't realise this was a general thing. I thought it was just me and that I must have been away that day!

As I've got older I've begun to realise what a disadvantage this is. For me poor punctuation and grammar skills are the same as poor table manners, yes, the food is still good but you look like a pig while you're eating it!

Recently in an effort to improve, I read Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss, a rather amusing look at the matter, and this has made me want to continue my quest, without hopefully getting too anal about it.

In this spirit I invited author 'Gary William Murning' to answer a few light-hearted questions, so I could get his take on it.

Gary, you're not much younger than me (or should that be I?) so I wondered if your education had been similarly lacking, and if so, how has this impacted on your craft as a writer?

Actually, I think I just missed the whole self-expression thing. I did have a Montessori trained teacher briefly, but she dealt with music, so she couldn't do too much damage! In retrospect, though, it certainly wasn't as good as it could have been. I was one of the so-called "brighter pupils", but I also had a tendency to drift (the fledgling creative mind, no doubt!) Also, I later had health issues that meant punctuation and grammar were not my prime concern.

But the teaching of these skills, nevertheless, wasn't that impressive. I quit sixth form college halfway through my second year due to the aforementioned ill-health and, as I recuperated, started writing. And I literally had to learn much of the craft side from scratch. Yes I could construct a sentence, but those first efforts were clumsy, poorly punctuated affairs. Much of what I learned simply came with time; reading extensively, watching what other writers did and gradually picking up an instinctive sense of how punctuation worked (I'm talking beyond full-stops and commas.)

May (that's better than 'can', right?) I ask you some specific punctuation questions, please?

What would you do if I said no? Absolutely! Fire away.

That reminds me of the time I asked a man in Burnley if he knew the way to the Registry Office, taking off his cap he replied, “Yes”, and then simply walked off!

First question: I've got all the way through the last nearly five decades without using a semi-colon! How have I done that? When are they used and why not use a dash instead?

Kurt Vonnegut said, I believe, that the only use for a semicolon was to show that the user had had a university education. Something like that. (I've just found the quote. He said: "… they are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've been to college." He had a real dislike of them, which I think was rather unfair (though his tongue may have been firmly in cheek when he said it; he, after all, used them extensively himself!) Frankly, we could if necessary very easily live without them. I know of publishers, for example, who actually tell their writers not to use them! They're considered by some to be "unfashionable" – something I find quite absurd ("Have you seen this season's punctuation? Isn't it simply divine?!”)

Like much of my understanding of punctuation and grammar, the way I use a semicolon is pretty much pure instinct. If you look at my first comment above, I used one in the sentence "Much of what I learned simply came with time; reading extensively, watching what other writers did and gradually picking up an instinctual sense of how punctuation worked (I'm talking beyond the full-stops and commas." Here it shows that what comes after it informs/adds something to what went before. It's effectively two separate sentences joined together with the second part providing some kind of expansion of the first. That's pretty much the only way I ever use it.

A dash could also be used – but I always consider a semicolon to be a longer pause, if that makes sense. A dash suggests to me something that is added more quickly, often as a qualification. (As a novelist, I often think of punctuation as simply breathing points – a way of creating sound patterns and rhythms.)

Breathing points – yes I like that! Finding a happy balance somewhere between hyperventilation and asphyxiation, being the aim. At the moment people usually need a paper bag handy when I really get going.

Next question: I have never understood the whole 'I' and 'me' scenario. Is it 'My friend and I', or, 'My friend and me'? Or, indeed, 'I and my friend', or, 'Me and my friend'?

This one is so often badly explained in schools. They'll bang on about subjective and objective pronouns and the subject of the verb and the next thing you know, your head's on the desk and you’re drooling on your textbook.

This is the easy way to remember it. Look at the sentence "Jenny and me went into town." Is it right? How can we tell? Without all those long-winded classroom explanations, what are we to do? Simple: take the "Jenny and" part of the sentence out. We now have "me went into town". Doesn't sound right, does it? On the other hand, "I went into town" sounds just fine. Therefore the sentence should be "Jenny and I went into town."

Now try this one: "Brian went into town with Jenny and I." Apply the same rule and the sentence reads… actually, no. You tell me if the sentence is correct.

The sentence should read “Brian went into town with Jenny and ME”, followed by “Brian gave me his wallet and told me to spend as much as I like!”

Obviously I have many more questions but you and I both have lives, so I will make this the last one.

Oh, and there I was just getting into my stride…

If I were a punctuation mark I would like to be the ellipsis, the three dots, meaning 'to trail off in an intriguing way'...! However I know with my exceedingly curious personality, I'm really just one big fat question mark.
Gary what punctuation mark are you, and why?

Sweetie, we are all ellipses! Each and every one of us trails off eventually… although, admittedly, not always intriguingly!

If I had to choose, I think I'd go for a tilde (~) – chiefly because I haven't got a clue what it's for. Suggests to me that eternal question of human existence: what the f…

And on that f-final word, thank you Gary!
I hope you’ll join me again when I’ll be discussing “Men In Leggings!”

Gary William Murning Online

To find out more about Gary
and view sample pages from
his book, If I Never, click here.

Brian & Beryl

2010-09-11T16:31:00.004+01:00

I frequently get excited, sometimes it's 'very', sometimes it's 'very, very' and now and again it can even be 'very, very, very' (the last one usually resulting in a Panadol and a cold flannel)!

What's got me giddy this time are the new 'Brian & Beryl' designs I'm working on for Christmas (I'll try not to mention Christmas again until Dec, I understand it's immensely irritating to contemplate this early).

Brian & Beryl are two sheep I designed a year or so ago and have stared at ever since, pondering (I do love a good ponder) on a direction to take them in.

I now know exactly where they're going and these little adventures will begin with a small Christmas selection.

This first one is available now from my online shop at Redbubble, I will be adding a few more festive ones in the coming weeks before I then start exploring their more everyday life.

Greetings Cards & Postcards

2010-09-02T20:23:00.004+01:00

All of the henny designs prints & posters are available as greetings cards too. The cards come in two sizes and as a postcard.

Prices range from £1.38 for a postcard and Redbubble offer a 20% discount when you purchase eight or more of the same size. The eight needn't be all 'henny designs' cards, they can be from any of the marvellous artists on Redbubble, just as long as they are of the same size format.

The cards come sealed in a cellophane pocket and if required a henny designs tag and string can be supplied upon request (free of charge), using the contact form on the main henny designs website. This gives a smart finishing touch when giving a pack as a gift.

Buying from Redbubble is an anonymous process, artists and buyers deal purely through Redbubble, so you can feel quite secure that none of your personal or financial information is available to independent individuals.

The One About Body Boarding

2010-08-31T10:43:00.003+01:00

Sometimes I like to take a little break from all this 'arting about' and Sunday provided the perfect opportunity, when my sister and her family dropped in after being at the beach.

sisters

My menopausal sister has discovered body boarding is a great way to deal with her hot flushes, plus she gets a real reason to dress up in a wet suit now!

menopausal sister

Actually my friend Nicki and I used to body board. We first decided to try it after watching a very elderly gentleman (wearing what looked like bloomers) ride majestically to shore one summer.

Our first attempts weren't brilliant but after much advice from onlookers, Nicki decided not to smoke on her board anymore, and I let someone hold my pasty. After that things went rather 'swimmingly'!

We could be seen all summer blundering to shore most gracefully, entwined with all the flotsam and jetsam the sea had to offer, boards following on a few minutes later.

In fact the only thing that brought this pleasant pastime to a close was my inability to find a costume strong enough to contain all my wobbly bits. The flotsam and jetsam the kids didn't mind, the roly poly action to shore the kids didn't mind, the cheering crowd the kids didn't mind, ...... the sight of my 'hidden treasures' .... the kids DID MIND!

We now play mini golf ...... and that's another story!

my favourite pants

Inspiration!

2010-08-28T17:06:00.001+01:00

Inspiration for artwork can come from a million zillion different sources, some no more than a whisper of a thought, to other thankfully more tangible sources. It's these tangible sources that I began to collect together some years ago to stick down firmly into a book, created especially for the purpose.

Some are for the ideas, some are for the colour combinations, some are for the compositions and some are for all three!

I always make colour charts of any new medium I'm trying too and add those to the book. This is a practice that saves so much time later on, so it's really worth doing!

I love seeing rows of colours together, and can happily spend hours looking at colour charts in DIY stores, or shelves of knitting wool all laid out and don't even get me started on stationery, or art shops!!!

I'm a right blogger!

2010-08-27T18:04:00.004+01:00

I have decided that henny designs needs a blog!

Not just because having a blog is a great networking opportunity, or because I'll be able to post big pictures on t'internet. No, smashing as those reasons are, it is because I love the word 'blog' (frock and slacks are two more). It's such a well rounded chunky word that you can pronunciate every bit of, and I intend to do just that in as many conversations as I can.

"Do you blog darling?" she asked the Tesco delivery man.

"Blog off!" she screamed at the call centre.

"No thank you, I am blogger!" she said firmly, shutting the front door.

So if you like your blogs with dodgy grammar, dubious spelling and the occasionally totally made up word, do press the 'follow' button and watch this space!