Out and about on my travels I found the following ‘new’ things for my collection:
Another vintage postcard of The Monument, and an engraving of Regent Street I rescued from a junk shop in a really ratty frame.
Archive for the “Art” CategoryOut and about on my travels I found the following ‘new’ things for my collection: Another vintage postcard of The Monument, and an engraving of Regent Street I rescued from a junk shop in a really ratty frame.
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02
2010
Portrait of Edward I With a Touch of RegencyPosted by Alison in Art, Costume, Eleanor, History, TVLongtime readers may remember I bought an original watercolour of Eleanor some years ago. I’ve just come across a comission the same artist has completed of her husband Edward I! I do like it – just wish it wasn’t modelled on the Braveheart image of him. Obviously it was a comission though. I hope that Mark manages to do his own version! Whilst I’m on the subject of art, and was on Mark Satchwill’s site it reminded me he also recently completed a gorgeous picture of Elizabeth and Darcy from the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice. This leads me to the final piece of news today…a great Austen site, which recently wrote about the recycling of Regency costumes. Check it out for yourselves…
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01
2010
Why Am I Haunted by Venice?Posted by Alison in Architecture, Art, Books, Costume, Photos, Places to go, TravelFor some reason at the beginning of this week, for at least three nights in a row I dreamt about Venice. Why? I just don’t know. I haven’t watched, read, looked at or otherwise done anything remotely involving Venice. Yet, here we are. I should explain my relationship with Venice, such as it is. Years ago, I think it was when I was in my mid to late teens my maternal Aunt bought me a book called Tregaron’s Daughter by Madeleine Brent. My Aunt, it should be said was, and is, a fabulous book and trinket supplier Tregaron’s Daughter is a mystery story set in Cornwall and Venice. I don’t know what it was about it exactly, as the book isn’t about to set the world on fire, (though I still love it anyway) but it instilled in me a deep desire to visit Venice myself when I was older. By the age of 20, I had fulfilled that dream. I visited museums and galleries, including the Basilica San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, I took boat rides – including one on a gondola – and walked the length and breadth of Venice. Sadly, I didn’t take very many pictures, and I think they are rubbish, so I won’t include them here! The fact is, when I left all those years ago, I didn’t feel that I needed to return. So why now? No idea, not a clue. I hunted out my photos (eek), found a couple of guidebooks, and most importantly – remembered my Venetian Palazzi book – which is gorgeous indeed. Even while writing this I remembered my Venetian mask that I bought (I was enthralled by the mask and costume shops), but it doesn’t seem to be enough. I suppose time will tell, but I cannot see myself getting to Venice any time soon, time permitting, never mind anything else! So, I have ordered myself a second hand copy of Tregaron’s Daughter (no idea what I did with the last one) and a DVD of Francesco’s Venice which is supposed to be very good. All I know is that for now, my subconscious mind will have to be content. Take a look at my lovely ‘new’ 1880s picture of Eleanor’s cross at Waltham. I had not seen this particular image previously, and was admiring it last week. Enter the lovely Carol – who got it for me! Sending lots of hugs your way
Time for another knitted update from the Mum’s latest creations. The Mum has been busy this year, not only with her own creations, but with some commissions. First up was a request to provide bats for sale at some bat walks in August:
She also was in a witchy mood:
and then decided to mix the bats up a little bit and go funky with different colours:
But, as they say in infomercials – that’s not all…she has been hard at work with two sets of Christmassy creatures, and two further commissions. Watch this space when all is revealed! If you’ve missed the other knitted news, here are some reminders: As promised in my previous post, here amongst other things is the early plastic (probably early twentieth century) cameo brooch I bought at the antiques/collectibles shop at Haddo. It is dark brown, detailed and gorgeous! Didn’t hurt that it only cost a few pounds too In other pictorial news, a few months ago I tracked down a children’s story book by Lavinia Smiley, also signed by her. For those of you who don’t know, it was Mrs Smiley and her husband that donated the castle to the nation. Another nice bonus was a little book about Sir Thomas Lawrence the artist (bit of scandal in there too, yay!) and a little oracle book, which looks like it was printed in the 1930s. For those of you that also didn’t know – I collect oracles. Please see the pics below, I have left some as thumbnails, and some give a closer view. I have an update regarding the Mum’s knitting and creative projects, but as there is quite a lot to catch up on, it will follow in another post.
I’m really missing finding my antique jewellery bargains. I’ve also now been lured into looking at antique silhouettes. Great things to get, easy to store and the cheaper end of the market to buy thank goodness! I haven’t had my fix of either for ages. I haven’t bought a name brooch (or any other kind for that matter) since September 2008, and I haven’t got a silhouette to start my collection yet – soon I hope. Some of you may also remember that I love Victorian ‘black’ brooches, i.e Jet, Pressed Horn etc. Here are some good sites to window shop at: I haven’t bought anything from these sites yet, plus there are always auctions to pick up interesting items from. Interesting information if you like this kind of brooches: Some of my black hand brooches Here also are some great shops to browse at silhouettes:
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07
2009
Supersizing With Desperate Romantics? Who Do You Think You Are?Posted by Alison in Art, Genealogy, History, Humour, TVTV joy, that’s who. After the recent barren wasteland of historical TV, (or maybe that’s just my perception, lol) I have lately been treated to no less than 3 historical TV programmes a week. Albeit, they haven’t all been about technical accuracy – but fun all the same. For the past several weeks (finished tonight, boo) there has been the Supersizers Go… For the uninitiated that’s a food critic (Giles Coren) and broadcaster/I don’t know what (Sue Perkins) try out food and lifestyles in different eras. This is the second series. They tried:
It’s also worth seeing if you can find the episodes from the first series and the Edwardian programme. Hilarious stuff, plus you might even learn a thing or two. Just don’t watch Giles eat, and watch out for retching. Hmm, what loveliness next? The genealogical kind of course. Who Do You Think You Are? is back tracing the family trees of the famous. Episode one with presenter Davina McCall was quite interesting, but episode two with DJ Chris Moyles was a tiny bit dull, but hopefully it will be back on form this week with presenter Kate Humble. Always a quality show, even if they do make genealogy look super-fast and easy. Last, and by no means least is Desperate Romantics. Most of you will be aware that I love the work of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, namely Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Holman Hunt and John Millais. This is a drama with a funky, humourous feel based on their lives. The first episode was excellent, and I’m looking forward to the next one tomorrow. Will it stick completely to the facts? Perhaps not, but then I’m ok with that. Enjoy, everyone. I will be!
14
07
2009
History Books I’d Like to Get My Hands OnPosted by Alison in Architecture, Art, Books, Costume, HistoryBeen thinking about these a lot lately, keep updating and trimming the list. Have absolutely no space in the house either, but who cares… Here are my top books that I want to own:
This also doesn’t include the books that I’m looking for that are out of print! Any recommendations? I’ve known about this site for quite some time, but it may amuse some of my castley friends. The person running this website has made a 3D architectural model of the castle, which you can view and play with different angles online. Apparently you can even buy a copy. Shame about the name typo though. Have fun! |