Blue and white china and yellow orchids...............

My latest designs for my oriental china collection were created yesterday.  They were inspired by my  blue and white temple jars and an amazing daffodil like orchid I bought for my mother at the orchid show I visited recently.

I love blue and blue and white china. It was collected by Rossetti, the subject of my dissertation. I have chosen mainly blue with the possible combination of yellow, like my home, as one of the main colours for my FMP

Any one for tea?!!!

Can't believe it has taken two days of printing,cutting and sticking to make so few cards and wrapping papers! This design is heavily influenced by my time in Hong Kong/ China.  The tea set I have drawn is a traditional one that I bought all those years ago.

Please note the inspirational vintage tea card is 'Refreshing Tea' by Martin Wiscombe (copyright) and published by Tom Dickens Fine Art. I have not used any element of the image in my design !!!

I am looking at items that follow my projects' Oriental theme, but that are linked to archetypical themes and inventions.
China was developed by the Chinese and green tea is grown and drunk by them (black tea comes from India) It is very popular currently, as an aid to health.  Lapsang Suchong (sp.!!!??) has been enjoyed for many years by those in 'the know'.

I was lucky enough to visit a tea commune, whilst visiting mainland  China many years ago .  A lovely young tea picker let me take her photograph so, all these years later, I thought I would use it for one of my cards.

I am looking at including a sensory element to one of the images in each of my card collections, if possible. This is so partially sighted people can enjoy also receiving  greetings cards. So my little Chinese girl's, picture has been printed on tea stained 'tea leaf', hand made tissue (smell and texture). Behind the tiny tea pot is a jasmine tea bag (taste) for the recipient of the card to enjoy! This is because the tea that I saw picked was dried and mixed with jasmine blossoms. I hope the card can be smelt, tasted and felt for enjoyment of the image when sight is restricted!

Creating- Snetterton Dog Trust Oriental Pine Design

Have FINALLY managed, in the midst of sons move to new managerial job, to produce paper and possible card imagery from a lovely little piece of an oriental pine I picked up fom his new home (hence its name!)

Amazing orchids!

Visited an orchid show today.

Such beautiful flowers, the only plant that survives on my neglect and that always reminds me of my home in the East....

They come in such a variety of shapes sizes and beautiful colours they are a botanical artists dream.

My favourite, as always though, was the white orchid!



The end is nigh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have finally decided enough is enough ...no more mounting/presenting research ! Wish I'd done so earlier as, having seen LOVELY past students work for PPF,  I have realised how much more I need to do for that module.................. That's on top of all the further development that's necessary before I can produce the designs and  final pieces/product boards required for the FMP,  before hand in.

HELP ....the end is nigh and I'm not ready for it....despite all the time and effort already expended.

CONCENTRATED EFFORT IS DEFINITELY REQUIRED FOR THE LAST WEEKS OF THE COURSE

A n z u

I have just come across another bespoke card designer, who is worth a peek,as a result of looking at Elena Deshmukhs lovely pinboard (although she remains my all time favourite !!!)

Give it a try and see what you think!!!

A n z u

SPRING IS SPRINGING.....HURRAH!!!!

At long last a sunny day with primulas in the garden and daffodils blooming in my Final Major Project themed oriental house!!!!

I am FINALLY finishing the last bits of research mounting and labelling today!.  Thich means with the rest of the world, now Spring is on its way, I can  begin to be creative once more after the long dormant winter period ! :-) AT LAST.........................