Seamagic

There are holes in the sky

Where the rain gets in,

But they're ever so small

That's why rain is thin.

(Spike Milligan) 

There are stars in the sky. 

(Leafy Dumas)

I had a lovely surprise last week when Claudia popped some kind words (and a thumbnail of my Starry Nights illustration) here.  Claudia's a clever one... and I'll show you my favourite Claudiaism later.

Happy Christmas to you all.

Last Weekend

Mentioning upcoming events before they happen is, I think, what most good business people (and shrewd bloggers) do.  It is obvious to me that I am neither a good business person or a shrewd blogger but I am hoping that posting post event news is better than posting no news at all.

It was the Mersea Island NSPCC Christmas Fair on Saturday and I had a stall -actually it was a trestle table- but after covering it with stuff and adding an easel and a washing line (complete with pegged-out cards) my little space did indeed look quite stall-like.  A huge thankyou to everyone who braved the grotty weather and made it such a jolly hub of friendly folk, especially to Jane and all the stalwart NSPCC girls for their endless organising. 

Saturday night was full of crashes, bangs and whistling rigging;  my wheelbarrow somersaulted across the garden.  I think Mr Beaufort may have described the breeze as one in which a man-of-war must carry close-reefed topsails when in chase, full and by.  Full and by-  I love that! There was still a strong gale blowing on the Sunday morning when we launched the lifeboat on exercise.  Heavy weather handling is always fun-  no more cobwebs.  

About Time Too!

Today I am delighted to announce that my brand new Snowy Sailing cards are available to buy from my website shop.

They are printed on lovely thick tintoretto gesso paper which is a new discovery of mine; textured and tactile and perfect for writing on.   I am really pleased with how they have come out, but struggling at the moment to get the pictures on my website to look as good as the real thing. 

Up the hole, round the tree and down the hole.

Another day sitting at my desk; six layers, a woolly hat and umpteen cups of tea going cold before I drink them. It is freezing in here. I've been drawing trees and bunny rabbits for some nitty gritty knot illustrations I am working on. (No prizes for guessing which knot this is!?)

I like to listen to BBC Radio 4. Sometimes I have to concentrate so hard I have to turn the radio off, but today I was listening and drawing. This morning, Woman's Hour had a special "Women in Business" programme, and Jane Garvey was chitchatting with a panel of female entrepreneurs. She asked the successful business women to give an inspirational tip to any small business listener trying to do it for herself...

"Self promotion is not a sin," was the cry I most remember.
The trouble is, I think it is, and therein lies my problem.

Dedication

You have to be quite dedicated to sit through all of that last post. Please forgive me for inflicting such a whopper video-clip upon you, but the amazingly yellow deck paint (which you have to get at least halfway through to see) has got to be worth a smile, and good characters in nice woolly hats are always a joy to see!

Here are some nautical knobs that I promise won't waste more than a second of your time, and a few more for people who like pink.

How to build a boat.

Sheena from christopher Cohen on Vimeo.

Happy New Year

Welcome to the 2012th year of exciting adventures, fanciful painting, drawing, making and all manner of seaside shenanigans to keep you and me amused... see you soon.(I still have absolutely no idea exactly how old Mariner's Way actually is, and nor have the inhabitants.)