Past and present

I thought I might have a new book for the reading list and to discuss here already, but I haven’t quite finished it, so here’s another catch-up from 2010. Far less frustrating than that current novel, which I’m literally only reading the second half off to discuss here!

Cover of Frogspawn and Floor Polish

62. Frogspawn and Floor Polish by Mary Mackie

I assumed I must have discussed this book here before, but apparently I actually hadn’t reread it in the past three years. It’s part of a trilogy discussing the author’s experiences living at Felbrigg Hall, a National Trust property her husband Chris Mackie was working at and then managing.

Like the others it is both informative and amusing, with a few laugh-out-loud moments. As a former long-term National Trust member, it’s decidedly interesting to find out more of the behind-the-scenes action, and the lives still lived at these properties we mostly only see as day visitors, trying to get a taste of what went on there in the past.

Despite all my intentions I never did get out to Felbrigg itself, not having any other reason to go in that direction, but I much enjoyed the NT sites in and around London, and previously York, when I was living there. If we lived in the UK I’d probably be a member still.

But back to this book. While I believe all three of the series were written after the Mackies left Felbrigg, this third is the one that’s really set after they left, with much discussion of their later visits back, and reminiscences of their own time there. This makes it possibly more episodic than the others, although I don’t call that a fault.

Well recommended for anyone who enjoys gentle humour, background looks at public places, or National Trust members generally!

Related Articles

• National Trust: A question of trust in presenting the past (telegraph.co.uk)
• Blickling, Norfolk: Walk of the week (telegraph.co.uk)
• Top 10 National Trust gardens for snowdrops (telegraph.co.uk)
• Blakeney Hotel, Norfolk: hotel review (telegraph.co.uk)
• National Trust Christmas Gifts That Make a Real Difference (prnewswire.com)
• National Trust Reveals Rare Thatched Moss Found on New Sites in Southern England (prnewswire.com)

Folding and attaching

I feel like I’ve done nothing crafty in months, and despite reading right through both of these books during that time I really haven’t followed up by doing any of the projects taught/suggested in either. That shouldn’t be taken as a reflection on either book, since I certainly thought about doing things from both, but just haven’t really been in the mood so much of late.

Cover of The Ultimate Papercraft and Origami Book

30. The Ultimate Papercraft and Origami Book by Paul Jackson and Angela A’Court

This is a large and long book with lots and lots of fairly simple but very diverse paper projects. Cutting, tearing, folding and sticking skills will all be put to good use in making things decorative, fun and useful. Decidedly a family book (rather than being aimed just at either children or the adult crafter) that I can see enjoying with my little girl in a few years.

Cover of Take Up Patchwork

42. Take Up Patchwork by Ionne Hammond

I actually want to try out the patchwork and quilting techniques in this book (most of them, anyway), but for some reason I feel a greater need for a teacher with this than I did with crochet. I think I just need to a) learn to use a sewing machine and b) get over my fear of cutting into large pieces of new fabric without being sure I can turn them into something worthwhile. Crochet didn’t incur that fear, since it doesn’t require cutting anything up, and one can always rip out and start again. (I learnt to crochet on cotton string, so didn’t even have to worry about damage to delicate fibres.)

As to the book itself – it includes a variety of small sized projects using a range of techniques, so I imagine making a few of the projects would be a great learning process in sewing generally and patchwork and quilting more specifically. The fabrics and colours in the illustrations aren’t necessarily ones I would choose to use, but then changing those is the easiest possible customisation going!

Related Articles

• A DIY Origami Notebook to Keep in Your Jeans’ Small Pocket (mostlymaths.net)
• New Craft Projects – Free Crochet Patterns and More (amysolovay.com)
• Tasty Origami Eats – This Papercraft Breakfast by Paper Donut is an Inedible Treat (GALLERY) (trendhunter.com)
• Book Review: World’s Best Origami, by Nick Robinson (susanheim.blogspot.com)
• Projects ” Creations ” Beware Angle Doggy (cutoutandkeep.net)
• Amazing origami shop (holykaw.alltop.com)
• How to Make an Origami Envelope (quazen.com)
• Folksy Friday – Quilts and Patchwork (diannajessie.wordpress.com)

Are there wild things here?

Cover of Where the Wild Things Are

32. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

My DH and I were out shopping a few weeks ago, and came across two classic kids’ books we felt we had to have. (He’s reading me the Winnie the Pooh books chapter by chapter, so we haven’t got to the end of those yet.) He actually wasn’t familiar with WtWTA, so we had to read that together as soon as we got home. I think he liked it, but was expecting a bit more depth than a short picture book could provide.

Neither of us has seen the new film, which I believe  does expand the story.

Related Articles

• Coloring and Art Activities for the Wild Things Are (brighthub.com)
• H P Lovecraft Goes Where The Wild Things Are (dashpunk.com)
• Where The Wild Things Are Trailer (slideshare.net)
• Theme Unit for Where the Wild Things Are (brighthub.com)