Saturday, November 16, 2013

City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

While creating my recent posts about my U.K. holiday, I have also been working on several other projects.

It's the season when I usually take up my neglected watercolor materials and begin painting Christmas teacup cards.    I've been wrestling with this year's design, and took a break yesterday with a visit to the farmers market, determined to see something that would inspire me.



This delicately beautiful cyclamen plant has become this year's muse.  Since I have been drawing and painting almost all day, I neglected to take a photo for this post while there was still abundant natural light.  Still, perhaps you can get the idea of how the design elements of this plant give lots of inspiration.

Perhaps some of you will also have noticed that something has been added to my sidebar.

I am delighted to announce that I have finally opened the "etsy" shop that I've been working towards all year long.  There is still much for me to learn about this etsy concept, but I am very happy to have taken this first step.

Many friends with years of etsy experience have been helpful and encouraging to me and I thank you all so very much.

In the weeks and months to come, I will be showing you all more of what I have been knitting and knitting and knitting.  It will also be fun to tell a bit about how I am inspired by various knitting traditions and love adding my own spin.

It's possible that my crocheting and art work will also be part of the mix at my FoakleyArts shop.  This is just the beginning.

I admit to wishing for more and more hours in each day.

18 comments:

  1. Well, you certainly have been busy. Glad things are going well!

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  2. Cyclamens are worthy muses -- I look forward to seeing your painting!

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  3. I visited your shop Frances. What lovely colours you have used in the Fairisle scarves. I see that at the moment you are only shipping in USA.

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  4. I recognize the cyclamen -and am thrilled that your ETSY hop is now open!

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  5. Dear Frances, Congratulations on opening your Etsy shop. I have always admired your knitting and crocheting skills. How wonderful to see them in your new shop. I'm also looking forward to seeing your paintings.
    I have had an Etsy shop for many years. Most of all it is the wonderful people I have met that make it worthwhile. I wish you lots of success in your new endeavor. Let me know if I can be of any help. ox, Gina

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  6. I've been enjoying your UK posts and I am happy to see that you have opened your Etsy shop. I think it will be a wonderful success. Your fair isle creations are beautiful and you are a talented lady, Andrea x

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  7. Congratulations on your lovely etsy shop Frances.

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  8. I really enjoyed reading all the posts about your trip to the “old country.” I enjoyed even more listening to your telling me about your trip while we were in New York last week. I certainly appreciate that you took the time to meet us since you are so busy with your new shop – it was a pleasure seeing you again. I wish you all the success possible in your new venture.

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  9. I’ve just caught with your previous post as well as this one.

    I really need you for a guide when I next visit London. Most of the places you mention have remained under my radar in spite of actually living in and near the city for 25 years.

    Your enjoyment of every minute you spent in England shines through your posts; your enthusiasm is much appreciated.

    Best of luck with your etsy shop; I must find out what an etsy shop is!

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  10. Dear Frances,

    Congratulations on opening your Etsy shop! I hope there will be lots of interest in the beautiful things you make. I still cherish the wonderful beret you made for me last year. It looks beautiful with my new scarf :-)

    Hope you will get your inspiration to paint back soon!

    Your cyclamen looks lovely!

    Take care dear friend.

    Madelief x

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  11. Your cyclamen reminds me of a certain painting that usually hangs in Kettles Yard ... it will be in the book you bought as a souvenir.

    I wish you lots of success for your etsy shop. I can appreciate how many hours of work went into making those beautiful hats and scarves xx

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  12. Dear Frances,

    Please let me start by saying how sorry I am not to have visited sooner: life has been keeping me away from my computer but I am so very happy to have visited you this overcast, cold November evening. Congratulations on opening your Etsy shop. I will certainly be keeping a close eye on your creations, dear Frances, and wishing you much luck and joy for this exciting enterprise!

    Cyclamens. Happy sigh. We are so fortunate come September to have carpets of tiny wild cyclamen - perfect replicas of the one you have on your window sill - simply everywhere in our countryside, gardens and woodland. They are adorable flowers and Angélique has declared them to be her favourite flowers. Mine are wild violets.

    Happy, happy evening to you Frances. I cannot wait to see your Christmas card design.

    Stephanie

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  13. What gorgeous things you have been making. Do you have good artificial light to work by? They are very intricate patterns.

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  14. Congratulations on opening your Etsy shop, Frances! Your fair isle knitting is beautiful and colourful, and I am sure your hats and scarves will be well received. It will be nice to make things especially for your shop too! Looking forward to seeing your teacup painting. Wishing you a happy week, and a few more crafty hours in your days!
    Helen x

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  15. It's good to be busy and isn't it amazing how the time just goes by so quickly in the studio. Can't wait to see what your making and I will be sure to stop and check out your etsy shop.

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  16. Ah, it's working. I wrote a comment. The system asked for my password - told me the pw was incorrect, wiped my comment and took me back here. So, what did I say - that I love your shop! And those hats (I want one!). And the name so clever - Foakly, reminding one of Folksy but with the solidness of a tree in the middle. We must catch - up. I owe you an email.

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  17. Oooh I am very excited for you Frances - your various projects to exhibit your work. I am off to have a look now.

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