Edith writes that October was, "The eighth month of the old Roman year. By the Slavs this is called 'Yellow month,' from the fading of the leaf; to the Anglo-Saxons, it was known as Winter fylleth, because at this moon (fylleth) winter was supposed to begin."
This month the DVD series opens in London. It is 1913 and Edith thinks back to her engagement and her concern about how her father would take it. After her brother's break-up of his marriage his young son was sent to live with Edith and her sister in their father's home. In the DVD the nephew went to live with Edith and Ernest after they were married, but this is not mentioned in the biography. The DVD this month takes us through the countryside as usual. This is the best part of the series. Edith's words as written in her diary are in the background as we walk with her through the fields and along the water's edge. We also go to her "book launch." By 1913 she'd illustrated several children's books. . . .
This one was shown in the DVD series. . . .
Edith mentions on the 14th that the "Virginia Creeper has turned colour." Here is a picture of the Virginia Creeper on my house a few Autumns ago. . . .
Bunny Mummy has wonderful photos of the English countryside again for us this month on her post about Edith's 1905 diary.
In Part 7 of Ragged Robin's post, "Following in the Footsteps of an Edwardian Lady," she takes us to Widney area of Solihull that Edith mentioned in her diary several times in June of 1906.
Because I love acorns I decided to draw Edith's. . . .
I drew it on my drawing pad, but first I had to get Poetry off the table. . . .
This went fairly quickly this time. . . .
But then it was tea time, then nap time, but finally I drew it again on watercolor paper after scrounging around for more paper. . . .
I'm getting a little more confident with my painting... experimenting a little more. . . .
This month I looked to see what's new on the Web for Edith. I found this wallpaper that was designed from her paintings. . . .
Another find on Etsy was this beautiful handcrafted silk ribbon creation based on Edith's paintings. . . .
I also came across this listing for my UK friends on eBay. . . .
It contains a book as well as tubes of watercolour paints!
Here are some of my practice drawings I did in my morning journal. . . .
Until next month!
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I also came across this listing for my UK friends on eBay. . . .
Here are some of my practice drawings I did in my morning journal. . . .
Until next month!
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Take Joy!
This months picture of the acorns was stunning, you certainly have a talent. Loved your finds on Etsy, the silk ribbon creation was stunning. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteStunning?! I'm stunned that anyone would say this about my fledgling painting! You are definitely on my list of people to thank for encouraging me to keep at it. ☺︎
DeleteI really love your posts,they make me very happy.
ReplyDeleteAnd you make me happy that my posts make you happy! ☺︎
DeleteClearly it's true: practice makes perfect ... your drawings and watercolors just get better and better! I so admire your persistence and determination to bring forth your talent. Enjoyable post, as always.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. I hope I'm inspiring others to pursue whatever it is they've always wanted to do but didn't think they could do it.
DeleteThe wall paper is just beautiful you found on the web, Cathy. If I didn't have this love hate relationship with wallpaper I'd be tempted to do a wall with that beautiful paper. Your October watercolor may be my favorite you have created so far. The colors are so indicative of the season. Your style is shining through. ♥
ReplyDeleteBy the beginning of next year I feel I'll be ready to explore my own style. I'm eager to see what develops! I know what you mean about wallpaper. I had it in several rooms in my first house, but only have it in my kitchen and one bathroom--partly to replace wallpaper that was there already. But I do love the patterns you can find with wallpaper.
DeleteCathy, your sketches and water colors are really amazing! I can't get over how good you have gotten! You should be proud. I would frame those lovely oak leaves and acorns in a heartbeat! It has been fun watching you improve. Thanks for making us a part!
ReplyDeleteChris West Texas
Thank YOU, Chris, for your encouraging words!
DeleteWell, I guess Poetry just has the same love for the creative arts as her Mom. And with all the steady, keen, long hours of observation she does, she'll probably do well too! I like the October picture but then I was sure I would - October is absolutely my favorite month. Sometimes I don't know why it's not everyone's favorite - LOL! Peak time for Fall color. Cool but not yet cold. Pumpkins. No snow [usually]. Halloween and the holidays to look forward to. The it's-to-hot-to-do-anything weather of Summer behind us. Pumpkins. Apple cider, cider doughnuts, butternut squash, apples and raspberries. Dry leaves that blow around in little circles on sidewalks and in the roads. The harvest moon. Pumpkins. I think I'm going to take another one of my "scenic drives" tomorrow, if it's not raining. Or snowing. The temps here have really dipped for the first time and most people are losing the last of their outside plants. I've already brought mine in but I only had some geraniums and basil. It's always such a letdown to do that. And such a long time until warm Spring weather again. Oh well - gotta taken the bad to appreciate the good. Well, have a wonderful week, take care and talk to you soon... 🍁
ReplyDeletePS - I heard Susan Branch has another new book out again - did you know that? I lost interest over there when I stopped getting e-mails of new blog posts - seems like it's been a couple of months at least. I thought she'd just retired and good for her! Now I hear there's a new book out. I'll have to check it out.
I love each season because of all the changes, but I was thinking the other day and realized one of the reasons I love Autumn and Spring the best is because they don't last too long. Summer and Winter drag on and on and I'm always eager for a change. I have all my plants in but still need to store away my concrete statues and lawn furniture before the end of the month. We had a hard freeze last night but it's going to be up to 72 later in the week!
DeleteYou can see when Susan Branch updates her Blog in the sidebar of this web journal. I have a copy of her new book but I've only read a little of it because my company was here when it arrived. As always it's beautifully drawn but the story is about her first marriage (so far) which was not a happy story . She's calling it a novel because it's only 85% true which makes it not quite a memoir, so it's been hard for me to really get into because I LOVE biographies. I'm looking more forward to the second installment which comes out next May because it begins with her moving to Martha's Vineyard. That's the story I'm really interested in.
No kidding. Susan's new book sounds like quite a departure. She's calling it a novel, but it's 85% true & based on her own life? So the story is 15% fictional - and covers only HALF her life? So people have to buy 2 books to get the whole story? Gee, I don't know about that. It doesn't sound like a Susan Branch move AT ALL. Sounds like something an oily marketing person would dream up. Is there a lot of her art, photos, recipes etc in it as well? No offense to Susan whatsoever, but she hasn't had the Winston Churchill-type of life that merits a 2-volume biography. Very few of us ever do. Seems like it could have been possible to squeeze it all into one book. Oh well, thanks for the info and have a great week. Does Olivia have her Halloween costume yet?
DeleteHi Janet. I think writing it was cathartic for her. It's beautifully illustrated. I think that is what her fans love most about it. She put her heart and soul into it, so I think you have to be an all-out fan to love it. I don't know yet if Olivia has a costume for Halloween. I'll be seeing her this weekend and will find out.
DeleteYes, I have no doubt it's visually gorgeous. All of her books are, and I have them all. I was just honestly stunned about this 2-volume business. Doesn't sound like a Susan thing at all. I think she must have been persuaded by the publisher. It was probably presented as some "double your money" deal or something, but it essentially forces people to buy 2 books, and they have to wait close to a year for the second book. Very odd. Oh well, maybe no one but me thinks that. Have fun with Olivia on the weekend! 🍁
ReplyDeleteActually, they've started their own publishing company to publish her books. She said by the time she finished writing it, it was much too long to put into one book. Don't forget, she handwrites everything and has lots of photos and art so that takes up a lot of the space. She's working on the art now for the second book. We would have had to wait another 9 months to get the book and her fans were all asking when it was going to be done. My only "dislike" about it is not knowing what's true and what's not. I'm going to ask her did she just leave things out or did she change what really happened. I can understand if she left things out that reflected badly on her or her family and friends. I suppose it's like a movie made from a book--the screenwriter changes things to make the story more visual and to meet the requirements of a "good" movie.
DeleteCathy,
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely picture to celebrate Edith's book. We have acorns falling in the garden at the moment and we have to try and pick them up before Tavi finds them. Your Virginia creeper is so lovely too, I don't remember seeing your house from that angle. The handcrafted silk creation is beautiful too. Sarah x
Thank you, Sarah. Gabriel hasn't gotten interested in acorns for which I'm glad. When we take him to our son's house to babysit Olivia I wouldn't be able to let him outside if he liked acorns because they have SO many acorns in their yard it's hard to walk!
DeleteThanks, Cath. I appreciate the info. If you finish the book and really think it's "recommendable" please let me know - if you think of it at least. Take care and talk to you soon.
ReplyDeleteLovely drawings and painting Cathy, I love acorns too.
ReplyDeleteFondly Michelle
Thank you, Michelle.
DeleteWell I am finally catching up on your blog after being away. It takes me a few days to get back in gear and catch up on home and I know I can't "run by" your blog as there is always something interesting to really read. I enjoyed reading the comments about Susan Branch new book. I think I agree with you. I'm still going slowing through her England book.It's interesting to see the progress in your art. You've always been good, but I see a definite growth. When you mentioned Virginia Creeper I thought of the Virginia Creeper Bike trail that is so popular.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to get objective feedback on my drawing. I'm starting to like my drawings better, so I must be getting better because I'm very hard to please! Thanks, Dotsie.
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