Sunday 26 February 2017

100 Years

A customer asked me for a 100th birthday card. I have made a handful of them before, and even one for a lady who reached the grand old age of 102, but they are always very special to make. I mean, what an age to reach!
My birthday is in May. Each year my Dad kindly tells me to treat myself to something nice. I have often used it as an opportunity to splash out on something arty that I wouldn't necessarily just buy for myself. This year it took me quite some time to choose that special something, but when this incredible "Beating heart love machine" popped up on my Facebook feed, I knew I'd found my birthday present!
Jane Ryan, who works under the name 'OPI', studied Fine Art at Chelsea School of Art and moved to West Cornwall in 1988. Her studio is in a disused cowshed which she describes as "heaven in the summer and bleak in the winter". Jane's mechanical toys for grown-ups use a lot of reclaimed wood, and all the pieces are one-off, no two are the same. Recurrent themes over the years reflect her seaside home, gardening and food.
I am absolutely thrilled with my whimsical piece. It is beautifully carved and painted, and a real pleasure to hold and play with. Thanks Jane, and of course, thanks Dad!
Mister Handmade in Israel and I were recently doing some tidying up in our back garden when this little European robin flew down to watch us. The male and female bear similar plumage, so I am not too sure if this is a he or a she robin. Apparently a small minority, usually female, migrate south during the winter, and some decide that Israel has enough to offer them to stay here, so my guess is that it's a "she"! I think she's lovely!
Lastly, it really has been a long time since I posted pictures of my cooking here but not long ago I took part in an Indian cooking workshop which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was inspired to make samosas the following day. They were filled with potato, peas, green chili and delicious, tangy spices, and though they took me positively ages to make, the flaky, freshly fried samosas were wolfed down by my family. I was rather proud of my efforts.

* This post has been shared on Saturday's Critters, I'd Rather B Birdin', Saturday Shuffle at Strawberry Butterscotch, Saturday Sparks @Pieced Pastimes, Sweet Inspiration, Sunday Pleasure, Sundays at HomeSeasonsHappiness is Homemade, Inspiration Monday, The Art of Home-Making MondaysAmaze Me Monday, Monday's Musings, Monday Morning Blog ClubThe Good. The Random. The Fun.Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday) and Make it Pretty Monday.

22 comments:

Coombe Mill - Fiona said...

Hello little Robin

likeschocolate said...

A 100 is pretty impressive. Great card as always! Have a wonderful week!

Ela said...

Your cards are absolutely gorgeous !!
I love robins! Always nice to watch these beautiful birds!
Happy Sunday !

Anne said...

I love the card, I'm over half way to 100 myself but I don't see myself getting there.
I love the little Robin too and the samosas (I've always wanted to try making them myself)
Most of all though, I love your beating heart figure, that is truly stunning and I'm off to see Opi's stuff right now.
#MySundayPhoto

eileeninmd said...

Hello, your cards are cute. The heart figurine is adorable too. I have always loved the pretty robin. Wonderful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

Anni said...

Awwwwwwwwwwww, sweet sweet robin photos!!!

love the heart figure...great shares today.

Thank you for adding your post link for us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend...much appreciated.

Miss Val's Creations said...

Happy birthday Lisa! I love the piece you treated yourself too. It is so adorable. Your dad is a wise man. I think I may start treating myself to something each year that I would not normally splurge one! The robin is adorable. The robins were have a red belly. Nice job with the samosas. I attempted to make them in my 20s and it was a failure (although they managed to taste good). I need to try them again since I have some decent cooking skills now.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Your cards are always lovely. I think your robin is beautiful

Villrose said...

Must be a privilege to make a card for a 100 years old!
What a cute Robin :)

Quinn said...

Lots to think about while making a 100-Year card, I'll bet. The future, the past...
Love your OPI piece; will check out shop.
And homemade samosas?! My hat is off to you!

Anonymous said...

A very cute birthday present,Lisa! Her I thought you were a pragmatic person who would choose a designing tool (for your work, haha:):)
These Indian bites look delicious! Would you give your blogger fans pleas give the recipe? I would be thrilled!
It's a special privilege to make a card for a 100th birthday and thank you for choosing this one this week for SEASONS! My goodness, I can't even think that far! Have a great week:)

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

Stella (belated congratulations!) is as old as our nation. :) Goodness, a person that has lived through the twentieth century has experienced much, beautiful things and horrible things.
I hadn't heard of samosas before, but they sound and look delicious.
Have a lovely week! xx

Michele Morin said...

What a fun and colorful card!

Tamar SB said...

Great card! The food looks tasty! I prefer pakoras, so good!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love samosas! Yours look delicious.

Do you use a machine to cut your card design pieces or do you cut them by hand? This is a very sweet card!

Nice to see a robin singing of spring.

Jeanna said...

That is undeniably a special landmark, we've seen a few in the family and have some 90+-year-olds I hope will reach that age too. Lovely cards I'm sure anyone would cherish. Very cool birthday present, I treat myself to getting out and about on my birthday, usually outside somewhere I don't normally go.

Sandy said...

I love your little beating heart figures. Great choice.

krishna said...

beautiful card.. and little robin is so cute..

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

We love Indian food, but I've never attempted to cook any ... your samosas look absolutely scrumptious. Talk about multi-talented -- that is you!

That's a beautiful card for a very special birthday lady. My Aunt lived (healthy, independent and alert almost until the end) to 105! My kids alwas want to know if they can inherit her genes. I wish we all could.

handmade by amalia said...

Love the special birthday card (wow!) and your birthday present. Love Indian food as well. It is raining!
Amalia
xo

Debbie said...

The card you designed is beautiful, you really have a talent for card making. I love your choice of birthday present to yourself, very cute and it is the type of thing people like but usually buy. Perfect gift material!... Don't you often see robins in Israel?

Thank you for linking up with the #MMBC.

xx

Jael said...

What a pretty bird,and very good pictures of it too:)

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