Marmalade Stops By For Tea

This chubby fellow followed me home from Chicago! Doesn't he look pleased with himself? He will be for sale on my web site.

Chicago International

I'm back home after an exciting Chicago International 2012. One of the best in years - lots of exciting dealers with wonderful new pieces. I almost sold out. The two remainig pieces will appear in the "for sale now" section of my web site shortly.

Thanks to all who stopped by to say hello - it was great to see you!

Now back to work at getting ready for IGMA Guild School in June.

Upton Abbey

Like so many others, I am addicted to the PBS series Downton Abbey. Highclere Castle, where the series is filmed is a grand example of the "Gothick" Revival style popular in England in the late 18th - early 19th Century. This house is a less elaborate version of that style, and like some actual examples includes both medieval and neoclassical elements in its design.

The design is my own invention, rather than a copy of an existing building. To my surprise, about two weeks after I finished it, I watched an episode of Midsomer Murders on Netflix that included a house very much like it - central tower and all!

Midsomer Cottage

This traditional English half timbered cottage is the result of my watching many Midsomer Murders episodes over the last few weeks.  The series has wonderful locations in the heart of England, and I keep stopping the film so I can examine the architecture more closely.

Wildflour Cakes and Tea Room

The pargeted house was so much fun, I just had to do another one. What could be more perfect than a decorated cake shop? If there isn't a real pargeted shop like thios somewhere, there certainly should be! The interior has a pastry shop on the ground floor and a cozy tea room upstairs.

See it in person at Chicago International!

One Spot Opened Up in Chicago Workshop

One spot has opened up in my Pastry Shop class at Chicago International on Thursday, April 19th.
If you're interested, go to: http://www.bishopshow.com/chiinfo.htm and click on Workshops, then scroll down to Thursday to see the picture; click on that for more info.