Arf

In the shop today:

While we're in the shop, if its quiet we take the opportunity to get some drawing done.

Today I drew some trees which will form part of the Pennine landscape in one of our new designs.

Whilst I toiled creatively the phone engineer was putting the phone line in (you have to wait at least three weeks to get this done now BT Openreach have decided that two engineers is probably enough to cover Greater London and the Midlands)

Our engineer seemed like a nice fellow, was very efficient and knew most of the words to Folsom Prison Blues.

He looked over my shoulder and said "Are you doodling?"

Luckily he didn't spot this poorly executed deer (with elk ghost next to it) which I hastily concealed with the order book lest he make a disparaging comment;

"It has the embarrassed look of one who has accidentally trumped"

He might have said.

And rightly so.

Catchweasel

A little while back a charming young man came into the shop and bought these Lush designs vinyl graphics to decorate his shutters.

It transpired that he was not merely a customer, but a fellow traveller so to speak.

Richard Catchweasel (for it is he) designs and makes beautiful furniture.

His eccentric hand-made pieces are a delight.

Knowing my love of God's creatures Richard commissioned me to draw his rampant weasel logo for him.

Here it is on a gorgeous T shirt available from http://www.catchweasel.com/

Modelled here by my daughter, who is also modelling a plate of curry.

This may look like a sad puppy but in fact its a wonderfully clever table with an ingenious compartment for your journals.

I like to think that the object below could be described as a console - or even a credenza

(two of the best words in the English language).

I simply adore it.

Like the mongrel offspring of a school desk and a wizard.

He has promised to provide us with a piece that we can display in our new shop soon.

Richard also makes sideboards and the like that wouldn't confuse a those of more classical tastes. See more on his lovely website - http://www.catchweasel.com/

Eleonor Pritchard

Here at Cockpit Arts in Deptford you will find the studio of the disinguished artist-in-wool that is Eleanor pritchard. The subtle intricacy of her weavings are a marvel to behold. Who wouldn't want to own one of her blankets? A marriage of tradition and aesthetic intellect are manifest within her work.

Eleanor Pritchard's woven pieces work on domestic and a grand scale and she is rightly recognised as an important figure in this most subtle of media.

Known for her phlegmatic intelligence, Eleanor is the cool water that becalms the madness on the first floor at Cockpit Arts.

What is she planning here? Something complex I should imagine.


...and here is her husband, Peter Pritchard. He surely is an inspiration.

In the NEW shop today:

Boyoboyoboy.

It was quiet in the shop today. Thats Mondays for you.

"Hey?" you cry "Whats with the negative vibes?"

Yes, its true to say one more often likes to big-up oneself and tootle one's own trumpet.

In an effort not to disappoint may I invite you to admire the cheery display on this elegant set of drawers.

Ben Nevis and its environs

This sort or avant-garde architecture is an inspiration to us at Lush designs. Why, I reckon this hobbledy house is more haunted still than the one we imagined in the picture below.

Never mind that man-made madness, see the magnificent marvels of mother-nature;
here is the mightiest mountain in the whole of the United Kingdom (as I like to call it)

We triumphed over its awesome perils on Saturday.

"I can't talk now, Mum. I'm busy walking backwards over a hideous precipice."

What you can't see in this photograph are the small children, nonogenarians and spaniel puppies that made it up to the summit too.

In Greenwich last week.

Lumme - look at this. See that pearly king and queen, they've even got their very own pearly taxi.

Look very closely at that taxi window - see "Princess Diane and PRINCESS MARIA"

I don't know who princess Diane is -

but princess Maria;

do you think they mean ...

ME?