Where there’s a Will….
February 7, 2010
I’ve just returned from Stratford on Avon. It was my sister’s birthday. A BIG birthday made all the more disconcerting because she is my younger sister and the less reminders I have the of how old I am, the better! I made her an album for her birthday, which involved the inevitable trawl through old family photographs. The bad hair do’s, the shocking clothes, Memory Lane can be quite a terrifying place to walk down. I also dug out some old home movie footage which was originally Super 8 film which I had transferred onto DVD. Quite hilarious. Memories of so many family outings - I can only think that every time my dad said ‘Do something for the camera’, we flung ourselves off whatever rock or wall we were standing on onto a beach or we did a cartwheel. In Scotland, in Wales, in Cornwall, in our garden – always the same. Here is a photograph of me and two of my three sisters (presumably just before we threw ourselves off the sea wall at Blackpool). I’m the tallest and birthday girl is the cutie in the middle.
This is the album I made for her.
We had a lovely family party at a hotel just outside Stratford on Avon. Yesterday, we had a very quick trip into Stratford to see the sights. It always astonishes me that William Shakespeare’s birthplace is still standing there on a busy shopping street.
We had a very quick walk along the River Avon by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. It is undergoing a huge renovation project so it is currently covered in scaffolding and camouflage. It normally looks like this
but at the moment looks like this
Here are a few more shots of the visit.
This last guy was one of those performance artists who stood as still as a statue until someone approached him to take his photograph and then he leaped off his box and frightened the life out of them. I’m not sure Will would have approved.
To round off, (tenuous link alert) this is a calligram I did a few years ago. I repeated the phrase ‘As You Like It’ to make this image of the great man himself. Click on it to enlarge.
Entry Filed under: Birthdays, Book arts, Bookbinding, Books, Calligraphy, Design, Families, Handmade books, Humour, Illustration, Photography, Places, Travel, hairstyles, paper arts. Tags: swans, William Shakespeare, As You Like It, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, River Avon, Stratford on Avon.
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1.
Daddy Papersurfer | February 7, 2010 at 7:53 pm
That’s reminded me to destroy some Super8 evidence of me kicking number one son …….. playfully ……. obviously …….
Like the ‘Swan song’ piccy ………..
2.
Diane | February 8, 2010 at 12:16 am
Probably just as well Childline wasn’t invented in those days – playful kick or not :-/
The swans were obviously starving and ready to eat whatever came to hand – hands, phones, handbags…I barely escaped with my life… :-)
3.
Teresa | February 8, 2010 at 1:48 am
I love your Shakespeare Calligram!!
Performing artists, on the other hand…meh. They’re in a category with mimes and clowns to me. Ok, mimes at least. Clowns are the worst. ;)
A very happy 50th to your dear sister!!
4.
Diane | February 8, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Thank you! I did quite a few different calligrams a few years ago, I might post some of the others next time.
I don’t see the point of those ‘human statue’ people. It might have been funny at first but now – everyone knows what to expect…
I’m sure Julie would say ‘thank you’!
5.
strugglingwriter | February 8, 2010 at 3:31 pm
That calligram rocks! You have all these hidden talents you keep springing on us. Let me guess, you have a secret degree in Quantum Physics, right?
Love the photographs. Especially William Shakespeare’s birthplace.
Finally, another beautiful book. I’m sure she loved it.
6.
Diane | February 8, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Now that’s just silly. I have a degree in Metallurgy :-)
Thanks for the compliments. Always pleased when someone likes my books.
Hope you and the family are feeling much better soon.
7.
Julie Hickson | February 9, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Thank you Theresa for the birthday wishes, and yes i love the book my lovely sister made for me
8.
Diane | February 9, 2010 at 9:21 pm
So glad you enjoyed the album – and there’s more to come :-) xx
9.
RennyBA's Terella | February 11, 2010 at 10:31 pm
What a great and readable post of a take down you’re memory lane – like in a way I could following you!
What nice book and as I can tell, your sister liked it too :-)
Thanks also for sharing some pics from the town – very beautiful!
10.
Diane | March 2, 2010 at 10:34 am
Thank you, Renny, you are very kind!
11.
barbara | February 12, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Those human statues can be obnoxious. This one, however is classier than most because of his nicely coordinating alms bucket.
Love your calligram. More, please.
Your sisters book is beautiful. She’s a very lucky sister. I love my sister but I’m far too lazy to go to that much trouble. It was so nice of you.
My sister, niece and I visited Stratford on Avon several years ago. My niece had a great time trying on costumes in the backstage part of the theater.
12.
Diane | March 2, 2010 at 10:37 am
It must be a very hard way to earn a living – not too bad in a sunny climate (although can’t be nice when you are caked in make up) but it was freezing this day. I suspect he had to keep jumping at people just to keep warm.
I love making books. It’s hard stopping me making them :-)
What fun! Trying on costumes in the theatre – how amazing, how did you arrange that?
13.
barbara | March 17, 2010 at 10:03 pm
It was about 15 years ago that my niece tried on the costumes. We didn’t have to do anything special to arrange it. We just happened upon it. Maybe they don’t do it anymore.
14.
Araujodrei | March 17, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Amazing… God bless you!