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Much of a muchness
Things that make you go 'hmm'…
Cherry blossom time
Posted by on April 28, 2008
On Saturday, I walked into Bridport. There is a thriving busy street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays and as this Saturday was warm and sunny, the market was buzzing. After my visit to the tiny art shop to stock up on paper and glue, I was on my way home when I spotted a fabric stall which was selling really gorgeous fabrics at very discounted prices.
I noticed some of that plasticized cotton fabric which can be used for kitchen tablecloths (as it is very wipe-able!) I bought several prints as I thought it would be a nice to have some books with wipe-able covers, useful for using in the kitchen or if you are an artist and prone to getting paint or glue everywhere! This book uses one of these fabrics, it’s a cotton ‘toile de jouy’, a very traditional print. Toile de Jouy originated in France in the 1800s. In the French language, the phrase literally means “cloth from Jouy-en-Josas”, a town of north-central France. They are normally, rustic scenes in red, blue or black printed onto a cream background. They have become very popular for furnishing fabrics. I hope you like this book.
I was very touched by all the kind comments after my last post, all those compliments, I think you may have created a monster…..
Only joking :-) There are times when I really do wish I was amazing. This morning was a case in point.
I played tennis this morning. Correction. I played tennis very badly this morning. I normally fall out of bed at the last minute and rush off to tennis without any breakfast or even a cup of tea, arrive just in time and manage to play reasonably well. This morning, I woke early, had a leisurely cup of tea and a bowl of muesli and arrived at my friends house early, so we had a chat about my books and calligraphy (she owns a copy of the ‘Kites‘ piece which you may remember) – and then we played tennis and I was RUBBISH. Very depressing…
I was cheered however, when I spotted this, my favourite tree, in all its glory. Gorgeous. I just adore these flowering cherries and must get one for my garden. This tree would have looked so much nicer against a clear blue sky but it was solid grey, in fact 5 minutes later, it was pouring with rain and hailstones.
I have always wanted to go to Japan to see a cherry blossom festival. Cherry trees are called ‘Sakura’ in Japanese and you can read about them here.
Here is the French group ‘Air’ and the track called ‘Cherry Blossom Girl’. Listen to this dreamy music and gaze at a still from one of my favourite movies, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Luscious Ken Watanabe for you girls and for once, some eye candy for you boys too…. gorgeous Ziyi Zhang. And lots of cherry blossoms, how romantic….
Much of a muchness 
lovely book Diane …this reminds me of the willow pattern crockery…
the music was very relaxing….such a wonderful film and Ken Watanabe is a hunk !!!
he was really great in the Last Samurai too :)
try not to worry about your off day at tennis….at least you are DOING it regularly….. and capturing that beautiful cherry blossom woud certainly be a highlight……you can always photoshop a blue sky in you know ;)
If I tried to play tennis it would make rubbish look like the Crown Jewels. Not an athletic bone in me body, I’m afraid. So, good for you for making the effort! I’m sure you’re better than you think.
Now, SHOPPING … that I can do with verve! Your walk into Bridport, and all the cool stuff you found there, sounds so very charming!
And I love the blue-and-cream toile book. Honestly I want one of those books someday.
What a lovely book cover! Reminds me of the blue (Dutch??) china of yore (there’s a story in one of the Mary Poppins books about Jane being pulled into the scene of one of those plates, but I digress).
I’m with Jenny…your worst tennis is probably tons better than my good tennis. And remember, even Wimbledon champs have their off days.
I may have to rent Memories of a Geisha after that beautiful scene…if I can get over my aversion to romance (I can only watch romance if it’s hidden in sci-fi). ;)
For once a good transference from book to film unlike that travesty “Captain Correlli’s Mandolin”
Kim – I did consider photoshopping in a blue sky, I will confess, but decided it would be a) cheating b) too tricky :-)
Ken was wonderful in the Last Samurai which I have to admit was a film I was otherwise disappointed with – not a big Tom Cruise fan..
Was supposed to be playing tennis again today but it was cancelled as it is raining :-(
Jenny – what I lack in skill I make up for with enthusiasm! And it is a fun way to keep fit but I would have to play a lot more frequently than I do for it to do me much good…
I promise you one day you CAN have one of my books – Etsy coming soon!
Teresa – it does look like Delft pottery – is that what you mean?
Yes, even my hero Roger Federer was beaten the other day!
I love this film, it didn’t get brilliant reviews when it came out but I enjoy it, but then I am a ‘soppy date’ as my mother used to say…
DP – Don’t get me started on ‘Captain Correlli’s Mandolin’ – it was a travesty – dreadful. Nicholas Cage was rubbish as Captain C. Christian Bale as Mandras was gorgeous and there was no way Pelagia would have chosen NC over CB and Penelope Cruz was ridiculous – she spends half the film running about and to say she runs like a girl is an understatement – she runs like a duck – all knock kneed and flappy arms. The accents are hilarious, they leave important characters out, change the plot, leave huge chunks of the book out, change the ending to a Hollywood happy ending….I could go on but I can feel my blood pressure rising….
OK I’ve calmed down now. I agree with you, DP – and it’s not often you will hear me say that :-)
Your comments on how you played in tennis were exactly how I felt for the first half of my hockey season. Depressing indeed. There will be better days, though.
You normally don’t have a cup of tea before tennis? I thought all you English have one of those Wallace and Gromit contraptions when you wake up that practically force you to drink at least a cup. Am I wrong? :)
That tree is beautiful!
Ah yes, but I can’t grow a beard to improve my play :-D
I wish….. There is actually nothing nicer than that first cup of tea in the morning. Well, there is but it’s right up there with the best… :-)
I didn’t mention that the tree is in the middle of a large car park which makes it doubly beautiful somehow.
Delft…YES! Thank you!! I knew I wasn’t crazy, just terribly, terribly forgetful. ;)
Federer – you’ll get to see him play at Wimbledon! I’m so jealous. He is cuuute.
p.s. I’m sending you a friend invitation on Facebook. :)
Keep your eye on the ball until the moment it touches strings, then pivot your whole body, like Justine Henin.
Gospel.
You don’t say whose strings….?
I’d like a backhand like Justine Henin’s please…
Teresa- I am hoping to see Federer. I miss Andre Agassi, he was my all time favourite. I saw him at his first Wimbledon when everyone was wondering if he would wear white or not as he was such a rebel. He turned up kitted in immaculate whites but looking like ‘My Little Pony’ with his long hair. Going bald definitely did him a big favour :-)
You are now my friend on Facebook – hurrah!
Are you making these books? Wow, I’m seriously impressed!
I used to decorate my own agenda back in high school and uni. and I was so far from your nice book art! Love it.
Good to see so much spring colors in this post!
Oh, by the way… lots of cherry trees in China as well, I loved it when I was here.
I’m glad you said all that. We hired the DVD and, after watching about 20 minutes of it, stopped it and said “No way” [ cos we’s cool and down with the kidz achillin innit].
Nicholas Cage has not been forgiven yet.
Zhu – thank you! I also think that all the leading actresses in ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ were Chinese too (which caused a fuss in some quarters)
And I think they have a cherry blossom festival in Washington DC too so I have more choice to visit one than I first thought :-)
Enjoyed your blog by the way!
DP – wicked!
I think most book adaptations are a disappointment. In most cases, it’s probably best to see the film – THEN read the book so you at least have a chance of enjoying the film for it’s own merits.
Although, I have just read ‘No Country for Old Men’ and am now looking forward to seeing the film – especially as everyone I know who has seen it says the ending is a puzzle…I should be at an advantage but we shall see :-)
‘No Country for Old Men’ – and what exactly made you think of that!?
*drumming fingers*
My! We are touchy!
You know what they say, ‘If the cap fits……’ :-D