Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Lisbeth, Jane, and Beatrix

 I know I use this image a lot.  The black tights and billowing aprons appeal to me. Lisbeth Zwerger's artwork is so fluid and warm.  You can read more about her here.
 Look at these six cutie pies.  Don't you love the green blanket and the red striped pajamas?
 Some of her work is mysterious.
 I love Jane Dyer's use of color.  Don't you wish you had a couple of bug friends to help you with your beauty routine?
 I could make you a crown of sunflowers and cosmos.  Please wear your rosy red corduroy dress.

 Here is a tiny painting of Beatrix's house.  Look how snug she looks in her wools.  
 Do you have a doll house?  Doll house bookcases are nice and I've seen a few reasonably priced on the Internet.  Maybe we should ask Santa for one and then we could purchase furniture, little by little.  Our dollhouses would be easier to keep clean than our big girl houses.
Day two of school is finished and the eleven year olds are very nice.  They've been struggling with their lockers and schedules, but soon they'll get settled in.  All of the teachers are tired because it's hard to get back in the game after a nice lazy summer.
I'm reading Little Women again.  What are you reading?

23 comments:

Farm Girl said...

Oh I love books with wonderful artwork. I love all of the illustrations that you shared. Do you know one of my first memories is sitting next to my mother in bed while she sat and read Little Woman. She would show me a letter, and my job was to watch the page and find that letter all the way down the page. She didn't read it out loud but I was always intrigued by the way her eyes traveled down the page.
Can you imagine my joy when I could read it for myself. I have her copy. I think the instructions about being a wife that Marmee gives to Meg are some of the best ever written.
Since you asked, I am reading Laddie, have you ever read it? It is by Gene Stratton Porter. My copy is from 1913.
It is about all I can handle too with school starting. I forget how much of my time is used up. :)
I am so glad you have had a nice two days.

Lisa Richards said...

I love all of the illustrations you shared! I'm just about to begin reading "Restoring the Jewishness of the Gospel" by David H. Stern. It's a book I read years ago. I'm re-reading several old books having to do with the Jewish roots of our faith.
I'm looking forward to drawing some owls before my schooling sets in. And I hope to send a little envelope off to YOU with some creations I've been collecting.
Glad school is going well!
Keep enjoying your painting, coloring, reading, knitting and all of those cozy things that make life a joy! :)

Gumbo Lily said...

Love all the artsy illustrations, especially the children in bed. I love children who are in their beds....sleeping.

I'm not reading anything right now, but I'm thinking of starting Where The Lilies Bloom. I love Little Women. I think of reading when it's Christmastime.

The Provincial Homemaker said...

Gorgeous artwork as always. I am reading The Town in Bloom by Dodie Smith.

That picture of the doll house seems so familiar. Speaking of dolls houses I am sure there was a children's novel called The Doll House, but from memory it was pretty dark:)

libbyquilter said...

so soon~!?~back to school already~!~ where has the summer gone~!!!~

i hope that your new class will settle in quickly and i'm positive that they are going to adore you.

i just finished reading Abraham Lincoln; Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith(a fun read) and i have a book on Mother Teresa that i've enjoyed mulling over for the last few weeks.

wishing you well during your first week of classes Pom Pom.

:-)
libbyQ

Elderberry-Rob said...

I'm not reading anything this week - have just finished Rabbit Stew and a Penny or Two about a traveller/gipsy lifestyle and family history. A dolls house would be delightful - there is a shop near here dedicated to stocking dolls houses, it's full of miniature furniture, crockery, utensils. Betty x

Anonymous said...

Hello toadstool sister! I loved sharing these pictures and am going to check out Lisbeth s site.Love the picture of Beatrix,I must get that book.
I LOVE doll houses,My daughters one is still here although she hasnt played with it for many years now,I think I tinker about with it more ;) I've been looking at older ones,60's/70s and am thinking of trying to buy one and buy the retro fuurniture to go in it,something that would have been new in my childhood :) I'm always on the lookout at car boots and charity shops but no luck there.
I think you should ask Santa,I'm sure it would bring you one :)
I'm glad the children are settling in slowly,bless them. I'm still reading Miss Read,the first one,nearly finished....
Take care sweetheart,love Julie,Xxx

Fat Dormouse said...

One of my favourite illustrators is Jan Pienkowski whose illustrations are so mysterious - and so intricate It really is worth googling his work.

Another is Victor Ambrus...I think you would like both their works, PomPom. Do google them and tell me what you think.

Nancy McCarroll said...

Thank you for the information about Lizbeth Zwerger...love her artwork.

As a word in your ear as to what you might like to read next...here is Amazon's brief description of CASTING OFF (just bought it used but have not yet read it)...

Publication Date: July 28, 2009
Casting Off:

1. Ending a knitted work.
2. Releasing lines holding a boat to its mooring.
3. Letting go...

On a tiny island off the west coast of Ireland, the fishermen's handmade sweaters tell a story. Each is unique-feelings stitched into rows, memories into patterns.

It is here that Rebecca Moray comes to research a book on Irish knitting. With her daughter, Rowan, accompanying her, she hopes to lose herself in the history of the island and forget her own painful past. Soon, the townsfolk's warm embrace wraps Rebecca and Rowan in a world of friendship, laughter, and love.

Anonymous said...

Love the beautiful illustrations! Google "Shirley Hughes" and see how wonderful her illustrations are!

I'm glad your students are nice. :)

I'm reading Lark Rise again. Nice bedtime reading. I just finished a Gladys Taber book too. xxx

Attic Clutter said...

OH Pom ... a challenge ..new kids new year wow I admire you for the effort (:)
and
yes yes
I am ready for cool nights and flannel sheets! hehe
hugs.p

Attic Clutter said...

oh and I love the pic of the girls in the black tights and billowing aprons too (:)

Bonnie said...

It doesn't get better than Little Women, my all time favorite childhood book. We got to visit Louisa May Alcott's house in Concord, Ma. las July. It was so fun. Glad your first few days of school went well.

TexWisGirl said...

11 yr olds - still untarnished for the most part. :)

Susan B said...

I enjoyed the artwork you shared, and the photo of Beatrix Potter. I really need to buy a book about her life. I had a dollhouse when I was a little girl, but don't know what happened to it. I still enjoy looking at them. I'm glad that you are enjoying your students! I love Little Women! I love most books by Louisa May Alcott. Have you ever read An Old Fashioned Girl, Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom? They are all good Alcott books. I'm still reading The Joy of Less, by Francine Jay. :)

M.K. said...

Goodness, I feel I am on out of am million comments. All of those are lovely paintings - isn't Miss Potter adorable? Julia is reading "Treasure Island" and is due to begin "Little Women" soon. I hope she likes it. I don't have a doll's house anymore, but I did keep my doll's house furniture, in a box. Maybe someday ....

Thistle Cove Farm said...

I'm not reading anything at the moment; was reading a book that lost my attention so need to return to the library.
I adore Beatrix Potter and love this photo of her. She looks the proper country woman as well as just as approachable as an old shoe! Pom, this is a grand post, thank you for an enjoyable visit today.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

hello dearest ... a lovely post to greet me. Love all the illustrations you have shared with us especially the first and last. I love the billowing skirts too and the dolls house. I have a small two room dolls house from my childhood but I have always wanted a bigger one. Trouble is I will have to move to a bigger house to accomodate the dolls house. It's raining heavily as I write this. It's dark and cosy in my cottage. If I had a dolls house I would be making miniature curtains and patchwork quilts to snuggle under.

Have a super weekend
Hugs from me xxxx

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

ps. I'm reading Virginia Woolfe's "To the Lighthouse"

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Oh i'm not reading anything at the moment, must change that!! Love Posie

TexWisGirl said...

(feel free to share those squirrel photos w/ your kids. :))

p.s. do you know you have word verification enabled on your comments? thought i'd mention it in case you didn't know.

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