Too long away

Hi everybody. Apologies for so long between postings. One thing that put me off was the unresponsiveness of blogspot. It was just not working.

Also my apologies to the lovely person who left a comment asking a question which I have neglected to answer, I will do so today.

Can I claim to have been too busy to post? Well, I have been busy but I should have been posting too.

We finally got Granny Fi's Toy Cupboard open and have a lovely shop front in Uralla, just south of Armidale in New South Wales, Australia. Here is the facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/GrannyFisToyCupboard?ref=hl
 We sold out of dragons in the first week and I am still trying to fill orders.

The dragons have been so popular that we have decided to host a dragon extravaganza in early April, complete with dragon cave, hopefully.



Then, I have also been finishing my latest book, a history of graffiti for SkyHorse publishing in New York.

http://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/book/?GCOI=60239103718920 And this is the link to the website.

Lots more to tell but if I don't post this now it won't get done.
 

Granny Fi's Toy Cupboard now on Facebook

Granny Fi's Toy Cupboard now on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/GrannyFisToyCupboard

 

We have now registered the business name Granny Fi's Toy Cupboard and set up a facebook page just for the shop. Follow the link and let us know what you think.

It's happening! I am going to open a toy shop called Granny Fi's Toy Cupboard. It will begin as a Facebook shop and then next year it will have a real, geographical location in Uralla, a small town 15 minutes south of Armidale, NSW, Australia.

 

I will be taking over the running of my aunt's gallery, Chaucer on Bridge Street and adding my toy shop/gift shop. I'm hoping it will be a family business as there are lots of talented people I'm related to: painters, potters, writers, storytellers, textile artists and toy makers for example.

 

 

We, because I do want to include the family, will sell: handmade dolls and other toys, quirky toys, handmade gifts, jewellery, cards and prints and baby gifts. We'd also like to have a book nook, a snug corner in which to read books, surrounded by shelves with books by local writers,  my own books and glorious picture books. On Saturday mornings and throughout school holidays we will have story readings for children. At night, accompanied by wine and nibbles, we'd like to have book readings for adults. We shall host musical soirees and puppet shows, have regular exhibition openings and offer a range of workshops.

 

However, that part won't happen until February next year. Stay posted for the next exciting episode of Granny Fi's Toy Cupboard.

The Truth About Comets

 

This is the title of my upcoming exhibition of new work. I have taken the title from a painting by the artist Dorothea Tanning who is one of three women artists associated with the Surrealist Movement. The other two artists are Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington.

 

I recently learnt that Dorothea died early this year aged 101. This exhibition is a homage to the three of them.

 

 

I will be exhibiting alongside David Allan and his gorgeous 'Flights of Fantasy' exhibition



Time: 6 pm Saturday 15th September

Place: The New England Art Society Gallery, upstairs near the nesagent in the Mall, Armidale

The exhibition will be showing for almost a month

Charlotte and Granny

Just had to share this picture with everyone of Charlotte, now just over three months doing the computer with her granny.

Travel Doll -new free pattern

The lovely knitters on my fan page at Ravelry.com (that always sounds so funny- my fans- but I'm so flattered) are running a travel doll project. I have designed a special pattern for the project. If you are interested in either the pattern or participating go to the webiste:

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fiona-mcdonald-fans

I think you will have to be a Ravelry member but that is free too. She doesn't have any clothes patterns as that is part of the project.

Have fun!





Work, work, work and lovin' it

I have been so busy this month I haven't had time to think properly. Everything is out of kilter. I have finished my children's novel Ghost Doll and Jasper with its illustrations.

I've also got my non-fiction title, The Other Woman: Mistresses to finish off with more illustrations.

Am I compalinging? Hardly. This is the kind of work I want to do full time. Perhaps in the near future I will get there.

One of my publishers is starting a new social history imprint and have asked if I have any new ideas for books- well I sure will soon.

Don't have anything new to share in the way of pictures (all under wraps for publication) but thought I'd post this one I did for my History of Textiles book.