Merrill - Polly and Her Playmates

Last week I was very verbose and had far too much to say for myself, so this week its back to basics with a paper doll book.  The last paper doll book I featured was Candy and Her Cousins back at the beginning of March.  I've always thought of Polly and Her Playmates as the original of these sets with their wrap-around frocks.  I can still remember the thrill of receiving this book as a child, and how incredibly beautiful and special I thought it was.

 I had a tendency of playing with my paper dolls until they literally fell apart and this set was no exception.  They seemed to have an unfortunate habit of losing their heads.  My mother would painstakingly tape them up for me so that I could play with them again,

I don't think it ever worried me that they had become battered and worn.  I loved them all the same and would play with them for hours on end!

Strangely enough the dresses I liked the most in these sets were not the signature wrap-around outfits but the winter coats with their lovely white muffs.  Perhaps it was because I lived in a place where where winter coats were not needed and so I saw them as being terribly exotic.

I also remember that I did not play with these dolls as I was supposed to and wrap the dresses around them.  Instead I would keep them unfolded and dress the dolls up as though they were wearing outrageously exaggerated crinolines!

Late Blossoms

The cherry blossom has been very late this year in my part of the world.  Winter just does not want to give up its grip on the land.  This tree is putting on a lovely display now, and in a way its quite nice to be able to enjoy it so much further into the year.

The apple trees have also finally started showing signs of pink and white blossoms.  They originally had white blossoms I have never seen before.  These new arrivals are still tightly closed - I can't wait for them to open as they are one of my favourite sights when they are in full bloom.

Sharon's Little Sunbeam Award - Week 6

This week Sharon's Little Sunbeam shines on

Darlene Foster's Blog

Darlene is a published writer and her blog features excerpts from her world, heart warming stories, and of course posts on writing and books.

The beauty of Darlene's personality shines through her writing - that to me is always as appealing as the content itself.  I always appreciate her friendly comments (and the encouragement last week on my own scribbles was very heartening!)


Once again have decided to link to specific posts and this week I have chosen two.  The first features a book called Every Child is Entitled to Innocence - Darlene wrote one of the stories included in it.  Profits from the sale of the book go to Childline International.  I think it is a wonderful cause. Unfortunately I don't own a kindle and was so sorry as a result that I am not able to buy it.

The other post is A Few of My Favourite Things in which Darlene gives a wonderful insight into her world.  Some people have said they would like to copy my sunbeam award idea but I think they feel hesitant about doing so.  Just to show you I have no qualms about borrowing ideas myself - I like the idea of 'My Favourite Things' so much that I think I will be doing a version of it soon myself.

Darlene enjoys travelling to interesting and exotic places - her favourite animal is a camel and she drinks rooibos tea (as a S African that impressed me no end.)  I don't have any pictures of either so instead I've chosen these two illustrations that conjure up the magical world of The Arabian Nights.

Both come from the same story (Silia the Dancing Girl) and were previously featured in two separate posts
Perfect Princesses and Handsome Heroes

Past recipients of Sharon's Little Sunbeam Award:


 Believe in Yourself

Lucy Violet Vintage  

Garden of Daisies

March House Books

Always Crave Cute

Sharon's Little Sunbeam is my own personal 'no strings attached' award.  It is my way of thanking some of the wonderful people who enrich my blogging experience.  The recipient is introduced in a post like this one and a link to their blog remains on my sidebar for a week.  There are no conditions attached to the award.  The recipient does not need to answer any questions, pass the award on or even acknowledge that they have received it.  All they need to do is bask in my little sunbeam and enjoy it!

How Nice!

Earlier this week Barbara from March House Books featured a beautiful book called 'The Bluebell Story Book' as her Book of the Week post.  I have a similar book by the same publisher - Blackie and Son and I decided I would put together this quick off the cuff entry as a complimentary post.

Unfortunately the cover of my book is a bit worn, but it is still possible to enjoy the lovely artwork.  When I scanned it I was able to enlarge and make out the name of the artist for the first time - it appears to be Hilda McGavin.  (Now I have a name I will have to try to find out something about her.)    

 The book was printed by Blackie and Son in Glasgow.  They also quote offices in London, Bombay (India) and Toronto (Canada).  Unfortunately there is no date that I can see but I imagine it must have been printed in the 1930's, the same era as the book in Barbara's post.  The relative who passed this book down to me would have been a child during that decade.

There are a number of stories of different lengths, four colour plates and a host of lovely black and white illustrations.  The colour illustrations I've included here are the two I like the most.  Not all the illustrations are by the same person, but the one I've included below clearly shows the name of the cover artist.

Some More Adventurous Scribbles

(Another follow up post Alcluith is progressing slowly can be found on this link as well.)

Yesterday I posted some of my own scribbles - Ygern's Secret - Something I Wrote.  I really appreciate the wonderful comments that were left in response.  But - now you have gone and encouraged me (you'll probably be sorry that you did!) and made me think of revisiting a book I was writing.

The little 'story' I posted yesterday was a self-contained idea that I never really thought of expanding on.  The book is similar in many ways as it focuses on the same era.  I started writing it when I was on maternity leave (in other words 14 years ago!).  After fiddling around with it for some time and finishing a first draft I sent it off to one of the Irish publishing houses about 5 years ago.  They rejected it out of hand (as you do).  I put it to one side and it has been languishing in the documents folder of my laptop ever since.  Now with the new self publishing options available I may just dust it off again and think of doing something with it.

For anyone who has the time, stamina and inclination I'm including the whole of the first chapter on a separate page.  It will be warts and all as it stands now but I'd appreciate any feedback.  Do I continue with it and try to polish it up - or should it stay put where it is?

The end of the first chapter is supposed to be a surprise so if you do want to read it and don't want the spoiler the link to the page is here:

Chapter One

Otherwise this is the gist of the plot.  A whodunit by Ellis Peters called 'The House on Green Turf' contains excerpts from an ancient Scottish ballad  (The ballad is incidental to her storyline).  When I read her book I found the story behind the ballad intriguing.  It goes something like this:

A just and popular king is defeated and killed in battle.  His pregnant wife is given clemency but the life of their unborn child hangs in the balance.  Only a girl will be allowed to live.  The queen manages to slip away and gives birth in secret.  The child is a boy (of course or there would be no story!)  Before his existence becomes common knowledge the queen exchanges her infant son for the newborn daughter of a serving woman and the boy is smuggled out to safety.  He is raised in obscurity, unaware of his heritage, but once he learns the truth of his parentage he prepares to return to his kingdom, revenge his father and reclaim his birthright. 


Besides thinking the story could be expanded quite nicely into a novel, what struck me about the ballad was the one dimensional characterisation.  The queen in particular is quite remarkable - here is a woman who stoically accepts the death of her husband, gives birth on her own in secret and then gives up her child without batting an eyelid.  Besides the narrative I thought it would be equally fascinating to explore the emotional response of the characters and their reaction to events.

I'd be curious to know if my blog friends think the idea (and my stab at interpreting it) has merit.  Either way I won't be giving up my day job!

Real life Dumbarton Rock in Strathclyde - an actual location for a fictitious tale: 

All the places referred to in the chapter with the exception of St Aidan's Field are real albeit heavily disguised by the mists of time.  All the people and events are completely fictitious.  (Some real historical characters sneak in later.)  The names (I give an explanation of their meaning in the full version) are all representative of the time and location except for Rowallan - that is my husband's name and he is still unsure whether to take its inclusion as a compliment.

The story is called:

Alcluith

Tears on Stone

I've prefaced it (a bit pretentiously I suppose) with this passage from Ecclesiastes:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

A time to be born and time to die,

A time to plant and a time to uproot,

A time to kill and a time to heal,

A time to tear down and a time to build,

A time to weep and a time to laugh,

A time to mourn and a time to dance,

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

A time to embrace and a time to refrain,

A time to search and a time to give up,

A time to keep and a time to throw away,

A time to tear and a time to mend,

A time to be silent and a time to speak,

A time to love and a time to hate,

A time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1   

    

Ygern's Secret - Something I Wrote . . .

I was intending to publish a paper doll post today, but as some of the visitors to my blog are writers I decided to share something I wrote myself a good while ago (circa 1980) that I came across again recently.  I quite enjoyed reading it again. I hope you do too  ......

Ygern's Secret

Long ago the world was young, but Ygern was old.  She sat quietly in the sunlight, hands folded in her lap, dreaming about the past.

Once she too had been young and Arthur travelled North to claim her as his bride.  He stood over six feet tall.  His hair was as black as night, his eyes were two blue stars.  She had ridden through streets strewn with flowers to welcome her as the new queen.

Together they had built a hilltop fortress in the centre of the land, and together they had planned the administration of the country and the protection of the realm.

'I wonder if men will ever be able to live in peace,' Ygern had mused.

But Arthur only smiled.

For many years he fought against the invaders who threatened their existence.  The battles were swift and fierce.  Arthur always led his men into combat and could slay as many as twelve of the enemy force with one blow.  Soon the bodies of their foes lay piled upon the shore and funeral pyres served as a warning to those who felt the temptation to invade again.

For one bright and shining moment tranquility lay over the land. 

'You see!' Ygern had said triumphantly.  'Mankind can live in peace.'

But Arthur only smiled.

The harmony did not last.  Men long trained for war grew restless and bored.  They looked with envy at their neighbour's wealth and position.  Honed weapons hung motionless and waiting on their manor walls.  The country's natural enemy was gone and so they turned upon themselves in a conflict that split the land in two.

Arthur did not know how to confront this new threat.  His centre of balance was destroyed and he was swept under the raging torrent and broken as easily as a river reed.  The news of his defeat carried swiftly abroad and the invaders returned, finding a land leaderless and confused.

Ygern sat idly, watching the sun as it danced on the grass and whitewashed walls of the abbey guest house.  Outside the world was chaos, but she had withdrawn inside herself and was at peace.   She smiled gently at the young novice who approached her carrying a basket of ripened fruit.

'Do you think this fighting will ever end?' the girl tentatively asked.

But Ygern only smiled.

 Sharon Munro   

Mithrae Invicto

To Him Unconquered

Sharon's Little Sunbeam Award - Week 5

Sharon's Little Sunbeam Week 5 shines on Donna at:

 Believe in Yourself

I have a number of reasons for choosing Donna's blog:

• Her posts are a wonderful mix - inspirational, thought provoking, entertaining and fun.  Everything from Puppy Rescue to Trifle Recipes!
• Donna is one of the most caring and friendly people I have met so far in my bloggy world.  
• Her kindness has extended to inviting me to become a member of her tribe (triberr.com). This has allowed me to meet some other great bloggers and enjoy the contents of posts I would otherwise not have known were out there.

So this week its a big Thank You to Donna just for being herself - I hope anyone who is not familiar with her blog will stop by and pay her a visit.
 

Each week I've chosen pictures from past posts when putting together my sunbeam awards.  These lovely little fairies were previously included in my Birthday Thoughts post.  I chose them because I wanted to feature a rose and I've always liked this particular illustration.

Sometimes Donna treats us to excerpts from her own writing.  My favourites when she does are her poetry and one poem for me has always stood out - it is called 'Give Me But a Rose'.  I don't usually include links to a specific post in these awards but this week I am making an exception.  The poem can be found at Poetry Refined

So a special rose as well as a Little Ray of Sunshine for Donna as the recipient of this weeks Sunbeam Award!

Past recipients of Sharon's Little Sunbeam Award:


Lucy Violet Vintage  

Garden of Daisies

March House Books

Always Crave Cute

Sharon's Little Sunbeam is my own personal 'no strings attached' award.  It is my way of thanking some of the wonderful people who enrich my blogging experience.  The recipient is introduced in a post like this one and a link to their blog remains on my sidebar for a week.  There are no conditions attached to the award.  The recipient does not need to answer any questions, pass the award on or even acknowledge that they have received it.  All they need to do is bask in my little sunbeam and enjoy it!

Success!! An Answer to my Inquiry

Mike Hubbard - Wizzie the Wizard

The Internet is a truly wondrous invention.  I'm old enough that I don't take it for granted and still marvel at the information it offers up.  Like all tools I know it can be used for both good and bad.  But so far my experience has been overwhelmingly positive.  Not only have I a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips, I've also come into contact with a wonderful group of people.  Blogging has really developed into an amazing community, linking us together across the globe.

A couple of days ago I posted an entry Can you help me identify this artist? in which I included a number of fairytale illustrations that have enchanted me since childhood.  Although I have enjoyed looking at them for many years I have never been able to identify the artist.  Last weekend I decided I would ask for help and put together a post with a selection of some of my favourite images.

Many thanks to everyone who commented on the post.  Amongst them was one from Barbara at March House Books Blog who came up with the inspired suggestion that I look at a blog called

 Bear Alley 
(There is also a sister site called Bear Alley Books.)

Mike Hubbard - The Magic Emerald

I decided to be bold and emailed Steve the owner of the site directly.  By amazing coincidence (although I have been peppered with so many 'coincidences' lately that I'm starting to wonder about them) the current entries on the Bear Alley blog all feature the same artist.  To be honest I would not have made the connection without being told as they are a different genre of comic strip.  But I have gone back to look at them in a different light armed with my new information.

Bear Alley is a magnificent blog for anyone like me who enjoys vintage British comics, books and magazines.  The blog contains a wealth of detail of the era of my childhood (and more besides.)  



This is the information Steve emailed back to me:

The artist you're trying to identify is Mike Hubbard who, by an amazing coincidence, is the artist of the strip currently running on Bear Alley!

Mike was a long-serving illustrator (1930s) and comic strip artist (post-WW2) with the Amalgamated Press/Fleetway/IPC, working on a number of comics and magazines. He was also the assistant to Norman Pett for some time (1946-48) before taking over Jane (of the Daily Mirror), which he drew in 1948-59.

The Look & Learn connection is certainly there: Coral Island is an old L&L strip from 1966. He drew a variety of strips for Once Upon a Time in 1971-72 and you might want to look out for copies of Pixie from 1972-73 where he adapted The Secret Garden and The Little Princess, both by Francis Hodgson Burnett.

These were all drawn towards the end of his career as he died in 1976.

I'm thrilled to have this information after all these years! A big thank you to Steve (and Barbara for the suggestion).  At last I can put a name to these lovely illustrations.

Mike Hubbard - The Magic Mirror