During my day at Art in Action I spent some time wondering whether or not to buy a print from the illustrator, Paul Kidby. ( I also looked longingly at Jackie Morris's prints but I've contented myself with ordering a calendar)  In the end, despite daughter's encouragement, I came away without on the basis that they were quite large and I felt I needed to ask H his opinion- after all he'd have to live with it too and it would be too large to hang in my study or to ignore if hung somewhere prominent in the house.   With everything else going on, I didn't actually forget but I didn't get round to it - daughter did not forget and went into secret consultation with H, so that on Friday I thrilled to be presented with this lovely griffin 'Nemesis'

Mine has gone for framing so I've borrowed this from Paul Kidby's online site.  Click to see some of the beautiful detail - it's wonderful.   The body of the print is 55x45 cm - about 22 inches by 18 and the mount adds about 4 inches all round, so it's quite impressive.   H likes it as much as I do, which is nice, so we're looking forward to hanging it on our nice pale blue wall in the hall.   There are several others in the series - the dragon and the winged lion are especially nice, and they all come as greetings' cards too.

As always, there was some wonderful work on show and being created at Art in Action.  We especially liked the textile work of Soon Yul Kang (above) - such wonderful tranquil tapestries, and Graham Muir's breathtaking wave form glass (photos are from artist's websites, as I forgot my camera).

Despite the rain, I had a peaceful, relaxing birthday with lots of good things to eat  - very satisfactory.  M is buying me some sewing things I've been fancying - when I get round to finding them on the net and ordering them.   Australian Brother-in-law sent great flowers  - he's so good at remembering.