5 in 5 - March 2019 - Concertina book saves the day!

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of 

each month I post 5 photos that I have 
taken in 5 minutes.

I was invited to put on a solo exhibition of my art work at a college. This was a wonderful opportunity, but as most of my 'art' is hand made books how could I display these on a flat upright board?  It obviously needed a bit of thinking about, and I decided to print photos of some book pages just to show examples of  constructions and design.  But I also wanted examples of actual books there, so that viewers could appreciate the layers and detail. And so I set to making two concertina books for the occasion. This was no hardship because I don't need an excuse or reason to make a book, usually it's just the time lacking! But by choosing a simple construction it was manageable and after decorating the surface with layers of paint, papers, and detail, I added some favourite photos. Because as a lover of photography, my handmade books give me somewhere to share these and to recreate memories. For the purpose of 5in5 I will just show one of the books but I will come back very soon with photos of the second. You might also like to see photos of the exhibition, because my work is now proudly on display for this month and I am really pleased with the way it looks. Especially the concertina books. They have been opened across the display board and held in position with staples. The books are not precious, or fragile. They are made to look at and handle, and the layers of paper and paint strengthen the base card. And the holes won't notice afterwards, card and paper is very robust and if they do show they can be easily concealed. 

So, let's waste no more time. Here are 5 photos and I loved making these books so much that I can't wait to make some more. Often my book constructions are more complicated and time consuming to make, and it's easy to forget the simple concertina, even though they are really effective. They have won a place back in my heart!  

Thank you for visiting and I hope some of you will join me this month in the 5in5 challenge. Here's how it works: 

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.

5 in 5 - February 2019 - Eltham Palace

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of 

each month I post 5 photos that I have 
taken in 5 minutes.

I have felt really lazy since Christmas. The weather here hasn't been too bad for winter, but the cold, dull days make me want to hibernate so I have not been very active with my camera. Luckily I have photos that I took with 5in5 in mind and have not shared, so today I am pulling them out and remembering a nice sunny day and a visit to Eltham Palace. 

The Palace is first reordered in the Domesday Book when Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, half brother to William the Conqueror, was Lord of the Manor in 1086. It passed through generations of Royals including Henry IV who as King, spent 10 of his 13 Christmases in Eltham. It was also the childhood home of Henry VIII and the beautiful Tudor Hall still stands in all its glory. Sadly Henry VIII did not visit much in later years and over the next century it began to decline. Eventually it became used as a farm, but fortunately, in the 19th century there was a campaign to save the great hall. A new residence was built next to the hall, incorporating the farm house, and work continued on the great hall over a long period of time. 

In 1933 millionaires Stephen and Virginia Coultauld (of the carpet and fabric dynasty) took out a 99 year lease from the Crown and established the amazing home that it is today. As a couple who liked entertaining they wanted a modern Art Deco style while retaining as much as possible of the 19th centaury buildings. It is breath taking in detail and now managed by English Heritage. 

The beautiful entrance, reached by a bridge across the moat. 

Through an enormous heavy door....

And into the main sitting room. There are strong design features, including it's circular shape, which is carried throughout.

Including this wonderful glass dome, above the centre of the room, that cascades light down.

More circles as you go up the stairs. There are a pair of stairs symmetrically placed each side of the room.  Notice the incredible marquetry work that continues around the wall.  

On the border of London, Eltham is set high with magnificent views across to the Capital. It didn't disappoint, and I look forward to revisiting again with a friend. 

Thank you for visiting and I hope some of you will join me this month in the 5in5 challenge.  You have until 25th to post your photos and post a link to your blog. Here's how it works: 

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.