Map Cards

I've been making more map cards. I'll be selling them at a craft fair at Balham Bowls Club (it's a bar!) on Sunday 11 May. See you there, maybe?

I started with Christmas trees made from maps on white paper.

Next, I moved on to hearts on white paper - ideal for Valentine's Day, or any day to show your love of locations.

Now, the cards come in glorious technicolour with lots of different colours and shades.

And I've been experimenting with different shapes too.

Barbara Broekman My Town

While in Amsterdam I saw Barbara Broekman's art installation My Town at the Amsterdam Museum.

It's a long carpet with 180 panels, each one inspired by a design from the 180 nations whose citizens live in Amsterdam.

I'm all for art celebrating different countries and their cultures, so I loved it!

Anne Frank House Emotions

I've just come back from Amsterdam where I visited the Anne Frank House.

It stirs many emotions...

...Sadness that this whole sorry episode of history happened.

...Anger that people can be so cruel.

...Proud of those that helped.

...Introspection: would you have done the same?

...Surprise that it is larger than previously imagined.

...Irritation at those visitors who seem more interested in talking about lunch.

...Bewilderment at the need to 'museum-ify' the house.

...Understanding that this is so others can learn.

...Humour remembering David Sedaris' sad and satirical story set there.

...Melancholy reading that teenage Peter was given a razor and cigarette lighter as birthday gifts.

...Relief that he was given gifts at all.

...Hope that this teaches the world important lessons.