This week I have been adding the finishing touches to some of the grander residences on the Fairy Tale Quilt. The castle in the very centre is composed of glowing tawny fabrics, with some deep blue starry stuff to add a touch of magic. It has good strong doors with hooks and eyes for hinges and knockers, and the design of the fabric give the impression of many windows. Perhaps someone is looking out, waiting for the arrival of Cinderella for the Prince's Grand Ball.
At the top of the quilt, we find the Sultan's Palace, bedecked with jewels. It may be that the genie has just conjured it up, as a grand home for Aladdin. However, I have just started reading a translation of the Arabian Nights , so I am hoping to discover a host of strange and wonderful characters who could be lurking in here. There will certainly be enough subject matter for a whole new quilt. Hmm...
A bit less grand is the castle of Sleeping Beauty. The briars are beginning to creep up the walls, but they have a long way to go to cover the castle. Inside, the king, queen, princess and everybody else are all snoring away gently. I knew that wicked witch was up to something!
When it comes to designing buildings, this book has been a great inspiration over the years. It has photographs of every type of building you could want, from tiny cottages to towering cathedrals, ghostly ruins to grand country homes, and a smattering of bridges, churches, lakes and rose gardens. It's especially good for when I want to do some drawing - the wonky angles of the old buildings are very forgiving if you can't draw a straight line!
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