Christmas Holly

The holly growing around Aspley Guise is absolutely beautiful this year. So full of berries.
I have used it in abundance around the house, in particular on the dining room mantelpiece and kitchen windowsill.

3D paper snowflakes

My Art enrichment group have loved making these 3D paper snowflakes, and I think they look great in the Art room. Lots of people have wanted to know how to make them. I tell them to look on Wikipedia, where there is a demonstration video, as well as step by step instructions!

Christmas textiles

My Year 8 'design technology' group have loved designing and making these Christmas stockings from felt, fabric scraps and buttons.

Skull masks

The final stage of the Day of the Dead Art enrichment project was the creation of these highly decorative skull masks.

Day of the Dead

My Art enrichment group have been researching the Mexican festival 'Dia de las muertos' or Day of the Dead. This colourful artwork was inspired by their research. The skeletons are made from paper straws and paper plates. The skulls were painted in acrylic paints. Masks to follow!

Super Squash

I was so impressed with my neighbours pumpkin display, I had photograph it. I have since discovered she went to the Chelsea College of Art!

Alice's sketchbooks

I am so impressed with these sketchbooks. Alice has produced thoughtful, detailed, beautifully presented work.

Alice's artwork

Alice has now brought all of her Art GCSE coursework home and it is lovely. These two paintings, which are on canvas, went straight up on the wall in the dining room.

Beautiful bread

There is something incredibly satisfying about baking a loaf of bread. This wholemeal loaf was so easy to make, and contains olive oil, honey and seeds.

Starry night

Year 6 worked in small groups to create this lovely colourful artwork inspired by Van Gogh's 'Starry Night'.

Slow growing tomatoes

Our tomatoes have taken the whole summer to grow and they're still not ripe! I think a greenhouse is the answer.

Border terriers

Young and old, ready for another beach walk.

Beautiful Aldeburgh

We loved this walk down to the sea.

Successful scones

I am becoming a 'food technology' teacher, so have spent some time over the summer practising my cookery skills. I think I have finally mastered the scone!

Haunch of Venison

I always love visiting this beautiful gallery, which is just a short walk away from the hustle and bustle of Regents Street. We were delighted to discover this exhibition by the environmental artist Richard Long, who has created artwork based on his experiences walking through different landscapes.

Spuntino

We loved visiting 'Spuntino' in Soho, which is a hip, New York style diner, which serves really interesting food. One of the many highlights of our lunch was this 'peanut butter and jelly sandwich'. which is a wonderful ice-cream/ fruit compote/ peanut dessert. Clever and delicious!

Hibiscus flowers

These large, beautiful  Hibiscus flowers were in our sunny French garden.

lunch a la francaise

The simple pleasures of rustic food make for a delicious lunch. The regional produce of Gascony: a fresh baguette, vegetables from the market, saucisson and cheese from local sheep.

Fig tree

The fig tree in the French garden provided cooling shade to sit and enjoy a glass of wine or Pastis.

French markets

We have loved selecting and preparing food from markets in the South of France.

Sunflower tiles

My pupils have been inspired by Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers', and have created these beautiful clay tiles.

Tiny tomato

We are very excited to see the first tomatoes appear on our tomato plant. We are complete beginners to this.

Aspley Guise cherries

I stopped off at the local farm shop and bought this punnet of freshly picked cherries. They are the best cherries I have ever tasted!

Geraniums on the patio

I am enjoying my colourful geraniums this summer. I originally chose them because they remind me of France, but am delighted to discover they match the colours in the garden chairs.

Wild flowers

These pretty cornflowers and poppies are growing in the fields and hedgerows around Aspley Guise.

Wonderful lunch

We had the most exquisite lunch at the Orrery restaurant on Saturday. It is above the Conran shop on Marylebone high street. Every plate was a work of art.