Hilary is exhibiting at a gallery in Lancaster this month. It looks really interesting so I am going to have to find the time to squeeze in a trip up north!

Check out the link : http://www.arteriashop.co.uk/gallery23.shtml  and the invitation below.

I thought I'd blow my own trumpet - this is May edition of Greetings Today:

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1nssg/GreetingsTodayMay201/resources/index.htm

(I would make it a hyperlink but can't work out how, despite having done before!!!!)

After the show we had a few days on Long Island. Although I knew the name I had no concept where it was....so for those of you who are also geographically challenged, it's a long finger of land to the East of New York. We went to the very end of the island about 2 1/2 hrs from NY city.

I also found out that the 'Hamptons' are the playground for the rich and famous, sorry Michelle we didn't spot anyone though! If you are thinking of getting a holiday home there the most basic houses started at about £750,000...yes £'s not $'s! We had to drive through the area to get to Montauk where we were staying......which was rather more modest but just perfect for us as it was surrounded by fantastic beaches.

Whilst we were in such a coastal area we took the opportunity to do a bit of window shopping, with a view of showing you the coastal stores where some of your work sells.

Willow was one such store and the owner very kindly let us take photos although I have to confess to misplacing her business card and can't remember her name so deepest apologies.( I'll post up the details when I have up-ended my case!)

The store was small but packed full of beautiful coastal gifts. They had a very limited greeting card range but more than made up for that with the products and lovely displays.

They were not short on tasteful gifts, I saw these bottles in ABC in New York....at three times the price.

I could see Julia's and Julie's artwork going down a storm here.

Driftwood and reclaimed frames were perfect in this setting.

Hot summer fruity designs mixed with more quirky seaside themes

I loved these little characters....they just make you smile.

Food and BBQ were strong themes too....which we did...tuna and BBQ bananas with cointreau!

Willow also had plenty of contemporary design too.

I think the biggest surprise for me was that there was also a lovely little area devoted to Christmas.

The owner said that the area is extremely quiet in Winter so she sells all her Holiday ware over the Summer months when the tourists are around.

It was at bit odd feeling Christmasy in 80 degrees!

Again I'd like to thank the owner for her kindness in letting us invade her store..and just to let her know if she reads this that the delicate pieces made it home intact!