Sunday 19 October 2008

The Wishing Eel

I have previously mentioned my involvement with a wonderful project in Cambrigeshire called Vital Communities. As a result of one of the Vital Communities residencies by writer Gillian McClure and artist John Wiltshire at Fawcett Primary School in Cambridge, a beautiful little book has been published. The story of The Wishing Eel and the accompanying illustrations has been created entirely by the pupils of Fawcett Primary School.

My involvement began when I was asked to make a "Wishing Eel" to be part of the book promotion and as a result the following "sock eel" was created!


In reality he is rather reminiscent of one of those 1970s style draught excluders but apparently has been well received by the children on his book tour!

But when Cambridge University Press decided to feature The Wishing Eel as a window display in their Cambrige shop, I was asked to make another eel that looked more like one of the illustrations in the book.

So this is eel version two.

I just wish he didn't look quite so sad!

or just plain darn scared!

It is a lovely story, with beautiful illustrations and would make a great stocking filler for young children. Only £4.99 ISBN 978-0-9560205-0-5 and available soon from Amazon!

***
On a completely different note, the cut back in commitments has allowed for some creativity in the kitchen this weekend.... sun dried tomato foccacia

Spicy carrot and parsnip soup

and cranberry and macademia nut cookies!
(which are nearly all gone)

Off to make a sticky toffee bread and butter pudding now!

25 comments:

  1. Oh, your eels are lovely - both of them! It looks a fabulous book - what a nice project to be linked to.

    As for the cooking ... mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

    x

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  2. What a nice project to have been involved in. It sounds as though the children enjoyed it very much.
    You have been very creative in the kitchen again!. I'm glad Neil isn't well, he just might forget to check in and see what you have been up to.

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  3. your eels are adorable. It's really exciting that you are involved in a book project! Lucky you!

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  4. What a lovely little book and a great project to be involved with. The eels are just the thing to appeal to little ones - I must admit the first one looks much more cheerful. When's your cookery book coming out? You'll be a challenge for Nigella and Delia at the rate you're going. It all looks delicious.

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  5. And after all that you're going for a lie down?

    Lovely eels, and a fascinating project. Though I can't think of eels now without the Mighty Boosh coming into my head. Not at all suitable for smalls!

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  6. You can make an eel look cute! not easy.
    What lovely food.x

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  7. think i'd better ask for your autograph now!!!
    your eels look great and no wonder the kids love them!
    what a tasty dinner - looks just yummmmmmy!
    xxx

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  8. Does that mean wonderwoman is about to devour the eels?

    When you say suitable for the younger age child, what level are we going to?

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  9. Such a lovely project to be linked to Gina! You do such interesting things. I love both of your eels!

    And am salivating over your edible goodies (don't think I fancy eating one of the eels lol)..

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  10. Oh the eels :o) I shall have to pop along to the bookshop and see the eel - when will he be there? I only work just round the corner from it - yay!

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  11. There has to be a story in the meeting of eel one-clearly female- and eel two.....might even put a smile on the face of said second eel. I hope the display is till on when I'm in Cambridge in a couple of weeks.

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  12. Gosh yes, lovely project and both eels are lovely but I think i have a particular soft spot for the sad one! The cooking looks delish particularly the cookies look delicious which are banned from our house as I would eat them all before anyone got a look in! xx

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  13. I love your wishing eel and the book looks fabulous.... but the cooking... omg I have to eat it!

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  14. Wonderful project...Love the eels - especially the rather sumptuous tail of the second one!
    Excellent stuff xx

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  15. You have interpreted the eel really well, even though, as you point out, he does look a little sad.

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  16. I'll keep my eyese peeled for eel mark 2, but (secretly) I prefer eel number one...

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  17. Great eels Gina! And what a lovely looking book.

    Yummy cooking too - makes me want to go and eat something nice!

    Lucy x

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  18. Gina I love everything in this post - your wishing eels are great - especially the very sad looking one. Can I come around to your house for tea? You know, I'm probably going to have another dream about you making cakes again now - still, there are worse things to dream about :o)

    Monda
    x

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  19. What a fabulous project to be involved with, it looks like fun has been had by all! Your have a couple of quite delightful eels. Mmmmm my mouth is watering, those cookies look delicious. xx

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  20. your eels are great, must have been exciting to be involved with the book. Your home cooking looks deicious. Jane x

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  21. The books looks wonderful - don't the childrens watercolours look good printed!

    And I love the eels! I want one as a draught excluder in my studio!

    'Sticky', 'Toffee', 'Bread', 'Butter' and 'Pudding' - now that's a whole bunch of dream words!!!!!

    Celia

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  22. ( sent you a lovely long comment about how you manage to look so slim and elegant when eating such biscuits and bread, but it disappeared.

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  23. What a great project to be involved with! I love both eels but number 2 is my favourite - I love his alarmed expression :)

    Oh dear - I may have to go and bake now as looking at all your lovely food has made me realise I'm lacking in that department!

    xxx

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  24. I found you through SITS. Those cookies look absolutely divine!!! I love your cute little eel. He's precious!!

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