A Lancashire lass was marrying a Canadian in Hong Kong and the piece was to be transported in a suitcase….oh and it was needed within the month!

Ummmm, something to get the old grey matter churning…..and quick.

So I hit google images and when spotting an old Lancashire battalion piece of memorabilia I had a lightbulb moment of “A Hybrid!”….”Yes, yes a plant that blooms with roses and its leaves will be that of the maple…….created from love so entwined with hearts….YES, yes, a truly new original…..genius!”

Georgina, (the customer) was hesitant but trusted me. So happy with the strong images and shapes I had found I begun constructing the elements.

And then the new hybrid met Susan! (Anyone Looking for Susan??)

“She wants that!” she exclaimed, “But it reminds me of those nodding plants from Blackpool”. (Susan is nothing if not honest – haha)

So a deflated me went back to the drawing board and head scratching…..

See, my problem from the outset had been that I was rebelling against the traditional when faced with the very traditional imagery…… (sometimes I am my own worst enemy – trying so very hard to be different)

Now, with the elements before me in their beautiful shades and natural shapes…….the simple and pretty end result presented itself.

So off it goes to Hong Kong and beyond, happy customers, happy couple, happy me and another lesson learnt…(both in design and construction!)

….As did you notice my new technique of engraving…. Wow , thanks to the generous and knowledgable Barbara Winkfield in the village and the loan of her kit.

I used flasehd glass to make the Lancashire Rose, (which basically means I was able to remove the top red flash of glass using Barbara’s engraving tool to expose the clear glass beneath). Simples!!.? (Yeah right. I have a long way to go. Methinks Barbara might get sick of the sight of me.) Next on my wanted list could well be a wee dremell……..and ear plugs to accompany of course!

Isn’t glass an amazing material……….the possibilities really are endless.