Ah, the joy of a task completed without me making a mess of it.

Last year I was sent a copy of the delightful Birds & Words by Ammo Books, a book of prints by the late American artist Charley Harper. His images are doing the rounds at the moment, and perfect for the home because of his graphic, 1960s take on wildlife. He drew these birds from books, not life, seeing the beauty in abstracting the colours and shapes of the natural world.

Well last week I finally bought some frames, and set about agonising over which four of the pics were my favourites, or which made the best set – hence the post-its in the picture above. Choice finally made, I spent Sunday evening up a ladder with a plumb bob, pencil and hammer.

Although shown here on my table, the four pictures now grace the wall of the vestibule outside the bathroom, turning a nothing space into a little feature. I can even see them in the mirror as I brush my teeth. An afternoon’s pottering that is going to make me happy for months. I’m already thinking of doing a second set – starting point this lovely drab-blue puffin page.