How do you do!
I’m Rebecca. I live in Shropshire, UK. I currently live with my parents, older brother, and my dog, Ferris.
It’s safe to say that, at school, I was never very good at Art. In fact I was appallingly bad. This hasn’t stopped me being creative though, and as well as running my own online shop, Maid in Shropshire, I design and make custom quilts.
I also work part-time as a housekeeper in training for the National Trust. I spend my spare time in mansions and beautiful gardens. That kind of thing can inspire a girl, you know. I currently have a placement at Sunnycroft, in Wellington, and many of my photographs are taken there.
If you’re looking for Maid in Shropshire, or previous work, take a look at the Portfolio.
If you’re looking for the Family Archives, click here.
If you’re looking for the Shoebox project, click here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘Shropshire Born’ mean?
Well it means ‘born in Shropshire’, duh. It’s actually from a poem that everyone in Salop seems to learn at some point:
Shropshire born,
And Shropshire bred,
Strong in the arm,
And weak in the head
Charming, isn’t it?
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What sewing machine do you use?
I currently have a Singer 7442. It’s a pretty basic machine, and heavy duty quilting can sometimes be a struggle (for me, rather than the machine) as it’s not a long-arm, but I love it. I’m saving up for a Singer Futura at some point.
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What breed of dog is Ferris?
Ferris appears quite regularly in my photographs, he’s the Scrappy Doo to my Scooby I guess.
It’s hard to tell, but he’s actually a Jack Russell/Patterdale Terrier. He looks more like a Patterdale, and he has very sleek fur (like a seal). This is also why he has such a short stubby tail which is so unlike a Jack Russell’s – it’s naturally that short.
Ferris likes snow, patchwork quilts, and teddy bears. His turn offs include rain, banana, and people who ride bicycles whilst wearing hats.
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Why did you call your dog ‘Ferris’? That’s a stupid name for a dog.
I get asked this a lot at the park. The little old ladies I meet there often mishear me shouting ‘FERRIS!’ hysterically, and think I named my dog ‘Ferret’. When I explain that his name is Ferris, they look at me as if I am insane – as though Ferret is a more sensible alternative.
Usually I tell them that he is called Ferris because, when he was a puppy, he used to run around and around in circles like a Ferris wheel. This is true, but the real reason he’s called Ferris is because of the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This is one of my all time favourite films, and my dog has exactly the same attitude as Ferris Bueller – just look cute, be persuasive, and run fast, and you’ll get away with anything. My dog could be the Walrus, but he’d still have to bum rides off people.
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Do you really have a phobia of the Statue of Liberty?
I know this doesn’t sound like a real question, but it’s honestly the thing I get asked about the most. A few years ago I wrote a blog entry about this phobia, and the response I got back was overwhelming. Three years later I still get emails from people who have the same problem.
It’s totally true though – for me it all comes from watching The Planet of the Apes as a child. For me the phobia is quite specific: anything where the Statue is decapitated/animated/fallen/in pieces/somehow at eye level is unwatchable for me. It got so bad that I am unable to watch: Ghostbusters 2, Cloverfield, The Day After Tomorrow, and ANY other film that has the Statue of Liberty in pieces. I can watch things like X-Men, because the Statue is whole and unharmed in that (though it is still a struggle), but I can’t even look at the poster for Escape from New York. These days the phobia is not so bad, thanks to systematic desensitisation, but I would not say that it is gone. Drop me an email if you share this phobia, I find it interesting to know how many people out there share my view.
