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annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Anna Carruthers
@annaecarruthers.bsky.social
93 followers 120 following 35 posts
'Anna with the nails'. BBC Bitesize Assistant Producer. Welsh Curler. She/Her. 🏳️‍🌈
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annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Legenda: The Real Women Behind the Myths That Shaped Europe by Dr Janina Ramirez.

Stunning cover art that I just had to have a go at replicating.

Unsurprisingly, not the first time Joan of Arc had featured in my nail art...

@drjaninaramirez.bsky.social
A photo of a hand with nails painted. All have a blue background. On the thumbnail is Joan of Arc, with a yellow sun halo. On the index fingernail is a colourful heavenly cloud. On the middle fingernail is a colourful heavenly cloud with yellow gate bars. On the ring fingernail is the word Legenda in yellow. On the little fingernail are yellow stars.
November 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Sunday night and Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing is back 🎣🥰
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail are two fishing men and a dog on a pier, silhouetted against a pale sun. On the index fingernail are some reeds and the words 'Mortimer &', against a pale orange background. On the middle fingernail is the word Whitehouse against a pale orange background. On the ring fingernail is a teal background with Gone Fishing in light blue. On the little fingernail is a teal background with pale orange fish.
October 26, 2025 at 9:23 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
By order of the traitors...

Nails are at the ready for another week of Celebrity Traitors!

#thetraitors #celebritytraitors
A photo of a hand with nails painted. All have a black background. On the thumbnail is The Traitors in orange. On the index fingernail is By Order Of in orange. On the middle fingernail is a section of the round table. On the ring fingernail is the Traitors logo in orange. On the little fingernail is an orange and yellow flame.
October 15, 2025 at 8:02 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
The Red Roses, Women's Rugby World Cup Champions 2025
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a white background with a red rose with green thorns. On the index fingernail is a blue background with rugby goalposts and grass. On the middle fingernail is a white background with Red Roses in red. On the ring fingernail is a dark green background with a white rugby pitch outline. On the little fingernail is a white background with a white rugby ball.
September 28, 2025 at 3:14 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
The sad news of the death of Allan Ahlberg brought back floods of childhood memories of the beautiful books he created alongside his wife, Janet.

Books featured: Each Peach Pear Plum, The Jolly Pocket Postman, Funnybones and Peepo!
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a green background with a pale tree branch, bearing a peach, pear and plum. Two sheep stand on the branch. On the index fingernail is a pale blue background with a postman dressed in bright blue. On the middle fingernail is a black background with a white skeleton wearing a red top hat. On the ring fingernail is a pale yellow background with a baby in a black pram. On the little fingernail is a pale yellow background with Ahlberg written in black.
August 29, 2025 at 7:52 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
In Sarina We Trust ⚽🧡
A photo of a hand with nails painted. The thumbnail, has a light blue background with a blonde haired white woman wearing a black jacket and glasses. On the index fingernail is UEFA Euro 2022 logo, in red and blue. On the middle fingernail is a black and white football. On the ring fingernail is the England National Team logo, a crest featuring three blue lions. The little fingernail is a green football pitch.
July 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Inspired by the recently revealed Roman fresco that was reconstructed by the Museum of London Archaeology.

(Admittedly, I don't think the real thing looks quite this bright)

www.bbc.com/news/article...
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a dark blue background with layers of increasingly lighter blue, overlapping tear drop shapes, with a white flower on top. On the other nails is a teal strip running along the bottom of the nail, with a navy one above, and then a large block of yellow. Each colour is separated by white lines.
July 26, 2025 at 7:19 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
And way back in 2017 (?), @gregjenner.bsky.social appeared on the Art Detective podcast, hosted by @drjaninaramirez.bsky.social, to discuss the Bayeux Tapestry.

Surprise surprise, I was inspired.

Maybe a new nail design is in order if I make the trip to the British Museum...
A hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a black horse with gold bridle. On the index fingernail is a dark haired man wearing a crown. On the middle fingernail is the centre of a ship with colourful shields l. On the ring fingernail is a soldier with an arrow in the eye. On the little fingernail is the date 1066.
July 8, 2025 at 6:59 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Jane Austen nails, for her 250th anniversary year.

First time experimenting with stickers, and a return to the old newspaper transfer trick.
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a pink background with the silhouette of a woman in black within a white oval. On all the other fingernails, the background is white with black newspaper print, with pink flowers on top.
May 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of the English State by Caroline Burt and Richard Partington

I enjoyed a recent panel discussion on medieval kingship, featuring Caroline and Richard, and couldn't resist the challenge presented by their book's artwork!
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a white background with Arise, England in red. On the little fingernail is a white background with a blue block and a red block. On the other fingernails are black and white sketches of medieval kings, with alternating blue and white backgrounds.
April 15, 2025 at 7:23 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
A woman after my own heart...
February 16, 2025 at 8:48 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
I swear it's real ice.

📷 = Maurice Wilson
A young brunette woman slides out in a lunge position on curling ice, wearing a Welsh shirt A man and a woman sweep a curling stone, wearing red Welsh shirts
January 30, 2025 at 7:17 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
It was a Welsh Grand Slam at the 2025 Curling Four Nations, as we retained all three trophies against Scotland, Ireland and England!
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is the Four Provinces of Ireland flag. On the index fingernail is the English flag. On the middle fingernail is the Welsh flag. On the ring fingernail is the Scottish flag. On the little fingernail is a grey curling stone with a red handle.
January 28, 2025 at 7:05 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
My TBR list is extensive but one book that is certainly on there for 2025 is 'The Eagle and The Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV' by Helen Castor.

The cover art features the exquisite White Hart from the Wilton Diptych, which I have paired with the kings' portraits and Henry's eagle.
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a portrait of Richard II on a gold background. On the index fingernail is black eagle with a crown dangling from its breast, on a gold background. On the middle fingernail is a white male deer with a crown chained around it's next, on a gold background. On the ring fingernail is a portrait of Henry IV on a black background. On the little fingernail is a crown against a gold background.
January 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Tonight, I'll be watching the exploits of Ted the Dog (and I suppose Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse) as they fish the River Lot in south west France.

What do we reckon are the chances of Bob falling over?

Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing at 21:15 on BBC Two.
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail are two fishing men and a dog on a pier, silhouetted against a pale sun. On the index fingernail are some reeds and the words 'Mortimer &', against a pale orange background. On the middle fingernail is the word Whitehouse against a pale orange background. On the ring fingernail is a teal background with Gone Fishing in light blue. On the little fingernail is a teal background with pale orange fish.
December 24, 2024 at 7:25 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl airs this Christmas and I for one, am extremely excited about it.

I quote these characters on a daily basis, particularly when cheese is around... 🧀

Until then, there's a whole set of idents on BBC One!
A photo of a hand with nails painted. All nails have a pale blue background. On the thumbnail is Wallace, a man in a green vest. On the index fingernail is Feathers Mcgraw, a penguin wearing a red glove on its head. On the middle fingernail is a gnome, with a red hat. On the ring fingernail is Gromit, a dog. On the little fingernail is W&G in orange.
December 2, 2024 at 9:21 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
While medieval history will always be my first love, I do love to paint nails for other periods too!

Some ancient examples below as proof...

If you have any suggestions do send them my way 😊
A photo of a hand with nails painted with orange, blue and white mosaics. A photo of a hand with nails painted. Each nail has a grey background with pale figures of people or a dog on top. The little fingernail is labeled Pompeii. A photo of a hand with nails painted. The thumbnail says Rotten Romans in purple against a green background. The next three nails have Romans in the Horrible Histories cartoon style. The little fingernail says HH. A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is the profile of Athena. On the index fingernail is the corner of the Parthenon. On the middle fingernail is an olive tree. On the ring fingernail is an owl. On the little fingernail is the name Athena.
November 26, 2024 at 10:21 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
If it's medieval you're after, I've got plenty more in the back catalogue 🤣

Some favourites:
- Weird animals
- Gerald of Wales
- Lindisfarne Gospel
- Venice
November 26, 2024 at 10:06 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Two of the medieval women featured in the exhibition are the 14th Century writer Christine de Pizan and Joan of Arc, who I have previously posted elsewhere.
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a close up of a woman's face, in white and grey. On the index fingernail is brown calligraphy. On the middle fingernail is a set of colourful books. On the ring fingernail is a blue background with a gold fleur-de-lis. On the little fingernail is a rose. A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a young woman with brown hair. On the index fingernail is a blue background with a gold fleur-de-lis. On the middle fingernail is a fire with a stake. On the ring fingernail is a white background with Jhesus Maria in gold. On the little fingernail is a brown crucifix on a silver background.
November 26, 2024 at 7:37 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Nails celebrating the British Library's exhibition Medieval Women: In Their Own Words.

Never visited the library before but could not pass up on the opportunity to see these stunning manuscripts up close.

@britishlibrary.bsky.social
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a beige background with 'For I am a woman' written in brown calligraphy. On the index fingernail is a blue background with a white female figure wearing a crown. On the middle fingernail is a blue background with a white female figure wearing a habit. On the ring fingernail is a pink background with a woman wearing a habit and holding a gold book. On the little fingernail is a blue background with MW in white.
November 26, 2024 at 7:37 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Series 2 of Alma's Not Normal is hilarious, eye-opening and heart-wrenching.

The performances and dynamics between Sophie Willan, Siobhan Finneran and Lorraine Ashbourne are just incredible.

And I'm very envious of the Bagpuss-esque coat.
A photo of a hand with nails painted. On the thumbnail is a purple and pink gradient with Alma's Not Normal in white. On the index fingernail is a sparkly pink background with a hot pink moped. On the middle fingernail is leopard print. On the ring fingernail is a white background with Leanne's Bar in sparkly peach and magenta. On the little fingernail is white and pink uneven stripes.
October 24, 2024 at 6:16 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Calling all young writers, teachers, parents and guardians!

The BBC's 500 Words storytelling competition is back, supported by BBC Teach.

The focus is on diving into your imagination, not perfect spelling or grammar, so go for it 😊
A photo of a hand with nails painted. Background on all is navy. The thumbnail says 500 Words in yellow. The index fingernail is a rainbow. The middle fingernail is a volcano. The ring fingernail is a rocket. The little fingernail is a ghost.
September 24, 2024 at 7:53 AM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
I'm a lifelong history geek, with a particular interest in medieval history and medieval women.
September 1, 2024 at 9:38 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Despite a distinct lack of any singing, acting or dancing talent of my own, I adore musicals and love a trip to the theatre.
September 1, 2024 at 9:27 PM
annaecarruthers.bsky.social
Outside of work, I have represented Wales internationally in curling for the last three years.

In April 2024, we won silver at the European Curling Championships C-Division.

And before you ask, yes, I do both the sweeping and the sliding. And I'm a rubbish ice skater.
September 1, 2024 at 9:23 PM