a magical day in the life of

2009-06-30T13:50:00.016+01:00

***pretty maids all in a row***

a couple of weeks ago we went down to a little cove on the island where these old maids were lined up on the quay ready and waiting for their next trip out..... they are used for towing small fishing boats down to the beach which are then launched into the sea....
they appear to posses their own personalities which inspired me to take their portraits....in fact I almost felt like I had to ask their permission first....can you imagine any passer-by over hearing me talking to a bunch of rusty old metal relics?....they would have thought me certifiable...
perhaps i am!!

2009-06-26T12:42:00.004+01:00

***bringing back Billie-Jean***

and memories of times long past....that is why I wanted to post this clip as it holds many memories for me as well as others of that I can be sure....... Micheal will be missed by millions and even tho I was never a huge fan of his I really liked a lot of his music and considered his dancing second to none....he will be remembered in whatever capacity people want to remember him......and whether good or bad...he will remain a LEGEND...

2009-06-23T13:40:00.006+01:00

***put on your red shoes***

and dance the blues.....
I just had to share these adorable shoes with you.....I saw this lady wearing them last week to a wedding and as I saw her crossing the road I took a few snaps cos I just loved them soooo much....don't you think they are really great.....can you see yourself dancing the night away in these....I can.....

2009-06-14T21:25:00.008+01:00

***the trusting eye***

and what they see....horses are really amazing..... so smart yet so humble.....so large yet gentle....free spirits yet trusting.....
I saw this beautiful bay horse grazing happily and called him over to me, a stranger, and he come across...calm and inquisitive..... 'just want to take your picture fella' I said.....we blew softly into each other nostrils...you know... as you do....and once we became acquainted I took a quick snapshot of the moment......look closely and you can see me reflected in his calm soft eye.....

2009-06-10T04:58:00.005+01:00

***the crinoline lady***

I finished this art quilt a few weeks back and thought I would show you...I love the crinoline lady and have a lot of old china with her image on it....the first pic shows the quilt after I had painted it and before adding embellishments and the rest of the images are with the final stitches and embellishments...I drew the image on calico, layered it underneath with batting and backed it with old green velvet that was stained with walnut ink...after stitching around the outline I painted several times in acrylics and finished with beads, buttons and stitching.....took quite a long time really but was quite pleased with the result...

she reminds me of Scarlett....I can just imagine her in Gone with the Wind

2009-06-08T14:39:00.002+01:00

***a gift from far away***

the other day I received this hand painted gift from Jeanette of HANDMADE who lives in Sweden....she is a lovely lass who visits my blog often and is often a source of inspiration....she loves photography as I do and is so complementary of my work....she has given such wonderful detail to the roses on this altered tin and I think she is very talented...visit her blog to see some of her amazing photos too.......so many thanks for your kind thoughts Jeanette and see you again soon.....

2009-06-06T02:55:00.003+01:00

***some people!!***

2009-05-25T13:45:00.003+01:00

***woman in art***

because I love the extraordinary I thought you might like this a too...
I viewed this on the_wild_gypsy

hope you enjoy it as well.....

2009-05-24T08:52:00.002+01:00

***old times***

just thought this photo was hilarious...my husband and a mate from years gone by...they look like mad professors...

and this one of Mish.....she was nearly three and a real brat...still is sometimes even at 26...she was sooo cute tho..

I just adore old photos and soon I am going to have to go through a trunk load as it has to be done for a very specific reason...will tell you why soon....
have a great Sunday.

2009-05-19T19:01:00.006+01:00

***LOVE***

is all we have,

the only way that

each can help the other.

Euripides

2009-05-13T04:21:00.006+01:00

***beautifully aged***

cracks, chips, flaked surfaces and broken bits!...... the general air of neglect and disarray could mean many things to many people.....for me though, I love that look of a life well lived..... a life that shows artistry, adventure, surprise, uncertainty, character and passion....a life that may appear quiet, abandoned and stationary doesn't always mean it's over......there is a future for this old boat of that I am sure.....she could once again unfurl her sails..... go with the wind to places far and wide....all that's needed is the right environment and a little T.L.C and she'll be off re-living her glory days....

a bit like me really !!!!!

2009-05-05T13:40:00.007+01:00

***goodbye old boy***

'Daniel left us last night on a plane...see his red-tail light heading for Spaaaaain....I can see Daniel waving goodbye.....Oh, we will miss Daniel......'.......
our dear friend for over 16 years passed away last night....we shall miss his huge kneading paws that always accompanied his tractor rumbling purrrrrr....his fetish for headbutting our feet whenever he wanted a rub and his mighty vocals when announcing his arrival ......his acute hearing......his ability to tackle even the largest rodent when ill......his desire to return to his old home after a 3 month trek across the island but most of all we shall miss his loyal and constant companionship....
we nursed him through three illness and a three month confinement after breaking his leg 8 years ago.....but now he is at rest alongside his half brother Aussie and their companions Tazzie the rabbit and numerous chooks........we will miss him dearly as we dearly miss them all .....
xxxx R.I.P old boy xxxxx

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2009-05-04T07:45:00.006+01:00

***spring***

my favorite time of year is well and truly over. One nest of Blackbirds has fledged and mother is sitting again on her second clutch of three blue speckled eggs. The Prunus surrounds herself in a thick carpet of pink petal confetti, the bees have given up on the Ribes and look to the Ceanothus for pollen. Our damp foggy mornings have browned the Camellia flowers into much but I really can't mind too much, as that sweet heady scent of Hyacinth still lingers in my senses whilst I shelter beneath the almost fully clothed canopy of the ancient Beech tree....

memories to cherish indeed as I sit by the fireside..... for other lands hold something different...

2009-04-28T13:42:00.004+01:00

***a little magic***

and today 'The Crystal Fairy' and I are wishing you all a magical day....cos when times are a tad tough a little magic goes a long way......

the crystal fairy found a new home in the States

reverse side of the crystal fairy

2009-04-24T09:54:00.004+01:00

***sweet things***

'lolly-lips' is a sweet gal.....she loves her lollies and the more gooey sticky and colourful the better.....

well who can blame her........

2009-04-22T12:20:00.008+01:00

***we cannot command Nature except by obeying her***

Francis Bacon...

dolphins at play and appearing so serene with their life in the water is, I think, a most magical life.....I know that a dolphin is not always so placid but to see them when they are gentle and inquisitive is really awe-inspiring...we could learn a lot from them....

I just love them whatever...they ask nothing from anyone.....just room to be!

2009-04-19T09:04:00.004+01:00

***The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, 'In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!' ***

-John F. Kennedy

2009-04-17T10:21:00.004+01:00

***Elfie***

Elfie is drawn with coloured pencils on a 6"x 6" canvas art board....her little Elfie image was created the night before last..it appears these days that instead of reading before switching the lights out I am compelled to draw......don't know where the inspiration comes from but I am hoping it continues.....

my thoughts are it would look better framed but will think about that another time.......

2009-04-15T21:51:00.002+01:00

***something I created earlier***

and here she is.....this is Swirl ...don't ask why I named the picture that cos I don't have the answer.....anyway she is sketched and pencil coloured on gesso covered canvas...to be honest I had done another sketch underneath but didn't like it so being the obsessive re-cycler that I am I gessod over the top and started again and have to say I am pleased with this result....

I think I am going to do a few more paintings/sketches as it is quite nice to have a break from sewing...soooo watch this space....maybe I should put this one on Etsy....what do you think??

2009-04-13T09:57:00.004+01:00

***good health***

now I not generally into making concoctions of gobbledy gook in order to improve my health, not that those who know me would agree however.....
still, I heard of this recipe that is supposed to improve all manner of things and I thought of giving it a go, and I have to say I quite enjoy the flavour....and before you think or say yuk, try it.....

Barley Water is supposed to be beneficial in these respects....

cleansing the kidneys and blood
urine infections
lowering cholesterol etc
smoothing wrinkles
and some other stuff too

just check out the ingredients first just in case you are a sensitive little soul...cos I wouldn't want you to keel over or something worse....

there are several ways to make it and some are very long winded which in my opinion is a waste of time....so all I do is as follows.....

rinse a cup of pearl barley
simmer in 3 pints of water till plump and soft...(30/40 mins)
drain
pare skins of two oranges and add to liquid
leave to cool
when cold scoop out orange skins
cut the two pared oranges into large chucks (minus pips) add to barley liquid
liquidise into thick 'good for you' gooy barley water
add honey if not sweet enough for you little tast buds

store in fridge for up to 3 days
drink up to three small glasses per day

biggest issue is what to do with all this cooked barley.......
add to soups...(spicy lentil and barley is yum)
barley custard dessert...(will try to think of how to make that)
barley pudding (instead of rice)
sprinkle on morning cereals
stick it into next years Christmas Crackers...(do that and you are crackers!)
feed it to the birds
feed it to the chooks
feed it to the dog.....(well I'm assuming a little in his meat can't harm)
put it on a 747 and send it to Overseas Aid

other than that I will leave it to your imagination, and please let me know your ideas of disposing of the excess....WITHOUT putting it in the bin...tut tut....

2009-04-12T11:58:00.006+01:00

***the little things***

in life can mean a lot ....my sweet dear god-daughter delivered this delightful basket of goodies for Easter.....she baked the fairy cakes all by herself and made the card....lovely thoughts made all the more special because she had created it all with her own fair hands....ahhhhh!!!!!
don't you just love kids......

2009-04-08T20:45:00.007+01:00

***play 'n' manipulation***

yes, I have been at it again....messing around with my photos....the background is quite obviously our local church and the....wwwooooooo.....ghostly figure is actually a photo of the shadow of a resin statue that stands on my kitchen window sill...so using layers I thought of conjuring this scene which ought to be geared more to Halloween...however I will try to think of something for Easter....if I have time...

2009-03-30T14:47:00.021+01:00

***secrets 'n' treasures***

it's amazing what one can do with just a few scraps of fabric and a little imagination....

gather a few of your favourite designs cut different sized oblongs and sew onto pre made pillow thereby creating little pockets and hideaway places for little people to stash their little treasures...

great fun to make and to play with...I made this for a very special little persons birthday and hope she will have years of fun squirreling away her little secrets....

2009-03-27T13:00:00.006Z

***nature thrives on patience: man on impatience***

Paul Boese

so as spring gathers pace I admire natures burst of activity as she delights my senses with this apricot tree blossom, the fruits somehow fail to materialise without the heat of an extremely hot summer. I shall wait in hope however, for my patience may be well rewarded....

2009-03-20T10:23:00.004Z

***Deep in their roots, All flowers keep the light***

Theodore Santayana

when the sun shines it makes the world seem brighter ....one's worries lighter.......helps to gather the strength to replenish ones energy in readiness for any battles ahead........