Focus On Life Week 31

Over at the Studio Sublime the prompt for this weeks photo challenge was 'Hues of Blue'.   I don't usually work with blue, although it's a colour I love, especially in the garden, so it gave me the perfect opportunity to photograph this beautiful sea holly that is growing just outside my back door - it was quite a painful experience as it's about 90% prickles! 

I also found the Ceratostigma in bloom and looking glorious - such a wonderful shade of blue - and decided it would look quite good against some old, blue books. 

I gave all the photos a 'bluish' feel using textures from Pixel Dust and French Kiss.

Focus On Life Week 30 and Waddesdon Manor

For the Focus On Life photography challenge over at Studio Sublime our prompt has been to 'catch the sun'!   This weeks photo was taken at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, where we went for a wonderful day to meet up with friends and visit this wonderful French chateau style house.  I love the way the sun is streaming through the windows and glinting on the stairs.

A few favourite images - slightly less fussy and more neutral in colour than most of the decor!

From May through to October 27th Waddesdon are holding an exhibition of work by Joan Sallas based on the art of napkin folding.  Most of the exhibits were made from linen napkins, or larger pieces of table linen, and they were quite stunning.  These are little bonnets, all folded using traditional designs and techniques.

Chandeliers everywhere, and lots of gold and more gold! 

 The bottom right image is of the dining table with more folded linen on it, in the shape of a Griffin and a table fountain. 

I am linking up with Mary over at Mosaic Monday this week.    

Focus On Life Week 29

This week over at Studio Sublime the prompt for the photo challenge was 'routine'.

Focusing on my routine I decided to show a photograph of one of my favourite regular routines - the first cuppa of the day, reading my emails and browsing other blogs!

And yes, it's another Anthropologie mug - and it matches my little collection of quartz and stones perfectly, which is why I couldn't resist it! 

Summer of Colour Week 6

Well, the final week of Summer of Colour is here and I have managed to complete something for each week - which was a bit of a surprise to me, as I'm not terribly productive in very hot weather!

This week the colours are Sage green and Sepia - lovely gentle, subtle shades.  As my studio is a converted roof space it gets sooooo hot, so I have worked in my cool and shady computer room to texture and enhance this photo of Hawthorn blossom I took earlier this year.

Afternoon Tea!

What could be more delightful than afternoon tea at a picturesque little cafe on a disused railway station in the heart of Hampshire?   I heard about Horsebridge Station through my blog friend Karen over at Little Crafting Miss, and as it's fairly near to where we live I couldn't believe I hadn't heard of it before!  So the hubs and I set off, and had the most delicious cake I've ever eaten, and tea with real tea leaves and a tea strainer - just like the old days!  Thank you Karen!

 I am linking up with Mary over at Mosaic Monday.

Focus On Life Week 28

This week over at Studio Sublime the photo challenge is 'pretty patterns'.  I photographed this spectacular black and white butterfly in a local wildlife centre - it had only just hatched so the wings were in perfect condition and I thought the markings were so beautiful - isn't nature wonderful!  

I also added pictures of my tea knife handles, an etched glass water jug, my old typewriter and a bean flower in my local garden centre - I hope it's not cheating too much but from my archives I pulled out the mosaic floor pictures and the wrought iron gate - they just matched so well I thought!

Summer of Colour Week 5 and WOYWW #124

On my work desk this week I have a selection of silk paper I've been making, and a small card I made for the Summer of Colour challenge - the colours this week being candy apple red and yellow.  I'm afraid my offering this week is very meagre - too much time spent in the garden in this glorious weather!

To see what's on other people's desks why not pop over to Julia at WOYWW.

Focus On Life Week 27

For the Focus On Life challenge over at the Studio Sublime the prompt for this week was 'texture'.  Ooh, so much to choose from, but finally I focused on a large lump of coral that has been out on my desk while I've recently been doing some coral design artwork.  I decided to photograph it against some old antique lace as it has a similar delicate, lacy look but is so completely opposite in texture.  It's surprisingly rough to the touch for something that looks so 'spongey', and it's actually disappointingly unpleasant to hold considering it's so beautiful!