Merry Christmas

Christmas is getting here faster than I anticipated and I still have a lot to do - however, the decorations are up, a lot of the presents are wrapped and I've just had a wonderful pre-Christmas meal with relatives  - real Christmas pud always makes me feel festive (and full!)

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

In the mood for Autumn

Having had a few weeks since getting home from holiday where I completely lost my mojo I have gained a little enthusiasm for house decor and am fully in the mood for Autumn!  This is the mantlepiece - all decorated for Autumn - I found the tiny little ebony candle holders in a junk shop and couldn't resist them - they make a perfect stand for the little white pumpkins!

Back in the Land of Blog

Well, I am back in the Land of Blog after a wonderful holiday to the USA visiting my step-son and his lovely family.  The unpacking and washing is done, post holiday blues are slowly disappearing, and I am now getting back into the routine of normal life.

Thought I'd share a few pics of Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania - they are stunning and we had such a fantastic day there.

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.