Folksy Friday

I want the sun back so I thought if I covered my blog page with sunny things from Folksy, it may come back.

Tropical sun - Fluffosity

Golden Sun Glass Sun Catcher - Diomo Glass

Sun Pure Silk Scarf Large -Eyefund - Glamglass Gifts

Sun - Welshy's Pyrography

Sunshine Corsage - Mud Puppy

Lollipop Tree A Tiny Tile Painting - Leigh Shepherd Designs

Birdy eggs

Our children bought Mr Wellydog a bird box with a camera in a few years ago. They really do give us great presents. The first year we had nothing , not that we really expected any. Then last year we had a Great tit who laid eggs,. They hatched, but unfortunately the chicks all died before they could fledge, we don't know why but suspect that the mother got killed and so they didn't get fed.

So it is with some trepidation that we are now watching another Great Tit this year who has being building up and fluffing the nest with feathers. Then at the weekend we were excited to discover some eggs had arrived,

I thought you might like to see them. I do apologise for the quality of photo as I had to take them of our telly screen.

A Grand Day out

Yesterday was such a gloriously sunny day we decided to do a "Grand Day out' in the beautiful city of Bath.

We have lived not that far from Bath for years and in fact at one stage, I used to work one a day a week in the city itself, but as with everything on your door step, you don't always appreciate its beauty. So with Cameras in hand we decided to take a proper look at Bath.

The day started with the journey, we didn't want to be stuck on the motoway so took the A368, a beautiful country route, through small villages such as Sanford , home to Thatchers cider ( yes, we resisted the call of the shop), Blagdon with its water garden center and the lovely villages of Bishops Sutton and Harptree.

On our way we decided to stop at the church by the Mill pond. We have passed it for years and have no real idea of what it is, just that its a beautiful building by the side of the main road that we have caught glances at for years.

It sits in the village of Rickford not far from Blagdon. To take the pictures we did take our live in our hands a bit walking up the side of the road with no footpaths and very fast traffic whizzing by.

Arriving near Bath we caught the park and ride bus into the centre, so much easier than trying to park in a city with small streets and confusing onen way system

Of course in one day we couldn't do the city justice especially as I did want to wander around the shops. So we just did some of the highlights. You can't miss beautiful Bath Abbey, as its smack in the centre of the city. It has great carvings over the front entrance. Look closely at the photo on the left hand side and you will see angels climbing to heaven, and one not so pleasant looking one, heading down.

Don't forget to head down to the weir and have boat trip down the river.

We shopped till we dropped and took loads of photos, but most importantly, Mr Wellydog has promised to take me back to the brand new Spa, so I can luxuriate in the pool on the top of the building and maybe have a nice relaxing massage.

Of course a grand day out doesn't finish until you are home. So we stopped off on our way home by the stunning Chew valley lake. The valley was flooded in the 195o's and apparently you are able to see bit of the old buildings when there is low water.

Now it is a wildlife haven and if you have read my previous blog you will know I can't resist seeing swans, so it was the perfect end to a brilliant day.

New Galleries

Check it out!!! I have added some Gallery pages to this blog.

Links are on the right hand side of the page,

Art work is previous work some of it quiet old I will add more up to date work as an when I have the time

My jewellery Gallery is everything from when I used to make Tiaras and wedding jewellery right up to my progress into silver clay. Again this a long job and so more will be added later so keep checking.

I am now off to enjoy the sunshine x

An Art Deco Folksy Friday

Anyone following my blogs recently will have notices a New York theme, so I thought I would seek out items that reminded me of the Art Deco stle I featured in my recently blogs about the city.



Art Deco Fur felt Pillbox by Jardin De Fleur

Beautiful Sparkly Vintage Art Deco Rhinestone Dress Clip Repurposed Into Pendant by Destash Rehash

Green swag bag by Not Just Handbags



1920's inspired Teal Skull Cap by ClaraBows



Art Deco Black Velvet Choker by Steampunkstorm



No. 7 Drum, Sunset Strip, Shade only in Coffee by Helen Rawlinson

Paintings

Having bored you all to death about New York and how it influenced my design work, I thought I would share with you some paintings I did after my return. The first 2 are collages, they incorporate coins, time out magazine, maps , and petals. the third one is a watercolor, and of course the last one is a cityscape.

Quilt inspiration

Having visited NY a few years ago ( check out my previous blog). I was very inspired by the architecture and Art Deco feel of the city. So when my Sister in Law suggested making me and Mr WellyDog a quilt for out 25th Wedding Anniversary ,I jumped at the chance and in the process, asked if I could put a design together based on that Art Deco influence.
I wanted it simple just 2 colours and chose one of my favourite colours, which is that beautiful aqua blue green, sometimes called Eau de Nile. Just check out my Folksy shop and you will see this colour influence everywhere. My thinking was to keep it classic so the design wouldn't date. I liked the idea of having just a plain cream background and keeping that ice-cream tone of colour, so favoured in the 1920/30's. The idea being that the viewer wouldn't be destracted, but drawn to the simplicity of the lines of the design. The whole idea was sort of based on a light fitting I saw in the Crysler building, with decreasing triangles. Anyway with a few design consultations and a bit of tweeking she started to make my design. This was the first time I had tried to design anything like a quilt and so was led on how it could work and the construction by my very talented Sister in Law. She sent me material samples so I could approve the colours and fabric, and brought the completed quilt top to our anniversary party to check the size and that the side triangles, worked as they should. She then took it away to do the actual quilting. The quilt was a huge undertaking as its a massive amount of work she puts in to each quilt she makes. I can't remember how long it took for her to make it but it was quiet a few months of hard work.
On the inside of the finished work she has put a small panel that says it was made to celebrate out 25th anniversay, the date and it also acknowledges my design, which is a really lovely touch. We have used the quilt for a few years now and I still love it, it still reminds me of my trips to New York, and if I was asked if I would change it in anyway, I would have to say no, as I think it works beautifully, what do you think?

Revisiting NY

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to visit New York City, I had an amazing time. There were so many amazing sites; Grand Central Station; The Statue of Liberty; The Empire State Building; Brooklyn Bridge; Central park, the list is really endless. I spent most of my time looking up and going WOW!!!! But for me 2 buildings in NY stand out, the 1st is the Flat Iron Building, this building is a fabulous triangular shape and one of the first 'high rise buildings'. Designed by Daniel Burnham it was one of the first buildings to use a steel skeleton. Built on the corner of Broadway and Fifth Ave, its amazing shape makes it one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen.

But my Favourite NY skyscraper has to be the Crysler Building. This Art Deco masterpiece was designed by William Van Alen. I entered through the Lexington Avenue entrance and was amazed that the original murals were clear and worked so beautifully with all the stunning marble.

Unfortunately I visited not that long after 9/11 so restrictions were very high. I fell in love with the lift doors and was told I wasn't allowed to take photos, I must have looked really disappointed as when a few minutes later it went quite, the guard grabbed me and allowed me to photograph them quickly. They are not fantastic pictures, as I took them in a hurry but I still love looking at them.
The top of the Crysler building literally sparkles what more can a girl want.

If you ever are fortunate to visit NY try and see both these masterpieces, it is well worth it.

Folksy Friday

cAkEs

It was my birthday yesterday and I didn't get a birthday cakes BooHoo, my fault really as I am on a diet so can't eat too much. Anyway I thought treat myself to a nice piece of virtual cake with my Folksy friday .

Another year older!!

So Its my Birthday again tommorrow, it seems to come round quicker and quicker each year and yes Policemen do look younger!!!! So I guess that does mean I am officially getting old.

Even though its not my Birthday until tommorrow, as I am skiving off work to get drunk, then they decided to celebrate early, so I thought I would show you the maturity of those I work with!!!!

I can't complain though as they also bought me a beautiful and huge, purple Orchid.

Don't you just love the Giant cakes they put on my computer, they know me well. Of course there would be enough to share with all those folksters who are always on the forum inviting us round for a piece of cake, shame they aren't that edible!!!

Happy Birthday me !!!

Folksy Friday

So many choices of beautiful things, I don't know where to begin... I know what about Turtles!!!! to keep my little turtle company see turtle I have chosen;

Shelley the sea turtle by Rosieplumpton

Turtle Sculpture/Brooch by poly bead

Birthday card by Tiny Love Hair Clips

Little turtle coin purse by Girl of the Sixties

Turtle inspirations

I have just completed a turtle necklace. This is a project I have been thinking about sometime.

I fell in love with these beautiful creatures when I had the privilege of swimming with them in the wild. They are not only very beautiful but they are so graceful and extremely quick if they don't want you to see them

I have held baby turtles and after they were reared in a cage in the Ocean ( to protect them until they are big enough to survive in the Wild) I was lucky enough to be able to release them into the wild. This is a successful program that sees previous years turtles returning and coming very close.

Folksy Friday

As I have just listed my Angel wings heart I thought I would feature Angels that are on sale on Folksy

Angel Wings Collage

Spread your wings

Angel

Sleeping Angel