Roger Nachman - Glass Artist

Roger Nachman

Hampton Court Flower Show

This is actually a real plant! I have no idea what it's called.
I saw it at the
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
and thought it was just completely surreal.
I've taken lots more lovely photos -
click here for the link

Hottuynia

Gorgeous colours on leaves.

Libertys of London - textiles

Liberty's of London - wonderful store and beautiful fabrics.
(Useful link for textiles inc. William Morris)

Evening Primrose and Sweet Peas

Evening Primrose - Have just cropped this photo and not done anything too fancy!
I sort of liked it the way it is.

I did play around a little with these

Original Photo

What a gorgeous day here in London ........

Every time I sit down in the garden, I seem to find another little job to do ....... this is no good! The weather is wonderful, and I'm now going to have a cup of tea and a sandwich and just laze! (maybe!!)

PS: I must have put a hex on the weather as later we had a torrential downpour inc. hailstones!
However, the good side is my water butt's almost full again! YAY!

The Tower (& Globe Theatre) along the Thames

The Tower

Entrance to Traitors Gate

The re-built Globe Theatre by courtesy of Sam Wanamaker

More of my photos from along The Thames

V&A Postcards

This is a man's theatrical costume - Gorgeous! -
(gold embroidery on velvet)
I think it could be worn now -
It's Italian and dated 1740-60.

This is an extended fan leaf with a view of the interior of a shop selling export wares.
It's possibly Dutch and dated 1680-1700

The costume and 'fan leaf' is at the Brit.Library's current Henry VIII exhibition.
These postcards are from exibits normally at the V&A.

Henry VIII - The British Library

Went to a wonderful exhibition today about Henry VIII - at the British Library. The Library is well worth a visit. It's a very 'user-friendly' - place.

I'm very interested in historical portraits, many of which, in this exhibition, hadn't been seen before, and almost like looking through a family's photo album - you can put a face to Henry's parents, siblings, his wives, of course - and many other important personages in this period. (You can also check on family resemblances!)

There are love letters from Henry to Anne Boleyn and many historical documents and artefacts to browse. Politically this was not an easy time in which to live, with strong religious differences from north to south, but my interest lay in the creative side of their lives and I found the costume detail in the paintings just as fascinating as the actual history.

Catherine of Aragon - divorced - (but not according to some!)
Mother of Queen Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary).
Catherine was married to Henry for 24 yrs.

Anne Boleyn - married - (but not according to others!) - beheaded (poor thing) - Mother of Queen Elizabeth I

Jane Seymour - bore him the son Henry wanted, Edward, but she died shortly after the prince was born.

Anne of Cleves - Henry didn't like her one bit and kindly set her up in another palace -
a goodlie distance away!

Kathryn Howard - was rather flirty - beheaded too.

Katherine Parr - she seemed to give him some stability and outlived him.

More info. on The Wives
Elizabethan Embroidery link 1.
Elizabethan Embroidery Link 2.

Crystal Bracelet

I'm working on a new bracelet idea, using faceted beads.

Flower Pics - edited

original flower photo taken by Sue Moir

original flower photo taken by Cathy of One Pink Goose

Garden 'n Sox!

Have just done a massive tidy up in the garden and am feeling pretty satisfied -
just missed the rain too!
Can now get on with finishing new socks! .....................

Black-Eyed Suzie - handmade dolls

These beautiful hand-made dolls are made by 'Black-Eyed Suzie'
and are available to buy from Etsy, along with prints and other items.
Check out the lovely film on Sarah's blog showing how the dolls are made.

Our Little Gorgeous!

This is our gorgeous little granddaughter - (not prejudiced in any way of course!)

Patio Pics

Looks a bit wild - have just done a big tidy - although it doesn't exactly look like it!

New Knitty Project!

I suppose I should be getting out more!
(From: The Organic Cotton Kids Collection - Rowan)

I bought this whole book because I liked the chicken!

After Hours Art Glass

The beads on this website are beautiful - there are some special offers too - and a Blog.

Little Doodles - Katie Wilson

Have a look at Katie's wonderful drawings ..........

Edited Flower Photos

Original Photo

Edited Photos

Original Photo

Edited Photo

Original Photo

Edited Photos

Little Stitched Bags

I had a fancy to do some stitching, so delved into my scrapbag and ended up with these two little 'pochettes'. I dont always find a use for the things I stitch - (just like stitching!) - but I do use these inside my straw (shoulder) bags, so stuff - like my money/cards, camera or other important bits (like make-up!) - aren't loose and open. The problem is I have a box full of little stitched fabric bags and pincushions - (along with a box full of knitted scarves!)
Well, you have to do what you have to do!