Cornwall Longings...

This is a painting I did when my daughter was only four years old.

It was painted at the time when I was starting to think that I could maybe 'do something' with my art, (although I must admit that I'm still figuring that out-but that's half the fun isn't it!)

I think that because your artwork is always evolving, like something that has a life of its own, you can never quite catch up and figure out what's going on. 

But even though it can be so frustrating sometimes it's the thing I most love about trying to live a creative life.

Anyhow, I'm waffling on, please forgive me!

I haven't actually looked at this painting for a long time, but it's the perfect time to do so because it's about the feeling I get when we return from our holidays.

Every year we visit Cornwall, it is such a special place to me.

And every time we return I feel like my heart has broken.

It's been my dream to live there, but then I wondered if it would lose its sense of magic if I lived there everyday?

I do know that I feel full of inspiration, ready for the new term.

Actually, I shouldn't take full credit for this painting - I let my daughter scribble on this one and I shall cherish it always!

I hope that you've had a wonderful summer too chucks.

X

We spent a lovely week in Whitby over the Easter hols and we were lucky to find that it was also the Whitby Goth weekend.

It's always a great atmosphere, and just look at this little chap I met!

Watch out!

The pirates have landed!

                                                                                  
                                                     Signs like this make me very happy!

                                              

I hope that you all had an adventure-filled holiday chucks!

 X

We Love Punny Dukes!

During this half term we planned to visit the Punny Dukes shop in Matlock as we are huge fans of Katie Abey's work.

The shop is truly magical inside and there were so many treasures from a variety of amazing designers.

Poobrain cat is a personal favourite of mine and I have the pin on my favourite pencil case (along with several others of course!)

The attention to detail in the shop is incredible, there is just so much to see!

I was so pleased that the fabulous Jeff let me take his photo, he is literally one of the funniest and nicest chaps you could ever wish to meet.

And how could this shop be any better?.....

by having Butter Fingers Bakery, the most incredible cake shop next door!

(Obligatory reflection selfie!!!!)

Just look at the Cadbury's creme egg brownie that my lass scoffed!

We had such a lovely day and Matlock is gorgeous, (which is good news because I'll definitely be back for more Punny Dukes goodies!)

X

Leigh-On-Sea...

During the Christmas holidays we visited the quaint and characterful Leigh-On-Sea.

I love it there, it's like stepping back in time...

The houses are beautiful and there were some stunning decorations...

although my favourite was this rather alternative Christmas scene depicting a wild Barbie party!!!

Don't you just love a good old fashioned cafe...

And I can't resist photographing the signs outside the fish shops.

The obligatory plastic ice-cream shot...

(and the obligatory fish and chip dinner by the sea!)

Hope you enjoyed our little tour, you can't beat the sea air for blowing away the cobwebs!

X

Christmas Musings...

For me, one of the special things about this time of year is that there is time to think.

I don't really want to set myself a New year's resolution that might end up making me feel like a failure, but there is one thing about myself that I want to try and work on.

I have always been a planner,

the one that is always looking over the horizon for what might appear, just in case there might be a nasty surprise.

There's nothing wrong with forward planning, in fact in comes in pretty useful when you're navigating this funny thing called 'Life', but sometimes I think I need to just stop every now and then and look around at what is happening NOW.

So why the picture of my Christmas tree?

It was when I was decorating the tree I started to think about this because I never hang my vintage decorations, just in case they get broken.

I have three boxes of beautiful glass baubles that I have collected for many years languishing in my attic.

Every year I open the boxes and lovingly look at them, and then shut the lid again.

But not this year, my daughter and I hung as many as we could on the branches and Im so glad we did.

So now the tree is looking resplendent, I should try and apply this philosophy to other parts of my life.

You see, I am already watching that metaphorical egg timer in my mind's eye and mourning the fact that there will only be a handful of precious years left before my daughter will fly the nest.

I worry that there's not enough time, that I haven't done all the things I'd plan to do, and she's still at secondary school!

I bet Im not the only mum to feel like this, but I really have to try and stop  because it's spoiling the time we have as a family.

So, next time I begin to feel like this I have to try and think of my Christmas tree, and that I should enjoy what I have right now.

(Next year I might even hang my very favourite glass decorations that are shaped like little birds... but let's just take one step at a time!)

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and that you enjoy every moment, sending all my very best wishes,

Mrs B

x

Hello Harrogate!

Holiday Snapshots...

I've just been looking through my holiday photos and here are my favourite random snaps from Cornwall.

Just look at this sunset at Sennen Cove!

I stopped off to take this photo on the way to Sennen,

I love this church with its surf board cross.

And just look at this stunning house at The Lizard!

I loved the decorated seagulls I spotted around St.Ives...

And Middie was given a pastie-shaped biscuit at the lovely Poppy Treffry shop in St.Ives!

I spotted this van at Newlyn, this must belong to a pirate!

And how beautiful is this squashed flower I found on the pavement!

These are my favourite dustbins in the whole wide world, 

(I must admit that I photograph them every year!)

Hope you enjoyed my holiday snapshots chucks, wishing you a very happy week indeed.

X