Postcards from Paris

The friend for whom I made the Paris book (see it here) has had her trip, and being the lovely friend that she is, sent me 4 postcards while she was away. They are all very cool, and I am sure will inspire some art in the future, so thought I would share them with you.

Ils sont très jolis, n'est-ce pas?

(thank you google translator!)

Great books and Friday inspirations

Linda and Laura Kemshall are wonderfully inspiring quilt artists with a great website, online programmes that I am tempted to purchase, and a wonderful book that I am now very excited to own. You can click on the cover and go to see the inside on Amazon.This is one of those books that I kept looking at, and borrowing from the library, but it came up at one of our quilt shops locally on a great special, so now it can live permanently at my house. Fabulous quilting, great ideas for applying paint and print techniques. A Standard for a mixed media art quilter I think.
I have been browsing library books and been inspired once more. You can click on the following covers for access to the insides.

This has some wonderful designs for quilts that could be table runners, but that I would love to make for wall hangings. Gorgeous quilts from great designers including Sue Spargo, Jane Davila, and Frieda Anderson. My favourite from this book would have to be of wisterias by Melinda Bula. She wrote the book below that I own and is on my list of "one day I WILL make"....

Also have a look at the first skinny quilt book if you can - favourites from there are Jane Sassaman, Karen Eckmeier and Carol Taylor (featured on the cover). Inspired today by the new ring that my husband bought me on a whim while shopping (so lucky). Reminds me of Klimt - one of my favourite artistsAnd some blog love for the week :
Gorgeous butterflies by Shelley Lane Kommers here. When you get to that post, look at the posts either side for more butterfly images.
Love Mary Green's work - have become a follower. Find her here. I may even try her October challenge.....
I really wish I had joined Margaret's Dress Up challenge - see her October dress here.
Sad to read that Rachel Emilie Jackson has closed her blog - go here for her reasons, and the link to her new online presence. You might find more of her work at Crescendoh - like this.
Discovered Paper Art by Nessa this week. In French, but often with English notes too. Her finished journal pages are wonderfully colourful and her latest backgrounds are inspiring.
Hope there is something there that inspires you too. Talk to you next week.

Snapshots of Yesterday

I really like the idea of the project that Ali Edwards has done the past few years where you capture "A Week in the Life" of you - you consciously take photos of your ordinary experiences so you can look back and remember the usual stuff, instead of just the 'occasions' that we tend to photograph. With that in mind, I decided to take some pics of our yesterday to share with you : The remains of building a hut in the loungeMorning snacksTulips in our garden (some raindrops on them today after the sunshine-filled day yesterday)Screen time - we have limits on screens - one hour after school during school weekdays, and 2 hours weekends/hols (depending on the weather). This can be allocated as they choose on the TV, computer or X-Box. They can earn more screen time by reading or by really good behaviour."Bad Jelly" on CD is a firm fav.I am onto book 3, "Lake in the Clouds" of Sara Donati's Wilderness series.Getting another applique block together while boys are otherwise occupied.

The Trampoline- the best present we bought for Xmas a few years ago now.Twilight cricket - this was taken at 7.15pm. I love daylight savings.And thought I would photograph the rest of our family : Penny - she is almost 18 years old now - quite an old lady. Baxter - almost 3 years old - still puppy-ish in some ways. I am not a dog person but the kids love him.

I completed the BlackCurrants applique block once the boys were in bed.

And now I have a memory of a typical ordinary day in the hols which I can look back on in 6 months or 12 months or 6 years :-)