Gifts in the post

I want to show you what I've received in the post recently! The cutest tuxedo cat card from Laurel with kind words for me and sage advice for Tia the cat after that little minx returned from her recent extended walkabout! The card even came with a matching detatchable bookmark ! I really love that envelope too - so prettily decorated. See that magpie postage stamp? It's from one of Laurel's original paintings! Thanks so much Laurel, you always find perfect things to send!

all artwork copyright Nicky Linzey

I am so lucky! Just when I needed cheering up having undergone some dental surgery last week, a package arrived from afar! As soon as I saw the postmark on the front of the envelope I knew it would be from Nicky! I'd been expecting this one for quite a while and it was definitely worth the wait - just look at what was inside....

artwork©Nicky Linzey

This is the illustration Nicky created created for Ripple . I was so happy to purchase it and will be having it framed to hang in my studio! The colours are so beautiful, don't you agree?

Poppies card©Nicky Linzey

She sent me this stunning poppy card too - love poppies!

handmade book ©Nicky Linzey

And as if that isn't enough... a wonderful little handmade book containing prints of Nicky's illustrations inspired by her visits to the beautiful Devon coast.

all artwork ©Nicky Linzey

Can you hear the waves and smell that sea air? This little book transports you to the coast, doesn't it? Thanks so much Nicky, I'll treasure it all.

If you've not yet met my talented blogfriends Nicky or Laurel where have you been? Do pop in to say hi - I guarantee you'll enjoy your visit!

Gifts in the post

Bird Lady ©Cathy Connolley

I've had some lovely things dropping in my mailbox lately !

Cathy of One Pink Goose recently had a giveaway and I was a very lucky winner of her print of 'Bird Lady'! Thanks so much Cathy - she's lovely! I've been reading Cathy's blog for a while now and look forward to her posts where she shares her own and other artists' work each week. If you haven't already visited her, do pop over to her blog and visit her website which is a treat too - I love Cathy's stylised black and white drawings .

cards by Laurel Gaylord

I've been pampered by the wonderfully caring Laurel of Studio Lolo! She sent me lots of goodies - Poppy napkins -because she knows how much I love those flowers - and a set of her beautiful cards - my favourite is the Magpie! Multi-talented Laurel has these available in her shop here!

Many of you will have met Yoon See of Greener Pastures in Malaysia - she's such a thoughtful person! She very kindly sent me a package of goodies of prints of her colourful art work and two cute little kitties she made herself, to cheer me up after my recent operation. Thank you very much Yoon See - the kitties and you are very sweet!

♥Thank you very much Ladies ♥

Back again!

I've been travelling!

I've just spent two weeks in Dubai, where I had a wonderful time staying with my daughter Louisa!

Louisa is getting married to her partner Matt in November this year and the purpose of my visit was to get down to the very serious business of wedding shopping with her and to discuss the myriad of details that go into organising this special event. We visited bridal boutiques and viewed the venues. We discussed colour schemes and table decorations, flowers, bridesmaids' dresses, hair and makeup, invitations, menus and cakes and much more!

photos http://www.upscaleandposh.com/wedding/

You may have gathered that the wedding will have a beach theme! Dubai will be perfect with its white sandy beaches and lovely weather at that time of the year. The wedding ceremony will take in the Marina Garden at this fabulous location

Burj Al Arab Hotel - (designed to resemble a billowing sail)

and will be followed by a reception at the nearby Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel - (designed as a breaking wave)

Villa Beach Restaurant

all photos Jumeirah Hotels

So, the venues are sorted, the colour scheme chosen and 'the' dress has been ordered! Lots of details have been decided but there's still lot to do - thankfully, there's still 5 months to go! I did manage to buy my dress too - just the small matter of losing a few pounds so that it fits less snugly!!

Whilst over in Dubai I also managed to spend a few days catching up with my talented artist friend Judy Roberts. Judy paints in oils and acrylics, she etches and creates digital images, is a whizz with coloured pencils and a camera and as if that's not enough, she's a crafter extraodinaire! This wonderful image of a falcon of hers is one of my favourites.

Falcon ©Judy Roberts


And isn't this Saluki gorgeous?

Saluki ©Judy Roberts

You can view more of Judy's work here and over at 2RGalleries, the site she shares with her equally talented husband, Colin, who as well as expertly carving sandstone also makes super woodens items. These include coasters, walking sticks, bottle stoppers and handy little handbag/purse hangers (to keep your bag safe at the table when in a restaurant or bar!) featuring special coins and United States military emblems (see below).

Handmade Bottle Stopper featuring old coin ©Colin Roberts

Handbag holders featuring US military emblems ©Colin Roberts

Together Judy and Colin run an original gifts company with many of the items handmade by the pair - be sure to pay them a visit at 2RGalleries!

P.S. I lost my camera in Dubai :( so unfortunately have none of my own photos to share this time.

The Art of Lam Le Siang

Going Home

Outdoors

Love of Robin

Fondling

Chattering

Beauty by Lotus Pond

I promised to show you some oil paintings by my pottery teacher Lam Le Siang. These vibrant, colourful works are from Mr Lam's last exhibition entitled 'Down Memory Lane' and depict memories of his childhood and kampung (village) life in Malaysia in the 1950's and 60's. I like the contemporary feel he brings to these traditional scenes through his bold brushstrokes and plane and spatial treatments.