Lincoln Cathedral

My husband snapped this

curious photo of me

in Lincloln Cathedral

when we visited England

in 2007. It is one of the few

pictures of myself

I actually like!

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I had been to Lincoln as a child.

Northern Ireland was economically

depressed after World War ll..

like so many, my father crossed

the sea to England and found work there.

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Although forty years had passed since my mother took us over to visit, I was delighted to find that I remembered the Cathedral and the Castle clearly. Lincoln Cathedral is astoundingly beautiful, the third largest in England...but I can still feel the horror my child's mind felt in the Castle, seeing the tiny cells that prisoners were locked into for years on end. It may have been there that my life-long fear of small spaces began! While not pathologically claustrophobic, I do hate to be confined.

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Mad Tea Party....Where Bloggers Create... .and The Bloggerette Society

I am lucky enough, (or foolhardy enough) to be taking part in several events at the same time! If you've come for the Mad Tea Party, please check out the two posts below. The Bloggerettes Rush is next after that and if you'd like to see my WBC studio shots, just scroll down a little further.

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In any case, I'm so glad you've stopped by. Do settle in for a cozy visit. I would love to hear how you're enjoying the parties. It might take a wee while, but if you leave me a message I will get back to each and every one of you. You are the ladies who are my inspiration, after all...

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Mad Tea Party!

Welcome to Imagination Lane!

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Few things are better for the soul than afternoon tea. Pretty dishes filled with creamy treats..the alluring scent of Earl Grey tea..the company of friends who have gracefully accepted you invitation to drop by..all are treasures guaranteed to slow the day to a restful pace and highlight the many blessings in your life.
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When I saw that Vanessa Valencia was hosting a Mad Tea Party, I knew I had to be part of it. I had just discovered her blog, ' A Fanciful Twist' and was captivated by her style and imagination. It was clear this girl would know how to throw a great party!

My plan was set from the start. I have just starting playing with bears. While I haven't made any yet, I've dressed a few in style and have come to realize that bears need parties, too. So please join us for an afternoon with the Bear family...

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A special thank you goes out to Vanessa for so graciously inviting us all to tea. I definitely suggest a visit to her wonderful, whimsical blog!

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http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/

The Teddy Bears Picnic!

On warm afternoons, the Bear family takes afternoon tea on the terrace. Momma Rose sets the table with a nice cloth and her prettiest cups and saucers

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She hums softly at her work,

her pleasure evident as she

picks her favourite dishes from

the cabinet and takes out the cake.

Eldest daughter Wren helps carry supplies,

packing loaves of French bread carefully

into her little pink knapsack.

Poppa Will often works up an appetite by playing a game of cricket before joining his family at table…but this is family time now. He will have a chance to think about his winning ball as he does the washing up later while Momma Rose has a well-deserved rest.

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They have bread and butter to eat, a lovely cake,

and two kinds of fragrant tea. The children

drink ‘nursery’ tea, laced with lots of milk.

They are very, very careful to handle the china with care, and remember to use napkins to dab politely at their lips.

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Momma Rose always uses her English Roses teacup. It was a special gift from her mother and she treasures it.

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Momma can be counted on to play her cello for a while as the children fill their tummies. Her gentle music joins with the sound of birds tweeting and the wind whistling through the trees.

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Sunlight sparkes off the spotless
dishes and helps keep the tea toasty warm.
There is no need for a tea cozy.

Wren Bear is the family bookworm. Afternoon tea is an especially good occasion for a book as far as she is concerned.

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Poppa Will looks fondly at each of his girls in turn. What a lucky bear he considers himself to be!

As the afternoon moves on…and long shadows slant across the grass, Wren brings out her storybook and reads aloud in her best performing voice. Younger sister Ariel listens intently, but baby Jewel soon grows dozy in the sun and always misses the end of the story.



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When night falls at last, the sleepy family trundles up the stairs, sated with the treats of the afternoon and the pleasure of each other’s company. Momma Rose is the last one to fall asleep, taking a few quiet moments to count her blessings. Her loved ones all safe and tucked warmly into bed in their own cozy home…well, there is simply nothing better than that in the whole world, is there?
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xxooxx

The Bloggerette Society

Sisters In The Bloggerette Society

'RUSH' Party June 25th, 2010

I am madly excited! When I landed on the gorgeous, 'Some Days Are Diamonds' page a while ago, and saw that Karen was starting up a sorority of bloggers, I leaped right in to apply. Of course, in such situations there is protocol to follow, and application requirements...in this case one requirement only. Would-be sisters must use this picture of five comely ladies in some creative manner...while including a photo of themelves in the art work. This gave me momentary pause as I rarely like my picture being taken.

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But here I am...ready for 'RUSH', with my collage, 'In Art, We Are All Sisters'. I believe this to be true and am looking forward to joining my new sisterhood!

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I must give credit to Somerset Studio magazine and Sally Jean Alexander for the paper-to-share included in one of the magazines. I knew it was just what I needed as soon as I saw it.

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And of course, a special, heartfelt thank you to Karen of 'Some Days Are Diamonds' for this brilliant bit of fun. If you haven't already seen it, I know you would love her beautiful blog!

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http://somedaysarediamonds-karen.blogspot.com/

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Where Bloggers Create 2!

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A very warm welcome to 'Imagination Lane'!

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Please come in and visit a while. Get cozy in your favourite chair...have a sweet tea close at hand...and enjoy...

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For the month of May, I posted a photo of my studio each day on Facebook. When I learned of this blog party, I was all set to join in the festivities! If you scroll down through the posts, you'll find 31 days of pictures displayed.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm off to visit your blog now...I'm sure it will be inspiring!

Many thanks to Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage for hosting this grand affair. Her studio is amazing!

Purses Galore!

Although I use the same denim bag day in and day out, I am unable to resist gathering up pretty, beaded purses whenever I find them.

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These little bags were bought strictly for their cute factor, not for useability!

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I have also collected vintage evening purses for many years. I love the glamourous aura of days gone by that they exude...