Friday, June 25, 2010

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

Thursday, June 24, 2010

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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Friday, June 18, 2010

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!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

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...

Monday, May 31, 2010

A Studio Picture A Day In May (The End)

May 30th:

Every woman should have

her own tools, preferably

newer than these ones!




May 31st:

And of course, no studio is

complete without its

resident teddy bears...

Friday, May 28, 2010

A Studio Picture A Day In May (Wk.4)

May 22nd:

You are invited to come in
and sit a while...


May 23rd:
My Wheeled tins.


May 24th:
There are better things to
store in canning jars than food.
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May 25th:

Not surprisingly, cameras
are another thing
I collect!

May 26th:

Art is life...life is art.





May 27th:

A box of old photos sits in front of an art piece I did for my mother. The gentleman in the jaunty cap is my grandfather.


May 28th:

Anyone need a scarf? Wait..
it's May..time to send the
wool on vacation!


My 29th:

Old film reels, treasured
for their intrinsic
beauty...

Saturday, May 22, 2010

A Studio Picture A Day In May (Wk.3)

May 15th:

Buttons, baskets, boxes and
tape...all essential to the
well-stocked studio!



May 16th:
Glass jars full of ribbon
and lace wait patiently
for me to get to them.



May 17th:
The only thing my
studio does not have
in abundance
is space.




May 18th:

I believe there is
a little magic to
be found in my
storybook tins...



May 19th:

Postcards, Bizarro and
my collection of crosses
gleaned from many
thrift store trips.




May 20th: Sometimes, simple is best...


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May 21st:

Another typewriter, and
two chubby birds
nesting on old
school primers.


Saturday, May 15, 2010

A Studio Picture a Day in May (Wk.2)

May 8th:
Pattern, design, texture
and colour...all inspire
me and infuse
creativity into my
life...



May 9th:
A place for everything and
everything in its place...








May 10th:

I have rightfully earned the title of 'stationery queen'!


May 11th:

My stash of cigar boxes,
complete with one made
into a purse, (store-bought),
and another filled to the brim with buttons as bright and brilliant as jewels.







May 12th:
My organized chaos







May 13th:

My favourite quote is written on the wall:
"Ask yourself two questions: what do you love to do...
and why aren't you doing it?"


May 14th:
I am happy to recycle other
peoples' discards and
make them my own.

Friday, May 7, 2010

A Studio Picture a Day in May (Wk.1)




May 1st
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Old keys, old tins and
old patterns..just a few
of my many eclectic
collections.

May 2nd



I treasure old typewriters and
am always on the prowl for
ribbon so I can use them again.





May 3rd

My favourite picture,
complete with the old
Kwantlen Bookstore
mannequin.






May 4th

I love birds and birdcages,
but I would never put a
bird in a cage.



May 5th:
I don't like watching
flowers die in a
vase, but dried and
preserved, they
remain beautiful
forever.






May 6th

Apparently, I have
way too much
"stuff".



May 7th
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Seriously..can one
ever have too
many books?

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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

A Few Collectables

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My favourite thing in the world is to browse
through thrift stores and flea markets. These
are just a few of the treasures I've brought
home to make my own...


Double-decker buses picked up in Ireland, England, and North America.


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Vintage

flower

frogs.





Sand gathered from
Ireland, England,
Egypt, Africa and
North America...



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Old
school
primers.