August 27, 2008

Sons, daughters & friends . . .


precious things today
my enthusiastic boy (see above) - he makes me laugh out loud
miracle working physio - we might be getting somewhere
wonderful friend - helping organise my boys birthday treat
a daughter - oh so excited over our soon to be puppy household
and a lovely, quiet, uninterrupted day full of sketching

August 24, 2008

A dusty portfolio uncovered


Taking pictures over the last few weeks for this blog,
had started something stirring inside me

Hauling out my dusty forlorn portfolio i felt a sense of apprehension
yes, there they were, all my long forgotten sketches and paintings
so many ideas swirling round in my head, where do i start
as i began to work with the photographic images from my day
i knew i was on the mend, finding my feet at last.

After so long, it came at me in huge waves
this passion for my work. This is me.
I feel i have truly come home.

Clouds & silver linings . . . how true.
Being off work, waiting for my arm to mend
and the help of a certain Mr, of course,
has given me time to start my blog.
Everything happens for a reason, don't you think?

August 23, 2008

Threave Gardens ~ colour & shape to inspire



This was my second week of enforced laziness
with my aching, useless arm i was feeling pretty blue . . .
Mr O in his wisdom decided inspiration was called for

a secret walled garden and hot house beyond
colours straight from a child's paint box


delicate detail and sumptuous velvety petals



sculptural shapes

and a giant fir cone



i would show you so much more
but something else tasty caught my eye.

These same gardens were the very place
Mr O & I had our very first outing too!

Threave Gardens, South West Scotland, see info below
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/castledouglas/threavegardens

August 20, 2008

Museum of Costume, Shambellie House

So many of my favourite things in one place....

beautiful victorian country house & gardens

elegant dresses & sumptuous fabricstheatrical fancydress & underwear dainty parasols & exquisite evening bags

delicate fans & vivid feathers

shoes! and more shoes!
then down twirling spiral stairs to

delicious homemade soup and melt in the mouth shortbread


whilst gazing at beautiful views
what more could a girl ask for.

for more informationShambellie House Museum of Costume
south west scotland
Open daily until Fri 31 October from 10:00 - 17:00



August 14, 2008

Precious Things.... the beginning



 I began my blog as a way to record a journey, the re-discovery of my creative self.
a self I do not yet know, the artist I wish to become.

I hope to share with others my "precious things" my thoughts, my inspirations.
There is so much inside waiting to get out and I long to capture those pieces of me
and to put them on to the page, where hopefully they will grow stronger. 

I have spent so long in the past losing the very essence of myself,
have fought with depression, with a life so hectic
“too busy, in a minute, tomorrow” were my mantras.

So I took the steps on a new journey of discovery.
I am learning to open my mind, my heart,
I am beginning to notice again the little things,
my eyes are learning to see, my ears to hear
my senses are becoming sharpened

My "5 precious things" have been the sunshine on my rainy days
the happenings I would write down from each day.
They gave me hope, made me smile
and are the reason why I named my blog as I did.
I still write my daily 5 precious things.

The journey so far, has been exciting, scary &bumpy, 
it has made me what i am today, this newly hatching creative self.
I am learning to  "be brave and hold my head up high",
to tell it as it is, believe in myself and just ..... let go!

This blog then will be my happy place,  filled with my precious things
past, present & future
with creativity, love, life, happiness & hope

Welcome x