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

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?

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

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

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