Chambery Carnival !!!

The theme this year was the 150th anniversary of Savoie being annexed by France. 

 

  

  

 

 

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

I think I  might have a small crush on him ...

  

  

  

  

I had to run away from this pig later in the afternoon ...

  

  

  

The End

Today I'm working on .....

I know that Thursdays are the 'creative spaces' days ..and if I'm honest I woke up thinking it WAS Thursday ( I little wishful thinking because Aaron arrives home Thursday..... ) But I wasn't going to let a minor technicality get in the way of (good? ) blog post :)

So this is part of what I'll be working on today (I'm still working on some wings too ...there was a small technical hitch which has delayed their progress!)  

Actually included in the picture should be some mirrored triangles because the bird, ribbons, flowers, glass hearts and beads are all destined for a mirrored garland. The butterfly mirror needs a little patina finishing and then it will be decorated with the flowers and ribbon too. The glass triangles are part of a garland which will incorporate all these colours too but with glass stars on the ends of the ribbons instead of flowers/hearts. Cupcake pretty :)

Bloomsbury Butterfly Mirror

and here is the finished piece I blogged about yesterday

This mixed media mirror has a very retro feel - a perfect little piece for creating a pretty vignette in your bedroom, library, studio or anywhere that needs a little detail.

I hand cut the mirror, copperfoil, solder and patina the glass to give an aged vintage look to it. The body of the butterfly is a gorgeous art glass in wispy purple and ochre greens. I've felted the back of the mirror for protection of the mirror foil and signed the art glass body.

 

It is decorated in felt flowers of mauve, pale blue and teal / turquoise, which I hand cut, and beaded. The felt flowers embellish little metal antiqued copper branches which climb up one side of the mirror to a bright green satin ribbon. Where the ribbon and branches meet a blue lucite and green glass bellflower hangs.


glass measures approx. 15 cm x 10cm (6 inches x 4 inches)

it is available at my Etsy shop here 

My Creative Space Today

I've been leaving little trails of felt scraps in my wake recently as I'm cutting out felt flowers for garlands and a range of butterfly mirrors.   Embellished with sequins and seed beads, the flowers are a colourful distraction from the weather outside - Spring has at least arrived in my studio !

You can see more creative spaces by visiting Kootoyoo's blog here

The Hamlet in February

I took a few pictures of the hamlet last week after I'd cleared the drive of snow ...

This is the view of the frozen stream that runs under the road on the way into the hamlet

The hamlet - the bottom of our garden is just visible on the right of picture, and in Spring, donkeys arrive in the field to the left ...

a little late for christmas trees ...

chez moi :)

the road on up into the hamlet ... this can be 'fun' in the snow!!

a farm in the hamlet - the stone barns look so pretty against the white ..

and the driveway .. freshly cleared of snow ...after awhile I start to run out of places to shovel the snow ...it gets sheepishly thrown into our neighbour's garden :)

A Wonderland ...

all photography by Kirsty Mitchell

It's been snowing here in the mountains all week, non stop. So I've been staying inside and looking out.   After a few days that can make you go a little crazy! 

all photography by Kirsty Mitchell

As for work, well, as some of you know, my creative activity is often in little frenzied spurts and then I hit the doldrums.  I'm not sure being hold-up indoors for days is conducive to a healthy creative experience...

all photography by Kirsty Mitchell

So I've been working at a controlled pace this week (read v. slowly ) whilst still managing to make a mess of the place.  Hopefully the end result will be beautiful though.

all photography by Kirsty Mitchell

and when I haven't been creating, I've been reading - hooked on Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series .... or maybe just hooked on Jamie Fraser ;)

all photography by Kirsty Mitchell

and now it's Valentine's weekend, and Aaron is flying home and I'm looking forward to some flowers, romance and most important, going out and having fun!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Kirsty Mitchell

The incredible photographs above are by fashion designer turned photographer Kirsty Mitchell - aren't they the most beautiful things ever?  visit her inspiring blog

Pretty Fabulous Things

These really are gorgeous - I just spotted this shop on Etsy 's front page and had to post some of the goodies here - I want I want I want !!!!   Made from antique German grain sacks and available from 3 Fine Grains

 

No. 1

No.7

Bridle Chair