Through a lens and a looking glass

I've been trying to use my camera more often and get into the habit of keeping it with me. There have been times when I so wished I'd had it with me and a special moment has slipped through my fingers.
So,through the lens this week.....








I think I've captured a little magic .....?

Unicorns of the sea

For no particular reason I decided to sketch a narwhal....

And then I painted a small canvas depicting these mysterious magical creatures...

You can read a little or a lot about these unicorns of the sea 'here'
I'm planning a Wooden Narwhal hanger now. Not sure how I will do such a fine delicate horn yet though?

A little while ago I kindly received an award from Joanne. If you have a moment, go and take a peep at her blog, she creates the most delightful fairyworld illustrations.
I was also tagged by Andrea. to play this question and answer game......


What is your current obsession?
I'm not really an obsessive type of person, but at the moment I'm really fascinated by moths.

What is your weirdest obsession
Hmm.. I wouldn't call it weird :) but I have to have my coffee un stirred. I hate drinking it if its been stirred. Actually that does sound a bit weird now!
What are you wearing today?
Old comfy Jeans and Next khaki embroidered T shirt
What’s for dinner ?
Tikka masala
What would you eat for your last meal ?
That would depend on what I fancied at the time. I don't think I have a favourite food? There would probably be strawberries and raspberries for dessert though.
What’s the last thing you bought ?
Strawberry hubba bubba bubble gum for my daughter about an hour ago.
What are you listening to right now ?
Joanna Newsom 'The sprout and the bean'
What is your favorite ice-cream flavour ?
I used to be icecream crazy as a child, and could eat bowlful after bowlful. I think I must have overdosed on it, as I no longer like it! I am partial to a magnum continental though very occasionally.
What do you think of the person who tagged you ?
Andrea is a very talented lady in tune with whats important in life and the beauty of nature around her.
If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be ?
Probably somewhere in Scandanavia. A wooden log cabin
If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go ?

Whale watching
Which language do you want to learn ?
Elvish ;) or latin
What’s your favorite quote (for now) ?
'We hope that their will still be fireflies and glowworms at night to guide you and butterflies in the hedges and forests to greet you' ...... Gerald Durrell
What is your favorite colour ?
Turquoise blue
What is one of your favorite daily/weekly rituals ?

Visiting charity shops or car boot sales.

If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on ?
A bag from Fairysteps
Favourite designer ?
I'm not at all a designer type dresser. If I see something which catches my eye and I like it I will get it regardless of who it is made by. (If I have the pennies of course)


Do you admire any one’s style ?
I admire people that are individual and wear what they want and feel comfortable with. And people that don't follow fashion obsessively.
Describe your personal style ?
Casual and comfortable.

What are you going to do after this ?
Go and cook tea.
What are your favourite films ?
Into the West, with Gabriel Byrne. Amelie, Chocolat, Its a wonderful Life, Harry Potter series and Lord of the Rings. There are so many I could go on and on......
What’s your favourite fruit ?
Strawberries and raspberries.
What inspires you ?
The magic of Nature all around us. Hares, the moon, stars , music and stories.

What is on the walls in your bedroom ?
Not alot at the moment as we are in the process of finishing decorating it. Should have been done ages ago, but there are much more interesting things to do! ;)
We have a few photos.

Your favorite book ?
Probably Lord of the rings?
Do you collect something ?
Shells, unusual pieces of twisted wood, hares, things I feel have a magical quality about them.
What is one of your pet peeves ?

I hate Litter, and get really annoyed by people that think they can just leave it lying around.
If you could be an animal , what would you be?
A bird.

...........................................
Phew, that took a while! being probably one of the worlds slowest typers. If you’d like to play along (no pressure) I tag :
Jessie
Ren
Lizzie
Danielle
JuliaGretel
Kathleen

The rules :
1. Respond and rework ; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention or add one more question of your own.
2. Tag eight other people.

(Sorry for all the changes in size on the font! My computer or blogger seems to be acting up)

Transported to another place and time

This week has flown by in a surreal whirl. The hobbits and I have been 'extras' in a BBC drama Christmas special and were transported back to the 1860's to a rather popular Cheshire town......

We were the poorer townsfolk, so didn't get to buy any of the latest fabrics in this shop...

Luckily we behaved, so didn't get locked up in here for the night.....
Above is my youngest relaxing on set, and below is my boy doing his bit alongside one of the stars ;)


Whilst I've been busy doing such extravagant things, the chicks have been growing bigger everyday. We have had more hatch and now infact have six.

And the poppies have bloomed without me having a moment to notice them....

Now its back down to earth. There is a mountain of blog reading to climb and lots of paintings and hangers to plan , and wheelbarrows full of weeds to tackle.
Oh yes.... and sleep to catch up on.

Playing with blue ink

I've been in the garden alot recently, (blame the good weather! ;-) so not much art work to show. I found this set of beautiful ink pens in a charity shop with a bottle of the most bluest of blue ink. Just right for a play in my sketchbook. The silver attachments keep reminding me of the hand that Voldermort gave to Wormtail in The Goblet of Fire....


The Lion I doodled has nothing to do with Harry Potter though....


All the names for the blog giveaway were put into a pot and the winner drawn out for the goody bag prize is.......... Andrea
And the lucky person who gets to dissect the two owl pellets is................Annette

Congratulations to you both! I will get items sent off to you both as soon as I can, sometime this week.