Is it really October???Already???

Squeezing in some me time...

  Everyone keeps asking me what I'm working on...and truth is, I dont have hardly any time to work on anything for me. I am busy as ever working up not one or two but three new classes, new boxes and needlework tools and dollys for Christmas~ along with painting slate frames, sculpting stumpwork figures and being the endless chauffeur to a bottomless pit of never ending school activities. So I have to make time for me...which is squeezing in a few hours on a Sunday, or a few minutes before bed to work a leaf or something....After I got back from the U.K. when I was digging thru my endless stacks of notebooks that keep track of different things, I found the one for my flat top casket and...really?  The last time I worked on it was in January? seriously???  Well that was just a pathetic realization....that if your not aware, time will just leave you in the dust.  

All the panels for my casket sit on their own little table in the gallery. They look like little ghosts under their dust covers. Its super hard to decide which panel to work on, as I had finished all of the friezes, so now I have to start from the beginning on a panel....to keep the choice easy, I picked the frame that didnt have any work done on it yet, which was the lid.  Since I won this casket in the Beaded Basket competition, I thought it fitting to work an allegory of Lady Victory in a central cartouche , surrounded by angels of coarse....and a few bugs. There is so much detail packed into this little roundel, I have had to dig out my smallest of smallest little weensie beads. The castle could fit on my thumbnail....

Little dragonfly has peacock feathers worked into his body, and I have his gossamer beaded wings complete...but set aside in a parts bag to be put on last after all the beadwork is finished.

In a weekend I got most of the background completed~a little cloud, bird, hills and water....I only have the leaves on the one tree to work, then I will be able to start the fun three dimensional parts. Ladye is patiently waiting to be dressed.....  because she is just a bust, I was able to sculpt her a little larger than most figures, and so used a precious pair of antique 18thc blue glass eyes. I cant wait to see her finished!

 I know I have to work the inside first before starting the outside, but that doesnt keep my mind from wandering and all the while I am stitching, I am thinking about how I will work the roundel....what colors of beads I will use, that sort of thing. I made  little practice padding and trial of these colors....havent decided yet if I like it or not.

Paris, Day 5 Part 2

Merci Msr. Gustave!

 O.K.....now I know Paris is a city of food....and there are literally tons of wonderful places to go sit down and eat...but if one only has a single day...as in, me....I did not want to spend it sitting waiting for food! After the Louvre we stopped at Eric Kayser and bought sandwiches for lunch. Mine was 6 Euro and oh. my. golly....was it good

 After getting our foods, we walked back across the street to sit and eat in the Jardin des Tuileries 

 The gardens, just outside the Louvre, were built in 1564 by Queen Catherine de Medicis. It was a beautiful spot for lunch! Speaking of...

 My sandwich... which didnt last long

 Looking past the obelisk down the Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triumphe de l'Etoile ~ its so huge. I never imagined it being so absolutely monstrous. 

 Our next magical stop was the Musee de l'Orangerie to specifically see Monet's Waterlillies~ they are magnificent! You can read special particulars about them here 

 There are two spectacular oval rooms, bench seats to the center, so one may sit and be absolutely enrobed by them. Light enters from above thru a large bubble glass dome. We had got the Paris Museum Pass ahead of time, so did not have to stand in line to buy our tickets~ and some places the ques are so very long~ its well worth it! There really was alot of people there, but everyone was very considerate of others~ I was impressed, (no pun intended)

 AS if the Monet's were not overwhelming enough, one could appreciate and study so many great masters there~  Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse....Picasso!   I think this one is my favorite tho, by Modigliani...because he looks just  like my son Josh.

 Ok...had to include this one painted by Van Gogh in 1886....I saw two early windmills like this on the train on the way in to Paris....must include one on my casket!

 After L'Orangerie we were back on the metro to get up close to it. I forget what stop exactly it was...the metro was so crowded this day, we were packed in like sardines!  We came up out of the station, walked round a huge marble looking building, and voi~la. There it was, the Eiffel Tower!

 The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution

 It was amazing to see up close, and to walk underneath of. We didnt have enough time to stand in the loooong line to take the elevator to the top...it was magical enough just to sit under it and watch all the people while enjoying some ice cream

After a quick metro ride we were back to Gare du Nord train station, thru security and customs and on our way back home to London

Food on the train was really good...dont know what it was, some kind of chicken...but it was very nice. I wish trains were more popular here in the US.

By this time, we had walked over 38 miles this week, per Mendy's little gadget that kept track of such things....my feet were killing me, and I was even  wearing my good running shoes. We got back home a little before midnight...did I run up and go to sleep straight away because we had to be up and on the train to Bath at 0600 in the morning???...nope.  Time to share a bottle of spirits while soaking our feet in the tub (and whatever other receptacle that held water we could find) and sharing our favorite memories of the day!

Paris, Day 5..part 1

Bonjour La Joconde!

   Saturday I was up at 3:30 am to get to the train station to go to Paris~ Since I missed getting a picture of Platform 9 & 3/4 the other day for the children (Mendy is on her way to Hogwarts!) at King's Cross Station~ we popped over on our way to St. Pancras Station~ which is just across the courtyard basically....

 One thing great about being there so early in the morning....there wasnt anyone there!

   This is our car on the high speed train to Paris from London~ it was about a 2 hour trip is all. The service and breakfast was excellent.

  We arrived at Gare du Nord Train Station at 0922...but because Paris is an hour ahead of London, it was already nearly 10:30....eeeekkkk so much time gone by in the day....and when you only have a day in Paris....you hit the ground running!

  A quick trip on the Metro and we were at the Carousel~ one doesnt even have to come up above ground level to get to the Museum

  From the underground metro tunnels the area just suddenly opens up in to a big cavernous space

 and Voi~ la! The entrance to the Louvre Museum is  just on the other side of the inverted glass pyramid

 There were two things on my must see list~ one was the Mona Lisa, or La Joconde as she is known in French....and the other was Vermeer's Lace Maker.  The Mona Lisa was indeed magical~ she is in a large room with an entire wall all to herself...there is a glass in front so a bit of a glare, but amazing just the same. I honestly, never ever thought I would lay my own eyes on her, ever, in my lifetime. 

 Everywhere one went in the museum was spectacular~ in this hall was crown jewels...but who is looking down, when the ceiling is so magnificent?!

  The painting of the fairies first caught my eye...I thought they were angels, then I looked closer and realized they were fairies....and then I looked even closer, and realized the painting was surrounded by sculpted fairies!!!!

 We then spent what seemed like forever trying to find the wing the Dutch paintings were in....but on the way, many spectacular things to see~ the Spinx....the inside of an Egyptian tomb...a person could spend a week in the Louvre and it wouldnt be enough time

 We saw the Venus de Milo...she looks quite good for being carved from marble in 120...BC! 

After snaking around the Louvre we finally discovered the Dutch paintings were out on loan, all of them....so we were off to get some lunch....we came out of the museum and I was taking a picture of the big glass pyramid and the reflecting pools...and as I turned around...there it was. Do you see it there? Just to the right behind me? 3 years of French I took in school...oldest daughter and I have always loved it....and I really, really never ever thought I would ever get to see it in person....but oh. my. golly. there IT is. Its a good thing my glasses turn dark outside, cause I am crying like a baby in this picture. 

XOXOXOX::::Thankyou Mendy & Stacey:::XOXOXOX

U.K., Day 4

A Most Blessed Day....

  Friday morning saw us at Paddington Station bright and early for our journey to Windsor for a private viewing of the Queen's Casket before the castle opened for tours

I have to say, that I was, and still am very impressed with the state of all the public transportation in the U.K. The stations were so very clean, there was always someone to help if you needed it, and not once did I ever feel my person was in danger~ the security at all was always present~ and everything ran along smoothly just like clockwork. 

 Windsor Castle could be seen easily from the train as we made our arrival....I tried to contain my excitement and act like an adult....but really on the inside I was madly hopping up and down like a child screaming  ' I'm here.. I'm Here!!!!'  I wish I could have had the entire day to spend at the Castle...but today...is a go. go! GO!! day...so no time for doddling about!!!!

It was a beautiful day weather wise too~ just perfect. Everything was so green, and the sky so blue~ everywhere one looked was a picture postcard.  This is looking down the street toward the train station, where we had just come from.

First stop was the pass office to check in. Ahead of our visit we had to file all the required security paperwork so we were in and out like a flash

  We entered the Castle thru the service entrance, which, as you can see, was quite secure 

 If you have never seen Windsor Castle,  it really is huge~ not just 'a castle'...but more like an little city within its walls.

 The moat garden was beautiful~ it's never ever had water in it~ always been a garden.  The viewing of the Queen's Casket was most wonderful, dare I say even magical~ you can click the link to see it. After our viewing we went on the castle tour

 Before we left I got to watch the changing on the guard~ I just could not go to England and not see a changing of the guard!

 From Windsor, we hired a driver to take us to Witney in Oxford for a visit to Witney Antiques

 Joy always has the highest quality of antique English embroideries & furnishings~ she did have a beadwork basket for sale...but honestly if I could have bought just one thing, it would have been the 17th c highchair in the center of the picture here. It. was. unbelievable. :::sigh:::

 From Witney, we were off across the countryside to see another 17th c embroidered casket.  One of the things I loved about traveling on the roads, is that the roadways are literally cut out from the trees...its like one is traveling along inside a hedge!

 And. Oh. my. Golly! The thatched roof cottages. This is the first one I saw with my own eyes as we were zipping along. No words...there are just no words 

 We arrived at Milton Manor  just in time for a tour~ it was a unique, magical place and my visit will be emblazoned on the front of my brain for the rest of my life

  When we were planing our trip, on my 'must have to do' list was going to Beaconsfield to eat the the Royal Standard Pub. Being the kindred spirits there are, my Dear friends fit it into our schedule as a surprise

 Not only did we get to go, but they had reserved the very table that I had always dreamed I would sit one day. How can thanks ever be adequate to those who make ones dreams come true?  The Royal Standard is the oldest pub in England~ go check out the link for a virtual tour video!

 Enjoying a  local pint (Chilton) with the best friends ever~ how could the day get any more perfect?

I'll tell you how~ a half portion of fish and chips with peas!!

London, Day 3

V&A Clothworkers' Center at Blythe House 

   Day three in London started off with an early tube ride to Barron's Court Station and a short stroll to the new Clothworkers Center located at Blythe House for an appointment to study several pieces of 17th c embroidery up close. 

   The new facility is large and spacious, and has been thoroughly modernized for the safest textile storage available.  

 The V&A and Alexandra really went above and beyond to make our time here super fantabulous.... Just look at the study tables...I wish I had just one this big for my collection.

By the time we finished at the Clothworker's facility, it was time for lunch. A quick tube ride back to Knightsbridge, and we were off to the Victoria & Albert Museum

 A quick, but really good, lunch was had at one of the cafes...don't ask me which one~ well..it was the one right next to the courtyard~

 It was a beautiful day and there were many enjoying the reflecting pool

 After lunch we headed up to the second floor to see the 17th c embroidery and beadwork on display. One thing I was really excited about seeing was a swaddling band, but alas, the near non existent illumination that was present in most of the display cases for the textiles, was not working in that case~so it was literally a black hole.... which was my only complaint about my entire trip I think. It is in these instances that I very much appreciate them making their collections available online(but still not the same as seeing in person).  Above is a knit tunic that I very much want to make for my Pandora doll, Wood....when ever I get the time. I was going to dress her 18th c, because she was made c1720-40...., but I think 17th c would be much more fun to dress her in.

 Of coarse we had to visit Martha Edlin's casket and padded mirror case. 

  Lord & Ladye Clapham were there as well~ if you go to make a visit of your own, don't  miss their extra clothes and accessories in the pullout drawers underneath the display!

  After my camera and mind were both spent, it was just a quick two block walk back to the house to rest. Back past the Baklava man with the never ending tray of free samples....a left turn at Bonham's auction house

 And we were home~ thats my window all the way at the top in the middle there

 And what did I bring home for today? A kilo of baklava of coarse....didn't last very long, next time I think I may need 2 kilo to bring home...and one for eating there.....