Those lovely rays of Sunshine!!

I guess there are other true coffee fans out there!!!  


I was reading through the comments that people kindly left about my coffee blog and was thrilled to find that two of them were to inform me of the Sunshine award.  Then, when the excitement subsided a bit, I realised that I was doubting my deservence of this award.  After all, I've only just started writing, and so far I've been completely self-indulgent  -- It's all about me me me!!!  


Then I realised that it isn't up to me to decide why someone nominated me - it's up to me to say thank you so much for doing so.  It's also up to me to let them know exactly how flattering and encouraging it is to receive an acknowledgment like this.  So THANK YOU to Confessions of crafty mummy (aka One stop pamper shop )  and to Faeryatrix.  You made me smile.  :)


There are obligations that come along with accepting this award and I'm not sure if I can fulfill all of them.  If you haven't already seen them - here they are :

• Place this award on your blog or in a post
  
• Pass the award on to 12 bloggers 
• Link the nominiees within the post 
• Let the nominiees know they have received the award by commenting on their blog
  
• Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award  

I'm so very new to the world of blogging that I know that I can't pass on this award to 12 bloggers for each one.  I just haven't had the time to read 24 blogs properly never mind actually follow them over a period of time!!  I'm going to combine them and stick to 12 - let me know if I'm cheating and should hand one back :(

1. Craftblog UK by haptree because it is jam-packed with useful information!
2. Marice's World because her pancake is still making me giggle and I can't wait for more. 
3. Over the Rainbow because she talks about the things that make her happy. 
4. Wisdom of Woody because already I've read so many of his very practical and knowledgeable pointers. 
5. Craftdom because I like her taste and always enjoy looking into the artist she chooses.
6.  Niftyknits because what she says makes sense and plus - I can't stop looking at those Meerkats!
7. Evie George because her blog is so personable and beautiful. 
8. Rebuilding the Ancient Ruins because although she probably doesn't realise it - she should know that I admire her faith and energy.  It comes through in her blog.  
9. Birdcage Creative because everyone should see how beautiful her shop is and her contact me page is excellent!
10. Woollylakes because her blogs are fun to read AND she is a fellow geocacher!
11. Beaded Flora because I found a whole new twist to french beading here.  Gorgeous. 
12. Top Floor Treasures because she has 4 but should have more :) 

My cup O' joe

So, I was looking through the photos in my phone for some blogging inspiration and something became apparent.

 I LOVE COFFEE !! 


I have different photos of coffees I've had from all over the place.  As I was flicking through them I realised that each one was bringing back a memory of who I was with,a holiday I was on,a special meal and so on... 

It isn't just the taste that I love so much, it's the sound of it being made, the smell, and it's gorgeous frothy topping.              ... well, with a frothy latte that is!

Sometimes a trained barista will present a cuppa that in itself is just pure art.  Usually its these ones that entice me to add sugar.  Sugar adds a bit of sweetness that I only occasionally indulge 


in and with these special coffees it's irresistible!  Part of the skill gone into it's making is in creating a froth that is smooth yet stiff enough to hold a teaspoon of sugar on top.  Watching the sugar slowly dissolve and sink just adds to the anticipation.

Although sometimes it seems a shame to stir up such a pretty picture, even that has it's own fun.  Stirring up a froth can create a unique one-off picture of it's own and I always spare a minute or two to see if I can spot one.

This one is a bear - my partner says Tibetan mountain dog ... what do you see ??

But in the end, after all of that sound, smell, and visual admiration, there is only really one thing to say about a good coffee...  


           YUM !

:)

  

How Provence came to my windowsill...

From the feedback I've been getting it seems as though my beaded lavender plant is a hot favourite.  I suppose that makes sense just by virtue of the qualities lavender - it is a delight to our senses.

It is such a luxurious and versitile plant with a variety of uses from cooking in the kitchen to relaxing and sleeping in the bedroom .. and everywhere inbetween!  But best of all, lavender is just a pure feast to the eyes. Whether it be in the garden, in a pot or in a vase, the lavender flower is bursting with opulent purple coloured blooms and looks gorgeous.

Because of its popularity I thought I would share how I mimic the lavender plant with beads.  

The first thing is to choose which colours of beads and wire I want to use.  For lavendar the beads are strung onto the wire one-by-one and follow a counted and repeated pattern of colour.

Once the beads are strung into a specific pattern I bend and twist and loop the wire according to which part of the plant I am making.  Each whorl of lavender has a different colour combination and size to give each stem it's own character.

Once all the beads are shaped onto the wire they are ready to be assembled onto a much thicker "stem" wire which will support the bloom and the leaves.  From there I gather all the finishing bits and bobs that I'll need to complete the lavender plant.





I place, glue, bend, and sculpt each part into its place - put the pot on my windowsill .. 

  Et Voilà! 

Now every time I pass by I can look at it and think of the glorious, vibrant lavender cloaked hills of Provence. :)

Something beautiful this way comes.

I'm not at all sure how to start my musings.  I don't have any interviews or links or clever facts and introductions to the art of French Beaded Flowers (although I do hope to add some soon!).

Instead, I would like to share something that I had the honour of witnessing recently.  It was a rare moment of pure beauty and truly inspirational.  I hope I can do it justice in the re-telling.

I was at my brothers wedding last week which was excellent in itself.  We had a fabulous time with my family and thoroughly enjoyed meeting and joining the bride's family.  After all the celebrations were over, my partner and I decided to detour into Harrogate to visit and taste the wares at the Original Betty's Tea Room.  Well, the queue went out the door and around the corner!!  As you can imagine, we decided that high tea could wait for another day and we would have a look around the shops instead.

I've been searching for a bead spinner so we went into an Arts & Crafts shop to ask about one.  A lady behind the counter informed me that they didn't stock them, but that there was a little embroidery shop a few doors down and to go there to try my luck - so i did.  

It was a small shop with a wooden door and a low handle.  I remember I pushed the handle down and walked in over a wooden threshhold.  There was an old man sitting on the floor just inside of the door and a little to the left.  He looked up at me and said hello as though he had known me forever.  I smiled and said hello as though I had seen him everyday.  Then he looked  back down to the book resting on his lap.

  

He was sitting at the feet of his partner reading to her.  

I think she was blind or very near to it.  She was sat on a chair clutching a bottle of orange juice and looking out into the air in front of her.  She was making a picture from the words her partner was reading.  

It was a crochet pattern ... 

His voice was so calming, so soft.

It was shameless and open and pure and one of the most beautiful moments I've had the pleasure of.  I will never forget them.

So if you are ever in Harrogate and you see an embroidery shop .. pop in and try your luck.  :)

... oh ... the lady in the embroidery shop had never heard of a bead spinner.