An Award and lots of Piccys

I've been given an award by the lovely LaaLaa at Hookin' with LaaLaa She is a lovely lady with a super blog. I just love her crochet and patchworks and her little chats, why not pop over and pay her a visit. Thank you so much LaaLaa.

Now apparently as a receipent of this award I have to disclose 7 interesting facts about myself and nominate 5 of my fellow bloggers as being worthy of an award!

So here goes, after careful, well almost careful consideration, deliberation and desperation here we go (apologies if this is not exciting but hay oh, here we go)


1. I love cats, shocker I know, you never could have guessed this one, lol. Here is Merlin in moody repose. I put it all down to having a cat wallpaper for the first few years of my life, the die was cast. If I won the lottery the first thing I'd do would be to set up a cat shelter.



2. Apparently, according to friends, I have a cushion fetish. Never noticed this in myself but on counting up I do have 30 spread all over the house and 18 in the lounge itself. I've always lived by the phrase, you can never have too many cushions! Is this not what everyone does?!


3. Now I know I'm alittle bit unusual in this pursuit - I love old cemetaries and graveyards - but I know I'm not alone, it's just we're not easy to spot in our everyday lifes but visit a cemetary.... I love the old statues, angels, the symbolism and the human history and stories on the gravestones. They are normally peaceful and serene, and if tattered and overgrown around the edges I love them even more :)



4. Whilst I hate horror movies and books I just love vampires. Can't quite define why but there you go. I love watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Gary Oldman in Dracula and more recently Bill Compton in True Blood (my young cat is named after him because he bites)! I love the True Blood novels by Charlaine Harris so much that I ration myself and have not let myself read them one after the other, they are so much better than the series.

5. No not cats again but charity shops (thrift stores I think in the States)? I love going in them. You never know what treasures you'll find such as the above book on this weeks trawl of the shops near me. It's the thrill of the hunt, the pounce on the treasure and the taking to the cash desk and running away home to gloat over the hoard, or not, and think maybe next time......



6. I'm rather partial to a big cup of tea, but it has to be black and it has to be hot. My favourite teas are Assam, English Breakfast and Lapsang Souchong.



7. Are you still with me? I love christmas. I love the cards, the presents, the decorations and the all round loveliness and goodwill of the season. Here are a selection of cards I've saved from other years that I hope to incorporate into a christmas journal.

Phew, this must be my longest post by far. Now I would like to give this award to the following bloggers. It has been a difficult choice and apologies if it is not you, I love all the blogs I read but there can only be five nominees, so without further ado -

Ta da!

1. Amanda at Amanda Makes A lovely lady who sews and crochets the most delightful things
2. Kazzy at A Mermaids Purse who does the most amazing illustrations and has a wonderful eye for charity shop treasures and shabby chic decorating. She has the most relaxing music on her blog as well!
3. Gill at Bois-Fleurie who is so creative and clever with a needle.
4. Toos at Chaotic & Creative. Not sure about the chaotic but creative definately. I've had the pleasure of doing some group swaps with Toos.
5. Karen at Tilly Rose a veritable feast for the eyes, wonderful photos and delightful words.

Ok, off to watch last night's True Blood with a cat on my knee and a cup of tea in my hand!

Trip to the Big Smoke 2

On we went to the former home of Lord Leighton, pre-raphealite painter. It was stunning, wonderful tiles on the walls, vivid, bold colours and lots of sketches for his paintings and paintings by other artists of the time, G F Watts and Millais. Click on the link to have your own panoramic tour of the house - Leighton House Museum. I've loved his work ever since I saw an exhibition of his work at the Royal Academy in 1996.

I getting to the house we walked through Holland Park, a very wealthy part of London and spotted this house - adorned with beautiful tiles. It's good to get off the beaten track and spend some time walking around, imagining the interiors and the lives of the people who live there. We can only conclude that they must all work as bankers to be able to afford such wonderful residences.

This house, or one very like it, was being advertised in the local estate agents for rent at £10,000 per week, unfurnished! How do you afford it? My own pet theory is that the area is peopled with vampires who having lived for centuries have just amassed vast fortunes along the way, think there may be a novel in this, lol.

Then it was on the National Gallery for a bite to eat, a rest of weary hips and feet, and a soaking up of fabulous artworks and the obligatory postcard fest! One day I'll make a book to keep them all in, one day............
Then just time to hop on a tube and visit Paperchase's flagship store on Tottenham Court Road before closing time. Picked up a few art supplies with Mermaid ATCs, and some artwork for my front room in mind, well that was my excuse and I'm sticking to it. You can never have too many art supplies.