Sunshine Award

I was honored to have received the Sunshine Award, such an upbeat blog Award,
A big Thank you to Dale Ann,who is a talented artist, writing and sharing from her own blog spot 'Chronicles of Whimsy', which is always a source of constant inspiration, and a pleasure to read and view.




http://delarenaissance.blogspot.com/

In return I pass on this uplifting award to the blogs listed below as a thank you for sharing the Sunshine they create for others.
~And now, Sunshine Award Guidelines
1) Please thank the person who gave the award to you.
2) Copy the logo and place it in your blog.
3) Link the person who nominated you.
4) Name 6 things that no one would really know,about yourself.
5) Nominate 6 bloggers, or more, or a number 1,2,3, etc of your choosing
6) Post links to the blogs you nominate.
7) Leave a comment on each of those blogs letting them know you have nominated them for the Sunshine award.
Here are the nominees
http://artbygail.blogspot.com/
http://wildhorsemoon.blogspot.com/
http://firstdraughtfarm.blogspot.com/
http://buttonfloozies.blogspot.com/
http://faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com/
http://celticcatphotos.blogspot.com/
http://tapestry316.blogspot.com/
http://naturevisions.blogspot.com/

This could have been a huge list, but time and tide...a lot of blog friends have already received this award,Congratulations to you All, or have tributes to Renee, or pressing issues on their own blogs at the moment...so straight on to.....
Six things, about me....
1. I had a bowl of Trifle for Breakfast Yesterday
2. I have so many projects and art things going on, Prince and I are being surrounded by boxes, as I have been working on altered art, and paint effects,and drawings of the white rabbit, which ended up in the WR wearing a harlequin suit, jewellery ,tags, and computer arting.
3. I prefer baths to showers.
4. I enjoy food flavoured with cinnamon, or rose, taste and fragrance.
5. When I read a book, I see the scenery, the characters,the smells, just as you would viewing a film, but more so, as you are there, when I am reading a book, I will not hear you, if you speak to me.
6. I really don't like being mortal.

Beautiful Letter

It was a lovely surprise, (as I've been away from blog hopping for a while) to receive this wonderful letter from Nancy, one of my winners in the OWOH Event.
Nancy a great blogger, with plenty of heart for all to share.


http://herartnest.blogspot.com/


As Nancy's letter was shown on her own blog, I thought it not inappropriate to show it here too, and its such beautiful work.








Included was a great Chocolate coffee cozie,like the one pictured above, which I'm using it in a very unusual way as I've hurt my wrist and thumb, so its my little piece of woollen wrist jewellery at the moment. I'love it, Thank you so much. Your letter is beautiful too, as was all your packaging, a real treat.
Lindaxx

Karen's Studio

Yes, The Postman rang again, I know, I fell out of the lucky tree at the moment!.
Karen's beautiful frame necklace from The OWOH event, arrived safely in the post.
Karen Ellis with her own blog, Go Scrapping which is also the name of her working studio in Kitchener, Ontario, that offers flexible classes, workshops and special events, hosting retreats and day crops for scrapbookers and card makers.
Even you aren't in travelling range to attend the wonderful courses and love all aspects of papercraft, a visit to her blog is fun and informative.
Tim Holtz fans and scrapbookers are in for a treat.

http://goscrapping.blogspot.com/

Nancy's beautiful Print....

Nancy Donaldson's beautiful artwork....The cone flowers were a real treat I received today in the Post, along with 24 other lucky followers of Nancy's blog. Beautifully wrapped and packaged with a lovely card.

Beautifully presented and Titled 'In The Garden' , signed and ready to frame, and quite unlike any artwork I have seen before.

The enchaustic technique really adds a whole new dimension.

Nancy is a talented Mixed Media artist, and Photographer who mixes her camera talent, with enchaustic techniques. Her Blog, 'All Pulped Out' is an amazing journey, Please check it out,
http://allpulpedout.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much Nancy its very beautiful, and will be treasured.

More of Nancy beautiful Photography can be seen in her Flickr Albumns.

Just a sample.

Busy Day..

Life has a way of filling up days with a montage of useless things one has to do, household chores just being one of them, but there are good days too.
One of the highlights of today was turning around at with surprise as galloping hoofbeats came tearing up to me in the field. Followed by a semi rear, a squeal and a buck, I was very pleased, and just a bit worried as my 34 yr old mare tore up to me, to tuck into her lunchtime feed. It was lovely to see a bit of the old spark still alive and well. Although a bit worrying, sort of like if your 90 year old grandmother jumped up and started dancing the Can can..




Another Treat well actually two arrived in the post as well, OWOH two videos from Wendy,WW, a mixed media crafts gal in Iowa, from her blog 'The life of Me', see http://weinkswonders.blogspot.com/
, to visit. She also has several Blogs including the Frog Palace, and an Etsy Shop, (thefrogprincess), do make sure to visit. Here is a piece of her work for sale on Etsy.. Sewn Heart..

The second was from Linda, a potter and sculptress living in the UK, with her Blog Rediscovering Art, See
http://rediscovering-art.blogspot.com/
,to visit, and she is literally doing what her blog title suggests, in a big way.
Here is one of her pieces in the making...

Thank you for the beautiful tiles Linda, They arrived safely, well done Royal Mail.

The Post Lady smiled

A knock on the door, and on answering I found a smiling Postie holding a beautifully wrapped box, "Hmm", ventured the Post Lady "looks like someone has a Present". Well It Was, an adorable little Snowman, sent by Cathy, all the way from USA. He is such a happy little soul too, hes not getting packed away till Christmas. Thank you so much Cathy.








A little about his creator. Cathy from Snugglebug Blessings sells her work in several sites, see her Blog; http://snugglebugblessings.blogspot.com/
She is a multi talented artist producing soft scultures, art dolls, primatives,miniatures, figurines, vintage Christmas Halloween and Holiday animals,and OOAK's.
Too much to explain, so Just go look for a real treat.
Linda :)

I was Lucky Too

As well as the OWOH giveaways from our Blog here, I was also lucky enough to win beautiful gifts too!, The first of which, from England, arrived today,wrapped in lovely pink Tissue.. a Beautiful Forest Heart from these creative jewellery makers.Thank you so much.:)


A little about its creators....BluMoon- Jackie and Laura
Please visit their site www.thesilverlodge.co.uk

They are mother and daughter; Jackie and Lara, both multimedia artists. It is their intention on their blog to share some of their work with you. These two creative girls have a web site called The Silver Lodge which is full of their jewellery designs including polymer clay and art jewellery. They live in a beautiful spot on the south west coast of England.

One world One Heart Drawing...Winners Gifts all Now Posted

The Flying Time has passed, I managed to visit so many creative blogs along the way, and hopefully I will visit the ones I missed in the future, A big Thank you to everyone who dropped by and left such wonderful comments,
I will be drawing the winners Today, and will then contact the winners, once contacted, I will give you my email, please contact me through the email address within 24hrs, leaving your name and full postal details for mailing your art print.
Linda :)
The 1st winner to be confirmed is, Nancy a great blogger with her blog;
http://herartnest.blogspot.com/
The 2nd is, Annette another wonderful blogger with her blog;
http://dragonhouseofyuen.blogspot.com/
The 3rd is, Tara and her needleworthy Blog,Sew Gorgeous;
http://sewgorgeous.blogspot.com/
The 4th and final winner is, Tanya, with creative blog 3 Cats Creations;
http://3catscreations.blogspot.com/

I found out that Yahoo has been directing a lot of my normal emails I should have received into a spam folder, I would have never have found them without help... as I have to log on to yahoo separately as its not in my regular email home box.
BIG APOLOGIES to anyone who emailed me, and thought I was being rude and not answering, the program also deletes everything that folder after a month, so I cant even back track after that......

One World-One Heart

Hi I'm Linda, and welcome to our Blog...Please come in and stay a while.

One World – One Heart, a global giveaway that has been running annually for the past4 years! It’s a giveaway that was originally created in 2007 by Lisa, author of the blog 'A Whimsical Bohemian', to bring together bloggers from around the World, the event runs from January 25th through February 15th.
All you have to do to be a part of it and eligible for the giveaways is to visit the particpating Blogs, and leave a comment in their OHOW, One Heart One World Post, leaving a Blog address or email so we can contact you if you win our giveaways.

I do Wish you all the very Best of Luck, and
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit us here at The Briar Rose Gate.♥♥♥

Our Briar Rose giveaway is a Print of an Original Miniature watercolour; The Foxcub waiting at The Briar Rose Gate portal,that enters into the magical realms of Avalon. His mother is just about to catch up with him, and he is surrounded and protected by Elevish fireflies.
As There are Lots of comments already,I've added another 2 prints, this print of 'Solomon ' a little Prince is born, the storyline:
' Solomon' has just been born a few hours ago, his long awaited birth has caused great excitement throughout the woodland animals, as his mother 'Golden Dawn' has been sheltering, in the last few weeks under a young Redwood Tree. 'Chatter' the Chipmunk, is especially proud, as the Redwood is his home, and he is the first to bring a gift for the little Prince. He holds in his paws a tiny rare blue starflower, renown for their hypnotic fragrance, that causes only the Sweetest of Dreams. He has arrived just in time, as little Solomon, is falling asleep.


and The Nobel Gwynan, Raven Queen of The Dark Woods Clan, ACEO

I've been having such a treat visiting all these creative OWOH blogs, and I am very grateful to all those wonderful artists who found their way here, so as a big thank you Here is another giveaway I will be adding.,(4 Winners each will get a choice).
Angel Feathers..This Little Kitten has just become an Angel, and doesn't know he can Fly yet. He senses there is something different and fluttery on his back, but isn't sure what it is. The other Angels are calling to him and playing, by dropping feathers down on him, to try encourage him to reach up, and fly.


I Like to Believe all our beloved animals, when they past from this Earthly realm are rewarded for their life and kind service, by being gifted with their Angel Wings. Angels come in many Guises. LMW.

St. Mildred's Church, Whippingham

Whippingham Church with its Royal connections to Queen Victoria, and her family has always been a pretty church, full of beautiful stained glass windows and gothic revival treats like its turrets and gargoyle waterspouts.

Other little treats are its lovely details in iron and wood, and old postal boxes ,still in use set into neighbouring stone walls, The botton row of red brick buildings opposite and just across the road from the church, were originally alms houses for the poor.

Sadly only pictures of the outside as our churches now have to be kept locked unless hosting a service.

To see more info on St.Mildreds Church, click on this link.
http://www.iow.uk.com/whippingham-church/contents.htm

Etsy Finds Capricorn vs Sagitarius

I was lucky enough to be featured in the New Etsy Finds 7th Jan, Gifts for Capricorns vs Sagitaruius, as my birthday is tomorrow 8th Jan,( Yes,Capricorn) its an early birthday treat, Thank you Etsy
Click on The link to read the article The Arab Painting is under Decor and Sagitarius.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-sagittarius-vs-capricorn-6680/

Vintage Gate Houses

These two Gate houses I thought looked very picturesque this afternoon.
The one that looks very much like a little cottage, was the gatehouse or lodge to the now non existant East Cowes Castle Estate, built and designed by John Nash and a later residence of Lord and Lady Gort.
The Tower Gatehouse one of the original gatehouse lodges on the bondery exit/entry roads to the Norris Castle Estate, which still exists. Both Lodges are within half a mile of each other.

click on the picstures for a detailed view.

Feeding all the Birds..

After the chores were completed, I ventured out to feed the wild things, put out fresh water,refilled the bird feeders with seeds and peanuts, put down small wildbird mix for the ground feeding birds, and jumbo sized treats for the larger seagulls and crows. So many hungry beaks turned up, that I eventually put 4 huge bowls out for them.

Then Prince and I had a quick play in the garden , before back indoors to dry off, and a cup of tea.

loads more Lab pictures on Poppys Blog.

Snowy Night

The Poor Bamboo in the garden was bent double, but after a quick shake, shot right back up to normal, hardy stuff. The half a pound of snow that went down my neck, did wonders to wake me up too.

We took Prince along to the Green, and he ran everywhere at top speed, having a great time, as this is the first snow, he has ever seen.

Frosty Morning

Cowes Harbour Early Morning, before the Moon departed from view.

Woozle enjoying the Sunshine, but probably not the frosted grass.