Faded beauty

Call me weird but I've always enjoyed the faded beauty of wilted flowers. Yes, they're stunning when in full bloom and the scent is often glorious but their slow journey to the compost heap is inevitable and I enjoy this bit just as much. It's probably just me but flowers seem to spend more time on the mantle in a jar that's run out of water, gradually drying up, than they do looking marvellous after I've just bought them.

Daffodils are everywhere at the moment and a very welcome sign of spring at last. I took this picture when my first bunch of the season had been sitting around a while and the petals had begun to turn crispy like delicate tissue paper. I've tinkered with the photo in Photoshop Elements to try and give it a more 'painterly' quality. I'm still working my way through Photoshop Elements for Dummies - one methodical chapter at a time. However, sometimes that's just not doing it for me so I sit and fiddle with various buttons. The result was this little study of faded beauty. Technically, they may be past their prime but to me they are just lovely.

Ball optional

Need some earrings for every day wear or perhaps a bit of sparkle to liven up your life? These little beauties would look good with a sweater and jeans so no need to put on your ball gown to take these out!

New additions to my Etsy shop that are inspired by vintage jewellery and made with vintage rhinestones, opal glass and chandelier parts. 

Introducing Gabriella - Bethany - Mabel - and Agneta.

       

Seeing infrared

Since I watched Soy Cuba a few weeks ago, a 1960s film by Mikhail Kalatozov, I've had a thing for infrared photography. Watch it if you haven't already - it's stunning to look at. At first I wasn't sure how he achieved the effect - white palm trees and sugar cane with dark dark skies - so a bit of googling and I discovered he used infrared film obtained from the Soviet Military and mixed it with black and white. There are lots of other things that make this film so good, not least the amazing tracking shots, but it's truly visually ravishing.

Infrared has an 'other worldly' quality that brings out something special in plants and foliage. I particularly love this photo by Sherri Conley, used in my last Etsy Treasury, where everything looks touched with the most glorious hoar frost. I'm still very much a beginner with Photoshop Elements but was very chuffed to see the option to create 'infrared' photos. I'm sure there are huge differences in quality when compared to the real thing but already I can tell this is an option that will be well used by me! A little bit of tinkering and I managed to transform a photograph taken today in the wonderful Spring sunshine (above), whilst keeping some of the colour on the main flower. I can't wait to use this on some of the photos I took last weekend at a manor in Buckinghamshire!

Weekend Treasury

My weekend with Bertie ...

... sleep in a four poster bed - a walk in the garden after breakfast - make time for tea - then into my black lace and a splash of French perfume - champagne cocktails and dinner at eight ... just don't tell Bertie that the Butler, Jeeves, has got my heart a flutter ...

Grey 'Grace'... Hopeless $18.00	Call the Butler Art... LittleMinchArt $16.00	little charmer.... ... labellefairy $350.00	30% OFF SALE - The ... SherriConley $21.00
Butterick Art Deco ... savagespider $65.00	Blue Transferware P... EnglishTransfe... $54.99	Vintage 1940s Tweed... blythehopesvin... $100.00	Vintage tea service lapomme $88.00
Authentic Harris Tw... needsgoodhome $120.00	Charley My Boy fram... shopnouveau $20.00	Vintage Silverplate... preciousplayti... $78.00	Jasmin Perfume Bott... autena $12.00
Clock Hand 8X10 Fin... SpringHouseCre... $18.00	1930s, 40s or 50s ... SweetDrawers $48.00	Vintage 1920s Black... pineapplemint $250.00	1938 Vintage Pengui... bananastrudel $30.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Life through a lens

As well as planting sweet peas and pots of hyacinths and daffodils this weekend I found a little time to try out my new camera. I've long had an interest in cameras and photography but never been lucky enough to own an SLR. I remember a little Box Brownie that used to live in our garage when I was young - I wonder what happened to that? An Olympus Trip was my favourite for many years and more recently I switched over to a digital Lumix but somehow I can't ever get used to taking photographs without a viewfinder. Peering at a screen just isn't the same. I like my eye to be close to the view - the camera to be an extension of me not something I hold at arms length. My new camera - a Canon 550D - is something else altogether. It won't slip into my pocket like my Lumix but it's a wonderful thing. It needs a bag of it's own, with lots of pockets for all it's bits and pieces. It has dials and buttons, a zoom lens and best of all - a viewfinder.

Of course, I don't know what most of these bells and whistles do yet. My first attempt at macro photography is this orchid (for the technically minded it was taken on the AV setting, ISO400, with auto focus). There's a lot to learn and in a few days Photoshop Elements will be arriving too. Somehow I don't think I'm going to have much spare time over the coming weeks...

Heart's a Flutter

My love of vintage trims knows no end so I was delighted to find some gorgeous hand-crocheted ones at an antiques fair recently. As soon as I see a basket of doilies or crochet my heart makes a little flutter. Thank heavens my husband has endless patience and is capable of amusing himself while I check out every single piece.

I came away with armfuls of beautifully crafted trims in wonderful condition. My collection being rather large I decided it was time to offer some up in my shop. These little kits team up hand-crocheted trims in creamy beige and pure white with machine-made delicate floral lace, mother of pearl and vintage plastic buttons and even a delicate shell-pink buckle.

Whenever I see hand-crocheted trims I think of the women who, with tiny hooks and fine thread (and much better eyes than I!) crafted beautiful adornments to their dresses and homes. I love to crochet but give me big hooks, thick wool and fast results any day! Maybe it's something to do with having large hands - I just don't think I could do something so delicate without screaming. So thank you to all those women who had the time, patience and skill to make these. I've selected the best bits for my kits - which are now looking for new homes and another chance to make someone's life pretty and special.

February Treasure Hunt

Recent trips to Marlow and Henley, two nearby towns on the banks of the Thames, have turned up some lovely vintage finds. This French dress clip is so pretty I want to buy a little black dress to go with it and pop up to London for cocktails. Sadly, I'm not a cocktail kind of girl - well, the odd Margarita and me have been friendly but I only own one dress (the one I got married in - little and black yes but with embroidered roses all over) and I'm more of a stay-at-home person. Luckily I think this would also look great on a sweater worn with a pair of jeans.

 

I couldn't resist this little Scottie Dog brooch either - he doesn't look anything like my little 'fella' but has such an expressive face.

I have a weak spot for anything from the 1930s and this Trifari dress clip is so stylish and of the era.

I also found this marcasite ship brooch complete with swinging anchor. Reminds me of my favourite joke (and the only one I can ever remember) - Question: Where are me buccaneers? Answer: Under your buccin' 'at! (Must be done with a pirates accent.) Now you can see why I don't do jokes!

I'll be putting all of these in my Etsy shop soon.