Author: Yvette

Zentangles

Published by

You know when you’re on the telephone, talking away, and you reach for that pen, and start doodling, over in the top right hand corner of the nearest notebook. Well, I’ve discovered those doodles within a frame are your Zentangles your creative side…Why not try this method of art. Making patterns, doodling in order to have an end result; a piece of artwork. It’s relaxing, It’s enjoyable…. It’s fun… …and it’s very, very easy. . and I know you’ve tried it! What’s a Zentangle? Zentangle was originated by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts in Massachusetts, USA in 2005. It is a combination of deliberate pen strokes to create patterns, while exercising and relaxing the brain. Here’s my first attempt… Within a 9cm x 9cm square, draw a ‘string’ which is a freehand continuous line and shape. Within this shape, these area’s are filled in by repetitive shapes called ‘tangles’,  there are many suggested tangles or create your own… you a free to create what ever comes to mind. Some years back while doing my graphic’s …

Romantic Charms

Published by

Beautiful touches of pink and creams, in this romantic brides garter. Brides garter, Grooms handkerchief, and wedding cake ribbon. Threads, silks, ribbons, cross stitch, roses, pearls, dates and promises.This week has seen my sister working her fingers, making some romantic ribbons for a wedding celebration. All beautifully created by my sister, a very talented lady. Linking to Beverly’s Pink Saturday. October being the month for Breast Cancer Awareness, why not join in, for the month of October to Pink Saturday.

Italian Almond Cupcakes

Published by

On visiting Tandy’s blog, Lavender and Lime her challenge for this week was to bake something sweet using almonds. Looking through some new acquired cookbook magazines, my Mum asked if I had tried a  recipe  – Italian Almond Cupcakes….on the same day visiting Tandy’s blog. Coincidence –  I decided to try the recipe and link back to join Tandy and her baking challenge. On further research of the recipe…the advertisement in the magazine was saying Italian Almond Cupcakes and the main ingredient  –  Dilmah’s Exceptional Tea. An adventure begins…

TT – The Love eDition

Published by

This weeks theme of Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen is Love. Delicious little shortbread biscuits. Baci di Dama – the translation…Ladies Kisses.The original recipe is from Piemont – northern Italy. Known for it’s hazelnuts. Two round hazelnut – almond shortbread biscuits joining by a kiss of chocolate in the centre. These special biscuits are just divine finishing off the evening with an espresso, or liqueur. Join in the Love eDition here Have a great week everyone, Yvette…x

Early Start…The Liebster Award

Published by

Nothing like a spectacular electric storm to see you out to morning. The sky was certainly a brilliant display of white fireworks,and disturbing anger last night, after a few days of extra hot early Spring weather, everything has cooled down and calm for this morning. I find myself awake early, and within the silence of the early morning I have time to visit  and cyber chat with friends. I’ve been nominated by my friend Mandy,from The Complete Cook Book for The Liebster Award. Mandy and myself crossed paths early this year, commenting on varying common blogs together, we both have a passion for those things that enrich our lives from the kitchen. She continually supports, encourages and inspires me with her cooking, so take a few minutes to visit her blog. She shares excerpts from her family copy of ‘Woman’s Home Companion Cook Book, her last post is Part 8 from the book and can be found here. She’s even written her own book and epigraph: Recipes for favourite dishes are passed down through family …

TT – Anything Goes eDition

Published by

What fun, when we’re free to experiment with different textures and create our own style adding, highlighting, and sharpening an image until we feel it’s perfect. This week stopping by Kim Klassens Cafe we’re free and easy to show off our photo’s. My photo this week  was taken of old vintage things, antique silver…with a colourful exquisite tulip. Recipe for this photo: Layer 1: background photo – twistedvines original + Layer 2: kkcoolgrunge 100% + Layer3: kkautumnburst 100% +Layer4: tint 60% +Layer5: sharpen 22% (Picasa 3) Here’s the original: Thanks for calling by and catch up with some wonderful photographers and their inspirational techniques by calling by Kim Klassen’s Cafe. Have a great week Yvette…x

TT -The ‘do’ eDition

Published by

Texture Tuesday this week with Kim Klassen is to use one of her new textures ‘Autumn Burst’ and the verb to ‘do’. I actually this week took a photo from my archives of images and added a quote from Denis Waitley… ‘Everything is something you decide to do, and there is nothing you have to do’ My image for this week: Photo1: Original Twistedvines + kkautumnburst + highlights 35% + shadow 60% + sharpen + glow + added half tint (Picasa3)   Kim shared with us a favourite manifesto of hers,  this poster can be purchased here , Kim is actually giving a copy away to a lucky TT subscriber… take a reflective moment and have a read… ‘Live your Dream and Share your Passion’ Have a great week everyone, Yvette…x

Virtual InSpiration.

Published by

I don’t know about you, but I have a huge collection of my favourite blog sites,that I continuously visit, on my computer. I have bought (lost count) so many hardcover books, and stacked them in corners and displayed them on coffee tables and book shelves. I have suitcases of magazines and scrapbooks of pages. Too heavy to move! Do you have story boards of your favourite photo’s, your dream home, or places to visit, your favourite recipes, your colour palette of love, dreaming and maybe even lust….its not a wish list ( is it? )  it’s beyond that …it’s a convoy of  trucks… loads of wishes. OK, so a story board in front of your face all day is fine, a little cluttered, a little messy. Or the front of the fridge is all magnated out, and there’s no more space. Here’s a great way to make inspirational boards of your favourite things. Have you come across Pinterest or follow someone on Pinterest. Come follow me…here. The best part is that any photo you find …

A Circle of friends

Published by

  Sometimes life gets so busy, we change, things change us. Sometimes directions in life are easy, sometimes a little harder. We all set ourselves goals, day by day, week by week…month by month…and even next year. Every week I set myself some weekly goals to visit my circle of friends. Those whose blogs I adore to look at, read, comment and get inspired from. Our circles of friends are all different. We all have different passions. Those who write poems, who create in their kitchens, who paint, who make tea, who capture things through the lens…and you my friend, are part of my circle, and how lonely my life would be without you. Today, I wanted to share with you, a reflective corner of blue and white. The changing blue skies and those soft romantic white clouds, are finally appearing and reflecting a new Spring/ Summer . “The whole earth was brimming sunshine that morning. She tripped along, the clear sky pouring liquid blue into her soul”  Theodore Dreiser Blue and White china mugs…can’t …