Three Muses Callenge..The Written Word..

Here's my piece for the  Three Muses Challenge this week.

I think many of us have lost the art of beautiful handwriting.

We were taught at school to use loops, then I went to High School

where I was taught again to lose the loops, so my handwriting is a

terrible mix of both.

Well well well....



Frank's Bride

Ill met by Moonlight

My Mother always said I don't have any patience. I beg to differ.

After persevering yet again, see post below, I got my pictures uploaded.

Good morning everybody!

Here I was bright and early and I just realised I've been here an hour trying to upload a couple

of pictures for you to see.

More problems...sigh....Blogger will let me write, (I hope) but will not

accept any images from me today.

I've tried all sorts of things, changed from IE to Firefox etc. etc. all to no avail.

I am sorry...

Thank you for visitting.....if you want to see Frank's Bride and Ill met by Moonlight

you are welcome to visit my Flickr site.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/junibears/

Big Hugs

June xx



The Lady from the Glass Mountain..

It's 9.30pm. my time. Almost my bed time!

My Server has been down for most of the day which on top

of all the Blogger problems gave me more frustration.

I hope you've all had a fabulous weekend,

Hugs

June xxx

Take a Word Challenge..Wings..

This is my take on the Challenge this week at Take a Word.

Wings..You lift me up.

Thanks for viewing and any comments.xx

SPA Happy Hour..

Here is my postcard for the Sunday Postcard Art Challenge.

Baby's Happy Hour.

I'm sure all mothers can remember those precious little times when there was just you and baby.

What Katy did next....

Katy thought she looked a bit frumpy, so what did she do next?

Why she went and died that red hair black for a start!

She read all the adverts in the newspaper, bought herself a pretty bonnet full of flowers;

a pair of high heeled shoes and some rouge for her cheeks.

She was pleased with the transformation.

It's not reported what Mother thought........

It's Saturday already..

A couple of collages I made a week or two ago.

I love the 'Sisters' engraving in the top one

and the one below was just a doodle!

I've been feeling a bit unwell the last few days. Just a tad more 

 pain than usual, very swelled foot and ankle for some reason,

and a few etceteras!

Perhaps it's the thought of another birthday coming up in a couple of weeks.

I should be so lucky! Lots don't have as many as I've had!

I'm planning on treating the whole family to a lunch out, God willing.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love and Hugs

June xxxx

Dezinaworld Images..

Good morning everyone! We didn't get the rain promised yesterday, the showers were round about but hardly wet the ground here. Sky grey and dull now, perhaps today....

Here are a couple of Collages I did yesterday for June at Dezinaworld using her beautiful Elegant Dreamers. The old photographers certainly knew how to take portraits, with their compared to now, historical equipment. I hope you like them.

I find Blogger is still being a complete nuisance! So is my Internet Explorer! I cannot leave many comments where I want to and I've had messages saying friends cannot leave comments here. Why fix something that aint broke?  It's so frustrating.
I'm using Firefox as my browser for this entry this morning.
Still in the great scheme of things it's only a pinprick. My heart goes out to those suffering floods and the devastation left by the tornados etc.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and weekend and sorry if I haven't left you a little comment.

                                                        Love and Hugs
                                                              June xxx

Dream..

I

I am quite fascinated with faces and  it pleases me to play with layers and photos to make a

different collage. This turned out to be a Symmetrical Dream and I like it.

Made with Googled images from the 1920's.

* * * * *

I went to Chapel this morning and it's always lovely to see old friends and have a quiet time of reflection and prayer followed by coffee and biscuits for a chat afterwards.

I came home to have my groceries delivered. They bring them in bags right into my kitchen but it's a big effort for me to put everything away in its place.

Meanwhile I made a couple of cards. Not the beautiful things some of you make that I admire so. Just downloaded a couple of images that are stuck onto cardstock But the thought is there.

Freddie went to hospital to the diabetic foot clinic and had Xrays again. They seem to think an infection from the ulcers has gone into the bone.... Anyway he was home by lunchtime.

It's looking as though we may get a tiny drop of rain this afternoon!

* * * * *

Every day brings its share of joys and disappointments. It might be something quite simple--

perhaps a bill in the post you've forgotten was due! But then you might get a pretty notecard in a decorated envelope from a dear friend you've met in Blogland.

I had such a card today from dear Patti, just to wish me well and sending love.

How precious to be remembered in such a way. 

Just remember..It takes both the sun and the rain to make a rainbow.

Love and Hugs

June xx

Theme Thursday..Layers and Textures..

This is my Collage for Theme Thursday's Challenge.

Layers and textures.

I hope you can enlarge it and see the background texture and

of course all the many layers in this digital collage.

Thank you for looking and I really do appreciate

your comments. xx

Altered Mona..

'I suddenly realised I had all this facial hair, so I'm hoping

I shall find a recipe for removing it in this book'

Poor Mona! I had another play yesterday. In the

R/H corner you can see the painting I 'borrowed' from.

The Gypsy Queen..

I'm not so happy this morning. I've been over to the Three Muses to look at

 everyone's Blue Challenge and Blogger is playing up again.

There are so many I cannot leave a comment for. So frustrating.

So dear fellow bloggers, I have looked at all your fantastic Blue Challenges

and you've all done such beautiful work.

Hugs

June xx

I made the collage above the other day. I thought she looked a bit of a drama queen!

Three Muses..Blue..

Here's my Blue piece for the Three Muses Challenge this week.

They have been inspiring us and testing us for 2 years now.

My favourite Challenge site including Take a Word.

You've given us loads of friendship!

Happy Birthday Marie, Ann and Bev, take a bow!!

Mermaid and friend..Collage Obsession..

Collage Obsession's Challenge this week was Mermaids.

I used one of the pictures they gave and I thought she'd like a friend.

Thank you for looking.xx

Those eyes again......

Good Morning everyone!

Its another beautiful day here but everything's looking parched and dry in the garden.

Thank you to my new followers and all your very welcome comments.

Especially for yesterday's 'altered man' pic. I wasn't sure whether to post it as it's not my usual style at all. I'm not into pierced skulls and ugly old men!!  LOL! Regular visitors will know I love beauty, calm and vintage! But I thought I'd have a practice to try and get out of my comfort zone!

The picture above is much more my style and to my taste. Her eyes fascinate and I have used them several times. I hope you like her too.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Love and Hugs,

June xxx

Photo manuipulation again..

Well I've been at it again today!

I'm sure many of you think 'Why doesn't she get a life!'

Sorry about that. So here's the original Old Master and

here's what I did with him.

I don't think his own Mother would recognise him! LOL!

What do you think?

Tells a Story..

I made this collage with the thought of telling a story.

It could have several different endings.

What does it say to you....?

Dezinaworld..Shabby Chic..

This is a collage I did for June at Dezinaworld with her Shabby Chic 2 set.

There are some beautiful elements in these sets.

Pop over and see her work.

Take a Word Challenge..Zetti..

I don't have much imagination as far as Zetti is concerned but I have a go.

These are my collages for the Take a Word Challenge tomorrow, Monday.

The one above is an oldie and the one below

is new.

I think this one is definitely ME.

A baby pig is lovely to cuddle but you have to be

careful as they wiggle and squiggle so!

Thanks for looking and I appreciate any comments.xx

Apple Challenge..

I did two entries for this Apple Challenge.

The first one I left the black line image as is with green apples and the

second one I coloured her with my mouse in Photoshop with red apples.

They look quite different and most people seem to prefer the coloured one.

I love these romantic flowing lines and the beautiful image is from

Idgies Heartsong.

* * * * *

Behold I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth,

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

There are people who think seeing obstacles is a sign of maturity and insight.

But anyone of average intelligence can do that.

God wants people who see a way beyond the obstacles

and who encourage others to take it.

Sometimes our light goes out

but is blown into flame by another human being.

Each of us owes deepest thanks

to those who have rekindled this light.

Albert Schweitzer

I wish you all a blessed Sunday,

Love and Hugs

June xxx

A Fine Pair..

Had a little play yesterday with some photo manipulation and an idea of a play on words.
Some parts worked better than others but I thought I'd show you the finished result. xx
                                                                 All images Googled.

SPA Challenge..Stork..

The theme this week at Sunday Postcard Art is Stork or Storks...

I just thought I'd  put the boot on the other foot,

so to speak. Hope you like it.

SoArtful Challenge..

SoArtful's Challenge this week was Steampunk using this free background.

I found it very hard to use as is, so it was much altered before I could place any elements.

So here is my finished collage, using elements mainly from Beth Rimmer and

Marta von Eck.

Thanks for looking.xx

Dezinaworld Images..

I'm starting this beautiful sunny Saturday with a pretty picture.

Very 'chocolate boxie' and would make a lovely card.

The background and ladies are from June's Dezinaworld Spring set.

She has some really beautiful collage sets. You don't have to use them

digitally, you can print, cut out and layer for your work.

Do pop over and see what she has at Dezinaworld.

Apple..

This is a collage I did this morning for a Challenge.

Subject..Apple.

Bit different for me. xx

Theme Thursday..Numbers..

It seems I've hit the Jackpot today!

I've found two Theme Thursdays.

This is the one I usually do but I found the one below first and did that too!

I'm a glutton for punishment!

This one called for numbers, so here is my quartet of dancers.

Theme Thursday..Gossip..

Theme Thursday's subject this week is Gossip. They gave a picture as a starting point but I chose to go a different route. All images were Googled but I think you'll

get the idea.

Faces..

I must have too much time on my hands! My spare moments are

spent here at my computer making pictures and trying to keep

up with everyone's work. I'm sorry, the pictures come in first!

 I dabbled about the other day and made this....

In the evenings I watch a little TV and try to keep my hands

busy with a little crochet. I'm making a warm blanket for my

knees, which are always cold. It's a thick wool which will be

lovely and warm but my goodness, it eats up the yarn.

Corey likes to sit on my lap with it draped over him as I work!

Freddie is progressing very slowly and is about the same.

His leg has still not healed and looks nasty which is the

main worry at the moment. A nurse still comes every other day to dress it.

Your commenmts are always so welcome and cheer me greatly. xx

Three Muses..Eggs..

The Challenge this week on Three Muses is to see what we can do with eggs!

I thought I'd show you one of my Goose  eggs.  A friend and I went to a Saturday class to alter a goose egg many, many years ago and this is what I did on that Saturday.

It's an egg casket that opens up to reveal the brilliant blue lining.

The outside is painted a cream pearlescent and the top has gold mesh stuck on, decorated with 'jewels' and tiny thin braids stuck all round.

I don't think my fingers and hands would let me do it now. I made several at the time which sit in a cabinet but this was the first one and my favourite.

Every time I look at it I think of that day with my friend Anne and what fun we had.

Sadly Anne passed away several years ago.

Let's get together..

My created temptress with her frog prince..

yeah, yeah, yeah.......

* * * * *

My dear friend Helen and her husband love to travel. This time they have gone 'oop north'

visitting lots of places of interest, such as Uppermill, the Saddleworth Museum, the Huddersfield

Narrow Canal etc. walking, exploring and seeing relatives.

She always  sends me a postcard from wherever she is, without fail.

Now that's true friendship. She knows I can no longer travel myself but I can armchair travel to the pictures on her cards, letting my imagination walk me along the Canal bank or sit and watch the barge boats drifting leisurely by.

Thank you so much Helen.xx

Swan magic..

Collage Obsession asked us to make a collage with Swans .

I have already done the Dying Swan for my 100 challenges so I thought I'd have a change.

Swans always look like magical creatures to me so I hope this gives that effect.

Thank you for looking.xx

Second Birthday..

Today is our darling Skyela's second birthday.

Yesterday was a very casual affair, tea, sandwiches and cake.

The dress-up party was last weekend with her and Ashton's little friends.There was great excitement to see candles and have fun blowing them out, helped of course by big brother.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SKYELA.

xxxx

Daphne Odora..

This beautiful woman is from a painting by Hubert von Herkomer called Daphne. She has a sister painting called Clematis. So the background is a photograph of my Daphne Odora shrub when it was blooming. It has the most gorgeous fragrance. And that's how this collage came about.

TAW Oriental..

Here's my Oriental collage for this week's Take a Word Challenge.

Backgrounds, figures and 'stamps' Googled. 

The two figures are modern ceramics with such a lot of detail and colour in them.

SoArtful Challenge..

SoArtful gave us a picture of Marie Antoinette to alter.

She lived a fine life until they cut off her head!

Sacred Idleness.....

The Gift of Sacred Idleness.

I just came across this quote....

Work is not always required....there is such a thing as sacred idleness,

the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.

---------George  Macdonald.

I thought this collage suited the quote..

All is Harmony..

I had just made this collage yesterday, thinking peace and harmony when the phone rang.

It was the daughter of a very old friend, telling me her Mum had just died.

We had a weep together on the phone as she was telling me the details.

Jackie and I used to work together in a Nursing Home many years ago and always stayed great friends. She had ups and downs in her life as we all do but she was a fighter with great humour.

God Bless you, dear Jackie.....

We are always being reminded of the frailty of human life. We never know what's just round the corner. Some little thing that may make us trip and fall or a much bigger thing like Loss...

So remember to keep in touch with friends. Tell them how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them in your life.

And most of all, tell your family members you love them, every day.

Sending love and good wishes to you all on this blessed Sunday.

June xxx

Missed you all..

It's Saturday here already, 5.30am my time. Corey woke me from a lovely sleep to say 'Mum, let me out please'. So I came on here and Hooray! In fact many Hoorays! Blogger is back!

I've missed you all, missed your comments and I felt quite cut off. It was impossible for me to leave many comments too so I'm Back!!

This is a picture I did for June at Dezinaworld. The background is one of her Backgrounds de luxe and the lady comes from her True Beauties cd. I hope you like it.

So.........what's been happening here?

Well Freddie had a fall and grazed his knee and elbow. His feet got entwined somehow with his sticks!  No major harm done thank heaven but it shook his confidence a bit.

The very next day I tripped over the threshhold going into the kitchen from outside and fell flat on the floor. It winded me but I had hold of the handgrip. It must have looked funny really as I swung myself round like Tarzan swinging on a tree.

As I've said many times before, falling is easy, it's the getting up that's difficult.

I've been to Chapel, doing my Chauffeuse bit, picking up my friends.

And in the afternoon we had a little film show and sale from the Leprosy Mission. Another large jolt to remind us how much we have to be thankful for.

Nice to be back this beautiful and bright Saturday morning.

Moon Child..

I found this beautiful child while Googling and I couldn't resist.

She already had the blue hair so I just put her on a background with  full moon and fairies.

Theme Thursday..Garden..

Theme Thursday has chosen 'Garden' this week.

A lovely subject!    I really love my garden. Freddie always kept everything looking immaculate.

This year however the roses didn't get pruned and weeds started to take over and I felt helpless watching Nature taking back her own.

My darling granddaughter Rebecca came to the rescue, cut the grass and tidied the borders. Her hours of work didn't give her any more time so my lovely grandson Richard gave me two hours a week and My Goodness! What a transformation. Hedges all cut and immaculate, borders tended, grass cut and everything blooming and looking wonderful.

He also does any odd jobs that need doing that I can't manage and Freddie never will.....

So we can both relax for a bit in the summerhouse and enjoy the garden. Freddie having a snooze and me doing a bit of crochet. Corey loves to examine and sniff every inch of the garden, where a blackbird settled or where the hedgehogs hide.

Then he'll come and sit on my lap and survey his little kingdom quite happily.

I hope you have a little piece of garden or yard where you can relax, really 'see', and restore any jaded spirits. Even five minutes will make all the difference.

The collage is not my garden but a pretty spot none the less.

have a wonderful day.

love and Hugs

June xxx

Nostalgic..

After all the fun of altered Mona's and gorillas, this afternoon

I've totally indulged myself and wrapped myself in another world

of Vintage Nostalgia. Just for me.

I hope you like it...xx

Three Muses..Altered Mona..

 I got a bit carried away with altering Mona. I found this gorgeous gorilla on Google sitting in the same pose so this was the first one. The second one I used the gorillas head on her, dolled up a bit.
                                                 (I love gorillas!)

I thought I'd show you all three,

but this one is my favourite.