When I was putting some photographs together the other day I was fascinated to see lots of links....particularly with these two.  I even have a 'window' in the jacket!!  Of course this was very carefully planned (I don't think!!)  In fact I have great difficulty in planning anything...serendipity reigns in my brain...but there is obviously something going on in my deep subconscious to make connections!!

St. Pancras Station has really been brought back to life - I can remember when it was a dingy, rather forlorn place, and loved to look at the plans for the futuristic station that was to be built.  The engineering was fantastic and the ground was dug into so there is now a lower layer underneath the main railway track.  It has been totally rejuvenated - with shopping malls, cafes, bars and of course Eurostar.  I also visited another beautiful old, very gracious building which is now the Buxton campus of Derby University.  What a lovely place to study - it has given me a yearning to go back to college.......... (I wish....!)

More cheerful beach huts.  As you can see, my paintings don't really resemble the real thing....maybe I should take my paintbrush down to the beach?????

I had a sudden creative urge yesterday and decided that I should capture some summer scenes before it is too late!!  Living by the sea it seems a good idea to concentrate on seaside images - so beach huts it is!!  Mind you the local beach huts don't look anything like this, so I used a bit of artistic licence! 

A derelict building with freshly painted shutters.......very strange, but charming all the same.  I wonder what the history is, and why has this gorgeous farmhouse been left to crumble?  Very strange and rather sad.  If I had the money it's exactly the sort of place I should love to renovate and bring back to life!  Dream on.....................!!

I'm always on the lookout for interesting views, and I particularly liked these scenes in the town where my son lives.  Of course, the promise of tea and cakes adds to the general ambience!  It's good to be home again and now it's all systems go for the forthcoming conservatory.  The plan is that work starts here on 12th August.  It's certainly going to be disruptive, but hopefully worth it in the long run......I'm quite sure I shall be keeping you up to date on this blog.  Then I must finish painting my shed and get everything ready for a creative autumn...(hopefully!)

Just returned home from Granny duty so couldn't resist showing you baby Olivia.  She smiles all the time...gorgeous (although I am a bit biased!!).  By the way I did have a nosebleed on the journey home today - so I'm glad I wasn't driving on the motorway - could have been tricky!!  More tomorrow.....

To start with.....just look at the colour of the Downs on this morning's walk.......amazing isn't it?  Absolutely fantastic weather - as I've said before, I LOVE it!!   The Opera that I mentioned in my last blog was brilliant.  I hadn't realised what I was going to....a professional Opera set in the beautiful estate of John Getty.  Another day I'll show you some pictures of the gardens...unbelievable.  The opera house actually packs away (!!) but it costs a million pounds every time it is folded up - fortunately Mr. Getty has decided he is quite happy to live alongside the building permanently, thus saving lots of money!  The Opera was a kind of  experiment and included the community alongside the professionals.  You can spot my grandaughter in the back left corner!! The children have put in hours of practice but should be very proud of what they achieved.  Tomorrow I am going to see my baby grandaughter who is now 4 months old.  Fortunately I am travelling by train ... I have just had another nosebleed, so have plenty of tissues in my bag.  It would be a nightmare driving whilst clutching on to my nose..............

Pattern is everywhere....particularly outside this shop in Brighton.  Aren't the windmills great?  Mind you there hasn't been any wind for a long time......the weather continues to be fantastic - and SOOO hot....although I am told the temperatures are higher up country.  I shall find out today as I'm off to watch my grandaughter sing in an opera...should be fun!

I discovered a charming little tea shop opposite the library in Worthing.  As you can see, it's called The Happy Teapot....and that's certainly how it feels.  Good coffee, tea and homemade cakes!! After our knit and natter group some of us usually end our session with a visit to a cafe - so this one will certainly be on the agenda from now on! 

A gorgeous smoothie (made with strawberries from the garden) at lunchtime gave me the energy to finish off the bag .  As you can see, I have lined it and added a snap fastener to close it.  Everything seems to be pink at the moment and I am clearly being influenced by beach huts in the sun....anyway, I shall do some more dyeing and get stripping.........

I have been thinking of things to make that are more appealing in the hot weather.....so the other day I was sitting in the garden ripping up some of my dyed muslin - and hey presto!  24 hours later a bag was produced!  I am going to make a dyed cotton bag to insert to give stability - but on the whole I was very pleased with the result. As you will see, I took a photo of myself with the piece draped over my shoulder wondering if it would make a loose type of cardigan.  I think it would work - so one day I shall have a go.

So many festivities this weekend, and so many people enjoying the sun, sand and sea.  Our local beach cafe is devoted to promoting the arts and yesterday was no exception.  The theme was birds (they are hidden all around the town).  It was brilliant to see loads of people of all ages cutting, colouring and creating a huge variety of bird shapes.  There were also a couple of extremely tame owls to chat to.  By the way, just look at that amazing deckchair.  A local artist has painted it - it's stunning!

My daughter is really good at going around with the paint pot and generally smartening things up, and making our home look more presentable.  We are a bit in limbo at the moment as we are waiting to hear if we've got planning permission to build on a conservatory/extension.  We should hear by the 18th July....so fingers crossed.  Obviously it will be a big upheaval so it's not worth sorting the garden out until all the work is done - but it will be worth it.  Meanwhile the good old shed is still very much in action, as you can see from the latest dyeing batch.  This is an advanced notice to anybody who would like to come......we are planning our official house warming/Christmas open day on Sunday 15th December.  We plan to be open from 10 am - 4 pm with appropriate refreshments throughout the day.  You are welcome to pop in for 5 minutes or 5 hours so please put this in your diary!! Enjoy the sun today x

On the way to the library the other morning I just had to stop and take these pictures.  The corner of the little gardens looked so happy and bright....and then I turned around and saw the car!!  I think it had come out in sympathy!  Anyway, all in all it all looked bright and happy.......You may remember from past blogs that I had been struggling with nosebleeds.  Well - I am still struggling and finally decided to yet again go to docs.  Now being referred to ENT specialist and having blood tests today.  I feel ok but am getting fed up with continually having to clutch a pile of tissues at the ready!  Hey ho - such is life, but it doesn't prevent me from enjoying our glorious summer!