Occasional Blues.....

New name....new start!

Why 'Occasional Blues'? Well, I wanted to keep some kind of a link with my previous blog name and, although my tastes have changed, it goes without saying you'll still be seeing some shades of blue here :-)
And there's also the fact that I've been experiencing 'the blues' off and on over the last couple of years (and that will probably continue as I don't have a miracle cure yet). More of that later.
But I really had to get rid of the word 'girl'......... hardly appropriate as I approach my 63rd birthday ;-)

So what can you expect to see here should you pay me a visit?
There'll be lots of photos.....mostly altered in some way.
Moodboards and mosaics.
My little paper and fabric collages.
Healthy recipes and tips I've picked up over the last couple of years.
Rants about my health.....I'll keep them short.
And tales of my travels.
Talking of which....I'm off to St Ives very soon. And we're going on the train! I can't wait.

My aims:

• to keep my posts short and frequent
• to be honest about stuff important to me. Be warned....some of it may be controversial ;-)
• to share any creative tips and ideas I can come up with
• to also share interesting stuff I discover on other blogs and websites (I'm an avid reader of health and lifestyle blogs)

Next post.....the reason why I've been such a rubbish blogger over the past year. 

And some new needlecases.

I'll leave you with a recent piece of digital scrapbooking.... 

.... a photo taken with my favourite iPhone app - Hipstamatic

....and a lovely recipe from one of my favourite health bloggers 'Oh She Glows'...... a Happy Digestion Smoothie! I need this today.......

Where to start?

There's so much to say, I just don't know where to start. 

Once again I lost my way with everything to do with blogging. I haven't made anything with paper or fabric for ages.....but my love of photography, digital altering, iPhoneography, styling and moodboards has grown.

Over the past few months I have probably spent too much time on Pinterest, Instagram and FB; they are so easy to use.

Things haven't been great for me, health-wise, and when I'm struggling with those issues I can't focus on the whole process of blogging; the planning, composing posts, visiting blogs, sorting and editing photos,.......plus I don't feel I have anything worth saying (or showing). But I may be on the verge of finally getting a diagnosis (after almost three years). More of that another time. 

Anyway, I think I'm ready to start again....

Here are some of the things I'm  LOVING at the moment:

• Hipstamatic: the best photo phone app in my opinion
• Snapseed: a close second
• Instaframe: for grouping photos and adding text
• Instagram: quick, easy....and I've made lots of new friends there
• Digital scrapbooking supplies: especially from Katie Pertiet and Anna Aspnes
• Mood/Inspirationboards:  see http://www.pinterest.com/linvee/inspirationmood-boards/
• Photography/Lifestyle blogs: especially Keeping with the Times, Thoughts from the Desktop, Lavender Bleu, Creating beyond the Layers, The Simple Things, Cider with Rosie, Faded Charm, Kate's Creative Space, Valdirose and my lovely friend Zoe's blog Hymala
• Pinterest: where do I begin? I just adore it...... so much inspiration
• Shades of Grey: (but not 50) ....and yes, I'm moving away from bright colours (really!)  http://www.pinterest.com/linvee/shades-of-grey/
• Shades of White: http://www.pinterest.com/linvee/shades-of-white/
• Styling (Photography):  http://www.pinterest.com/linvee/styling/    ....especially loving those dark backgrounds and shots from above

So what have I actually been doing? 

• Going a bit crazy with Hipstamatic......

I think I like these dried coneflowers even more than the living ones....

• Trying a bit of black and white
  

• Making moodboards .......

 (Apologies to Instagram friends who have already seen some of these)

• Planning Christmas projects .....  I have a tray of bottle brush trees in my art room awaiting transformation:

Last week we went to the Christmas Market at the Derby Roundhouse (organised by fabulousplaces.co.uk). 

It truly was a fabulous day and I was very grateful to feel well enough to enjoy it. 

I was mesmerised by the incredible setting, the attention to detail, the exhibitors (all from Derbyshire and many of them craftspeople), the food, the vintage tearoom, the decorations .......it was very special. And only a ten minute train ride away! The Roundhouse has a fascinating history; it's the world's first and oldest surviving railway roundhouse, built with the help of George and Robert Stephenson. If you click on the link you can see a 360 degree view of it.

We had VIP tickets which meant we received a bag of treats and samples plus we could use the private lounge and have free prosecco and cake. Brian was particularly grateful for this as he was able to relax and read his paper whilst I did a workshop run by Birds in the Attic.  It was so nice to meet Klara there (such an inspiring lady) and we had a lovely time making snow globes.

This was our view of the Roundhouse as we entered..... 

....and here are some other images from the day.

My little snow globe is bottom right.

I can't go without an Angel update........

She has two loves in her life at the moment (apart from me ;-)

• The scratching board we bought from Zooplus for £3.99 (what a bargain....she's never off it!) She's decided its for scratching and sleeping.
• Froggy (the green monster she's cuddling in the first pic). She carries him around the house in her mouth like a kitten.....then fights with him. (Maybe its a good thing she never had kittens ;-)

That's all for now......I'll try to come back very soon to show you more of my snow globes
(I'm currently tying little trees on top of cars). Oh the joys of Pinterest....... :-)