a breath of fresh air.....

We arrived in France on Wednesday as my folks have lived here for the past 6 years and we come and visit them about twice a year. They live out in the countryside so lots for Miss G to see and do. Here are a few snaps of what we have been up to the last couple of days.

Thursday morning and this is the view that greeted me whilst sitting on the loo! not bad eh?


Miss G and Nana went for a ride on Nana and Grandad's tractor (lawnmower) and she was Nigel Mansell in the making steering all by herself.


We went for a nature walk this afternoon after lunch and here is a view of ma and pa's house from the front field.....

.... and here is the booty that we found on our walk.

I've been enjoying doing a spot of knitting in time for winter.

Miss G and Nana watering the plants....bless X

Diamonds are a girls best friend

I have been neglecting my blog recently as I haven't been feeling 100% and I am off on holiday to France for 2 weeks to see ma folks so I have been running around like a head less chicken trying to get everything ready.

I am taking all of my art materials with me so I plan on doing some painting and drawing whilst I'm there....so keep an eye out for new treasures.

Whilst I am sitting having my lunch at work I thought I would share with you some of the gorgeous jewellery I have found on Etsy. I'm a sucker for anything shiny and sparkly, so i hope you enjoy them too. Remember to check out everyones Etsy shop.

These earrings from SBJewelry are absolutely gorgeous and are definitely going on my Christmas list.


This cuff is beautiful.....true craftsmanship from WhyCreations.


I have been eyeing up the work by Enso for a while now...simple and elegant.

LauraBailleDesigns has some delicious new necklaces in her Etsy shop right now...worth checking out.

I think my next spotlight on Etsy sellers will be paper....all those beautiful hand bound notebooks and stationary. Handmade=made with love....spread the word!

Playful Spaces

Ghosts and Cream Cheese!

I know I said I was going to post something else yesterday but time ran away with me (as usual) so here are some lovely pictures of my cheeky wee monkey. We didn't get up to much, just a trip to a different shopping centre...little things :O) However, it looks like Grace had fun.

I think Grace has officially been watching too much Scooby Doo! This is Grace being a ghost...

I would love to say that I paint my lovely paintings in a gorgeous white washed studio, but my studio is my kitchen and all of my work gets displayed on the radiator for analysis and critique from my nearest and dearest (including Grace)...


We had lunch at home yesterday of oatcakes and cream cheese, most of which ended up on Grace's face! Very rarely does Grace let anyone put anything in her hair, but Aunty convinced her to put pig tails in and doesn't she look a picture xxxx

Loving Etsy

I think I could spend all day trawling though Etsy choosing gorgeous things I would love to buy, so I thought I would share some of them with you. I'll be doing some painting and drawing later on today so I post something up when the mood takes me XX

"Hamish" from Mogwaii....big up all Scottish Etsy sellers. Really love this.

I love good photography and I love this image from ValeriaH ...really beautiful, delicate. feminine.

I really enjoy looking at gorgeous illustrations/graphics so here are some of my favourites that caught my eye....

"Imagination" by Dazeychic

"Head Parade" by MultiplePersonality


"A Life of Love and A Life of Happiness" (1 of 2) by LaurenAlexander


"Hotel City" by Janicej

Anyhow...that's enough for the moment. I had better go and get out of my PJ's and tidy up the tip that i call my home! I have also got a very fidgety 3 year old (almost 4) on my lap watching Tom and Jerry who is making this quite tricky!
I post some more of my favourite sellers soon...especially jewellery XX

Bowled over

"Bowled Over" Pen and Ink with watercolour

I finished this drawing of Boyle Park bowling green, Forfar, last night but I'm not too happy with it. I think I spoiled it a bit with the watercolour. Hubby said I can't be wonderful all the time...oh yes I can!

As said by my dear mama it is now officially the end of summer as the Last Night of the Proms was last night so I was having a good sing-a-long whilst painting my picture!

Grace watching Tarzan.....

This morning whilst fiddling about with the computer Grace chilled out in her favourite TV spot! She's going through a lovely phase of calling everyone and everything "Baby" and is driving us all mad!

Inspire Me Thursday

"Make a Wish..." Pen and Ink with watercolour

This is the first time I have done Inpire Me Thursday...thought I would give it a go and I'm pretty happy with my outcome. The topic for this week was breath and this image of my Aunty and Miss G blowing out the candles at my Aunty's 60th birthday came to me straight away. I think I'll try and do more pen and ink with figures in it...I think this is my first!
Here's to many more inspiring Thursdays.

My Beautiful Wee Lass

My wonderful sister was looking after Miss G whilst mummy and daddy went to the movies (went to see a preview showing of Pinapple Express...very funny). I think they had a good time as you can see.....

......my rock-goth-fairy-princess! rock on!

Tiredness, Trees and Tennis!

I wasn't feeling too hot last night, but hubby thought it might be an idea to do some drawing whilst I watched the telly (watching QI trying to improve my knowledge of useless information!). So I got out my drawing board and pastels along with my photos of this amazing tree we found in Loch Lomond. Anyone who has been to Loch Lomond has probably seen this tree at Firkin Point.

I'll probably be doing more drawings of this tree very soon. I'm also working on some paintings of Loch Lomond which I'll be previewing on my blog very soon. I also watched some of the tennis on the Internet last night. Once Federer was pretty certain to win I went off to bed. Don't worry Andy...you'll kick his ass next time!

Whilst I'm here....

Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen (Sold)

The Pend, Forfar (Sold)

Little Causeway, Forfar (Sold)

Glasgow Tennement (commission)

I might as well add post up some of my pen and ink with watercolour drawings I have done. I promise there will be some new ones following shortly. Again...commissions are welcome!

portraits of loved ones....

Patch (commission)

Mr McKay

Misty (commission)


Thought I would post some of the pet portraits that I have done in the past...so if anyone would like a drawing of their past or present dog, cat, budgie.... commissions are available! plug plug plug.....