Alpine Abstract

Today I was giving a tutorial on Lightroom and I took a few macro images in the garden to demonstrate different processes and styles.

I really enjoy using split tones on abstract pieces. Enhancing the existing alien appearance of very simple, ordinary subjects that often comes with macro photography is fun.

It was a good tutorial today 🙂

Magnolia

This Magnolia is probably the most recognisable of the species, often called the Tulip Tree.

This one is in our communal gardens here and I really loved how the blooms’ shape and colour was set off by the pink cherry blossom flowering beside it.

I’ll be bringing you much more throughout the year from our beautiful gardens 🙂

Orchid Study 1

After the recent orchid exhibition at RHS Wisley Gardens, they held a sale of some of the plants from the displays.

Well…….

…….could you resist?

I bought myself a photo tent recently and decided to put it to use for my Photo of The Day.

Pixel thinks it’s a brand new toy for him though!

And then I added the orchid………

……..Pixel tried to eat it!

Bright and Bold

We have communal gardens here at our flats and one resident, in particular, does a huge amount of work to keep our gardens looking bright and beautiful.

Brian is an unsung hero. He selflessly gives of his time to help other residents with their own garden areas and always offers help to those in need.

His bright and colourful countenance is reflected in the wonderful blooms on show here. It’s no wonder we’re always winning Woking In Bloom!

Brian and his wife, Carole, are a true example of “the good neighbour”. I have huge respect for them and I’m so glad to live alongside such lovely people who have really inspired a sense of community here.

Brian is pictured here on Greenoak’s website (residential involvement section) with the Woking in Bloom trophy 🙂

Good Friends

A good friend gave me a lovely gift with this message on it.

So now I have this message to give to all my other good friends 🙂

Feel free to give this one to your good friends too!

Black Tulip

This fabulous Magnolia, named Black Tulip, is such a rich colour with boughs hanging low setting its vibrant, purple flowers off against a carpet of daffodils.

Need I say any more?

Rosie and The Unicorn

It was my goddaughter, Rosie’s, eighth birthday last week and today I joined her mum, Nikki, to pick her and her brother, James, up from school for a big present exchange!

All three of us girls have our birthdays within a month of one another so we often share presents on the same day, with James taking charge of handing out the gifts.

This year I discovered a young artist called Laura Mathews on Facebook and was very taken with her work. Amongst other animals, she makes some beautiful articulated horses and unicorns.

She was already selling some horse broaches so I sent her a message to see if she could possibly make a unicorn broach for Rosie. She did 🙂 and today Rosie opened her gift with great delight!

It’s a wonderful feeling giving loved ones unique gifts. For me, I also like to inspire a love of the arts amongst the children in my life.

So if any of you need inspiration for gifts I would highly recommend supporting local artists! Buying or creating an original piece of art will always remain a special token between you and your loved one.

Laura is also on Etsy and Blogspot

Female Brimstone

Sometimes words are completely inadequate to describe the beauty of something.

RHS Wisley Gardens in the sunshine today provides a perfect example of that.

Although I can share my favourite photo from today, and later publish an album of my visit on Facebook, I can not possibly convey the magic of the light playing through the trees, the heady scents of magnolia and hyacinth, the complete peace encompassed by the birdsong and the flitting shadows of butterflies.

I saw a number of butterflies today including this lovely female Brimstone, lots of Commas, Large Whites and a Orange Tip. Signs of a very healthy garden 🙂

African Daisy

I love these pretty summer flowers. There are many different species, cultivars and colours but the Blue-eyed daisy remains my favourite.

There’s more information on the RHS Plant Selector and Wikipedia if you want to choose one for your own garden!

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

I’ve not done much more than serve tea and cake to visitors today! All agreed that Simon makes wonderful cakes 🙂

It’s been a very busy few days and although it’s been great fun I’m thoroughly exhausted, so today has been a lazy day.

Apparently I wasn’t the only one feeling the hardships of life today. Pixel resolutely took charge of my wheelchair and spent a good part of the day making himself purrfectly comfortable.

Good thing I was too tired to go out, eh, wasn’t it Mr Pixel?