A present to myself

Whilst I was sitting on the beach in St Ives, I remembered a painting done by a blogger, and thought about how he had captured the "blue" of St Ives very well. On my return home, I decided to treat myself to this picture and I was thrilled when I got home from work today to find that it had arrived - and I only posted my cheque off this morning!!! Its gorgeous and will be taking pride of place in my workroom (once I have sold the young mans bed - which he has grown too tall for!!!).

So thank you very much Mr D - who incidently only lives about 5 miles away from me! You made my day by transporting me back to the harbour. Take a look at his project where he aims to paint one picture per week. My painting is number 17.

A last look at St Ives (for a bit anyway!!)

Very few words required

Quick explanation!! We saw 4 Dolphins jumping in the harbour (AMAZING!!!!!), but with my rubbish camera makes it look like Jaws swam in!!!








Sigh........................................

Ive been to............

I'll be back when Ive sifted through the 500+ photos !!

We've had a great time - and once again and I so didn't want to leave. I have some great things to show you.

The Clare White Gallery

If you are in South Yorkshire, but you long to be in Cornwall, I insist you visit the Clare White Gallery at Elsecar Heritage Centre. Honestly, its a great way to get your Cornish "fix". I went along on Saturday as they had an evening previewing a new jewellery collection. The artwork is stunning and original and I wish I could own every piece. Most of the art work comes from Cornwall, especially St Ives.

They also have a great selection of individual hand made crafts, almost all of them made locally.

Its a brilliant little gallery. Whilst you get lots of these sort of places around St Ives, you don't get many in South Yorkshire - its a real little gem.

I insist you pencil in a visit!

Also having an open evening was the great new deli next door. It was far too busy to take a photo inside, but I can vouch that the food was delicious and I will be giving this another try in the very near future (purely for bloggy research you understand!!)

Its great to see more of these fabulous and individual places opening up at Elsecar Heritage Centre. Its such a lovely little place.

St Ives in South Yorkshire

Its been my lucky week. Firstly, I won a giveaway over at Rebecca's, then I won Noelles giveaway too!! (and yes, Ive got a lottery ticket for tomorrow!!).



I love the little picture - its perfect! The seagulls face makes me smile!!! I just know he's spotted some unsuspecting "emmett" on the Wharf who isn't guarding his pasty!!!



I love Noelles work - it screams "St Ives" . She was very naughty though and sent me loads of gorgeous stuff.

The Funky Cornish Fairy is now hanging in my bedroom - I just love her!

And the beaded brooch was just made for me!

And the little boat reminds me of the lovely boats that bob about in the harbour in my spiritual home.

Many many thanks Noelle - you just knew I would love all my goodies (the hand made chocolates didnt last 5 minutes!!!). I can gaze upon my St Ives treasures until I get to visit again next year.

Beautiful Gifts

Finally I have a new camera and can show you the beautiful gifts that Carolyn gave me when we met up in St Ives.

Her work is quite exquisite - these photo's do not do them justice.

There is such delicate detail in each piece - truly beautiful. I keep picking them up and examining them - they are mesmerising.

Look at how much work and detail has gone into this gift tag.

Thank you once again Carolyn - I love my gifts. xxxxx

Blind Date

Before I went to St Ives, I had arranged to meet Carolyn of Love Stitching Red.

We arranged to meet in a cafe on the Wharfe, and I said she would recognise me as I would be wearing my felted red heart that Collette had made for me, however, I realised when I got there that she hadn't said how I would recognise her. So on Tuesday morning, I sat waiting for Carolyn, smiling very excitedly at anyone who smiled at me first, and as Carolyn approached and waved, I thought she might be waving at someone behind me!!

This was my second bloggy blind date, and I was really looking forward to it as my first date with Lyn had gone so well. Carolyn and I got the important things sorted first - what cake were we going to have!! The biggest ones of course!

I can report that our meeting was a great great success. We chatted away for ages about EVERYTHING. It amazes me that 2 strangers can rabbit on as if they have known each other all their lives. We swapped bloggy gifts - I gave Carolyn a bag of "Yorkshire" goodies, and she had made me some utterly gorgeous goodies - some fabulous intricately embellished hearts - her work is stunning. Unfortunately I can't show you these yet as my camera broke before I had chance to snap these, I am hoping to buy a new camera at the weekend, so you wont have long to wait. And here she is, the lovely lady herself. Thank you so much Carolyn, it was one of the highlights of my holiday. Looking forward to doing the same thing next year.

Whilst chatting, Carolyn mentioned that Lesley Ninnes would be working in her gallery (next door to the cafe) the day after, so on Wednesday, on my way to the beach, I called in and introduced myself. We had a great chat - Lesley is St Ives born and bred and has some lovely stories of her family being born there too - I'd love to hear more of what St Ives was like when it was a big working harbour Lesley (The little museum gives you some idea and it looks fascinating). Lesley is going to join Carolyn and I next year when we meet up - How about you too Noelle if you are free?

Its great meeting other bloggers - especially when they are so lovely. Thank you ladies for meeting me and entertaining me so well.
xxxx

Images from St Ives

Found on the beach - how did they know I was in town?



Around the harbour - always plenty to see.

Very different flora to what grows around my neck of the woods.

Trying to find the least steep walk up to the camp site - I have to stop many times to admire the views!

Not mine - perhaps one day.

For those who asked - although the rest managed a pasty everyday, I was VERY good and bought a salad tub of sprouted beans and seeds (with lovely hot dressing) and Bombay potatoes from "Living Food" which is a fabulous little shop on the corner of the Wharfe near the harbour. I expected to lose half a stone - but I didn't!!!

Also, the camp site is Ayr Holiday Park, the most fantastic camp site ever with AMAZING showers and splediforous views. It has static caravans, a place for touring caravans, and then a couple of fields for tents.

This is the view from my pitch (74).

Treasure

As some of you so rightly guessed - we did indeed spend last week in St Ives - although the photos do look as if it could have been the Caribbean!

We arrived on Saturday afternoon, and as always, it was blowing a force 10 gale as we put up the tent. Hubby and I came as close to divorce erecting the tent as ever!!, and as ever, once the last peg is in place, the wind drops and we become friends again!

We had the most relaxing of times - the car never moved once and we spent every day on the beach.

After a leisurely breakfast, we assembled our requirements for the day and headed off to the beach. As soon as we were pitched on the beach, it seemed to become "Pasty time". After Pasty's, the kids would do a bit of revising for forthcoming exams (although it looked more like lolloping to me!), and hubby and I would take a lovely stroll to go treasure hunting.

We found so much each day - pottery, sea glass, driftwood etc

And whilst he's never been one to dash home with diamonds, he's your man if you want a heartshaped pebble, or piece of sea glass.

I have a few more images to show you, but my camera broke mid week!!!

And I also met 2 lovely other bloggers that I'll tell you about later too.

xxxxxxxx