Monday, May 04, 2009

Bluebells (again!) & Artificial Blooms!

I hope you are all enjoying the May Day bank holiday weekend. I'm just checking in to my blog with a short (mishmash!) post and a few photos taken over the last couple of days, whilst my in-laws have been visiting us.

On Friday, my daughter and I took my mother-in-law to Wells, where we visited the Bishop's Palace and gardens. We were celebrating, as my middle daughter has just been offered a place at Newport Uni on a BA Fine Art degree course.
At the moment there is an exhibition of Art and Soul stainless steel sculptures within the landscape gardens, by Ian Marlow.
(Swan £1,750)
The remains of the Great Hall were preserved as a 'Gothic ruin' on the South Lawn in the C19th.
My daughter, ever the 'David Bailey', was snapping away in the pretty gardens! She loved these black tulips.
The sluicegate that regulates the flow of water from the wells that bubble up in the gardens, which gave Wells its name - Looking very inviting on such a warm day...
This photo was taken inside the recently restored Bishop's chapel, situated next to the medieval Undercroft restaurant.
Within the Bishops Palace, the State Rooms are reached by a Jacobean staircase, where there is currently an art exhibition. Also on display is a beautifully detailed portrait of Wells resident, Harry Patch, when he was 110 years old.
He is the last surviving British soldier to have fought in the trenches during the first world war.

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Another visit to the heady scented bluebell woods was in order for Saturday...
The wild flowers were definitely at their best this week.

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And finally, a recent addition to my embellished shoe collection, which I shall take with me to the V&H fair.

Flamboyant mules which I have encrusted with vintage millinery flowers and trims.

Not in the least bit 'over-the-top'! ;-))
Enjoy the rest of your day,
Niki x

22 comments:

  1. I think your mules are gorgeous!
    And I never get fed up with looking at photos of a bluebell wood..or even being in one...oooh the smell!
    BTW My nephew got a first class honours from Newport Uni.He studied graphic design.

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  2. Wow those bluebells are exquisite! I love the woods you have there and wish I had something similar closer to the part of Melbourne I live in.
    Niki, your shoes are absolutely exquisite!!!

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  3. Great Mules!
    Bluebell blue is a fantastic colour. I think it is a unique colour.

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  4. Congratulations to your daughter!
    Mine willbe doing Textiles Art at Bournemouth from September & I am secretly dreading her going away from home, although I'm sure she will love the course so I have to put on a brave face!

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  5. Those SHOES! Stunning work, Niki! What beautiful photos of Wells. It looks to be a glorious place! And big congrats to your daughter! =)

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  6. More good reasons for me to keep looking out for French millinery flowers, there, Niki! Thanks for the inspiration. I think I'm going to give my lovely, but stained, wedding shoes a new lease of life... But I suspect that nothing I make will have the perfection you manage to achieve!

    I've just recieved my two copies of the 'Pink' book you told us about - both bought as gifts, but I rather think I'd like to keep one, actually... I browsed through and found the vintage section, which looks lovely. Thanks for letting us know about the book!

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  7. Gosh, what a gorgeous place to visit. Being in the states, and never having been to your country (although my family heritage is there..in Cornwall!) I love seeing the beauty through the lens of your camera! Thanks for taking the time to think of us and post all these gorgeous photos!
    XOXO
    Joni

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  8. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO VISIT! LOVE THE LARGE TULIPS! AND THE MULES ARE TO DIE FOR! LOVELY!!

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  9. Thanks for the tour. Congratulations to your daughter.
    Glenda

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  10. How beautiful! Your shoes are fabulous. xxxx

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  11. Anonymous6:15 pm

    Great pictures.....

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  12. If I could say "hey Mum, would you like to go to Wells?" I think I would die!!

    that's just awesome....

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  13. Anonymous9:07 pm

    Loved the picture of Harry Patch's portrait. He's such an amazing character. I grew up about 15 miles from Wells and spent many days out there as well as taking part in the country dancing festival on the cathedral green. I can honestly say it's one of my favourite places on earth. I love it when you have something to write about your visits there as it brings back very good memories.

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  14. OOOOh I love those shoes! They're beautiful.

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  15. beautiful pictures of your day out! love the old ruins!
    and.. those freaken shoes are sooo awesome! love them! are you going to wear them???

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  16. Niki, huge congratulations to your daughter...that is wonderful news and i am sure you are bursting with pride for her:)

    those shoes are TDF and i am in lust with them!!! gorgeous work...they are SO SO SO luscious and beauteous!!!

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  17. Gorgeous mules .... the stumbling block .... getting to them first before they get snapped up LOL

    best wishes Ginny x

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  18. You can never have enough of bluebells or new shoes Niki - what a great combination! Congrats to your daughter, that's brilliant news
    Kimx

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  19. Congrats to your daughter. I just adore that huge urn with the beautiful black tulips. Oh, and your new shoes are SO fabulous - they are amazing!

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  20. Congrats to your daughter!!!! I bet you're so proud of her...
    What a beautiful post....Your pictures are just amazing...Love the bluebells they're stunning...I also love you millinery encrusted mules..You really did an amazing job...
    Stephenie

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  21. totally awesome! reminds me of Basia Zarzycka!

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  22. Anonymous2:55 pm

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx