Saturday 16 February 2013

Pearls

I am sure that lots of you have photos and posts which you planned to write and just never got round to. I was looking through my photos and realized that  I never shared a wonderful visit to West Mersea with my daughter the summer before last. I also thought it would be a really good time to share some sunshine. West Mersea in Essex is world famous for it's oysters and until that day I had never tasted this delicacy which I know people either love or loath.
Just look at the sunshine we had that day. It was actually just before they moved from Essex to Southampton. My girlie and I love looking for shells and the beach was just stacked with oyster shells. We collected some as they are great for using as props for photographing my jewellery.

















There is nothing like warm sand on your toes is there?
After wandering along the beach we made our way to the famous West Mersea Oyster bar for lunch. It gets very busy so went quite early to ensure a seat.
As it was such a gorgeous day we chose to sit outside. It was also lovely to admire the views.


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There are no guesses of course for what I ordered......


Now I know that a lot of people don't like oysters even if they like seafood.....well here was my verdict.


mmmmmmm, yummy. In fact it is making my mouth water remembering that glorious taste. Seeing these photos again really takes me back to that superb sunny day with my girlie. Happy warm summer days. Let's hope we get plenty of them this year.
Now those shells we found have been put to great use as props as I have been playing in my photo tent again.

This is the newest edition for sale in my Etsy shop
Of course I could not mention oysters without pearls could I and I have been making some new pearl based necklaces too ...I know the shell below is not one we found but I rather liked this photo of another new necklace in my Etsy shop. This is a bamboo coral and freshwater pearl summery piece... roll on summer.
and more shells and pearls in this piece

and last but not least is my card challenge card for today which also has the theme of  the seaside and pearls. I used the second mermaid Lili of the Valley mermaid stamp which I recently won. This stamp features 2 cute fairy mermaids and I added lots of pearls (card making ones) to this.



Aren't they cuties? 

I used my Promarkers for colouring and added Stickles glitter to their wings and tails and pearls to the starfish. The oval die is Spellbinders Floral Oval. My shell die cuts are Marianne (they are great fun and there is one more in this set too) and the tag sentiments are LOTV. 

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;
Lili's Little Fairies Pearls (how very appropriate)
ABC challenge H is for Happy Birthday
Marianne Design Divas Favourite colours my favourite colours are these  pastels. I really like the pinks, blues and creams. I am never a pink girl but I do love it with blue and cream. The Marianne die cuts I used are the sea shells LR0230
Cute Cards Thursday an eye for detail #256 I love the details I have added to my stamped image..glitter and little pearls.
Forever Friends Fortnight challenge anything goes #55
Penny Black and More Pink, Pearly and Swirly
I love Promarkers One for the girls #155
Deep Ocean Challenge B is for .... my Bs are birthday, bow, blue, brown and bubbles
Natalie and Amy something old/new my old is the lace and my new is the LOTV stamp
Make It Monday Linky Party #127




I hope my post has triggered some summer sunshine memories for everyone and let's hope spring arrives really soon. I would like to say hello to my newest followers :0) and as always a thank you to everyone who visits me here. Here in Surrey I have woken up this morning  to some sunshine and it looks to be dry for the whole weekend. We may well get out on the walk we never managed last Sunday! Have a wonderful weekend and I hope the sun puts in an appearance at some point wherever you are.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x


24 comments:

  1. Ah thank you for that Jane, nothing like a bit of sunshine! :)
    What a lovely day you had, I would have passed on the oysters though. ;)
    Beautiful sunny seaside jewellery too, I love that little beach scene bead and as always another pretty card.
    We've had a lovely couple of days, it's a bit greyer here this morning but the sun is trying it's best to get out and we have double figure temps, so all good!
    Happy weekend Jane,
    V xxx

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  2. Very pretty card, clove the pearls details. Thanks for joining us at ABC for our challenge
    Louise

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  3. How fitting that you would win a mermaid stamp. Goes well with your jewelry. Love your displays. Your card is so adorable. Saw it on MIM.
    The pearls really add to your card's charm.

    :) Pam

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  4. I really don't know what Blogger is up to today Jane, say's there's an error then still posts, hence several.

    A lovely share of photos, it's years since I went there but well remember the shellfish.

    Love your mermaids and their glittery tails and flowers.

    Thank so much for joining in my 'Things with Wings' theme at Allsorts this week and also this months theme at Penny Black and More.

    B x

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  5. Thank you for the sunny filled-post, Jane, just what we needed today! And all that jewelry...so pretty! And what a perfect card to end this sea-themed post: the cutest little mermaids! I love the card!

    I wish you wonderful weekend and send you many happy greetings from here again!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  6. Hi Jane, SO nice to see those sunny days and the sea! Just what we all needed to see, a light at the end of this snowy cold winter. It's snowing as I type. Those shells surely make great photo props. Your jewelry looks stunning!
    Love your girlie mermaid card, so sweet!
    Hope to walk a little this weekend, part of PT with my new "bob". lol
    xoRobin❤

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  7. Wow they sure are pretty! Thanks for playing along with us at Forever Friends Challenge.

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  8. Hi Jane! Just the ticket for a chilly, if somewhat sunny, February day! I can't wait for a bit of warmer weather, we are very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country where as soon as the temperature raises a few degrees, we can walk a couple of miles up the road and have picnics! The beach is about an hours drive away and your piccies took me back to a fantastic day camping at the beach with friends last year! I too hope we get plenty warmer days this year! (Though like V said, you can keep the oysters)
    Stunning jewellery pieces, especially like the little beach scene and sweet mermaid card.
    I wore my necklace out today, just love it! Hugs, Lisa x

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  9. Such a pretty card. Loving that image and your choice of colors are just beautiful! Really beautiful pieces of jewelry too!
    Thanks so much for sharing with us at penny black and more!

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  10. Hi Jane, gorgeous photos of the beach.. I love it also. I did get some beads like that.. finally! I will go give a gander at your Etsy shop. You've done well photographing your jewelry! We're off to a crab feed where they also serve all you can eat oyster shooters.. but I'm afraid to try them! LOL! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  11. Wonderful pictures, such gorgeous jewelry and a darling card! You've got it all!

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  12. beautiful photos. i've never tried oysters, so i'd be in the loathe to even try them category. lol. this is such a pretty card with an adorable image. i love the colours, glitter and pearls. thank you so much for playing along with us at penny black and more this month.
    linda

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  13. Hi Jane and thank you for this lovely trip! I love sea food but have never tasted oysters. Even we have great weather, it's not for a beach walk by bare feet - your photos look so sunny and warm!
    Fantastic new jewelleries and now you really get good photos of them! Have a lovely Sunday! x Teje

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  14. You're so right, it's time for a little sunshine! It looks like you had a fabulous day and those shells definitely are good for photographing your jewelry. I love the starfish necklace!

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  15. Lovely seaside and sunny pics. Thanks Jane; it is a tonic when all I can see is snow and more snow!!

    Enjoying your new necklaces and cards. Have fun with your photo tent.

    Best wishes,
    Anne
    PlumCreek22

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  16. Hello Jane I love shells and beachcombing too so I enjoyed this post! Your new jewelry pictures with the shells are amazing! Very professional! Love the two sweet little mermaids card too.
    Wishing you a happy week.
    Helen x

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  17. Oh that bit of sunshine, sea and sand has really cheered me up - thank you! Also, loving the bead on the first necklace and the photos in general.

    Good luck with the card (I know so little about card making, I can only admire how lovely yours are) Bethx

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  18. Great card Jane, such pretty colours too, thanks for joining us at I ♥ ProMarkers.
    xx

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  19. Beautiful card!
    Many thanks for joining in the Cute Card Thursday Challenge this week!
    Debxx

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  20. What a surprise to see photographs of Mersea on your post. I am lucky enough to live on this beautiful Island and you have captured it perfectly on your pictures. It is a lovely place to live.

    Moving on to your adorable card. Your lovely colouring has brought the mermaids to life and the die cut shells and glitter finish it off beautifully.
    Thank you for sharing your lovely card with us at Penny Black and More this month.
    Good luck in our prize draw and we hope you will join us again soon.

    Shirley

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  21. fabulous photo's Jane and love the jewellery and gorgeous card love all the glitter on the image
    Hugs Kate xx

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  22. Beautiful card jane and lovely photos and story of your oyster experience.
    Thank you for joining the Pink Pearly Swirly challenge over at Penny Black and More @ Allsorts and good luck x Susan x

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  23. I am a loather here! lol Love most seafood but oysters are not one. The photos make me want to go to the coast all the more. I live over 700 miles from it so don't get to go very often. I love your card. LOTV are some of my favorite stamps. Your creation is very cute. Thanks so much for joining us at Forever Friends. Hugs and God bless.

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  24. Wow Jane this is super cute and I love the way you have used those shell dies. You are right the pink compliments the blue and cream perfectly. It looks like you had a brilliant time and the jewellery is stunning too.
    Thank you for joining us at Marianne's Design Divas and good luck.

    Huge hugs

    Amy xx

    P.S. If you would like to go on a crafty weekend or a day break there are still spaces on the one I run yearly in October. For more information CLICK HERE

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Jane x