Friday 29 June 2012

Fiskardo, my colour inspiration

Thanks for coming back to read the 3rd and final installment of my holiday posts. Whilst on holiday we also made the 2 hour drive up to Fiskardo which is at the most northern tip of Kephalonia. The scenery en route was pretty jaw dropping and again the different shades blue of the sea were stunning. We arrived at the harbour about 10.30am just in time for a cappuccino... with a view.
Now that is not the average view one gets in Cafe Nero, is it? Fiskardo has a large natural harbour where all the yachts come in. There were some pretty rich people there and the prices in Fiskardo matched! We managed to get a seat outside a bar in the shade and sat for a while to watch the world go by. Fiskardo is the only part of the island which survived intact after the 1953 earthquake which destroyed all the villages on the rest of the island. It is lovely to see some of the old Greek buildings there.



Lots of the buildings are brightly painted and shine out in the sunshine.
















We enjoyed watching this catamaran come in to land. There is a mixture in the harbour of the jet set and also the very basic fishing boats. All looked beautiful with the harbour as a back drop.














All these wonderful shades of blue have inspired me to make some beach themed jewellery. I have had some beautiful Artisan lampwork beads sitting in my stash for some time and decided to get them out.


At my last silversmithing class on Tuesday I made some silver findings...ready for making pendants and some earrings. On the left here is my work yesterday in my studio when it was so gloriously sunny. I had a WHOLE day in my studio and Billy and I were in beady and card making heaven. I always use Swarovski crystals as they are so sparkly.











Out came my round nosed pliers to form the loop......and....













......here is my new pendant, ready to slip on a chain. I also made up some earrings for myself and some other sea themed pieces.








Here they all are! I really like my hand made earring findings I made for the top pair of earrings (the purple pair are obviously shop bought).
I have put this little fellow into my Etsy shop for sale here  if anyone is interested. It comes on a sterling silver snake chain. *****EDIT 4.7.12 this is now sold
I have listed a new Beach bead pendant here
I also had a chance to make the 3rd in my mermaid series of handmade cards using my Goldie digital stamp by Sylvia Zet.

 The first two I showed you in my other holiday post already have homes. This one will be going up for sale in my Etsy shop here. I do so love this stamp. None other than Sylvia Zet, the designer of this stamp, stopped by my last blog post and admired my last mermaid card! I had written on her blog how much I love this image and was thrilled when came here to have a look and she left me a sweet comment too.


I have coloured her with my Promarkers and highlighted with my Prismacolor pencils. Again I have used Dimensional Magic to make the bubbles "Pop". You will also see that I have used the last pieces of the Nitwits papers I printed out for the other 2 cards. Us card makers never waste a scrap of paper. I have used one of my new Lili of the Valley birthday sentiments and also 2 of their fun new tag stamps. Have you also spotted the sweet little sea horse charm? I love these little creatures and for years I thought they were mythical creatures like mermaids. Even more recently I found out through my dear friend Michele (One of my great American Artists friends - or should I call them the AA??) that Sea "Dragons" are real...my picture hangs in my Studio and smiles down on me as I work. I really thought that they were down there with the mermaids ;0)


I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Totally Papercraft Use a digi image
Joanna Sheen Summer Daze
Emerald Faeries challenge  Birthdays #25
Divas by Design Tag you're in it #41
My Mum's Craft shop Favourite stamp #63 Goldie is my favourite ever stamp!
Scrapbook Sisters Anything Goes #90
I love Promarkers Anything Goes #123
Creative Inspirations Anything Goes #169
Party Time Tuesdays Anything Goes #74
Charisma Cardz Anything Goes #25


Yesterday was the most glorious day here and if I dare say it, rather too hot. I had one of those glorious all day at home days. They are a  rarity and I savour them. It reached 29c in my garden by late afternoon. I  quickly mowed my lawn and tidied my front and back garden before it got too hot in the morning . I then sat and created my jewellery and cards in my studio (bliss) and all the time someone watched me out of the corner of their eye......

Yes, my darling Billy. He loves the veranda of my studio where he can keep an eye on me inside and on his sunny garden. It is a cool spot for a hot cat with lots of fur.  He prefers this mat to his little bed I bought him. That is so typical of a cat, buy them a new bed and they will use mat instead ;0)

Another week has nearly flown by and it is now only 4 weeks on Saturday until Milly and Tom's wedding. It is the Hen  Night soon and the final dress fitting. Everything is coming together really well. Yesterday  I started wearing my wedding shoes around the house so that they are more comfy for The Day.....I am sure I must have looked very odd walking up and down to my studio in my heels, my neighbours must think I am potty. I can't really wear them to work today...what on earth would my patients think?

Have a great weekend everyone, it looks as though it will be cooler here. I do hope that all my blogging buddies in the North of England and in Northern Ireland have not been affected by the dreadful storms which hit  yesterday. The images on the news were devastating. Flash flooding, hail stones the size of 50p pieces and lightening strikes.  It's incredible that whilst all that was going on in the north of the UK I was overheating in the south. It's not as though the UK is that large. What strange weather we are having this year. Take care.

 Thanks for visiting and leaving your sweet comments, I really love reading them.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x


42 comments:

  1. Hi Jane, I found your card! Its very pretty, a lovely image and well coloured with lots of detail.
    Thank you so much for joining us at Totally Paper Crafts this week.
    Hugs
    Laine
    X

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  2. Glad you liked it Laine, thanks for visiting,
    Jane x

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  3. Looks like we both have been influenced by blue this week although my influence has been of the thundery kind!! I think I prefer yours Jane. Absolutely beautiful images from your holiday, I wish I was there.
    Gorgeous seaside jewellery too, your handmade findings are lovely. :)
    The wedding is getting very close!!!
    Vivienne x

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  4. Wonderful jewelry, Jane, just so after-a-great-holiday-feel in them :) And I am not jealous (no no no) of your weather, huh... No, I am a bit, I confess, it's not raining here but it's wool-socks freezing... But I am so happy you and Billy can enjoy the garden and studio together in beautiful sunshine, that is one lovely picture of that sweet boy there...And as you said, so cat-like to have a nap on the carpet instead of the comfy bed!

    Enjoy your last month before the W, I am sending many greetings to beautiful pair already and a happy hen-night to you all!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  5. I'm so relieved you are not flooded out Vivienne, the storms sounded awful. I too miss that blue sea but as you say there is so much to look forward to, have a great weekend,
    Jane x

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  6. I hope they are just thin socks you are having to wear Mia...! Billy is such a sweet boy, he likes to be able to see everything going on but also be nearby. Only 29 days to go now and the Hen night is next weekend..everything is getting so close now. Happy weekend my dear and I do hope some sunshine comes your way.
    Jane x

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  7. Oh my goodness Jane.. I love the sea as much as you do, having sailed for a long time and even lived on my sailboat up in the San Juan islands for 4 months. Those lampworked beads are amazing!! I am off to check out your Etsy shop. The waters in that harbor are just magical. The wedding is coming fast, isn't it? Just remember to enjoy it all as it's fleeting.
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. Great card, lovely papers, have been stepping over my cats sprawled like that all week, thank you for joining us at I♥Promarkers this week
    Ruth x

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  9. Jane, I've loved reading and seeing the glorious pics of your holiday. Such a serene and picturesque spot on this planet. Your ocean inspired jewellery is totally gorgeous and your card is lovely.

    One woman with soooo much talent.

    Cheers,
    Kasey ~ in Oz

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  10. Gorgeous photos, and a darling card, but I love, love the jewelry! Beautiful!

    PS -- Thanks again for the "Sunshine". I posted a link back to your page, and I hope you get lots of visits!

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  11. Cute card thanks for playing along at Divas by Design this weeks challenge. Love the colors!
    Sheryl

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  12. I thought you would enjoy the boats Teresa it's such a picturesque harbour. Thanks for stopping by,
    Jane x

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  13. Glad to hear you have cats to step over Ruth!
    Jane x

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  14. You are very kind Kasey :-) thank you,
    Jane x

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  15. Thanks Linda we need some more sunshine here again, its pouring with rain this Morning!
    Jane x

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  16. A great card hun! Thanks for playing along with our Anything Goes challenge over at Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog this week & Charisma Cardz! xxx

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  17. Such a pretty card, lovely papers and image. Thanks for joining us at I ♥ Promarkers this week.
    Berit x

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  18. Lovely photos, and no wonder those beautiful shades of blue sea and sky inspired your makes, Jane! I love your jewelry and your little card....the bubbles are so cute, and I love the word tags and the seahorse charm.
    Have a happy sunny weekend.
    Helen x

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  19. Jane - all your holiday photos look amazing, blue skies are something that I don't really recall too well at the moment lol. Your jewellery is absolutely amazing, it's so beautiful...I love the colours and design...fab.

    Your card is wonderful too, that image is just adorable! And the charm goes so well with it :)

    Thanks for joining us at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge!

    Tanya xx

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  20. Hi NGcards and thanks,
    Jane x

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  21. Hi Helen the sun has returned again and it's a lovely sunny afternoon...not quite the highs of Kephalonia though. Have a lovely weekend too and thanks always for your kind visits,
    Jane x

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  22. I hope you are getting some of today's sunshine Tanya,there is even blue skies with it. We are so lacking this summer aren't we? Thank you for visiting and liking my crafts.
    Jane x

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  23. LOL...Billy looks pooped ... must be all the silversmithing along with the heat. The pictures of your hols are stunning Jane...surely the sky isn't that color and you've PS'd it!!! I'll keep showing hubby the pics and maybe he'll take the hint lol. Your jewellery is gorgeous...the beads stunning. Your talents are endless :-D
    Your card is a cutie...love the charm and the heart 'splashes' and the GA bubbles look great.
    OMG...4 weeks to go!!! xxx

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  24. Billy is in much the same pose now Kerry but under a chair on the patio! Honestly the photos are straight from my camera to the computer. I have NO skills with PS etc so they are just as was...stunning sky and sea isn't it! Thanks for liking all my bits and bobs and yes.....4 weeks today!!
    Enjoy the rest of the weekend,
    Jane x

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  25. Gorgeous, love this sweet card, thanks for joining our challenge at My Mum's craft shop, Gaynor DT xx

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  26. Beautiful photographs Jane...Those colours really are so beautiful, aren't they? I can definitely see how you were inspired to make your latest jewellery designs....they really are lovely!
    Love the pic of your darling Billy too....He does like to keep a close eye on you!
    Hope you have a lovely Sunday,
    Susan x

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  27. Beautiful card, love the mermaid she really cute. Thank you for joining as at A & T Digital Designs (EFG). Good Luck xoxoxo

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  28. Wow me darlin what a ownderful and interesting post, its lovely, the photograhs are so beautiufl and I wish I was somewhere like that!!! just brilliant, the card is magnificent and well yoru jewellery is to die, for thanks for the lovely reading me darlin huggies June xxxxxxxxxxx

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  29. Hi Susan, Billy is never far,even as I type this his is on his famous (in print!) green chair. Have a lovely Sunday evening,
    Jane x

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  30. Thanks Jules, she's a cutie isn't she!
    Jane x

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  31. I'm glad you enjoyed your read June, I thought that little reading on the tablecloths was great. The sun is out again here, sending some your way,
    Jane x

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  32. fab creation!! Thanks for playing in our Anything Goes challenge at Charisma this week! Gemma :)

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  33. Thanks for visiting Gemma,
    Jane x

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  34. How wonderful your posts are Jane. Such beautiful photos and such divine jewelry! I love how your pendant turned out..gorgeous! All of the earrings are so beautiful and unique too. And as always, your cards are so wonderful!

    I had heard of the Hen party while watching "The Wedding Date" : ) It was so fun to see though I wonder if it's quite accurate? Stags and Hens?

    Wow, 4 weeks to go. I'm sure it will fly by and all of it will be so memorable. Thank you for visiting Jane..you always make me smile with your visits!

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  35. Thanks dear Shirley, you are so kind. Hen parties tend to be much more sedate affairs than Stag dos! Tom had his a few weeks ago and I think took a while to recover ;0)Yes you are correct, I know it it strange but the men have Stag Parties and the women have Hen... and I have no idea why they are called that!
    Jane x

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  36. Hello Jane, What fabulous pics! and a sweet cat too, I just popped by to say thank you for joining us at Joanna Sheen Summer Daze challenge with your gorgeous creation.
    Teresa x

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  37. Thanks Teresa and yes our Billy is the very sweetest boy!!
    Jane x

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  38. Such a feast for the eyes here! Love your summery, coastal themes in your vacation pics, gorgeous jewelry and the sweet mermaid card- another "favorite" I might add. Always reassuring to see Billy keeping tabs on things, napping on the job or not! :o)

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  39. Thanks Michele we do love our mermaids don't we! Billy is never far away :-)
    Jane x

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Jane x