Shabby Chic Inspirations

"If one is inspired by the works of others, it is not to say
that our visions are not original and from our own souls;
but absorbing other artists' stories and expressions adds
dimensions to our creativity...The beauty of art is that we
all see different aspects that inspire us, so inspiration and
design keep going and going; we inspire and we are inspired."
                                                ~Rachel Ashwell
                                                    'Shabby Chic Inspirations
                                                       and Beautiful Spaces'

    I finally got my copy of Rachel Ashwell's new book Shabby Chic Inspirations and Beautiful Spaces - it came out in stores much later here in Canada and I was beginning to think that I would have to order it! I was so excited when I opened it and took my first look at the gorgeous photos and vignettes inside. I hadn't realized that there would be so many different homes displayed with so many unique and yet classically shabby chic styles. I loved it and immediately experienced a little shabby chic inspiration of my own. After so many posts leading up to Halloween in darker moody colors I had a wonderful time taking these photos inspired by Rachel's beautiful book and returning to softer shades. If you haven't already perused through its pages this is definitely a book worth running out to the store for - I have captured a few of my favorite pages in the pictures and have created vignettes inspired by those found in the book as well as my own take on shabby romance. I hope you enjoy looking through them and will remember to look for inspiration wherever life takes you! P.S. I have also included a little drawing I did inspired (since that is the word of the day) by an old sketch by one of my favorite artists.

                                          Photos taken by Jennelise

                              Drawing by Jennelise

Blog Award

    Hello everyone! I had an exciting surprise today! The lovely and wonderful Irina at Witty and Wise has given me a blog award! Irina is the author/creator of more than one blog and always has the most enchanting posts to share with everyone! I am incredibly touched by her kindness and her sweet words. Thankyou so much Irina! I hope you will visit Witty and Wise to see her! The Blog On Fire Award has the added excitement of being one that I can pass along to five other blogs that I think are spectacular! Also I get to tell you five things about myself and in turn the five blogs I give the award to can tell everyone five things about themselves and pass the award along again to five people that they think are wonderful! So much fun! Here goes:

1. I love love love the color pink, all things French, and beautiful old-fashioned things. I never go on a holiday that doesn't involve some treasure hunting and I even work in an antique store!


2. I am an artist who has always dreamed of illustrating or in some way sharing my artwork - which is unabashedly girly! Like me!


3. I graduated University a year ago and have dreams to be a writer one day. I write poetry in my spare time, when I'm happy, or feeling blue. I have about a dozen stories on the go and can't seem to finish one before I am struck with an idea for another! Not very efficient but sometimes characters and worlds just come out of nowhere and you have to grab hold of them or they disappear!


4. I have never been to Europe and it is my heart's desire to go there! One day I will make it there and when I do my camera will be glued to my hand. :)


5. I love music. I play the piano and sing. My family thinks I'm crazy sometimes because the oddest melodies get stuck in my head and then I sing them for months. Example: Oklahoma, Some Enchanted Evening, and currently Thriller. :)

And now for my five brilliant bloggers! (Click on the titles above the pictures to go to these blogs)

Helene Flont A Rose Affair 

Helen is an incredibly talented artist who lives in France. Her paintings are absolutely stunning and her home is the picture of old world elegance.

The Paper Mulberry 

Glenda is a former designer who lives in an Elizabethan Farmhouse in England. Her blog is an inspiring collection of design and decorating ideas featuring truly gorgeous photos and color palettes.

Delusions of Grandeur 

Vanna's blog is a tribute to her absolutely beautiful home filled with fabulous antiques and unique objects. Her humor coupled with an eye for beautiful flea market finds makes reading her blog a joy!

A Thousand Clapping Hands

Catherine's blog houses a collection of beautiful photos, poetry, and her fabulous artistic creations. It is dreamy and refined with glimpses of times past and the beauty of old ideals.

Lovely Reveries

Lovely Reveries is the first blog I discovered by the wonderful Irina and it is completely magical! The photographs you will find here are lovingly collected and every post has that special touch of the extraordinary.

I hope you will visit these wonderful blogs! I honestly have so many favorites and will be adding new blogs to my blog list in the next few days. Thankyou so much everyone for the beauty you display! Take care!



Witchful Thinking

"Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite,
All are on their rounds tonight;
In the wan moon's silver ray,
Thrives their helter-skelter play."
         ~Joel Benton

    It seems like this week has passed by quickly with very few spare moments for posting! Last night I danced until well after midnight in a Pirate costume with my friends - not something I do often! Very fun and well-worth the sore feet today. I feel like I have been in Halloween mode for quite awhile now what with all of the costume drawings, posts, and so on. It isn't even here yet! I just wanted to share a blog with you that I discovered through one of the blog parties I participated in last week. It is called All Things Pretty and has some truly fantastic Halloween things right now! I have included some photos of creations from All Things Pretty and I hope that you will visit the blog to see more! Also I am posting a set of drawings I did last Halloween. They are part of a series I created called The Darkling Dolls. Enjoy!

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                         Drawings by Jennelise