Art, Craft and Vintage Fair

Joan, Julie, Cherry and myself were joined by other creative people like us for an art, craft and vintage fair on Mersea Island. We all arrived an hour before opening to set up our stalls. There were ten stalls in all, I didn't have one myself as i wanted to focus on taking photos for my blog, but i did help out when i was needed, mostly on Cherry's stall as this was her first fair........

 I had a lovely time and met some very artistic and talented people.

Can just spot  Cherry's beloved Churchill the bulldog hiding behind the book and one of her creative toys.....

This Mosaic  lady stood out on one of the stalls. Her owner said she is a one off as she took a long time to make... 

This happy lady goes by the name of Kind Hearts and Coronets......She was a pleasure to know...

A vintage plate full of goodies..

Julie talking to a fellow stall holder Driftwood Designs. As you can see she has used a nautical theme using bunting and shells.

Cherry showing a great interest in  Lesley Mullins work. She goes by the name of Oyster Crafts........Her beach hut door stops were in great demand....

Julie's lovely creative craft work..  She also paints beautiful boats... Her blog name is Mycuriousteaparty

 These cards are from the stall holders . Its so good  to see how different they all are.

This is me helping Cherry on her stall. I just had to show off my new designer glasses.....

Julie made all the bunting. Don't you think it looks great.......How very clever of her..

I thought this would make good reading....

  A mother and daughter team called Treasured and Weathered sold vintage pieces on this table.I bought a mirror and a sewing box from them... 

Joan setting up her table. Her work is a must to be seen....She has a web site called Mad Bird Designs.... 

Dennis was the only male stall holder. He made wooden toys . I love the croc......

Cherry all ready for the opening. Can you spot the bunting I made it specially for her table.

 I had a lovely time meeting other people who have the same in common as me..

New addition to the Wilks house hold.

I would like to introduce Florence our new kitten, or as she is also called, Flo, Flo Jo, or Florrie.
She is a typical 9 week kitten full of fun and into lots of mischief. She is very loving and cries when left on her own. When Florence is tired she loves to snuggle up with me or my husband on the settee.

Tilly our Jack Russel seems to tolerate her playful manner, but when shes had enough she goes to her bed to get out of Florence's way.

The first day we brought Florence home.

Exploring some patchwork i am working on.

Florence's favourite fluffy toy

Some rough and tumble play with her toy rabbit.

The toy mouse looks like its having a hard time.

Florence doing a balancing trick on her scratch pad.

Tilly not sure what to do as Florence looks like she is ready to pounce on her.

What a sweet looking kitten.

 Wrestling with the leg on the ironing board 

At last she is worn out ......

I am so glad we have given Florence a home. In return she is giving us lots of love........

Eden Project..... Seen as the 8th wonder of the world.

I have just returned from an amazing and inspiring journey to the Eden Project in Cornwall or should i say.......The most amazing incredible garden you'll ever visit.......
It is described as the 8th wonder of the world, a playground in which to explore our relationship with nature. The project was built 10 years ago on an old clay quarry and is now visited by visitors from all over the world. www.edenproject.com

I have always wanted to visit the project so when our friends invited myself and my husband to go with them we jumped at the offer.

The four of us traveled to Cornwall with Crusader coaches for a 4 day short break. We also visited  Prince town harbour, Trebah Gardens and Falmouth. All very different, but all lovely to visit. The weather was unpredictable with sun and showers, but it didn't stop us enjoying ourselves.

These large domes house the Mediterranean Biomes and Rainforest Biomes.

This how it all started with one mans conquest to build this garden. The SEED is housed in the The Core... The Core is an education centre with a roof based on the structure of a sunflower...

RAINFOREST BIOMES

This is me outside a dwelling where a family would live...

These totems were created by a West African sculptor  from charred timber from Falmouth docks that was destroyed by fire. They started their life from trees from South Africa........

This hut would provide shelter for the village people...

Looking up to the top of the dome is the rain forest lookout. Its a bit scary up there and very humid.... 

The spirit of  Colita de Gavilan is depicted on the headdress of the spirit....It was used to heal broken bones....I was inspired by the primitive painting... 

 This display shows where coffee comes from...

Bananas are transported by over head conveyor to go to market.

I have never seen a peanut tree before so was amazed to see how it grew in its native surroundings

 This brightly coloured truck is a TK Bedford used to transport Bananas from the plantations

MEDITERRANEAN BIOMES

I just loved this statue.....The Mediterranean Biomes was not so humid....

My husband again with another motorbike.....

These dancing statues were a fine piece of art work.....

How simple this hut was made from dry stone, just right for the hot conditions

Plants grow twice as big in the hot dry conditions

Cool Cats....Something to do with catalytic converter ?

These healthy looking plants are Tobacco plants....

OUTDOOR BIOMES

The Wee Man stands proud looking over the gardens. He's made entirely of stuff we throw away... 

Some kind lady took this photo of us in the wild flower garden..

We were transported by land train to the garden..

A massive fly happily sitting  in the flower garden..

Our view as we approach the garden by land train...

Spot the bucket with a chain running through it. The aim is to collect the rain water by catching it in the water butt how creative is that....

This shed has been made from  old building materials. How Eco is that!!!!!!!!

This driftwood horse was sculptured by Heather Jan sch.......

There is just so much to see at the Eden project which cannot be seen in a day. I will certainly be going back again, hopefully next time we will take our little granddaughters with us as we feel it is a must for them to see  this paradise and for them to find out more about how it is run without harming the planet.

I would also like to say thank you to our kind friends who invited us to see this wonderful garden.