Saturday, April 21, 2012

English Lakes

 It all started, this painting session, when I reinherited a staffordshire piece I made to commemorate a wonderful trip to the Lakes with my family.
 Its bracing, rugged, mountainous, stunning. And there are alot of sheep there.
 I walked around with my heart in my throat for weeks....
 I never knew gingerbread cold be so gingery until I went to Sara Nelson's in Grasmere
 So in the midst of taking pictures for this post yesterday, look what my friend sent me. A 'care' package from Grasmere and Sara Nelson! Threre is rum butter and post cards and even ginger hand lotion.
I bit my lip and squeezed my eyes shut , then opened them again. And it was still there, not a mirage. Sometimes its a very mysterious world.Thank you Lynnxxx
I did another smaller painting with one of my Wally dogs too.
These are acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 on the top one, and Wally is 8 x 10
Now if you will pardon me, I'm going to make an entire pot of  darjeeling tea and have some of Sara's gingerbread. xxx
I'm saving the rum sauce for apple tart.
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42 comments:

  1. Country RabbitApril 21, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    beautiful paintings ;0) what a wonderful place and lovely treats ;0)xx

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  2. farmladyApril 21, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    Tea and gingerbread. How delightful. How very English.
    Love those paintings. They are so much like your pottery.
    A charming post.

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  3. Lovejoy BearsApril 21, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Julie your paintings are absoloutely beautiful!! And your potterey pieces are gorgeous too!! I love your sheep, he looks so kind and gentle :)
    Enjoy your gingerbread, it sounds delicious!!
    Hugs
    Vicky xxxx

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  4. MariaApril 21, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    Hiya...It surely is a mysterious world...How lovely the gift you recieved!! Enjoy....xxx a lovely post...

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  5. Jody BattagliaApril 21, 2012 at 12:44 PM

    Hooray...I am the first to comment...What a memory for you. I love your paintings...one day I will be lucky enough to proudly own one. Have silly sheep fun, Jody

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  6. Tammie LeeApril 21, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    your paintings are quite charming. I am so glad you had a wonderful time. I can imagine the ginger~

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  7. sea-blue-sky & abstractsApril 21, 2012 at 2:19 PM

    Lovely story Julie - and a stunning pic of the Lake District. Your ceramic 'English Lakes' is wonderful and both paintings so pretty.

    Enjoy those goodies this weekend. Lesley x

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  8. makiko hastingsApril 21, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    Oh The Lakes Julie! I love walking there, in particular the North of Lake District around Keswick, such a fab place. Even that 'hard' ginger cake - thought it was a bit bitter first then you get hooked! Love them now. Next time if you are over to the Lakes, do call at North Yorkshire too!

    Lovely painting by lovely person :)

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  9. smartcatApril 21, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    Serendipity again! Such a lovely surprise. Enjoy gingerbread and tea.

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  10. AnonymousApril 21, 2012 at 6:32 PM

    Your paintings are wonderful. I love the lakes too, one place that really sticks in my mind from my visits as a child was Pooley Bridge. Yum tea and gingerbread :o)

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  11. Lori annApril 21, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    i am so happy for you julie, such wonderful gifts. i liked reading your rememberings and i really LOVE your new paintings. love your blog makeover too!

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  12. Aunt JennyApril 21, 2012 at 10:23 PM

    Beautiful. I just love all you do!! And what a fun treat you got..hope you enjoyed it!!

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  13. Rachel - Mozart's GirlApril 22, 2012 at 1:26 AM

    Dearest Julie, what a wonderful surprise! We love the Lakes here, of course. We've been the past 2 years running...in May or June...walking & driving & soaking up the 360 degree beauty that makes your throat close up! Grasmere gingerbread is the best...love the wrapping too. Such a tiny shop, so amazing that they produce so much! Love your paintings too & the Lakeland memory figure. Much love xo

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  14. LibrarianApril 22, 2012 at 1:36 AM

    Isn't it wonderful to have such an expected surprise arrive with the mail?
    Lovely paintings!

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  15. felicityApril 22, 2012 at 4:15 AM

    Love the paintings Julie.

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  16. From Beyond My Kitchen WindowApril 22, 2012 at 9:58 AM

    What a happy post. Beautiful paintings , generous gifts and a nice friend.

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  17. gallerydarrowApril 22, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    It doesn't get much sweeter than this.

    Love the paintings, your remembrances.

    delightful!

    xo

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  18. sandraApril 22, 2012 at 4:47 PM

    Love your little changes on your blog Julie! So very sweet! I am so hoping for a new cup soon ;)

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  19. Julie Whitmore PotteryApril 22, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    Hello Sandra,
    I will have cups this week in my Etsy store.
    Best
    Julie

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  20. UnknownApril 22, 2012 at 7:52 PM

    hi Julie...!!! beautiful !!!! sos muy bonitos tus cuadros y pinturas ... hace mucho que no te visito ... como estas? veo que trabajas mucho ... saludos querida amiga !!!

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  21. The Sea GardenApril 22, 2012 at 9:00 PM

    Your blog is lovelier than ever! Thankyou for sharing your beautiful outlook on the world. We went to the Lake District in 1997 and my most treasured memory is of Beatrix Potter's black lace up shoe's on her hearth by her stove.

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  22. lynne hApril 22, 2012 at 10:20 PM

    every time i come here i sigh, julie...

    these paintings... your pottery...

    sigh...

    xoxo

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  23. PaulaApril 23, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    Hello dear Julie! Your photos are beautiful and I love your gorgeous paintings and ceramic pieces! You are a very gifted artist and your work is so charming!!! Your gifts are lovely and so special! Thank you for visiting me and for your very sweet comment! Your blog is beautiful! xo~Paula

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  24. AprilgirlApril 23, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    Beautiful paintings! I realized it has been over 25 years since I have been to the Lake District...reading your blog was a nice reminder of a wonderful trip! Like the new look of your blog.

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  25. GardenOfDaisiesApril 23, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    Tea and gingerbread cookies sound so delicious! What an amazing trip that must have been! Watching "All Creatures Great and Small" and reading Beatrix Potter's little stories meant that the Lake District and Yorkshire ended way up near the top of the "to see someday" list.

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  26. Flutterby PatchApril 24, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    Oh Julie, I can taste that gingerbread from here. It really is delicious stuff. Everyone tries in vain to discover the recipe. How well received your wonderful characters would be here in Lakeland. The little lady with the sheep is absolute perfection you'd have hoards of people wanting to give her a good home. A lovely post as always and now I'm thinking I must get back to Sarah Nelson's before every piece of gingerbread is sold to the summer visitors! Eli x

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  27. Julie Whitmore PotteryApril 24, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    Oh Eli, thanks so much! It is a dream of mine to have my pottery at the Lakes. I worked in Ambleside for a short time once, so I could almost be considered a part time resident? ))
    You lucky girl, driving distance from Sara Nelsons? And Dove Cottage too.
    I better stop, I could list things for the next half hour.
    xx
    julie

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  28. Joshy and belleApril 24, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    Oh I love love love your work!!!!!! Fliss xxx

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  29. BetsyApril 24, 2012 at 1:46 PM

    Tea and gingerbread sounds perfect! I just love your blog. Your pottery and paintings are just enchanting. I can't wait to see more of your work.

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  30. dulcyApril 25, 2012 at 6:03 AM

    Julie, such a sweet post, and I LOVE your paintings!

    xo
    dulcy

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  31. Lori annApril 25, 2012 at 12:38 PM

    well dear julie, giving away your gorgeous pendants will be a happy day for me, i am thrilled thinking how much someone faraway will love them too. friends we haven't met yet.

    p.s. thank you x 1000 for the perfect little painting.
    xxxxxx lori

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  32. Helen PhilippsApril 26, 2012 at 5:12 AM

    What a sweet painting and delightful pottery. How lovely that you too love the Lakes. I can see why it would inspire your beautiful work. we will be staying there again soon, and I'll think of you!
    This is a really sweet post, and I love your care package of Lake District treats!
    Helen x

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  33. polkadotpeticoatApril 26, 2012 at 6:17 AM

    This is just pure magic....I LOVE your paintings, you amaze me what you create with those lovely hands of yours...now thanks to your friend....all those sweet treasures she sent you...what a perfect day!

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  34. AnonymousApril 27, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    I love your paintings - and how you bring them to life in your pottery, Julie!
    Tea and gingerbread - heavenly. Enjoy!
    Hugs,
    Zuzu

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  35. ClaireApril 28, 2012 at 7:03 PM

    Hey Julie, is there any gingerbread left? I would be surprised if there is hehe.......

    How wonderful to find such a thoughtful package in the mail.....

    Your holiday to the Lakes District would've been breath takingly beautiful and your paintings are as delightful as your pottery pieces. So much to enjoy in your posts....

    Claire ♡

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  36. Vicki BosterApril 29, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    Julie-
    Your special pottery piece is so beautiful. I'd love to know all of the story behind how it came back to you-- was it your Mother's? I love the beautiful sheep!

    Your paintings are such wonderful stories in and of themselves-- they are exquisite. I get so excited when I visit here and get to read a new post--- everything you do is so colorful and lively. I love that your pottery is so connected to your real life---

    Love
    Vicki

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  37. Micki WildeApril 29, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    I love those paintings, beautiful colours too, so dreamy!!

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  38. PaulaMay 2, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    Hello again dear Julie! Thank you so much for your very sweet comment! I am so glad you found deep pink colored pinks! I hope you will share a photo, as I would love to see them! Pinks are some of my favorite flowers. I love all of the old-fashioned cottage garden flowers! Have a beautiful day sweetie! xo~Paula

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  39. MadeliefMay 2, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    Your paintings look really sweet Julie. I like them very much!

    What a delicious gift you received.

    Happy evening!

    Madelief x

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  40. holly aka gollyMay 3, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    Loving every nook and cranny of your blog, julie! Your paintings and pottery are delicious!

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  41. jen storerMay 7, 2012 at 12:42 AM

    Oo-ah and yum in equal measure julie! An anglophile's dream. xx

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  42. AnonymousMay 7, 2012 at 9:07 AM

    LOVELY PICS:) I really like your blog and I want to follow, do you have twitter or FB??

    If you want some swedish decor inspiration, you can check out my blog:)
    Have a great week.

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
    (Sweden)

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Your Comments have the power to make me float right out to my workroom. Thank you for them!