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What are you waiting for?

Falling into Autumn – as Keat’s the poet wrote in ‘To Autumn’

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core.’

Although sometimes a melancholy befalls some at this time of year when they see the passing of the summer season of brightness fade into the possibility of chill winds of winter looming on the horizon, for others they see this season as the most colourful, exciting, abundant and vivid time of the year!

Personally, I find this the most amazing time of year.  The colours take your breath away and the abundance of the harvest promises tasty dishes for the long winter months ahead.  Gone are the days when we wish it could be a little cooler.  Now is the time to go for all those long lingering walks to discover nature’s palette, pick fruit off the hedgerows and see how the colours change in the light which in itself changes by the season.

Autumn is the time of year when nature offers us all her fruitful gifts to which we give thanks.

Whilst I lived in the Middle and Far East this is what I missed so much.  The changing of the seasons, the renewed hope to look forward to the next adventure.

Talking of adventures and walks I decided to look for autumnal subjects/items for sale within the BBEST group.  The wealth of talent available along with the choices offered leaves me speechless!  Take a look at some of the examples I found:

Butterscotch Flower Earrings by ZudaGay

Bring the warmth of this colour to match your autumn wardrobe.

Autumn Leaf Original Photograph by BethPeardonProds

‘This leaf looked lonely but also reminded me that fall is here'.’

Caramel Apple Candle by Aromafields

Apples are always associated with this time of year and these would be scrumptious, if they were to be eaten!

Maple Leaf Magnet by Chris1

A pretty reminder of autumn to have on your fridge to keep those important notes handy!

Autumn Leaves Mandala – window cling sun catcher by ClingingImages

Typical colours to glow in the sunlight and spread the warmth of autumn.

Pumpkin Patch Original by Pfd Original Artworks

What a wonderful example of the abundance of the autumn harvest!

Indian Corn Matchbook Notepads by Circle in the Sand

Such a handy item to remind us of harvests.

Bunches of Sunshine by Yankee Girl

Some of my favourite flowers that follow the sun as it moves through the day.

Jumbo Perle Medium with fall colours by Sassalynne

 

A true reflection of the variety of warm autumnal colours.

After the Harvest by HeronKate

There is nothing quite like a freshly harvested field with the promise of an abundance of crops to take us through the next season.

Autumn Rose felted coasters by J N Originals

Autumn being a wonderful time for long walks, the temperature cools down once the sun hides behind the watery clouds and it is time to settle down indoors with a welcome warm drink.  These coasters make it all seem so much more cosy, don’t they?

Well, my BBESTer friends, what do you think?  Above is a selection of inspired items in the autumn/fall theme.  All catching the warmth of the glow of the diminishing sunshine but still giving us a wonderful sense of wonder at how clever nature really is!

You’re late, you’re late!

Have you ever been so busy or wrapped up in what you are doing only to discover that something you were supposed to do….. got forgotten about until it was too late?  These days I always feel as if I am like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland’s tale, ‘you’re late, you’re late!’

I have no excuse other than it has been pretty hectic in our household lately.

So, I have to choose a theme to make amends!

How about………..

I know!  I shall choose items which are in my favourite colour!

Sterling Wire Wrap by  Kittyd

Cottage Lilacs by Yankee Girl

Multicolour Silk Scarf by AltheaP

  Tomorrow is Promised to No One by Heronkate

Little Girl’s Purple Flower Hat by Stitches by Julie

Crochet Scarflette and Hat by JNOriginals

Polymer Clay Flower by  Clay Center

Vintage Grandma’s Garden Trivet by Attack of the Vintage

Wild Flowers by PDF Original Artworks

Purple Imagination by Onawhimsey

Well, what about those items which all have the common theme of purple?  Yes, I know, I have been even more cheeky than normal by including one of On a Whimsey’s paintings but… it is purple, isn’t it?

If these items are not enough ‘purple’ for you, or too much ‘purple’ why not take a minute to browse through the BBEST Team’s amazing pool of talent?  Last time I looked there were over 5,000 items!!!!

Thanks for looking and I promise to do better next time!

St George for England!!!!!

St. George's Day is on 23 April. It is England's national day.

Who was St George?

St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.   

Like England, every country within the United Kingdom has its own patron saint who in times of great peril is called upon to help save the country from its enemies. For instant, Wales has St David, St Patrick for Northern Ireland and St Andrew for Scotland.

Who was the real St George and what did he do to become England's patron saint?

St. George was born in Turkey sometime in the third century. At the age of seventeen he joined the Roman army and became renowned for his bravery and feats of arms. The most famous story of St. George is that he slew a Dragon somewhere in Libya. On one of his missions, St. George was sent to England. While in England he heard about the horrible persecutions of Christians in Rome. Returning to Rome, George pleaded for mercy for the Christians, but in the end was himself beheaded when he refused to renounce his faith. In 1222 AD, the Council of Oxford declared St. George as the Patron Saint of England (replacing Edward the Confessor).

St George is always depicted as a knight carrying a shield with a red cross (or a banner with a red cross), generally sitting upon a horse and always killing a dragon. 

How does England celebrate St George's Day?

By tradition, 23 April is the day for a red rose in the button hole, the national flower. However, unlike other countries, England does not celebrate it like Americans celebrate 4 July with fireworks. In fact, you are more likely to see big St Patrick parades in England celebrating Ireland's National Day, more than you would see any sign of St Georges Day being celebrated.

For most people in England St George's Day is just another ordinary working day.

Factoid!

Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564 and he died on the same day in 1616.

Whilst not all of the following, strictly speaking, have much to do with St George and the Dragon you will have to admit they do have something to do with dragons!

 Pink Dragon Silk Scarf by AltheaP

 New Dragon’s Blood Soap by AJs Country Cottage

Sewing Pattern – Little Fairytale Dragon by Fantasy Creations

Vintage St George and the Dragon by Nonnie’s Treasures

Red Vintage Dragon by  ByTheWayside

Like what you see?  Why not ‘pop’ over to see other fantastic items from the BBEST Team on Etsy!

From a blank canvas to?

I love the water and the moods it has as well as plant life that thrives at the water’s edge.  Here is a scene to depict this simple stretch of water that laps against the reeds in the breeze.

Created with my trusty waxes and hot iron I blended the colours together on a box canvas measuring 30” x 20”.

Sometimes, you just don’t want to part with one of your own creations so perhaps I will re-create another but it will be slightly different!

By the waterside at Lake Indio

Pat

The ‘S’ word!

I wasn’t going to but couldn’t resist mentioning the dreaded ‘S’ word or ‘SNOW’.  Some of us, on both sides of the Atlantic, have been experiencing snowfalls that we will remember for many a year.  I can hear it already, ‘Do you remember in 2009, or was it 2010, when we were snowed in/under/on?’  Kids who don’t experience it will be amazed at the photographs!  But who wants to look at photographs of the white stuff when the BBEST team on Etsy can produce some of the most amazing work which has been influenced by snow?

Little Winter Tree – original water colour ACEO by ColoursandTextures

Mother of Pearl Snowman earrings by KatzKreations

Hearts in the Snow earrings by Magdalene Jewels

  Snow White ruffled scarf by BlazingNeedles

Little House in the Snow – mini art quilt by Libertybelle

Native American beaded earrings (snow flakes) by JStinson

Snow Hare Cards by SixSisters

Snow Storm earrings by Gimmebeads

All the above items are amazing! What talent!!

However, although the snow has been an inspiration for many I think the time is drawing near when heads will turn to Spring and a renewed birth of a new season.   

Why not check out these and so many more from a fantastic Etsy team – the BBEST team!

Pat

Autumn Fungi – original encaustic

Well, I have gone and done it!  Yes, I have listed as for sale this painting entitled Autumn Fungi in my Artfire shop.

I decided to include the picture showing how I got my inspiration for this subject matter.

Inspiration!

Result!