The Snail Post

This is a beautiful card all the way from Geneva. Its theme is " found little things" specifically chosen for their shape and colour when Felicity was out walking.

The other respondents here will understand when I say that its really difficult to show all the nuances of colour, shading and detail which Felicity captures in these wonderfully delicate studies.

And who appears on the envelope - The Snail Post - suitable attired for the festive season.

I love this wee touch of humour Felicity.

Thankyou for my card.

The call of the wild - winter greetings from Banff

I have to admit I was looking forward to this, a card from Charlene. Charlene lives in an area that counts to the dream landscapes on this planet. Also Charlene has been traveling to magnificent places, as for example to Machu Pichu too. So I knew that the card from Charlene would be something special in any case.

But getting such beautiful a card from Banff however strikes a special nerve with me. It brings up the memories of my young days and the extensive reading of Jack London and the great landscapes of Canada and Alaska. Charlene' s Water color card shows the city of Banff surounded by gorgeous mountain vistas.

Growth and Transcience in Nature

A truly stunning card from Albrecht. I would be delighted to receive just one of Albrecht's pencil sketches but now I have two and both are equally beautiful! On the front is coloured pencil drawing with the words 'Growth and transcience in nature. On the way to Holy Mountain (Heiligenberg)'.

On the back, another very delicate sketch from Heidelberg. I'm at a loss to describe how lovely this card is but I think you'll agree it speaks for itself! Thank you so much Albrecht!

Baubles and Fir Trees

How would you feel to see this bright, colourful card lying on the doormat on a dreich December afternoon when you'd just struggled in laden with gifts for the grandchildren after a tiring day's shopping. My reaction was to kick off the boots, make a coffee and sit down to enjoy looking at Pat's wonderful Christmas design.

Then turning it over I was doubly blessed to see a beautiful winter tree study, so simply but effectively drawn.

The card became part of the Christmas decorations, nestling in amongst the holly on the mantlepiece for the rest of the holiday. Thankyou for this Pat.

A Favourite View

"My favourite view in the whole house, a corner view over my spa tub.  This view encourages lots of daily soakings!"   These are Desiree's words, and wow, with a tree like this to gaze at, I'd happily be ensconced in the spa tub all day.  What a glorious colour! This is a pistache tree and it's leaves were this lovely flaming pink / gold a few weeks ago.  It's not a tree I'm familiar with.  I guess it likes the mild climate of California rather than the vagaries of English weather! 

Desiree says her husband had threatened to rip the tree out, because it doesn't always colour up like this.  The tree must have overheard the threat and fearing for it's life, burst forth this autumn like never before.  The tree is now saved!  Thank goodness, otherwise I'd never have had the pleasure of receiving such a gem!

My golden treasure.

Just before New Year, my postman drove all the way to the house to drop me my mail. We are now on good foot...we should be! I bought a calender from him! And to my delight, it was a postcard from Robyn. My Christmas was extended with a whole week.

It was an experiment she did with oil pastels on a gold acrylic ground. The gold doesn't show up so well with the scan so I took some photo's on angles with added light to catch the gold. I wanted you to see the gold acrylic ground.
On Robyn's blog you can see more of this technique she is playing around with(or messing around with, as she calls it...). How does the saying go..."One person's mess is another person's treasure"...?

...the gold reflects beautifully in the dark corner bottom left...

...more golden reflections on the ground and a view on "Giornata mondiale del teatro"...

Thank you for my golden treasure, Robyn!

Night Sketcher

Coloured pencil on black paper - Vivien Blackburn

14.5 x 19.5 cms

I really can't call this beautiful nocturne from Vivien a postcard.  It's a painting and it absolutely delights me.  It has some of the magic of Van Gogh but is distinctly and beautifully Vivien Blackburn.  

I'm off to buy a frame!