Weekend trip to the Yarra Valley...be warned it's a long post!

I always find it difficult to write a post after I've had a break. Maybe it's because everything moves so fast these days, that before I know it I've collected so much information and photographs that I'd like to share, that it seems too big a task. Plus then I'm also aware that I'll probably take up too much of your time, but I would like to take you on a wine tasting trip to the Yarra Valley, which is about an hours' drive out of Melbourne.

As the sun rose on our first morning...this was the sight that greeted us.

Are where located right in the centre of the vineyard... D'vine vineyard studio accomodation

(photo courtesy of D'vine Escape)

On that first morning we had a good wander around the vineyard and came across a very tranquil spot.

This particular vineyard accommodates wedding ceremonies.
This water feature must be a favourite with the wedding photographers....

There's even a bandstand or should that be a pavilion?

I love the refection in the water photo below...it's something I'd like to learn how to paint one day...

 

We were so lucky with the weather (yet again) considering we've moved into autumn now.

As we wondered around the grounds I did not expect to see this...I haven't a clue what tram stop this is, but what a cool idea to be used as additional accommodation for guests.

I can imagine it would be perfect for children.

Here's the internal view...bunk beds one end and a double bed at the other with a living area in the centre.

All aboard!

And here's the wedding chapel located within the vineyard...adorned with red roses too.

We did see a wedding party the next day, so I was glad I'd had chance to snoop without hindrance. See the lengths that I go for you...nothing is too much trouble ;D

I snook inside and took a few photos too...I'm always unsure whether this is the right thing to do, but I did it anyway on this occasion.
Once I saw that bell that was it...(I have a thing about church bells)
I couldn't resist...I had to ring it! Numerous times...lol

It sounded really good too!

So on to the vineyards and lots of wine tasting! After all that's what this weekend was all about.
 I've attached a map so you can see just how many wineries and vineyard are available in quite a small area.

 As you drive through the sweeping vineyards and rolling hills of the Yarra Valley you can't help but be impressed and diversions call to you from the usual wine tour route. You can discover the hidden secrets and pure delight of the smaller wineries. 

Family owned and run, these unassuming wineries offer a very different experience and it's not uncommon for the smile who greets you at the door to be that of the winemaker or vigneron whose creation you are about to savour. It really adds to the whole experience.

 Over recent years the popularity and reputation of the Yarra Valley has grown. Determined not to be overshadowed, a group of smaller wineries banded together to create the Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries Association...a group whose combined range extends to a number of different styles from the handcrafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Shiraz for which the Yarra Valley is celebrated, to other styles such as Sparkling, Rose and Fortified wines.

I mean look at the views...and to think it's all so near to Melbourne. 

We actually went on a guided wine tasting tour because let's face it...wine tasting!
Yes please....but that doesn't mix with driving obviously.
So it's such a great idea to have the driving done for you because lets face it, it would have just got ugly to have to work out who was to be the designated driver!

We don't usually do organised tours...more wanting to do our own thing...to our own timetable, but I have to say the tour we took was exceptional and considering we are not the type of wine tasters who spit out samples...(I mean what's that about?)...being chauffeured from vineyard to vineyard worked brilliantly.

Here's our tour guide..The lovely 'Elaine' from Wild Wombat Winery Tours who really did organise our day perfectly. Upon collecting us after breakfast from our room, she checked with everyone on the tour just what they expected or wanted out of their tour and then she delivered....so that everyone got the most out of the day. We even were presented with a little gift at the end of the day.

Let me just state here and now that we all behaved impeccably and there were no mishaps or embarrasing episodes throughout the whole proceedings!
Okay...glad that's clear.

 Our first port of call was to the Allinda Winery which was a lovely little place with fantastic views. Well I suppose all of the vineyards have brilliant views because most are set on a hillside and spread over acres of land. It was really quaint and the rustic cellar door was constructed of recycled 1883 wool store timbers. 

This chap below...whoops forgot his name...I hope he will forgive me...was so knowledgeable and his enthusiasm was infections.

Oh by the way, if you're wondering if we actually bought any wine then my answer would be...is the pope a catholic?....Do bears..in the woods?....you get my drift...of course we bought samples...it would be rude not to wouldn't it?

Next stop was to Graeme Miller.

Graeme Miller is a pioneer of the rebirth of the region and a Jimmy Watson trophy winner. 

(FYI...The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy is the most prestigious and sought after wine award in Australia. The trophy is a memorial to the late Jimmy Watson (died 1962), who established the iconic Jimmy Watson's Wine Bar in Lygon Street, Carlton, a suburb of Melbourne. The trophy is awarded annually at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show to the producer of the best one or two year old, dry, red wine).

This winery was fantastic to actually see the process in operation. I'd only just remarked that it's such a shame that you don't get to see how it all works when visiting the cellar doors...they normally just have a sampling bar set away from where the action takes place. I like to see how it all comes about I have to admit.

Don't you just love those huge barrels...well I do anyway! Someone on our tour actually bought an empty one and arranged to collect it the next day to take home for an al fresco bar table. Cool!

And here's the expert...answering all our questions. Mr Graeme Miller himself!

Winemaker & Viticulturist Graeme Miller is one of the pioneers of the 1960s/70s rebirth of the Yarra Valley as a wine region. In 1971 he established Chateau Yarrinya at Dixons Creek, which he sold to the De Bortoli family in 1987. He began planting  Dixons Creek Estate in 1988, a kilometre from his original site. Winner of the 1978 Jimmy Watson trophy, Graeme made a return to winemaking at Dixons Creek Estate because of his belief in regional difference and the Yarra Valley as an excellent wine producing area.

Graeme built the winery on the new site and finally opened cellar door there in 2005. He is working to produce long lived wines, not dominated by alcohol, and which reflect the subtle depth and complexity that the Yarra Valley , as a cool climate region, can produce.

Note the aboriginal artwork behind. We've actually got a similar painting in our store room. It's never actually been hung on our wall because my hubby chose it himself (first mistake) and it was bush tucker...which basically depicts grubs! (second mistake)

Now don't get me wrong I love aboriginal artwork and in fact sometimes I think my ink drawings have a slight resemblance especially with all of those dots...but our painting is mainly brown and has grubs all over it! 

Not my cup of tea I'm afraid, but I did tell my hubby not to buy but he just went away and did it anyway (third mistake)...so it'll stay where it is for now.
Sorry I digress...

So back to the wine tasting...

...or should I say a quick tasting this time...in order to make our choice of wine to accompany our gourmet lunch at Mandala Wines.

 (Photo courtesy of Manadal wines...I must have been too busy eating and drinking because I now realise I never took a photo)

Mandala is one of the newer cellar doors and the Yarra Valley.
They are a two family-owned vineyard.
The 20-year old vines at Dixon's Creek contrast with the cooler higher-altitude vineyards at Yarra Junction, which is exclusively planted to pinot noir.
We enjoyed a sumptuous lunch in the restaurant that has 180 degree views through the glass walled spaces before moving on to our next venue.

Now don't laugh but I can't remember the name of the next winery!
It's true and I feel so bad about that. I've searched extensively and can't find it!
I'll try to find out and come back to add it in...I know this was our fourth stop, but even so I should have noted the name at least.
Ahh ha....see as promised I have returned with the name of the winery...
thanks to Yvette from Wild Wombat tours...yet again saving the day!
It's Yering Station of course!

Set in the historical winery building (circa 1859), the Cellar Door encapsulates the synergy between wine, food, knowledge and sensory experience.

The Tasting Bar allows you to experience wines with the support and skill of knowledgeable and passionate young team. Yering Station produces fifteen styles of wine under six distinctive wine labels.

This was to a larger commercial organisation with lots of products on sale other than wine. They had a gallery for displaying artwork too...as well as a huge range of shop products from soap to seeds with everything including chocolate and coffee in-between!
Maybe that's why I never actually took in the name...I was too busy tasting and making sure I didn't miss anything. 

As you can see it is a very popular way to spend the day...and who would believe that there are so many experts about ;D
This huge space used to house the barrels back in the day and the cellar is below which is no longer used unfortunately due to flooding.

Note: I didn't see one person on the whole weekend trip spit into the receptacles provided...I'm just saying!

I loved this display and no they are not all of our empties!
I wish the label was on show and then I could have seen the name. 

 

After seeing all of the lovely chocolate products on offer here...

and I have to confess I have to have a good portion of chocolate when drinking red wine 

(I have no idea why I just do...any excuse but then I know I have a problem...okay I'm a chocoholic!) 

Anyway 'Elaine' heard the females' plea for chocolate and commented that there just happened to be a Chocolaterie nearby!!!! 

OH JOY!

She then made a very quick detour realising that our need for a chocolate fix was a serious issue! 

Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery here we come...I could have died and gone to heaven...

I love these peek through window places that show the whole process and I could watch for hours...but the bus was on a schedule and this stop wasn't on it...so with record speed I whipped thorough the whole building, filling my basket like a champion supermarket sweeper
(does anyone other than me remember that TV programme or have I just really confused everyone?)

I'm not sure I'd want to kiss this chocolate frog...but I'd certainly eat him!

Imagine finding this on your Easter egg hunt...how fantastic would that be?

And guess what? There's free samples just sitting there for everyone to try....okay I was spotted at this particular counter three times, but in my defence I wasn't as bad as the woman who poured the buttons into her pockets!!! I KID YOU NOT! Now she had a problem!
(she wasn't on our tour by the way)

Oh would you believe it...now I want some chocolate! 

Once again I need to clarify I did purchase and not just devoured the free samples.
Our last stop was at the Yarrawood Winery (phew...I remember the name) which is perched on the crest of a hill overlooking the picturesque vineyard and the Yarra Valley below.

We bought a beautiful bottle of Tall Tales Botrytis Riesling.
I could write all the attributes written on the back of the label but suffice to say...I liked it!
And so finally feeling my tastebuds were shot we headed back to our accommodation....for a well earned rest.
Okay...a good snooze! But we had worked so hard surely we deserved it!

Here's the keeper of the vineyard...keeping a close eye on everything.

And so the day came to a close...but not before putting on a stunning display.

I hope you enjoyed your trip to the Yarra Valley...

I'm still working my way through all of my photographs from our South Island trip to New Zealand but hope to post them soon.

In the meantime, have a great week...maybe even participating in a little drop of red or wine along the way.

Chat again soon

Hello from the South Island, New Zealand....

Just in case you are wondering where I am at the moment....?

I'm galavanting around the South Island of New Zealand.

But I'll be back soon with lots to show you.

Here's a seat...so sit down, relax and take in that view...

See you soon

I've scored a hat trick...whoohoo...

I've always thought that I'm quite lucky...but today it has been confirmed!

Nope, still no lotto win...(well I can't expect to win really can I, especially if I don't buy a ticket!)

Why am I grinning like a Cheshire cat? 

Well, I have received three separate gifts from friends...how special is that?  

And it isn't even my birthday!

Two actually winged their way into my post box today. 

So of course I had to maximize the pleasure...I sat armed with a cuppa and a large white chocolate freckle that I bought at a Chocolatiere over the weekend. 

(More about that on my next post...once I get the photos to co-operate and transfer over...it's a work in progress and it's protesting at the moment...maybe I need to eat more chocolate instead of looking at it?) 

I'm not going to show you the pressies because some things I like to keep to myself...they are special and personal to me. 

Oh okay...you've twisted my arm...

I'll show you just one...

How fantastic are these babies?!?!

 I'm thrilled and excited but terrified all at the same time because I'm now going to have to use them...eek!

I don't want to rush it, so I'll wait until I get back from our next trip.

Oh yes our trips...

Last weekend, we went to the Yarra Valley for wine tasting and the weather was just perfect. 

Quite fantastic for autumn...beautiful warm sunny days and crisp nights.

The wine was incredible and we had a brilliant weekend staying right in the middle of a vineyard. 

I'll share a little of the trip with you soon.

In the meantime, I've got to repack only this time for chilly climes because we're off again tomorrow.
I know...there's no stopping us...and it's a wonder I find my way home. 

I can't believe that even though I've been busy and I missed the APR entry time... I did manage and enjoyed a little doodle in my journal. I don't normally like to show unfinished work but I thought today I'd be brave.

 I couldn't decide if I should zentangle him or not...and then I thought I'd like to try and add those fantastic peacock plumage colours...because let's face it that is what peacocks are renowned for. 

What do you think?

I took a whoosie approach and thought I'd photograph him at this stage, just in case he doesn't make the grade on the next stage...or it all goes pear shaped!

I'm going to add colour because I feel that a peacock's main feature are those amazing colours...plus I love them. I'm just hoping I can reproduce them. Wish me luck!

Why a peacock? Well...peacocks were the topic for last week's APR challenge...so if you'd like to see some more artists work then click here to visit Jenn's Artist Playroom.

I hope to visit the gang myself soon although times flying by and I actually fly out myself tomorrow! 

I hope you have a lucky day too...with lots of surprises....

keep smiling or better still pass it on

The holiday's over....

There's a quiet air about the house this afternoon...Muffin has curled up on a cushion snoozing...in fact snoring like a old trouper if truth be told...not very ladylike at all, but does she care? Nah!

There aren't two pairs of eye's watching my every move...just in case there's a treat on offer.

The toys are all in their basket...looking incredibly tidy after all their drooly exciting daily antics.

So what's behind all of this calmness?

Well...Zac has gone home! ^..^

I think he'll probably appreciate the rest because Mufftypup is a young pest  pup and sometimes she can be a little full on for the 13 year old...although he is extremely sprightly.

Oh we've had a ball and I'm sure he likes me bestest!!! :D

But the holidays over and his Mum came to collect him this morning.

Here are the happy couple having their Easter egg Schmackos hunt.

  

So where breakfast?....What kind of establishment are you running here?

You just can't get the staff!

Nothing like a quick snooze to recharge the batteries...especially when you have a younger pup to keep up with....

Does this pooch look like he's missing his owners?

Hehe...okay so he may well be dreaming of them, but don't disillusion me.

Muffy and Zac have a very special relationship...in fact they are like an old married couple....they know each other so well. They have their fun times. Muffy usually gives him a swipe with her paw to instigate playtime, which he usually indulges in but then sometimes (not often I have to admit) Zac will decide she's been nagging him long enough and he'll just put her in her place!

  

Here they are sharing Muffy's bed....now that's friendship!

I've just taken this photo....

Oh I know and she knows that she shouldn't be on my desk...

...I'm supposed to be working but I just thought she might be feeling a little lost!

But then she's going to Zac's soon because don't forget we're off on a little jolly!

Which reminds me...I must pack!!! EEK!

Have a thrilling Thursday, a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Hope to see you again soon ...thanks for stopping by even if you haven't left a comment...

I know you are out there  

Have fun and keep smiling!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Monday 1st April 2013

Outside my window...There's a fresh autumnal feel to the air...I think we may have missed summer silently slipping away. I've felt just that slight chill today which is inconvenient because it's not cold enough to light a fire or turn the heating on, but I feel I need something a little extra to keep me warm. The sun did make a weak pattern on the carpet a short time ago, but it was rather feeble and decided to give up. 

Maybe it's the slight breeze gently touching everything with its cool air that has made it stay away today. The clouds seem heavy but there's no sign of rain. My washing has been in and out like a fiddlers elbow in the last few days, which is very unusual for here but I've decided to give in and let it be for now. 

Plant pots have been emptied and cleaned...they are sitting grouped together like a nursery sale is about to begin. I've noticed our thongs (flip-flops if you are from the UK) are still nestling near the kitchen door but they'll not be needed now probably until next summer. Sad but true.

I heard the crows calling this morning and was reminded of autumn/winters in the country when the crow's calls would resonate across the bare fields. For a second I was transported back.

The garden loungers are stripped bare of their bright coloured cushions like sad skeletons. 

It's a strange time as the season changes...neither one thing or the other but with cold nights arriving the tips of the trees have begun to change colour. Soon all the autumnal display will be a feast for the eyes. 

I noticed one particular tree this morning gently weeping as its leaves drifted to the ground. Have you heard that if you catch a falling leaf and make a wish...it'll come true? I've tried but they always seem to swerve and twist unpredictably as they fall. I suppose making wishes should just be easy everyday occurrences. Not if they are to be special. Our pool must make so many wishes...perhaps to be the size of an Olympic swimming pool one day or to have a water slide because it seems to catch every falling leaf!!!   

This photo was taken last Monday morning...hence a little blue sky peeping through. 

I love clouds especially when the sun is caught behind them. It lights and highlights their edges like they have been hit with electricity! 

I am thinking...that I will include more photos in my Daybook in future, as I'm always taking photos and it seems a shame not to share them.  

Here for instance are my Easter bunnies and the tulip arrangement I made. The tulips are looking a little sorry for themselves now but they were really stunning when the tulips started to open...like golden cups of sunshine! Unfortunately they'll probably be evicted tomorrow...but then I can play once more with some more flowers and greenery.

 

(I'm just a little concerned about mummy bunny having no eyes! I can't help wondering why?)
 

I am thankful...for the technology that brings my daughters voice into the room even though I know she's 12,000 miles away. We can chat whenever we feel like it and that's priceless.

In my kitchen...it's now 1.15am so it's quiet and tidy. I did have an earlier entry for this question but for some reason I pressed a key and whoosh it disappeared and do you know for the life of me I can't remember what I wrote before. I think it was about the ingredients for our meal of belly pork marinated in char siu with fried rice. I'd say that the fried rice would be my screensaver in the recipe department, if I had to pick one recipe. It's always tasty, quick, full of flavour and a family favourite.

Here's a previous post of the recipe if you want to check it out...click here   

I am wearing...before I start I need to explain...I'm a nesh puss and if anyone is going to be cold it's normally me before anyone else! So with that in mind...

I'm wearing trainers, socks, jeans, long sleeved t-shirt, jumper, pashmina AND a quilted sleeveless waistcoat! I know and it's hardly autumn yet. But I've checked the temperature and it's only 12C degrees....remember I've mentioned before that I'm just not a happy bunny when the temperature is under 16C! I think the fire may be light tonight and I'm thinking of going in search of our winter quilt. Well best be prepared I say!

I am creating...an unusual drawing but if I showed you here I'd have to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing and I'm not sure I want to divulge that information just yet. Maybe later who knows? 

It's a line drawing using the Micron pens and I'm pleased with it. 

I'm also looking at the next Artist Play Room challenge...this week it's peacocks so my artistic side better get a wriggle on if I'm to enter by the close of business on Friday! 

I am going...away at the weekend for one of our trips...so just pack a small travel bag. It's only for a long weekend but I did say I'll take you along. I won't say where just yet...oh I do like to keep you all in suspense don't I?

I am wondering...whilst I recognise that I'm truly blessed right now...I am aware that quite a few people I know are having a tough time at the moment for various reasons. I'm hoping that things improve for them.

I'm reading...nothing! (Gasp) yes I know that was a shock for me too, but I only just finished a book this afternoon and I haven't had time to chose my next one yet. I've read the two books I needed to for my book club so the next one will be whatever I decide. There's quite a few waiting in the wings but it's just after 1am here, so I'm not going to pick one now. I'll have that pleasure tomorrow. Do you find this as exciting as I do...deciding what to read next!
If you have any suggestions then please just drop me a line...I'd love to hear what you've been reading or if you have a recommendation.

I am hoping...that Samuel Johnson gets to keep his promise to his sister Connie to:

1. Raise a million dollars for Breast Cancer research
2. Raise awareness of the disease that’s killing her
3. Break the Guinness World Record for the longest journey on a unicycle.  

Samuel and Connie were born a year apart, so they’ve always been close. Growing up they played together, explored the neighbourhood together... and fought cancer together.
Connie has fought cancer three times in her life and Samuel has been with her every step of the way. This time things are different. Connie is dying and she doesn’t have much time left.
Faced with the fight of her life, she set Samuel the toughest challenge she could think of. It started as a joke in the kitchen. It turned into a promise.
The goal? To set a new Guinness World Record for the most distance travelled on a unicycle, raise $1 million and spread Connie’s message of breast cancer awareness.
Samuel has consulted all the experts, taken none of their advice and he’s setting off on the challenge of a lifetime. He made a promise and is determined to keep it!
Samuel left Melbourne on Friday February 15 and is out there as I type.

No matter which way you look at it...riding 15,000km zig zagging around Australia on a unicycle is an epic journey and an inspiration one to us all.

Take a look at their story here there's some amazing clips, info and photos about the journey that both Samuel and Connie are undertaking. 

I wish them success and maybe you might feel the same and make a donation too via their website. ;D

I am looking forward to...both my weekend away but also another trip that's planned soon. You'll need a bigger case for this trip.

I'm also looking forward to all the autumn colours...the trees dressed in their beautiful colours. 

Around the house...there are two boys (well I use the term boy rather loosely for one of them) and two dogs. Its Easter Monday here and both boys are off from work. One boy is rustling through what seems like huge treasure maps but happens to be architectural plans for our house and the other is upstairs in his part of the house with the music playing and heaven knows what! It's an area I try to stay clear of at all costs!

The dogs (Zac is staying with us just now) are having a rough and tumble with lots of gruffs and growls...all harmless and obviously they love it by their look and body language. 

Here they are waiting for me to produce their breakfast...obviously not quick enough...you just can't get the staff....

The atlas is open wide on the coffee table indicating where our forthcoming trip will take us...don't look...you'll spoil the surprise! 

The Easter eggs have mysteriously disappeared, which is a great shame but my waistband sighs with relieved. I was thinking I'd have to head into the elasticated slacks but we may just have everted that cataclysmic tragedy!  Not that I have any elasticated waisted slacks you must understand...phewph...just wanted to make that clear!

A favourite quote for today...Nothing is more highly to be prized than the value of each day

~ Johann von Goethe    

One of my favourite things...well it happens to be a BIG thing...it's Muffin of course. Our mini shuh tzu dog. I don't think I've included her in my favourite things before because anyone who visits here regularly will already know this. It's the same and family and friends...it's kind of obvious really. 
Mufftypup is with me every day...she's like my shadow. I know her so well and she knows me. But of course she can manipulate me very easily with a look or the quiet way she gruffs to make a point (which by the way can drive you insane if you try to ignore it...it's impossible) She makes me walk out the door every morning no matter what, even when I don't feel like it but once I'm walking it's such a special time. 
She's had quite a life so far with being an expat and has even flown half way around the world....probably business class knowing her! She's only 9 years old but I have moments when I wonder just how will manage when she has to leave us. She's the cutest, cuddliest, fun loving, playful, funny pup I've ever known but then I may be a tad biased.  

  

A few plans for the rest of the week:  At this point I normally say.....Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order...it still seems appropriate! : D

A peek into my day... well actually it was a day or should I say evening last week. The photo was taken whilst we strolled along the South Bank of the Yarra Valley here in Melbourne. 
We had a beautiful meal in one of the many fabulous restaurants to choose from and enjoyed one of the last (possibly) warm evenings. Two Black swans were out enjoying the evening too.  

 The building on the other side of the river is the famous Flinders Street Train Station which is an iconic building here in Melbourne. It opened in 1910 and is the oldest station in Australia.

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit and if it's your first time reading my daybook entry, I hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries

I hope you've had an eggciting Easter and hopefully the sun will shine for you....keep smiling!

I hope to see you again soon...

Have a wonderful week everyone. 
Bye for now 

p.s. just a little note...it's now 1.30am so if there are any errors above please just turn a blind eye and forgive me...I need to sleep ZZzzzzZZZzzz zz x

APR ~ Time is flying by...

Life is certainly flying by just now...with Easter already upon us. 

My friends have already been and gone, but we have some lovely memories to look back on until our next meeting later in the year.

So if I say today was the first time that I got a chance to look online or to check what's been happening out there in t'internet land....375 emails later, I finally got around to see what this week's theme was for Jenn's Artist Play Room. You'll know just how late I am...(I know nothing new here) but this time 

I'm REALLY late.

As you may have guessed (well the title kind of gives it away) the topic this week is 'Flight' or 'things that Fly'...so you can imagine how thrilled I was that a few weeks ago I drew up this little owl in my journal. 

 He wasn't going to see the light of day, but Jenn drew him out of me and so here he is for you all to see! 

A little cheat having a stand-in ready in the wings (HA... get it!) but otherwise I wouldn't have made it in time...

I'll be back soon but in the meantime why don't you nip over to the Artists Playroom and check out some really talented artist and their entries this week.

Happy Easter to you all.

Have a wonderful time and remember any chocolate eaten on Sunday has no calories...

I read that somewhere...or did I dream it?!!??!

Artist Play Room ~ What do you overlook?

Okay so here's the deal...I've just been reliably informed by Mo over at Twinkletoes2day that if I'm surfing blog land, doodling, drawing or painting then I'm not wasting time as long as I'm enjoying myself...Yay! That's just what I needed to hear. I mean who doesn't enjoy doing those things?

Phewph...that made me feel so much better because trust me there's so much I should be attending right now, but I decided to give myself a little break and enter into Jenn's Artist Play Room.
This week's challenge is 'what do you overlook' so brace yourself....I could really dive in here...but then I thought you don't deserve that...you've done nothing to harm me.
I mean I could tell you about how plants have been tortured and subsequently died over the summer months, whilst I was away having fun in the snow...or the mountain of laundry that seems to have taken up constant residence in a dark corner of the house. I mean really would you like to see my laundry? Not my dirty laundry of course, but boring enough to have you fall off your chair yawning!

So after much deliberation, I decided that I've been talking about trying to lighten up with my artwork for long enough but not actually doing anything about it...well not today. I just dived straight in. Scary stuff! Can you see the difference to my usual stuff?
Today I decided to draw my perfume bottle (It's not something I would normally draw either so again pushing all the stops out here). I actually have two bottles (spoilt I know) one for daytime and this one for night-time. This particular one is more potent and you have to be careful how much you put on, otherwise everyone in a 20 metre radius starts to either move discreetly away with their hand under their nose or they just keel over! It's not really the reaction that you'd want :-$

I've been talking to Tracey who gave me a few pointers in seeing the lines on the object that you wish to draw. She's brilliant at this and I felt very priviledged to be given a few tips. Bless you Trace :D
I didn't realise until I started to really study this bottle just how many lines there were. I think at this stage I'll just add that I had artistic license to leave some of the zillion lines for another day! Okay?
It's amazing what you actually see when you really look at something. For instance, I didn't know that the name was repeated on the front...in fact I'd seen that something was written there, but didn't bother to really look. How terrible not to use our eyes to their full potential. They are such a gift, we really should appreciate every little detail.

(hate the shading by the way ~ but I'll work on that next time)

As I got to know my perfume (strange but true)...up close and personal, I didn't realise that I'd moved its position on my desk. Note to self: once you start to draw DON'T MOVE IT! (such a numpty)
I couldn't help but have a little squirt too whilst I was there and now my dog thinks we're off somewhere for the afternoon! ^..^ Shame.
As often happens I didn't know whether to finish there or to carry on....yep...I couldn't help myself I decided to try and add some colour. Thankfully, I took a photo of the drawing first before attacking it with the Derwent Inktense pencils. I know...what was I thinking? I don't even like the pencils but I keep trying.
But then I became strict and decided I wouldn't add water to them...I'd just leave them coloured in.

Enough is enough!

I couldn't get the right colours but it's my interpretation isn't it? Can I get away with that do you think?

Which do you prefer?

Whoops I've just noticed the time...yes it just disappears when you're having fun! I've now realised that I feel very sickly too because it's 3.30pm and I've had nothing to eat other than a heavy portion of perfume since breakfast this morning...!
Well that's it folks...I'm done for today. I've got friends coming to stay this weekend and I've really got to get a wriggle on if I'm to be ready to be the hostess with the mostess.
I've three super king cotton bed linen to iron...towels to fold...chocolates to purchase for their pillows. (I bought new ones yesterday...pillows that is and not chocolates...they'd have disappeared by now if it was chocolates...you know me!)

Toodleloo for now peeps...catch up again soon

 ~ enjoy the day...it's a gift use it wisely ~