London Inspiration



As I have mentioned on a few of my recent posts, I have been in love with Susan Branch's blog.  She is on her way to England and sailing away.  Every post that she writes is a postcard that you want to read.  I love the way that she writes, and she always has music to match her post.  I love that!


The last time Susan and her husband were in England was in 2004.  That was the year I went to London and fell in love with the country.  I loved London and I loved the countryside too.  At the time of our trip, I had two close friends living there, which made it ever so much more magical and comfortable.



It didn't come as a surprise that I would love everything English,  I had such a wonderful introduction while living in Hong Kong.

My daughters attended a little British school there, and I met so many wonderful women from the UK through that experience.



Or I should say whilst living abroad.  This photo was taken from riding on the London Eye.  Quite a view.




Needless-to-say I have been reminiscing  and I pulled out some photos from that trip.  Before I bore you to tears, I have a wonderful new resource to share.  I downloaded the app to my mac, they have a version for the iPad and the iPhone.



It's called Romantic Photo, sigh.  This post holds some samples of this lovely editor's photo effects.  Here is a sample of what it looks like on my computer.



Oooh, where did I get that lovely desktop wallpaper?  From Ann Geddes of course.  Isn't it wonderful that we are all on board for this app train?  I have always been a fan of Anne's work, and now she has a new project that she is working on, called Anne's Pregnancy Project.

This photo of us with the Queen and the Princes was taken at Madame Tussauds, London.

How cool is it that little Ashley will have her own new little Prince soon.  I signed up for the Anne Geddes  newsletter because I am going to purchase her new app for creating a book for my little grandson.  The book app is called "My First Five Years" I love the way "my grandson" sounds.  Even though he isn't expected to arrive until August, I thought it would a nice shower gift for my daughter.




I didn't have the fun way of adding textures and mosaics back when I took this photo, but that's the wonderful thing about this virtual world of ours.  Now we can go back and restore photos that we thought were terrible.

HARRODS LONDON




Today is Mosaic Monday, and I want to join Mary at Little Red House for more Mosaic adventures.  Oh, and the music, a favorite of mine.  Since I have been traveling down memory lane, I pulled this one out of the recesses of my mind from the 60's.  It too seems dreamy to me.

Lovely Resources.  Of course the wonderful Sarah Gardner is also from the UK and I have used her glorious frames in this post too.  Doodle Frame borders is from Sonya DeHart's Designs.


Annesphamily said...

Hi Karen! Such a gorgeous post! I have never traveled to the UK. How beautiful your photos are. I am so clueless with any photo stuff here. I really need to learn! Sigh!
Thank you for sharing and I enjoyed your trip down memory lane. Have a terrific week.

Terra said...

Karen, my dh and I are Anglophiles too and your photos are indeed romantic. We like London and the countryside too. Your photos capture the London city scape and sky very beautifully.

Snap said...

Wonderful memories you shared. Lovely post. Thanks for the links for the MAC. I think I'm almost as excited as Susan is about her trip!!! :D :D Hugs---

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Happy Mosaic Monday! I always enjoy your photos and art! I'm following Susan on her journey, too! What an adventure!

Blondie's Journal said...

I so enjoy Susan's blog and I look forward to hearing all about her trip back to England! Your pictures are stunning, Karen! It sounds like you had a lovely time on your trip. I'd love to go but sadly, don't think it is in my immediate future. So I enjoy your pictures even more!

I'm excited gor you as a grandmother to be! You will be wonderful!

XO,
Jane

Anonymous said...

I always love stopping by for a visit. Your posts are a breath of fresh air and inspire me no end.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Congratulations Karen on your expected grandson! I'm sure you'll all be very excited to welcome the little prince into your family!

Your London photos are wonderful! I hope to visit London this fall, and I'm excited to see Susan Branch's trip unfold on her blog so I can get ideas of where to visit.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Wow what a wonderful post I loved all the photos you have shared with us I would love to go to London one day but doubt it will ever happen

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning dearest Karen!

Well, all I can say is that I am looking forward to a JOURNEY of learning my new Photoshop suite this summer so I can put together some wonderful photos like these! I am just barely learning how to IMPORT PICTURES AND NOT LOOSE THEM!!

Have a wonderful Monday! Anita

Stephanie said...

Karen, this was a terrific post. I enjoyed reading it and am grateful to you for the tips you shared. I can't wait to try them.

A Garden of Threads said...

Beautiful post. Thanks for all the information on Anne's book, we are going to be new grandmas around the sometime.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I have never been to London, and your photos make me want to go! Romantic Photo sounds like fun!

Vee said...

Having spent the afternoon playing with grandsons yesterday, I assure you that your excitement over saying "my grandson" is completely justified. You're going to have more fun than you ever thought possible! Isn't Susan's trip going to be fun? She's so generous to allow all of us to hang out with her while she's off having another visit in England. What about you? Are you planning another trip one day?

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Karen, This is all so exciting!! I have been following Susan's blog and have been a long time fan. Your photos are wonderful.

myletterstoemily said...

everyone is so gaga over paris, but i
adore london! it was such fun to
take a quick trip through yourlovely
blog!

thank you!

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

I loved the photos, the frames and thanks for the tips on apps. I have had my iphone for just a little while but I like to take photos with it. Now if someone could stop my shaky hands that would be the ticket. Valerie

Kathleen Grace said...

I really like the painted effect you get with that app! England is my dream. I may never get there but I have wanted to go for years, so I always enjoy photos.They kind of keep the fire of my dreams burning:>)

Karen said...

Love, love, love your blog! Oh..and I love, love, love London too! Only been there once but it was so wonderful.
See you next time. I'm your newest follower.
Karen
Ladybug Creek

My Little Home and Garden said...

Your photos are so interesting to see, not only because of the subject matter but also the artistic presentation of the content. Lovely.
-Karen

Lorrie said...

Susan Branch's blog is so full of beauty, like yours. I love the postcards you show us on this post. It's still a dream of mine to go to the UK some day.

Pondside said...

I love what you've done with your photos - all quite romantic and elegant. One of these days I'm going to book the time with myself to figure out some of the newer, fun editors.

Cottage and Broome said...

I love London too, it is wonderful place to visit and my daughter lived there one summer. Oh how I'd love to go back. Thanks for sharing and stopping by, Laura

Claudia said...

Oh darlin -- what a spectacular post!! I have a darling friend that lives near london and swear I will get over to see her some time.

Your photos are wonderful and love how excited you are about your grandson.

HE will be so blessed.

Hugs darlin
Claudia

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