Little Stories – Escape

Quill feather bookmark @ inktorrents.com by Soma

 

I seriously needed to turn off the world and get away from it all.  Find some comfort in the little things.  I worked in the garden while listening to the trees swishing in the morning breeze, my favourite way to wake up.   I painted a bookmark and revisited my Simple365 photos of things that make me happy.  Let me share these little stories with you in the hope of bringing some joy to your world as well.

 

Early last year in February I started taking daily photos of simple, everyday things.   This set was taken during the last half of May.   I didn’t leave the house,  so the photos are of my everyday surroundings around the house, garden and my atelier where I spent most of my days.

 

 

Simple 365 – Set 6

Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos and read the captions.

 

 

 

I also created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365.  I will add more photos to that page as well, as I share them here.

 

 

A little tradition

 

Simple365 photo from Peak District Derbyshire England @ inktorrents.com by Soma

 

When we travel abroad, my husband sends me a postcard from that place.  That way I have something in the mail after I come home.  I rotate these postcards on my desk.   My little desk friend loves to pose in front of them.

 

 

A little joy from the garden

 

Growing Japanese Indigo @ inktorrents.com by Soma

 

 

 Japanese Indigo loves hot weather.   I mistakenly sowed some seeds at the worst time of the year, in autumn.    They were indoors in their little nursery for the longest time until I couldn’t keep them there any longer.  Unfortunately, I had to replant them in large pots right around winter.  We tucked them in at night under big shrouds, and used my husband’s halogen task lights to keep them warm.

 

 

 

Growing Japanese Indigo @ inktorrents.com by Soma

 

They not only made it through the winter, but are now blooming with the most beautiful tiny little flowers.   I love it when plants survive and thrive.  Do you talk to your plants?  I quite often pet them and talk to them.

 

 

A quill story

 

Quill feather bookmark @ inktorrents.com by Soma

 

However, even the garden work came to a sudden halt.   A few weeks back, it was quite abysmal outside due to the bad air from the wildfires.  By that Friday, I hadn’t seen a natural sky for days, only a smoke-filled grey-red sky.  My eyes kept burning, and only stopped when we filtered the air in the house.  All this from fires that were not even very close to us.

I decided to close the windows so I didn’t have to see the outside,  sat tight inside and worked on making a bookmark out of a scrap piece of paper.

 

 

 

Quill feather bookmark @ inktorrents.com by Soma

 

I have collected quite a few ink bottles and writing instruments from our travels to medieval castles and abbeys.  I transported myself into a place where a scribe is working by candlelight.

 

Art can be such a wonderful balm, and it really helped that day when I was so emotionally exhausted.  Working on this bookmark while listening to one of my favourite audiobooks was just perfect.

 

I feel much more refreshed and ready to take on the world once again.   The air around us has cleared, and I can go outside and play/work in the garden again.  Little stories that make everyday special.

 

I hope this provided you some escape from the everyday and made you smile.   I would love to know which photo is your favourite.

 

Until next time,
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.

 

 

52 thoughts on “Little Stories – Escape

  • Amy Johnson October 9, 2021 at 06:20

    You are such an amazing artist. I work in my garden to get away from it all too.

    Reply
  • Lovely September 27, 2021 at 23:49

    Beautiful pictures and I love the bookmark. The color scheme is wonderful!
    xoxo
    Lovely

    Reply
  • Michelle September 26, 2021 at 06:40

    Like you, I utilize nature and creativity to take a break from the world too.

    Michelle

    Reply
  • RachelSwirl September 25, 2021 at 12:41

    Another beautiful image – you are so so so talented! Thanks so much for sharing and for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot.

    Reply
  • handmade by amalia September 25, 2021 at 08:18

    I love your postcard tradition, what a wonderful idea. I miss travelling.
    Amalia
    xo

    Reply
  • Sarah MumofThree World September 24, 2021 at 22:36

    So sorry to hear that the wildfires were affecting you. I had no idea that the effects would be felt so far away. I don’t blame you for shutting them out!

    Reply
  • Carol S. September 24, 2021 at 17:12

    Your bookmark is beautiful and so are all your photos. You are truly gifted!

    Reply
  • John Adams September 21, 2021 at 04:49

    Certainly did provide me with a few minutes escape! Love the detail on the bookmark and the black and white images are sublime.

    Reply
  • Fun60 September 21, 2021 at 01:13

    You have made the everyday objects look remarkable and special.

    Reply
  • Sam September 20, 2021 at 11:53

    What lovely ideas. Sorry to hear about the fires x #mysundayphoto

    Reply
  • Sharon Wagner September 20, 2021 at 11:23

    I do a photo-a-day in November. Great ink and pixels. Thanks for your blog visit!

    Reply
  • Lavender Dreams September 20, 2021 at 11:23

    The flowers in your garden are beautiful and I always love to see your art! You are so talented!

    Reply
  • image-in-ing weeklly photo linky September 20, 2021 at 09:43

    A marvelous and imaginative series! Thanks for sharing at

    Reply
  • Ann September 20, 2021 at 06:55

    I enjoyed your post and look foreward to more. I can’t imagine living that close to the fires. There have been many days when our sky was gray also but could not smell the fire. Hope they end soon

    Reply
  • Shiju Sugunan September 20, 2021 at 03:41

    This is a beautiful collection. Love the bookmark, well done!

    My latest post:

    Reply
  • Angie September 19, 2021 at 21:04

    P.S. And thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday!

    Reply
  • Michelle Keltner September 19, 2021 at 12:45

    Lovely photos! Gardens are a great escape and we all need that now and again….maybe more lately. Thanks for linking up and have a great week ahead.

    Reply
  • Kim Carberry September 19, 2021 at 10:45

    Fantastic photos and great work. x

    Reply
  • Carol September 19, 2021 at 04:52

    Lovely bookmark and I love your flowers. #MySundayPhoto

    Reply
  • Alison Hall September 19, 2021 at 01:59

    A wonderful read Soma, I love your painted feather bookmark, it’s beautiful!
    Alison

    Reply
  • NatureFootstep September 19, 2021 at 01:54

    sorry to learn there are fires hard enough to spoil the air with smoke. Glad you could close the window and keep it out.
    I love the feather you created. Both shape and colors is gorgeous. :)

    Reply
  • Veronica Lee September 18, 2021 at 22:16

    Beautiful art and lovely photos, Soma.

    And your Japanese indigo plant is so pretty!

    Reply
  • Sallie (FullTime-Life) September 18, 2021 at 19:31

    These are such creative and lovely ideas. Our summer was also so smoky and hot …made it even more important to find ways to stay happy and engaged. I really am not as creative but you gave me some good ideas.

    Reply
  • dee September 18, 2021 at 18:49

    Another great collection of photographs, Soma. The B&W pictures are so sharp! :) The bookmark is so pretty.
    And I love your travel tradition. :)

    Reply
  • Sandra Walker September 18, 2021 at 11:49

    My favourite photo is the second one of the Japanese Indigo, a new-to-me plant! I love the story of how you cared for it over the winter. :-) Yes I talk to my plants and my trees especially. I love trees, totally believe they’re sentient beings. The world, well the man (emphasis on man)-made part, is not such a good place these days so thank goodness for our arts, music and books.

    Reply
  • Tammy A September 18, 2021 at 11:40

    Stunning B&W photos Soma, I love that cabbage looking teapot! Your Japanese Indigo is so pretty and your quill book mark is gorgeous!! Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
    Tammy x

    Reply
  • Linda Calverley September 18, 2021 at 11:30

    I was taken with the photo of the teapot, so unusual. I’ve been painting teapots recently.

    Reply
  • Nikki - Notes of Life September 18, 2021 at 10:48

    I love your bookmark. It’s amazing :)

    Reply
  • Tammie September 18, 2021 at 09:53

    I love that your husband sends you postcards from your travels, travels you are on with him.
    Nice that you found away to nurture yourself with art.

    such pretty little flower buds.

    Reply
  • A ShutterBug Explores September 18, 2021 at 07:01

    Quill book mark is wonderful and so glad it put you in a good place with your emotions and all wonderful little stores with visuals too ~ Xo

    Living in the moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    Reply
  • Angie September 17, 2021 at 22:12

    Soma – I LOVE the fact that your husband sends you a postcard from somewhere that you are both visiting. A terrific memory. AND, you have something waiting for you when you get home. Part of me always hates arriving home from vacation, because then you know it’s really over. With this tradition, you have something to look forward to! Enjoy your weekend!

    Reply
  • LA Paylor September 17, 2021 at 17:18

    yes yes yes and love your painting. I am a big fan of growing things and have enjoyed our wildflowers from seed in patio pots this year. Your flowers are just so pretty and unusual.

    Reply
  • Dixie September 17, 2021 at 13:39

    Lovely post, Soma.
    However, you do ask difficult questions. :) I cannot pick just one photo, so…
    Beautiful kitty, sky photos, flowers and that amazing tea pot, too.
    I am happy to hear that the air has cleared.
    Beautiful bookmark, Soma.

    Reply
  • gillena September 17, 2021 at 10:13

    Luv the quill painting

    Happy weekend

    much❤love

    Reply
  • Linda K September 17, 2021 at 10:06

    What an uplifting and lovely post. The photos have such great impact as black and white! Beautiful pink bloom.
    Glad to know the air has cleared for you to enjoy the outdoors again! I love how you have a postcard sent home for you to receive upon your return. And I love your bookmark- it’s just beautiful Soma. Happy PPF!
    PS- I was tickled to see that you were mentioned along with me at PPF this week:)

    Reply
  • Margy September 17, 2021 at 08:29

    I have yet to try my watercolour paints. So far I’ve been using the pencil variety. I find it interesting to see you do the background first and leave the paper plain where the main images will go. – Margy

    Reply
  • Nicole/DVArtist September 17, 2021 at 08:21

    I love this post. You put so much emotion into it. I too take photos everyday, of just things. I should put them in to page as well. Thank you for the inspiration. For me burning sage and creating is what clears the air for me. You have a beautiful way of creating.

    Reply
  • Connie Griffin September 17, 2021 at 07:55

    I imagine taking pictures everyday of your surroundings helps you to appreciate all you have around you, I think we tend to take things for granted and don’t see the beauty that is right there with us everyday. So wonderful your plant made it with some tender loving care, it is just beautiful. So sorry to hear you too have had to deal with the smoke, we have only had it high up in the air and it makes the sun hazy but nothing like smelling it and seeing it, so good to hear that you can get back outside once again, I hope it stays that way. Your bookmark is so neat, your coloring almost makes it look like a piece of leather, probably the texture of the watercolor paper, so nice we can create our own lovely things when the world outside isn’t always so pretty.

    Reply
  • Christine September 17, 2021 at 07:11

    Beautiful quill bookmark!

    Reply
  • Wendy K September 17, 2021 at 03:21

    A fabulous, interesting post. Love your black and white photos and your quill. Your stories are very interesting too.

    Reply
  • BLOGitse September 17, 2021 at 02:11

    It’s good to have a place where to hide or escape. :)
    Those fires are terrible. Hopefully you have relaxing weekend!

    Reply
  • riitta k September 17, 2021 at 01:50

    I love the cat card painting, so sweet. Your photos of the Japanese Indigo are awesome. This plant is unknown to me. What a relief that the smoke is gone, I could not breathe outside either in such conditions. Thank you for linking, wishin creative autumn days.

    Reply
  • Eileen September 17, 2021 at 01:33

    Hello Soma,
    Pretty images, beautiful blooms and a lovely bookmark. I love spending time with nature, it has always been my peaceful place. Escaping out into your garden and into your artwork, is a great release. The smoke from the fires sounds bad, take care and stay safe. Have a happy day and a great weekend!

    Reply
  • Valerie-Jael September 16, 2021 at 23:55

    Beautiful art and photos. It’s good to be able to fall back on ‘the little things’ when the world is not being kind to us, there’s always beaut for those who seek it Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

    Reply
  • Kim September 16, 2021 at 23:39

    Why, doesn’t everyone talk to their plants?? My favourite photo is the story book Lego. I have never seen this Lego before. Love the writings of Han Christian Andersen. I must say that teapot is a beauty. Such a fabulous idea to have postcards waiting for you, sent from the places you have just visited.

    Reply
  • The Joyful Quilter September 16, 2021 at 17:11

    Love, love, LOVE your travel tradition, Soma! Sweet memories right to your mailbox. Pretty little scrap paper painting!

    Reply
  • Susan N. September 16, 2021 at 15:26

    It is nice you can have an garden escape or an indoor escape. I find it hard to choose a favorite photo. I really like the Sunlight on paws, the clouds converging and the Japanese Indigo.

    Reply
  • Janine Green September 16, 2021 at 14:54

    I hope something is being done to try to prevent those fires. It sounds horrific even when they are not close and seems to happening a lot these last few years. I enjoyed your photos – I love your teapot – and your flower is beautiful :) xxx

    Reply
  • Sue September 16, 2021 at 14:26

    The garden is the best place for some time out, listening to the breeze, the birds, it is very relaxing. Good to hear the air is better too. Nothing worse than smoke filled air. Your Japanese indigo plant is beautiful. All of your photos are lovely to see.

    Reply
  • Mary September 16, 2021 at 11:30

    There is nothing like a garden to transport you to your happy place. Gardens provide such simple joy. I’ve always enjoyed your Simple photos. They make me more aware of my own surroundings. I’m glad you are breathing easier with the cleared skies. The fires have been so destructive. Did you make it to Yosemite?

    Reply
  • Michele Morin September 16, 2021 at 10:53

    The garden is always a beautiful escape!

    Reply
  • Luisella September 16, 2021 at 02:31

    Hello,
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful shots.
    I am glad the air around you is clear now. The fires are a true tragedy. Poor nature!
    All the best!

    Reply
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