iPhone photography: Melting snow

A vague promise of spring to come. Windy. A cheeky twinkle on the ice covered lake. Snow sliding off rooftops.

Here are three links to celebrate the 100 anniversary of  International Women’s Day.

• Top 100 women. They have led countries, broken through glass ceilings and been in space.
• Book recommendation: Spitfire Women of World War II by Giles Whittell. Extremely inspiring and empowering story of unsung heroines!
• Bond supports gender equality. Starring Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench.

Tags: nature, snow, spring, winter

iPhone photography: Heather covered in snow

I was going to write about how spring had been in the air, and how remarkable the quality of light is this time of year, when a blizzard transformed the landscape into a cotton wool dreamscape.

Then history was made. Egyptian Dictator Mubarak resigned. The bravery of the Egyptian people transformed Egypt, with a velvet revolution. Bringing a bright light into our world. I cried for joy, watching images of the Egyptians celebrating. People dancing in the streets in Egypt… So moved, so happy…

Today is a day to celebrate a new dawn for Egypt and for human rights.

iPhone photography: Park and star reflection

Tags: celebration, snow, transformation, winter

iPhone photography: tulips and book

I won’t be going to Paris in April, I didn’t get the artist’s grant I’d applied for, but it looks like my work will be published in a new book about Swedish Illustration. And yes, I’ll apply for the Paris grant again!

Just now I’m inspired by

• The quality of light, it’s remarkable, it lifts my spirits and it’s awfully difficult to capture on film!
• life drawing
• The Golden Eagle I saw outside my windows one morning, just after I’d finished my yoga. (also hard to capture with a camera)
• tulips and books by the historical novelist Lindsey Davis
• people skating on the lake
• Nerd Valentine. Valentine’s Day gift ideas for the nerd in your life. ♥
• astounding winter sunsets (again tricky to capture on film)

Tags: books, Paris, winter

Valentine's Day mini cards

Here’s a batch of free mini cards or gift tags for Valentine’s Day.

Time to celebrate love! Send a Valentine to your sweetheart or to a friend or make Valentine’s day a special day for yourself. Tickets for two? A night out? A romantic gift? How about treating your friend to lunch out? A visit to a museum? A scenic drive? A cup of tea, a movie or dinner with someone you love?

I’m sharing the mini cards or gift tags with you in a printable PDF-file for you to print out, cut up and enjoy! I’ve also included the design as a set of small digital cards, just the right size to pop in an e-mail. I hope you have fun using and sharing these Valentine designs!

Save these Valentine’s mini cards/gift tags to your computer.

Tags: celebration, holiday, love, orange, pink, printable, red, romance, Valentine's Day, winter

iPhone photography: Icicles

I saw these magnificent icicles when I staggered down to the store to restock the fridge with more orange juice and fresh ginger to beat the flu. The first week with the flu was wrapped in a haze, but as I’ve been getting better I’ve enjoyed:

• The last season of Lost
• Watching the blizzard through the windows
• Reading Barbara Kingsolver’s “The Lacuna”
• Listening to podcasts from Philosophy Bites
• The Cranberry Joy Shimmer Lotion that Santa put in my stocking. It delights the 8-year old in me.

How has 2011 been treating you so far?

Tags: recharge, winter