Better late than never!

A bit late, I know but Happy New Year Everyone! Thank you for all your kind get well messages and Christmas/New Year wishes. I hope that you all had a wonderful time.
I am looking forward to catching up and seeing what you have all been up to.

I have just recently returned from having spent Christmas and New Year with my family in France. I also popped over to Belgium.

Starting a New Year is a chance to reassess things in your life and reflect on the previous year. Like many of you, I have made my list of resolutions, it's quite long .... Somehow beginning a new year helps re-enforce your intentions, which is not a bad thing.


Bruges (in 3d)


One of many chocolate shops in Bruges


Miss P and I on a mission to buy some freshly made waffles


I always go to this place to buy waffles. The aroma is wonderful as you walk in.
Their freshly made waffles taste almost as good as the ones my Aunt Suzy and My Grandmother Gaby used to make. These waffles taste nothing like the supermarket ones! Soooo much nicer.


You can't beat the smell and taste of a real Belgian waffle


The Christmas Market was still there a few days after Christmas




Pretty tins full of chocolates


The chocolate shops always have such fantastic window displays


Belgian chocolates ...the best in the world... Chocolate Line is one of my favourite chocolate shops

Meanwhile back at home, it's looking like this and with more snow on the way forecast. Miss P is delighted by this, no school today because of hazardous access to the school!

Mr Snowman keeping watch in our garden


Snowy scene nearby


The fire has been lit every day since coming back. It is such a welcome sight when coming in from the cold. I have just restocked the log basket and coal bucket ready for the heavy snowfall they are predicting.

Off to relax a bit by the fire and do a spot of crochet. I started a couple of crochet projects whilst away. More in a future post.

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

EXPERIENCE THE VINTAGE AND HANDMADE FAIR in 2D AND in 3D

As mentioned in my Previous post, The Vintage and Handmade Fair Christmas 2009 which was held in the Town Hall at Chipping Sodbury (S. Glos), was a fantastic event! I would not have missed it! The fair was mentioned in various blogs, magazines and newspapers including BBC Homes and Antiques Magazine and Sew Hip Magazine. Both Magazines had a stall there too.


As some of you know, Alan took some photos of the fair first thing just before the public was let in. The photos were taken using two digital cameras held side by side. Once back at home, Alan converted both sets of photos using his own anaglyph software. He has spent more than 14 hours so far over the past 3 days, working on them then uploading them on to his website.

If you couldn't make it to the fair, you can now experience it virtually!

I would like to mention that 3d is better suited to bright conditions, the lighting on Saturday was not ideal to obtain the best results but with a bit of work on the photos Alan ended up with an acceptable result. When outdoors, the success ratio for the final product is much higher than when photographing indoors.

Colours will be affected due to the nature of 3d photography, red in particular!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE 3D EXPERIENCE?

Make yourself comfy and don't forget the 3d glasses. Remember they have to be red & cyan to work! Sainsbury's 3d glasses will NOT work on these photos as they are meant for TV viewing only (they are amber and blue)
If you have children, they may have a pair. If not, you can email me on suzysvintageattic@gmail.com to order some. £1 per pair (includes p&p)

USEFUL TIPS ON LOOKING AT 3D PHOTOS:

Once you have put your glasses on, with the red lens over the left eye, sit back from your screen a little (about half a metre) and keep still. The 3d image should appear quite quickly.

Some images, distant views for example, may take a little longer for the 3d effect to work. If you are having difficulty seeing the 3d try focusing on one object in the picture and, hopefully, the rest of the picture should appear in 3d too.

You may also find it's best to set your monitor to full screen by pressing F11 on your keyboard.

Don't worry if you are unable to see the 3d at all. It doesn't work for everyone. Unfortunately, if you are colour blind you will have problems.

I do advise regular breaks to give your eyes a rest. I suggest a break every 15 minutes.

There are 87 photos spread over 3 pages! In order to get these pictures to you as soon as possible, we have decided to spread the photos over the next 3 evenings. Page 1 is available now, Page 2 will be available tomorrow evening & Page 3 will be available on Wednesday evening.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VINTAGE & HANDMADE FAIR CHRISTMAS 2009 IN 3D

I hope that you enjoy looking at the photos and would love to hear what you think of them! Thank you.

Here are a selection of 2d photos of the fair so no glasses needed for these!


Miss P and I admiring Clare's beautiful hats









































You can see what I bought at the fair on my previous post.

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

P.S: UPDATE 17/11/09 - 3D PHOTOS - PAGES 1, 2 & 3 have all been uploaded. All 87 photos can now be viewed.

NEXT WEEKEND see the V&H FAIR in another DIMENSION...

Next Saturday (14Th November), I will be going to the V&H Fair with Alan and Miss P. Youpi!... If you haven't been there before, it really is worth the day out. It will be the perfect place do to some Christmas shopping and to treat yourself, as well as meet fellow bloggers. You will NOT be disappointed!

Michele & Jayne (the organisers of this fair), have kindly agreed for Alan to photograph the event in 3d.

SO, DIG OUT YOUR 3D GLASSES (red & cyan) as next weekend, I will be doing a post of the V&H fair in 3d. For those of you who can't make it there, it will be just as if you were there. Well... almost!

If you wish to buy a pair of 3d glasses, please email me at suzysvintageattic@gmail.com
Cost: £1 each p&p INCLUDED (UK only)


Shabby Chick's (Amanda) stall at the V&H Fair May 2009

For those of you who are not all that familiar with 3d photography see photos below or click HERE for some examples. All photos taken by Alan (www.somerset3d.co.uk)

You will need to click on the photo to enlarge it and will require the 3d glasses to get the 3d effect. Take a few seconds to let your eyes adjust to the photo as at first you may not get the 3d effect.


Dog peeping through a garden door


Monte-Carlo


Chesterblade, Somerset


Galhampton, Somerset


Wellow, Somerset


Cactus, Sardinia


Mells, Somerset


Bruton Church, Somerset


Bruges, Belgium

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

An ITALIAN garden in WILTSHIRE

Last Sunday, Alan & visited THE PETO GARDEN IFORD MANOR in Wiltshire, not far from Bath.
Alan had been there recently to take some photos of IFORD IN 3D and thought I'd like the area so we both went there this time.
Saturdays and Sundays are reserved for "tranquil visits". This meant no screaming babies or children running around. You could really soak up the atmosphere, it was very peaceful... ;-))


Click on the pictures for more detailed information on Harold Ainsworth Peto and the garden




We began by having tea and cakes in the tea-room garden. Between us we shared a slice of carrot cake, coffee cake and a Victoria sponge...All homemade and tasted delicious!


After our refreshments, we began our walk around the Grade I Italian styled garden. The garden was designed by Harold Ainsworth Peto (architect & designer) and was inspired by Italy and the gardens of ancient Rome.
























There are some lovely views from the garden


Over looking Iford Manor


The Cloister


Opera & jazz festivals are held here















It is strange but you could actually believe that you might be somewhere in Italy rather than Wiltshire, especially on a hot sunny day.










Make a wish...

















After we finished walking around in the garden we explored the tiny village of Iford which is in Somerset. The Iford Manor which is only yards away is over the border in the county of Wiltshire!






A perfect way to spend a peaceful Sunday afternoon.


A bientôt!

Isabelle x