venice-ing

Earlier this summer my husband and kids finally convinced me we needed a family holiday this year.  It's been 7 years since we last took one because the last one was so bad.  I have spent the entire summer dreading going on this vacation, partly because we booked it on a Friday the 13th and also I just like being at home (please tell me I'm not weird like that).

So last week we went to Venice.  I have wanted to go there forever and it was as expected - unspeakably fabulous. 

There is so much I loved, not least because in the main island itself there are no cars just canals and boats, endless bridges and alleyways and higgedly piggeldy built apartments.

Something I really adored about this place is that there is pattern everywhere, it's a pattern lover's dream come true.  I snapped 529 pictures (that's a rate of 70 a day) and a good chunk of them were of door and window grates like the above.  I could seriously do a whole blogpost on these they are so varied yet simple and look heavenly perfect even in the dingiest alleyway spot.

As a rule I am not a fan of scroll patterns but I just melt looking at this door.  My husband always walked several yards ahead of me and my door and window snapping ways - I just don't think he gets it.

The absolute highlight of this holiday?  My daughters coming out and sketching with me, they got so into it (they get me like my husband doesn't).

This is a pic of the Palazzo Ducale my youngest was sketching in the pic of above, I just adore her attention to detail and how she took her time to get it just right.

Here's one of my sketches of the scene above it.  This is why I needed a holiday, I never do this kind of thing at home it seems so frivolous but I'm going to make time to fit in mindless sketching just for fun from now on.

And finally a pic of me and my hubby walking through the market, we are one of those couples who never seem to have pictures of us together so I'm thankful my daughter thought to snap this.

Holiday over, normal business will be resumed asap.

P. S. it's good to be back.

 

Comments

[Sally]

Dreamy. Just dreamy. And what a cute couple you and hubby are!

[Rhonda]

Love this post and the sketches!

[Charlotte]

so glad you had a nice time! Welcome home!

[Lucinda]

It looks like you might have some inspiration in those photos.

[Kara @me_and_elna]

Love being at home too, you're not at all weird. :) I have twin nieces who are 9 years-old whom I adore and feel such a special bond with... even though they're 9 and I'm definitely the authority figure, I feel like they get me in a way like many others don't... glad to hear you have a similar feeling about your daughters. Doesn't make ME feel weird this time! ;)

[Jeni]

Wow, it looks so pretty! Sounds like you had a wonderful time, how sweet that your girls are drawing with you!

Waving hi Aneela and husband! :)

[Mary Jo]

Thanks for the great photos! Your sketches are fabulous as are your daughters. "Little Stitches" arrived. I love it. Now to find time to sit and stitch.

[Freddie]

Lovely place to go on hols.
No, you are not weird, I don't like going away either.

[Julie]

I know exactly what you mean. I prefer to be at home. Your holiday looks absolutely wonderful, and it is nice just to sit and stare!
Julie xxxxxxx

[Krista - Poppyprint]

How fantastic for you and your family!! I was enjoying following along on IG!

[Linda]

Wow, Venice! I would never be brave enough to go there -- I prefer staying home also. Thanks for sharing the fun! :-)

[Jamie]

Great sketches! Venice is such a great city; I hope to go back some day. Glad you were able to have a nice holiday, hopefully the next one won't take seven more years!

[Mary Ann]

Such a wonderful tour you've shot for us! And I am glad you all had a wonderful time too.

[Flying Blind]

I knew you would have a great time 'away'! Nice to see Mr H and the girls having fun too x

[Hildy]

Looks like you have a great time with your family!
And I'm glad I'm not the only one;-) I spent my holidays in Turkey and Greece and yes there're pattern everywhere. I went to the Palace of Knights of Rhodes and the acient mosaic floors are a quilter's dream come true! Hildy

[Archie the wonder dog]

I love the door and window snaps!!

[GloriaJanine]

I think I would frame your daughters sketch and hang it in the family room!! Best souvenir!

[Kathleen O'Grady]

Lucky you, my dream vacation to go to Italy...one of these days! Glad you enjoyed your holiday and obviously was inspired by the
architect of that beautiful city.

[ina]

Beautiful!! I would love to go to Italy. Someday. ;p

I loved the sketches...another budding artist maybe? Hmmm, looks promising. ;p

welcome home.

[Sue.]

Well if you HAVE to go somewhere...it might as well be Venice! Wonderful!

[Ute]

Are your girls going to follow in your footsteps? What an exciting possibility. No, you are not wierd.I also hate going away. Who knows what might happen while you are away? (But then, I live at No. 13!) Love your pics! I do the same thing when visiting new cities. Any architectural features which catch my eye and I whip out the camera.It drives my Hubby crazy. I once took 3000 (!) pics of stained glass windows during a week in Brussels. (and that does not include all the other pics I took of all the Art Nouveau facades)

[Kerry]

So high on my list of places to go, every where you turn it looks beautiful. I spend as much time at home as I can- ( and sometimes it makes me feel like I must be crazy, but I like it- shh dont tell anyone)

[amy smart]

Good for you! I'm so glad you got to go - and I loved all the photos. Even the windows and doors. (I was recently on a holiday with my husband and he kept wondering why I was taking pictures of buildings and windows.)

Love the little girls sketching too!

[Carolyn Van Wonderen]

Venice is such an amazing city - everyone takes photos of the canals yet I never ever tire looking at them. I love your ability to sketch like that and what a thrill to have your daughters do it to. I know the photo lingering feeling!

[Connie Flora]

Your stuff is adorable! My favorite quilt shop is not where I live but a place I go to visit a lot. It is called Sew Bee It and it is in Ringold, GA. It actually "blew away" in a tornado a couple of years ago and they rebuilt it on the same spot. It was great before and it is even better now!

[Susan]

Not only are there no cars on the island - there are no wheels.... under five years can have a scooter and that's it baby.... it is walk walk walk and the fav comment.... three bridges to where ever you are going.