Istanbul Day 2

 

My 2nd day in Istanbul (see day 1) was spent at the Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern & Grand Bazaar. Here's a few things I saw:-

 

At the Topkapi Palace there was a Beautiful entrance & bricked dome...

 Doors, Windows & Blue Tiles...

 

Blue Tiles, Blue Tiles and More Blue Tiles....

 

  

 Mother of Pearl Doors & Stained Glass Windows....

  

 Tiles upon tiles....

   

 Beautiful writing above doorways & ornate domes...

 Intricate Architecture & Lush Gardens....

  

 Fountains & Patterned Walkways....

    

Inner Courtyard Gardens & Lots of Red Tulips...

Gold Framework Doorways. We also saw one of the world's largest diamonds, the Spoonmaker's Diamond!

  

 Yellow Police Station and the Basilica Cistern...

 Underground Water & Columns....

  

 Medusa upside down & on the side...

   

 Mosque & Tree and Grand Bazaar Walkways...

  

 Lamplights and yummy Meze & blown up pitta bread!

More Istanbul adventures to follow...

Pink & Blue Bags

 

I have just finished a small collection of pink & blue natural cotton bags (well there's a pink & green one as well!) These are just perfect for spring turning into summer (even when it's a rainy and cold British Summer) they are now in my design & illustration etsy shop.  

 

 I love sashiko stitching so these semi-circle pattern bags are in homage to the dashed long stitches from Japan and created from beautiful prussian blue and pistachio green thread.

 I also created some simpler shape bags which I love, they are all hand painted with fabric paint and then stitched with prussian blue thread. Here's the Circle...

 the Diagonals...

 

 the Semi-Circle...

and the Triangle.

You can pick them all up in my etsy shop.

Istanbul: Day 1

   

A few weeks ago I went on a last minute trip to Istanbul for a few days. The only city to be located on two continents (Europe & Asia) my stay was full of amazing patterns, friendly people, new customs & traditions, stray cats/dogs, walking, cultural sights, gorgeous meze & baklava! Here's a few things I saw on my first day exploring:-

Stained glass windows, lights & many, many tiles at the Beautiful, Beautiful Blue Mosque...

 

A small cemetery & Doors and windows...

Sweet Tooth Heaven: Baklava & Turkish Delight, Yumola!

 

Stalls & Sellers Everywhere: Lights, Clothes, Scarves, Carpets, Veg & Fish...

Suleymaniye Mosque

Intricately decorated Carpets & Ceilings...

 

Beautiful ordinary everyday building details...

 

A magic carpet & Pretzel-style Bread Wagon...

 

Crossing over 'The Golden Horn'...

Back Streets and Side Streets...

Books & Amazing Canvas Impressions by Husamettin Kocan at Istanbul Modern...

Beautiful buildings and pink spring blooms...

Sweetcorn and liquid coloured sugar on a stick!

& that was just my first day, more to follow....