Thursday 10 March 2016

Busy start to 2016: From Events & Wedding Caricatures & Silhouettes to Garden Visits in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, York & all over delightful North Yorkshire to Northumberland!!


 

A wonderfully busy & varied start to 2016! From sunlit panoramic views in North Yorkshire ...

 

... to visibility almost nil driving through blizzards over the North York Moors!


My first visit to Knaresborough, with wonderful walks by the river ...

... and also first visit to the fabulous Goldsborough Hall in North Yorkshire, with its extensive gardens!


The beauty of early spring light in wooded ravines ...



... and the mellow colour of the stones of Otterburn Castle in winter sunlight!



And of course lots and lots of snowdrops!

UK Caricaturist & Silhouette Cutter Ingrid Sylvestre - Wedding Caricatures, Events, Parties, Conferences, Ceremonies, Birthdays, Engagements, Wedding Entertainment North Yorkshire, York, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, Easingwold, Northallerton, Thirsk, Helmsley, Pickering, Darlington, Teesside, Cleveland, Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Yorkshire Wedding Caricatures at Events

From Wedding Silhouette cutting ...
 

UK Caricaturist & Silhouette Cutter Ingrid Sylvestre - Wedding Caricatures, Events, Parties, Conferences, Ceremonies, Birthdays, Engagements, Wedding Entertainment North Yorkshire, York, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, Easingwold, Northallerton, Thirsk, Helmsley, Pickering, Darlington, Teesside, Cleveland, Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Yorkshire Wedding Caricatures at Events


... to 'Glamicature' caricatures!


And of course, there has to be a steam train in all this too! Another first visit - the outstanding National Railway Musuem at York. 

Thursday 7 January 2016

First Fleeting Glimpse of the Sun in 2016!



Wishing everyone a wonderful year!


Tuesday 22 December 2015

Greetings of the Midwinter Solstice!




Celebrating the return of longer days, while the beautiful moon shines through the trees!

Sunday 8 November 2015

First visit to the Yorkshire Arboretum!


Yesterday was my first visit to the Yorkshire Arboretum near Castle Howard in North Yorkshire.

 After an early morning start, driving over the North York Moors in a combination of torrential rain and mist, which I found very atmospheric and inspiring ...


 ... we stopped at Rievaulx Abbey, another beautiful place in North Yorkshire's history, before continuing through Helmsley down to the Arboretum.


 What a change in the weather! Suddenly the skies cleared and turned vivid blue as the sun shone on us!

 Such gloriousness of autumn colours!


A grand finale of tea in the Arboretum cafe, as the evening sun illuminated the golden colours of the trees. The first of many visits to come!

Monday 2 November 2015

Magical Mystical Mist after a Happy Hallowe'en of Caricatures!



After a very busy Hallowe'en week doing 'Spooky Cartoon' caricatures at lots of events, it was a nice surprise to have a continuation of the spooky theme in the misty weather on the 1st November!



I took these photos in Ripon and Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire. Although you couldn't see very far, lack of visibility was more than made up for by the wonderful atmosphere!





I almost wished I had been wearing my Hallowe'en costume from the events I had worked at earlier in the week! :)


Tuesday 18 August 2015

Euphoric Summer of Beautiful Plants


 This summer I am in a state of constant euphoria, surrounded by glorious plants at all the venues I'm visiting. Such beauty!

Does anyone know what any of these plants are? These were all at Newby Hall near Ripon - a fabulous place.
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 These are the same plants as the ones in the top photo, but creating a different mood juxtaposed with the metallic-looking sea holly.
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These were so delicate and velvety!
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 This looked like some kind of sage - what wonderfully sculptural form!
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These plants were quite subtle - yet what a marvellous array of different  colours.
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Lastly, a tiny-leaved green ground-cover plant that cascaded down the rocks and made a marvellous border round the paving stones.
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Wednesday 12 August 2015

Mega-busy Summer!

 This summer has been so tremendously busy for me with a great variety of work at events, I've not had the time to post on social media (or sleep!) Here are a few photos from the lovely wedding on Saturday of Bri & Maxine, at which I had the pleasure of being caricaturist.
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Ingrid Sylvestre live caricatures at weddings parties proms corporate events North Yorkshire Teesside County Durham Newcastle Sunderland Darlington Northumberland North East UK

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Ingrid Sylvestre live caricatures at weddings parties proms corporate events North Yorkshire Teesside County Durham Newcastle Sunderland Darlington Northumberland Wedding Entertainment North East UK

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Ingrid Sylvestre live caricatures at weddings parties proms corporate events North Yorkshire Teesside County Durham Newcastle Sunderland Darlington Northumberland North East UK

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Ingrid Sylvestre entertainment wedding caricaturist parties corporate events proms North Yorkshire Teesside County Durham wedding caricatures Newcastle Sunderland Northumberland North East UK

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Wednesday 22 April 2015

Earth Day

Earth Day 2015 - Landscape destroyed by Fracking & Mudslides - Artwork by UK artist Ingrid Sylvestre

Let's work together to honour & celebrate our planet and its beautiful landscapes instead of destroying it.

Wednesday 4 March 2015

My First Garden!

 


I recently re-discovered these photos (pre-digital, hence the print 'join-ups'!) of my first ever garden, which was in Guisborough.

Knowing nothing then about plants or garden design, after moving in I eagerly read all about creating the illusion of a larger space by breaking up the design etc ... and learning about wonderful glorious plants.




I'll never forget the excitement of cutting the circular shape in the lawn to create a mysterious little secret garden area. And the fun of creating my 'Yorkshire Pudding Shrub' by pruning the previously straggly Lonicera 'Baggesen's Gold' into a lovely big squashy form!



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Friday 9 January 2015

Giraffes Rock!




One of my favourite places for writing stories about the Neckmann family of giraffes is my Giraffe Rocking Chair. It is based on Raph G. Neckmann's rocking chair and really inspires me to dream about their neccentric adventures!



I have designed lots of rubber-stamps, one of which shows Raph G. Neckmann on his favourite chair with toddler son Littl' Nicky. I used this stamp to decorate my own chair - and how I held my breath as I pressed the stamp against the clean wood! One smudge and it would have been spoiled - and to make things more difficult the surface of the wood was slightly curved so I had to gently move the stamp! Then I had to iron it to 'fix' the ink - first time I'd ironed a piece of furniture!!




The cushion is decorated with some of my other giraffe rubber-stamp designs - long-necked icecream cones and giraffes eating leaves.



When the chair rocks, it is as if it is transported through time and space, through a secret portal into Giraffe World! Look - you can see the steep little hills of Knollshire leading to Necky Knoll House in the distance, and below are Raph G. Neckmann and Littl' Nicky looking up in welcome ...


Thursday 1 January 2015

Happy New Year!


Happy New Year everyone! Wishing you all a fabulous, fun & fulfilling 2015.

I had a mega-busy New Year's Eve face & body painting at a great event in Newcastle upon Tyne. Painted hundreds of little pics of Frozen on people - the latest craze! Plus all the usual requests and lots of unique and wonderful designs :) Too busy to take photos though.

Looking forward to lots of really interesting work this year!

Thank you all for another great year of bloggy-friendship and here's to lots more happy blogging!

Wednesday 24 December 2014

Season's Greetings!



Season's Greetings and wishing you all a fabulous fun-filled holiday!

After a very busy (and enjoyable) time working with pre-Christmas art and entertainment events, I am now finding the time to do everything else and enjoying that too!

Friday 21 November 2014

Magical November Walk


Misty November Sun behind the Giraffe Tree - Ingrid Sylvestre Artist North East UK


A misty sun sets behind the giraffe tree.

Sunday 2 November 2014

Catwalk Caricatures - Drawings as Caricaturist at Charity Fashion Shows & Corporate Events North East UK

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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK

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Here in the North East UK we have many Charity Ball events to raise money for good causes. Many of these include Fashion Shows, and there always seem to be plenty in the run up to Christmas. 
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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK

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As well as drawing caricatures of the guests at these Charity Ball events, when they arrive and are milling around in the bar and lounge area, or are seated around their tables, I draw what I call 'Catwalk Caricatures' of the models as they parade down the catwalk in their finery.
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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK

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Sometimes they are professional models. At other events they are local people, or celebrities such as footballers from a regional team.
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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK

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These Charity Events and Corporate Events are always fabulous occasions and I love to be present as the official caricaturist to draw the guests and models.
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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK
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When creating the caricatures of the models I tend to draw the whole person, whereas for guests it is usually just the head and shoulders.
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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK

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Whether head and shoulders caricatures or full length caricatures, I have to be very quick! Each caricature of a still person takes around 3 - 5 minutes, and I have to be even speedier with the models as they are striding down the catwalk!
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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK

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With caricatures it is the person's face that is particularly important - to get a 'likeness' yet stylised or 'cartoonised'. This differs from fashion drawings where the focus is on the garment. With my Catwalk Caricatures I try to do a bit of both! Sometimes it is difficult to see the model's face too well as they zoom past often at quite a distance away. On other occasions they stand and 'pose' for a while which makes it easier!
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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK

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Challenging ...
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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK

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Interesting ...
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North East caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Catwalk Caricatures at Charity Fashion Events and Corporate Events Newcastle Durham Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside North Yorkshire Northumberland Darlington UK
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And always different.

I love my work!

Thursday 23 October 2014

A few moments of sylvan solitude!

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In the Himalayan Dell, Durham University Botanic Garden - Ingrid Sylvestre North East artist

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As you know I absolutely love my work. I love meeting all the people at the events where I draw glamicature caricatures and cut silhouettes, and the variety of work activities is so interesting and stimulating. And in the midst of all this busyness, I also cherish a few moments of sylvan solitude!

Last week I visited the Durham University Botanic Gardens, and how beautifully the Himalayan birches shone in the early evening light. They seemed to raise their slender branches in a dance of the dusk.
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Magical conifers - Durham University Botanic Garden - Ingrid Sylvestre North East artist

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The conifers rose like majestic towers and there was a magical feeling that somehow combined excitement with tranquility.

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Thursday 16 October 2014

'Spookicatures' Caricatures North East Hallowe'en fun!

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North East Caricaturist Ingrid Sylvestre Spookicatures Hallowe'en Caricatures Hallowe'en Entertainment North East UK Durham Newcastle Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside Northumberland

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Here in the North East UK we love our Hallowe'en parties and events where there is spooky fun for all the family. Time to get my witches hat, cape and face paints out.  As a caricaturist I go all over the North East doing caricatures as part of the entertainment at events ranging from family fun days to corporate events to parties, so Hallowe'en is a busy time. (I've not done a Hallowe'en themed wedding yet - but one day maybe!) People love to be drawn in their fancy dress outfits, (or or as spooky characters), and I have named these caricatures 'Spookicatures'.

Going for a test drive on my broomstick - out of practice!
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Wednesday 8 October 2014

Converted to Yorkshire Tea!

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Caricature - Guy Martin by Ingrid Sylvestre
Motorcycle racer Guy Martin drinking a brew of Yorkshire Tea - Caricature by Ingrid Sylvestre

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I recently watched motorcycle racer Guy Martin for the first time on TV. What an amazing personality! Not only does he race in such events as the Isle of Man TT races, he has also had a TV series about breaking various records such as riding a motorcycle on water. And he drinks Yorkshire Tea.

I thought I would try it too - the Yorkshire Tea that is, not the motorcycling. I'm totally converted! Best brew ever ...
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Teatime for plants!

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Not wanting to waste even a drop, I save the used teabags and feed the contents to my plants. They've never looked better!
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Giraffe with teabags and spring onion ends

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Other things you can do with used teabags - photograph them with some spring onion ends and an old sock and use Photoshop to make a giraffe sock puppet. (A lot less messy than sticking the actual teabags to a sock!)
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Giraffe Raph G. Neckmann enjoying a brew of tea - Ingrid Sylvestre artist North East UK
Raph G. Neckmann enjoying a brew of tea

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Raph G. Neckmann has always been partial to a good brew of tea - I will have to find a way of getting some Yorkshire Tea across to Camelopardalis Constellation and see what he thinks of it!
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Wednesday 24 September 2014

Dahlias give Durham artists inspiration!

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Dahlias in planting scheme on Palace Green Durham North East UK photo by North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre

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Walking around Durham after attending a Wedding Fair last weekend, I was entranced by the planting scheme up on Palace Green by the Cathedral. Dahlias in the most brilliant hues of magenta and pink shining like jewels amidst their dark foliage, nestling in a sea of silvery white. I love the way the petals have gradients of colours from cool magenta to warmer pinks all in such luminosity.
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Dahlias in planting scheme on Palace Green Durham North East UK photo by North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre

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And what are these striking colours? Oh the bold brilliance of those reds! Magenta, pink ... and RED??? Would one wear those colours together? (I may try!) But the red echoes the ruby-tinged centres of the dahlias and turns what could be a clash of colours into a dazzling display. The eye constantly wanders from cool magenta to hot red to dark background and silvery highlights - enchanting!
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Dahlias in planting scheme on Palace Green Durham North East UK photo by North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre

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The mellow stone wall in the background adds a touch of warm tranquility as the sun slowly goes down, and we walk on, inspired.
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Friday 19 September 2014

3D Pop up Christmas Cards - an unusual activity for a sunny Autumn afternoon!

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Sitting outside in the mellow September sunshine surrounded by multitudes of 3D Christmas cards is my idea of a distinctive day! It sounds rather quirky and whimsical, but it is actually a very busy time of year for card orders and I'd rather be working outside in the fresh air than indoors.
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3D pop up Christmas cards by UK artist Ingrid Sylvestre Greeting Cards designer Three Dimensional Cards for Christmas and other occasions Fully 3 dimensional paper engineering cards pop out when opened Winter Wildlife 3D pop up Christmas card Squirrel Ingrid Sylvestre North East artists UK

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Birds sing among the trees - an appropriate background as I pack my Wildlife range of  squirrels, swans, stags and foxes - though it is more rare to see penguins and polar bears here in our North East UK landscape!
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3D pop up Christmas cards by UK artist Ingrid Sylvestre Greeting Cards designer Three Dimensional Cards for Christmas and other occasions Fully 3 dimensional paper engineering cards pop out when opened Winter Wildlife 3D pop up Christmas card Penguins Ingrid Sylvestre North East artists UK

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We do have plenty of garden sheds though - both in gardens and allotments ...
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3D pop up Christmas cards by UK artist Ingrid Sylvestre Greeting Cards designer Three Dimensional Cards for Christmas and other occasions Fully 3 dimensional paper engineering cards pop out when opened Winter Wildlife 3D pop up Christmas card Robin on Spade with Garden Shed Allotment type scene suitable Xmas Card for people who like gardening Ingrid Sylvestre North East artists UK

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Personally I prefer to leave thinking about Christmas until around mid December - but retailers displays begin very soon, and for those in search of the ideal Christmas card for a loved one, I guess one cannot start too soon. Three-dimensional cards are often marketed as luxury Christmas cards, the kind of 'bring-out-every-year' collectible cards that become Xmas decorations.
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3D pop up Christmas cards by UK artist Ingrid Sylvestre Greeting Cards designer Three Dimensional Cards for Christmas and other occasions Fully 3 dimensional paper engineering cards pop out when opened Victorian Market traditional historical market scene with Victorian costumed figures in snow  Ingrid Sylvestre North East artists UK

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There is a lot of work involved in creating 3D cards. Each card is a highly intricate piece of paper engineering. From the original theme, for instance, a Victorian market encircled by a Christmas wreath, I have to design not just the visual look of the card,  but also ensure the components fit together for it to look good flat in the package as well as fully popped open. The cards are fitted together using tab and slots, interlocking to make a fully three dimensional Christmas card. A fraction of a millimetre out, and it won't stand up!
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3D pop up Christmas cards by UK artist Ingrid Sylvestre Greeting Cards designer Three Dimensional Cards for Christmas and other occasions Fully 3 dimensional paper engineering cards pop out when opened Victorian Market traditional historical market scene with Victorian costumed figures in snow and Xmas wreath encircling scene Ingrid Sylvestre North East artists UK

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Once the paper engineering has been worked out, I work on detailed paintings in water colour - usually 4 or 5 separate paintings for each card, which all have to be scanned and printed, then die cut. And then assembled ...
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3D pop up Christmas cards by UK artist Ingrid Sylvestre Greeting Cards designer Three Dimensional Cards for Christmas and other occasions Fully 3 dimensional paper engineering cards pop out when opened Victorian Skaters Wreath traditional historical snow scene with church and Victorian costumed figures skating Ingrid Sylvestre North East artists UK

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The cards featuring Christmas wreaths such as the Whimsical Woodland range or the Traditional vintage style range are the most complicated. The Fairy Christmas Tree was also quite a creative challenge as it has a squarish structure that can be seen from lots of angles, so there has to be a point of interest from each view and lots of little scenes built into one..
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3D pop up Christmas cards by UK artist Ingrid Sylvestre Greeting Cards designer Three Dimensional Cards for Christmas and other occasions Fully 3 dimensional paper engineering cards pop out when opened Woodland Presents whimsical woodland creatures including squirrels badger hedgehog rabbit around Christmas Tree giving presents in snow scene with woody Xmas Wreath encircling scene Ingrid Sylvestre North East artists UK

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I love to sit surrounded by all the cards. It's like being in a winter wonderland - yet basking in the golden autumn sunshine. I hope it is as warm in December! 
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3D pop up Christmas cards by UK artist Ingrid Sylvestre Greeting Cards designer Three Dimensional Cards for Christmas and other occasions Fully 3 dimensional paper engineering cards pop out when opened Winter Wildlife Swan set in snow scene in historic type of landscape garden with seasonal plants and ivy foliage and winter sun Ingrid Sylvestre North East artists

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You can view all the 3D Christmas cards by visiting my Greeting Cards site.
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Durham artists North East UK Ingrid Sylvestre Art
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Saturday 13 September 2014

A Surprise Plant Nursery at North East Wedding Venue Ramside Hall!


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My wedding entertainment work as a caricaturist and silhouette artist takes me to luxury wedding venues all over the North East. One such is the Ramside Hall Hotel in County Durham, which has also become one of my favourite places for eating out.

Having been there hundreds of times, I was amazed last week to discover a gorgeous little plant nursery tucked away in the grounds! How could I have missed it?
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Oh what bliss to wander round in the early evening sun! There is a magical feel to the place.
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Ramside Hall Hotel grounds photo by Ingrid Sylvestre North East Artist and Entertainer Caricatures and Silhouettes for Wedding Entertainment Parties Proms Conferences Corporate Events Entertainment Northeast UK County Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside Northumberland Yorkshire


Stepping through the tall trees is like entering a fairytale world with thatched cottage, little paths winding over bridges, by a stream and past fascinating groups of potted plants. An enchanting wonderland!
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Glimpses of a round ruby-red flowerbed entice the eye - a jewel among the luxuriant greens.

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Ramside Hall Hotel grounds photo by Ingrid Sylvestre North East Artist and Entertainer Caricatures and Silhouettes for Wedding Entertainment Parties Proms Conferences Corporate Events Entertainment Northeast UK County Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside Northumberland Yorkshire

Feathery acers drape their scarlet leaves across masses of darker foliage and old stonework.
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Even the rows of plants for sale are as much part of the artistry of the place, blending seamlessly into the overall composition.
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I wander around slowly, revelling in the atmosphere of this enchanting little plantsmans paradise.
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Ramside Hall Hotel grounds photo by Ingrid Sylvestre North East Artist and Entertainer Caricatures and Silhouettes for Wedding Entertainment Parties Proms Conferences Corporate Events Entertainment Northeast UK County Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside Northumberland Yorkshire



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More about Ramside Hall Hotel to follow ...
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 Ramside Hall Hotel grounds photo by Ingrid Sylvestre North East Artist and Entertainer Caricatures and Silhouettes for Wedding Entertainment Parties Proms Conferences Corporate Events Entertainment Northeast UK County Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland Middlesbrough Teesside Northumberland Yorkshire