Far From the Madding Crowd

for this last month Ive been honing my skills in still life photography, something which I have to do a lot of when I work for others photographing their products.  Sometimes its just fun to play but as Im the sort of person who needs a nudge, the instagram challenges have proved just the sort of push I needed. 

So Im telling you here first about an Instagram challenge Im setting of my own, called #farfromthemaddingcrowd.

I read this book in the 1970s as it was on the curriculum at school for English O Level (gcse).  The books of Thomas Hardy had a big impression on me at age 14, I thought they were very tragic and they still leave me with a haunted feeling. 

This books title reminds me of my new life now in the countryside, getting away from the crowd in London.  But the idea and concept of being having some personal space, some moments of stillness and an escape corner of your house, can be beautifully captured in photos. 

So Im challenging over the next month for people to hashtag #farfromthemaddingcrowd and the entry I like the best will win a vintage copy of the book from me. 

Here are some of my favourite stills from the last few weeks ...

find me on Instagram janiceissitt_life_style

stacked for Kim Klassen

Moody Wednesday

Far From The Madding Crowd

floral for Lobster and Swan

from my kitchen

Silver for Capturing Colour with Capture By Lucy

Gathered Style for A Quiet Style

Romance and Roses

This week I have seen a few themes running with my friends on Instagram, so I have decided to join in with these fun photo stylings and thought I would share them here as well.

"Capture By Lucy" has a great blog and feed on Instagram, she runs a few photo challenges like Capturing Colour. Just follow the hashtags. 

This week her Capturing Colour theme is Pink, whilst over at Lobster and Swan blog they are Styling The Seasons, with February being Romance. 

Another Instagram challenge came from Fabulous Thrifted Finds, their theme being glass, so to kill three birds with one stone I played with all these ideas. 

My motivation levels have been very low during January so this was just the kick up the proverbials that I needed to get styling and snapping. 

paper weight a rose in glass from Aylesbury Antique Market

a collection of my own vintage items which is my idea of Romance

this chair has just been finished, painted and upholstered by myself.

I chose Travel for my romance theme, the idea of being dashed off to Paris for Valentines would be my perfect date. 

As my latest chair makeover is quite romantic I have included this in the pics, the fabric is from great Facebook friend Betty Zee who does fab things with fabric, and the paintwork is from the usual source, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Ive recently been indulging my collection of needlepoint cushions too with several more being finished just now for inclusion in photos soon. 

To find me on instagram go to http://instagram.com/janiceissitt_life_style/

and if you like a good blog then check outhttp://capturebylucy.com and http://lobsterandswan.com


This heart box is very old, it's a watch box which belonged to my Dad. Styled pink and romantic and glass for all the themes. 

Ive had these shoes for years, the postcard came from Instgram seller Half Moon Hobo

thrifted 50s frosted glassware, 

Thanks for popping by, and don't forget to check us Instagrammers out. See you all soon.

A little p.s. just adding a few more pics as Ive also joined with  Emily Quinton for Floral Friday Competition.