Week 3 of Robin Gosby’s One Four Challenge and feeling a bit limited with my subject I attempted an “old masters” look! I wanted it to look cracked and I layered it with both an old canvas texture and a photo I took of an old still life print. I added a bit of perfect effects glow and just a touch of ps stained glass filter( very lightly).
The Garden Tea
Another old fashioned tale
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One warm spring afternoon, Little Miss took all the porcelain dolls out into the garden. She laid out a picnic tea on the garden table with fruit and cakes she had taken from the pantry. In a very short time Buttercup Bib ended up with icing all over his face while little Bluebell became entranced by a butterfly turning cartwheels in the air. I don’t have to tell you how poor Cowslip was feeling. Needless to say when the mother called Little miss into the house and the tiny tots were gathered up, Cowslip was very relieved to leave the din of the garden. Bonnie Tuliptoes was accidentally left behind on the table all alone but she didn’t mind at all. She watched the flowers waving and the insects sparkle and buzz as they dusted pollen from the blossoms.
All at once something amazing occurred. Through an open parlour window she saw the canary making an escape. Someone had carelessly left his cage door open. The little bird didn’t think about what might happen out there in the big world and he didn’t hesitate at all. He seized the moment and flew up into the glorious sun. His wings weren’t used to the swelling surge of take off and so he rested on a tree branch above Bonnie’s table to catch his breath. He looked around in bewilderment before the accomplishment dawned on him. He was free! A jubilant song rushed out from deep within his breast.
The melody fell into the garden like shimmering rain. Insects stopped buzzing. Robins looking for worms paused to listen, rabbit ears shivered, even the flowers stood still with their heads up. The backyard hovered for a moment in a bubble of perfect, shining stillness as the last note echoed into infinity, – but then a scream was heard from the parlour. A few minutes later Little Miss’ brother ran outside toward the tree with a large butterfly net. Time returned to the garden and the garden returned to it’s toil. Bonnie sighed and wondered if her friends would miss her.
Chapter Four: A Night in the Garden
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
A very beautiful story! Are you going to publish it along with Niamh’s Journey?
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Who knows Peter!! But I am thrilled you like it!!
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Oh good its not quite so creepy this time round, nice job Cybele, I totally see this as an old old painting thats been in storage and needs a good clean and restore to bring back its vibrancy 🙂
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That is what I was going for and thank you!!!!
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I really like the golden vintage hue. Oh, to go back to being more like the canary and just do without overthinking! LOL! 😀
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I hear you gf!! Thanks Linda!
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As I said in one of my previous comments,this is the real art of photography.Strikingly manipulated with a wondrous outcome dear Cybele.It does bear your signature … It is so painterly and very becoming with the sweet garden story 🙂
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This challenge can be a lot of fun!! Thank you Doda!! You are so generous!!
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Loved the golden glow effect on the photos. Your stories are sweet treats for me and I keep wanting more of it…so, I’ll wait for the next one.
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thanks so much Norma!! A bit of fun as I always wanted to write a doll story!!!
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I just love this little adventures, perfect company to the beautiful images. This week she does look happier, more settled with that background.
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I am so pleased that you are enjoying it Lore!! Thank you so much for such lovely feedback!
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They keep getting better and better! I really love Week 2! 🙂
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thanks so much Laura- it’s been fun!!
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you’re welcome! 🙂
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Wunderschöner Beitrag liebe Grüße und einen schönen Dienstag wünsche ich dir Gruß Gislinde
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Dankeschon and thank you Gisel!!
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I see your beautiful edition and hold my breath while reading your wonderful story. How nice to be out in the garden with everyone. Once again, I love all of it.. and then reading all of the comments too 😃
You are very talented xx 😃
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So pleased you like it Robyn and it’s such a fun challenge with the photo editing!! Thank you for it all!!
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So glad youre having fun with it Cybele 😃😃
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week 2 picture looks the best 🙂
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thank you!
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Great edit, Cybele. I love the warmth of the new background, it plays well against the doll. And your story telling is always intriguing and rich. Beautiful post this week!
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I am happy you liked it Carrie. Thanks so much!!
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This is a great edit. I love the addition of texture – the old painting look fits perfectly with the picture content. And it tempts me to try out something similar myself. 🙂 The story is absolutely adorable. I can’t wait for the next instalment.
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thank you so much my fellow fairy!!!! What a lovely comment!!
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Week two’s image is my favorite–although a bit eery.
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thanks Sally!! I don’t have a clue what I will do next week!!!
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Well done, Cybele…I like the fact you have more background, and the warm colour works well
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thank you Sue!!!
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🙂
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Golden warm moments in the garden all round Cybele !
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Glad you like the garden Poppy!!! Thank you!
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What a wonderful post. The story and photo together makes for interesting reading. I am amazed at what you have done with the photograph. This is really inspiring stuff. It certainly captures that old world and classic art feel. Well done!
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Thank you (Amanda?)!! I felt a bit limited with my choice but I love storytelling so the porcelain figures told a story in each of my processes- a little bit of extra fun and challenge!
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You certainly have a natural ability to tell a story!! Regards, Amanda
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Thank you so much Amanda!!
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Great antique look to the image this week! Now, did the canary get away or was it caught?
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stay tuned lol!! Thanks so much Sarah!!
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lol 😀
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Oooo, one side of me doesn’t want that canary recaptured but the other side realises it’s a bird not used to its freedom, so it might not last long in the wild. I’m glad it got a chance to exercise its wings and feathers for a while. A lovely description of snatched liberty.
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thanks so much for reading dear Sarah!! I love your wonderful feedback!!
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I thought the original photo was perfect and was very curious to see what you would do to change it. This version is my favourite so far – it really matches the mood of the photo!
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Your comment is much appreciated!! Thank you Eliza!!!
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I think you accomplished just what you were going for, Cybele, and I love it. My favorite so far!
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Thank you so much Debbie!! My favourite comment!! 🙂
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Great filter effects on this shot! I love the vintage look. What program did you use?
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thank you Patti! I used PScs6 and a old canvas texture I had in my file for layering. I then used Perfect Effect 8 to add a glow!! So glad you like it. I was worried I might be a bit limited with this subject!
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A beautiful story! And I like this process of your photo .. the doll now seems so mysterious and yet more alive than any of the former processes .. perhaps to the deep amber color. Bravo on both story and photo … but I’m not sure if I’m happy or sad that the canary was recaptured …
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So pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for the positive feedback on both!! I rather like this image as well!!
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And I agree … nice a warm!
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Yes, it has an old Dutch feel to it, but it glows and it has that style of yours. Nice writing too.
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oh I’m glad the process came across to you like that. I was hoping so!! Thank you Maria!! Glad you liked the story too!
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I like the surprise and suspense at the end of the story. Thanks for sharing your photo process. I really am out of touch with photo techniques. You inspire me to take time and try it out.
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thanks Sky! it’s basically a children’s story- and it started in week 1 of the challenge because the photo subject was a bit limited – (rain rain rain here ) I wanted to make it more interesting- but the process is just a bit hit and miss- but fun to do!! Yes, Try it!! 🙂
I’m going back to read more of your stories too. My work in progress right now is the Tales of the Tuatha!!
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I think this is the best edit so far (IMO). At least the most interesting. I love the way you’re making such a different look for each version. Really creative!
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thank you Joanne!! I appreciate your feedback!!
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Great editing! Wonderful description, Cybele!
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thank you Amy!!! Happy you like it!
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I like the warm tones in this edit.
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thanks Laura!!
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Great edit, she looks happier this week somehow! Nice vintage look. 🙂
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thanks Katie!
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I like seeing more of the background in this one – it brings the doll head into a context that, for me, is necessary to augment the lone dolls head of the previous edits.
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that makes sense!! I agree. Thanks Robert!!
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You bet.
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Beautiful interpretation again, Cybele. The image takes an old icon look, so fiiting to the subject. And I loved your description of the effect of the bird song on the creatures of the garden! You are so talented☺️
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thank you so much Chris!! I’m honoured by your lovely comment.
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Oh I love that description of the canary getting his freedom 🙂
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I tried to imagine what it might be like to spread my wings!! thank you Andrea!!
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