The theme for Liz’s Travelling Book was nature or architecture. Most of the previous entries were nature themed so I decided to choose architecture and I had just the piece to fit the theme – this exotic domed building in cross stitch:
There wasn’t much to say about the technique so I decided to go for a rich background, smothering the page with shocking pink and turquoise Stewart Gill Byzantium metallic paints and using embossing paste to create a frame.
On the facing page more shimmery paint, overprinting in gold, architectural details cut from magazines and the opening lines of Coleridge’s ‘Kubla Khan’.
Except that every time I read the first line my mind constantly wants to replace ‘decree’ with ‘erect’. I entirely blame my love for the ’80s band Frankie Goes To Hollywood and their song ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome‘!!
Handwriting could be a lot neater but I think it’s got the Byzantine opulence I was looking for. Off to find more Frankie on YouTube and relive the discos of my youth…
Under A Topaz Sky 
The poem will always be the poem to me, but because I Am Old (and a massive fan of the band), it will always recall this, as well:
No, it’s not an instrumental.. It just takes five minutes to get to the lyrics. 🙂
Ooh, exotic and gorgeous!
I love this!! Sort of takes one off into different lands and different times.