'There on the grey stone in the grass was an enormous thrush, nearly coal black, its pale yellow breast freckled (with) dark spots. Crack! It had caught a snail and was knocking it on the stone. Crack! Crack!
“Leave him alone!” said Thorin. “The thrushes are good and friendly-this is a very old bird indeed, and is maybe the last left of the ancient breed that used to live about here, tame to the hands of my father and grandfather. They were a long-lived and magical race, and this might even be one of those that were alive then, a couple of hundreds years or more ago."
(From the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien)

Going back to The Hobbit, that was mentioned at the beginning, I will end with this wonderful song from the last film. I only just caught up with the final instalment in the film trilogy, just last week, so do forgive me for being 'late to the party' so to speak. I just love this song and had to share. I feel quite sad now that it's all done and that I won't be seeing the familiar characters anymore.

Enjoy your weekend. x

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Today the sea sounds as if it's just outside. The wind is in the branches, shaking the brightest green new leaves on the Ash. It's scattering the hawthorns white petals, an offering of snow that we didn't receive in Winter.
It's quite a chilly start to the first of June here with the wind (and now rain) so I shall turn my time turner back to May, when the sun shone.
I didn't get a chance to share as many pictures last month, being busy, working on my hangers.
I didn't share my walks to the bluebell woods, the quiet dappled sunlight, walking through the deer track.

I haven't shared small moments of play
And now that the boot sales have started again. The finding of 'treasures', for just a few pennies.
There have been a few travels in-between. Across and down, to West Sussex where I had lunch at the lovely town of Arundel and visited the beautiful castle there.
Then last week down to Cornwall for a short visit to my Sister.
We stopped at our usual tea break stop on the way, just off of the main road, Jamaica Inn.
Where I picked up a little something to read.
We caught the boat to St Michaels Mount and climbed the prettiest path up to the castle.

A cup of tea was enjoyed, accompanied with one of the best views.  
     I found these beauties in the castle, delicate stained glass inspiration.

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As this is quite a few pictures already, I won't add any more to this post and break blogger,  but will be back soon with other bits and pieces.  
                                                                                  ~X~
                                                                           

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April has forgotten her showers this year it seems? Days have been warm, beneath clear blue skies for most of the month. I have been surrounded by flowers indoors and out.   

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I have an egg.

No it isn't a chocolate one. I have to say I'm not really a massive lover of chocolate which ok, probably makes me a little weird? This egg is golden dusted and smells sweetly, did you guess, it's the Lush Easter bath bomb! I am saving it to toss into my bath on Sunday evening.

It's been a quiet Good Friday here. Light rain has fell on and off throughout the day, so I decided to get out into the greenhouse and have a bit of a Spring clean. Plants have been repotted, seeds sown, a general tidy up has taken place and even the green house glass got a little wash too. Not too clean though as I wouldn't want my beautiful feathered friends to not be able to see the glass.  I cleaned the gutters so that the rain could trickle easily into the water butt. Moss had decided that it was the right place to grow between some of the panes. I love moss and after clearing it decided it was just too pretty to put onto the compost heap so instead made a miniature garden, to enjoy for a short while. :)
All of this moss was collected from the glass on the greenhouse, even the strange long variety which I'm thinking could be a lichen, I'm not sure as I haven't looked it up.
Then I added some flowers for Easter decoration.
My summer work space also got a Spring clean the other day. The oil cloth was scrubbed so hard that it looks almost new again now.
Once everything was clean I brought some flowers and pussy willow in, to decorate.
Most of my time lately has been spent on beginnings of wooden hangers.  I've spent time in the shed cutting out and in the sketch book playing around with some new designs.


 I have still more to cut out and anticipate a busy April. Hangers should be ready in May. I will add a definite date nearer the time for any one that is interested.
Enjoy your Easter weekend.  <3

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Hello! I'm still here if you were wondering where I had got to?... Time really ran away with me this last month and I can't believe I haven't got around to posting on here since February. I haven't really felt talkative to be honest, no reason, just that sometimes there seems so much talk, gossip and babble going on in the world that sometimes you feel silenced, need to step back, be quiet and get away from it all online. I'm sure others feel the same?
Spring has arrived here in Wiltshire. The snowdrops have said their goodbyes and now the banks are dotted with the sunshine coloured faces of shining celandines. Primroses are popping up everywhere in the garden.

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The days are getting lighter here but they are still as cold as stone.  February was welcomed in with fire.

Sparks danced beneath the moon.  Alive, on a journey, heading off into a clear dark night.
Later when it had burned down, I lay in bed watching the moon from my window and wondered if the fox that has been calling each night these past few weeks had come to visit. I hoped it stayed awhile by the warm embers on such a cold night.
                                                                         ~*~
A start has been made on getting the garden up together. A task that has been put off the last few years. I love this area wild and it's filled with oregano, which the bees love in the summer. But the time has come to give it a good clear up. Too many brambles and hawthorn have begun to grow and couch grass has been smothering the masses of primroses and bluebells that live here.  So begins the long process of digging things out and putting back in. And the path of stones that surround this whole area will be revealed once more.
There is a lot of moss (which I love) but some of it has to be taken out too.  I have a cracked leaky birdbath which needs mending/waterproofing somehow. Meanwhile the birds aren't at all bothered about the plastic dish.
The snowdrops are looking pretty beneath the apple trees and the hazel has a good show of catkins this year despite the windy weather a few weeks ago.
This week we had to have a couple of trees cut because they were touching electricity wires.  I don't like seeing this happen at the best of time, but it was someone else's decision not ours. We will make the best use of the wood. I have my eye on some of the larger pieces to cut up as slices for some paintings. I would love to incorporate the sycamore tree in one of the paintings.  Of course it will all need to season first.
Since last here, these small paintings below have been brought to life. I will be mounting/matting them, then shall add them as originals to my shop next week.
I shall leave you with some wise words from my tea. Enjoy your Valentine's weekend. x

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In my last post I shared a sketch that I had done. Since then I have gone ahead and turned it into a painting. I thought it might be interesting to share the process in stages, as I haven't done that in a while. From sketched out beginnings on wood.

To stirrings of life, aided by of copious mugs of tea and many hours of music.
This painting is now available to buy as a print here in my shop.

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It's wild outside this evening as I sit here at my desk and write this. I can hear the tree branches moving and the whistling eerie voice of the wind as it whips around the house. It  sounds like ghostly birds in a storm that have lost their way. I was hoping it would be a north wind and that it would bring snow, but it isn't. Instead rain is being blown against the inky black window panes. So far this area has missed out on any snow, except a tiny dusting that melted as soon as the morning sun came out.

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And hawthorn still with a few snacks for birds, useful on cold days like these. Blood red against purest of white.  A hint of a fairytale...

Now, the night has arrived on this old and last day of the year. It has been a good one for me and I feel extremely blessed. Thank you for taking the time to stop by here in 2014. I appreciate all of your comments and read each and every one, even if I don't always get around to replying.
I look forward to sharing more things in 2015.
Happy New Year to you!
xXx

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The darkest time of Winter is upon us. Inside and outside lights abound to chase the darkness away.  Fairy lights twine around trees, doorways, staircases, sometimes whole houses, they shine from almost every window, wherever you go. Fires are lit to warm our hearths and hearts.

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A sky with a glimpse of winter the other morning, the last few days of November. Hedge, grass and fading summer stems sparkled in a crisp icy air. It was a sharp frost. While the kettle boiled and before my breakfast, I was outside capturing a little before the sun became warm enough to make it dissolve.

My little friend was about, as he has been each day and was glad of a top up to the bird table and a few treats.
This last picture is quite amusing as he looks as if he is leaping off my hand.
Some leaves are still holding on, but a temperature drop always brings the last few to the ground.
After all the wooden bits and pieces (see last blog post) were all listed in my shop I went back to a painting that I'd been working on alongside the hangers. It's basically like a hanger but a painting instead. Just something I thought would be nice to do. There are plans to do a few more, a white one and a starlight one I think? And maybe one with a moon? This one I have named 'Spirit within'
                                                                                        
This is available in my shop here as a print. I thought it may interest anyone that were disappointed that they didn't grab a hare in time when I put them for sale. I know it isn't a three dimensional hanger, but is quite similar?
I've also been painting some smaller pieces.  They are ACEO sized  (3.5 inches x 2.5 inches) and I have some lovely cream mounts/matts to pop them into before they also head over to the shop.
And lastly 'The stars watched over him'
I can't believe it's already December!  For those of you that have been following here for the past few years, you must know what that means... the falling snow widget!
Off to look for it now. :) x  

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Well November has whirled and spun her Autumn cloak in a frantic frenzy this month and I have been left behind.  I'm sure the clock hands whizz around when I'm not looking... I've been very busy here finishing off a batch of work that will be listed in my shop this Friday. (21st November at 7pm uk time) All are wooden hangers, mainly hares.  I have shared them on Facebook, but incase you don't have Facebook, or may have missed it there, here they are.  Twenty four hangers, so quite a few pictures...

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High up in the ash tree a black feathery Sir watches the leaves fall with his birds eye jackdaw view and ice blue eyes. Enjoying the mild afternoon, high up in the wooded cathedral, the sun warms his feathers of velvet and silk.


Meanwhile below the old holly tree, I have continued to feed my little robin friend. He is quite partial to porridge oats I've found out.  I managed to film a little and thought you might like to see.  It's just a short clip and not brilliantly edited, so I do apologise for that. If you follow me on Facebook I've already shared it there but for anyone else here it is.
Golden moments to treasure.
I did this little pencil drawing in between working on new hangers. I think it has captured him and his distinct eyebrows. :)
And so the Jack o lantern's have been carved and sit atop the piano waiting to be lit when twilight arrives.
Happy Halloween/ Samhain/All hallows!   It's time to get the fires ready for Winter! x

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I thought I'd stop by a share with you some Autumn-ish bits and pieces that I've been working away on. All of the pieces will be added to My Etsy shop on Friday 10th October at 7pm (UK time)
First up is a toadstool. I love making these!  I only had one cut out, so at this time there is only this one. Hopefully I shall cut out more soon?
                                                                'Dear ones'

Next up, three painted hearts.
Words around the edge read:
'There is a King and Queen upon my hills and a cloak of purple for them to tread, beneath a golden sky'
Then lastly a fox and blackbird.
In the whispering morning mist the birds all tell their secrets. But only those that listen can ever hear and understand...
Now I will introduce you to my wild woodland wizard.  He is a shapeshifter and is often a fox.
                                                                           'Wizard'
And to finish, more pictures of my little handsome friend taken with my phone the other day.  :)

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Let me introduce you to my new friend.

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The other day in the garden, the tiniest grass snake. The photograph is deceiving as it's hard to see the scale of it. But look at the bobbly leaf, that's cat mint/nip. For those of you who know this plant, you'll know that the leaf is only very small. For those of you that don't, I'd say that the snake was about 12 cms long and about 1/2 cm wide. I love finding grass snakes. :)

The garden is wearing her early Autumn gown now. Some flowers are fading curling and browning.
Seed pods are ripe and splitting and the September breeze help them on their journey to start new life.

Last night we coincided our walk to catch the gorgeous huge moon as it rose up above the hill. 
The light was a little dim at this point for my camera, so I've adjusted the exposure. In doing this I have revealed what looks like an orb of light. I know there is much debate to what orbs of light are, but I like to think that there could possibly have been a spirit or unknown presence there as it was an incredibly peaceful special moment. Who knows?

In the shed I've been cutting out wood and trying to use all the scraps up. There are rather a lot of scraps, so there will be pendants on the way among other things...
The first batch are moons that seem as if they have been brought to life from my last painting.
Little 'moonlits'  :)

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The title of this post is also the title of this painting below that I have recently finished. A sketch since last year, but like many of my ideas, they often get put aside for a later date. It's painted on watercolour paper. I kind of wish that I had painted it on wood or canvas now that it's complete,  I love how you can build up a much thicker richer  colour and layers and play around a bit on those surfaces. However I chose paper, which I also love.  I like that you can achieve a certain delicacy by not using so much paint which I tend to do when I use paint on paper.
I don't think I will ever be a 'one or the other' person, as I would miss too much whichever one I chose to abandon.
 You may well see a similar painting popping up on wood or canvas at some point in time. ;)

 I also finished another piece last week, which is again on paper. 'Path of the Ancients'                                                             

Is not so old as the owl of Cwm Cowlyd

Who tells her sorrow nightly on the wind.

Is not so old as the toad of Cors Fochno

Who feels the cold skin sagging round his bones.

Are not so old as the owl of Cwm Cowlyd,

That the proud eagle would have to wife.

                                                         

                                                                               ***
In between painting, time has been spent as much as possible outside. Garden jobs and harvesting delicious things such as these.
 And noticing things such as these.
On the left, a  rather magnificent caterpillar which has stayed put beneath the porch for the last two days. I think it's maybe going to form it's cocoon? Anyone know what it is? I haven't had chance to research yet.
The other two butterfly chrysalis I discovered hanging from beneath our water butt lid. Not the safest of places to hang. If we get a lot of rain and it overflows, they will be submerged and drowned. What a horrible thought.  I shall be keeping an eye on these two, as it could be another moving job?

Since last writing here I have acquired an Instagram account. Why don't you come and join me if you have it. :) x

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I have been back from my travels for two weeks now. It seems longer. I feel very blessed to have returned home safely, with a heart filled with so many treasured moments. I've several times began to write and share here, but each time have found that words did not really want to come. Maybe there are no words to explain sometimes. But there is a feeling. In my heart it's a ball of light, warm as the African sun and wide as the widest of African smiles. It sparkles like the light in the eyes of a baby elephant. It's as soul stirring as a lions roar, as heartbreaking as the peril of a rhino, as captivating as the golden path that reveals itself each sunset on the zambezi river. And it's as beautiful as the rainbow that stretches timeless, across Mosi -oa -Tunya.

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It's the last day of June already. In fact as I sit here writing this post there is only thirty minutes left of it. Tomorrow will be July, and shortly I am off to far off places for a while.I have a long flight to Zimbabwe, to visit my in laws. I shall be closing my Etsy shop for a while, but will reopen when I get back. It's winter there at the moment, so it won't be too hot which I'm quite happy about being more of a colder climate loving person. ;)  Don't get me wrong I love to have hot days in summer, but only for so long. I've been trying to get on with a painting I have on the go, but find it hard to concentrate when you know that you are preparing to travel, pack and get things ready. So I have no work to show you, but I will share with you some of the treasures that nature has shared with me.

I found a tiny baby slow worm on the path, sunbathing. In the grass I picked up a magpie's feather and between the moon daisies (sadly) a dead scarlet tiger moth.
I rescued a mole from feline clutches and released him or her, beneath the bramble patch far away from gardens.

I wish you a hot July, that brings a few cooling showers, apricots to eat, (or strawberries if you prefer) and many many flowers.
See you soon! x

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Warm summer days. Fields of sunshine, with buttercups,  rivers edged with  cream lace of hog weed and hemlock, meadow sweet in bud, blue cranes bill , ragged robin  and the darting of damsel flies, precious  jewels in the golden light of evening.   Scent of  elder flower, honeysuckle and freshly cut hay. And in the garden, honeysuckle again, mock orange and sweet williams. Oh how I love sweet williams.

Elder flowers freshly picked in the sun, insects shaken off and ready to be turned into cordial.  The strong smell of elder takes me back to childhood, not the delicate sweet perfume of the blooms, but the leaves and stems.  Breaking off an elder stick to use as a play bow and arrow  and stripping the bark back.
Some bits and pieces to show that I've been working on. The pendant, a gift for someone.

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Early morning, the beginning of June. Sunlight catches delicate sparkling trails of cobweb. Soon they will dry off and retreat into their almost invisible world again.

A snatch of a glimpse, into the faerie realm?

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. ~Eleonora Duse

I've been busy in the garden. Lots of cutting back, transplanting , digging weeding and I still have more to do. I must remember though, not to stress about all the things that need 'doing' and just enjoy the jobs in hand. Being outdoors in the fresh air, in a beautiful setting is enough in itself. A garden is never a finished thing. It evolves and changes over the seasons and the years. I'm just helping it along by giving some plants more space, more light to thrive and adding a few things here and there that I would like to see, or what the bees and butterflies might want.
In the greenhouse I'm amazed at my crop of rocket that initially self seeded, survived all winter and is still going strong.  Next to it there is lettuce, cucumber, parsley, (flat leaf and curly) another self seeded new patch of more rocket, some coriander and radishes. The opposite side which you can't see has tomato plants.  On the bench at the far end is my runner beans that I haven't planted outside yet. A must job for this weekend!
I made a small space for some sweet peas beside the path.  The path, hmm yes that's another job that needs doing.
                                                                              ~ *~
Over the bank holiday weekend, the end of last month we stopped by during the open weekend at Secret World wildlife rescue. It's the second time I've visited now. They do a fantastic job rescuing wildlife and took in many of the injured badgers last year, during the senseless cull.
So here's some of the beauties we met.
Such wise eyes.
It's foxes that I've been working on since my last post. They are finished now and will be added to my shop tomorrow evening Friday 6th June at 8pm again. (uk time)
Have a wonderful weekend whatever you are doing.
X

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Hello... I'm back again and  just a day since my previous post. Why so soon I hear you say?Well, last night I realised that not everyone who follow on here has Facebook. Yes, there are still some lucky folks that haven't been caught up in the facebook net and taken across to the dark side.I consider them the lucky ones. ;) Anyway I  wouldn't want them to  miss out on a preview of  the new hares that I will be adding to my shop this Thursday (May 22nd at 8pm UK time)  So, I'm back again to share all 22. If you've already seen them on Facebook, then I promise to forgive you, if you don't hang around. 

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A couple of weeks ago I travelled up north, to visit a friend of mine in Lancashire. Her art studio looks out onto the impressive Pendle hill.  Pendle being of course, home to the famous Lancashire witch trials back in 1612.

I won't go into detail about the witch trials, as that would need a blog post of it's own. It's incredibly fascinating and tragic reading about these people, so please do take some time to Google them or get a book from the library, or click on my link above.
We visited the tiny village of Newchurch where the Demdike's, one of the witch families, originated.
There is a small shop here selling very touristy witch souvenirs. The church  has a mysterious eye set into the tower, which some say is to ward off evil.
We then went a few miles just across the border into Yorkshire, to Haworth, home of the Bronte's.The Bronte sisters grew up and lived here at the Parsonage.
Right in front of the house stands an impressive gothic looking graveyard. (If you can call a graveyard impressive, maybe it's not really appropriate to?)  So many lives cut short too early, so many child deaths. It was tragic and sad to see. The Bronte's must have been reminded of death constantly living here.  An atmosphere hung about the place. I got the feeling I was in a novel while walking among the stones, as the rooks called and watched from high above in the trees. It must be even more moody in November when the mist from the moors sweep in. I would imagine the ghosts of the past are even stronger then.
We followed the path to the pretty stream and the Bronte bridge.
Back in Howarth, we browsed in 'The Rose & Co Apothecary'. I think all shops should look like this, don't you?

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