Getting Green Fingers This Summer!

This summer I have been very busy in my garden. Last year, it was my first year practicing and finding out about my new home. I have a number of trees but last year only saw a plum or two.     This year the tree has blossomed and I have mountains of plums. Which my lovely nan has been busy making them into jam!

We have also found out we have an apple and pear tree. There is quite a few pears but only a
couple of apples. At the weekend I also discovered there caterpillars amongst my willow tree. First I found one, then I discovered 5, all eating away at the leaves. After researching I do believe it is a hawk eye moth. I will keep an eye out incase they change. I was surprised how huge they was.
I also felt lucky when I discovered this clover hiding behind my herbs!

I absolutely love my garden, it is definitely a new hobby I love. Its such a shame summer is coming to an end but I will still continue to spend time tidying when I can. This year I have managed a crop of blackcurrants, potatoes, peas, runner beans, onions, and some raspberries and strawberries. We have just planted a blue berry bush so hopefully this will be growing and produce a few in the future :)

Summer is on it's way I think!

It's actually getting warmer now which means I can get outside in my studio! I have been busy also getting the veg in my allotment area! Let's hope everything grows well like last year! 

I am hoping to use my garden as a focus point for photographing my work. I love flowers and nature. The garden is changing daily! 

Here is the early developments with the veggie patch :)

Dylan is also ready and waiting for the sun! He is very good at understanding when I'm working in my studio and normally sunbathes outside :) 

More posts on the developments on the veg soon! 

A week ago today...

I was catching up on some sleep having spent the previous week at the magical place that is Glastonbury. I have never been to a festival before but I think I certainly picked a good one for my first. Glastonbury was amazing, filled with all different types of performing arts. I didn't realise it had such variety, especially for all the family. It was lovely to settle in the first few days of exploring with some gorgeous sunshine!

This circus performer had come all the way from Australia. He may have only had a small stage but the crowds grew as his act took place. I couldn't believe his balancing. Amazing!

After the sun came the mud, it was alot of fun, but my phone nearly got lost! Good job its yellow!

Music, performers and lots of stalls! The choice was endless. These felt hats were very popular amongst the crowds, I wish I had bought one myself. They were so much fun.

Glastonbury has many different areas including its healing field and craft field which held different work shops throughout the day for you to take part in! I do think to get everything done I needed at least a few more days. The place was huge! A lot bigger than I thought.

I really hope I get to go next year :)

Bridlington's Secret Gardens. 2014.

After a fab time at Glastonbury, I am now spending the next few days updating you with news on my blog! I hope my blog has missed me! Many of my blog posts do include lots of floral pictures! But why not! We are all embracing summer so let enjoy what nature gives us. A couple of weeks a go with some friends we went to visit the Bridlington Old Town's Secret Gardens. It has been on every year but due to work commitments I have never been to visit boo. But this year I was in luck.....

It was lovely for the home owners to let us into their gorgeous homes for this event. The event is held at numerous houses around Bridlington, but due to time I only managed exploring the Old Town. First up was the gardens behind the Georgian Tearooms. Along with enjoying cakes and a cup of tea, the tea rooms also hold a fantastic variety of antiques and vintage finds! I did make a purchase of some rustic metal flowers for my gardens! You may see a pic on my Instagram. 

After the tearooms we visited some gorgeous houses! When walking down the High Street you would not image what beauty would be behind those walls! I was in shock. The size of the garden's alone were amazing! 

It was also lovely to see so many people interested in the garden's and enjoying the beautiful flowers. 

Lots of my favourite flowers about, including the foxglove! So many of them popping about at this time of year! Along with finding many secret doors..... 

Alongside all the secret gardens, behind the shops and homes of the High Street in Bridlington is a farm and allotment. I was a little confused by this but the ducks, chickens and geese run so freely, it is fantastic to see them enjoying life. You can certainly tell this has its benefits by the size of the eggs they produce. In this glorious sunny day they were enjoying the lovely sun. 

This is my favourite shot from the day, I am rather scared of bee's and wasps but was determined to get this picture so I could draw it. I love flowers and drawing so it was a perfect occasion to get my inspired. 

I will now wait until its opened next year :)

Festival Season...

The festival season is quickly approaching and many of our high street stores are showcasing their best festival buys. I thought I would share with you some of my favourite pieces.

TOPSHOP

 Its all about the folk and tile prints with Topshop. Gorgeous blue hues and burnt reds. They remind me slightly of the tile designs you see at the turkish baths. The ever popular denim shorts are also appearing  in their masses. I have a fair collection myself. I think I would be in trouble if I bought any more :) 

I have bought a couple of bits from Topshop I will share with you when they arrive. I myself is very excited to be going to a festival this year... Glastonbury! Eeek. Not sure who is my favourite I want to see but it would be rude not to see Dolly and Blondie?

MISSGUIDED

Florals are always a big hit for summer. This year we are seeing loads of cute dresses and playsuits sporting this trend. Especially the daisy print!

Also this year we are seeing the statement Kimono, with or without a fringe. Your certainly going to turn heads wearing one of these. Again, we are seeing many gorgeous prints. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to wear one myself but they are beautiful. I think I can see Dylan being driven wild by the fringe! 

ARK

Another trend we are seeing everywhere is co-ords. I especially love this piece I found on Ark which is also supporting the floral trend with this lovely sunflower print. There is so many to choose from, please check out their website.

The bum bag is also a festival essential, never worry about having to hang on to your handbag swinging about everywhere, totally loving this aztec black and white design. 

RIVER ISLAND

River Island is always one to watch with its bold and bright prints. The colours on both these pieces are so striking. 

Cath Kidston

This tent immediately caught my eye! How fantastic is it! I'm not sure how my boyfriend would feel about this tent though. It reminds me of the Wendy houses you used to have as a child, but one for grown ups. So fun!

Another favourite from the Cath Kidston collection is this cute floral print hightop. Although if it rained I would be sad if these were covered in mud :)

To purchase any of these items visit their website:

www.cathkidston.com

www.topshop.com

www.riverisland.com

www.ark.co.uk

www.missguided.co.uk

Happy Shopping

Hornsea Leisure Centre. 4/8/13

Last weekend I was at Hornsea Leisure Centre with many other traders from around the East Riding of Yorkshire. It was a lovely summers morning and I haven't been to Hornsea for ages so I was glad to visit the small coastal town. I got my stall set up and off we went! I spoke to a variety of lovely people which is what I love about doing these events. 

My Mr Duck cards all flew to new homes. He certainly has been very popular this summer with everyone. People say its his eyes and the way he looks at you! The little charmer.

I am also so pleased with my vintage ladder. It is so fantastic to display my tote bags from. I am rather in love with it!

My next event is still to be confirmed but it could be in September. I shall keep you posted :) 

Tomorrow: The First Summer Month?

So tomorrow apparently is the first 'summer' month. All I can say is I am still having to have my heating on in May! How crazy is that! This time last year I was enjoying the sunshine at Burton Agnes Hall amongst the beautiful flowers!

To get you into the mood for summer (when ever it arrives) I thought I would share some of these beautiful flowers from last years post. I am hoping to get drawing these flowers after this weekends Looka Teesside event in Stockton where I have a stall. 

Enjoy.. and I hope we have a lovely sunny weekend! Roll on summer.... :)