Sunday 10 April 2011

Sunny days

What an amazing week we have had - I can't remember an April like it! Like a lot of you, no doubt, I have spent a lot of time out doors rather than in my 'studio'.  I will share a few things I have been up to, but it is not a lot. Firstly I have finished my Butterfly books and they are now in my Etsy shop.




I have also filled in my Textile journal.

Otherwise I have not done a lot on the creative front - just haven't been in the mood this week.
But I did spend a lot of time watching the waxwings which stayed until Friday by which time they had completely stripped the last of the berries off the cotoneaster.  This was the best shot I got, heavily cropped.

At one time we counted 22 of them on the TV aerial.

Otherwise I have been trying to get rid of some of these
Although very bright and cheerful, they are overtaking my garden.

MrT has been looking after his onions

I don't drink this yogurt drink ALL the time, but here are about a year's worth of bottles marking the onion rows. Note little 'fence' which seems to have kept the local cats off.
Most of the time I have just been enjoying these flowers which have burgeoned this week.

 aubretia

polyanthus

 plum blossom
 
spotted laurel (aucuba)

and finally a close-up of those polyanthus.
Oh, but I have been getting my next postcard ready for Postman's Knock.  You'll have to wait to see that.

Have a lovely week.
Jill

16 comments:

Katie said...

this butterfly book is so original,and stunning! I will have to peek in on your shop!

Unknown said...

The butterfly books do look wonderful. Likewise your textile journal. I've been a bit under the weather wit ha bad cold so not out and about this week as much as I'd have liked. But had a good day today. It is a great joy to see sunshine and warmth come back, and plants starting to pop out of the ground.

ju-north said...

great flower photos - and a stunning butterfly!

Sharne Gregory said...

Your butterfly book is stunning, I expect they will fly out of your Etsy shop.

Leenie said...

You've been busy both inside the house and out. Such fine creations and a good looking onion garden. I'm so jealous of your flowers and sunshine.

Around here we say the rotten weather stays until the university students graduate and leave town. Well, graduation was Saturday--so bring on the sun!!!

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

It has been a glorious week hasn't it ... lovely photos Jill and coincidentally my OH has been planting his onions. Did you go to the Walled Garden .... I saw it in the paper and then promptly forgot all about it and missed it. Fingers crossed for another sunny week x

Robbie said...

Love the butterfly books in the bushes!! What a great shot!!! So glad you are spending time outside! Just refreshes a body doesn't it!

Emma said...

We managed 2 sunny days this w/e, 2 completely foggy days & 3 of torrential rain, but I'm not complaining, thats typical up here now!

Your completed butterflies are lovley, what's next? My videos got 'timed out' as Coulouricious had to clear space ;( wish I'd had the foresight to make great samples like yours at the time, that'll teach me! Have you tried Kims trick of magnum wrappers? Any excuse ;)

menopausalmusing said...

Yikes! just look at that beautiful book. Absolutely stunning, Jill.

Would have loved to have seen waxwings..... Here's hoping this weather holds out a bit longer.

Gina said...

Your butterfly books are amazing. I've been enjoying working in the garden too.

flutterbycrafter said...

These butterfly books are terrific, such beautiful colours and stitching, stunning.

She Who Doodles said...

beautiful butterfly books. thanks for sharing your garden. it looks so like spring. we have had so much rain here it's been hard to get out and plant.

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Hi Lin, the butterfly books are stunning :-) Thanks for more garden pics, lovely to see.
I really must start a journal for my textile experiments.
Anne xx

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Jill,
There was a piece on the radio this morning about dandelions. They are a couple of weeks earlier this year because of the warm weather and they are proliferating at the expense of other plants as they gorge on all the nutrients in the soil. In small numbers they can be eradicated by putting a bit of salt in the crown of the plant. Always works but not when you have a field full of them.... Halcyon days! Lesley x PS Without saying, you know those butterfly books are fab.

Linda Vincent said...

Your butterfly books are really special......you are so versatile Jill. I think your textile journal is a brilliant idea ......and something I should copy :-)
Lovely photos too!

Joanna said...

BEAUTIFUL butterfly book, just stunning!

And I can't wait to see the postcard......;0)