Messing about with paper

I spent some of Sunday afternoon making a small stash of Greeting Cards to be used in the first few months of this year for loved ones. Instead of making a card here and there I'm much better at sitting down and making a few in one go. My main aim was to use us lots of mismatched scraps that I had lying around. Bits and pieces that I just couldn't bear to throughout as I knew they would have a use at some point! I'm a bit of a dithering and often can spend an absolute age trying to work out how to put things together so I had a look on the Internet and came across 2 Sketches 4 You - a lovely template site which really did help with. Add some Ink, Rubber Stamps, Buttons and Flowers and I was off - a very happy afternoon of making.

Hooky Roses

In between darning in my granny squares, I have been making a few Crochet Roses. The pattern is from the lovely Lucy at Attic 24. It's such a super pattern and she explains things so clearly trying out something new is a complete joy. I'm mostly using leftover yarn, different brands and weights but keeping to various shapes of pink. I think I need about the same again for what I have in mind...at least it's something different in between the darning! I do love this Crochet lark - it really is quite relaxing and the end result is something pretty for our home. 

Iris

Autumn Tryst

I love the elegance of Irises. There's a wonderful Iris Nursery, Seagate Iris on the edge of Norfolk, over the border in Lincolnshire, that have the best selection. It's truly stunning. They have over a 1000 varieties, but my first love is the Tall Bearded Iris, especially the Purple, Mauve and Lilac ones. They also have display beds which are completely wonderful. Along with Peonies and Roses, I am getting quite a collection!

Olympiad

Jeunesse

Exotic Isle

Warmth

Warm May Days are finally here. The last couple of days have been wonderfully warm. It makes me want to spend lots of time outside. I want to wander around historic ruins, get my feet all sandy at the Beach, lay on Tartan Picnic Blankets by the Broads. I want to sip Pimms, eat lots of Picnics, have BBQs and eat as many meals outside as possible. I want to make a Daisy Chain crown. I want to crank out my Swimming Costume and go sea swimming. There are just so many good outdoors things that I need, crave, must do soon!

This weather makes me want to spend lots of time in the garden. I love the Flowers of May as two of my absolute favourites. Viburnum Opulus Snowball and Peonies. There is just something about white flowers, so pure and vibrant. They almost glow in Sunshine.

I also love the Wildflowers that emerge. Sometimes they seem even more special.

I hope this weather lasts at least until the weekend then I might get to indulge some of the lovely warm day outdoorsy activities. I can't wait!

Peonies

Adolphe Rousseau

Big blowsy frilly fragrant blooms are the best way to describe Peonies. Oh and their scent, completely perfect, reminds me of Rose Turkish Delight. I adore them, especially the double varieties. Like Roses, I collect them. It's the first section I check out in a Nursery. I get excited in when I see their red glossy shoots breaking through the earth. I have quite a few now and I really love the ones from Claire Austen. They make me very happy. 

Alexander Fleming

Bridal Icing

Margaret Truman

Roses

Gertrude Jekyll

I love Roses. They adorn my walls in frames, there's dozens of them in the garden, I wear Rose scented moisturiser and Lip Balm, I would call a Daughter Rose. There's nothing I don't like about then. My very favourite Roses are those by David Austen. 

Williams and Catherine

They have a remarkable fragrance, that of old roses. It lingers in air and makes sitting in the garden a joyous experience. The best bit is they repeat flower so you get their beauty for longer. I keep a list of which ones I want to collect and I always swoon over their catalogue.

Sir John Betjeman

Eglantyne

Claire Austen

Lady Salisbury