Plants for Free

I'm not a sports fan. Hubby is. If he's not tuned into the World Cup, he's watching Wimbledon. In fact he has been known to be watching one on the TV and the other on the laptop at the same time - quite often whilst listening to the radio too (who says men can't multi-task?!).

Anyhow, along with the fabulous weather we've been having this past week or so, it's given me a great excuse to spend more time in the garden. I've been taking cuttings of quite a few shrubs in the hope of furnishing my hoped for new garden with some much-loved plants, like the Cistus (rock rose) above - aren't these blooms just so bright and cheery?

...and the gorgeously-scented Philadelphus (mock orange). This plant was grown from a cutting that I took from a huge old shrub from our old garden in Glasgow and I'd love to plant a new specimen in our new garden too; the smell is amazing and it carries across the whole garden (such a shame they haven't invented scratch 'n' sniff computer screens yet!)

I've also taken a few cuttings from this Erysimum 'Bowles' Mauve' (perennial wallflower), not just because it's another plant that I want to take with me but because it gets quite leggy after a couple of years, so unless you want to buy a new plant it's best to reproduce it through cuttings. It flowers for weeks and weeks and it forms such a lovely colour combination with the silvery grey foliage of the Santolina (cotton lavender).

Two more plants which I propagated and moved from our Glasgow home are the Hypericum (St. John's Wort) and Hardy Geranium (cranesbill). Both have long seasons of interest: the Hypericum has pretty buds, flowers and berries and the leaves take on pink tinges in autumn; the Geranium has delicate, veined flowers, seed heads and beautiful leaves which also turn russet later in the year. They're both common plants but I think they look lovely, and no doubt I shall be taking their offspring with me as well!

I also love the combination of this deep purple Aquilegia (granny's bonnet) against the bright lime green Euphorbia (spurge). I grew these plants from seed so I'll do the same in our new patch and just leave these plants as they are, with the pale pink delicate flowers of London's Pride behind.

A few stems of the Euphorbia look fab in a blue vase too (though the sap can be an irritant for some people so be careful).

I love cutting flowers for indoors; they really brighten up a room and bring all of that lovely colour and texture (and often scent) inside to be enjoyed further. I enjoy having a play with different colour combinations especially, and I adore this bright and bold selection - it really makes my heart sing!

Arranging flowers in a vase has other benefits too: it gives me the chance to try out new plant combinations without actually moving any plants in the garden. It's hard to tell from photos in books what exactly goes with what, and of course the timing may not be quite right, but this way I can see which plants are in flower at the same time because they're actually doing so in my garden. However, the chosen plants may prefer to grow in different conditions (sun/shade, rich/poor soil, etc.) so they may only ever look good together in the vase.

I'd love to know what your favourite plant combinations are - and maybe it will give me a few more ideas for my dream garden...

Bright or Subtle? You decide!

Enough of this gardening and house moving lark… So what crafty things have I been up to lately?

Well, I finished the baby blanket that I was making for my good friend Emma. I really enjoyed making it as the little squares are quick to make and very portable, so I could pop my yarn and hook in my handbag and crochet away happily whenever I go the chance: at home in front of the TV... in the garden enjoying the birds' antics... sitting at my desk during my lunch hour when it was too cold/wet to wander out... sitting outside in my lunch hour whilst enjoying the occasional sunny spell... relaxing on holiday in Whitby... (yes, the crochet goes everywhere!) Even the making-up process wasn't too bad, and the stripy border just finishes it off perfectly, I think.

I was so pleased that the parents-to-be loved the finished article – and hopefully baby will too! I've spent a couple of lunch hours at work this week sitting outside and soaking up the sun whilst crocheting some more of these little squares. I'd like to make some baby blankets in different colourways – and hopefully sell them in my Folksy shop. Watch this space.

Other, smaller projects that I've been doing are these pretty floral corsages. I love the bright, sunny colours and the contrasting buttons, and the shaggy texture of the blooms. I'm going to do some more of these but I can't decide on colourways: I like bright, contrasting colours but hubby prefers the more subtle, complementary shades. Guess I'll have to do both! Do you have a preference?

These flower corsages are a bit of a change for me, but I think they turned out really well and I'd like to do some more of these too, in various colours. They consist of layers of felt, with free-style machine embroidery and sparkly bead embellishment. I've made a prototype purse using the same technique which turned out really well so that's something else to add to the 'more things to do' list.

And finally, I've tried my best to avoid the World Cup but failed miserably. So if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. We had a stall at the monthly Grainger Market Art & Craft Fair last Saturday and it was the perfect time to sell these England heart brooches, what with England playing their first game that night. They were very popular at the fair and I managed to sell a few, but I still have some left. Hopefully England will do well and I might sell a couple more in the next three weeks!

As ever, click on the highlighted links if you're interested in buying and want to know more...

Have a good weekend - hope the sun keeps on shining!

Gardening Inspiration Aplenty

Did you watch the TV coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show? Or even better, did you actually visit the event in person? I religiously watched the programmes every evening last week, and I've been inspired to start filling a little notebook with ideas for our new garden: plants I want to grow, features I'd like to incorporate, views I'd love to create. (I've been having a browse of the BBC website and they have an amazing selection of photos downloaded by visitors to the show; capturing lots of little details that you missed when just watching the TV pictures.)

(Photo: Jane Benge)

I particularly liked the Laurent Perrier Garden (above) by Tom Stuart-Smith; it appeals to me in so many ways. I love the idea of meandering along a pathway with rich planting either side, opening up into a sunny seating area rather like a woodland clearing. I've always liked big gardens that incorporate small gardens of different styles (Newby Hall is a favourite), so the relaxed planting style of the woodland walk contrasting with the area of more formal topiary and reflective pool is something I'd like to try. And the limited colour palette looks so relaxing, using plants with lots of movement and texture to create interest; however, I love bright colours in the garden too so I think I'm going to have themed 'cool' and 'warm' areas - and I'll try to be more selective than I have in our present garden which has a slightly more eclectic mix!

(Photo: Kendra O'Shea)

The M & G Garden (above) by Roger Platts was on a similar theme: a garden full of tiered planting and lovely old brick paths giving a real feeling of enclosure and a 'secret world' setting, with a gorgeous formal pool and seating area. I'm definitely going to have at least one water feature in our new garden; we really enjoy watching the birds and frogs splashing about in the wildlife pond we have at present, but I'd love to build a more formal feature too.

See? I've got it all planned out already. Hmmm, all I need now is the new garden...

I didn't get to Chelsea, but Mam and I are off to the RHS Show at Tatton Park in July and I'm very excited! We've been to Tatton before, and to the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, and loved every minute of it. Of course this year I'm hoping that I'll be well on the way to having a new garden by then so it will be all the more inspiring. I took a tonne of photos on previous visits and I'm sure this year will be no exception!

(Photo: BBC Tyne)

And the week after the Tatton show is our very own Gateshead Summer Flower Show. There aren't the huge show gardens that the big RHS events have, but a lot of nurseries and associations build beautiful smaller displays and gardens, and of course there's a huge array of plants, furniture and gardening paraphenalia to buy, as well as a craft marquee and farmers' market (link to blog post about last year's show). Gateshead Council will be recreating their Silver medal winning Chelsea garden there too. The Active and Healthy Gateshead Garden (above) celebrates the Great North Run and the Great North Forest, with the main part of the design being a 1/9th scale replica of the Tyne Bridge and 55,000 viola heads - one for each runner! (Click on the link to find out about the garden's design, its history, planting plan, and a fab time lapse sequence of the Chelsea garden being constructed.)

So, there's definitely a lot of inspiration around at the minute. Are you planning any changes to your garden this year? Growing any new plants? As our dear gardening guru Alan would say: 'Whatever the weather this weekend - enjoy your garden!'


 

Pretty House For Sale!

Well, it's all official now... after months of decluttering and decorating and cleaning, our house is finally on the market. Woo hoo!

The For Sale sign is up...

Vases of flowers (fresh from the garden, no less!) are strategically placed...

Cushions are plumped...

...and random objects are artistically arranged.

The bed is always dressed with pretty, co-ordinating cushions...

...and even the day-to-day clutter of lotions and potions in the bathroom has been replaced by a family of ducks.

I've rebelled, and livened up the 'appealing to all buyers' neutral colour scheme with some splashes of colour...

...interesting collections...

...and pretty, handmade cushions. I want our viewers to know that the house is lived-in and loved, and not a neutral show house with bare walls, empty work surfaces and no signs of life.

The main reason for our move is garden related - I want a bigger one! We've been in this house for twelve years now and I've definitely ran out of space. The garden has grown from a square lawn with a conifer hedge round it, to this mass of colour and texture and year-round interest that the local wildlife love and I adore.

We've viewed a few houses over the past couple of weeks and have found a house that we like - with a garden that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! It's huge, and it's beautiful now, but I'm already dreaming of the whole host of new plants and features that I can incorporate.

All we need now is to sell this one. Watch this space...

Patio Under Pressure

Apologies for the lack of posts, again. We've been doing lots of housey things this week (as well as being at work); getting it ready to put on the market - hopefully within a couple of weeks. Very exciting!

I've packed another million boxes in my attempt to clear my workroom. I'm truly amazed at how much stuff came out of there; honestly, the Tardis is nothing compared to my old workroom! I say 'old workroom' because it's now been turned back into a little bedroom, freshly decorated and ready for some furniture after the new carpet comes next week. After years of watching Ann Maurice on House Doctor we decided a while back to decorate and declutter, and make sure the house was spic and span and 'ready to move into'. Hopefully our house viewers will be impressed.

The garden has also seen some improvements, though I still need to give the bark path a good weed. Last weekend we had fun with Mam's pressure washer. I knew the patio needed a good clean (I scrubbed it on hands and knees last year but it didn't make a huge amount of difference) so I was amazed at how much muck a bit of water under pressure could clear away.

Hubby was very methodical in his technique: one square at a time, nice neat lines, pristine result...

Whereas I was slightly more creative! Hmmm, can you tell what it says? (Answer at the bottom of this post!)

Anyway, the results are fantastic don't you think? And now that the patio furniture is out too (though it could do with a lick of wood stain), the garden is looking the perfect spot for some lovely alfresco dining. All we need is some sunshine...

Answer: 'Bliss Knits' of course! (Sad of me, I know!) Must practice my joined-up-writing-with-a-pressure-washer-lance for next time...

Hope you all have a lovely week!

Socialising, sight-seeing, and lots of scran

I had a busy week again last week - with food playing a major part. I ate out so much that I think I've probably gained two stone in weight. I guess I'll be having salads all this week then!

Saturday - Hubby and I tucked into a Chinese takeaway after our monthly stint at the Grainger Market Art & Craft Fair. The fair was much busier this month. Hurrah!

Sunday - Hubby and I took my Mam out for Sunday lunch for her birthday and then we had a nice walk (and an icecream!) round the Saltwell Park spring flower show.

Monday - Met my big sis and Mam for a quick meal in Newcastle during my lunch break.

Tuesday - Not much to report: boring sarnie at work and homemade tea.

Wednesday - Morning at work and then a lovely drive down to Whitby for a last minute break with hubby (see photos). Checked into our stylish B&B, and then had gorgeous chips for a late lunch whilst people-watching. Had a good walk around the shops on the west side, and a very windy walk along the pier (VERY stormy sea). Eventually found somewhere to eat on the night after wandering around the streets for an hour (places either shut completely or with 'no food today' signs. Bizarre.) Another Chinese meal - restaurant this time.

Thursday - Huge breakfast in B&B - yummy fruit and yoghurt, and then a Full English! Walked it off with a trip up the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey. Had a good look round the church and abbey but it was blowing a gale and icy cold so not as nice as it could have been. Wandered around the pretty streets and shops on the east side, and then a tasty lunch and milkshake at cafe overlooking the harbour. Visited the very interesting Whitby Museum (loved the fossils and miniature ships) and art gallery in the newly-renovated Pannet Park. Posh fish and chips in stylish restaurant for tea.

Friday - another B&B big breakfast before checking out. Had a couple of hours in Whitby again as the weather was so good and we wanted to see some of the sunshine before it disappeared again. The tide was out so we had a good potter about the beach and the jetties before heading home. Gorgeous pub meal on night with pregnant friend. I haven't seen her for a few weeks so it was good to catch up. She looked really well and I got to feel the baby kick a couple of times! Very special.

Saturday - Lovely pub meal with Mam, youngest niece and 3-year-old great niece. The sun was shining again so we walked there and back (with a stop to stroke the horses) so at least some of the calories were burned off!

And so that was my week. LOTS of yummy food - but also quite a bit of walking too (so I can still fit into my skinny jeans!) I had a lovely week of socialising and sight-seeing and chilling - I hope you had a nice week too.

Colourful critters

I've been enjoying making lots of colourful items this past week or so. I think the brighter, sunnier days of spring are influencing my choice of yarns!

I made this sweet little dog sweater as a commission from a customer at the Grainger Market Arts & Craft Fair - a gift for her mum who adores her tiny Yorkshire Terrier. It was quite hard to make this with just a few measurements; I would have liked the dog to have tried it on part-way through, but as she lives in Taiwan that just wasn't possible! My customer has assured me that she'll take a photo of the dog in her funky bright sweater when she visits home next month - I can't wait, I think she'll look fab - I just hope it fits...!

I've also been making lots more spring chicks like this one. I think they're really cute and look great hung from drawer knobs and cupboard doors; they really brighten a room and add a sense of spring cheer. Lots more colours are available in my Folksy shop (or contact me if you'd prefer another combination).

Last week I bought a fab book on amigurumi. The idea for these cute knitted/crocheted soft toys comes from Japan but it's now a worldwide craze - aren't they just gorgeous?! I've been learning the basics this week, and now I'm starting to play around with my own designs. I love these brightly coloured yarns too - another cheery way to brighten your day!

Flowers, packing, opera

Did you all have a nice relaxing Easter weekend?

I've been VERY busy, but I've really enjoyed it and now have that great feeling of satisfaction after a really productive few days. Shame I had to go back to work today though!

Regular readers will know that we're intending to move this year, so we've spent the Bank Holiday weekend looking at houses and decluttering our own. The garage is looking a lot tidier now that I've boxed up all of my plastic pots and gardening paraphernalia and taken it to my Mam's house; the patio has been cleared of my little nursery plants (cuttings and divisions taken last year with a view to a possible move to a new garden!) and they're now in foster care in Mam's garden; and you can actually see the floor in my workroom now that I've packed away lots of my crafting bits and bobs - now in storage in Mam's garage - can you see a theme here?!!!

I also took the time to have a potter in the garden; it's looking really pretty at the minute now that the lovely delicate spring flowers are in full bloom (and of course I had to take a few photos for you!)

We also managed to find the time to fit in a trip to The Sage. It's right on our doorstep and we do go quite often, but hubby is far more appreciative of classical music than I am - I just like a good tune! We saw the Orchestra of Opera North and the Huddersfield Choral Society, and their version of 'Carmina Burana' was absolutely fantastic! The 'O Fortuna' movement was amazing! Here's a version that I found on YouTube.

How did you spend your Easter?