Vick's Floral Art & Design Work

Moved Home

2011-08-13T18:30:00.005Z

This blog has moved home, to visit please go to http://vickisfloralartanddesignwork.blogspot.com/

Scampi's close shave

2011-05-15T10:43:00.000Z

There,s one good thing being off work, I got to spend more time with the dogs. They love it in the summer as with Robert working around our house we can leave the doors open and they can come and go in or out as they please. And me being here they have liked it all the more. The lane we walk along is glorious at the moment with the cow parsley lining the edges of the hedges.
Scampi usually has a hair cut every few months but my early life I was a hairdresser still got the scissors (but clearly not the skill) so bit short on cash decided to have a go. She must have found it hard to see and looked like she had no eyes. When Fallon came from work her first words were after oh dear whats mum done to you were, mum get a job for goodness sake.

Tom resting in the heat of the day.

Scampi before the hair cut. Robert put this old seat cussion out for tom to rest his bad legs on but scampi seams to have claimed it Tommy would rather lay on the warm slabs.

Scampi after the wash and cut

(not so bad I think)

Changes in life and garden

2011-05-14T11:07:00.009Z

For those of you who look in on Roberts blog you will know after changing my job at the new year I have now left that employment. Without going in to to much detail thing were not what I had hoped and the dread I had to go to work was so overwhelming It was best I left before I became seriously ill. With Roberts support and after being away at spring harvest with church friends for a few days i realized there was only one thing to do. Even the worry about getting another job and being a wage down was a better option.After months of just work most weeks six days no time for anything (hence no time for writing on my blog) life is now going at a great change. We are selling our house in Derbyshire as our niece who has lived there for some time is leaving, looking for a cottage in Yorkshire, found my skin cancer is back(not unduly worried its the least harmful of skin cancer and I have Faith) been put on stronger blood presser tablets (that's due to work) got a job, but now have been asked to go back to my old florist job I had for five years. Oh and busy looking for a boarder collie pup.
I must say I have enjoyed my time off doing some serous house cleaning and intense gardening and having some time with family and friends, and done some knitting, but I know I need to work and what a disappointment to find out I have to work longer than my 60th birthday to get my pension, not on.
The garden is a riot of pinks and purple's and having lost a few things due to the cold spell we had last year have a few gaps giving an excuse to plant some different things. My gorgeous passion which grew as high as the back wall of the house is lost as to my olive tree, eucalyptus tree, lavenders, parts of some shrubs, chocolate cosmos and quite a few more.

As some herbs can be quite invasive we grow them in clay pots. They had been in there for some time and were pot bound and looking tatty. So with fresh compost replaced them with new or cuttings, they are coming on a treat.

The first poppy.

My lovely tree pony and this year have four blooms ( Roberts in the big house has 27 show off) and smells great.

The honeysuckle is a fantastic show and the smell in the evening is Divine, what with the sent of the lily of the valley also its lovely to sit out.

Future concepts work shop with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden

2011-05-02T12:58:00.007Z

A few weeks ago we were privileged to invite Alysn Midgeelow-Marsdon from the The Beetroot Tree to tutor us at our future concepts work shop From the list of materials to bring I knew we were in for a fascinating class. We were asked to bring foils, beads, threads and small container. Armed with take away foiled containers I soon discovered this would not do after she demonstrated the wonderful things she made with copper sheets and promptly brought a square. I had taken a large glass tumbler and got to work cutting it to the right shape weaving threads and copper strips, beads and other metals. The copper was thin enough to leave an in print of some of the many tools she let us use forming Patton's. I could have stayed there all day playing but it was all over to soon. Alysn advised us to gently colour the copper with a naked flame when we got home which i did before even taking my coat off. The effect was wonderful giving the copper different shades. In the photo's I had not done this yet.
At her shop The Beetroot Tree www.thebeetroottree.com there is a list of day courses that are available to attend and it is said the shop is amazing, I have not been able to get there yet.

I was delighted with my finished result to nice to put flowers in.

A design by one of the other students.

My friend Kathie's design.

some of Alysn samples

This delightful framed design.

This framed design has been machined stitched over the whole picture, lovely.

2011-03-17T21:19:00.000Z

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This may not be from our country but............

BY A 15 yr. OLD SCHOOL KID

New Pledge of Allegiance (TOTALLY AWESOME)!

Since the Pledge of Allegiance And The Lord's Prayer Are not allowed in most Public

Schools anymore Because the word 'God' is mentioned.....

A kid in Arizona wrote the attached NEW School prayer:

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That's no offense; it's a freedom scene..

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all..

In silence alone we must meditate,

God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...

They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.

It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,

We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong..

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles..

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school's a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot; My soul please take!

Amen

some of my flowers

2011-03-14T19:36:00.009Z

Sorry its been so long but Iv been so busy since Valentines day but we now have employed a new member of staff so I can now have a day off. Actually its my friend who has come to join us so knowing somebody you can trust is a real help.

We had a good Valentine day and not one complaint. Not being there before we did not know what to expect or how many people we would get through the door. The markets had fresh flowers every day so we were able to get enough to for fill all our orders.

The week after was very quite but things are getting busier week by week with some lovely comments on how nice the shop looks and the wonderful arrangements.

Just one example of a hand tie bouquet.

This is a cut orchard in wet foam and will last up to 4 weeks

This arrangement in a tea cup is very popular it will be good for Mothering Sunday on

3rd of April

A spring bouquet sold with the vase.

The first photo shows the flowers lay ed out on the bench the second is the sort of arrangement i can turn it into. The other two are variations I call them my tropical arrangements.

Getting ready for St Valentin's day

2011-02-07T16:07:00.004Z

This week I took possession of a lovely dresser which goes lovely in the shop. It will store plenty in the cupboards below and display the things we have for sale. I managed to get the window dressed for St Valentines day which is next Monday the 14th. Hopefully we will be nice and busy and get people through the door and they can see what we have to offer and as people are saying they can tell its under new management. this next will be late nights and a long week.

My new shop

2011-01-27T20:49:00.006Z

Well I'm into my forth week of my new job and its had its teething problems but the response from the public is all good. We have taken out the old shop fittings and the shop is now much bigger and a lick of fresh paint works wonders.People cant believe the difference we have made by just having some fresh arrangements and a good variety of designs. The shop has been a florist for 20years but two years of poor service can ruin the reputation, so we have a challenge on our hand but although a long way to go we are prepared to give it our best shot. I don't mine working on my own I have been used to it and with people popping in it gives one time to talk and to make people feel at ease . We have a busy time coming with Valentines day and I'm trying to get as much prepared, like folding paper, making bows. washing vase's and buckets. Not having been in the shop for a year every big event will be guess work, how many flowers to order, what do the people who live in this area like, and can we make some money. I will try to take more photo's and post things of intrest.

new year new job-(scary)

2011-01-01T14:42:00.004Z

Its a real wrench to be leaving the lovely shop iv worked at for the past five years.

The new year is also a new beginning for me it terms of employment. I have worked for five years at my recent job and over the years as we all may do think its time to try something different. I have always loved my job marred only by the attitude and sometimes dam right nastiness of other people. I don't want to dwell to much into it but at my age to come home in tears over somebody else's behavior gets a bit much. I know Robert and I can be some what easily upset by an nasty comment or virble attack (we tend not to associate with people like that in our private lives)but adding all that up and an offer of a new job persuaded me to risk the move. I know to well that when times are hard flowers will be the last thing on the most important things list for most people, and the shop has been run down and its on a high street where every other shop is a food take away or beauty /nail shop, but its a challenge and I'm a worker and will put my all into it. As much as i loved all the things we sold in my last shop there is a whole host of goods out there to sell and hopefully I will have a say but the new owners will undoughtly have the last say. My decision was all very last minuet but the last couple of weeks made my decision easier. Watch this space.
Iv not done much blogging lately and therefore as Christmas has now gone I would like to wish all the people who kindly read my rambling a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR for you personally the Church and the wider world.

Late but worth reading

2010-12-30T22:05:00.000Z

Christmas is about - Christ 25 Dec 2010
'...they saw the young child...and fell down, and worshipped him...' Matthew 2:11
He was born in the humblest of settings, yet heaven above was filled with the songs of angels. His birthplace was a cattle shed, yet a star brought the rich and noble from thousands of miles away to worship Him. His birth was contrary to the laws of life and His death was contrary to the laws of death, yet no miracle is greater than His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection and His teachings. He had no cornfields or fisheries, yet He spread a table for 5,000 and had bread and fish to spare. He never stood on expensive carpeting, yet He walked on the waters and they supported Him. His crucifixion was the crime of crimes, yet from God's perspective no less a price could have made possible our redemption. When He died, few mourned His passing, yet God hung a black cape over the sun. Those who crucified Him did not tremble at what they'd done, yet the earth shook under them. Sin never touched Him. Corruption could not get hold of His body. The soil that was reddened with His blood could not claim His dust. For over three years He preached the gospel. He wrote no book, He had no headquarters and He built no organisation. Yet two thousand years later He's the central figure of human history, the perpetual theme of all preaching, the pivot around which the ages revolve, and the only redeemer of the human race. At this season of celebration and gift-giving, let's join the wise men who '...fell down and worshipped him...'(Matthew 2:11NKJV) Let's remember, Christmas is about - Christ!
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 9:1-7; Matt 1:18-25; Micah 5:2-5a;

Email to a friend

Christmas wedding

2010-12-27T18:10:00.013Z

This was the arrangement for the church.

As busy as we were over the Christmas period we had a very big wedding. There were twelve table centres two different designs six of each. Although it was a winter wedding the bride wanted summer flowers nothing to do with Christmas.

this was the brides bouquet roses, freesia, rosemary, lizzyanthas, eucalyptus and some lace.

A variety of door wreaths

Not really a good photo but this simple design was popular.

A lovely silver table decoration,rose's, wax flower, silver eucalyptus, fir Xmas tree, baubles, tinting and two candles.

This is for a table decoration made for a customer a candle goes in the middle

2010-12-27T15:46:00.008Z

This is the decorations in the kitchen, over the years they have been on the fireplace no demoted to the kitchen.

Although we have not put up a tree this year I had to get the Nativity set out and the rusty alternative Christmas trees.

I had decorated the fire place back in early December as the little houses are advent calender's, and the carpet fitters would not have to move them to lay the carpet.

This simple design is just some dry twigs in my lovely vase and a variety of little ornaments and snowballs.

Well fed birds

2010-12-05T20:42:00.003Z

I took these photo's from the car when I was sitting waiting to get get through the road works going to work. There are so many ducks and birds here at the moment but the local people feed them and take left over bread. i believe the pet shop do well selling bird feed. This week the lake was completely frozen over the locals say its been many years since this happened last.

The snow has caused havoc

2010-12-05T18:23:00.014Z

I know there are lots of photo's out there of the recent snow but scampi looks so cute. It was deeper than she was in height, but Robert dug out a tunnel round the house up the track to the road and to the back lane where we always go for our walk. Over the days and more people got out we were able to walk round the church where I took some photo's below. I cant believe what a stand still our country came to because of the snow. Everybody needs the gritter and the snow plough it must be a nightmare for the person in charge deciding where to send them. I was supposed to have such a busy week two demonstrations at flower clubs, york minster to hear handles Messiah, doctors appointment and Sunday should have been my flower clubs big demonstration by a dutch florist all cancelled. If you have been on Bobs blog you will know about our bathroom flood which has wrecked our sitting room. The assessor still hasn't made it to see the damage, the company who riped out the carpet, took the curtains to wash and have to come back to clean all the sofa's say they are unable to come as they are a now a week behind.I want to put up the Christmas decorations as I know the next three weeks are going to be busy and only one weekend off. It all sounds like doom and gloom but what I feel most sad about is the real reason for Christmas is slipping away. I had planed an evening with my friends from church down loaded a Christmas quiz but will have to be cancelled.

Its not to deep here yet

We have had some lovely sun sets this is the cricket field.

My poor little new car we had to dig it out, I was nervous last year even more so now in my new car she has done very well so far.

When it first snowed I went round the knocking the snow of the shrubs as the weight snaps the branches off, but the snow was deeper than my wellies and some of the shrubs. I'm trying to keep up with the wild bird food there is a blue tit hanging on the nuts.

Scampi's tunnel to the church yard.

Looks very picturesque

Lots of icicles around the house

First Christmas wreath

2010-12-05T17:38:00.004Z

Sorry for not writing for a while there's no real reason iv just been busy and not much really has been of much interest. We have had a poor seven weeks at the shop due to major road works. You would not believe the difference the roadworks have made to the shop, having to wait 20 to 30 minuets to pass through the village has made people bypass and go the long way round. November is usually a poor month anyway and along with all the other shops we have been on the brink. And then this week with the snow things have got no better. The shop is decorated for Christmas but people are being cautious. I'm not sure if they don't like what we are selling or whether its that there is such a variety in any shop anywhere. We try to sell different things that you cant buy everywhere and when people come in the shop they are full of admiration and love what we sell its just the customers are so few.I know the next three weeks are going to be busy with wreaths and fresh table centers.
A change from the usually ivy, holly,conifer and other evergreen foliage I have made a wreath from eucalyptus and gyp with a few white berries and bows. This was an order for one of the neighbours.

This one was evergreen fresh foliage and artificial flowers.
This was for the cemetery

Scotland holiday 2010

2010-10-24T17:01:00.015Z

Although its a few weeks ago since our holidays I took some nice photo's Id like to share. Robert drove from our house to Callender in Scotland so while he has a rest in the car I take Tom for a walk.

Tom longing to go in the water but we still had a long drive and a wet dog in the car isn't ideal.

how could I say no with those longing lovely eyes

Heading back to the car park. It was such a lovely hot day and after a walk round the high street we got some fish and chips and sat by the river people watching. there were a lot of fishermen, canoeist and lots of dogs taking their owners for a walk. It was so lovely we sat there for a few hours before we carried on with our journey to our holiday cottage.

The view from the front garden of our holiday cottage

It was still a lovely evening warm and sunny and the sea was so calm.

Robert and Tom having a cuppa

We went for a lovely walk, the evening was delightful

On the Wednesday it had rained all night and day so we knew the river at Killin would be fast flowing and we were not disappointed it was breathtaking, although we were wet through.

We had a great holiday it was good just to spend some time together.

Crinan canal

2010-10-17T16:35:00.010Z

whilst on holiday we visited Crinan Canal. It was opened in1801and runs from Crinan to Ardrishaig basin and is 9 miles long and was made as a short cut for sailors and fishermen to avoid the treacherous journey around the Mull pf Kintyre. James Watt surveyed the route in 1771 with backing from the Duke of Argyll and work started in 1794. With a few problems in 1811 Thomas Telford suggested a number of improvement and was then completed 6 years later.600 men blasted and cut the canal out of the land.
200 years the canal was the workplace and the home for hundreds of people. 100 people worked near or on the canal. Queen Victoria passed in 1847 and and big boats with tourists became popular.

Robert with Tommy it was a hard job to keep him out of the water but the sides of the canal were strait and he would not have been able to clime out and hes a bit heavy to heave out.

Some of the fishing boats

The first lock or the last if you come from the other way, we sat outside the cafe and the nice lady came and gave Tommy some bacon bits and a drink of water. People stopped to talk to us because of the dog. Tom is a good subject to get people talking.

The house like this one was home to children along the canal who would open the locks and bridges. The would make and sell lemonade and milk to hungry visitors and would swap homegrown vegetables from the gardens for coal from the passing boats.

This is the other end and as you can see by the sky its another day we walked for a mile or so and by the time we walked back the sun had come out and was a plesent evening.

Christmas puddings and Knitting

2010-10-12T18:52:00.011Z

After our lovely holiday away in Scotland it been all go since we got back. The one thing I needed to do was getting the Christmas puddings made yes its that dreaded word Christmas. The shop is getting full of Christmas decorations and I'm running out of space to store it all, but we have to get Bonfire night the beginning of November out of the way first before anything can go into the shop. ( saying that I have left an angel out its so lovely).
I mixed most of the ingredients a few days before cooking so that the alcohol can soak into the fruit. Raisins, currents, sultanas,prunes, zest and juice of oranges and lemons, cherries, grated apple, walnuts and almonds, grated carrot, black treacle, demarara sugar, breadcrumbs,beef suet, ground almonds salt, nutmeg, mixed spice, fruit peal, stout and rum. after a few days this was mixed with the self raising flour and eggs.

I have made so much I had to mix it in the jam pan then left it in the crock mixing bowl, but had to put it back in the jam pan to mix in the flour.

As is our tradition each member of the house has a stir with a wish, but there is only Robert here Fallon is away on holiday. He will now say hes made them.

I usually steam them in a crock pot but I treated myself to these plastic containers with lids so I don't have to cover them with layers of tin foil to keep out the water.

Ready to cook

The cooked pudding
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I have also been busy Knitting. When I was at home in the summer getting over my operation I knitted my great niece Hannah a cardigan and when Robert saw it he said "I remember when you used to knit for me" so when I was well I went to the local wool shop who happened to be moving to a smaller shop and were having a sale. I got enough wool for the sweater below for an incredible £4.00 and its Arron. I'm not really very good and its years since I knitted anything this big only a few scarfs. It has a 16row patton, my friend who knits a lot said the patton would have shown up better in a plain wool as it doesn't really show on the flecked wool. I think it will be warm as when I was knitting it it made me warm.

Robert modeling the finished jumper

Rotherham show

2010-09-12T19:05:00.014Z

Me receiving my trophy from the deputy Lord mayor

This display titled Hanging gardens of Heligon (not sure of the spelling)and came second and was lovely and fresh.
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This India design was so very clever, there was lots of details and won first place and was entered by the Rotherham flower club.
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This is one of three displays of fruit and veg this was the winner.
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I have been a bit busy this week as I was taking part in a floral competition. The event was taking part in Rotherham at Clifton park. Its a real fun day for the locals with plenty of events. The fruit and veg competition is very competitive and I don't know how they get the veg so big. There is children competition such as photograph, dressed potato, miniature gardens, art and craft. There is a baking section, cross stitch, painting, photograph, card making, sewing and my section floristy and a section of flower arrangers and many more.I entered quite a few below are photo's of the exhibits I entered.

This was my winning brides bouquet and grooms button hole. The brief was to design a modern bouquet using autumn flowers
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My second bouquet came third with the comment that it was a bag not a bouquet but to me it was a modern design.
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This category asked for a design to be made for the chief bridesmaid. It is to be worn over the shoulder and it took the first prize. I twisted lenghts of gold wire and with a thinner gold wire attached them together, the flowers are the type that would stay fresh for the day.
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I made this wrist corsage from silver thread and pearls and added a simple Gerbra.
It was awarded 2nd place
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For the top table which we were told was round and seated ten people this design is tall enough so that when everyone is seated the flowers are above eye level. It won me a 2nd place
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The design below got me the first prize with the judges comments WOW Congratulations. It is a simple wreath ring cut in half and put end to end to give it the S shape. On a round table it would good at any angle. I used large rolled oak leaves, garden foliage and lovely bright flowers that matched the brides bouquet.

The forth entry was to design a environmental funeral tribute. They now make bio gradable wreath rings and all the flowers and foliage were from the garden. You had to say who it was for so adding the wooden garden tools I said it was for the late Geoff Hamalton a organic gardener. I achieved a 3rd place.

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This was one of my favorites and won first place. Taking two lengths of biodegradable wire I filled them with all the things I could find from the ground. I sowed up the sides and found this lovely string of berries with a natural curving shape.

I'm very pleased to achieved so much, but to be fair there was not a lot of entries like the bigger shows such as Harogate. I was entering this show but it clashed with the festival of the plough on the same Sunday and Roberts parents are coming for the weekend to go plus Robert and I love this show. I like to enter shows it makes you create things you wouldn't normally make and being with like minded people who on the whole are a friendly bunch.

Dog park

2010-09-01T21:01:00.006Z

Robert and I have found a good place to walk the dogs and nearly on the door step. Clumber park. We had a lovely morning there a week ago and the heather is in flower giving a lovely mauve hue. Tom of course found the water. Scampi only got her feet wet. There were a lot of dogs there and cyclist but its a huge park with plenty of space for all and we had our lunch with the dogs having a good sniff round.

Rachel and Carls wedding

2010-09-01T18:51:00.020Z

On Monday the 30th August I had great pleasure making the wedding bouquet for my friend Jenny's granddaughter Rachel. She was marrying Carl and they are both active in our church. Rachel is a teacher in the children's department and Carl is on the audio team. There could not be a nicer couple and it was one of the best weddings I have been to, a real Christian wedding. The brides party entered the church to Canon in D Pachelbel played be a string quartet and after a warm welcome from the minister David Craven we sang Be Thou my vision. The marriage followed, then a prayer by David Miller. We then had a wonderful time of worship with I've found a love, How great Thou art, In Christ alone finishing with Amazing Grace. Rebecca, Rachel's sister read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and an address by David Craven was followed by the signing of the registers. Whilst this was happening Janine Dyer sang The One He kept for me and Rebekah Sutcliffe who also led the worship team sang the wonderful song Beautiful.
As there was so many people there who could not be invited to the reception the wedding cake was served with tea or coffee. This was a fantastic idea as it was a chance to talk to Rachel and Carl and the families as the string quartet played wonderful music. The church Christchurch of Doncaster is a beautiful building and is being renovated for these modern times, its light and feels welcoming. And the weather stayed dry, hurray.
I with a few other helpers helped Jenny with the Church flowers, Jenny made the topiary tree's that stood out side. It will be very clear in the photo's the two sister of Rachel, and the third bridesmaid's is Rachel's cousin.

Newbry Hall Gardens

2010-08-13T20:26:00.026Z

After our walk round the sculpture park we had lunch on the picnic tables provided when the heavens opened. We made it back to the car and sat there until it stopped ( I had a power nap).We have been to the gardens many times and try to visit at different times in the year. The roses had gone over this time but the end off summer flowers and the start of Autumn were wonderful. The area around the house are plain mainly grass and a large pond to the front of the house, with yew hedges. But after this it is a riot of colour. Down a few steps from the lawn and pond area is a fabulous long herbaceous border full of flowers. This leads all the way down to the river and every few yards left and right there is a small grass path which and behind the yew hedges to little gardens all different. The gardens hold the national Cornus collection. The afternoon stayed dry and took us all afternoon to wander round stopping for afternoon tea in the excellent restaurant, I think we were last out--again!

As the sign explains this is a new garden in colours of soft greys, blues and mauve's.

This soft plant looks like a cosmos but is fact a Dahlia, and they had one for sale so its now in my garden I just hope it survives the winter.

Loved this delicate clematis

The Dalia's were a Lovely combinations of colours

Another delicate clematis with this pink contrasting colour flower in the front of it.

Never been here when the Laburnum has been in flower I bet its spectacular

I wish I had a garden big enough to have these trees planted, they give the garden plenty of winter interest.

This is called the white garden and again if my garden was big enough I would have a spot for just white flowers.

Two friendly black swans.

Newbry Hall sculpture park

2010-08-09T11:58:00.022Z

We had a lovely day at the Newbry Hall sculpture park. Newbry is our favorite gardens and although we have been many times it was still wonderful. Before we went around the garden we took a look in the wood at the sculpture's. They change the sculptures every year and they are for sale. I have chosen a few which were of interest to Robert and I. There were plenty that I just didn't understand.

This was one of my favorites, called Two Circles lll by Tom Stogdon and could be yours for

£4.500
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The Skellig Boatman by Helen Sinclair, in painted wood £15.000 in bronze £35.000
Skellig Islands 7 miles off the south west coast of Ireland was home to a community of monks from the 7th-12th centuries. Even today there are only a few days in the year when a boat can land.
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Breath by Mathew Sanderson cold cast bronze £7.000
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Green Physalis by Carole Andrews roofing felt and resin group £6.000

Small elements of plants life on to large scale sculptures
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Sandstone Ammonite ll by Tom Stogdon sandstone steel armature £2.750

This was another favorite and by the same sculpture.
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I liked this one too

Cede by Jessica Travers steel and willow £1.950 for the group

cede means to surrender; a poppy flower dies to produce seed.
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Giant Conkers by Michael Mc Manus group £6.000

Everyone remembers the delight of removing a shiny brand new conker from its shell. Loved these really wanted to feel them.
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This bronze was put in an ideal place and there was something about it i liked

Warrior King by Leonie Gibbs a bronze £25.000

At the battle of flodden in 1513James the lV king of the Scots glances back at the English enemy. The Scots army defeated and 9.000 dead is commemorated in a famous piping tune

'The Flowers of the Forest'
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To close to the sun by Olivia Musgrave bronze £11.200

To escape the labyrinth Deadalus invented wings that fitted to the body with wax. He told his son Icarus not to fly to near the sun, but the young man soared high, the feathers parted in the heat and plummeted into the sea.
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La Grande Chasse by Cemmick and Wylder bronze £22.000

Cemmick a wild life artist has travelled the globe documenting conservation projects.
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Another favorite's

Spinning Jenny by Jessica Travers steel and willow£675

The spiralling motion of winged sycamore seeds prompted this work.
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Balance Perceived by Fawkes and Jackson glass and steel £5.900

The stand complete within its own arcing sense of balance whilst drawing the eye to explore the shifting vision revealed within the body of the glass.

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Keswick Convention

2010-08-08T17:26:00.003Z

After 16years of going to Keswick convention it has been 8 years since i was last here and apart from minor changes things are much the same.

Not that you can tell from the photo's but every meeting there was a grand congregation of 3.000 people all worshiping and praising are Lord. There is also the youth and the children's groups. The days are packet with seminars, Bible readings, prayer groups and celebrations so you need to plan what you want to go to as you couldn't go to all . The morning Bible readings were lead by Paul Mallard on the book of Revelations 2&3. He focused on the word of encouragement to struggling churches facing external attack and internal decay. Even though they were written in the first century the message is still the same for the twenty-first century Christians. In the letters to the churches we hear the voice of Jesus speaking to the leaders and individual Christians. What I liked was the introduction each day on what each city was like at the time, explaining the good and bad points giving you a feeling that you were there and what the churches were up against.

Jo Stowell from Michigan spoke on A certain future 2 cor 4:16-5:10. His most memorable point was we should look ( and live like) as if we are living for the next world.

Liam Goligher, Jonathan Lamb, Derek Tidball all spoke in the evenings and the music was lead by Colin Webster. There are many bookstalls with books from all over the world written by everyone. We chose to keep the afternoons for shopping, sight seeing, relaxing and time to reflect and eating. For more information www.keswickministries.org

Weekend B&B

2010-08-06T19:36:00.012Z

My week at Keswick was soon over with lots of mixed feeling. I was glad to be meeting up with Robert, I had missed his so and with the loss of tippy I just needed to be with him. After I had filled up the car (seemed to be going back with more than I came with) I took Robert and tom to the Derwent lake where tom could have stayed all day. We then went onto Grizdale forest park where we had our picnic and a slow stroll through just a small part of the forest. There were a lot of people there having great fun swinging in the tree's. If I recall its called the ape trail and there are rope bridges, swings and zip wires high in the trees. Very brave Ill keep my feet on the ground. We stayed B&B in Appleby and enjoyed fish and chips for supper sitting by the river. Tom was very well behaved. We had intentions to walk round South Kirkby but the heavens opened so we traveled on to Hawes stopping off at a small walk which led to a lovely water fall which of course tom enjoyed immensely. We next stopped off at Layburn for an ice cream and window shopping. There wasn't a lot of people about it was good to have some time with Robert.

The sun came out not for long, we just back to the car before it teemed down again.

The wild flowers on the river bank at Appleby

Tom in the Derwent

views of Keswick

2010-08-06T18:19:00.013Z

I cant say the weather was good whilst away at Keswick but we didn't really have lots of rain as I recall we have had in the past years. It drizzled most mornings dried up by lunch and even the sun came out in the evening. The mornings were taken up with the meetings and after a leisurely walk back to the cottage we had lunch and then went for a drive through the lovely lake district countryside. One afternoon we went for a walk round Buttermere where some sheep had just been Shaun and we watched the dog drive them back up into the hills.

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On evening we went for a walk in Keswick round the Derwent water the next four photo's are of that walk

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There is always plenty of water in the lake district. the next three photo's are water falls around buttermere

Grasmere rushbearing tradition

2010-08-06T16:06:00.013Z

After being made very welcome on my arrival to Keswick by my friend Jenny and her family had a drive out to the small village of Grasmere. The church was celebrating the tradition of rushbearing.In its present form it dates back to1830s, but is though it date back to pre-Christian festivals. Before the church has wooden pews and a slate floor there had been rough earth covered in rushes. Each year the first covering with the new rushes was the occasion for a festival. In the twentieth century the festival took place on the Saturday closest to the 5th August, St Oswald's Day but from 2002 the date was moved to July to encourage more children to attend before the summer season and holidays. The bearings are traditional shapes representing biblical and religious themes. There is a procession through the village followed with a service, then tea in the churchyard. Today it is a celebration of community life.

The door way
All the floor was covered in the rushes and there was a lovely fresh smell.

The lovely old wooden beams

Rushbearing Hymn

Today we come from farm and fell

wild flowers and rushes green and twine,

we sing the hymn we love so well,

and worship at St Oswald's shrine

The Rotha streams, the roses blow,

though generations pass away,

and still our old traditions flow

from pagan past and Roman day.

For saintliest King and kingly man
today our burdens glad we bear,

who with the cross Christ's way began

And sealed his dying wish with prayer.

Our garlands fall, our rushes fade,

Our day is but a passing flower,

Lord, of Thy mercy send us aid,

And grant Thy life's eternal dower.

A tribute to Tippy

2010-08-01T20:18:00.046Z

Those of you who look in on Bobs blog will know of our sad loss. My wonderful dog Tippy has been so ill we have had to have her put to sleep. It could not have happened at a worse time whilst I was away at the Keswick Convention. A few weeks ago we took her to the vet as she didn't want to eat much and the vet put her on a rich diet of chicken and white fish, rice, eggs and her favorite rice pudding. It seemed to work for a while but she began to refuse the food more than eat any. On the Sunday morning before I left for Keswick I took all three dogs for their morning walk and this was to be Tips last not that we knew it. Robert was not well with a bad cold and chest so had the day off work on the Monday. Later that day he was aware tippy had not been about much and found her unable to walk. On the Tuesday they went to the vet and she kept her there and did some tests which the next day showed her to be quite ill with little hope of her getting over it. She was 15years old and by now was very thin but remarkably up until now could still round up Tommy when we played ball. I wanted to come home, Robert wasn't well enough to come for me, I was getting over my operation. Poor Robert and our daughter Fallon I think were very brave although Fallon could not stop crying I don't know how she drove the car. Robert took his blanket in the hope she would be able to recognise the smell and he wrapped her up in it. He then drove to his mum's and dad's were his dad had dug a grave in the small field in their garden where my dog Tara from 20 years ago is also berried. Mum and dad loved her I think as much as us and dad has made a little cross with her name on and found an old tennis ball. And mum says she can see her from the kitchen window. My heart is breaking as I write this and every time I do things. Walking the other two dog, feed time, bed time, in the way when I'm cooking, just her not being here.

One of the hardest is when I come home from work, I can barley put my bag down and have to take them all out side in the field out side our house, scampi just wanders Tom plays ball and Tip rounds Tom up. From an early age tip learnt how to catch the ball and bring it back. If I through the ball a certain way and shouted twister she would jump up twist round in the air catch the ball and bring it back. When I had have enough I would say three more and on the third catch she would head for the door drop the ball and go indoors. Then when we got Tom she never played ball again unless I took her out on her own. When tom plays she watched his every move and rounded him up with the occasional nip on the bottom.

Having a good sniff

It was a family affair when we set off to get a dog mum and dad came too. Fallon had wanted a dog for a long time, but quite rightly when we lived in Scotland we were all out all day and its not fair on a dog to be shut in all day. When we moved to the farm it was time and a working dog such as a boarder collie to help with sheep was ideal. A farmers dog had puppies and after looking at all the puppies mum noticed one that came up to Fallon. She had a white chest and paws and a white tip on her tail, that's where her name comes from. Also there is a famous dog called tip with a memorial at the derwent dam. When we got her home we were going to be like proper farmers and make her sleep outside. Robert sawed the coal shed door in half and we were going to have it as her kennel, I think she stayed there two nights!! In spring she would share her dog basket with the odd lamb was obsessed with sheep, hated to be on the lead, how she balanced on the front of the quad ill never know, didn't really like cows. She could jump any wall, hay stack and at lambing time when the sheep were in the yard she would run round the house so fast she wore out the grass in the garden with two tracks one going one way and one coming back.

Tippy's mate Scampi she must wonder where she is.

This is one of the earliest photo's we have off tippy. Its in the front garden of the farm we used to have. Up until the last four years or so before digital photo's most of the photo's of tip are of printout type.

Tippy's chair

This is one of my favorites photo's of tip. We are holiday in Scotland and she is keeping a watchful eye on Tommy who is playing ball on the beach. For the first years of tips life we always took a holiday to the very north of Scotland in May after our lambing was done. But one year Fallon and Robert had gone for a walk staying over night in a bothy and I took tip to the beach, but on my return to the car two men with guns threatened to shoot her if she threatened their sheep which were allowed to wander on the sand dunes. I tried to tell them she was our working sheep dog and would never hurt their sheep she was a good girl but they would hear none of it. We would not take the risk so the next year we reluctantly left her with mum and dad and didn't we know about it. When we came home she just ignored us it got so bad we thought she was ill and took her to the vet. She wasn't ill and soon got over it and was back to her happy self.

She was like lightning. In winter she would get so dirty I would cut all her fur from her tail and legs as she would pebble dash every cupboard door with the whoosh of her tail, she looked terrible but it was all grown again buy spring.

She loved to sit in the tractor had a sleep when Robert came in for lunch.

Rub my tummy or wriggling to scratch her back. She would lay on the sofa legs in the air, I would rub her legs and feet and tell her "oh stinky feet" and she would look all embarrassed.

When we moved to this house I was worried tip would miss the farm and farm life she was retiring but as always she adapted quickly and seemed to enjoy a quieter life.

Tippy loved to eat the raw beans we grew.

Still looking good at 12years old.

It didn't have to be a ball.

15 lovely Christmases. we always made a big fuss the dogs opening their presents.

Looking ready to get that ball.

Looking at granddad asking for a piece of chocolate cake. Tip was always a fussy eater so to make her eat her dinner there was a promise of a chocolate digestive biscuit. She did this twice a day for her whole life and of course tom and scampi do too. It is advised that dogs should not have chocolate and I'm not saying you should but tip seamed to be ok with it. She only ever stole food once. She loved mince pies, it was near Christmas and I was baking loads of them and she pinched some raw ones and was sick. She never took anything again I think she was so ashamed

The snow never bothered her and in the early days would come and sit by the fire when it was cold. But somewhere in her life when she was staying with mum and dad she would wonder into the fields where they lived and dad thinks the game keeper took a shot and with her great hearing it frightened her. After that she would never sit by the open fire as the wood would crackle so spent her resting time in her chair in the kitchen where the fire was behind glass doors. Then later would use the spare bedroom. When we moved to this house the fire in the sitting room has glass doors so we had the pleaser of her company again.

Having fun with scampi.

This is the last photo I have of her 3 weeks ago.

Walks would always take a long time with tip as she wanted to smell everything.

This was the last big walk I took her on, I was worried but she made it and enjoyed it.
This is just a small word on the life of a wonderful pet and best friend. She gave us so much joy and happiness. She can never be replaced she was one of a kind and I will miss her dearly. I began to think it was best that I was not here apart from not being with Robert and Fallon to comfort them, but coming home to an empty house (Fallon had taken scampi away to visit my sister) was awful. If dogs go to heaven I hope she is rounding up sheep, catching balls, laying with her feet in the air on a comfy sofa, and eating rice pudding and chocolate biscuits. I love you Tippy. xxxxxxxxx

Summer gardening

2010-07-24T21:11:00.012Z

With me going away for a week and feeling stronger after my operation Friday was a day in the garden. Mostly dead heading cutting down finished perennials with the hope that they will give me a second bloom. I heard on the radio a expert!! a Chelsea winner say that there wasn't much to do in the garden in summer well her garden must be pretty boring. My garden is a riot of colour, flowers that need dead heading every day. Then if you grow fresh produce, fruit, veg and salad there is something to pick every day. The pine tree drops its cones and needles, herbs need to be kept under control, climbing plants need tying in, grass to cut and if a dry spell watering. Even my small garden needs attention every day.

A few potted plants

A good example of not controlling my passion flower, it growing into the two hanging baskets its reached the roof and coming into my bedroom.

My Friend Kathy brought me a variety of plants this is a lovely Dalia.

I think the day lilies are early this year. The Sambuca in the background has been fantastic.

My chocolate cosmos, I must remember to bring it inside this winter.

Today I have been to The Tatton flower show and have taken lots of photo's so there will be plenty to show when I get back from my holiday.

Time on my hands?

2010-07-19T16:05:00.007Z

For the first time for many years I find myself with time on my hands. The reason for this is because I am recovering after having an operation. I'm not a very good patient and sitting still is not a thing I'm very good at. I was over due for this opp as its never the right time. First Christmas, Valentines day then mothering Sunday. When there is only two people in a busy shop its hard to get time off and with they way things are at present you have to take on the work when its there. The surgeons secretary was very patient and we managed to find a suitable date. And how things have moved on. Robert's mum was in hospital for a week and off work for weeks. I was out next day key hole surgery, dissoluble stitches, only need three weeks of work and don't even need to see anybody for a check up. The one thing I believe is vital is no driving for two weeks and having been driven home the feeling you have is really strange.
There is a plus side to this time off. Its been a few years since I have been able to go to the Keswick convention in the Lake district. A gathering of approx 5thousand Christians from all denomination with inspirational speakers from all over the world, great worship and fellowship. (all we need is good weather it can rain in the lakes). My Friend Jenny has gone for many years with her family and there is room for me, no need to drive, cook and will no doubt be well looked after, how lucky am I.

Scampi cant understand why I'm not taking her for a long walk but I think Tips glad, these days she is glad just to walk round the outside of the house she is getting very frail.

Scampi is just the right size my beautiful Hannah to control. Here they sitting on the butter cross in the village.

Flower festival at Youlgrave

2010-07-18T21:57:00.009Z

When we visited Youlgrave a few weeks ago the local church had a flower festival on with the theme from the hymn all things bright and beautiful, below are just a few of the arrangements. A lot of the people who take part in the flower festivals are people who attend local flower clubs in villages and towns usually meeting once a month. I go to my local club in Doncaster and there is always something new, different and exciting to experience.

The sun set in the morning, a modern contemporary arrangement
A winter scene.

Purple headed mountain

The summer sun

Youlgrave well dressing

2010-07-18T15:25:00.022Z

A few weeks ago my friends and I had a trip to Derbyshire and in the morning we went to Youlgrave to see the well dressings. This is a annual event dating back from the pagan tradition, giving thanks for the purity of water which was drawn from the wells. This dates back from the time of the black death. Its believed it originated from the village of Tissington Derbyshire 1349. Only a few villages took part in the early days until 1840 when to commemorate the benefactor of the Duke of Devenshire who at his own expense supplied water to all. Youlgrave was later supplied with water from a hill some distance away with the arrival of piped water and so the tradition was adapted to taps not only wells.

Its hard to believe this is all made from tiny flower petals it is so incredibly neat. If I can remember it represents earth, wind, fire and water.

Wooden frames are constructed in clay mixed with water and salt, a designed is sketched on paper and traced onto the clay. Very often there is a religious theme and the picture is predominantly made from flower petals, mosses, beans, seed and cones but in later years some use more modern materials.

This well depicts Adam and Eve and although not clear the outer panels stand forward from the inner panel giving it a 3D look.

This vibrant well is to commemorate the football 2010 world cup

Youlgrave, a village in Derbyshire the peak district lying on the river Bradford south of Bakewell. The name Youlgrave derives from "yellow grove" the oared mined being yellow in colour, historicaly "Giolgrove".

A close up of some of the petals and texture's used in the green man, great thought and patience must have been used with the limited colour pallet used for this design.

This was a great well of Mosses being found in the river. The side panels were so delicately designed with scenes from the time and place.

This was the girl guides well celebrating 100 years of guiding

This last but not least well was designed by the children from the local school. Each child designed a picture and one was chosen. Then the mums transfer the design to the clay frame.

Hannah Franklin

2010-07-09T20:08:00.009Z

On the 1st July our church had the great pleasure of an evening with Hannah Franklin www.reverbnation.com/hannanfranklin She was so amazing, not only a truly magnificent voice but her word was inspirational. Her songs mostly reflected women of the Bible and before she sang her song gave a small insight the the person in the song. She spoke of her life so far and her beautiful sister who sadly died last year. Everybody was moved and many including me were brought to tears. After the concert she did not rush off but stayed to minister to people and was so at ease. Her new album 'You are the song' is available and I loved them all but 'His Love' I think is my favorite.

Haddon Hall

2010-06-28T19:42:00.024Z

Last Monday blessed with a glorious weather my friends Jenny Lena and Val went to lovely Derbyshire for the day. We started early leaving Doncaster and called to pick up Roberts mum before we travelled a few miles to Youlgrave. There was a church flower festival and it was also the village well dressing and Youlgrave is one of the best. I will post photo's another day as I want to share our afternoon at Haddon Hall. Unlike Chatsworth house it is much smaller but goes back in time much further. A fortified medieval manor house dating back to the 12 century the home of Lord and Lady Edward Manners who have owned it since 1567. for more info www.haddonhall.co.uk. I love this house because of its age from the worn out steps where people have walked on for century's, wood paneling, very basic kitchens to the grand hall. well worth the visit if you can.

The way into the hall, there is now a new stairway, shame.

The gardeners cottage with lovely rose growing to the roof.

In the gardeners garden the boars head and the peacock just vi sable behind the tall tree in the middle the two symbols of Hadden the Vernons and Maners family.

Inside the chapel the paintings can still be seen.

The lovely family chapel

The entrance from the the court yard into the house

The smell from the rose's was heavenly

A mass of rose's

I loved this little window with the rose's growing round

Looking over the garden wall at the little foot bridge

The chapel on the left and the long hall

Birds at it again

2010-06-28T15:35:00.018Z

A few months ago we noticed all the petals from the primulas were disappearing and discovered it was the birds, i did mention this before, they are now eating all my Livingston daisy's. Its doubly worse as my friend Lynda grew them from seed as i commented last year you don't get them so much in garden center's (saying that we had them for sale in my shop this year). In this months RHS magazine a couple wrote saying they tried everything to stop the birds eating their prims and in the end put out Niger seed and it stopped as it was the Goldfinch and the siskins. But I have seen the sparrows eating mine but did put out Niger seed last week outside the garden on the big tree and within two days the feeder was empty. I had the feeder in the garden last year but the seed went everywhere and I had to cut a patch from the lawn and replace it., that's why I have put the feeder out side the garden.
The rest of the garden is doing very well. Below are just some of the things growing.

The flowers on the black elder are beautiful

Tubs outside the back door are coming on fine

Last year I managed to throw two stems of honeysuckle and this year it was spectacular.

One side of the garden two weeks ago

One of the hanging baskets from work, they were so cheep it would have cost me more to make them this big with all the things in them.

When our neighbours left at the Begining of the year they gave us this swing seat, its in the shade Robert likes it as its cool in the hot weather we have been having of late.

Some of the delphiniums are over 6foot now. I hope we don't have high winds I never know weather to stake them as this sometimes makes them snap where the tie is or take the chance that they can bend ans sway with the wind.

Last photo's of Chelsea 2010

2010-06-13T14:21:00.005Z

The Upwardly Mobile Garden

designed Chris Deakin and Jason Loch and won a gold medal

Taken from the land scape of east Anglia this garden is for a young professional couple, clean and contemporary

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A City Roof Garden

by Geoff and Kas whiten they got a bronze

Designed for outside living, entertaining for people with smaller town houses.

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Sun Golden Wedding Garden

by Val Christman and he achieved a silver gilt

A garden celebrating 50 years of family life

Thease are the last photo's of Chelsea for this year, there is so much more to see. All the stands with the expert growers all the overseas visitor stands showing the more unusual flowers and plants. There is more floristy exhibits and a large range of garden ornaments and sculptures. It still gives me great pleasure to visit and I know I could never afford any of the gardens or the sculpture's and its getting expensive to go but its my one treat for the year for my birthday and will still keep going for as long as I can. Well done to all the designers and organisers. Thank you.

Flower arrangements at Chelsea 2010

2010-06-08T18:36:00.031Z

The floristry competition this year was to design a parasol, the first photo won a gold and overall winner Chelsea 2010

Always at Chelsea there is a marque for the flower arrangers. This year four hotels were invited the do a display for there hotel representing afternoon tea. Center stage was the most magnificent display iv seen for ages. ginormous cup cakes filled to the brim with lovely flowers. The designer Yan Skates presenting Bespokeflowers for the Flemming Hotel Mayfair won a well deserved Gold medal.

I'm sorry but I don't have any names or medal results for the next set of photo's but still good to look at.

Show gardens Chelsea 2010

2010-05-30T19:10:00.048Z

L'Occitane garden 2010 by James Towillis
This was one of the nicest gardens, it was build on a large slope a great height making the planting of the lavender look like the fields of the Provence's.It won a well deserved silver gilt.

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The Victorian Aviary Garden by Phillippa Pearson and Johnathan Denby
won silver
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Hows this for a hanging basket

This and the next two photo's are the work of Kazuyuki Isihara

Kazahana-an urban roof garden
There was moss everywhere and also running water, the planting was great and so much to look at. It was better when it was on the TV as we were not allowed in the little house where the water running down the side of the building was on glass so you could see it from inside.

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This was the Trail finder Australian Garden by Scott Wynd won a gold. It was Australian outdoor space. I had a job to take photo's of this garden as there was not really lots of plants apart from banana plants, fatsia,hosta and stelizia. There were no doubt more but the pavilion,pool, spa, spotted gum decking, breakfast bench, inbuilt lounge, wet bar, fridge kitchen area, barbecue and a circular swimout for me out weighed the planting. I'm not saying I didn't like it it was a great garden for a hot country with plenty of hot weather and I would imagine a big purse.

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The next four photo's are of the garden

The M&G Garden by Roger Platts

It won a gold and also the got the peoples best award, it also got my best too. There theme was a garden to stand the test of time, a quintessentially British garden that celebrates the traditional... It was lovely full of plants and tree's winding paths, summer house, shade and sunny area's a sunken pool and lovely scented flowers and roses.

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Kebony-Naturally Norway
by Darron Saines and won a silver gilt. I liked this garden except for the roof of the building it didn't seem in keeping but the garden demonstrates the garden throughout the changing seasons with traditional outdoor living with a contemporary twist a sleek central pavilion adapts to the season.

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The Laurent-Perrier Garden

Tom Stuart-Smith who won a gold

The planting was a woodland plating in spring, the plants would thrive in light shade in moisture retentive soil.

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The Daily Telegraph Garden

by Andy Stergeon won a gold and best show garden. This garden was inspired by travel it was a great contemporary garden.

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The Cancer Research UK Garden

by Robert Myers won a gold

The garden theme of enlighten celebrates the vital work that is being done. I loved this garden cool planting, timber slatted canopy terrace and timber cloister around the garden. To the back of the garden a grid of clipped box, reflecting pools scattered through the plants, and a grove of white-stemmed birch trees for shade with white and green planting beneath.

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The HESCO Gardens 2010
The Leeds City Garden
designed by Martin Walker and the Leeds city council and won a gold

It was amazing a real lock gates with wild country planting looked like it had been there for years. Woodland fringe, wetland and marsh planting and a floral meadow made this garden something different. Celebrates its industrial heritage whilst creating green corridors for people to walk and enjoy.

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Foreign and Coloinial Investments Garden

by Thomas Hoblyn won a silver gilt.
Wasn't sure about this water drill but after watching it for a while the ripples made a lovely Patton and found it to be relaxing. The colour were quite different and a refreshing change.

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The Tourisum Malaysia Gardens

by James Wong and David Cubero

won a gold.

A Terraces of minimalist angular hard landscaping modern look reflecting the Malaysia of today

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The Children Society Garden

designer Mark Gregary won gold

This was designed for a family from youngsters to teenagers. A secluded place with a plunge pool, just the weather to go with it would be nice. Nice planting all around the garden.

Courtyard gardens at Chelsea

2010-05-30T16:12:00.013Z

What a wonderful day my friend Jenny and I had at the Chelsea flower show. My sister was coming but it clashed with her holiday so Jenny was delighted to come she had never been before and always wanted to. She has a great knowledge of plants and is so keen to learn the names of ones she hasn't got. This first garden was one of our favorite's there was some lovely flowers. All the gardens can be found on the BBC web site.

The global stone bee friendly plants garden

won a silver

I thought this planting in the containers was a good idea and after these plants have finished they could be replaced with fresh ones.
Christian before Dior
Bronze

Music on the Moors

Gold and best courtyard garden

The Pine and Conifer enthusiast garden

silver gilt

Lights and colours of the alps

Bronze

Tulips at Harlow Carr

2010-05-18T16:22:00.020Z

On Monday my friends Lynda, Lena, Val, Jenny and I had a trip to the RHS Harlow Carr Harogate. The past two weeks had been the Tulip Festival but when we spoke to one of the volunteer gardeners she thought they were at there best now, and we thought they were looking stunning. They have planted 250,000 bulbs.

This was the children's Victorian garden.

I loved the colour of this Tulip two tone.

All these colours together were very eye catching one of my favourite. The canes were in place ready for the sweet pea and a different structure from the usual tepee style.

This was the scented garden and although the hyacinths were past it there was still a lovely smell.

There were lots of pots with varieties of Tulips

This newly planted hedge of apple line the new vegetable garden and look stunning with its blossom.

This little plant was in the new Alpine House and much to everybody amusement was called Vicky

One side of the Alpine House.

This was just a small spot in the wild flower garden.

The fox gloves and pretty forget-me-nots growing in this conservatory along with the other flowers were a welcome sight

For more infomation on Harlow Carr

www.rhs.uk/harlowcarr

Pat Dibben work shop

2010-05-16T18:43:00.009Z

Last Sunday I was away at a work shop were we taught this time by a nice lady named Pat Dibben who came from the London area for the weekend. Our club Future Concepts always have teachers who inspire us to work with different materials and to make things using our imagination's with textures and forms. Whenever we get the requirement list weeks before you cant imagine what it is we are going to make this time was no exception. Moss, hay, coloured mesh, fabric, thick wire,midelion sticks, raffia, an assortment of foliage and flowers to name just a few the list goes on. There were three different designs to chose to make but whatever you take you wish or had brought something else. I took every thing but left it in the car until I saw the all the designs Pat had created then got what I wanted to do. Unfortunately the batteries in my camera died so did not get any of her designs but below are just a few.
This was my friend Cathy's design, she covered a wire ring one with moss the other with hay for two different textures.

Jackie filled a long length of gold mesh with moss to make a long ribbon and manipulated it into the shape here and added the lovely flowers and foliage.

I covered my wire rings also with moss but chose to lay mine horizontal as if floating which wasn't easy and doesn't look to good in this photo.

I had time to do a simple design just using three gorgeous red rose's and a few large leaves. The green bendy reed are midelino sticks and come in all colours and are very popular at the moment, I use them in the shop in arrangements. The horizontal and vertical natural bark is from the failing's of the eucalyptus tree collected from Roberts and my holiday last year in Scotland (I am always collecting things Robert says I never use it)

On my way in the morning traving on the busy road I turned the bend in the road and was confrunted with a sea of blue in the wood. Bluebells. The sight was amazing but i was unable to stop. But on the back i pulled into a layby and although the camera was telling me no batery's but had a go and and was able to take two. The photo's do the sight much justes.

New adventure for the dogs

2010-05-16T17:36:00.006Z

On Tuesdays I am suppose to finish work at 2 o'clock so when I did this week I took the opportunity to take the dogs on a different walk. This is harder than one might think as it means a short drive of probably just over two miles. After putting Tom and Scampi in the back of the car which you have to lift them in (tom is a big dog and he growls at you) I thought it best that Tip who is getting old and fragile could is in the front passenger seat. easy you might think. By the time I walked round to the side of the car scampi had jumped over to the back seats and tip having put her in the front was trying desperately to squeeze into the back seats where she has always travelled. The back seat I might add has my two swimming bags float coat and my bible which I was trying to move out of the way.
When we lived on the farm and I was always running Fallon our daughter to training and sporting events, tip would love to come for a ride. So with leads, collars a pocket full of dog treats we set off and not out of the estate drive scampi was pushing her way through the seats to the front. Roberts health and safety person would have a field day telling me off.
The place we were going was once a coal mine but as with all the closed mines in the area they have landscaped planted trees, built bridges, little streams and many paths with a large car park. With only one other car in the car park I thought good a walk without the leads let them run free. I was a bit concerned about tip walking a long way because of her age but I didn't have to worry she loved it. At one point I was going to put her on the lead just to make her move as she must have sniffed every blade of grass, and with her having selective hearing would not come when I bellowed at her. The other two were having a good sniff but not as intense as tip. We were about an hour ambling along and only walked half way round not going to high up. Also the down side is after reaching the top the other side is the busy A1 motorway and its the sound more than the view which spoils it for me, but saying that we use this road a lot and would be lost without such roads.

having a good sniff
one of the many stretches of water

only dandelions and daisies but it looked lovely

I tried for an age to get them to sit together but stubborn tip would not sit at all and scampi was never going to sit close only tom was a good boy (but they all got a treat) I had to be quick taking the photo.

There were many pools and streams and tom after being told not to go in which he loves to do was very good until on the last leg back to the car he saw a duck and before I could say no was in!! and although the water looked very clear the mud in and out was nasty and smelly. no ducks were harmed during this incident, he could never catch one in fact I think the duck was amused and seam to have a good laugh. Tom came off worse as he was wet though and smelt awful so as the sun came out and there was a seat we sat for a while for him to dry off.

With them all back in the car we drove home sharp with the windows open as the smell of tom in a confined space-well ill let you use your imagination. At home nobody wanted tom near them, but he will probably do it all again water is his one weakness.

Art class

2010-05-02T15:40:00.004Z

When I was away at spring harvest a few weeks ago and writing about it I forgot to mention the artist Hideyuki Sobue. He is a Japanese artist living and working in Cumbria. At the evening seminars whilst we were listening he painted a huge painting a different subject each time from Jesus on the cross to a simple flickering candle. There was a workshop one afternoon which some of my group attended and whilst I have to honest and say it was hard for him to teach us how he painted it was fascinating to listen and see his work from his gallery from his web page. ( just type in his name it gets you there). He uses acrylic paint but adds Sumi ink from his native Japan. He talked off his faith and how he thought he was not a good enough but after going to study Christianity found the passion and faith to paint professionally. I very much like his nature paintings.

A couple of weeks ago i joined an art class from one of the villages near to where i live. Its been nearly 7 years since i picked up a art paint brush and i just had a longing to do something other than flowers, swimming, gardening and housework. A friend from church attends the class and said what a friendly lot of people there are there so though i would give it a go. Although I'm not good at it i enjoy having a go learning the different techniques. We are doing water colour and how applying different colours on top of each other give different effects. the second painting was achieved using wax crayons starting with a wax candle to paint the daisies so when the paint was applied this left the daisies white. then using the same techniques layered up the picture. Its not to expensive for a six week course but it is government funded and the teacher dose not know how long this will last but safe for the end of this six weeks session and the next but after that its anybodies guess. The teacher is David Woolass an artist you can go to his site just type in his name on google. Over the past few weeks we have played about with salt, wax, cling film and mixing colours to achieve different effects. Ill never be selling any paintings making loads of money but just enjoying it at the moment.

2010-04-25T17:27:00.025Z

My week at spring harvest ended on the Friday so it was great to get a Saturday off with Robert and even better was that mum and dad were coming to stay for the weekend. So we had a wonderful day out at Ripley castle www.ripleycastle.co.uk . When we arrived in beautiful sunny weather we decided to have our picnic first in the enormous car park. And after 4 hours walking around the gardens (we do take our time) we treated ourselves to the famous Ripley ice cream. It was a lovely day.
The view from the car park

The next three pictures are some of the views from the castle, the first with the dear in the distance.

A part of the castle.

The majestic gate house from inside the grounds of Ripley castle.

The reason we visited Ripley castle at this time of year is because they hold the national collection of Hyacinthus and many variates of daffodils.

Robert with mum and dad having a rest and taking in the surroundings.

This lovely door way lead to the walled garden with a boarder of herbs, veg, fruit tree's, rose's (but they were not out yet) box hedge's.

A lovely row of delicate friterleria growing in the grass very natural.

This is the lane into the village of Ripley opposite is the large car park where we had our picnic.

A lovely display of white daffodils with the old ice house in the back ground and a blue sky.

Spring Harvert 2010

2010-04-17T20:54:00.012Z

What a fantastic week iv had away at spring harvest in Skegness at a Butlins holiday camp for a Christian convention. The title of this year was "Different Eyes". Different groups of people respond differently to the same situation because of different beliefs. Christian ethics are not just anyone ethics we follow Jesus or try to. We had expert speakers who helped us get to grips with this theme as they taught us from the Bible, gave testimony and spoke of there own experiences.
After the 9o clock all age service "the big start" we had our daily Bible readings read by Krish Kandaih he was so full of life and was a great evangelical. The rest of the day there was a number of seminars, workshops, sport activities or the Butlins facilities.
The evening worship and study was Esther each night read by different speakers. Steve Chalke spoke on several occasions and i found him most interesting and have never been bothered about politics but he made me more aware of the importance. Its hard to express the joy and experience I got from my week and I'm not literate enough to write all that went on."

There were six of us in this small chalet but we managed so well. I tended to keep out of the kitchen except to eat and I did wash up. I could not have asked to spend a week with such lovely people. We went to most of the meeting together but also did our own thing as there was so many things to go to. Leana and I went swimming one afternoon, but although it was very large it was a fun place not really meant for swimming lengths. Leana really enjoyed the pool with the rapids you could just lay back and be moved along in the water.

A wind swept walk, Vi, Val, Jenny and me on a walk in between seminars. Vi in the red coat was 85 years old whilst we were away.

The beach at skegness looks like it goes on for miles. We were very lucky with the dry weather but the wind was so strong and made it feel cold. We had a walk a couple of times when we got time.

Not that you can see very clearly but this is Graham Kendrick and his band leading us in worship. We learned some new song and sang some from the past. There is nothing quite like four thousands people praising and worshiping our Lord. This is the best photo's I managed to take, it doesn't really give the best image just times it by 40.

A drama company called saltmine did a sketch every day and one evening we went to see them in show, a Christmas, sound of music, rock, angle of the north show. Sounds odd but it was great they really put the message across. They have a DVD of the show and some of there other shows. One late night we went to see a wonderful singer Hannah Franklin. she sang so beautiful with such emotion and gave her testimony. Her songs were mainly women from the Bible and love. All the people iv mentioned can be looked up on google.

GOOD FRIDAY

2010-04-04T14:51:00.003Z

Crucifixion 02 Apr 2010
'And they crucified him.' Mark 15:24
In The Expositor's Bible Commentary C Truman Davis, MD writes, 'What is crucifixion? A medical doctor provides a physical description: 'As he slowly sags down...on the nails in the wrists, excruciating pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain; the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of the feet. As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath...hours of this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over; the loss of tissue fluids reaches a critical level; the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues; the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...finally he can allow his body to die.' The Bible records it in these words: 'And they crucified him'. What wondrous love is this?
Bible in a Year: Gen 22:1-18; Matt 26:69 - 27:50; Ps 22; Is 53;

our easter tree

2010-03-30T18:03:00.007Z

Happy Easter to one and all.
This tree is so easy to make, contorted willow in a container and hang a collection of eggs. I have collected different ones over the years. Last week whilst Robert and I were on holiday we brought some more when we were out shopping.

We decorated the church early as a local school were visiting on Tuesday to learn about the church and what we do. Its a good opportunity at Easter to teach the children about the ultimate sacrifice our Lord Jesus paid for us, its not just chocolate eggs and bunnies.

spring is finally here

2010-03-24T18:57:00.013Z

I feed the birds all year there is
not many times when there is
nothing for them to eat and this is how
they repay me by eating all the flowers
from the primulas

The frost has got my choicer (Mexican orange) when it was covered in snow i shook it all off as it was heavy and had snapped one of its branches.

The hellebore's are stunning at the moment. The witch hazel smells great i just wish it would grow bigger, iv had it for 5 years now and it doesn't seem to have grown much i planted it along the path near the door to the house so I have to walk past it get the aroma. The contorted willow has lovely long catkins looks its best at the moment.

These goslings didn't know what

time of year it was they were born

3 weeks ago and are the talk of the

park. they will grow very quick as

everybody is feeding them. this time
last year the daffodil's were out and

the kids picked them for their

mothers for mothering Sunday. Not a

bad out look from the shop.

Mothering Sunday 2010

2010-03-24T14:39:00.015Z

one corner of the shop

some of the planters I planted up for out door use

some mothers day design

I also potted up some containers with bulbs and plants

I don't know where the time has gone even though it seams to be a long winter. I can say I'm fed up with being cold, its cold in the shop, cold first thing in the morning and dark and cold when i come home and dark, but this last two weeks it has got a lot lighter.

We had a very busy mothering Sunday and was able to make a lot of nice arrangements, the shop was full to bursting with flowers having to re stock several times. The weather was dry and sunny which was a great help as we could put some of the delivery orders when done outside the back of the shop to wait for the delivery team to come back from the first deliveries. It took four delivery people from 8.30 to 2 o'clock to over the two days to deliver all the orders.

inside the shop

just some of the roses we used

Just a few of the flowers waiting for me to make up bouquets and arrangements.

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-27T15:38:00.025Z

If there is still anybody out there looking on my blog I'm sorry for the lack of material. Its been so heck tic over the last 2 months with our holiday in November in Spain and getting the shop ready for Christmas. In the evening Iv decorated the house in stages, a couple of Friday nights at church we have been making wreaths only for personal use and the variety of different designs were very interesting. We decorated the church which took all day!!! My sister and family didn't even get the chance to visit so we all met in Derbyshire when we went to Roberts parents. There was a great carol service in the Doncaster Minster with J John preaching and our own Christmas service in our church were great. We had a church night out at Hooton Pagnall club a meal and the quiz but many didn't manage it, it was bitterly cold and people get busy but those who were there enjoyed it. At the shop we were very busy the last week an early start at 7 o'clock till 7pm and one night 10pm, and with the cold spell and icy roads getting to work and back was a bit scary.

The wreath I made for our door, made nicer with the snow on it.

I know for a lot of people snow is nothing to get excited about but over the later years we have not had much so when we get more than a light covering its quite fun,(except if you have to travel on the untreated roads). My garden.Scampi our westy seems to like the snow, but not so keen wearing one of her many coats. She doesn't look so white against the snow.

Fallon and her friend Ty made this amazing snow lady mostly in the dark two days earlier still doing well.

Here are a few photo's of our decorated house.

Scampi knows where the best place it curl up and sleep

I love my rusty tree and wreath not everybody's cup of tea but I like to have different things.The rusty advent buckets go with the tree's as we have no small children the treats are for the three dogs who know as we turn off the TV at the end of the night and before we get to turn out the lights they are standing waiting with Tom telling us with gentle woofs, "don't forget our treat" The decorations in the kitchen, at one time they adorned the living room, now recycled to the kitchen.This bowl of collected things minus some that the mice have taken bites out off is also relegated to the top of the stairsThis was one of the gifts I gave Robert for Christmas a canvas frame of some of his favourite things in his life Tippy and Tommy.

Two competitions

2009-11-01T17:14:00.013Z

In September I entered a few flower competitions and had some success, its difficult to get good photo's but here are just a few.

I got a second place for this brides bouquet, I covered the polystyrene holder with layers of sineco gray leaves and used lovely roses, hydrangea, pearls and silver decorative wire. It is held in the palm of your hand.

This is an arrangement for a top table, for a winter wedding and won a second place. The wood sticks were on Roberts bonfire cut from the apple tree and were a lovely colour with the lichen and moss. Red roses, protia, hypericum berries and calla lilies.

We were asked to design a funeral posy and name the person who it was for. I made up a name and his trade was a chair weaver and added the rope etc and used lovely green roses, carnation and hydrangeas and got another second place.

We were asked to design an accessory for a young girl going to the prom. I made a hair fasinator with a frosted pale mauve colored wire and orchid and got a first prize. Its hard to make out the design from the photo. I also made a wrist corsarge out of a fine silver wire making petals and used pearls I thought it was the better of the two but it only got me a second prize. The hair fascinator

The wrist corsarge

This wedding top table arrangement got me a third prize.

The next few photo's are from a different show a much bigger show and I didn't get any placement but to get something is a bonus, I really just enjoy entering and getting the chance to do something different.

In this competition we were asked to design an arrangement for the relaunch of a magazine. I chose a cake magazine and made all these cakes out of coloured foam and little flowers.

The brides bouquet was to be designed for bride on a budget £75.00 or less. I made the wire holder and the construction was made from snake grass, red roses and a few hypericam berries, finished off with a hand made red wire heart.

The title of this section was preserve the season. I wanted to do something different from the dried plant material so chose this arrangements preserving the season by painting the flowers a living picture. I got a 4Th prize.

This was a rather radical design. The title was the meandering river and everybody used water and plenty of foliage. The two frames were made from lots of silver wire on a slate tile, silver wool, shaped white melinola sticks and shaped calla lilies representing the meandering river. It got me a unexpected forth prize. I was very pleased with all my work and enjoyed nit very much although it is heard work setting up and taking down.

Harvest Festival 09

2009-11-01T16:41:00.002Z

It was our church harvest festival the other Sunday and although we don't hand out food parcels to the older people in the community we ask for dry or tin food which we send to an organized charity called M 25 (Mathew chapter 25). They provide meals for the homeless and poor. I sent letters to 5 of the major supermarkets asking for a donation which some have in the past and this year not one person reply ed.

Hi

2009-10-22T18:55:00.012Z

Chatsworth house one of the places we visited on our holiday

I never intentionally meant to keep away this long, but the time just got away. The holiday Robert and I had was wonderful and the weather was fab after the dull summer, work was busy and entered a few floral competitions and time spent outside after work before the dark nights set in. Talking of dark nights the clocks go back this week so it will be dark when i leave work at 5pm and as i go for a early swim before work it will be dark in the mornings. I wouldn't mind the colder weather so much if it wasn't so dark. But we are off again on the 9th November for a week not to our usual beloved Scotland but a cultural coach tour through France to Spain, watch this space. Back at the shop the Christmas goods are arriving every day. I really don't like putting out the stock to early and not before bonfire night the 5th November, but the major stores and garden centers are ready set for Xmas and I have even seen an advert on the tv, so you get swept along with it all.

Castle Howard

2009-08-17T19:35:00.029Z

On the very rare Saturday that I get off from work Robert and I made the most of it and visited Castle Howard. It wasn't our original destination, but once again the traffic around York was so bad and slow when we saw the road sign for Castle Howard we decided to go there instead. We only wanted to go round the grounds and half an hour into our visit the heavens opened. As it was nearly lunch time we went back to the car and sat like an old couple eating our picnic. It wasn't long before the rain was over the clouds blown away (it was very windy). To be on the safe side I took my rain mack and ended up carrying the rest of the day as the rain kept away and the sun shone.

There are lots of lovely stone garden ornaments.

This house is in the walled garden so we believe this may have been the gardeners cottage.

Sweet face

There were lots of fish in the pond some very big

The long borders looked as if they were past there best but the agapanthus were still in full bloom

This box hedging was in great condition and the bussie Lizzie was doing well considering all the wet weather.

There are a lot of yew hedges it must take an age to cut.

Back in the day of these large grand houses they wanted to extend the grounds into the surrounding countryside, with the cows and sheep but didn't want them to mess up the formal gardens. The photo of the steps looks out into the fields ( the trees would not have been so overgrown) but there is a hidden ditch so the cows look like they are just at the edge of the grounds but cant get past the wall. These walls became know as ha ha walls.

The water features are all man made enhancing the grandeur of the estate. The bridge doesn't go any where. The 1,000 acres are dotted with lakes, fountains, temples and statues.

This pillar standing in the middle of the reservoir had lovely detail on the base which looks like from the water mark as if its covered up most of the time.

This was a lovely place to sit at the end of the day over looking the lake. It had a cafe but there was only sandwiches and drinks no main meals which seemed a shame as it was so much nicer in my option than the main eating places. But I was a bit shocked at the price of the drinks we had, two small bottles of pop cost £3.50 I guess if your thirsty they know you will pay it. I felt sorry for the families with children as the playground was situated here also the ice cream van very tempting for children.

Not bad for the back door

and the view from the back door

My first public demonstration

2009-08-13T19:19:00.012Z

My Autumn harvest arrangement

On Tuesday of this week I was asked If I would go to the Knottingly flower club to demonstrate some of my designs. I have not done any arranging in front of an audience before and I was very nervous. I arranged 7 designs which I found ok to do, the trouble was having to use interesting conversation to go with them. There were moments of silence but on the hole kept the conversation going. Every one was very complementary and said I had done very well and loved the variety of my arrangements. Most flower clubs meet once a month and usually august is a poor attendance month but there was a great turn out over 60 people, that was even more scary

A design using a copy of Charles Renie Mckintosh chair

A green arrangement, always popular

A tropical design

I loved this design and was worried it wouldn't go down well but every one loved it. It was country grasses corn with a range of pinks and pastel colours.

This was my final piece it was much larger than the photo portrays. I also made a hand tie bouquet but didn't get a photo thankfully because of all the people taking a closer look at them all.

Revisit to Geoff Hamilton garden at Barnsdale

2009-08-09T20:22:00.015Z

My Friends an I went to see the gardens at Barnsdale in Rutland started by Geoff Hamilton in the 90s. Robert and I had payed a visit in the spring and really enjoyed it and hoping we had not missed the rose's in bloom we set off on a wet Monday morning. The rain from the past several weeks had dashed a lot of the flowers and the rose's all but for a few were gone. We seemed to get it just right as no sooner had we gone for lunch the heavens opened.

By the afternoon the sun had come out and the light coming through this tree's with its grey leaves was fascinating.

The next four photo's are from the arid garden, when Robert and I were there last nothing was growing there much but now it was quite lovely.

The rose arch in the small cottage garden was delightful I think my favorite garden.

In one of the pools there were tadpoles rather late

Visionary Gardens at Tatton09

2009-08-04T14:56:00.008Z

The next set of photo's are "visionary gardens" a new feature to Tatton. They look very different to the gardens we are used to seeing. They have a deep meaning and you need to use your imagination.

"Cubed3"

This garden aims to bring a fresh approach, a modular theme which allows flexibility and development in the space itself?

Time"

This garden is inspired by the effects of the constant, cyclical rhythm of the changing seasons on the rural landscape.

"A deconstructed world"

This is really deep A contorted grid exposed soil trenches reveals the hidden works and history of the site, in time fracture and crumble, deconstructed by nature.

"Time and the bell"

A visual response to the past and present theories about time. The garden title comes from T.S Ellot's burnt norton a poem about time.

"Levitate me"

Earth mounds as transport systems hollow hills are global phenomenon, places to celebrate the coming of age.

"Glyndwr'svision"

The primary use of this garden is to create a sculptural work to be viewed all round and above.

I feel I have not done Justus to the gardens and if you would like a further in depth explanation go to BBC Tatton park.

show gardens at Tatton 09

2009-08-03T18:43:00.018Z

To night I am showing photo's of the large show gardens personally I thought they were not so good as in other years and cant understand the the medals that were awarded.

The three photo's above "edible trends" by BBC north west tonight. the first photo was big planting with veg growing with the flowers. I liked the reclaimed wall but would like to see it in a few years time when the wood and pine cones were rotting.

"So 80s"

This garden had lovely planting but the middle seating section was void of plants an very bright floor colours when you sat on the seating you could not see the flowers. The black canopy was very dominant.

"Strictly come gardening" this garden was representing style and elegance found in the world of ballroom dancing.

"Fibonacci numbers in nature" new ways of looking at low maintenance gardening

"Thyme and money for cancer research uk" bold bedding in the Charity colours in two mixed beds looking to the past present and future.

"Radio-live transmission, I really don't know about this garden. A garden for a semi-permanent public exhibition by the band Joy Division ? Its deep but I believe it got a gold

" The lake district bluebird garden" Donald Campbell's blue bird more than 40 years ago, the last speed record is being restored and returning to its village at Coniston water. Lovely country planting.

"Revolation" outer spaces for a office courtyard, a place to eat, chat, read and to get some fresh air. It got a silver guilt but I thought it was the best garden. It made a change to see yellow flowers and the tiered planting meant that you could get a lot more plants growing.

This last garden BTCV@50 is a celebration of the organisation's 50th birthday of conservation volunteering. volunteers can make a difference in their lives and the environment

Back to back gardens at Tatton 09

2009-08-01T19:54:00.012Z

The back to back gardens are 6m by 4m and they are all quite different

"A shared space"

In the the first of my gardens from the Tantton RHS show i will show the small gardens. This first garden is from Doncaster our biggest town to where we live.

"Forgotten but not over looked"

A pretty green and white garden

"A load of old rubbish"

This saw one of the most colorful gardens

"lose the shoes"

This garden was quite different from the gardens of late

" A place for waste"

Another cool looking garden

"The dark horse venture garden -out the back"

All the veg fruit and flowers are grown in containers. It was to show how much can be grown in a small back yard.

"Tea time"

The simple garden accessible to everyone

"Let Knowledge grow"

Celebrating the 170th anniversary of the intuition's Christian foundation.

"Be fruitful"

Fruit growing in a modern space

"Down under Jenny's 1950s backyard"

A garden from Australia from 1950

There were a few other small back to back gardens but as we had to keep running for cover from the rain and then forgot where were, but I'm sure we saw them all.

Mum and dads house

2009-07-26T19:19:00.006Z

Mum and dads house in lovely Derbyshire their adopted cat wants to get in by the fire

Before going to Tatton park on Wednesday I spent Tuesday night at mums and dads so Judith and I could get an early start, Judith is Roberts sister my sister in law. We woke to a dull gray sky followed by rain on and off all day.

Dads beans and sunflowers and his new rose bed

The front of the house

Mum has a variety of lavenders

Dads veg patch with his sweet pea at the back

Baby Hannah

2009-07-14T18:17:00.007Z

These are the latest photo's of my nieces daughter Hannah having fun with my sister Julie.

Yes at last she is walking unaided, running about all over, now the work begins.

Busy at the shop

2009-07-14T16:50:00.011Z

It is such a busy time at the moment in the shop with weddings and a good amount of plants to sell. I love the light nights and spend as much time as possible outside. I find dead heading therapeutic and although its a small garden its packed with plants and there is always something to do. I have been cutting away the spent flowers and foliage with the hope of a second bloom. the poppies I cut a few weeks ago are coming again one plant is nearly ready to bloom. We have had a lot of plants at work and it tempting not to buy them all, but if i haven't got them in my garden i cant resist. At the moment I'm filling in the gaps.

Before my day starts at the shop I have to bring the four trolleys out and make the display against the front of the shop. The sun is on the shop all day so the cut flower bunches for sale are left in the shop. It takes a lot of watering at the end of the day but hopefully I will sell a lot throughout the day.

Just a few of the bridal work I have been doing this week.

July garden

2009-07-13T20:12:00.019Z

Roberts three teared pot growing nicely.

I was a bit worried back in spring as I cut back the passion flower really hard and thought I had gone to far, but as you can see its OK. Robert has now tided it up and we can see out of the window now. The hanging basket is full of cherry tomato's we just need them to ripen.

This is my new David Austin rose hopefully it will grow up the wall, it has a lovely smell.

church wedding

2009-07-06T19:32:00.007Z

We had a big wedding in our church two weeks ago these are some of the photo's. Its a real pleasure to do the arrangements for the church family. There are a lot of faithful helpers and we all work to gather well.

A few of my plants in my garden.

2009-06-15T21:57:00.011Z

One side of the garden

Iv had such a busy week, tonight is the first chance iv had to turn on the computer and tonight we have to get ready to go down to Derbyshire to Roberts parents tomorrow after work. Its Roberts birthday 20th and fathers day the 21st so we are meeting up with some of the family Saturday night and going for a chines meal.

I have brought a David Austen climbing rose to grow up against the wall, but there is no soil near the wall so Robert made me this big planter out of some left over paving slabs. Just need some compost to fill it now.

my first sweet peas the start of many I hope.

Robert is growing salad leaves in this vertical bag, its cut and come again and I'm enjoying having fresh leaves for tea.

Robert's weather station.

One of my wall basket.

Window box

Harlow car trip

2009-06-07T20:32:00.007Z

Not only did I have a day out at Barnsdale on Sunday but Monday four friends and I had a return trip to Harlow car in Harogate. It was a very hot and although I had a hat on all day I got a headache and felt very tiered. We sat in the shade and had our picnic and ice lolly and admired the wonderful flowers. We took a walk through the wooded area and the smell from the azaleas was fabulous. The huge herbaceous boarders were full of alliums, the meadow full of wild flowers a brand new alpine house full of excellent specimens.

Visit to Barnsdale

2009-06-07T17:14:00.018Z

Last Sunday with the promise of good weather a belated birthday trip and no moter racing Robert and i had a trip to Barnsdale garden in Rutland, just down south on the A1. There were over 25 gardens started by Geoff Hamilton back in the 90s and after his death his son carried on building new gardens and keeping up the original one's. As we walked round I recalled the gardens as they were made on the TV programs for the BBC, we used to look forward to Friday nights when it was on and still is today with different presenters over the years. Although I had made a picnic there was no where to eat it but for the car park, you were not allowed to take it into the gardens, so we brought lunch there from the cafe and ate it in the gardens watching other visitors, our first meal out side this year, (and if today's cold weather is anything to go by its our last). We spent the whole day there, plenty to see lots of seats to sit look at the flowers, plants trees and veg.

More Chelsea, and NAFAS

2009-05-31T19:29:00.031Z

The off-shore garden designer Sarah Eberle

I have a few more gardens from Chelsea to show starting with this one, quite usual all water not sure how you get to the door as the middle stone is under water. At least it would deter unwanted visitors. It won a silver medal.

This was the 1984 garden and got a bronze medal

The two photo's above were designed by Drusilla Stewart and William Beresford for the help for heroes Sanctuary Garden. It was neat and clean lines and was in aid of helping our fighting heroes.

Another example of plants growing up the wall. This was the Fenchurch garden designer Paul Hensey and not only won silver gilt but most creative award.

There were many more gardens but this garden was a bit of fun and seemed to be attracting a lot of attention. Paradise in Plastic By James May and a lot of others was awarded a special plastic medal.

Now for something different.

RHS Chelsea Florist of the year

Sorry I can't tell you who won but they are all very clever and all made from plant material and worth a look at.

The next photo's are from the ladies who belong to the NAFAS association this year it was the turn of the Wessex and Jersey branches and won a gold medal. It was title was Inside Outside and was very contemporary lovely colours.

The show was about to close we were nearly done in and went for a cup of tea and noticed the Que for the floral art marque was gone. We had tried to take a look earlier on in the day but the Que was so long I was afraid we wouldn't get round the whole show, so with tea in hand we had a mad dash round the exhibits taking some photo's of what I thought was the best, here are just a few sorry no names of the designers or the medals.

Before I end this blog I though a word for the plant growers must be mentioned. They do a brilliant job of getting the flowers to bloom for the show, holding flowers back and forcing them forward.

How they get daffodils in may to look this good

and delphiniums this tall

Tropical flowers from overseas

And finally this display by Zita Elze was stunning a interior designer, florist and garden designer.

I hope you have enjoyed just a small amount of Chelsea as much as I enjoyed going again this year, who would of thought 7 years ago when i was part of a team and won a bronze medal it would still inspire and bring such joy to me.

Trip to Chelsea 09

2009-05-25T15:29:00.000Z

Our day out at Chelsea started with the train from Coventry being cancelled but only 20 minuets to wait for the next one which as it happened got us there the same time. The station was Marylybone in London and the first site when you leave the train is the flower stand. I don't know what time they start or how many work there but they must sell a lot with the amount they had for sale. Very cleverly there were bags of flowers ready to go for the busy commuters.

The company is Go flowers http://www.go-flowers.co.uk/ they are also at Victoria and paddington stations and a shop at primrose hill. The prices are higher than my shop but that reflects the area and we struggle to get what we charge, but the supermarkets don't help with cheap bunches and there are two near the shop.

On to the flower show, the weather was dry bit windy but good. We thought we would do the small gardens first, when I say we its my sister Julie I am with.

This first garden won a silver gilt titled wild and wonderful

The Fenland Alchemist garden by Stephen Hall and Jane Besser got a gold and best court yard garden.

The small gardens are mostly lovely cottage type gardens very popular with the public and very much like my garden due to the size, if i had a large garden I would love to dedicate part of it to a contemporary design. The garden above is the potters garden made by four ladies from Cumbria all three gardens were lovely. This one got a got a silver medal This garden was called Jacob's ladder by Jeffery Hewitt won a silver medal

This garden is Demelzer by Jo Thompson a garden for children with soft water and chimes it won a silver gilt.

The two photo,s above are from the Entente Cordiale garden. A garden of friendship after the signing on the 8 April 1904 between Britain and France. The colour's were red white and blue it was a lovely crisp garden.

Pilgrims rest by Chris Odonoghe, was herbs of all kinds and was awarded a silver gilt

Large gardens at chelsea

2009-05-25T14:00:00.026Z

On to the large show gardens, These tend to be contemporary gardens with bold structures and this year was just so.

The perfume garden by Laurie Chetwood and Patrick Collins won a gold medal and most creative award, all the plants and flowers all were to have a sent but you could not get to close and could only smell the perfume being made and the sample being given out.

With the wet summers we have had the last few years the Leeds city council with designer Martin Walker with water and floods in mind designed the Hesco garden which they won a silver gilt medal.

The Cancer research UK garden by Robert Myers won a silver gilt. The structure at the back of the garden represents Impact and sends ripples through the garden the water feacher was very clever, I can't make up my mind if this was my best garden.

I love this garden this avenue of trees was fabulous. laurent Perrier Garden by Luciano Giubbilei got a gold with its calm atmosphere, simple classical structure of the planting.

Look at the way the trees have been shaped with ivy growing all very neat in the black wall.

The Sweadish designer Ulf Nordfjell designed this garden for the Daily Telegraph and not only a gold but best in show. A modern take on a rock garden it was wonderful, I especially loved the rocks in the water.

Foreign and Colonial Investment garden by Thomas Hoblyn. The wood was very dominant in colour there were some similar coloured flowers dotted throughout the garden but I felt should have been stronger, but what do I know it got a silver medal.

Future Nature designed by Nigel Dunnett, Adrian Hallam and Chris Arrowsmith won a silver gilt. The aim was the wider environment and wildlife saving water and wild planting.

Not really sure about this garden. I like large stepping stones but the design at the back is well !!The flowers are pink Impatients and the garden title is the quilted velvet garden by Tony Smith and if I'm right the sponsors were the toilet tissue and that's all I can see as the advert says soft soft soft. Sorry, It did however get a silver medal.

The next garden I thought was very brave, instead of one large garden the designer Ian Dexter for Marshalls created four modern urban street gardens for the times we are living in. All were different and earned him a silver gilt.

Room to park the car but still space for plants, up the wall there was a lot of this at Chelsea this year. There is also a water feature running down the wall.

The second garden is soft planting like a meadow and cottage garden. All have a seating area.

The third garden is for a couple who like to grow their own with an edible wall of herbs, salads, tomatoes. In the garden there are vegetables, fruit trees and vines growing up the coloms.

The forth and final garden has an oriental feel with clean lines and a water river running through the garden with water lilies.
There is a lot more I would like to show you but don't want you to get fed up and must really go and feed Robert so if you are still interested I will post more at the end of the week. There are all flower arrangements and the NAFAS stand and more gardens still yet to show.

Everything Is Growing.

2009-05-24T22:19:00.003Z

Well at last, the space behind the door in the porch has had the log basket taken away to be replaced with the sun lounger. What a lovely hot day, makes up for the day before, my birthday. We had intentions to visit a garden but the traffic was so bad after an hour and half we did a u turn and came home. I had a good afternoon in the garden. We have never gone out on bank holidays and now we know why.

As I mention I had a week of work last week, starting the week with Robert and our 5Th and final trip to the cancer hospital Weston Park in Sheffield.With the doctors reassurance that after five years the cancer is unlikely to come back we give thanks to God whom I have had faith in all these years. After our appointment as we are near Dearbyshire we go and see the parents stopping of at a garden center where we usually buy something.

I chose a Euphorbia Craigieburn with purple/red stems and a contrast Salvis ergentea, large silver grey leaves and tall stems with pinkish-white flowers. I have planted them next to each other. I also got a Limonium latifolium and an other Viburnum as mine again this year don't seem to good.

I have managed to get the honeysuckle to grow over the porch just needs to thicken up next year.

The garden is growing fast now but still have some gaps so there is always plants to buy. When we moved here four years this August one of the first jobs in the garden after we designed it was to plant the box hedge, the trouble is some of the plants must have had the disease box blight and i must have replaced nearly half. So I have dug up the whole back row replanted them in all the gaps and Robert has planted a privet hedge and if the box continues to die we will plant all privet. We want to keep it short and with the mulit planting it keeps a frame to the garden.