Optimism.....

Forgive me bloggers - I've been away too long! I've been a bit out of sorts recently which I attribute to the fact that it has now been a year since my Mum passed away, years too early at the age of 64, and we still feel the loss. However over the past few days I've felt a bit more optimistic, helped no doubt by a few days of glorious weather here in the west of Scotland. The plant I mentioned in my last post has finally burst into bloom. I like to think that at this time last year it sensed the sadness surrounding us and kept its blooms to itself but that now it's making up for it. Here's how it looks today....

I'm off now to sit quietly in the garden for a while before the family arrive back home. Take care everyone x

Has Spring finally sprung?

Believe it or not, we had a flurry of snow today....in May! I thought it was the blossom falling from the trees at first until closer inspection revealed pure white flakes falling from the sky. Thankfully it didn't amount to much and as I type the sun is now splitting the pavements. A couple of weeks ago we had started overhauling parts of the garden and, while looking a little bare at the minute, I'm looking forward to sharing it with you once it begins filling out when the plants start to grow. We moved our bird bath which had been swallowed by some overgrown conifers to a sunnier spot and our local bird population seem to enjoy its new location. And, I am delighted that my dwarf rhododendron which was planted TWO YEARS AGO has finally decided to show some signs of life - it was very near to being uprooted!

Doesn't all seem well when the sun shines?

The Little Treat

Here's what has been taking up my time over the past week...

..a little street scene in which to display my wee teddy. The shop is called 'The Little Treat' and while I initially thought about a sweet shop I have loads of cakes made at a polymer clay workshop that I might use instead. Here's how it came about..

First I stripped a picture frame, stained it and fixed a piece of foamboard into the centre. Next, more foamboard was cut for the back of the scene and to make the bay window for the shop. I already had a spare window so decided to use that but left it removable so I can arrange the window display. I wallpapered the inside of the shop and glued it all together.

I had wanted a textured finish to the walls so decided to try out a technique I once read about. In theory a thick layer of gesso is painted over the walls and allowed to dry. A brick colour is painted over the gesso and once dry you should be able to score lines in the gesso to simulate brick - it didn't work!!! So, as I want to make this on a budget of zilch, I used some left over brick paper. I didn't have a shop door in my stash so I turned to my trusted mountboard and made a door.

I decided to go with a mixture of landscaping so the paving slabs are squares of mountboard stippled with a textured paint, glued in place and then the remaining area was filled with gravel. I've recently been practising making plants so have added them to the scene too.

The shop window is a little empty at present so I'll be busy stocking it when I can. Hope you have enjoyed this little diversion 'cos it's back to business soon x