Stunning Spring Shades and a snake?

Hi everyone, I've been missing from the blog for a while, had the book to finish, it's gone on it's way now, I do hope it all turns out OK?

 We have been having such amazing weather, glorious sunny days with clear blue skies, but coming cold on an evening, frosts even. The Spring flowers have all come bursting out, it's so wonderful to see, I'm so glad I made the last minute effort to put some more bulbs in, they are fabulous. I've got some photos to show of all this colour going on, and........ there has been an appearance from my little snake in the grass. My snakeshead fritillary has emerged, there are only 2 (I think I planted 6 bulbs?) but they are beautiful. It looks just like a snakes head as it's emerging, photos of before and after.(top 3 photos)

I also managed an afternoon out on Saturday last, we went to Harrogate, to 'Betty's' Tea room at Harlow carr gardens, we had a lovely lunch and I saw a work colleague and her bonny baby girl I haven't seen before.She was lovely. We then went on to Ripley village and Castle, to sample the 'famous' Ice cream. (it was not my favourite to be truthful).I was temtpted by those primroses and had to have some, which I brought home to more sunshine in the garden.

So we are having a very pleasant time of things at the moment, it will be the Easter break starting next week, I think it has forecast rain? Hope I get out to do some walking in the Sunshine. Sorry no artwork to show today, but hope you enjoy the sunshine!

Mothers day today, hooray!

Hello there again, today is Mother's Day here, I received a beautiful card, as you can see, and a pile of washing :)  which was no trouble at all, as it's been another lovely sunny day, Hooray!
I hear the sun is shining in Canada too...spring is certainly here I think.
I have still been working away this weekend, trying to catch up and keep everyone happy. Still got lots to do, but possibly not as pressured as the book may be finished now????Just waiting to hear if all is OK.....eeek, hope so?
Our next main event will be the Easter break, which is in only 2 weeks time ! I can't believe it's coming round so soon. I am so looking forward to getting out, and doing some walking and tea shop scoffing. I think by then I will have some free time, I will certainly make some anyway.  So with that in mind here are a couple of Easter designs I did last year, which will be in the shops now. I went to see if my Mother's Day cards were in the shops, and they were, it's so nice to see your work up there, and people milling around them. I of course had to buy one, I didn't actually have a sample of it, so that was good.

Anyway back to the Easter cards, my little fairies for the Daughter caption, and a liitle boy with lambs, for Son. Hope you like them. I'll be back with more soon. Hope it's nice and Spring like wherever you are in the world.

Like the sun coming out.

Ladybugs

Spring sunbathing

We have experienced some lovely sunny days recently. I took some photos of sunny activities going on in the garden. I've missed most of this however, I've been very busy working on the book. I'm almost there I think?? It's been very tight time wise, so I've been working all hours to try and get finished.

 You know that saying 'work your fingers to the bone' well it's almost come true working on these large pastel artwork. I have worn the prints off the tips of my fingers, they are very red and tender. I have to blend with my finger tips, they are the best tools for the job I find! These artworks are seriously large, like A2?? All new for me, I'm used to working A4 or slightly larger. Almost there now though, I have some 'tweaks' to do, or so they call them, then they will be parcelled up and sent to the publisher.

The bottom photo shows the view from my workroom window, my little bear soaking up the sunshine......it was so lovely out there!!

I'm hoping to be back blogging before too long, with some new cards and artwork to display. See you all again soon! :)