Flowers, Flowers and More Flowers

After weeks of what seemed like incessant rain, we finally had a week where the sun shone. So everything went by the board and we simply got out. It seemed as though the flowers were fairing really badly. Hardly anything in the garden was flowering. It seems strange to say when people are badly in need of rain but, too much of it also takes it's toll. However, after a few sunny spells, at long last we got some colour! We took a trip put to Shropshire Lavender at the weekend and were treated to a demonstration of Lavender oil distilling.

I don't expect to have clear blue skies all the time, fluffy white clouds are wonderful after endless grey!

It was lovely to see the bee's out and about.....and it was fascinating to see how the process takes place.

On the drive there, the local council had planted several of the islands with wild flowers. I think they probably do it to keep down maintenance costs but, I have to say that it is one cutback that I rather like. The butterflies and bee's seem to like that too! With a little sunshine on them, they made for stunning display!

I have also been working on some vibrant projects of my own. One of these was a Swallowtail butterfly inspired by a photograph taken in Skiathos a couple of years ago....I actually managed to paint some of it outside too!

Sadly, the forecast is looking quite ominous again...but, at least we had a little respite!

Change of Heart

Well, I am female so changing my mind is an option! I have realised that I am losing track of all my blogger friends, many people are still looking at this blog and thinking I have disappeared of the face of the earth. So, it is back to this one...... Now I just need to sum up three months. Rain, rain and more rain.....lol! In fact I made full use of not being and work and made a couple of visits to Greece which was lovely, the first of which was entirely unexpected.

After taking lots more photos, I finally even got around to putting some of them in a photo book . This was a small trial with a larger project in mind. I decided to take part in the Art Project this year but, chose a travel journal rather that restricting myself to art only. I cannot believe that it is now almost finished already and had lots of fun selecting quotes and images for it.

Family wise, my Mum was not so good for a while which resulted in some major changes. I was glad that for once, I wasn't rushing backwards and forwards from work to check up on the situation. Art wise, I have have worked pretty much on anything that inspired me although I did do a couple of portaits as commissions. The lastest one was of this very attractive lady. It was a bit of a challenge in that it needed to be A3 and I have not worked in pastels on that scale before.

Of course, sunny images of Skiathos have also helped when the weather has been so awful so a few of those have occupied my time very pleasantly.

I have tried to make inroads in the garden which was badly in need of some tlc but, at fast as I have weeded, they have all grown back...I have resorted to weeding in the rain! Thankfully, I did manage to get all the decking painted before we needed an ark! Of course, there has also been plenty of photography, most of it of rain but, a few are up on my photography blog. As always I have been enjoying watching the butterflies emerge.....it is a good year for Skippers.

I also started the 365 project which is to take a photo every day. I confess to falling behind on that one........but, that may go a little better if we get some summer weather. It has been really inspirational looking at other peoples work as well as taking part and I do think in a small way it is influencing my photography. For sure, it has pushed me into being a little more creative. Meanwhile, that is enough from me ~ three months in a nutshell!....I am hoping all is well with everyone. Have a great weekend :-)