More dolls and gardening

Its been a busy week and when the sun shone I was temped into the garden (more of that in a minute). During a day of dismal drizzle I managed to finish my two little pincushion ladies. Like dolly sixpence each started life as a humble wooden peg. I sculpted little heads and arms and then dressed each lady in a softly padded, fibre-filled skirt to act as a pincushion and they've turned out really well. You will be able to find them both in my Flutterby shop.

Pincushion lady wearing pink and white

Pincushion lady in darker shades

Well, I promised you a little look at what has been going on in the garden this week so here goes...

This photo was taken this morning whilst we were sitting under a blanket of low cloud. Annoyingly it seems the rest of England was bathed in sunshine but that is the penalty we pay for living in a mountainous region.

This is one area where I've been busy working. It's the entrance to a little rocky place we call the 'fairy dell'. Because we had such a wet summer last year (and the year before) it has been left to its own devices and has consequently become very overgrown with brambles and ivy. I hacked my way through the undergrowth, on though the arch of trees and there before me I found an old friend.

Peering out from behind a rock and below an azalea bush was my friendly old gnome. I don't think he's seen a human face for a couple of years so tomorrow (weather permitting) I will take him out and spruce him up before rearranging his hiding place and making him more comfortable.

This is the view he gets from beneath the bushes.

And this is his view in the other direction. The large pink rhododendron is 'Rhododendron Loderi '. I can't begin to describe what a wonderful perfume it has. If you are considering buying just one rhododendron do please consider this one. There are several named Loderi cultivars and they are all strongly scented.

Here is a close-up view. It's pink in bud and slowly fades to white when open. We have three of these bushes and for the the next few weeks they will scent the entire garden. Wonderful!

For one reason or another we often have lengths of hose pipe snaking their way round the terrace. Sometimes they are a sign of plant irrigation during dry weather but not so today. We'll follow the hose.

One end leads to the tap and the other into a watering can.

And here is the reason...yet another path is being dug up and relayed. As you may know my husband enjoys 'fixing' paths and walls so this little project has kept him busy all week. The stone slabs had become very uneven so his hard work is much appreciated and he's doing a very good job.

My garden tour ends beside our old oak tree where a scarlet rhododendron is flowering its heart out. I'm pleased to see the oak is covered in fresh young leaves whilst the ash tree nearby has no leaves at all. Why am I pleased? Because in Britain we have old 'weather lore' sayings like this one.

Oak before ash, in for a splash.
Ash before oak, in for a soak.

I hope it proves true as we don't need another soaking summer like the last one. A 'splash' would be much more welcome.

Time to take a mug of tea to the workman laying the path!

Until next time

Eli

Comments

[sabine]

You make lovely things!
And your garden...already in full bloom! You must have a milder climate than we have over here.

[Suzanne]

OH I love all these dolls Eli! And your gardens, breathtaking:-)

[Clarice]

Oh I really love your pincushion dolls, so sweet. Your garden looks beautiful. Rhodes are really big here. There are several gardens around here that only sell them. Clarice

[Lisa/IvoryBlushRoses]

Your garden in spring is breathtaking! Just what a garden ought to be! So lovely! How I'd love to come and wander through it!

[Paula]

Dear Eli,

I love your pincushion dolls, they are so pretty and sweet! You are so creative and talented!

Your garden is beautiful, Eli, absolutely breathtaking! I love the pink rhododendrons, and your old gnome is so charming.

Your husband is doing a wonderful job with the pathway. I am sure he enjoyed the mug of tea!

Thank you for sharing your lovely dolls and garden! I enjoyed my visit so much!
Love, Paula