Flutterby Patch

Harebell fairies

Greetings friends. I've been busy stitching this week.

My little project was inspired by some pretty blue harebells that I found dancing in the summer breeze.

These delicate wild flowers found their way into our garden some time ago and seem to like it here as they pop up every year on the edge of the lawn. They always remind me of my childhood days and my endless search for fairies who are supposed to ring the tiny bells on warm summer evenings.

Sadly I've never seen (or heard) any evidence of little folk ringing the bells but content myself with this lovely picture of a harebell fairy painted by Cicely Mary Barker. It comes from her much loved book 'Flower Fairies of the Summer'.

Unfortunately our pretty patch of harebells was hit hard by rain on Sunday. These delicate blooms on slender stalks were no match for the torrential downpour that we had.

Happily when the sun came out the following day a few hardy bells looked ready to chime again.

With no fairies to be found in the harebell patch I decided to make a blue fairy baby and she's a real little character.

She is usually very well behaved and plays happily with her tiny brass bell.

But occasionally she gets into mischief.

Recently she dropped her bell onto this cup and was determined to retrieve it.

Eventually she reached her bell but then found she was stuck inside the cup!

I rescued her of course and now that she has been reunited with her little bell she seems quite content.

The rain has returned and the wet garden is not inviting so I will probably stay indoors and make another fairy or two.

Hoping the sun is shining for you wherever you are.
Until next time

Eli

Difficult choices

Greetings friends. You find me all of flutter with a paint brush in my hand and a lot of decisions to make. I'm doing a spot of decorating and want to give the sitting room a 'new look' but in my usual flutterby fashion I find I'm drawn to a number of different colours and styles.

Before starting any redecoration project I always consult my home-making books. The Laura Ashley style has remained a favourite of mine for many years and I regularly look at the beautiful interiors in my old catalogues to dream and wonder if I could replicate some of the ideas.

Interiors have changed over the years but my enthusiasm for the Laura Ashley style hasn't waned and this week the current LA catalogue popped through my letterbox.

What joy! 308 pages to drool over.

Just imagine a peaceful night's sleep in this cosy bed. I love the calming shades of aqua.

I could easily spend time in this summery sitting room in cool shades of eau de nil.

Or for a complete contrast, how about vibrant reds?

Or scrumptious pinks?

Imagine one of these cut glass chandeliers catching the sun's rays and making little rainbows dance across the wall?

I wonder if these glass knobs would look good on my doors?

Aah! What a pretty pink bedroom. My daughter is grown now but I know she'd still choose this style. Just look at those toys enjoying a tea party on the pink polka dot rug....sweet memories.

Shall we have our own tea party? We'll use the Laura Ashley bone china and treat ourselves to a fairy cake (or two).

Whilst taking refreshments we can look at the shades of paint on offer. Parisian blue, pale peony, soft truffle, cranberry.... just the names are enough to make me want to use them.

I've made a start...I'm playing safe and painting the windows white which leaves me plenty of scope to add colour when I've made my final choice. Now where did I put the catalogue?

Until next time,

Eli

A favourite nursery garden

I love visiting garden centres and I'm going to show you the one that is top of my favourites list (I think you'll soon see why). It is situated in peaceful countryside in the small hamlet of Melkinthorpe (4 miles south of Penrith in Cumbria). The name is Larch Cottage Nurseries and it sells the largest range of plants in northern England.

The nursery was built on a field 25 years ago and was given a very unusual Romanesque theme. I keep expecting Juliet to be standing on this balcony looking for her beloved Romeo.

The restaurant is open throughout the day and if you don't want a meal you can relax with a cup of tea and look out across the lovely gardens.

The wonderful stone walls and arches that surround the gardens have been cleverly constructed to look ancient but of course they aren't. I'd love to copy this look at home.

The plants in the nursery are protected by more ancient looking stone walls.

There is a surprise around every corner and a glimpse of secret gardens through secluded archways.

The pots that are for sale are displayed on ornate 'Romanesque style' shelving.

Choosing a plant to 'adopt' is an impossible task as they are all so tempting...

...whilst I make up my mind my husband heads for the kitchen garden where long rows of succulent looking vegetables are growing in neat rows.

I love the greens and golds of these hostas but sadly in our garden I know the slugs will quickly demolish them.

I'm tempted by one of these shade loving plants but then a flash of blue catches my eye....

What a colour! It's a magnificent purple/blue sea holly, latin name - Eryngium. Its grows to over a metre high but unfortunately I don't have the ideal spot for it at the moment.

Eventually I make my decision. I have two large pots at home that I want to fill with something that will provide continuous flowers all summer. This purple and pink combination fills me with joy and I'm in luck as there are a number of identical plants on sale at half their original price. I spend a happy 20 minutes making my choice before it's time to leave.

The road home passes through pretty countryside and thankfully it's never busy. Ominous black clouds are gathering but the rain stays away and I'm able to plant my pretty purchases as soon as I get back.

Do visit Larch Cottage Nurseries if you are in Cumbria, I know you'll love it.

Until next time,

Eli