About Me

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antrim, antrim, Ireland
Hello and welcome to my blog. If you like flowers and gardens, housey stuff, food and banter, then this is the place for you. I am a decorative artist, florist and maker of things. I sell painted furniture, plants and crafts, through a local retail shop, in my native Ireland, and wedding flowers from home. I am married to a lovely patient man and have a smashing little girl. I blog for the fun of it. Thank you for listening.

Saturday 30 April 2011

Lucky me!



 I can't believe it, I have won the fabulous giveaway fom Wendz at http://15coastroad.blogspot.com/. I am so thrilled because I just love Wendy's blog and the beautiful things she makes on Etsy. Thankyou so much Wendy.

In my last post I mentioned that I had made a flag cake for my sister's Royal tea-party. Here it is .....






 I adapted the recipe from the barefoot contessa's flag cake, which is a bigger rectangular cake with the stars and stripes on it. Mine is a little squashed up, but nevertheless I was pleased with it. I used an image that I got from the graphics fairy , printed it, then backed it with card. I added 2 florists wires to the back, which were covered in florist tape and then stuck in to the cake. I had a lovely time at my sisters tea-party watching the Royal Wedding. It was wonderful, the couple so happy and relaxed, despite the enormous pressure on them. I loved the trees in the Abbey, that was a touch of genius, it just softened the whole image. A lovely day. I hope that you enjoyed your day too?





Thought I would just let you see how my garden is coming along. I took these photos last weekend, but since then everything has really moved on with all this lovely weather we've been having. I had thought that just one variety of tulip had come up, but in fact both of them did. The pink one is Angelique and the red is Wirosa. I had read that if you plant them a little later like December (I planted mine at the very end of December) they avoid the worst of wind and rain and don't get decimated. Well these have been an absolute delight, the stems are really thick and strong and the hardest thing has been for me not to cut them and bring them in to the house! Next year I will plant extra. We got a new crabapple tree, but I don't know what type it is. The blossom are a deeper pink than our other one. My husband is not too keen on jam, but loves my crabapple and clove jelly, so I will be able to make a bigger batch this year.

I finish with two beautiful floral images from the graphics fairy. I love this site, she has some absolutely wonderful images that we can all use. Please do pop in and see for yourself by clicking on the above link.


I think that these would make the most lovely front cover of a menu for a summer garden party or wedding. Have a lovely weekend, with loved ones, family and friends. Love Linda x

Thursday 28 April 2011

Two little dickie birds


Image via tumblr



Thinking about the two little love birds about to tie the knot tomorrow, I thought I would share some images of birds that I rather like. I didn't realize it until a few years ago but I do seem to have a thing for birds and have gathered quite a collection over the years.


A rather fetching seagull that I purchased from T.K.Maxx and then my husband knocked off the table and he lost the end of his beak poor fellow!

A dove purchased from the garden centre to complete my Christmas mantlepiece.

Can't remember where I got my little sandpiper.

This handsome fellow is from a book I have on old needlework.

A little Tilda creation that I adapted.







The three images above from the wonderful graphics fairy


My lovely decoy duck I bought at auction many years ago.
 
Aaah how cute!




The above images are from tumblr


I hope you will be watching the royal couple tomorrow. I am going to my sisters for a girly day with my sisters and neices. I have made a flag cake which I will show you later. Have a great day whatever you are up to, with love Linda x.

Isn't this adorable? Lovely image via http://www.tumblr.com/

Noble crown via http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

Monday 25 April 2011

A little bit of bunting goes a long way!

Welcome everyone I hope you all had and possibly are still having a lovely Easter break. I am linking up with Jane from Small but Charming for "flowers in the house". I thought it was a really lovely idea, if you are like me and always love to see what people do with flowers then pop over to Jane's blog and have a look.

Pink roses for the Easter table

Lovely lilac tulips in a milk jug
We had some family members over for lunch on Sunday and so I thought I would put up a bit of bunting. I really like it, I think I will keep it up for the Royal Wedding on Friday!




That's all for now. Lots of love, Linda x

Thursday 21 April 2011

Fascinating Folly's

I was really inspired by Madelief's post this week on her summer kitchen. A delightful little place she has made so that she and her family can have lunch when they are out working in the garden. It is so pretty and feminine a little home from home. If you have not had the pleasure of visiting Madelief I urge you to do so, her blog is a delight for the senses. She absolutely loves to garden, have tea parties and visit beautiful places.
I got to thinking how much I love the idea of a little shed or shepherds hut or even a summer seat, somewhere pretty to go and drink tea, or sew or read. I have always preferred the servants quarters of big houses to the grander parts, I love a cottage rather than a mansion. Perhaps it is  a question of feeling unworthy, I don't know? I remember when I read the book about Billy Connelly's life I was very struck by the fact that although he now lives in a very big house, he has a very small room to himself and that is what he prefers.







Perhaps there is something of the little girl or boy in us that wants to "play house". Although I never wanted to play house, it was a shop I wanted. I loved nothing better than to get the tins of beans out and my little cash register and be shopkeeper. Perhaps I should set my shed or summerhouse out like a shop, I think I would like that! I would love to know if any of you have a desire for a little "folly" of your own and what you would do with it. I include some lovely images from tumblr to inspire you.........
I would like to recite a poem to you that is very personal to me, but one which I think if you havn't heard you may enjoy........

                                                 ----WISHES--- by A.C.Child

                        Some may wish for city streets jewels or silken gown;
                        Some may crave unbounded wealth, fame or beauty's crown;
                        Some may long for sunny paths that lure the pleasure bent -
                        But simpler things by far than these would keep my soul content
                        A bit of God's green country, with blue sky overhead;
                        A tiny shack, white curtained; on the sill a posy red;
                        A laughing chubby baby, playing iside on the floor,
                        And a little flower garden, growing near the open door.
                        A table set for supper, fresh fruit and honeycomb
                        Little breezes whispering "your man's a comin' home"
                        Simple things, with love and faith - far from worldly strife;
                        God granting these, before I die, I'd ask no more of life.


Thankyou so much to all of you who left me kind wishes, advice and prayers, it is very much appreciated. You are all so kind. I am feeling much better now, being careful what I eat and drink. I wish you all a very enjoyable and happy Easter.



Monday 18 April 2011

An attitude of grattitude!

Clematis Montana in bud
I apologise to all you lovely people who left comments on my last post and didnt get a reply. I have been in hospital for 8 days. I had been having severe stomach and back pain on and off since December and it was getting worse, I thought it was a stomach ulcer but turns out I have gallstones and an infected gallbladder. I need to have a little operation to remove it in 6-8 weeks time. In the meantime I am home hurray! I have never really been in hospital before apart from giving birth and although I am grateful for the care I received I am so so happy to be home. I was desperate to see how the garden was coming along, I longed for the comfort of my own bed and to hold my loved ones close, to be able to prepare and cook my own food again and eat the freshest of fruit and vegetables. Just to be in my own home with all my lovely things around me was pure bliss. Of course I was dying to get back to blogging, to see how all my blogging friends were getting on. All these things that I perhaps took for granted I see in a new way and will be eternally grateful for them. Wishing you all a happy, healthy week, love Linda x
The crabapple in blossom

Apple Blossom

Angelique Tulips

My favourite.....Peony, I counted 3, possibly 4 buds!

Some eye candy for inside, some lovely flowers from my caring friend.
A little gem fromtumblr.