All posts tagged flowers

ScrapHappy April 2022

I’ve been waiting so long to write this ScrapHappy, but finally I can share with you our completely scrappy window display. It’s been getting a lot of attention…

It includes several creations from other ScrapHappy participants: a box from Cathy, scarves from Jenny, a blanket from Sue. Also in there, there are many things that have featured in my own ScrapHappy posts, plus some new ScrapHappy bunting made from two old pillowcases and some scrap felt. You may also have noticed that the Snail of Happiness knitted snails (made from scrap yarn) have made an appearance.

Elsewhere in the shop there’s a great deal of scrapiness, including some crochet bunting made by my dear friends Sarah and Katie, plus the wreath I was working on in my last ScrapHappy post, and not forgetting Mr Snail’s triumphant and entirely ScrapHappy counter, decorated with another of my scrappy wreaths plus a scrappy garland made especially for that particular purpose.

I’m constantly adding to the stock in the shop and fiddling about with the way it’s organised, so you can see Sue’s blanket making an appearance inside the shop in the photo above, which was taken whilst the sign was still in the window and so there was no room for the display.

Many thanks to all the people who contributed to our ScrapHappy extravaganza… more on the use of scraps and scrap throughout the entire shop in future posts.

-oOo-

I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate,  Tall Tales from Chiconia. On the fifteenth of every month lots of folk often publish a ScrapHappy post, do check them out:

Kate, Gun, Eva, Sue, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan (me), Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Bekki, Sue L, Sunny, Kjerstin, Vera, Nanette, Ann, Dawn 2 , Bear, Noreen, Preeti, Edith and Jule

If you fancy joining, contact Kate and she’ll add you to the list. It would be lovely to see more non-sewing posts, but any use of scraps is welcome.

18 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on April 15, 2022  •  Permalink
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on April 15, 2022

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2022/04/15/scraphappy-april-2022/

ScrapHappy March 2022

I’ve been so busy this month that there hasn’t been much time to write, but some of the busy time has been spent making scrappy things. I’ve been crocheting more flowers for wreaths and garlands to decorate the shop, but none of these have actually been transformed into a finished object yet. All the yarn is scraps left over from other projects and where stuffing is required, I’ve used tiny yarn ends.

Away from the shop, poor Sammy has been feeling the cold a bit overnight, so I have managed to find time to knit a woolly coat for him out of yarn left over from a jumper I knitted for myself quite a few years ago. Becuase I changed my mind about the pattern for my jumper, I ended up with rather a lot of left-over yarn – enough to make a very snuggly coat for a chilly hound!

Next month there should be lots of finished stuff to share!

-oOo-

I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate,  Tall Tales from Chiconia. On the fifteenth of every month lots of folk often publish a ScrapHappy post, do check them out:

Kate, Gun, Eva, Sue, Lynn, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan (me), Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Bekki, Sue L, Sunny, Kjerstin, Vera, Nanette, Ann, Dawn 2 , Bear, Noreen, Preeti, Edith and Jule

If you fancy joining, contact Kate and she’ll add you to the list. It would be lovely to see more non-sewing posts, but any use of scraps is welcome.

18 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on March 15, 2022  •  Permalink
Posted in Scrap Happy
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on March 15, 2022

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2022/03/15/scraphappy-march-2022/

Church 1 : Council 0

Saint Deiniol’s Church in Hawarden in Flintshire boasts the most beautiful churchyard in the spring. First come the snowdrops, then come the daffodils and finally the bluebells arrive, accompanied by a host of other wild flowers. This glorious succession is allowed to progress and is available for all to enjoy. Not until all these flowers have finished is the area cut, thus ensuring that woody species don’t encroach and the cycle will be maintained.

Just across the road, are the two council cemeteries, where the grass is mown to within an inch of its life.

I certainly know which I (and the wildlife) prefer.

22 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on May 7, 2019  •  Permalink
Posted in systems and ecology
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on May 7, 2019

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2019/05/07/church-1-council-0/

It’s a boy!

Well, there was a 70% chance that it would be, but it’s interesting to know for sure…

Yes, the first flowers on my monkey cup have finally opened and revealed themselves to be male. Only having one plant I knew I would never be able to have babies, but the flowers are interesting to see.

I noticed this morning that one of the best places to see this plant from is in the shower, so I climbed back in the shower once it was dry and you can see how many lovely new leaves are appearing.

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growing some new leaves

It’s currently not forming new pitchers, but hopefully we’ll have lots more later in the year once the flower is done.

8 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on March 26, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on March 26, 2019

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2019/03/26/its-a-boy/

Three Things Thursday: 24 August 2017

My weekly exercise in gratitude – three things that are making me smile – feel free to steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog [or Twitter account or Facebook page or diary or life in general] with happiness.

First, cabinets complete. After a slight issue with the cornice, the shelves are now completed, the cookery books back in the kitchen and the cupboards are being filled. I never thought that a kitchen cabinet could be such a thing of beauty.

Second, bread and butter. I have recently been reading about the processed food industry (more on this in a later post) and, as a result, I’m very grateful that we have the opportunity to make most of our own food from scratch and buy good-quality ingredients. We know exactly what’s in the bread that Mr Snail makes and our butter is just butter (milk and a little salt).

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simple, but delicious

 

Third, nasturtiums. Some years ago I sowed nasturtium seeds in the garden and I’ve never had to do so again. I know the flowers are rather blousy, but I do love to see them every year (and they look beautiful in salads too).

So, that’s what’s making me happy today. How about you?

-oOo-

Emily of Nerd in the Brain originally created Three Things Thursday, but it’s now being hosted by Natalie of There She Goes.

15 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on August 24, 2017  •  Permalink
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on August 24, 2017

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2017/08/24/three-things-thursday-24-august-2017/

Blooming food

Some time ago a friend accused me of not liking flowers because I mainly grow food plants. I was a bit surprised that he should think this, especially looking round my garden at the moment at the amazing range of blooms that are in evidence. If you are ever concerned that planting fruit, herbs and vegetables will mean you can’t have a beautiful garden, think again…

Lime
Asparagus pea
Mange tout
Oregano
Borage
Borage
Oregano
Physalis
Tomato
Lemon drop chilli
Sweet pepper
Sweet pepper
Black Hungarian chilli
Black Hungarian chilli
Melon
Courgette

And those are only a selection taken in about 10 minutes… there are also (or have been or will be) passion flowers, nasturtiums, pot marigolds, climbing French beans, potatoes, raspberries, comfrey, red currants, blueberries, squashes, mint, chokeberries and more. I don’t really select for the flowers, but if you do, you can ensure an amazing variety of colours and forms and still enjoy a delicious harvest.

18 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on July 5, 2017  •  Permalink
Posted in gardening and growing
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on July 5, 2017

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2017/07/05/blooming-food/

Blooming marvellous

The past two days have been lovely… visiting The Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan. It’s nearly a year since we were last here, but both gardens had different highlights. I’ll let them speak for themselves. First, Eden:

And then Heligan:

I hope you have had an equally glorious weekend.

 

30 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on April 23, 2017  •  Permalink
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on April 23, 2017

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2017/04/23/blooming-marvellous/

Three Things Thursday: 20 April 2017

*three things that make me smile: an exercise in gratitude – feel free to steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog [or Twitter account or Facebook page or diary or life in general] with the happy*

Inspired by Emily of Nerd in the Brain here are my Three Things Thursday.

First, fantastic flowers. The carnivores are growing great guns in the limery – some are busy producing new leaves or pitchers, but the Sarracenia leucophylla is concentrating on flowering, The deep red blooms are each atop a very long stem, towering above all the other carnivores.

Second, back to blankets. I need a bit of mindless crochet for a while to take my mind off politics, so I have got out the squares and yarn that Wild Daffodil sent me and have started creating a new charity blanket.

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The colourful ones were donated and the brown ones are mine

Third, getting arty. After being inspired by some of Pauline’s doodling, I bought myself some yupo paper and alcohol inks to play with. I haven’t had much time yet, but I had fun splashing some ink about to see what it did. Since I made these, I’ve bought a few new colours and some thinner, which should allow me to get some more interesting effects…. and I haven’t even started doodling over them yet, which is the plan

So, those are three things making me smile and for which I am grateful this week. What has made you happy this week?

21 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on April 20, 2017  •  Permalink
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on April 20, 2017

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2017/04/20/three-things-thursday-20-april-2017/

Three Things Thursday: 19 January 2017

Inspired by Emily of Nerd in the Brain (note her new self-hosted web site) here are my Three Things Thursday. As she says…

*three things that make me smile: an exercise in gratitude – feel free to steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog with the happy*

First, antibiotics. It’s very rare Chez Snail that any of us take antibiotics – we are generally quite healthy and we don’t go rushing to see the doctor with every cough and sniffle. With excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics, various bacteria are building resistance and therefore becoming untreatable. I’m pleased to say, however, that when required they mostly still work. In fact, this week it was Max who was in need – the poor little chap developed an abscess on one of his anal glands, resulting in a very swollen and sore bottom. However, a shot of antibiotics from the vet and a subsequent course of tablets and he’s pretty much mended…

Almost better

Second, Muraya koenigii. My recent interest in Indian cooking has led me to start investigating growing some of my own exotic ingredients. I was so happy, therefore, to discover somewhere I could buy a curry leaf plant. They apparently make great house plants, so this one will live in the house in winter (needs to be above 15ºC) and in the limery in the summer. I do hope it thrives, as I have lots of recipes that include curry leaves.

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curry leaf plant

 

Third, the kindness of strangers (and friends). The Sixty Million Trebles group on Facebook was set up as a project to make blankets for charity (at least half going to refugees). However, it’s so much more than that and full of kind people. On Sunday the organisers set up a ‘Solve My January Blues’ event for the group. You could post up a request to cheer you up in the depths of January (the group is based in the UK, although we do have members worldwide) and members tried to help. I do find January a bit glum, so I asked whether anyone would send me a hand-written letter. Well, wow – what a response… I’m all smiles after only four days, look…

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lovely letters and cards

And a bonus smile… these flowering in my garden today:

So, those are 3+1 things making me smile this week – what about you?

27 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on January 19, 2017  •  Permalink
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on January 19, 2017

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2017/01/19/three-things-thursday-19-january-2017/

Floral felting

This weekend the weather here was dreadful – high winds and driving rain, a typical British summer. But was I downhearted? No I was not, because I spent two days felting. I went to Aberystwyth Arts Centre to attend  course by the fabulous Ruth Packham, learning to combine wet and dry felting. It was a lovely informal course, with everyone choosing a plant or flower to make and Ruth helping us to work out how to achieve our goal. All the wool we used was British and some came from the Cambrian Mountains, making it very local.

Arranged, to coincide with an art exhibition entitled Flora, the course focused on making plants and flowers in felt. In fact, we didn’t exactly stick to the remit, so as well plants, between us we also made a caterpillar, a dragonfly and some coral. I really didn’t want to make a flower, so I chose to focus on something smaller, taking my inspiration from the capsules produced by mosses:

and look at all this that the other participants did…

We also each took home a porcelain flower from the Flora exhibition. For one of the exhibits, visitors are asked to record their first flower memory on a small card, and then to exchange the memory for a ceramic flower. The idea is that this particular exhibit changes over time from a collection of flowers to to a collection of memories… isn’t that lovely? The artist responsible is Clare Twomey:

 

21 Comments
by The Snail of Happiness on August 22, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in craft
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Posted by The Snail of Happiness on August 22, 2016

https://thesnailofhappiness.com/2016/08/22/floral-felting/

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