Tiny bones, a hanger and a heart

Don't disappear when you see this picture! It is not what it looks like at first glance!
I was lucky enough to be given these rather strange looking objects a few days ago.
No, they are not fur balls brought up from one very fluffy feline!..... Any ideas?
I'll give you a clue... They come out of the most beautiful winged creatures!....
Some of you might have guessed that they are infact owl pellets.
Owls regurgitate these pellets after eating, to get rid of the things that they can't digest. When I was given the opportunity of aquiring some via my Dad, through a friend he has, whose job it is to ring owls and check their nesting boxes, I thought how interesting!



For anyone that might be a little squeamish. The pellets are totally dry, do not smell at all. Infact they felt rather soft, being mainly made of animal fur.



Pulling them apart carefully reveals just what this owl has been eating.....
Look carefully at the minute teeth on this skull...



The bones are so tiny I put a penny in the photograph to show just how small.


They are very fragile.
Isn't it amazing to see all natures detail in minature.






I didn't dissect all of the pellets, just three. I thought I would let the children have a go too.

I have also been working on some Owls this week. A hand painted heart and a hanger, that you can see here.....




These will be listed on Etsy shortly.

Little miracles

Isn't it amazing how new spring life is just bursting out everywhere!
Yesterday I made time to go out and walk again as the day was beautiful.It was even warm enough to make me want to remove my jacket.
You have to watch all the time with nature, otherwise you will miss it!
These horse chestnut buds have already almost opened.

When I was a child my Mum would always pick a couple of branches of these in tight bud which we called 'sticky buds'. She would bring them into the house and put them in a vase, so that we could watch the buds open into the horse chestnut leaves. A small miracle!




Even the hawthorn is almost out. Not long and the trees will be green again.



This spell of warmth has also woken the white violets.



In between enjoying the joys of mother nature, I've been busy this week painting a rather cold and grey picture on canvas that has been sat waiting and waiting for too long. Oh, and another painted heart.

Friday Magic

After sitting at a desk for a long time I crave being outside. There has to be a balance in everything.
This morning, just to get out in the fresh air, I took the camera into the garden to find a little magic on a grey Friday.









The bells arrived for the smaller hares and they are all complete and are gradually being listed on Etsy one by one.

I've also finished this...






I'm off for a walk now, to restore the balance!
Have a good weekend x

Waiting for bells

Back a few months ago, on a misty November morning I made the effort and planted these. I'm so glad that I did. Its always amazing when they flower and the perfume is wonderful!



I'm waiting for more bells to arrive. So the small hares have come to a halt for the time being. The two large ones though are complete and will be listed on Etsy shortly, along with the small thrush below.



I know I said that I might name the hares (and it is a lovely idea) However I have since decided against it. The reason being after giving them a name, I found myself umming and ahhing over whether the colours were right for the personality etc. Thinking they needed individual items hanging on them which suited each.
This all takes valuable time, so I think the naming of hares for the time being will be placed in the hands of whosoever their new owners will be.







And so for the blog giveaway!
Thankyou to everyone that left a comment and for of all your well wishes for the blog birthday. All the comments were numbered and the lucky one picked out was number 14 from Pamela and Edward!

Vote Earth for Earth Hour 2009

I'm going to be turning my lights off for Earth Hour. I hope you all will too!

Almost ready

They are waiting patiently for me to adorn them with magical jingly things and bits and bobs of buttons and beads.
They all look slightly different. I think I might give each one a name?

Have a good weekend everyone x

A Bit Of Thinking

Over the past few days I have been watching clouds, and thinking....



Painting hares and thinking some more.....



Then I suddenly thought..... I have missed my blogs 1st Birthday!!!
February the 29th just slipped by and I forgot all about it.
But of course it didn't did it! Because there was no February 29th this year. I hadn't realised that I had began the blog on a leap year!
So, really it isn't 1 until another 3 years time?!.....
Oh well,I think I'll celebrate anyway....



I know everybody is dreaming of the warmer days!
So, here is a spring/summer themed giveaway. Leave me a comment, and the lucky one picked out of the hat, sometime over the weekend, will get these 3 cards illustrated by me.