Woodland Spirits on Valentines day

Happy Valentine's day!

The sun has shone all day today and it has been beautiful. Spring has her foot in the door now and has enticed  more celandine, snowdrops and even a primrose and daffodil  to wake up.  It was definitely a day for going somewhere, I chose our local Abbey as I had heard there was a new outdoor sculpture collection on show.  It is called  'Inner Spirit' and is a collection of wire sculptures by the hugely talented  Derek Kinzett  I thought I'd share some of my hour amid the stunning woodland spirits with you.

The Abbey grounds are filled with snowdrops and crocus at this time of year, the perfect setting...

                      

'Inner Spirit' is on until the 10th March so if you are in the area do go and see. 

I left feeling refreshed and inspired and wanting to take the 'Last Unicorn' home with me. Well,  he would have made a perfect friend for my reindeer. ;)  

Apple Scented October

October is apple scented. We have three trees in the garden. Two sweet eating varieties and an old yellow sour crab apple.

These apples are not off our trees, but instead at our local apple day. So many wonderful kinds and the smell, so sweet and delicious.We arrived there a little late so all the toffee apples had sold out, but there was a little bit of cider left. It's school holidays next week so I think toffee apples could be on the to do list? Nights are drawing in now and I've been lost in the beautiful words of Susan Fletcher's 'Witch Light'.
I enjoyed it so much first time round in September that I have to admit I've been reading it again. (click on the amazon link on the right hand side of my blog for more info) I couldn't put this book down.Wait a bit until it's cold enough to light a fire, then sit by candlelight and crackling log and I'm sure you will enjoy.  

Days are quiet and warm inside my wooden studio.
A new  'Autumn Hare' has appeared....

And will be  available as a print in my Etsy shop soon.

When I was out walking a few weeks ago, I came across this piece of wood. Some trees had been felled and sawn up and this one single slice had been left behind. Of course when I saw it, I saw treasure, or a creation. So it came home with me and sat patiently on my desk until the other day when I turned it into this.
                                                                  
                                                                          'Wood Fairy'

 I went back again to the figure in the nest sketch in this post as I felt it would be the perfect shape to fit and suited it perfectly.  I'll also be listing Wood Fairy in my Etsy shop shortly.

On the subject of nests, we've been cutting a large area of brambles down and my daughter came across these old ones.

Aren't they the most adorable clever creations.
xx