Silver Skies...

Silver skies from the weekend...

And lots of lovely...mud mud glorious.....

 

 Oops almost got carried away there playing in the mud... ;)

Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments on the giveaway. I would like to give you all a prize, but sadly there is just one. So.. I put the comments into the random number generator thingamybob and the lucky person that was chosen was...........................'Trumpet sounds etc....

                                                          ***Valerianna***

Congratulations Valerianna, the moleskine notebook will be on it's way to you as soon as you let me have your details. :) x

Now it's back to painting a batch of wooden hares. I've been completely away with the faeries, with my head stuck in those silver clouds this week. I hadn't even realised that my hobbits finished school today for the Easter break!  Oh dear me...  

A Magic notebook which could be yours..

Looking around it seems that Spring has arrived. The snowdrops are going over and the primroses are appearing.

Up in the top fields the lambs have arrived too.

Yesterday I went to photograph them but it was so so cold, much colder even than Iceland. I felt sorry for the lambs as they were laid down sheltering from the cold winds. The Spring sun should have been shining warm down on their new limbs so that they can dance in the sunlight. I do hope it warms up soon. The March breezes are indeed loud and shrill, it's so windy out  that it sounds as if the Atlantic ocean  is just outside the back door.
I've been busy here finishing the last of the wintry paintings and other bits that needed completing, I've been planning and thinking quietly, hmm probably too much thinking.......

                                                  Last wintry painting before it's finishing touches..

                                                                Five Foxes ( Acrylic on wood)

Sometimes I have been graced with the feathered company here.

The other afternoon I played around customising some small moleskine notebooks.

I love these small moleskines they are just right for keeping in your bag or even your pocket when you go for a walk to the woods. They are perfect for writing or sketching thoughts down whenever you feel like it or kept for recording dreams and magical moments.  Two have gone into my Etsy shop but this third one below is up for grabs as a giveaway prize. Yes! for you my lovely bloggy friends! ;)

At the end of last month this blog had an anniversary. It was 5!  It's hard to believe how quickly the years have passed.  Anyway, I've  been meaning to do a little giveaway as it's been sometime since I last did one. So, if you would like a chance of winning this little notebook above, all you have to do is be a follower of this blog and leave me a comment below. This is specifically a 'blog' giveaway so only comments posted here will be entered into the draw.
Good luck and a happy Mad March to you! :)x

P.S ~ Draw will take place in about a week. x

A Journey North

Several days ago, as the morning light began to greet an icy February morning and others were tucked up in bed I began a journey.

Towards the capital city where me, being a country mouse, rarely ventures anymore,  if I can help it. ;) 

We stopped though just before we came to the big city, at Heathrow Airport where a plane lands and takes off every two minutes I believe. (scary thought)  Here is a clue to where we were heading.

.

North wards, up across this land over the highlands of Scotland to Iceland! 

I don't mind flying, but don't make a habit of it. In fact the last time I was on a plane was 17 years ago.  So I was quite excited being above the clouds again.
Reykavik was our home for the next few nights, so I will share here a taste of the city.

 In 2012 Iceland's recorded  population was  319,575. 120,000 living in Reykavik. Compared to London's 8 million and more, and with many of the population said to believe in elves, well, this is my kind of city. ;)

Leifur  Eriksson  stands looking out to the west in front of the striking Hallgrimskirkja church.
  

The church stands 244 ft tall and has a lift inside to go up and get a view of the whole of the city.  From the top the view was amazing.

Down by the sea a biting frozen wind blew across from the mountains.

The sculpture  Sun Voyager. and me. :)

To warm up we stopped for soup and of course we had to try a 'Viking' beer.

Inspiring things...

Ice from Iceland! Can you see the silhouette of a woman. Maybe I stumbled across the snow queen leaving her shadow made of ice?   

We finished off our trip with a whole day spent immersed in warm geo thermal waters at the Blue lagoon.

Sadly clouds obscured any sightings of Aurora Borealis while we were there. So, you know what this means....I'll just have to pay another visit. ;)
Now it's back to normal here and I have lots to do, so had better get to it.
Have a wonderful week!
X

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. ;)  

Wintry Paintings

I had almost forgotten why I never make new year resolutions until I turned my calendar over the other morning. January has gone. Winter put away it's coldest cloak. The white one that tinkles with shards of icicles along the hem. The one that is embroidered with a million snowflakes, each one unique, as a moment. It's February already and I have only blogged twice! I didn't really make any official resolutions but I kind of promised  quietly to myself  that I would blog more. Hmm.. I haven't. You see...it's no good I can't keep resolutions.

  

If you follow my facebook page or have visited my shop lately you will probably have seen my latest paintings. If you haven't then here they are...

'One Day They Will Love You Too Sang The Robin'

                                                     
                                                                        Midwinter Song

                                                          Whispers to the Old Moon

*~*~*

January seemed to be the month for finishing things off that had been started and restocking my shop after the Christmas busy-ness.  Fresh batches of cards.

Some have reached the shop others have yet to fly. Paintings are all available as prints.

***

The other day I went to look for treasures down by the stream.

I found 'Old Mans Beard' or some might know it as 'Travellers Joy'. I like both names. (Officially known as  clematis vitalba) It is one of my favourite hedgerow plants. And maybe I shouldn't tell you this but... as naughty children sometimes we used to light the dried wood and smoke it. :~/ (now I don't recommend that you try this, as I'm not sure what research has been done on effects!?)

 Catkins. It looks as if it will be a good year for hazelnuts. :)

Then I noticed someone trying to get my attention. What a beautiful treasure! (Sadly not mine) I wonder what his name is?

Snowdrops stretching up towards the light.

And yesterday I saw two celandine nodding their yellow faces in the breeze.
More tales from February soon.  x

P.S:  Welcome to any new followers! :-)