It has been a good month for new projects and plans. I have finally launched a web shop here on my website, after many months of talking about it. To celebrate, I have had some new cards printed, and they are already selling well. Available now, £2.75 each, with lots of different designs to choose from.
Like most of the things I paint and draw, the cards are inspired by my own garden, maybe with an extra half acre attached!
Over the last few weeks, I have been cutting some lovely dahlias, zinnias and sweet peas from my small plot. The dahlias have been bringing great joy: I purposely tried to grow a wider variety this year, and it has paid off. ‘Totally Tangerine’ is my new favourite, and Missis Miley is another beauty. Cosmos are also putting on a strong show, despite the drought conditions.
Cosmos, including ‘Double Click Cranberries.’
Mission web shop was accomplished just before I took a short break in the Brecon Beacons with five old friends. We were camping, something I haven’t done for many years, and I was praying for no rain, as I am a lightweight when it comes to the great outdoors.
Two of us opted for a bell tent, already constructed, but with no frills! The rather uncomfortable nights, slowly slithering from downwards-pointing mattresses, were compensated for by the absolutely beautiful scenery all around us.
In the end, we were lucky with the weather, unlike the rest of the country. The verges were full of wild strawberries, blackberries, plum trees bearing fruit and even a red gooseberry bush, presumably an escapee from a garden or the result of a random seed dropped by a bird.
Ironically, the red gooseberry bush in my garden which I have been nurturing like a favourite child has had about three fruits on it. This outlier was absolutely loaded with berries.
What a walk, though, taking us through fields, over bracken hillside, along winding lanes and past pretty cottages.
I felt quite energised by the short break, and since I’ve been home, I’ve been busy making jam, painting and gardening, with a bit of work squeezed in.
I do love the produce at this time of year, and it makes me long for an allotment, even though I know I don’t have time for one at present. Still, I can forage for blackberries, and friends have donated blackcurrants and raspberries from their excess crops. Our local market fills the rest of the gap.
Just look at the size of the blackberries! It is an amazing year for them, and they are early. I was determined to use them, so I made a delicious Summer Pudding Jam, recipe from LandScape magazine, September issue (to which I am a contributor).
We don’t eat all of this, I give it as gifts, and I’m also stockpiling some to use in the cakes for my son’s wedding in September. But..we do eat some of it, preferably on fresh scones!
