Miss Willow has a friend!

Miss Willow has a frien,d Colin has a new bike which I have called Brian? Yep! don't ask it just popped in my head.

I found a crab on the beach I was sooo excited then I found another.

Today's beach combing finds.

This photo does not do this broken shell justice it has stunning colours, lilac, mauve's, purples and blues running through it.

Favourite finds from today.

OH NOOOOO! I only went and crushed my two fab crab finds, totally gutted.

I am ashamed to say that I have neglected Miss Willow since I got George, shame on me. However, a couple of days ago Colin purchased a bike and today we rode to Crosby Marina one of my favourite places. It was a beautiful day not a breeze to be had, the beach was so peaceful and I could have stayed for hours. I parked Miss Willow in my usual spot and nipped onto the beach to do a bit of beach combing. The tide was just going out and I found some amazing treasure. My highlight find was my very first crab quickly followed by a second (I know I am crackers but I assure you I am harmless) I placed them in there very own bag, carefully transported them home only to crush then under a box. NOOOOOOOO!!!!! I am gutted to say the least. However Miss Willow and Brian have arranged another date, we are planning to go to New Brighton, weather permitting at the weekend. Fingers crossed I find another crab:)

Natures colours.

Today I thought I'd share the beautiful photos Colin took for me on our walk on Wednesday. Yes silly me forgot to bring spare batteries for my camera and they died. When I looked in my bag I'd forgotten my phone. Whoops! err! Colin, darling!!!! The first thing that I saw, just as we emerged from the woods, was this magnificent furry caterpillar, not sure what he is? I'm rather rubbish aren't I but again if anyone knows please leave a comment. The next thing that caught my eye was a row of trees. The sun was shining on them and their leaves shone like hundreds of moving silver mirrors, it was mesmerising to watch. As we approached the beach the sky was an array of various shades of blue and the sea was a graduation of warm greys, reminding me that summer was not quiet finished yet. We walked back along the road and as we turned the corner I was hit again by an abundance of colour, a bush of rose hips. Glorious oranges and lushes reds all with a subtle hint of gold and the vibrant lime greens of the leaves where simply dazzling. An introduction that Autumn was creeping in.

Foraging finds.

Woodland finds.

The feathers are from everywhere I walk. If anyone can identify them from the birds they came from please leave me a comment. X:)

Beach combing finds.

Remember this shirt cuff I made in to a sketch book?

 On Wednesday Colin and I went to Formby woods so I could go foraging. The woods lead onto Formby beach so I also got to beach comb. Now, I am new to this foraging malarkey and didn't really know what I was doing so I just looked for things that I thought where interesting, anything unusual would be a bonus. I had a fab day plus the company of the hubby which is rare during the day.  I often pick things up off the floor that catch my attention much to the disgust of my family, whomever is with me think I'm mad and often walk away at an increased pace .I have put all the things I found into mini collections these are the foundation for my very late summer project for Uni.  Next step start a sketch book. I had recently came across the shirt cuff sketch book I made last year which nobody seemed to want to buy so I decided it was time to use it. It's coming along nicely and I thought I'd share just a few of the pages so far. I have even stuck in a shell and a feather from my findings. Today's plan of action is to incorporate some stitched textile pieces but you know what the say about best laid plans!

Gill's studio at the bottom of her garden.

A little pond just outside the studio with beautiful goldfish in it.

These are what I chose to study and draw ready to do some mono printing.

I was persuaded to go down the beach route when my eyes fell upon this crab. I just love him. Gill told me its a "Spider Crab"

On Tuesday I went to Freshfields to Gill's studio for a mini mono print work shop. I had a great morning Gill is such an amazing person, artist and teacher. She made me delicious coffee with a little chocolate treat followed by a lot of chatter, yes mainly me because I never shut up and I was just in my element being in her studio.  Seeing her work and where she gets her inspiration from was so inspiring and my own creative imagination just ran wild. Gill said she has been foraging for about 5/6 years and oh boy what a collection of objects she has, I was in awe. Gill kindly allowed me to take home my little collection to enable me to do some sketches of them. I am so looking forward to going back for another mini workshop next week. 

Formby Vintage Market.

My stall.

Inside the hall.

On Saturday I did my first craft fair. The organiser Julie-Ann and the other stall holders made me extremely welcome. I have to admit I was very nervous but my nerves soon dispersed as people began to arrive and I made my first sale, which was a felt Scottie dog keyring and a penguin! I really enjoyed myself but to be honest I didn't sell very much however, it was all a learning curve. One of the highlights of the day was I got chatting to very talented lady named Gill who does the most amazing lino cuts (lino-cuts by Gilly )and makes fab jams (Gilly's Jams). I discovered that she runs mini art work shops and lives only half an hour away from me by car. Of course I had book one! Its all been very exciting but I am off to forage now so I will tell you all about Gill's workshop and why I am foraging in my next post. X:)

Escape to Wales.....

Our view from the window in the little village of Bedgelert.

Carved Dragon outside a shop in the village.

The bridge that crosses over the river Dee that runs through Bedgelert.

Llanberis Quarry Hospital Museum

We met some locals but they where a little shy and kept their distance.

Beautiful water cascading through the gorgeous village of Betws-Y-Coed.

My selfie of us on the miniature train at the Betws-Y-Coed. It was an whole eight minute trip around the track.

At the risk of being repetitive where does the time go? I am so busy, but loving and enjoying every minute of this summer break. I realised I have not blogged since before we went on our little trip to Wales. We had a great time, dodged a few showers and crammed in as much as we could in the short time we had. A day trip to Llanberis to the National Slate Museum which was fab. However, sadly I had an upset tummy and was not feeling 100% and didn't take many photos but I only realised this when I got home. Not to worry, it just means we need to go back another time. On our way home we stopped at the gorgeous village of Betws Y Coed. It has a dinky miniature railway, which was so cute I wanted to stay on and go round again. It has some beautiful shops, cafes and a very scrummy ice cream parlour. Colin took lots of photos of the river which runs under the bridge, whilst I sat watching a family who where crazy enough to be swimming in it.