Painting my bit of Sweden

May, feels like I'm juggling with plates !

2011-05-27T00:07:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to get paintings done for an exhibition in July. Here I have one of various blossoms ( apple, cherry and pear ) I fear it is too chocolate boxy !!? A view from the hill behind our house, both acrylics, and a water colour of some pansies.

I am also experimenting with different flavours in my cold pressed rape seed oil, so far I have lemon, chilli, garlic, rosemary and basil. It's fun to test out new products !

The bees are busy and I am hoping for a good honey harvest this year.

The hens are laying and happy, so daft and adorable !!

Hens !

2011-04-04T05:19:00.000-07:00

I have been asked to stand at the local hen keepers annual Spring show / sale this weekend. I will be mostly pushing the cold pressed rape seed oil ( now with lemon too !) . Also advertising the fact that I have wheat and crushed barley and oats with which to feed the little cluckers !! But I thought I should have something else that was henny ! The potato printed cards were not my idea, but I have always enjoyed potato printing !

Is it 2011 already !

2011-02-07T23:54:00.000-08:00

One post in 2010 !! Terrible, but my excuse is a busy year what with one thing the rapeseed oil and the farm shop ! Anyway, I will try harder. I should think anybody has given up on me by now, but ....
We have had another hard winter, but now it feels hopefull and that we are heading in the right direction for Spring ! I always long for colour at this time, and last week couldn't stop myself from buying some pretty pansies, and doing some little water colours whilst sitting in the farm shop ( a quiet week !)

Snow, snow and more snow !

2010-02-09T01:59:00.001-08:00

It's a cold one this winter, and more snow than I have ever encountered ! Here are some pictures of icicle bars, my daughter's frozen hair after a walk and the general snowy outlook here at the moment !
I know I should be painting/sketching it, but I find it hard to feel inspired by it, so I am taking photo's...and painting my warm and cosy cats...as corny as it may seem, they do fascinate me. I will get some pictures up on my blog asap !

What have I been up to ?

2009-11-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been quite busy, time is going by so fast and I am getting worse and worse at updating my blog and checking out other peoples blogs which I always find so much fun and inspiring, so, sorry for not leaving comments lately !
I have bought a press and have pressed some rape seed, so hope to have lovely bottled cold pressed rape seed oil to sell soon.
I have been getting my shop ready for Christmas with baskets filled with ciders, marmelades etc, little gift wrapped geles etc.

We have had a day doing our traditional candle making, a must at this time of year. The local historical society who organise it lay on a wonderful table with buns, cakes, breads....yum ( to be honest that's more important to me than the candle making but don't tell anyone !!)

We have also made our Christmas "pepparkaka" traditional Swedish ginger bread, but I haven't loaded the pictures up yet, must take more pictures of the biscuits before we eat them all....XXXXXX

Hedge Witch !

2009-10-08T23:44:00.001-07:00

I've been busy picking as many berries as I can fill my freezer with, had to buy another freezer actually ! Here are some pictures of beautiful red lingon and rowanberries. The rowanberries I boil up with apples to make geles with.
I always like to read Mary Stewart's "Thornyhold" at this time of the year, it's a cosy, warm, witchy book !

Inspiration

2009-08-30T02:14:00.000-07:00

My 11 year old daughter made these lovely cut out paper dolls giving them different clothes ( unfortunately the photo's didn't come out so well ) she gave them to some friends of hers. I was so impressed, and got the idea to design my own.

I did a page with a doll in her underwear plus two dresses, the pink and white one being our local folk dress. I painted the church and our local flower symbol, the cowslip. I really enjoyed doing it ! I loved paper dolls when I was little and remember being so happy if Mum bought me a paper doll book/kit from the local post office !! Nowadays it's all "Sims" and much more sophisticated ! So I was really pleased that my daughter spent a happy morning making her own little people !!

It's all go !

2009-07-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

It's a busy summer here, extending the house, building a new boiler room ( not that I'm doing that !) bees, farm shop, fruit picking and kids ! Anyway, I am trying to get some painting done as the garden comes into bloom. I am enjoying it ! Happy Summer all XXXXX !

Oh my word !! June already !!

2009-06-01T02:48:00.000-07:00

I'm so bad at blogging !! In my defence I have been having rather a busy time with kids, bees, farm shop, garden etc...but who hasn't been....I'm just lazy !!

Just seen to my hives. I feel rather like I'm swimming around in the dark ! Reading books on the subject, trying to work out from the notes I took last year ( when I had lots of help ) what I need to be looking for etc. So far, no swarms anyway, and I have lots of bees who are producing honey. Fingers crossed for a good year as last year was. I have just made them rather cross though checking through all the frames as you can see in the picture they are sticking to the outside of their home wanting to get back in after I've been in and messed it all up for them ! I mean well though !!

Beautiful spring with lots of blossom, does that mean lots of fruit ? I hope so.

The lilac is still a picture . I have to paint it each year. This years effort has gone into a local exhibition, being rather stressed I forgot to photograph it before I put it in. Also entered two lazy cat paintings and a drawing of a friend in the lotus position meditating ( the theme of the exhibition was "peace and calm" so I thought these pictures fitted ) I will try and put them on the blog next time, when I've got them back.

So far the farm has purchased two new tractors ( one new and one second hand ) Rape seed has been planted, I am hoping to produce cold pressed rape seed oil at the end of the summer for my farm shop.

I have been working on the garden, making beds and planting amongst other plants 10 rose bushes, never tried roses before, I hope the moles don't get to them, or the deer, I met one in the garden on friday evening ! Very sweet, but destructive.

Trying to get a herb garden going and some veggies. Have also planted 10 Sea Buckwheat bushes ( think that's what they are called in English ) as the berries are very popular and very good for you. Also thinking farm shop here.

The pear tree has been a mass of white blossom, really lovely ! Take care XXXX

Visit to London

2009-04-21T02:16:00.000-07:00

Been painting more lables for jam and jelly jars !

We had a great two night stay in London ! Shopping, sightseeing, more shopping, eating, coffees, more eating, more coffees....and a very enjoyable show " We Will Rock You" we all loved it !

Had an order for a Birthday painting of a house with the owners two corgi dogs. I find it quite a challenge to put together a painting from several different photo's, but fun, and I hope it will be enjoyed.

A few of my favourite things !

2009-03-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Got the urge to photograph ten of my favourite things ...got lots of favourite things really, and of course my absolutely favourite things are my children and husband...and cats, but they are not really things !

A basket full of things my children have made at school and brought proudly home!

A pipe rack/cupboard that my great Grandfather made, it's very Arts and Craftsy...

My favourite perfume, my husband searched everywhere and found me a bottle for my birthday !

My rag dolls, made for me many years ago by my Mum, they've been adopted by my youngest...

My Dad made this beautiful dolls house for his granddaughters, and the furniture inside....

My Helen Bradley books, I am collecting them all as they remind me of holidays with my grandmother in Devon, I used to borrow them from her local library, and look at the pictures for hours, I'd then draw for hours having been inspired !

A painting my daughter did when she was about 3, I love the colours, I was doing a painting of a window and she joined me and did a much better painting !

A mug that I bought at "The Jinney Ring" a crafts shop near to where my Father lives, I love visiting there and always come away with something pretty !

This china doll belonged to my great, great Grandmother, a real treasure....

A painting by my darling Mum, I remember her doing it, she was so clever and I miss her terribly, but I am so lucky to have some of her lovely paintings around me.

The Flu!

2009-03-05T01:00:00.000-08:00

I usually "tut tut" at people who say they've had the flu, when really it was just a heavy cold ! My Grandmother had the flu in 1918 and it turned her hair white, I believe she was one of the lucky ones. Anyway, after four nights with fever, I am calling my cold the flu !! My faithful cat Chutney and his naughty little friend Tumnus have been great company, not so good at coming to me with cups of tea with honey, but my lovely daughters have been great in that respect ! Feel much better today and I'm going to tackle the vacume...long overdue !

Tried to scan in these three little watercolours, but they didn't come out so well. Two "corners", not in my house, but I like rooms and windows and doorways leading off to places. The dresser is an attempt at my messy dresser !

Rally Drive

2009-01-29T23:17:00.000-08:00

I had a certain birthday, and my husband, not to be boring, gave me an unusual present, a chance to drive a rally car ! So, feeling rather nervous to begin with, I spent a morning on a very curvy, icy track ! Had an instructor to start with, then a few goes on my own ! It was great fun, only crashed ( into some tyres ) once ! It was me and four men, guess how seriously they took it !!! Anyway, I had a laugh, and looking at the times afterwards, I don't think I let the side down !

Chutney and marmalade pots !

2009-01-20T02:34:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely comment from Claudia suggesting I do watercolour designs for my pots which was nice as that's just what I've been working on ! Any suggestions ? Too much, too little, too rustic, too scruffy !!? I'd love to know....thanks XXX

2009-01-09T04:28:00.000-08:00

I haven't painted birds before really ! Anyway, I now sell bird seed in the farm shop, so I thought I'd do a sort of poster showing the types of bird that would eat our bird food mix ! It is also a learning aid for myself as I'm hopeless at birds names, both Swedish and English, so I have written names in both languages.

So that was Christmas been and gone !

2009-01-09T04:24:00.001-08:00

I can't believe how fast the weeks are flying past me just now ! Christmas has been and gone and now it's 2009 !

Here's Shiny anyway with his Christmas hat on ! We all had a splendid Christmas, even if it was over far too fast !

2008-11-10T02:18:00.000-08:00

November already. It has been quite a busy time here, and what with internet problems and moving, my blogspot has been badly ignored !

We now have Moorbridge and Shiny ! They seem happy in their new home. Don't know much about horses, but I'm learning ! Glad my daughter is only too happy to take care of them anyway !

I have been doing some painting, not as much as I wish. These watercolours of fruit from the garden were fun to do, but I wish I could be a bit more free !! Sorry, these aren't very good photo's.

I did some oil pastel views out of the windows. The hill behind the farm has a couple of burial mounds on it.

I always like the patterns left in the fields from farming.

I'm starting to get the farm shop ready for Christmas. I painted some simple dolls houses and little wooden people. I thought they would look decorative and hopefully I might sell one or two !

After the summer !

2008-09-11T23:43:00.001-07:00

It's been a busy summer ! We've moved house and we are now happily ( after a fair amount of tantrums and tears ) living on the farm. The house is in need of a complete face lift, but we'll get there eventually.

Our youngest has spent all summer playing Lucy in the stage version of "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" it was a terrific experience for her and the whole family. She has been so lucky to have spent so much time with such thoroughly wonderful people, actors, musicians etc.

Being lulled to sleep by Mr Tumnus and his beautiful singing.

She's hooked to theatre now !

Flying on Aslans back

My computer crashed just before we moved house, had I backed up the last few months of photo's....no !!! I have now learnt my lesson and wont be so lazy again.

My farm shop has gone fairly well this summer and I'm still gathering more produce to sell. I had a good honey harvest ( beginers luck ) and people seem keen to buy local honey, so I'm very pleased I took on the beehives. I have so much to learn though !!

I'm working on some late summer landscapes at the moment. I'll scan some in soon.

Wishing anyone who reads this blessings and well wishes

Summer has arrived !

2008-06-03T00:56:00.000-07:00

Wow...hot summer sun ! Lovely days, I hope this continues.

My bees are as busy as....well, bees ! My instructor tells me we'll be ready for honey extraction around Midsummer.

We now have Moorbridge, a sweet d pony, he seems so good natured.

We have sold our house, and will now be steadily moving over to the farm...phew...it's all go here !

I have some pictures in a local exhibition which is always fun.

These aren't very good photo's, taken at odd angles, chopping bits off and glare from the sun ! But, you get the idea !

Bees !

2008-05-06T00:17:00.000-07:00

It's been far too long since I added to my blog ! We are having a busy time here though. Our house is now for sale....sniff sniff ! We will be moving to the farm, which is lovely, but there is so much work to be done there !

Anyway, it is spring here and the cherry blossom is bursting into bloom, so I could bring some into the house yesterday to decorate before people came to look around.

The cranes arrived some weeks ago, they are wonderful birds, so tall, and very noisey ! I love hearing them in the early mornings, very positive, means winter is well and truely over !

I took delivery of two bee hives on Saturday ! Vey exciting, I am under the guidence of an expert bee keeper, who is going to teach me about the ways of the bee ! I hope to get some honey out of it for my farm shop too ! Keep thinking of Winnie the Pooh

Isn't it funny

How a bear likes honey

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

I wonder why he does

Easter, snow and a sore throat !

2008-04-08T01:02:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely Easter. Plenty of colourful Easter decorations. The tradition here is to decorate birch twigs with feathers. In the old days they used to beat each other with the twigs on Good Friday...but I'm glad to say that is not done anymore....not in our house anyway !!

We spent the day with some friends who keep hens, so I made some extra hens to go in their hen house, filled them with sweets and chocolates for the children !

We had snow brrrr, but that soon melted away !

Today I have a poorly daughter with a sore throat, but Chutney is looking after her....sloppy old cat !

Easter

2008-03-14T03:31:00.000-07:00

Easter at my farm shop, an exhibition of spring flowers !

Little baskets with folded flannels to look like bunnies, lovely soaps, Joannas cards with hens are perfect!

Easter biscuits with coffee

and I'm thrilled to have Eileen's beautiful cards (drawingsfromnature.com) on display and for sale....unfortunately I can't get my blogger to upload the better photo's I took of Eileen's cards on display. I will try taking more, they are so beautiful and full of texture and detail.

Spring flowers

2008-02-22T02:02:00.001-08:00

I've been working on some Spring flowers paintings. I love the bright colours of daff's, tulips, crocuses that arrive in the shops at this time of year. I've noticed snowdrops coming up in the garden, otherwise, it's a bit early here for flowers to grow in the garden.

Anyway, here are some sketches, I'll post the paintings when I've finished them....as long as they turn out ok. I'm enjoying painting them. It's colour therapy !

Birthday

2008-02-13T09:35:00.001-08:00

I had a lovely birthday with beautiful flowers.....

...and a yummy "smörgåstårta" (sandwich cake)

My farm shop is ticking over. More customers now than in Jan'anyway! I now have some more ecco friendly and organic soaps and household cleaners, ecco/fairtrade t shirts etc. The shelves are stocked with chutneys and jams, so it's starting to look busy which I like !
Any advice on unusual things to stock would be great. I read that you should try to suprise your customer...maybe I should hide behind the door and when they come in, jump out and say "BOO!" ?

I'm actually painting again !

2008-02-04T23:44:00.001-08:00

I've been inspired by seeing some lovely folkarty rooms here in Sweden, and I've been working on some little watercolour ideas.

A friend wanted a painting done of her friends cat for a 50th birthday present, so I did my best to capture the cat from photo's, I never find that easy.

I tried scanning the painting in before I'd actually finished it, then forgot to scan the finished painting in before handing it over ! But, anyway,it was nearly finshed ! My scanner seems to have problems with greens and makes them browns !

Christmas and back again !

2008-01-16T23:24:00.000-08:00

That was a lovely Christmas ! We flew back to the UK for a Christmas with my family and our friends. It was great to meet up with people even if it was far too brief.

We met up with good mates and took all the children to a pantomime. Beauty and the Beast. It was fun " Oh Yes it Was...!" for everyone. The girls loved it, and so did we. Great to see a good old British " It's behind you...!" Panto' !! Sorry, it's not a good photo, we weren't allowed to take while they were acting, so I took a photo in the interval, just for a memory !

The Christmas curtains and candles have been put away now. We had a bit of snow when we came back to Sweden, enough for the girls to sledge and do a little skiing. It's gone now and it is strangely mild with reports of spring flowers growing. I don't know what's happening to our climate ! I can't say I enjoy snow, but I like the seasons to do as they should !

Poor old Chutney the cat has been in the wars, and right now feels very sorry for himself. He has a rubber tube in his head to drain out an infection, and a plastic collar thing on to stop him from pulling at it ! He looks quite gruesome. I was going to put a photo on my blog, but I don't think he'd appreciate it ! He keeps walking backwards to try and get the collar off. I think he's very cross with me for taking him to the vets ! Here's a picture of him as he should be, a big snuggly, lazy cat !

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS !! XXXXXX

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

2007-12-18T08:14:00.001-08:00

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year XXXXXXX

Christmas in my shop !

2007-11-20T00:26:00.001-08:00

Snowed here the other day, so I took a snowy photo looking into my shop !

Here are some other pictures of my Christmasy things.

I'm very lucky to have such a good friend who has helped me make "corndollies" and candle crowns.

Can't believe how close Christmas is ! Can't believe how fast this year has gone !

I've got to fill my daughters packet calenders again ! Any ideas of little things that don't cost anything !!!?

carrot and orange marmalade !

2007-10-22T08:01:00.001-07:00

I'm pleased with my days marmalade...ing ! Thought I'd do a little photo shoot for some of the pretty orange pots in the late afternoon autumn sun ! Oh, and I haven't spelt marmalade wrong on the labels, that's how it's spelt in Swedish !

Trying to juggle with too many balls !

2007-10-22T01:51:00.000-07:00

I feel like a "Jack of all trades master of none" at the moment.
Anyway, I'm trying to get lots done before the busy Christmas period. Well, I'm hoping it will be a busy Christmas period ! Who knows, anyway, business picked up in my shop this weekend I'm glad to say. You do get full of self doubt some days, especially when for example one old man visits, tells you he buys his carrots elsewhere, drinks your coffee, tells you about his bad back and goes ! Well, bless him, he had a trip out, and I should be thankfull that someone took some interest in what I'm doing !
I'm making Swedish farm angels out of vintage fabrics, the wings ( hard to see here ) are filled with lavender.

I've been putting up more pictures.

I'm really pleased with the way my candles have turned out !

and I'm working on more paintings, views for Christmas cards.

Due to having a bad couple of carrot weeks at the shop ( no one seems to want carrots at the moment, only potatoes ?) I am making carrot and orange marmalade today. There will also be carrot chutney and carrot muffins on the go !!

Other news...we still haven't found the right horse to buy. Autumn is well and truely here, I managed to get all my dahlias in before a heavy frost !Love autumn, but winter can stay away for as long as possible ! Brrrr.... Hope life is a box of fluffy ducks for all of you out there ! XXX

The Feel Good Convention !

2007-10-15T03:27:00.001-07:00

I had a stand at a local "Feel Good Convention", as my farm shop seems to have a mostly feel good feel!! I went along to advertise my stuff.

It was nice to talk to visitors and exhibitors. I sold some items and managed to hand out alot of leaflets about my shop. Hope some good comes out of it.

I went to the church harvest festival on Sunday. The church did look pretty all decked out!

There was a lovely tea afterwards with home baked bread and cream cakes.

Ideas for Christmas cards

2007-09-24T02:40:00.000-07:00

Been working on some ideas for Christmas cards !

View from our local church.This looks a bit wonky ! The page wasn't quite on the scanner properly.

I wanted to try to illustrate how very inviting the stable looks in the winter !I don't think I'm really there yet, and horses aren't easy !!

Biscuits !

2007-09-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

I have a coffee and biscuit corner in my farm shop ! If anyone out there who reads my blog, friends, family etc has any QUICK AND EASY biscuit recipes, please pass them on !

Marmalades also seem to be popular ! I'm going to get some honey in too.

Farm Shop

2007-08-28T05:48:00.001-07:00

Some pictures taken from inside my farm shop !

I've got some lovely things, such as Higglety Pigglety cards, Jane Maddern's hand made soaps ( which make the whole shop smell beautiful ), Isabella Smith cleaning products, with essential oils, and lavender products from Norfolk Lavender, among other things...and my own stuff too !

I've had a nice response from the locals, only hope I can keep it going...and growing ! Having spuds, carrots, wood etc is good too.

I painted some dolly pegs to sell as "kitchen helpers"!

Trying to get time to sketch the busy harvest time views outside ! I just don't seem to have the time at the moment !

Fairies and Trolls !

2007-08-15T00:08:00.001-07:00

There are some strange goings on here ! Fairies playing on rocks by the lake. Trolls up to mischief in the woods !

We are into dress rehearsals time for a play being put on by a local theatre group that my youngest is in. There are children and adults in the play which is great fun !

Hmmm...I think I recognise this troll ! She's "Troll Secretary Wiggle Bum"...but also my sweetie pie !

The costumes are great! All the trolls have matching wigs and fur on the ends of their tails. I can't wait to see the finished play in a couple of weeks. I just hope the weather stays fine. The setting is so idylic, a woodland glade next to a mirror- glass lake.

A holiday in Hälsingland

2007-08-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

The girls, their Aunt and I have had a lovely few days staying with relations in Hälsingland. They have a summer house by a lake, an idylic situation.
We had good weather ( for this summer at least !) and the girls swam every day, I managed most days.
We visited craft workshops and second hand shops.
They produce some beautiful woven linen fabrics close by, wish I could have afforded some, but I did find it very inspiring.

We stopped off at a very pretty goat farm, bought some goats cheese at the farm shop.

The porch of the summer house.

We arrived home to the happy news that my brother in law and his girlfriend have set a date to get married. I thought I might send this as a congratulations card ! Sorry it's so out of focus ! ( it's a wedding dress...watercolour !)

Rick Stein and Alpacca sheep !

2007-07-13T11:45:00.001-07:00

Some more photo's from Cornwall. Managed to get my Dad's feet in on the beach one !

We went to Padstow, a lovely sunny day. Very pretty harbour. We had a wonderful lunch in Rick Steins cafe ! He did us proud, it was delicious...many thanks Rick....I'm sure it was him in the kitchen ?!

Had a quick stop over at my Dad's house on the way home, didn't get to see everyone to say "hi" to unfortunately. We did however manage to fit in the Royal Show. I fell madly in love with the Alpacca`s ( hope that's spelt right ) . They are on my wish list for the farm !

Cornwall

2007-07-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Just had a wonderful holiday in Cornwall ! We've never been further south west than Devon before.

We had some lovely days out. Pretty seaside villages and harbour towns. Beautiful gardens ! I was very impressed with The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Imagine being able to explore in your own "organised jungle"?!

We were lucky with the weather really, considering the flooding that was going on in other parts of the country, south of Sweden too. We even managed a few swims in the sea. Something the girls were really looking forward to !

We visited St Ives on a rather dull windy day, but loved it anyway with it's higgelty piggelty lanes, galleries etc. Did the Tate...hmmm...don't know !? But saw so much lovely Art on our trip, so I'm very inspired !

Start of Summer !

2007-06-21T00:53:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful time of year ! School has finished for the summer, the sun is shining ( most days !) and everywhere is full of colour.

I'm pleased with my lupins ! Lots of lovely lavender growing too.

Soon Midsummer, a very special time here, hope the weather stays fine for all the celebrations.

These pictures are from a previous year. It's such a lovely tradition !

Happy Midsummer !!!

Mothers Day and lilac

2007-05-27T00:46:00.000-07:00

I love lilac, and there is plenty of it in our corner of Sweden just now. Every year I have to paint it, it's over so quickly, so I need to capture it !

I put some lilac next to a red geranium, I like the combination of red and purple. I may put the finished paintings on my blog...if I'm satisfied with them !

It's Mothering Sunday in Sweden today, and I love this card I received from my youngest. This is exactly what I look like cleaning the house in my best red dress, high heals etc !?

She has included little tokens for a massage, breakfast in bed, a trip, help with the cooking ! The perfect gift !

It's a wonderful gift being a Mum !

A lovely parcel !

2007-05-11T02:21:00.000-07:00

A beautiful parcel has arrived from Tiffany ! One of her lovely painted boxes, handpaintedloveboxes , such perfect detail and with an inscription painted inside the lid, beautifully done !

Also a box of her very pretty cards and a couple of extra floral cards which I really like too. Thankyou so much Tiffany, there's a little "thankyou" in the post. I consider myself a very lucky winner !

Made up for having to paint my barn ! Thankfully I've got my Dad here to help, and we're getting there, but don't these things always seem to take longer than one reckons !!

Garden

2007-04-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

Been doing jobs in the garden. Planting, sewing, weeding etc. Dug the veg patch, not a job I enjoy, but I love eating my own veg and salad, so it's worth the back ache !

Planted more lavender and took cuttings ( I hope they take !!!) and put in a few more plants I couldn't resist buying when we went to the local nursery the other day.

I've got windows full of seed boxes, so I hope to see some little green heads popping up in the near future.

The cherry blossom is just starting to appear. The daffs are nearly over, the tulips are in full bloom. We are some weeks behind the UK. We had a frost last week, I hope that was the last !!

I love being able to hang out the washing (Simple things etc) the fresh air smell is so nice !

As I was digging the garden my youngest was "helping" by rescuing the worms ! She then set about doing arty things with dandelions which resulted in an exhibition of dandelion art !

The rhubarb always amazes me with its rate of growth ! Made two pies this week, yummy !!

Went to a local fair /market yesterday. There was a stall selling clothes, shove as much as you can in a bag and pay 100kr ( about £8.00) I came home with two bags full, about 20 items for me and the girls ! They had some pretty summer dresses with nice prints, just my thing, so I shoved a few in my bag ! They were a little baggy under the arm so I've taken them in a little and now they are fine, I feel very pleased with myself !!

A lovely Weekend !

2007-04-18T23:41:00.000-07:00

We've had a really smashing weekend in London ! We went over the Easter weekend, the weather was lovely. We did all the touristy things, it was great !

I haven't been to London for years. Went quite alot when I was a student, but , that was some years ago. It seems so much brighter and cleaner now, probably due to much of the wonderful architecture having had a clean up.

My girls loved it ! Traveling on the tube, open top bus ride etc. The Tower of London was great, and my eldest being keen on the Tudor history was full of enthusiasm. I'm so glad we went !

Back home to good weather here too, and the busy Spring planting on the farm. Tired husband !

I have been painting with a class of 11 year olds. They have a project about painting flowers. Their teacher wants them to use the school water colour paints that they find rather boring. They want to use thicker acrylic/poster paints. I tried to explain how watercolours work, and using the school paints, did a sort of grid to show how the colours influence each other when you paint over one with another colour. I think this is what frustrates them, ie you can´t paint a clear/bright yellow flower ontop of a dark green without the yellow flower becoming slightly green and less intense ! So I tried to explain how they should plan for this, work from light to dark.

Also showed some exciting effects with salt crystals, and candle wax in an attempt to make the idea of painting with watercolours a little more exciting ! I hope it worked

I started a painting with them, and managed to make a complete "pigs ear" of the daffodil !

Spring...wonderful !

2007-03-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

We've been enjoying our first couple of warm, Spring days . Snowdrops and crocuses are growing in the garden. It's wonderful !

I have been painting these wooden hens, Jan kindly cut out the wooden triangular shapes, and I have painted them. They are for a Spring / Easter market that is coming up soon.

Bought some mini daffs and tulips, have been doing some colourful acrylic sketches from them.

Went for a healthy walk with a friend today while our daughters were at their dance class. We walked straight into a cafe though ! Woops! We ate a cream bun each called "Semla" and then felt very slightly guilty afterwards !
Don't tell anyone !!

Snow melting, Spring on the horizon !

2007-03-03T01:56:00.000-08:00

Searching for colour, I bought a sweet little collection of primulas and did a large acrylic study of them.

I also started an acrylic of my youngest asleep with the cat on the sofa ! They often snuggle up together ( his name is Snuggles !)

I feel happier this week, I think it's the painting therapy ! Also the fact that we've had + degrees and

the snow is melting. It does my heart good to see green grass poking through the white snow !

Snow still here, I'm longing for colour !

2007-02-19T05:32:00.000-08:00

Snow is still here. Good thing the Swedes painted many of their houses red, they stand out and are a cheery colour click amid all the white. These two photo's show how pretty it can look when the sun shines...and how dull it can look when it doesn't !

I have to say, I long for colour, I always do this time of year. This week I will buy some little pots of primulas to paint.

Another Birthday, my youngest is now nine. Time goes by so fast !

She had a lovely day with lots of presents and cake !!

I had to take a photo of these beautiful shiny parcels before she tore them open !

The "Birthday tree"!! Which had some little parcels underneath.

The girls have been enjoying cross country skiing, sledging and ice skating. I'm afraid I have done very little by way of winter sports. I have been out walking as often as possible, still trying to loose those Christmas kilo's !! Not easy when people keep having birthdays and I keep eating cake !!

More terrible blurry images of windows painted with acrylics...just to show I am working...but not very hard !!

and I have been sewing more little dolls," Swedish forrest folk" on my new sewing machine, using vintage fabrics.

Winter trees and my birthday

2007-01-28T05:31:00.000-08:00

We have been having some very cold days, around - 15 degrees c, but sunny with it, so a beautiful landscape to be inspired by !

I have been trying to do some acrylic sketches of the lovely colours in the winter skies through the trees. Working quite quickly so as to catch the light before it changes !

These are horrible photo's, but you get a vague idea of what I'm trying to do !

I'm going to do more, hope the weather continues to be so beautiful this week. These sketches give me something to work from anyway.

I had a lovely birthday. My daughters made me a cake and decorated it with smarties and a paint brush to make it look like an artists palette ! They are so sweet, and growing up so fast ! Making birthday cakes for me now !

My kind, generous Dad bought me a new sewing machine for my birthday. Mine broke down ( probably in tears !) some time ago and I have been borrowing a friends. So I now have a lovely Husqvarna, Viking Emerald . Thanks Dad XXXX

The girls and a friend had a great time sledging down a hill on the farm yesterday. The snow was quite compacted and icy so they went zooming !

I went to inspect the barn that J is renovating for me ( inbetween all his other jobs !) to become studio, shop, gallery, and all the other ideas I have going around in my crazy head ! He says he's GOT to have it finished by Feb' hmmm ? He works so hard bless him.

Had to think of six weird things about myself !

1. Like anything to do with ghosts and spookiness !!

2. Would like a pet pig !

3. Still have a crush on Harrison Ford !

4. Love the smell of timber...lucky I married a carpenter !

5. Love stairways

6. Have a terror of maths ( probably due to nasty maths teacher Mr H !!!!)

Don't know why there's a huge gap between this and the previous post ! Sorry !

We actually had some snow !

2007-01-15T02:25:00.000-08:00

We had some snow ! My youngest just had to make a snowman, a little one, as it wasn't much snow !

It's all blown away now, we've had some horrid storms, and damage up and down the country. I lay awake listening to the lightbulb rattling in it's fittings the other night, I hate the wind !!

Took some arty shots while we were visiting the horse ! I love trees in winter.

Happy New Year !

2007-01-04T02:31:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you !

We've had a good Christmas, if you ignore the coughs and colds that everyone seems to have had !

So lovely to be given gifts from the girls, things that they have made in school and hidden away until Christmas !

Eaten too much and I am full of remorse and promises of being good from now on ! You get some idea of my self discipline when I tell you that I was watching a tv program on dieting last night, and I opened a box of chocolates left over from Christmas to keep me company while I watched ! Comfort eating because I've eaten too much hmmm ?

My daughter had a nice morning ride on Rabello the pony she helps out with yesterday. He's a sweet natured New Forest. I know nothing about horses, but have learnt to muck out !

She has a friend here today, I am making cottage pie for lunch, a good old British dish that her friend has never eaten before. I hope she wont be too disappointed with mince and mashed potatoes !!

Merry Christmas !

2006-12-22T08:33:00.000-08:00

Wishing anyone who reads this a very Merry Christmas , and the warmest of wishes for a healthy and happy new year ! XXXX

From Chutney the sloppy cat too !

Second Advent, Lucia and a Julbock (Xmas goat !)

2006-12-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

Another busy week, Christmas market all weekend, fun, but exhausting at the same time.

My kitchen is full of candles and childrens Christmas crafts at the moment, probably a terrible fire hazzard ! Cosy though.

A good friend came and helped me make a traditional Julbock, or Christmas he- goat out of a wooden frame covered in spruce twigs. I think he looks great, if not a little fierce ! I think he may be meant to ward off evil, so he shouldn't look all too sweet !! Took a photo, he keeps getting blown over, we are having very strong winds.

On the 13th Dec´Sweden celebrates Lucia, she arrives early in the morning in a white shift with a red band around her waist, a crown of candles on her head and her maids, who have tinsel in their hair. It´s very beautiful, and they sing lovely songs. It is very magical ! My girls dressed up and went in to their Grandpa´s house to sing to him this morning. They took with them Lucia buns that we made yesterday, saffron bread formed into traditional shapes and decorated with raisons.

Before !

And after !!

On Friday this week I am going to talk to my daughter´s class ( eleven year olds ) about Christmas traditions in Britain ! I´ve been trying to work out what to say, making a word list in the shape of a stocking, and a word search. Cutting out pictures from my treasured Country Living Christmas magazines, ahhhh ! I´m really nervous about it, not knowing how much they will understand etc . Anyway, what´s the worst that could happen....I make a complete idiot of myself !!!? Roll on the weekend !!

Take care XXX

Advent already !

2006-12-05T07:36:00.000-08:00

November went by so fast, and suddenly December 1st was looming !

A few Christmases ago I was not well and had extra time on my hands, so in a flash of inspiration I made the girls advent calenders with pockets, to be filled with a small something for each day. Was that a mistake !!! Every year I have to shop around for cheap, cheerful things to fill these 48 pockets with ! But, the girls love it....and so do I really.

This weekend was my first Christmas fair this year. Held in a lovely old hall surrounded by old Swedish buildings. I stood in the baking heat with about thirty other crafts people selling all sorts of crafts, Christmas cheeses, cakes etc.

There were alot of visitors on the Saturday, not so many on Sunday, but all in all a success. Managed to sell a good few lavender bags, wheat bags, Christmas cards and painted bits and pieces. It was fun, although my smile muscle was aching on Sunday evening ! I was really lucky to have my eldest daughter with me to help out, take over for coffee breaks and loo visits etc.

Alot of people are complaining because we have no snow yet. This time last year we were deep in it ! I'm enjoying this mild weather, but I have to keep quiet about it !

Another one to go this weekend.

I love Christmas !!

Making Swedish Pepparkakor ( Christmas biscuits)

2006-11-19T23:42:00.000-08:00

It's become a tradition that my girls and me meet up with some good friends and make Pepparkakor before Christmas. It's a sort of gingery biscuit, yummy, and a must for a Swedish Christmas. We'll see if ours last past the first Advent !!

As you can see among the shapes an Easter bunny has bounced it's way in...never mind, no rules that say there can't be a Christmas bunny !

We had a lovely time !

Fresh out of the oven, ready to decorate with some icing...if they survive that long !

My eldest daughter and I go to Falun Gong each week. It's a form of meditation from China. For some reason people are thrown into prisons and tortured for doing it in China, it's hard to understand why this should be. It promotes truth, goodness and patience, I guess it's the truth bit that doesn't go down so well ? Anyway, it's so calming, peaceful and lovely, we enjoy it.

The lotus flower is the symbol for Falun Gong and this week we learnt how to fold them out of paper.

Painting, sewing and singing !

2006-11-16T00:04:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to paint Swedish winter windows. During Dec' and Jan' people have beautiful windows. Candles, decorative lamps, Christmas curtains and ornaments. Really brightens up the dark months.

These three aren't quite finished. Sorry it's rather blurry, must try to scan !!

The cats are a challenge. They would dissagree !! They are beautiful though, and they would

agree with that ! These aren't finished either, but I thought I'd show what I'm trying to do !!

Driving to my daughter's theatre class yesterday, the three of us ( my other daughter came too ) were singing along to "Don't you want me" by Human League. The days of" Old McDonald had a farm"...have gone !! Time goes fast when you've got children, make the most of every second !

I am sewing wheat bags and still making elves. I'm having a hard time concentrating on one thing and finishing it off, as you can see !
Take care xxx

Playing with ideas

2006-10-21T01:11:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to sketch my cats, in various poses. I want to do a few Christmasy pictures of them, lying on wrapping paper,exploring a Santa hat etc. We shall see if I get many finished ones done before December. I thought I could have some in mounts dotted about at Christmas sales that I'm taking part in this year.

This one started as a pen sketch, but I added a few colour washes. I had at first planned to do a black pen sketch with just a wash of colour on the wrapping paper, but that looked rather empty, so I coloured it all in. I don't have a scanner so this was taken with my camera and looks rather pale !

The weather has gone very rainy, and rather dull. Further north they have snow. I'll be happy if the snow stays away for as long as possible !

Went to our village pub evening last night. It happens in the local hall once a month, it's nice. I miss the British pubs, being able to walk down to the local !

Chutney with apples and Chutney the cat !

2006-10-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

My apple chutney seems to have turned out ok ! I now have grand ideas of making loads to try and sell ( always trying to make money ! This time next year we'll be millionairs etc ) I also made mint sauce ( had loads of mint, it spread, as it does ) I love mint with lamb.

The cat Chutney didn't seem impressed ! He and Snuggles have just been eating, sleeping and sometimes hunting. I think they are eating in readiness for winter. Good idea !

It's hunting season here. Lots of blood thirsty men, and women, out looking for elks (poor things) to shoot, and deer. Lots of elk hiding behind trees and trying to keep a low profile ! It's not the time of year to go walking in the forrest in a fur coat anyway !

Here's a picture of some lovely wooden dolls. I help the 8 year olds class from our local school make them each autumn. They have a day making and doing things as they were done many years ago. This is at a local historical farm museum. It's always fun, and the kids appreciate it.

October

2006-10-09T23:50:00.000-07:00

We are having those lovely bright, crisp autumn days, I wish they could last all winter ! The colours are beautiful, and we have apples in abundance ! There is something about this time of year that brings out the "earth mother" in me, pie making, chutney, bread, fruit drinks, I want to get it all done before the winter destroys it all !!

My watercolour classes have started up again, so I am once more walking around muttering in Swedish to myself in readiness for Wed' evenings and trying to explain how to lay a wash in Swedish !

I am busily trying to get things made for the Christmas markets, and (I hope) our barn project. I know the next few weeks will fly. I have had a go at a Shaker style, Swedish rag doll. Will change bits for the next one, but I'm quite pleased. She is wearing her Christmas best ! (the photo isn't so good I'm afraid )

September

2006-09-14T23:47:00.000-07:00

My goodness ! The summer has come and gone. I have been very bad and not written ANYTHING new on my blog spot !!
My excuse is that we have had such a wonderful summer that I haven't been indoors, days by the lake and in the garden. Bliss !! I will have lots of happy memories to think back on during the winter brrrr !!
As usual I haven't done as much painting as I planned. I'm currently working on views of the golden fields around our home. It's a beautiful time of year, harvest.
The cranes have arrived, to eat what they can find in the fields before heading off south. They are amazing, so big, and noisey !
We are working on a barn convertion, to be a farm shop / gallery. I hope it will work out ! I am packing loads of logs in 40 litre sacks to sell as firewood...fun !! We will also sell oats for horses and other bits and pieces from the farm. Crafts too will be on sale, mine and others. I'm felting lots of Swedish elves to sell in the shop and on ebay. My life is lots of little and big projects, and none of them seem to get finished !! Wishes and Blessings XXXXX

Spring !!! Yipee

2006-05-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Yipee ! Spring has sprung ! More like summer really, jackets and cardigans last week and now it´s shorts and t shirts....amazing !
The trees and hedges have exploded into colour overnight it seems, a misery for hay fever sufferers. But wow, it lifts the spirits after the seemingly never ending winter we´ve had ! All the tractors are out and today I sat outside sketching....lovely !!!

My first blog !

2006-04-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

Oh err !!! My first blog. Have no idea what I´m doing, but here I go !
It´s been a rainy week here in my bit of Sweden, but mild. After the winter we´ve had with so much snow, I am enjoying the rain. I am constantly teased about being British and how I must be used to rain ! But, I must admit that I like the rain and have looked forward to it this winter. Far too much of the cold white stuff for my liking !!
Haven´t done much painting this week, more sewing. I´m making wheat warmers to sell. I am trying to design a simple print to screen print onto the linen fabric that I am using for the warmers.
I hold an Art class once a week. It´s a challenge, especially this week as I tried to explain perspectiv in Swedish, they listened politely, but I´m not sure if they understood !!
Well, that´s my first blog ! And a picture of my bit of Sweden with the "white stuff". See youX