Faces of Autumn

It seems such a long time since we had such a glorious autumn - the weather is warm and wonderful, the changing colours of trees and shrubs and evening skies are a delight and much happy gardening has been taking place.  Here in the U.K. the clocks 'fall back' this coming weekend so I suppose we shall have to acknowledge that winter might be just around the corner. Then it will be time move to inside activities...back to reducing excess 'stuff'(boring but necessary) and thinking about miniatures again (much more interesting).

Out in the garden the early morning mists and dew transform so much and these clematis seed heads look beautiful - soon they will be fluffy and differently beautiful.

It is the time of 'hacking back' so old willow and hazel have been pollarded or coppiced and rampant climbing roses and shrubs brought back under some sort of control.  However, when we created this garden almost from scratch we deliberately created a labour intensive garden - much loved by mad gardeners such as us.  The circular gravel garden looked super for a number of years, but lately it has become very crowded and overgrown; although still looking super, it needed attention so plants have been removed or reduced in size, and some treasures given space. Needless to say I now have a number of pots containing spare plants looking for new homes in our borders or someone else's.

Roses are fantastic plants which keep giving until the very last moment and we still have a number that are blooming their hearts out.  Clematis 'Freckles' is just coming into flower and all sorts of interesting fungi are popping up all over the place - magic!

My work bench has become a bit of a dumping ground over the summer but I know there are two or three little people tucked away just waiting to get out of their box.......characters just for me. I shall have to start thinking.

Thank you for looking
Robin

Autumn Miniatura

A friend and I had a lovely jaunt to the Autumn Miniatura Show at Birmingham a couple of weekends ago, did lots of catching up with old chums and as ever, had a good dose of miniature inspiration.  As I've been bottling pickled onions for what feels like weeks - it was just the treat I needed! Of course a little spend is absolutely essential to make the day.

We were a little disappointed to see that a some of our favourite artisans weren't attending, and (we went on the second day) that it didn't seem terribly busy - having both been long-standing fair standholders we know of course what that feels like! However it meant we were able to enjoy ourselves  looking at all the super work on offer in comfort rather than a scrum, and chat to old friends.

Two artisans that create just delightful miniatures, so I felt like a kid in a sweetshop as I struggled to decide which of their beautiful items to choose, were Emma Jane and Ottervale. In the end Emma Jane's golly was perfect for my toy cupboard....and the teeny weeny squirrels by Ottervale China could not be resisted.  Both will be at Kensington  in December so I shall have to go back and see them again. Both items are really 'miniature' so apologies for the less that perfect photographs.
Lots of other lovely things to drool over of course, and as ever, lots to inspire.

Sadly my favourite car boot fair has now closed until next year but I did spot a tiny metal eastern figure that will look great on a little shelf.

Mother Nature brings us little treats......diamond droplets on a dainty plant and even in a built up area without huge open skies, a sunset to rival any.

Thank you for looking
Robin