Hopping through March

Wow...what fabulous weather we are having this week. The afternoons have really felt like spring...gorgeous warm sunshine. Billy has loved it and in the mornings has basked in the early sunshine on my studio roof. Usually he stays in the house when I go to work but this week he has chosen to stay out in the sunshine.

My pots of bulbs in the garden are now racing away and I have seen my tulips are pushing up fast.

On the left is a parrot tulip which should be in flower in the next few weeks.

All my Tete a Tete daffodils are now in full flower and spend the day nodding in the sunshine. Every time I walk past them they make me smile.

What wonderful flowers they are and they just last and last. Some of my later varieties of daffodils are also in bud and I look forward to seeing them. 

Just look how contented my Billy is, basking in the sunshine. He is so funny, I cannot  take any photos without him coming to check out what is going on.

So all this spring weather has got me thinking about Easter, my second favourite time of year next to my beloved Christmas ( I know that will grate with so many people,sorry Vivienne ;0).  I realised  that I have neglected making some more of my bag charms for my Etsy shop so I managed to find some really cute rabbit charms and made this one;

I have popped it (or should I say it has hopped) into my Etsy Shop here
*** * EDIT 15.3.12** This bag charm sold immediately (thank you V). I have listed a new version here in my Etsy Shop. If you would like a specific colour made just email me or convo me via Etsy. *****





I also had a recent purchase of 6 of my handmade cards from one buyer in my Etsy shop so I am trying to re stock those too.








And also on the same theme I decided to make a card to suit and came up with this newest one.

She is another Gorjuss girl stamp..I really do  love these. I coloured her with my Promarker pens and highlighted with Prismacolor pencils. I used some really bright spring colours inspired by looking at all my lovely pots of daffodils. I  was able to use my new Martha Stewart butterfly punch to hand punch some spring butterflies. Even the Prima Paper flower is inspired by my garden pots.I think that there is also a touch of St. Patrick's day about my card.......

Here she is in close up. She will also be added to my Etsy shop stock.
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Joanna Sheen March Challenge Spring is in the air
Simon Says Stamp A bit 'O Green
Divas by Design Citrus Colours #26
I love Promarkers Anything Goes #108
Crafting for all Seasons Use Green and Yellow #22
Papertake Weekly Challenge For the Girls or Mum
Paper Sundaes Feminine Flair #111
Cupcake Inspirations Shamrock photo inspiration #151
The Squirrel and The Fox Someone or something you love from all my recent posts you should be able to tell that the something I LOVE are daffodils :0)
Penny Black Allsorts  March Challenge Spring Time
Cupcake Craft Challenge Spring bouquet



The sun is still shining brightly as I finish writing this post and it's gone 5pm. I noticed yesterday that it was daylight until nearly 6pm and at this time of the year the daylight lengthens by 4 minutes a day. So if you are reading this post later in the week we will have gained nearly half an hour's daylight.....yippee!

I have a day in my Studio tomorrow as I have one of those rare "at home" non working days.  I must get on with the Bridal Jewellery for my daughter's wedding. I shall be making up the pearl earrings and hopefully my necklace and bracelet. There are 136 days to go but the time is now flying past so I really do need to get a move on. I have the glass lampwork beads for my MOTB necklace and bracelet (that's Mother of the Bride to anyone who does not have marriage age children....I had no idea what is stood for when I first saw it) made by my great buddy in the USA Lynn  My wonderful UK lampwork buddy Laney is in the process of making some totally gorgeous beads for the bridesmaids. They are all totally unique one of a kind beads which match the dress fabrics. What a lucky girl I am to be able to have such talented ladies tailor make me beads for the wedding outfits. I will share some sneak peeks but cannot totally give away secrets of my outfit or the birdesmaids. As for Milly's dress that is TOP secret ;0)  I may be able to show her necklace and earrings but anything else will have to wait until after the Big Day!

Enjoy the rest of the week and I hope some of our sunshine can reach you wherever you are in the world. Happy St Patrick's Day for Saturday and Happy Mother's Day to all the UK Mums out there for Sunday.
Thank you all for your lovely visits and the kind comments that you leave; they bring even more sunshine into my days.

Bye for now,

Jane x