Monday 28 May 2012

Planting out

If you are looking for my Jubilee/Olympic Giveaway post it is here . Everyone is welcome so do join in the fun. 

Well it took it's time but finally the good weather arrived and what a wonderful week and weekend it has been. The temperatures have got up into the mid to late 20s, it was 28c in my sheltered back garden. This could only mean one thing for me.......time for planting out! I had beans and tomatoes sewn by my Dad that needed to be potted on . I had also bought my first trays of bedding plants and some fresh potting compost and set aside a sunny afternoon after work to start planting up my pots. 
Billy had been waiting for me to come home from work and I smiled when I saw that he had been dozing in the shade right by the compost. It's a shame he could not have started already...I can just see him with a trowel.
He had been joined by his friend Blackie who often visits. We think this is a stray cat and we think he is a she really but in our house Blackie is a boy. Blackie is very timid and was quite thin and small when he first appeared about a year ago. Lots of our neighbours feed him. He now comes for breakfast every morning and my soft Hb makes sure he gets something nourishing. Billy is quite tolerant of Blackie but will not let him inside and is very protective of his home! Blackie gets fed on our patio steps. 






I got out some of my pots and gave them a good wash and had a think about what was going where. 

I came indoors for a cup of tea and when I went out 10 minutes later I noticed I had 2 helpers.











Inspector Billy 












and his side kick, Sergeant Blackie.
Needless to say they just watched and after a while little Blackie disappeared again. Blackie never walks anywhere,he skips! Sadly he does tend to also roam around the front of our houses and although it is a quiet road I don't like seeing him skipping across. No one knows where he came from but he seems quite happy wandering and is no trouble. 



My little plants eagerly awaiting their yummy fresh soil and big clean pots.
And here are my first ones in place.





And how could I resist this Union Jack!

All in all a very satisfying if rather hot start to my summer garden.
So of course my card challenge just has to be garden related today doesn't it.

It's one of my newest Lili of the Valley stamps, at the moment I cannot remember the name but will come back and edit if I can find out!

I coloured it using my Promarkers and highlighted using my Prismacolor pencils.I used an unusual colour scheme of purple and green and I rather like it.
I found some great backing papers in my stash including the gardening one you can see here. I also added some lovely Marta Stewart hand punched butterflies. I do so love these punches and just wish I lived in the states to buy them as they are so expensive over here.
I completed my card with some ribbon, velum border and a circular LOTV Happy Birthday sentiment.

 I would like to enter my card into the following card challenges;
Squirrel and Fox Best friends #18
Allsorts #156 Happy Birthday to someone special and a blog hop
Pretty Little Ribbons #10 Blossom and butterflies
Totally Gorjuss #133 Something new my new is my LOTV stamp
MIM Linky Party #91


I hope you all enjoyed your weekends too? We enjoyed our trip to Southampton on Saturday  for Milly and I to have our hair and make up practice for The Wedding (61 days to go) and on Sunday went for a lovely long walk with Bear. I suppose it is back to work today for a rest ;0)

Take care, do have a look at my Giveaway...details are at the top of this post. Have a great week ahead.

Bye for now,

Jane x

39 comments:

  1. Hi, Jane! Your card is so adorable! I found it at MIM!
    Hugz,
    Chana

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for visiting Chana,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Goodness Jane, I can't get over how much Blackie looks like our Polly!! If the Irish Sea wasn't between us I would be convinced she was visiting you!! I'm so glad she's having breakfast with you, some cats just need a helping hand.
    Your garden and your little post are looking lovely. :) I've been in the garden all day, I so love the sunshine.
    I love the purple and green colour combination on your card.
    Have a lovely week,
    Vivienne x

    ReplyDelete
  4. That would be 'pots' and not 'post', although your post is lovely too! ;) lol
    V x

    ReplyDelete
  5. After a busy week or two, I've finally had time to check out your last two posts. Nice to see how your garden is progressing--finally the right weather for planting! How exciting to get the opportunity to attend an Olympic event--we'll be watching it on TV.

    Have great week!
    Jane T

    ReplyDelete
  6. You're so good to scrub your pots and put fresh soil in. Your garden looks lovely! How kind of hb to feed Blackie. Hugs, Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  7. The speed at which Blackie trots around perhaps he does get over that sea Vivienne ;-) I know he would find a kindly soul there. This wonderful weather is so uplifting and my pots seem to grow as I look at them! Enjoy your garden.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great to see you Jane. The countdown to the Olympics has really started with the torch bearers taking the flame around the whole of the UK. It's so exciting.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  9. I do think it makes a big difference Teresa...the plants seems to thrive for the whole season and I get to enjoy gorgeous flowers until the first frosts.
    Blackie has been for breakfast :-)
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Jane! How wonderful you could enjoy your gardening! And with so wonderful company! I just love your pots around! And the garden card is really good! x Teje

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is such a beautiful card!

    Thanks for joining the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge.

    Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  12. What beautiful pictures!!! You have created a gorgeous get away place...so relaxing. Your card fits perfectly with this theme. Love that image and how you've colored it up. :)

    Thank you so much for taking the time to link up your talent and creative ideas with us at Make It Monday!
    Lisa xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Teje, those 2 boys are such fun to have around. The garden is taking shape, thanks for visiting,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks Lisa you are very kind, my garden really is such a pleasant place to be and with my Studio is my creative heaven!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your backyard looks like a sanctuary! Lovely...your card certainly reflects your pictures...cute cat!I saw your card at MIM!

    ReplyDelete
  16. hello dear Jane,

    I just love that dynamic-duo overseeing ALL around your garden! And everything is looking so beautiful there, really summery! We've had a bit of relapse in our weather, windy and rainy but pretty still. I wish I could come for a cup of tea at yours still...

    Have a wonderful week, dear friend, and the days are disappearing fast... :)

    Happy greetings from Finland!

    Yours,
    Mia

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks Patti Sue for visiting,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi dear Mia you know that my kettle is always ready to make you a cup of tea, you would be so welcome. It's a shame there is not a teleporter where you could nip over for tea and back again home after! The days are racing now...8 weeks on Saturday. I hope the sun returns again soon for you, it has stayed sunny here today despite some rumbles of thunder.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  19. My first visit to your blog in my "official" post as a DT member of TG, but I so enjoyed viewing your BEAUTIFUL garden with the hanging baskets and potplants. Wish I had one... Just big enough hey. Lovely, thanks so much for sharing. Right, not on to "official" business, your card is absolutely gorgeous and we love that you've joined out challenge at TG this week. Take care, hugs Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  20. It's lovely to see you here Sharon do enjoy my garden and my garden card :-)
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Jane, Wow a lot of potting has happened in your neck of the woods. It all looks so beautiful, thanks to Inspector Billy!! He sure is a character : )
    LOVE the pinwheel!
    xoRobin❤

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fantastic card and colours.. I saw this on MIM..Loz

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello. I saw this Stunning card on MIM. Faye

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fantastic card love the image.

    I saw your creation on MIM.

    Hugs Julie x

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Robin, yes I have been potting away and already the plants are coming on wonderfully.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hello Faye lovely to see you here,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hello Jane..How lovely of Billy to tolerate Blackie and no one can blame him for protecting his inner sanctum...He really does live up to all my expectations!
    Blackie is so lovely too...One of our little cats was a stray..She decided ours was to be her new home even though we had a dog and so began 14 happy years with her...
    Your plants are looking so lovely with this fine weather...I am going to do some planting myself over the weekend..I do enjoy making my hanging baskets but I am later than usual this year!
    Wonderful card...I love them all...
    Hope you have a lovely Jubilee weekend,
    Susan x

    ReplyDelete
  28. Our Billy is just the sweetest boy Susan, so kind to tolerate Blackie but as you say his home is his sanctuary. Some mornings Blackie comes as far as the kitchen mat but NO further! We are all such softies with our animals aren't we ;0) Happy Jubilations !
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wonderful pictures of your yard! Aren't kitties fun? DARLING card -love the gardening paper and sweet boy and girl!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Jane

    Lovely pics hun and a great card I especially love the gardening themed backing paper just perfect!

    Thanks for joining our 3rd birthday celebrations this week at Allsorts

    Emma xxx

    ReplyDelete
  31. I saw your link on MIM. I'm #138 & 153 this week. I had such fun reading your post Jane.

    Your garden looks fabulous and I really like your card. Gorgeous image and coloured so beautifully.

    Cheers,
    Kasey ~ in Oz

    ReplyDelete
  32. I always enjoy your garden themed posts and this card is perfectly fitting!
    Glad to know that Billy has a friend who checks in on him and that he's such a good host to share a spot in the yard with him! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm glad you enjoyed your read kasey, thanks for visiting from Oz!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love my little garden so much Michele and so does Billy (and Blackie).
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  35. Jane your plants are fab and your cats are adorable , Your card is stunning you have a fabulous crafting style well done hugs Elaine

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Elaine, only Billy is ours..little Blackie is a little lad we and some of our other neighbours help out :-) Thanks for your very kind comments.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving a comment; I really enjoy reading every single one of them.

To comply with the new Data Protection legislation (GDPR) May 2018 I wish to state that any comments left here are with your consent that your name & comment are visible to anyone who visits my blog and that you accept that your personal information is being used for that specific purpose.

Jane x