Best of British

When I visit my parents in Kent  they often treat me to lunch at a local nursery in Knockholt called Coolings. This is a gorgeous nursery selling great quality plants and the on site restuarant is rather good too. I always have homemade soup and a roll; Summer or Winter followed by a slice of homemade cake.
Coolings often have greenhouse display showcasing plants of the season. When we last visited I was delighted to see a Red, White and Blue Best of British theme for the Summer Showcase.

There was a table set up for a Jubilee party.

Even a London taxi featured amongst the floral displays.
One of my favourite annuals are fushias and they had showcased so many gorgoeus varieties.

I just love these showy plants. Needless to say mine in my own garden this year have been quite slow but they are coming along well. I even have a variety called Blackie and one called Billy ;0)

These pelargoniums caught my eye too.

The displays were so bright and cheerful everwhere.








Now usually I can overcome temptation and come home empty handed. That day though I wanted to buy some shrubs for my front garden.... well OK just a few extras jumped onto my trolley ;0)

Now there's no need to look too closely , yes I can see that there are some more plants underneath too. I have no idea how they got there....perhaps these plants have legs? It was a lovely visit, there is nothing quite like a bold display of colourful plants to sooth the soul. As soon as I got home I got these into the garden and with all the rain I must admit they are going really well. Unlike most summer's I have not had to water them at all!
This is my back garden early yesterday morning when, for the first time in ages, the sun decided to made an appearance.

I snapped this photo out of my back door first thing in the morning. Just look how lush the grass is this year. Usually by late July it is looking more like hay.

You will have spotted my Billy sitting there, enjoying the sunbeam. If you think he looks pleased with himself well he had just had some extra biscuits with his breakfast as it was his birthday. Yes Billy was 4 yesterday...bless.












I also wanted to share a recent photo of Bear which Charlotte sent me.  He is growing so quickly and is the most wonderful dog...I think secretly he is their baby ;0) What a handsome boy he is.

I tried enlarging this but the photo seems to turn into zigzags so I have left it this size. Sometimes I think blogger throws hissy fits with photos especially downloads.







I thought today's challenge card needed to be a flower themed card. I made this card for Tom's sister who has recently got engaged. Tom's Mum and Dad have another wedding booked for next May!

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This sweet image is a Penny Black Betsey Bluebell stamp which I coloured with my Promarkers and highlighted with my Prismacolor pencils.

I have bought a new larger Martha Steward butterfly punch and loved adding some different sized punched butterflies. I added some bling with little gems and the butterfly backing paper also has a lovely sheen to it. I added lots of details to this card including mulberry flowers and pearls and I even made a box for it. It was very well received ;0)

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Really reasonable ribbons Sizzling summer colours #52
The Stamp Man Anything Goes/Summer colours
Totally Papercraft Lots of Layers #125
Penny Black Allsorts Summer blooms
Penny Black Saturday Challenge Summertime
Papertake Weekly All things Girlie
Stamping with the Dragon Ribbon and bows
Simon Says Stamp Dawny's sketch
The Paper Shelter Anything Goes #73
Divas by Design Anything Goes #44
Make it Monday Linky Party #98



Well this really is the count down to Milly and Tom' wedding now...just 10 days to go. She had her final dress fitting at the weekend and The Dress in now hanging in my back bedroom all ready and waiting to be worn. I have finished all the jewellery. I am working this week and then I have next week off which will be lovely. The Olympic torch arrives here on Monday and I shall be there to wave my flag. I shall be back  next week hopefully to show you some photos of this momentous occasion. Life is certainly very full and busy at the moment. I have lots of lists I am juggling to make sure that I do not forget anything. Thanks goodness for lists ;0) There is great news too about the weather, the jet stream is finally moving north and it looks like by this weekend our normal summer weather will be returning..hooray...Summer you have been missed.


Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x