Wednesday 18 July 2012

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


52 comments:

  1. The photos are fantastic so pretty just gorgeous, love yuor card too its beautiful huggies june xxx

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  2. Good morning June you are up bright and breezy, lovely to see you here,
    Jane x

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  3. Hello dear Jane,

    What a lovely, flower-filled post! I see your trolley was more full than empty ;) but who could blame you, those plants look wonderful. And no need to water anything around here this summer either :)

    Kisses to those B-boys, and an extra BIG birthday kiss to Billy! And oh Bear...He's so big already, yet very handsome!

    And just ten days to go...I can't believe it! I wish you all the best of the best of the best days!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  4. Good morning dear Mia....how could I resist those plants? There is wonderful news on the horizon...the jet stream is on the move and our summer is due to arrive back by this weekend..yipee! Billy sends a big kiss and says he had a lovely birthday.
    Jane x

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  5. Beautiful photos Jane. Your garden looks fabulous.
    Great card, love the image, papers and details.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  6. Well all I can say is good riddance to the jet stream!!
    I can never go to a garden centre without buying something. :)
    Bear is certainly looking very content reclining on the sofa!
    Many happy returns to Billy, I hope he had a good birthday. :)
    Love those little butterflies on your card.
    Ten days Jane, how exciting it's so close now!!!!
    V xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  7. What a great post and I wished I lived near that garden centre, amazing.
    Your card is beautiful too and I love how you coloured the image and the papers you used.
    Thanks for sharing with us at Penny Black & More
    Lynn x
    DT

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  8. Thank you Caz for your kind comments,
    Jane x

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  9. It's due to be off in the next 2 days and good riddance I say too Vivienne. Let's keep our fingers and toes crossed summer does return. 10 days ...wooohoo ;0)
    Jane x

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  10. It is an amazing Garden Centre Linby and it wins lots of national awards. I do like their home made cakes too!Thanks for liking my card,
    Jane x

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  11. So very sweet. Thanks so much for joining us at Totally Papercrafts this week.
    Diane

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  12. Hi Jane! Just a little envious of that green lawn as we're going for "straw" here in California. Always a fan of your garden pics and your newest cards, but my heart just melts any time you share a peek at Billy and Bear! Happy B-day to Billy- I hope he had a special treat in honor of his day. So glad the sun has decided to come out in time for a beautiful summer wedding! :o)

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  13. Hi Jane your card is so sweet...thanks for sharing your gorgeous summer pics and for joining in the July challenge at Penny Black Saturday...hugs kath xxx

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  14. I have never seen the South of England looking so lush at this time of the year Michele, that is one advantage of the rain. The forecast is looking good for the weekend and that jet stream seems finally on the move. Billy and Bear are great aren't they ;0)
    Jane x

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  15. Glad you enjoyed all my flowers Kath,
    Jane x

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  16. Adorable card love the image and the coloring is wonderful thanks for joining in at Divas by Design
    sheryl

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  17. What a beautiful place to have lunch. Somebody around me should steal, um borrow, that idea. I'm excited for you with the wedding coming up and all the other fun you'll be having soon. A darling card too :)

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  18. It is such a beautiful place to eat Linda..they have recently enlarged the restaurant and now have a lovely patio and conservatory area too. We love it there,
    Jane x

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  19. LOVE the pink and red! This is such a fun card! Thanks for joining the RRR Challenge!!!

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  20. Your card is adorable! Thank you for sharing all your gorgeous flower pics.


    I’m stopping by from MIM. (I’m entry #226)

    ~Cheryl~

    **I am having a give-away on my blog. Feel free to stop by if you are interested.**

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  21. Really gorgeous card, thanks for joining us at Stamping with the Dragons!

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  22. Thanks for visiting Cheryl,
    Jane x

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  23. Hi Jacqui, it was good to join the challenge.
    Jane x

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  24. Your engagement card is so pretty - what a darling little girl! Your pictures are fabulous and I enjoyed them so much!

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  25. Hi Lori, always lovely to see you hear. Glad you enjoyed my floral post ;0)
    Jane x

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  26. Dear Jane ... where to start, wow only 10 days, you must have butterflies in your stomach and I can't imagine how exited (and nervous) Millie is!
    Happy Birthday to sweet Billy! Kisses to him!
    So wonderful photos and your garden looks beautiful - it likes the rain! But I wish sunshine to you!
    And 'Bear'!!! He looks exactly the same like 'Hania', the puppy we rescued and then found him a new home in Finland. And his new 'mom' became my best friend and has now saved an other dog and cat (Oby 'the lucky puppy' and 'Stavros' the kitten) from here! Hania had from puppy so amazing ears that I even painted him. I have to send you his photos.
    I wish you already happy weekend and thank you for that wonderful present you made for my sister!
    xxx Teje

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  27. Loveley card, the image is really sweet. Thanks for joining us at The Stamp Man. Sue C x

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  28. Dear Jane, oh my what a wonderful garden! Lucky you. Wow, just 10 days until the big day. Just remember to breathe deep and enjoy each moment as it's all so fleeting. I look forward to seeing photos of the momentous occasion! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  29. It is such an exciting time for us Teje, Milly is looking forward to putting on her dress and marrying Tom SO much. It will be a wonderful opportunity for a party too. It's a shame Billy and Bear can't be there ;0) I am delighted your sister was pleased with her birthday present and once again thanks so much for buying from my Etsy Shop. Have a great weekend my friend,
    Jane x

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  30. Hi Sue and thanks,
    Jane x

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  31. It's now only 8 days Teresa...getting so very close. I love my tiny garden and I have never seen the lawn so green in late July!I will remember to inhale every moment of Milly's big day!
    Jane x

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  32. Fantastic photos and really cute card. Caught you on MIM, pat K.x

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  33. Thanks for popping over Pat.
    Jane x

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  34. wow Jane that place looks incredible it must be huge too...I would love a visit, your garden is equally as stunning too...I love your card its perfect for an engagement
    Mina xxx

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  35. It's a great nursery Mina, I always love to visit it. I think the sun is going to be out for me to get out into my garden this weekend, hooray! Thanks for liking my card,
    Jane x

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  36. Such a cute image, lovely layout and embellies. Love all those gorgeous photos too.
    Thanks for linking up with MIM this week.
    Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!
    Sandy DT

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  37. Thank you Sandy, lovely to see you here,
    Jane x

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  38. Beautiful pics Jane...I can't resist spending whenever I visit a garden centre...My fuschias seem to be very happy with this damp weather and on the plus side it is great not to be constantly watering the garden, isn't it?
    Love the pic of young Billy admiring his kingdom and Bear is beautiful..how he has grown!
    I'm sure THE DRESS is safe under lock and key...I would be guarding the door Jane!...I'm so excited for you all...It is going to be fabulous!
    Susan x
    P.S Love your latest card!

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  39. I am sitting having lunch in the garden as I type this Susan in the sunshine. This time next week...wow! The dress is indeed under lock and key..there is a sign on the door saying no entry! I hope you are getting some of this long missed sunshine, enjoy your weekend.
    Jane x

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  40. I saw your beautiful creation on Make It Monday and had to come visit and take a closer look. Gorgeous! TFS! My entries are: #89, #90, #91, #151, #154, #155, #173, #254, #255 and #282.
    I would love to have you visit my blog!
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  41. Hi and thanks Julia
    Jane x

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  42. I always enjoy visiting garden centres (and their cafes!) and this one looks lovely, especially with its British displays. Your little card is very sweet too, Jane.
    Wishing you a sunny Sunday :)
    Helen x

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  43. Saw your card on MIM and just wanting to say its gorgeous and best of luck in the challenge. Jox

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  44. Helen you would really love Coolings. The sun is blazing as I type this in the garden today...Oh sweet bliss!
    Jane x

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  45. Thanks for popping over Jo,
    Jane x

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  46. Hello Jane,

    Sorry to be so very late getting here, catching up his be taking far longer than I dissipated despite using the new programme.

    Really lovely photographs again and of course a lovely card.

    Thank you so much for sharing your 'Summer blooms' with us at Penny Black and More this month.

    B x

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  47. I'm delighted you made it Brenda, that voice recognition is pretty good stuff eh!
    Jane x

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  48. Gorgeous card, love the stamp and blooms,
    Thank you for joining the Summer Blooms challenge over at Penny Black and More @ Allsorts and good luck x Susan x

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Jane x