Cozying up for autumn

The weather on Sunday could not have been more summery, the sun shone from dawn to dusk. I decided that it really was time to try to get my bulbs planted. I adore spring flowers, daffodils are my absolute favourites and watching them grow and bloom always makes my heart sing.
I bought some daffodils and tulip bulbs and decided that I would top the pots with some winter pansies and violas. This gives some autumn, and hopefully winter colour in my garden for the long dark months ahead.

As well as a few large pots I like to plant up my fun chicken pot to force some miniature daffs for indoors.
I cleaned up my pots and lined them with some crocks

and then got layering up the compost with my bulbs.

I finished the tops off with my winter bedding. I then put my pots into place in the autumn sunshine

and my happy chicken has been tucked away in the garage in the dark.

My bulbs will sleep and grow quietly over the coming months, cozy in their compost.

I was also delighted to see this pop through my letter box at the weekend.

Yes it really is autumn now that the Cath Kidston autumn/winter catalogue  has arrived. I really love browsing through and oohing and ahhing at all the yummy new items.

 (Photos all from the Cath Kidson catalogue)

and I love this photo below....just so autumnal...

Seeing those pumpkins inspired another Halloween make.I decided to make a tag this time for another Guest design DT piece for Nicecrane Designs. There is a terrific freebie available over at the blog at the moment, do pop over and grab it now, it will be great for your Christmas cards. This is the link here.There are also some amazing DT cards up at the moment too if you need any inspiration for Christmas, birthday or Halloween.

The image I have used is  from this sheet here.. I used my distress inks to colour my tag. The grunge sentiment is such also such  fun, here is the link.I used my favourite Cheery Lynn edge dies to make a "faux" lace border. The top two are cut using the Queen Anne's lace edge die and the bottom one is the Francesca edge. I also used the flourish leaf strip for all the leaves.

 Here is that fab image in close up

The clock face charm is from my jewellery stash and is there to remind us all that it is not long until Halloween. It could also serve as a reminder that it is time to get those bulbs planted so that you are able to enjoy their beauty next spring.

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

Cheery Lynn Halloween
Country View Crafts Halloween/something spooky
The Cupboard Trilogy fall/Halloween
My Mum's Craft Shop Halloween
Die Cut Divas autumn and an animal
Ali Craft Halloween
Stamping Sensations All creatures great and small
A little bit crafty a little bit shabby/inky
As you like it anything but a card this is my favourite project as I have never made any Halloween crafts until this year. I love this amazing image and it just cried out for some distress inks! I had so much fun inking the background.It is going to be attached to one of my kids Halloween bags (yes he is only 24!!)
Papertake Weekly 2 by 2 I have used 2 different edge dies to create my faux lace border


We are also getting ready for our grandbaby's imminent arrival...my daughter's due date is 4 weeks on Friday...eek where have 9 months gone? As the sentiment on my tag reads...get ready to scream!! (with joy of course;0) Keep warm, there is a 10oc temperature drop forecast for tomorrow here in the UK, it's time to get out those winter woolies now. Keep warm and carry on crafting.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x