Big Garden Birdwatch, 30-31 Jan 2010

Long tailed tit

If you love birds and want to help them, then the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is something you can do to help them.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

For the past 30 years supporters have been watching birds in their gardens. This snapshot picture of birds in each region, shows that some birds are disappearing in scary numbers. These surveys help spot problems and more importantly help a species to recover.

Bullfinch

If you want to take part it is really easy, visit the Birdwatch site and print off a recording sheet. They spend an hour over the weekend recording the birds that visit your garden. Once done go back to the site and log your results.

Goldfinch


What better way to spend a relaxing hour!

A great tit

The pictures are of birds that we are lucky to see in our garden, as our house backs on to woodland we have a wide variety of visitors. The blue tits have already started to pop in and out of our nest boxes!

One World One Heart

Welcome fellow bloggers, on your magic carpets .......

...... have you travelled far? Some of you may only just be starting your travels, while others may have come far. You may be in need of a rest by now, so please take a seat for a while.

Whilst here please take a look around, I would love to get to know you better..........why not become a follower and find out more about me too!

Some of you may be asking what One World One Heart is? It is an event that was created by Lisa Swifka in 2007. The idea was through a giveaway to bring bloggers from around the world together who would not ordinarily meet. The event has grown from 90 in the first year to over 900 last year!! What will the total be this year? ......... I am number 800!!

....... I hear the rooftops calling, so before you disappear, here is the gift I shall be giving.

A lovely bracelet in rich Arabian colours, incorporating a heart on the toggle clasp.

To enter is very easy, as this is a blogging event, you must have an active blog. Then just leave me a comment, on this post only, including how I can contact you, should you be the lucky winner.

I would love you to become a follower, but not essential to enter :-0). However, I have 99 at the moment, so for every 50 more, I will add another prize, for a different winner, so more chances to win.

If I am not able to contact you I will have to draw again, also you must respond with 48 hours, otherwise I will have to draw again. You have until 6pm GMT on the 14 Feb to enter and I will announce the winner on the 15 Feb.

I wonder where your carpet will take you now.......... the list of magic ticket holders can be found here, so off you go and have fun and don't forget to come back soon!

Folksy Friday

I can't believe it is Folksy Friday again so soon! Continuing with my theme todays picks are blue.

This Japanese girl in blue picture by Sew Lovely, would look lovely in a girls bedroom.

I love the butterfly on this silk purse by Silk Tree Purses.

How about this blue knitted jacket for a little one, by Topsie, I love the apple buttons.

Another cold snap is on the way, so this beautiful Sea blue scarf by See the Woods Design is just what you need, isn't it a lovely colour.

Any little girl is going to love to help with the baking in this apron from Whizzy Woo.

Other Folksy Friday selections:-

NicheHandmade - Birds and bees

Pipistrelle Crochet Design - Tartan

Folksy Weddings - Wedding Items

Nats Nest - Eggs

Misi Monday

My feature is late again today, that is the trouble with working on a Monday.

As I haven't eaten yet all these CAKE images are jumping out at me!! My apologies to the Misi ladies who are doing a slimathon. These can be admired calorie free ;-0)

This would make a great gift for a newborn, a nappy cake by balloondesigns.

These summer strawberry jumbo cupcake candles by purplesparkle, look so realistic.

This cupcake chalkboard by plainjane would be perfect to jot your notes down on.

How about this for a fairy cakes by Saara Gibson, it made me laugh!

For the chocolate lovers, how about this felt chocolate cupcake jute bag by ben7tomcat.

and this one is finally dedicated to the Misi Slimathon Ladies ............ I thought this card by Wedgie, might bring a smile to your face ........keep up the good work!

Folksy Friday

To continue with my theme, this weeks picks are based on green.

This print of an original painting by Vintage Twist is such a lovely image.

For the cat lovers, how about this Green Bubble Millefiori Cat by Quernus Crafts.

I love this heart lampwork necklace that is in my shop!

Here we have a lovely Emerald green velvet messanger bag by Clouded Yellow, sure to have enough room for all your bits and pieces.

I love this green and brown flowers brooch, using knot work by Blossom.

Other Folksy Friday blogs to look at, some new contributors this week:-

BeadyPool - Brooches

Your Special Delivery - gifts for men

Haptree and me - time

Ellies Treasures - round

Pipistrelle Crochet Design - Foxy

Top Floor Treasures - Kawaii

Natalie Wilson - Lost in the Forest!

CakesKnits and Cosies - Our furry friends

Niche Handmade - Print and pattern

linziloop - Let there be light!

Minifelts - Buttons

Misi Monday

The only problem with my Misi Monday feature, is that it will be published later in the day as I work.

However, I am home now and todays theme is going to be butterflys.

This box of melts, or butterfly melts, by Sweet Scented Soy, would make the perfect gift!

Here's a lovely selection of butterfly cards from mwlcards, one for all occasions!

There is lots of beautiful butterfly jewellery on Misi, I am going to show you one of mine, named Crystal Butterfly.

This butterfly canvas by Colourart, would look lovely in a girls bedroom.

and this would be perfect with it, a pretty cross stitch name sign by sweetsews.

I love the insect print of this bib by cyclura.

There really are some wonderful butterfly gifts on Misi at the moment. Why not take a look at these and the other stores.

Print and Postcard Giveaway

Have just found this wonderful giveaway by Lorrie Whittington at Illusio Creative. She is offering 4 A5 prints and a set of 4 postcards which are stunning.

To be in with a chance of winning pop over to her blog and enter before the end of the month.

I am sure the winner is going to be delighted with the prize from this talented artist.

Folksy Friday

This weeks Folksy Friday theme is - yellow.

These are the items that have caught my attention this week.

I love this bird on bunting coin purse by Dinky Daisy, he is certainly singing for his money! I have had a couple of purses from Dinky Daisy so can tell you how lovely they are.

This will keep you warm in our cold weather, Mustard Yellow Neck Scarf by Dolly knits.

Could this be one of your five a day? Banana badge by Pippin Designs.

These would make any gift look lovely, Summer Butterfly Black and Yellow gift tags by Ditzy Creations.

and finally these kawaii bunnies afternoon tea pin brooch, by FluffsStuffs, isn't this cute!

Here is some other blogs with Folksy Friday selections:-

Beady Pool - Seaside

Niche - Tea & Cake

Haptree and Me - Keep Warm

Ellie's Treasures - Rabbits

Pipistrelle Crochet Design - Birds

What Helen did - Mittens

Top Floor Treasures - Matryoshka/Russian Dolls

CakesKnitsand Cosies - Sweeties

Seventyseventyonedesign - Retro

Sunshine Blog Award

Today I have received this wonderful Sunshine Blog Award, which has brighten up my day, from Karen of BLONDE DESIGN.


The Sunshine Award, is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blog world.


The rules for accepting this award are:-

Put the logo on your blog or within your post,

Pass the award on to 12 bloggers,

Link the nominees within your post,

Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog,

Share the love and link to the person from whom you have received this award.



I follow some wonderful blogs, which are always a joy to read, so this decision has been difficult to make.


Here is my list of nominees, congratulations to you all!


All about the world of KittyEden

Bagladee

Haptreeandme

Lemonadekitty

Little Secrets from my garden

Madaboutbags

Mollycupcakes

Noaharkcrafts

PetalTextiles

RedGingham

Sugarmouse

Swirlythoughts

Misi Monday

Today my theme is going to be birds..................with the cold weather that we are having it is so important for us to continue to put out food and water for our garden visitors.

How pretty are these handpainted bird boxes by Claire Briggs, sure to brighten up any garden.

I thought this Amigurumi snowy owl by Cutedesigns, would feel right at home at the moment.

These recycled Mr & Mrs Bird gift tags, by SwirlyArts, would be so handy to keep in your gift drawer and so original!

Owls are one of my favourite birds, so I love these earrings by the Hairy Growler. Can you guess what they are made from? A spoon!

This pillow with a puffin by ArtbyMimi, is handpainted and would look lovely in any room.

The joy of reading!

In between crafting I love to read. I always have a book on the go, sometimes having more time to read then others! My favourite books are those that have a mystery or twist in the plot and nothing too soppy.










However, I love to try new authors as well and some books that I have enjoyed over the last year have come from the Richard & Judy book club lists. Ones I can recommend are:-


"No Time for Goodbye" by Linwood Barclay



"The Memory Keeper's Daughter" by Kim Edwards



The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

I am also very lucky to work with two colleagues who also enjoy reading and we pass on books between each other. I was introduced to my current read this way which is "Girl Missing" by Tess Gerritson, a thriller writer.






As a book reader you are always looking for something to mark your page and what better way then a lovely bookmark. Yesterday, I made these, which are now available in my shops.



It would be an ideal Valentines Present for the Book Lover!!

Folksy Friday

I have been browsing the wonderful Folksy site and I have choosen some lovely items today to show you, with the theme - Orange. I thought looking at some warm colours would cheer us up in our snowy conditions.

This is a lovely orange and feather fascinator, by Tiaras and Flowers. Take a look through her shop for some wonderful headwear when you don't want a hat!

This overnight bag made by Pidgeon Stitch, would be ideal to put in the car with some items incase you are caught out in the snow!

and something to pop in the bag is this Orange Heart Felted Soap by the Rainbow Room, it is a natural and handmade goats milk soap with a blend of cinnamon and orange essential oils. Then handfelted in a blend of Merino wool and silk. Very pretty and practical!

and for something a little bit different, how about these little orange ninja earrings, by Lilleys. Take a look at her shop for lots of other little ninjas!

and finally I would like to be able to send these to all my blog followers! Can you guess what these Eco Daisies by hmsdesign are made of? Plastic carrier bags!! Beautiful and everlasting.