Spring Showers

The thought of spring showers and plants conjures up images of preparing vegetable plots, flower beds etc in our gardens. At this time of year in the UK we have our annual Chelsea Flower Show. This is a spectacular and ultimate gardening show where ‘pretend’ gardens are created with various themes. During the show you can walk around gaining inspiration as well as being able to purchase plants to take home. At the end of the show the gardens are all dismantled with plants and accessories being offered for sale to the general public on the last day. Plants are also donated to local hospices, schools and charities which I think is a super idea to allow those who are not able to enjoy the wonders of this show to relish the plants beyond.

And so, my friends, I turned my attention to search for items to compliment my theme title from this amazing interior design team.

Isn’t this silk scented arrangement with mini cream roses just gorgeous?

Do visit Melrose Fields to find this and many more blooms in the most beautiful and exotic arrangements.

These blooms would not be out of place in the Chelsea Flower show. Note the Hula girl in the corner!

Tropical Splendor is an original oil painting by Elizabeth Graf

Flowers can be displayed in all manner of ways like this Watering Can Bouquet of Hydrangeas by Yankee Girl.

All that’s missing is a little butterfly but then it’s early days!

Friendships are like flowers - need tending to bloom by Wandering Whimsies.

Often a visit to the show is a popular activity for friends with similar interests to share. This sampler testifies to this sentiment!

Red Flower could be an autumnal creature or a flower that appears at any other time of year.

On A Whimsey uses her love of encaustics (wax painting) to create this beauty! ‘Well with tongue in cheek, I had to slip that one in didn’t I?’

…. Talking of butterflies, what about this beautiful Handmade Butterfly Feeder?

Glorious Glass Garden has more lovely feeders made from functional stained glass.

Now that you have a feel for the outdoors don’t you wish you could visit? One day!!!

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A good Pantomime!

In the UK, the word "Pantomime" stands for a theatrically themed performance which traditionally is enacted during the Christmas holiday season and early January. Most cities and towns throughout the UK have a form of Pantomime at this time of year. The origins of British Pantomime or "Panto" as it is known date back to the middle ages, deriving some of the traditions of the Italian "Commedia dell’ Arte, the Italian night scenes and British Music hall to produce an intrinsic art form that is constantly adapted to survive up to the present day.

Pantomime has been attempted abroad, usually with a small amount of success. Not surprisingly it has proved popular in countries such as Canada, Australia and South Africa- recently a production of "Babes in the wood" ran at the Rainbow Seven Arts Theatre in Harare, Zimbabwe! In America this very British art form has fared less favourably, although in 1868 a production of "Humpty Dumpty" ran for over 1,200 performances at the Olympic Theatre, New York, making it the most successful Pantomime in American history.

Pantomime, as we know it today is a show predominantly aimed at children, based on a popular fairy tale or folk legend. The most popular subjects being "Cinderella", followed by "Aladdin", "Dick Whittington" and "Snow White".

Although a typically British thing I have searched our team to see if there are any items that could be perceived as anything, however remotely, to do with a 'panto' theme! So here goes!!

Cat Prince on Pillows FRAMED ceramic tile for wall or table display Whimsical folk art design by KRISTEN STEIN

Alice In Wonderland Realistic Fake Cupcake by Frosted Fakes

Mad Tea Party by KatHannah

Dragon Stained Glass Suncatcher by Creations in Glass

Little Strawberry House by Elegant Snobbery

It has been quite hard to get real Pantomime themed items relating to fairytales so please excuse the rather tenuous links! However, I know you will enjoy this selection.

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