more nature

Before they get sucked into the abyss that is my hard drive

the beginning of the end

It's almost winter. Everything is brown and old and nearly dead. I was a bit depressed by it all at first. My favourite season is coming to an end and the cold dead of winter is about to begin. Then I looked a little closer at the brown and found a few interesting nobbly trees which made for interesting photographs and these cute pine cones.

And when there is lots of brown it makes you appreciate the little splashes of colour you still find every now and again. Like here:

I really wish I could learn to use my camera properly. All I do is switch the flash off and click away. I take about 10 photos for every one I use and I find it hard to edit them all too. I think in the new year I might try and start a weekly photography feature. Maybe an art and photography feature. Maybe a nature study. And I can learn how to take gorgeous photos of nature and then draw them. Then post them side by side. No words except a title.

Well I'm just thinking out loud.

enjoying nature

I try and get out as much as possible with my little boy. He is a bundle of energy at 16 months and sometimes I struggle to keep up with him. We live in the city so its hard to find green spaces nearby where we can just go and spend time within nature but I try my hardset to make sure each day has some nature time.

There is a small park near were we live and even though we tend to go there the most, J never seems to tire from playing in the leaves and bird spotting.

little bits of nature

Picked up on the walk to drop my son at nursery. I love how you can find small bits of beauty in the hustle and bustle of city life.

Art for arts sakes

Some photos from the weekend visiting my Mum.. My sister and I decided to start up an art group. It will be on Sundays and I will make some nice vegan nibbles and we can sit and draw or paint. I really want to improve my drawing skills so this will force me to practice. I'm trying to decide if it needs to be structured with different themes or if we should just go with the flow. Maybe I'll invite other people to join online if anyone's interested.

I've also been stitching some large Christmas linen hearts. Each heart has a different message stitched in red floss onto linen and backed with red and white gingham. They will be available in the noisette handmade shop soon. They will be £5 each and brighten up the home with the little pop of bright red.

nature shelf

With our recent finds.

Our monday walk

Lots collected for the nauture table/shelf.J had so much fun. He was squealing everytime he saw something he liked and wanted to put in the bag. He also loved pointing out all the birds and trees. At one point we saw some swallows and he was so excited he ran after them shouting with joy which of course scared them off! Ah to be 1 again...

clear blue skies

View from our balcony. It was a beautiful day, perfect for going on a nature walk. I quickly made J a little bag to collect his bits of nature in. I was aiming for a messenger type bag but since I didn't use a pattern it looks more like a handbag! I used freezer paper to stencil a leaf on to the front and quickly dried it with a hairdryer then ironed the ink to heatset it.

Excuse the dummy. Its the only way I could get him to stay still long enough for a photo! J has just turned 16 months so really the dummy has to go. Not sure how to tackle that one so any tips would be grateful.

Drawing autumn

Drawing autumn, originally uploaded by noisette handmade.

I am inspired wholeheartedly by autumn. I love the colours, the shapes, the sounds the smells. I have always loved autumn and while it took a bit of time coming this year (I'm still getting strawberries from my little container garden!) now its finally here I am so happy.

Little J and I have been off playing in the leaves with our wellies on and I can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon.