Spring in a 6pack and a Secret Garden

I am still ignoring the cold and rain.  Today it is cloudy but dry.  The sun keeps trying to peek out but the air has a definite chill to it.  As I fed my hens this morning all I could think was ‘brrrr’.

For all those waiting, here is the update on my chicks.  Sadly, I lost another one, the one that was the weakest from the beginning and it did not surprise me to have her succumb.  Fortunately, I was not at home and my hubby got the privilege of giving her a decent burial.

On the upswing, the remaining 4 are hale and hearty.  Their wings are already displaying how pretty they will be.



Can you see the striations of color?  Three chicks are noticeably larger than one and I am hoping that does not mean the larger are roosters.  I would like one rooster or maybe even two but not three, that would leave me only one hen.  Not that I couldn’t get another clutch of eggs to hatch if I needed to. 

I mentioned a sign design I had racketing around in my brain.  I finally got it to a point I could share and I am thrilled with how it is turning out.  Better than I had imagined, in fact. 



I love the gothic lettering.  The curves on the wood softens the overall effect and the tiny rosebuds painted on a just a couple letters gives it the Pam touch. 



Here it is displayed on my potting bench.



Since I have been suffering from Spring withdrawals I bought myself some Spring!  I call it “Spring in a 6pack”.  I fell in love with this combo of colors.



I think the tag called it Pumpkin Spice.



I need to pot them up into either a planter or individual larger pots.  I will see what I have in the greenhouse to do the job.

  They smelled so lovely as they sat beside me on the drive home from the nursery/feed store. They made the sun shine (in my heart) even while it poured rain!

Now, back to the studio for me.  I just thought I would pop in here and share a bit of Spring and a chickie update.

 

My Spring Mantel (aka: shelf or potting bench)

The first attempt at Spring display was a flop so I did a second. 

My first was a shelf over the French Doors of my studio, it is a good place for display and for my pothos plants. I decided it would be a good Spring Mantel.  I dug around for stuff I had and brought together this selection.



I was so disappointed in the lack of light, I tried to photograph at different times of day when the light was brightest but still I was just not able to do it justice.



It was not easy to get these shots, I had to climb a ladder and duck my head under the loft of my studio.  What I needed was a tripod, remote and wide angle lens to do this shot justice but since I do not have those things this will have to do. 
I may give it another shot with a new display and some alternate lighting.
 

Since that was a flop I decided to take another tack.  My potting bench is what I used for my Fall Mantel display and I have less trouble with the light since it is outside.



The yellow paint is chipping wonderfully so I just dusted off the extra flakes, it makes a great shabby backdrop for my accessories.  I still have failed to paint the legs at the bottom but now it is becoming my signature.



My sign seems to have a tilt to it. I need to fix that.  I had considered painting some pastel pansies in the corners of the sign.  What do you think?  Pansies or maybe some scroll work? It needs something but inspiration has not struck yet.

See my little bunny beside my bucket of ivy? My mom painted that.


He is really a rock but now a cute rock.

Well, those are my two Spring mantels so far, I have an idea for a third.  Coming soon….

I hope all are enjoying their weekend!  Our last sunny day was yesterday, today the clouds roll in for a week of rain!