More cakes and 2 days out.

 I have been getting on with the cake illustrations. They want 5 textile pieces and this is the third.

 Chocolate cake.

 Polenta cake

 Apricot tea bread.

 Trying to prolong our holiday feeling and make the most of the Autumn sunshine between rainfall, we have had a couple of NT days out. This is Dryham Park, near Bath. It is being used in 'Sanditon' as the wealthy lady's house but with the Bath backdrop painted out and sea added behind, which makes us laugh!

 Look for the deer on the skyline.

 And back to our local house Newark Park because the cyclamen spreading under the horse chesnut trees are amazing. An American took over the house when it was falling to pieces and saved it. He was a keen gardener too and planted lots of trees and bulbs. Now the National Trust look after it and an army of volunteers care for the beautiful gardens.

Snowdrops and the summer book.

 Lovely snowdrops at Newark Park on Sunday. And it is cold here with a sprinkling of snow.

 Remember these little books for the four seasons? Well I am now working on the summer one. Yes in the cold I am remembering the robin that came and perched on the yellow daisies (Inula) while we were sketching. From coldest day to hottest day. How we can travel in the mind!

Today the robins in our garden are all fluffed up and fighting to get to the seeds first. Perhaps best to stay in my mind travel, back to the hot days- I am making the covers for the summer book.

Sketches at Newark Park, Summer flower borders.

Going for colour! Nothing clashes in the garden but I was brought up on never mixing your oranges with your pinks. As for shovelling in pinks, yellows, purples, scarlets etc well! Sometimes you have to be brave. These aren't brilliant but they are joyous and they do record the day. ( Last Friday at Newark Park). Must add a few bees and butterflies - yes, will go and do that.

Newark Park, Glos. Summer garden.

 What a glorious place to be- a summer garden filled with colour.

 Bees a buzzing and birds singing.

 If you can't get out at the moment imagine yourself here.

 Lush growth covering the sculptures,

 the stone dogs were garlanded.

Newark Park, National Trust house and garden last Friday. Our summer visit for our exhibition there next Spring. Our title will be The Seasons in Silver and Thread. Joining me, my two friends Rosemary Cochrane, jeweller and Liz Hewitt, textile artist.