Oooooooo some late runners and racers!

We have a couple of late entries to the sunshine challenge from Nutty Jo and Princesstigermouse.

Nutty Jo penned this haiku...

Sunlight on my skin
Makes me feel alive again
Wakes me from my sleep


Which led PTM to write...

Golden orb dripping
Tiny sparks of life and hope
Into my dark palm.

Sunshine challenge round up.

We have had fewer entries than normal this week and I'm guessing that's due to the lovely sunshine making people want to go outside and have fun, which is fabulous. I do have a few photo entries to share with you that show off the effects of sunshine.

Princesstigermouse dyed her hair with henna this week and took this photo of the sunlight shining on her new rich red coloured locks. You've made me want to dye my hair red now PTM.



The 2 pictures above are from Sarah, showing her day trip to the beach with her son. I love the colours of the sky in the beach photo. That son of yours has the most innocent face and sweet smile. I bet he gets up to mischief. The innocent looking ones are always the ones secretly putting worms in your shoes.

I'd like to share this song with you. Now I have no idea why or what it is about this song that makes me feel warm and smiley inside but it does. When The Polyphonic Spree's first album came out and people kept raving about it, I thought they were crazy, a large choir of people in white robes wasn't really my idea of good music, but then I decided to sit and listen to it and see what they were all raving about and I have to admit it has some strange feel good quality to it and you just can't help but smile when you hear the songs. I quite often put the CD in the player when I'm feeling a bit washed out and low. It gives me the same kind of buzz that African tribal music gives me. I guess it just speaks to my inner rhythm.

Have a fabulous weekend all!

The end of the sunshine

Here in the UK, we have just had a solid week of 20+ degree centigrade, blue sky filled, beautiful, glorious sunshine - a rare occurrence for us!. However, all that will be stopping overnight, when the grey skies and rain return. So in order to remind myself of how good the sun makes me feel, I decided to look for sun or sunshine related items. Five of my favourites are coming up now!


This first item comes courtesy of Rosylnscloset and is just perfect for that little ray of sunshine in your life. Unless that ray of sunshine is an adult, in which case they will look like a numpty wearing children's clothes!

The second item is made by the hands of Loreto and is described as "liquid sunshine". Ok, so the picture is of a lemon, but the actual product is a citrusy smelling perfume, which is just perfect to wear in summer.

This beautiful decoration currently resides in the joysmoon Etsy shop. The face reminds me of a book I read as a child, about a very windy day or something, so it was nice to be taken back to my childhood. I'm sure with this hung on your wall, your life will be brightened up!

This incredibly cute nursery mobile was made by AmyGaines. In fact, I'd say it was one of the cutest items I have ever seen on Etsy. My favourite bit, ironically for a blog about sunshine, is the raindrops, though I do love all three levels!

A glorious photograph for sale by grafixmode. What better way, on a rainy day, to remind you of sunshine is there than an actual photo of rays of sunlight shining through the trees and a great big sunflower smiling at you too?

So all in all, a sunny and warm collection of items to warm you on those rainy days! Imagination is a great friend!

Sunshine Challenge

Due to all the lovely weather we have been having here in South Wales this weeks word for the challenge is 'Sunshine'. It's been so fantastic being able to just potter about outside in the sun. Yesterday I even managed to hula hoop for 15 mins. The first time in ages. I did have to come indoors afterwards and have a lay down, but hey it's better than nothing, right?

One of my beautiful nieces hooping in the sunshine last summer.

If you want to join in the challenge this week all you have to do is share with us something inspired by the word sunshine. You can either send me you item via Etsy conversations or put a link in the comments on this blog post to what you have made/written/photographed/seen. All entries will get full credit with a link back to any website/shop you might have. It's all just for fun so let your imagination run wild.

Glorious Sunshine, Bluebells and Buzzy Bees!

Today is so sunny! I'm loving the brightness and the blue skies. It really lifts the spirits. I've been sitting outside watching the bees buzzing around our patch of bluebells. It really feels like summer is nearly here. I managed to catch one of the bees in a photograph as it was sipping at the nectar of one of the bluebells.

As you can see we have a few mutant bluebells in the mix. Some have come up white and a few are even lilac coloured (not in the photo). I'm guessing they are still called bluebells though even though the colours are a bit wrong.

Cutecumber made these lovely bee ponytail holders with bee buttons as decoration. I could do with these, because my hair is getting so long and needs tying back off my face so I can see what I'm doing. Such a lovely green colour too.

Our bluebell patch is nowhere as big as the stunningly gorgeous woodland, captured in this photograph by Fancy That Photography. I love when the floor of woodlands are carpeted in these pretty flowers. They transform the atmosphere not only with their rich colour but the beautiful scent too.

This pretty print from Constant Dreamer is cute beyond words. I'm loving the textured feel of the background and the swarm of friendly looking bees. Although I think the bees are too late for the nectar from that flower as it seems to have gone to seed already.

Here is another print with a cuteness overload factor. I've fallen in love with the owls in Stephanie Fizers limited edition print. Their little heart shaped faces and spotty markings are just so adorable!

Beth Millner's bee pendant in sterling silver is so pretty. It reminds me a little of an old silver honey spoon I used to own. It had a hive shaped spoon bowl and a disc at the top that had a bee stamped into it. I wonder where that got to?

I love the Spring. It tempts you with beautiful offerings of daffodils and bluebells and it reminds you of all the gorgeous summer months to come. I hope the sun is shining with you and that you have lots of happy bees going about their business pollinating the early summer flowers.