Little steps

A short Coombe Wood walk.

Frost flowers again. I've only ever seen these this winter, on the cut stems of one kind of plant. I must remember to ask the gardener what it is. 

Korean pine tree cones disintegrating on the tree as they drop their seeds, leaving a core. 

Gorse - vicious spikes, delicate little flowers

Hopefully I've learnt the difference between rhododendron and camelia buds now - I think this is a rhododendron

 and this is a camelia

Rhododendron

  Rhododendrons - what an amazing colour

Camelia

The remnants of last year's hydrangeas with gorgeous purple leaf buds

It's such a shame that hellibores hide their faces 

 This one has lovely pink freckles

I must keep an eye on these - and see what the cluster in the middle does next (no idea what it is).

It has lovely red stems

A bud in the middle of a "nest" of leaves (not sure what this is either).

Partially skeletonised holly leaves

Altered books.

I usually like to plan ahead and know exactly what I'm going to do before I start but this is unfolding gradually as I take little each step. It began with the paper-bead-making the other day, then an idea of what to use some of them for began to emerge. I searched a couple of charity shops for small, children's board books and found four identical sized books for 25p each. I stripped off the pictures and then coated the pages with gesso. I was only going to do one - it was going to be something about winter - but I have four - I'll have to do all four seasons then.

I've knitted a white fluffy snowy cover for the winter book and will probably fasten it with a bead somehow. That's all so far but ideas about what to do on the pages are slowly developing. 

Thank you very much for joining me.