The Abundance of Summer
Happy Monday and welcome to the latest catch up blog post with Pippin Prints. A moment for me to reflect on the most recent chapter in our year, the nature inspired art that I’ve been creating in my studio and the progress I’ve made on current projects. I also love to share some of the little joys of life from the outdoors, home and the comforts of the current season. In August I’ve been celebrating the abundance of summer.
The Abundance of Summer
Wherever this month finds you, I hope you have been able to discover and enjoy a little of August’s abundance. Not in grand plans or perfectly slow days, but in the ordinary moments that are so easy to miss. A handful of blackberries. A vase of sweet peas. Fresh air through an open window. Have you taken the time to notice them, gather them and bring a little of the season into your everyday life?
The hedgerows near my house have been full of blackberries this month. On more than one occasion, handing my oldest a basket and telling her “we need to find some berries for pudding” has been the perfect way to spend some time outdoors whilst also filling the final days of the summer holidays. It’s an added bonus that there’s a treat at the end of the adventure.
It makes my days abundant in happy memories too, around all of the realities of parenting small children don’t get me wrong. Warm weather and the height of foraging season just make for great days. The fact that nature offers us this experience every year, literally by the basket load, is something that will always impress me.
In the Studio
Whilst my focus each day has been on enjoying the remainder of summer season, my work focus has been a little different. In the studio it is time to think about Christmas. In fact, I’m a little late to the party as I know many shops have already started placing orders so that they are organised for the festive season.
With that in mind I have spent my creative time working on a new card. Nature inspired, as always, with a festive warmth.
When I began brainstorming ideas I was looking at the most classic Christmas foliage. I have a holly collection and a mistletoe Christmas card too. What else would capture the nostalgic moments of the season?
For me, Christmas nostalgia always comes back to the tree. All other traditions seem to come and go through the years. The tree however, with its incredible smell, is something I have loved from childhood. With that in mind, I’ve chosen to capture a sprig of Scots pine!
The Little Joys of Every Day Life
Now at the end of the month, as we try to settle back into the school routine and life gets busy again, the small moments of joy in each day are really helping me to find peace.
As the blackberries begin to turn we’ll grab a quick moment to enjoy the last of the fruit. A spontaneous thirty minutes between rain showers (so appreciated after a long hot summer) brings a breath of fresh air to an otherwise busy day and an unexpected after school snack.
My garden has been full of gifts too, with leeks, potatoes and apples all ready for harvesting. It’s not something I would have ever imagined finding so much joy in when I was younger, but now in my mid 30s stepping into my garden makes me both happy and calm instantaneously. I mean look at that face!
As we begin to head towards autumn nature continues to surprise us, but I’ll share more on that next month. Looking forward to catching up with you again at the end of September.
I hope it’s a calm one for you!
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