A little off-topic compared to the usual handmade-related postings but I just had to share photos of our newest little friends. A few weeks ago, we went for a Sunday-afternoon walk around a local, remote lake and were very excited to spot a mother swan sitting on her nest by the side of the lake. At one point. she stood up to adjust the twigs she was sitting on and we caught a glimpse of a group of eggs.

We’ve been visiting the lake often over the last few weeks to watch the babies and it’s been lovely to see the two parents and their three baby cygnets grow up over the weeks. We call them ‘our swan babies’ as we’ve been watching them since they were hatched.

Here are a few photos I took at the end of May when the babies were out swimming on the lake with the parents, shot with a long lens so not to disturb them. They are adorable, as are the ducklings that are also growing up on the lake – quite cheeky and full of energy. I really would love one for my bathtub!!

I’ve been wanting to share photos of my planted goodies for a few weeks now, but things have been so busy here recently! There’s been lots of individual orders, a big wholesale order and we’re preparing for our first feature in a very special publication…more on that shortly, but be assured that Ruby is currently in creation-frenzy-mode!

A few weeks ago, when things were much calmer, I managed to get out in the garden to plant some scrap paper…intrigued yet?

Being a very eco-friendly little bird, Ruby Wren saves all the scrap paper cut from the middle of our cards. It doesn’t really have much use usually as the animals and shapes aren’t handcut in just one smooth motion, but we make sure to recycle every scrap. So, when it comes to the wildflower seed cards we make, there’s often scraps of paper cut from the seeded paper.

I’ll keep you updated on how they grow! The scrap paper from our wildflower cards were planted in one of our new catnip beds…and of course, there were a few nosey faces wanting to know what I was doing in their flower bed!

With Spring just around the corner (yay!) I’m drawn to all the lovely pastel shades that are appearing in Etsy Treasuries, New Spring Products and Fashion. Here’s just a few little lovelies that I’ve collected in my Etsy Favourites. Now, lets hope the weather is inspired by these springtime goodies too!

Tea Green – Cotton Canvas Tote by nuvonova $40

Acorn Gift Tags – Pastels – Felted Acorn and Oak Leaf Git Tags by Fairyfolk $10

Lilac Flower, felt headband by lupin $14.75

lyrical by LeslieThomson $20

Cute Candy the Rabbit Faux Fur Plushie Momma Size by Zygopsyche $35

Two Bunny Rabbits mama and baby miniature ceramic sculptures by iktomi $29

Springtime Sterling Silver Stacking Rings by ThirtySixTen $65

Delicate Fluttering Butterfly Trio 3D Purple by RUBYrecycled $3.50