5 in 5 - August 2014 - THE SECRET GARDEN

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of

each month I post 5 photos that I have

taken in 5 minutes. 

 

I wrote here about a recent visit to Paycockes House in Coggeshall.  Well, I can't miss out the part where we explored the town itself.  Coggeshall has a rich history based around the wool industry and lace making.  The buildings are a rich assortment that span centuries, sitting comfortably side by side.  There is a lovely museum and despite it's tiny size it held our interest for a good time.  We didn't anticipate so much to see and do in one small town and one of the best surprises was the Secret Garden. 

The sign suggested a short cut from the car park, through the garden of a tea room.  But what we discovered what a gem of a nursery, and straight away my camera came out.  This was a perfect opportunity for more 5 in 5 photos, and so I enjoyed wandering around leisurely before setting my timer for the challenge...

 

A glimpse of the surprise in store.....

 

 

I loved the different materials and objects used to display the plants. 

As well as potted plants there was a huge display of baskets and containers, all at really good prices.

And everything looked so healthy and colourful.

I also liked the way height had been added, using different ideas

to show the plants and make good use of space. 

Height was also added along this border, using shelving and stands. 

It looked really affective and we took home ideas to use in our own garden. 

 

In the corner of the nursery was a large open sided shed, packed higgledy piggledy with mirrors, plant tables and an assortment of baskets and other household items.  I immediately spotted a couple of mirrors I liked and after clambering over piles to reach them we agreed a price.  We also picked up a metal log basket for our log burner. I love it when I come home with things that will become lasting memories of our day - especially when they are things we have been looking for!

 

One day's visit and three posts written (the third is here). A record for me!  I could write even more because there are lots of stories and even more photos from our day, but I have other posts waiting so Coggleshall will have to be shelved until my next visit. 

 

I hope you are inspired to get out your camera and join in this photo challenge. Here is the plan:

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a timer for 5 minutes (I use my mobile phone).

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool below.
     You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos.

There are more details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.

Thank you to those who have taken part so far, I have loved seeing your photos and hope you will be back with more. 

And don't forget, you have until 25th to post your link

Thank you for popping by! 

PAPERLOVE

Recently I took part in a wonderful online course called Paperlove, ran by Rachel Hazell.  I met others who shared my love for all things paper and I was so inspired by the creativity and ideas of others.  So much, that I have booked to go on a residential course next April, but more about that another time.  I am still working my way through the projects and a warm friendly group has developed on the forum, but what I wanted to show is a journal I made using a challenge to find papers that were easy to hand...

 

I love maps so one or two had to feature... 

 

A page from a garden magazine, and a recipe I printed for Sparking Cucumber Water.

The drink was delicious and a favourite in the hot weather we have been enjoying!

 

It's a fun to play with words and create new meaning

 

Another map!  This page was folded to make a pocket on the reverse - great for slipping tickets, receipts, photos or notes into.   This was the first book we made on the course and the pages were sewed together.  I will have fun using it as a journal.  

Something else I have enjoyed is seeing the happy mail that is being shared.  One envelope is completing the whole distance - being passed from one person to another.  Wow!!  I wonder if we can work out how many miles it will have travelled to complete it's final journey!  Meanwhile other letters are arriving and I did a happy dance this morning when one landed at my door.  Just look at this! 

A marbled paper envelope, hand folded, with a beautiful mini book inside.  My day was made, receiving this!  It was so thoughtful and beautifully done, thank you Helen!!  These will not become pages in a future journal, I will think of a special way of keeping them so that like the commemorate theme, they will not be forgotten.

One of the other things we were invited to do on the course was to make a list of all the paper items we could see.  I decided to do this while I was on a creative retreat last weekend as time offered more opportunity and here is what I found:

blank envelopes and cards, Amazon envelope, braille paper, scrapbook papers, morning pages journal, moleskin diary, diary, bin of offcuts, receipts, tickets, lottery ticket (sadly not a winning one!), tabs, tags, newspapers (including Russian!), A4 white paper, assorted card and other papers, mount board, grey board, tissue paper, serviettes,  various packaging for products and food, handmade books, toilet tissue, posters on walls, takeaway menu, junk journal, postage stamps, birthday and celebration cards, to do list, table covering, music sheets, price labels, wall paper, graph paper, magazines, sticky labels, postcard, notebooks, photo scavenger hunt list, gift card holder, paper plates, cardboard box for foil/cling film, photo paper, business cards, label on new product......

We are surrounded by so much paper every day, and so much of it just gets thrown away or sent for recycling.  But there is lots of fun to be had, so if you like upcycling, recycling and sharing with others then you may be interested in a Junk Journal Swap that I am organising.  Why not pop over to here and find out more?!