Wednesday 31 October 2018

My Favourite Time of year. Autumn and Halloween are here!

I think Autumn and Halloween are the most magical times of year with the red and gold leaves scattered everywhere. The sun is low which creates a golden light through the trees. The apples are really red this year because of the very hot summer. We have had a great harvest, apples are all over the ground in the woodland garden. I have left some for the foxes, hedgehogs, squirrels and birds to feast on. I also gave loads away to friends who like to make apple crumble and pickle...

Zig loves rustling around in the coppery Beach leaves. He was looking for woodland mice but he never catches anything!

This spooky Jack-o'-lantern is ready to ward off evil spirits in Avebury. Carving turnip faces was originally an Irish Celtic tradition that has become very popular in America who started to make the pumpkin lanterns.
I also found some blood red skeleton type leaves in the garden. They are a wonderful colour and pattern. 
I have been making the most of my National Trust membership and visiting as many grand houses and gardens as I can before winter. 
The gardens in Avebury had a sculpture exhibition. Bronze and Resin head by Kay Singla. Stone sculpture by Martin Cash...

The places I seem to visit the most are Lacock, Avebury, Buscot Park and Kelmscot Manner.They have beautiful grounds for autumn walks. I always collect the leaves and take them home to press them in heavy old books. Here is an autumn leaf fan made from maple leaves.

There is always a creative project on the go during autumn. Usually I'm crocheting something like a waistcoat, scarves, hats or a Ziggy jumper. He loves wearing his jumpers when he goes out on frosty walks around the garden. 
Some people think that animals should not wear clothes but some animals love the extra warmth. Zig does because he's really an indoor cat and only goes for walks with us. 
Here is Ziggy modelling one of his colourful autumn jumpers... 
Badger Cards for the Wiltshire Wildlife Charity...
My blog posts have been very late because I have been busy working on several creative projects. One project is a secret that will be revealed in the future and the other bits of work have been creating stock for my online Fox Shop, and also designing greeting cards for the Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital 
I first contacted them to ask their advice about an injured fox that was visiting my garden. We have a night camera set up so we can film the night-time wildlife. Fortunately the fox was fine in the end. The charity were very helpful and gave us some good advice, so I asked if they would like me to illustrate some cards of one of their badgers that they rescued. Oreo the badger is quite famous on Facebook. The cards are still available in the Weird Fox Shop. Some money is donated when cards are sold.
Happy Halloween Everyone. We hope you have Spooky Time! xx

7 comments:

Julie Miles said...

Happy Halloween, Jo.
I wish we had apple trees in our garden, you are so lucky. Yum apple crumble.
Zig is looking great and he matches the autumn colours well.
I will order some of your fabulous charity cards! Gorgeous blog post.
Jules. x

JFM said...

Love, Love, Love this post!!!
It is filled with the beauty of autumn and the magick that is in the air at this time of the year!
zig is very handsome in his warm and beautiful coat that matches his fur.
You are a talented artist in many ways!!!

Happy Halloween ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ

Jo Potter said...

Ah, thank you so much! Yes, Zig is very proud when he wears his knitwear. ;-)
Warm wishes for Halloween. x

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

It is indeed a most beautiful time of the year Jo ...... wonderful colours on the trees and delicious, comforting food to be had !
Happy Halloween ๐Ÿ‘ป XXXX

sirkkis said...

I love this super post ๐ŸงกHappy Halloween ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚๐ŸŽƒ

Jeanette said...

Love your post Jo. Good to see you back blogging. Zigsa is gorgeous as always. Hugs,xx

Ellie Wright said...

What a super Autumn and Halloween post. I very much like all the artwork you have on your blog and I adore your cat in the leaves. Zigsa is a handsome chap in his jumper. Is he a Bengal?
The National Trust do a great job looking after all those old houses and grounds. We try and visit their places around Yorkshire. Happy Halloween.