Packed

My allotment is packed with all these different squash this year which is very strange. For the past 2 years I've grown butternut squash which I love, I've collected the seeds from them and grown them from these seeds, which is what I did this year. So I was more than surprised when no butternut squash grew - only all these weird and wonderful varieties. Apparently, as I've now found out, if you keep using the collected seed, they revert back to their source as they are a hybrid. So I'm laden down with all these fascinating shapes and colours but not sure if they're edible!

© 2008 nicky linzey for Illustration Friday

Another map!

I drew this a while ago and it was my inspiration for Illustration Friday's subject of Island last week. We had a wonderful family holiday here last month and it's a place that is really close to my heart. I've started drawing these maps now when we go away - I enjoy doing them and they remind me of good times. Maybe I need to get out more!!

© 2008 nicky linzey

Clique

Birds of a feather - flock together

© 2008 nicky linzey for Illustration Friday

It's here

Although I dread Autumn coming because it means the end of Summer and the dreadful countdown to Christmas, I actually love it when we get beautiful sunny days like the past few have been. There's nothing nicer than walking on a crisp Autumn morning looking at all the beautiful colours and there is definitely a different smell in the air - with the added bonus of finding mushrooms and collecting damsons and blackberries too.

Eau de fox

No need for words here - it's his favourite pastime and I have to let him have a bit of fun sometimes!

Island

This would be my perfect island! It would consist of the following: fast flowing river for riverside walks, waterfalls, deciduous woodland for walks and picnics, surfing beaches, nature reserve where I can pick samphire and watch the birds, mushroom fields, blackberry patches, sand dunes and coves, a 5 minute passenger ferry to the mainland, bakers, butchers, fishmongers, grocers, hardware store, stationers, deli, boutique, beaches for stone collecting, rock pools, good food pub, fish restaurant, hills, cliff top walks with My Jack Russell, places to collect cockles and mussels, fishing, pub for pints of magners, stone cottage with outdoor baking oven, separate art studio, veg garden and orchard with cherries, plums, apples and pears, walnut trees, sandy beaches for swimming and lying in the sun, 3 months Spring, 4 months Summer, 3 months Autumn, 2 months Winter, dolphins, whales, butterflies, flowers - I don't want much do I?!
PS Click image for a better view.
© 2008 Nicky Linzey for Illustration Friday

Tommy says:

I can't believe some of the weird shapes that my tomatoes have grown into this year and no I didn't eat Tommy!

Clutter

I bought some patterned boxes and baskets - that's where all my 'clutter' now goes!

Click on picture to get a better view.

© 2008 Nicky Linzey for Illustration Friday

Sail 2

While we were away we saw these beautiful sail boats. This picture does not do them justice, the vibrant colours, the vast expanse of sky and ocean which made the boats look so vulnerable. The sight filled me with joy.

Memories

I have wonderful memories of travelling in France.
© 2008 Nicky Linzey for Illustration Friday