Spring is in the air
The time for nature to blossom and create
Dear reader, how has your week been? Have you had much opportunity to get out and about and soak up the the signs of spring? If you haven’t, well, I can tell you, it’s been another cold week, certainly here in the northwest. The temperature gauge consistently read higher than the wind feel - a lazy wind, the kind that blows through you rather than going around you. However, I braved it and I’m glad, and despite the chill I captured some small moments of natural magic for you. Let me share…
…some early hints of renewal, firstly, a pair of tight, very tiny buds on the guelder rose - I know this tree, I’ve written about it before, and there is great comfort in knowing how that tangle of dun coloured twigs will look in just a few weeks time. The second set, I’m not entirely sure, but I suspect it may be honeysuckle. The stem looks like a climber, and I’m a little frustrated with myself - had I paid attention, I would have known. The third set are a cherry of sorts, I know this for sure, this tree having tiny little blossoms which appear suddenly and early, around March or April, flowering rather high up often unnoticed until a confetti of petals appears on the ground, a pleasant surprise.
A few years ago, a particularly fertile spring saw the pond populated by a great variety of water fowl including wood duck and mergansers. I watched the mallards mating and the fish spawning, the trees were bursting with leaf and life, there were flowers opening everywhere, and in the midst of this fecundity a heat wave struck. I walked to the pond and, shocked, saw the surface of the water littered with floating white shapes. Struggling to understand what I was seeing, it took a few moments to realise that the carp were belly up, the water was a vivid green - the heat had caused an algae bloom. It was a painful to witness. To cut a long story short, this incident led to the formation of a regular work party who now maintain and care for our little nature park. Perhaps unsurprisingly, for me, watching the clearing and cutting back they instigated felt uncomfortable (and I still think they’ve cleared out too many brambles!) but come spring and summer last year, it was good to watch everything growing into those clearings. Now we are in the time of dieback and clearance, again I struggle watching the tidying, but I can also see benefits. Last spring I found sweet violets for the first time, in a patch which had been cleared. I am sure the violets were always there, unseen - this year they are back, I spotted the leaves this week, along with the emerging bluebells which I know will carpet the woods, and the wild daffodils which are making a welcome return. I savour the anticipation, watching these beautiful green spikes develop, pushing up buds and putting forth flowers.
Reader, this week has been a little on the hectic side - and I was hoping for a laid back week after all the effort put in to preparing for the Floribunda exhibition. News from the studio can be found down below but before we get to that, I wanted to share with you a few of my other contributions, all plant dyed paper flowers. The Daisy is coloured with turmeric, Poppy and Flax with alder (foraged from the pond), red onion skin (for the green, a magical alchemy of colour transformation), indigo and madder, and Sunflower exclusively with onion skins.
But most importantly, tomorrow is my daughters’ 16th birthday. Sixteen! Sixteen years ago, at 7am, we drove to the hospital finding roads blocked due to ice and snow. Sixteen years ago, following invasive procedures which led to a miracle pregnancy, I gave birth to two tiny, beautiful bundles of humanity. After 37 weeks of close monitoring, that night, the longest night of my life, I was alone with my babies for the first time. Nothing prepares you for the intense ride of being a parent of multiples. And tomorrow, my miracle babies turn sixteen - happy birthday Daisy and Alice, you are the loves of my life, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you ❤️
And so today as I finish, I’m off to decorate a cake. It’s a collaborative effort with Nana - I’m good with paper and flowers but my baking skills are somewhat deficient. Have a lovely relaxing Sunday wherever you are. Until next time, Ling
NEWS FROM THE STUDIO
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! In case you didn’t see it last week, I have big news! In partnership with Meg Lowder of @florigami.paperflower I am delighted to announce we are hosting an exclusive luxury paper flower retreat. From September 25th - 28th we’ll be welcoming you to the stunning Little Massingham Manor in Norfolk for an unforgettable 3 day, 3 night immersive floral experience. Spaces are limited so register your interest today: flowers@paperbydragonfly.com or send me a direct message.
CLASSES On 2nd March I will be delivering a spring flowers workshop at Ruthin Craft Centre. Come along and celebrate St David by spending a day crafting beautiful Daffodils and other spring flowers using nothing but paper, wire and glue! Limited spaces available, visit Eventbrite to book!
BLOSSOM AND CREATE my new series of two hour paper flower classes, starts on 4th February with Tête-à-tête daffodils! Classes will run every Tuesday with the choice of a morning or an evening session. Come along and be part of my paper flower community! During February we will be making a lot of daffodils, tulips and other spring flowers. Classes are £25 ( everything is included) and for every four you attend you get one free - bonus! BOOK HERE
FLORIBUNDA the exhibition is on now at The Atkinson Southport until 15th March. .
SPRING IS IN THE AIR! Celebrate with Craftkits from THE PAPER WILDFLOWER. A lovely treat for yourself, a fabulous gift for the crafter in your life - or a day well spent having fun and making flowers: a quality time gift for Mothers Day 💚 Craftkits are £15 each or three for £40, and always available online.
All images by Ling Warlow 2023-2025
I love the slow-watching of buds, thank you for bringing them up for us. I am keeping a close eye on my rose stems and they're slowing budding into leaf (is that a phrase?), but I am not really paying attention to the honeysuckle - I will now as soon as I'm out in the morning light.
Your clearing and re-birth observations inspired me to do SOMETHING about the hedges (not sure what they really are) outside my house. I like them shielding the house for privacy but I know for a fact that at least some hyacinth bulbs are hiding in there, more daffodils than ever make it through. Maybe the odd crocus.
And I absolutely love the idea of using onion skins, etc for the flowers! I thought turmeric was really cool but the onion skins idea was just so touching. We discard those as debris, but they carry so much beauty in colour. I am so glad that somewhere on this earth, they're being celebrated with new life.
Happy birthday to your girls! My daughter turned 15 on Saturday... xx