This week...singing, tulips and bracelets

This week, I have been taking part in a vocal workshop at a local village hall, which was great fun and from which I learnt a lot about the technical side of singing and performing. The workshop was run by Tsavocal and involved singing three songs from Les Miserables - 'Do you hear the people sing?', 'I dreamed a dream' and 'Bring him home' (none of which are that easy to sing).  It helped that I knew the songs, but it was all done by ear and was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.  I used to sing a lot; I was in a church choir for fourteen years and also joined a Gilbert and Sullivan Society for a few years, but hadn't done any 'proper' singing for ages, so it was lovely to be able to sing again (without worrying that I was annoying the neighbours!)
In other news, this week I have still been enjoying my tulips as the new Ballerina tulips I planted last autumn are flowering now.

 They are so pretty...

 ...even after the rain and hail we've had this week.

 This rogue fringed tulip which I didn't plant, which came up for a few years, then disappeared and then came up again has flowered this year too and is a welcome addition to the spring garden.

Tulip Ronaldo and Princess Irene are still flowering away and I am wondering whether next year I should plant each variety separately as well as some together...now there's a thought.

I have also found a bracelet pattern which  I am going to try to make - a wrapped bracelet using Tila beads which are flat squares.

Photo from Jewellery Maker

These wrapped bracelets were made by Jo Barclay-Loggie and were featured on Jewellery Maker this week, which is what fired my interest.  Watch this space.

Easter

 I hope those who celebrate had a lovely Easter weekend.  Above is my seasonal tree bedecked in Easter decorations.  (I have always embraced the 'more is more' style of decoration).

 My tulips are still bringing lots of colour to the garden. Above are Purissima and Angelique which really open up in a bit of sunshine.

 Here are Ronaldo and Princess Irene showing how lovely purple and orange look when they are together.  It's one of my favourite combinations.

 Princess Irene again...

 ...and again, showing the fiery red patterns.

Finally, here is Angelique in a pot in the back garden.  I  bought these on a bit of an impulse, but now, I am pleased I did.  Every year I say that I need more tulips for the next year, and this year is no exception...I definitely need more!  They bring so much colour and pleasure every year.

Tulip-o-rama 2016

 I am a fan of tulips (as you may know) and was eagerly awaiting this year's collection.  Due to the cold Spring we have had, they were behind by a week or two, but since the sun came out at the weekend, they are all in full flower. I grow them in pots and tubs and then transfer them to the borders.  Some do come back. Above is a combination of Negrita (the large pink), Ronaldo (the purple) and China Pink (the pale pink).

 I do like this combination - Ronaldo with Princess Irene.

 Here's a close up of Ronaldo - rich and luscious.

 My favourite Ballerina, in the border, back lit by the sun and looking luminous.

 This is Upstar, which I received in a Seasons blog swap last Autumn - thank you to Maria from Dotty's Daughter.  I like the pink and white colouring.

 They are very pretty and are brightening up the front door.

 That's a real lipstick pink.

 Princess Irene again, with delicate streaks of reds and pinks.

 This year's Ballerina, just starting to unfurl in the sun.

 Negrita, Ronaldo and China Pink in the sun.

 A random lone fringed pink tulip which was in the garden and not planted by me.  It didn't flower for a few years but appears to be back now.

 Ballerina, one Red Shine (behind to the left) and the fringed pink. Ballerina's lovely scent wafted around well in the sun.

A close up of Princess Irene.  It is a lighter orange than Ballerina and is shorter.  I am already thinking about tulips for next year...