Did I tell you about my garden room? Built and designed by my husband Bill – a wedding gift you could say. A small shed. I love this place. From its beginnings tucked at the side of the house where the washing line used to be, to the marvellous pinkish palace interior, the garden room is perfect. It’s where I pot plants with the grand children, get messy with soil and feature some cute soft toys and children’s books on Instagram. It shifts me from the inside to the outside. It’s where I can breathe easily, potter about and listen to the birds.

Who would have thought that this haven of greenery and bric a brac could delight me so much? What do I do? I am a beginner on instagram – capturing photographs in a creative space with the click of a button. My little toy treasures sit inside waiting to be invited to this magic place.

There’s Rupert, Ruby, Scribby Fern the Squirrel, Eddie the Emperor Penguin and Violet mouse. I have Panda, Parrot and Puffin! The fun begins when I search out the right books to feature with the toy. Perhaps it’s a popular classic title, like Alice in Wonderland or something more contemporary like Lemonade Jones. Out they come to the Garden Room for a celebrity shoot. Then I post it on Instagram, marg underscore gibbs, with the pink camellia flower as my symbol.

The little creatures love coming on this journey. Curious, chatty and discovering new smells, colours and plants. If they were real, I wonder what they would say to me or their friends?

They sit next to watering cans, rusty buckets, ceramic pieces and next to hydrangea cuttings or trailing ivy. They crouch onto the work bench, on the garden seat and on a shelf. When the posts are sent I wait to see what happens. It’s fun to read the responses and know that others are connecting. I follow several kid’s lit posts or anything that stirs my creative imagination.

Friends, family and anyone who likes to share photos and videos with a message might enjoy signing up for Instagram. I am not after the greatest following nor the best stories. Simply, it’s a creative means for me to be happy in the Garden Room doing something that adds a sparkle to the week. I enjoy following story underscore hound with Archie; the littlebooknookshop at Palmwoods, giuseppepoliartist, a children’s book illustrator and others. I am a beginner and learning. Please join me and find out more of what’s happening in my Garden Room shed.

PS – do you like the background pattern and changes to my blog?