Spring has sprung

I've been busy today with some routine jobs this morning and in the garden this afternoon. It is very satisfying that a bit of judicial pruning and tidying up can make the garden look so much better, and fire up my enthusiasm. So here are a few photographs from my archives to match my mood.

There are dozens of seven spot ladybirds sunning themselves in the garden and I've not spotted one of the dreaded alien Harlequin invaders which smothered my philadelphus last year (but put paid to the black-fly I may add)

The daffs and tulips tone in well with my Carlton china

Just pretty

Pink and Blue

Thank you for all your suggestion as to what I could do with my embroidered squares and all of them polite! As you have all been so kind to show an interest, so here are the next two.

The pink one is inspired by spikes of flowers and the blue one by swirls of water.

They will both get some more work - I have only just started on a yellow one - I'll post it soon. I have been doing a strand's worth of stitching at every opportunity. At the moment I am finding this very soothing - a bit like doodling - no pre-plan, just go with the flow. I am toying with the book idea and I have thought of making a hanging. Thank you for all our suggestions

Green

This is the first of four pieces I am working on. One in green, one blue, a pink/purple and I've  just started a yellow square.  They are on linen painted with acrylic and embroidered with the machine and by hand. This has some appliqued dyed tissue and muslin scraps.  Each one has been inspired by nature, this one quite obviously is foliage . I love doing them, but have no idea what to do with them now - any suggestions.

HAPPY EASTER

A couple of photographs from my archives to wish you a Happy Easter

Sew, so...

I thought I would share with you what I have been doing this week - well some of it.  I have been getting to know my new sewing machine. It is a long time - years, since I had my old machine out so I am  not only getting to know my new one, but also getting my eye in. On the whole using a sewing machine is like riding a bike, once you have learned you never forget, although you may be a bit wobbly at first. After having to resort to the instruction book to get it threaded up and stitching a few up and down rows  I thought I would make some scented hearts. I thought I could make them button-up which would give me buttonhole practice too. I also made a little draw-string bag to keep the foot pedal and cable in as like ALL the machines I have owned these are a real pain to store. I raided my sewing box and have found quite a few scraps - here are my attempts.

The red candy stripe one was my first attempt and I soon realized I had made it rather small, and turning inside out through the button opening was a bit of a struggle. I also realized I had managed to sew the loop so it ended up on the inside! But the button-hole was fine. The second attempt was the white muslin one, but I still managed the get the loop on the inside. I know the theory, but somehow I got it wrong. The third one was the orange check - hurrah , the loop is in the right place, but it has got a twist, oh well never mind. The draw string bag was more straight forward, but it still seemed to take all afternoon! Here's a close-up.

They could have a bit more wadding, but that was all I have till I do a bit more shopping. I have scented them with pot pourri oil. Jane, you may recognise a couple of your buttons!

Otherwise I have had a go at free-style embroidery, but that will need a lot more practice before I have anything worth looking at.

 Hope you have a relaxing Easter weekend.

Been and gone

Well that was March - it has taken us from winter into spring and back into winter again. My calendar is full. Sometimes I write up several days at a time and add embellishments as I go along. 

It has been a full month, not least that I celebrated my sixtieth birthday. What a super family and friends I have - old and new and I thank you all for your kind wishes and gifts.  

This week I'm feeling a bit bleaugh - not very creative or productive, although I have been playing with my new sewing machine getting to know its assets and my limitations. I think my body knows the Easter holidays are coming up - for thirty-plus years of teaching, like many of my colleagues, I inevitably got a cold for the holidays and for some reason by immune system hasn't realised I've RETIRED!

I have prepared my April page. I have gone for a fresh spring look, hopefully it will be spring again before long. I still enjoy filling these in - it is always a good opportunity for a bit of a doodle.

You may notice a bit of stitching - can't think why that is!

Inspired!

When I saw the Cheshire cat I had to  have one.

When I saw her decorated letter, I had to do one...

and now I have ordered the book she recommended.

The 'K' was for a friend's 40th, I am sure you can work out his passions. The playing cards, book and bridge score card were from a dolls house set. I made the cribbage board and whittled the wicket from kebab sticks. The ball was from a Christmas cracker miniature set of skittles, painted. (Now I know why these things have been in a drawer for years)  As the K is soft I was able to make a dent in it to stick the ball on firmly. I cut out the CD's from some sticky back plastic with a circular punch, and the images were all printed from Google finds. I must say it went down a treat. Thanks for the inspiration Lesley.

And Lesley, remember imitation is the highest form of flattery.

(I have got a mind of my own - honest)