temptation....

it's so tempting isn't it, just to go mad with the dyson and microfibre cloths, get into all the corners full of fluff and stuff....clean the windows to let the spring sunshine in after all these dark months tra la; meanwhile outside, the garden patiently sits, with yet more lovely, and not so lovely(!) things to do, BUT! STOP! fabrics, threads and pincushions await, the sewing machine is idle, the fingers itch to play, arrange, cut, sew, fabricate, create, stitch, embellish, add buttons... There's only one thing to do - go and have a nice cup of tea, perhaps with a medicinal slice of cake and a magazine full of more fabulous ideas and inspiration.......

Remember the bag from last time, needed a little more work; we really like the button tab to secure the front pocket, matches the lining, nice and simple....

And how about a lovely creamy woollen cushion, handstitched and embroidered to give simple recycled fabrics and a lovely old blanket a new lease of life. Often less is more....

Been ratching through Granny's old knitting patterns and bits and bobs, just love this one for its textured jacket, fab colour, gorgeous image and vintage styling....Thinking of a change of name to "Lavenda", it has a certain ring to it!

Found these lovely pink hand crotcheted mats in a regular trawl through the local 'thrifty' emporia in the nearby town, unusual to get pink ones, couldn't leave them in the shop. So much work has gone into them, so we're working on a way to re-purpose them...

And finally, Mother Nature is waking up at last, daffodils now replacing the snowdrops, the cheering yellow colour is slowly spreading in gardens and lanes, they bloom happily despite the sudden frostiness. 

And under the hedges the primroses planted out in previous years stir into life and give brightness to the dark soil and dead leaves....

Down in the veggie patch all is not lost - kale battles it out with the elements and the purple sprouting broccoli planted out hopefully at the end of the summer is at last about to produce delicious purple headed spears...

Kale with icing!

A glimmer of purple amidst the green

But the last squawk must go to happy hen Emily sitting comfortably and laying another egg - they have laid nearly all winter, brave girls. The geese have started laying too, tho' it has made them even more fierce - don't go near Sally without steel-toed and legged wellies!