let's celebrate...hedgerows

such a lovely day yesterday...sunshine and warmth...breakfast and lunch outside..even a sunshade necessary..spent a lot of time outside and some indoors sorting out my studio...having a BIG throw out! 

As it is cold and rainy today I thought I'd share little of my walk along the road last evening, with bleating lambs and birds twittering... and a neighbour walking her dogs, who showed me a secret nesting goldfinch tucked into the hedge...such a treasure in the hedgrow. Many a time and oft we drive along the road at such speed we miss such details...so here's a little of what I saw...let's celebrate our beautiful rich diverse hedgrows and take care of them!

I just love the month of May...full of hope and promise...and unfurling and opening out...and I adore cow parslely...just want to throw myself into it and have it all around me...

which is your favourite spring flower?

the miracle of spring...
 

the May blossom, another favourite of mine...is late this year...but it is coming...
 

meanwhile the dandelions stunning in yellow are already going to seed as the year moves on...

so make hay while the sun shines ...enjoy the refreshing rain...and hope you have a wonderful holiday Monday...I'm off to Spring Fling Open Studios to admire some artists and their art and craft up in beautiful Dumfries and Galloway...

see you later Emmax

the weekend starts here....

 

mm well it's not quite like that here today..but let's just ignore the crazy weather ie wild stormy bitterly cold sleeting and hailing not even snowing and grey and wet and dreach...and the weather forcast and all the weather news from around the country (and hope you are all keeping warm and safe.)...because hey, inside my head the sun is shining...and I still remain hopeful of better days ahead...

The Simple Things mag is an occasional simple pleasure...full of delicious photos and quirky and delightful items of interest beautifully presented... and the choc is just sheer indulgence...a couple of treats from a very quick shopping expedition into the wintry wildness earlier...

mm that's better...and I can't wait for family to be safe home and stoves to be lit and a warm glow to fill at least some of the big old stone walled quirky house we live in... and the weekend relaxing can begin...

in the meantime I have been busy sewing in the studio...made some scones for a teatime treat...put a chicken in the oven...so I think I've earned my treats...

and I thought I'd just share a couple of pics from yesterday when although cold, it was gloriously sunny...

the lambs along the road are getting bigger and enjoying the warm sun...

 

how to make a chicken happy? no it's not chocolate in there...just some out of date sesame seeds... they go wild for 'em!

and the simplest of wild spring flowers... the celandine...a most welcome bright yellow beacon of hope...

so do tell me....what makes your weekend special?

how to make a bird brooch....

...or ten...

it is soo feeling a bit more springlike out in the world of nature...lighter nights...birds twittering more...little signs of bulbs and green shoots and buds..and of course snowdrops...aren't they incredible, coming up whatever the weather is doing...little signs of hope!

it's all made me feel more creative and much more like getting to my mahcine and getting sewing and embroidering...and using some gorgeous new fabrics such as this delicious daisy design and dotty spotty (can't beat a good spot!)in fab colours...feeling springlike and ready for fresh new shades...

so if you're feeling like joining me in some making...

first draw or trace your birdshape on paper..keep it simple...cut out a pattern and use to draw onto, or just pin onto, a piece of craft felt and cut out...(do try and use a wool type felt as they are just so much nicer to handle and sew with) Please note:I make a lot so I cut a lot! 

then for some tiny hearts..iron Bondaweb or similar to the back of your chosen fabric...and draw on your heart shape...note the nice sharp pencil...a miracle in this house to a) find a pencil, b) find a sharp pencil or c) find any pencil and a pencil sharpener within a mile of each other...

I then spend a relaxing time with Radio 4 or some nice music playing and cut out all my little hearts...bless them! Don't forget to take the PAPER backing off before you try to iron them on...



aren't they cute?

so with care iron on the heart to the bird shape...take care not to iron the felt as it won't like it!

next cut out a little beak in a different coulour of craft felt...and then pin the bird shapes and beaks to a bigger piece of felt...this make it soo much easier to sew (here I've used a piece of felted wool jumper) WARNING!! do not try to sew a small bird on it's own as it'll drive you nuts!

sew carefully round the bird shape close to the edge... make sure you include the beak...(not shown here cos I forgot!)

I then free machine round the heart but you can do it with a normal foot if you prefer...

and ta da..a row of little birds appears ...

it is a lovely moment when you cut them out and they become proper little birds...

just something missing...look away if you don't like operations as the next bit looks painful... but I'm sure they don't mind!

mm and they must look real as Basil is showing a great deal of interest...



or maybe it's just that it's cold out there and warm and snug in here...

To finish... sew a nice brooch pin onto the back and wear with pride at your craftyness...celebrate the handmade and welcome in the spring!

and talking of handmade...check out UK Handmade's magazine...bright new spring issue here

Have a great week...and I hope, fingers crossed, to be in opening Etsy mode soonest...I will keep you posted (I'm still doing photos and writing the blurb trying to make sure it's all perfect and looking lovely for you!)xx

PS and I'me feeling a Giveaway for spring coming on...