London in Springtime

We visited London last weekend and had a wonderful time.  On this visit, we started at The Victoria and Albert Museum. We decided to take the bus to most of the places we visited and we soaked up the wonderful atmosphere of London. We walked around some of London's beautiful streets passing the former homes of Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Sherlock Holmes. On Sunday morning we took a stroll in Regent's Park. The weather was lovely which made the whole weekend very pleasant and enjoyable. 

Victoria & Albert Museum

This wonderful museum has floors of magnificent displays of art and design.  There is art, ceramics, sculptor, glass, textiles, furniture, medieval and religious objects to name a few.  My favourite floor was the one with hundreds of displays of porcelain and china. I spent 3 hours and still only touched the surface.  Below are some of my favourite exhibits.

 "Kimono for Women" Silk with embroidery and tie dying kimonos. 1800 - 1880

Just one of the hundreds of blue and white porcelain samples on display

More blue and white examples of porcelain and china.

An English copy of an Amari original plate.
Its design reminds me of the Dresden plate used in patchwork.

French Sevres

Beautiful array of English china and object d'art.

A few of the lovely teapots on display

Unusual green object d'art From China

This beautiful Armchair on display is from the late Ming or early Qing dynasty about 1600-1700

The V&A houses millions of items and it is wonderful to see such a collection of treasured items carefully displayed, appreciated and obviously loved.  I was so grateful that these treasured object d'art were collected and on display for the public to enjoy at no cost. So wonderful.  Thank you.

We also visited and did a little shopping at Fortnum & Mason, my favourite London shop.  I bought some beautiful fabric in Liberty and lovely gifts for my family at Harrods.

This wonderful shop is the essence of England.

Lovely Emma Bridgewater jug and Breakfast Tea bought at Fortnum and Mason

It is always a pleasure to visit London.  There is so much to see that a single visit is never enough and a return visit is always a possibility.  Until the next time, cheerio London.

Happy Easter

We are celebrating Easter Sunday this year with all the family and friends at our granddaughter's Christening. Easter Sunday Mass which includes the Baptism followed by Lunch with the people we love.

I made some Easter crafts and gifts.  Easter material is hard to find, but thanks to the Internet, I bought some really lovely material and made some pretty little hearts and gifts for Easter.  

Easter Tree 

Teacosy and heart ready for Easter

Cowslips and Patchwork

Patchwork squares for Easter teacosy.

Co-ordinating heart

Pixie House and Bunny made from pretty flannel

Hearts galore!

More Hearts

Bunny Heart.

Happy Easter

Easter Joy:

The true meaning of Easter for me is about Love, Joy, Forgiveness and Hope. The end of Lent brings the celebration of the resurrection  of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The church services from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday are meditative and impart a feeling of forgiveness, peace, joy and love.

He is Risen

I watched one of my favourite films William Wyler's "Ben Hur" on Palm Sunday afternoon.  The beautiful scene when Jesus with kindness, patience, calmness and love helps Judah Ben Hur, instilling in him a sense of hope, for me is one of the most powerful moving moments in any film. The kindness, forgiveness and love in the film (apart from the hatred, jealousy and power) is both thought provoking and inspiring. "The World is more than we know" is one of my favourite lines from the film.  Ben Hur is on TCM again today for the Easter Holiday, if you haven't yet seen this wonderful epic film, treat yourself, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Ben Hur's second meeting with Jesus.
This time he returns the kindness earlier bestowed on him by Jesus.

All in an April evening

It's almost Easter, the most beautiful time of the year.  Brighter, longer days, pretty spring flowers and busy, happy little birds building their nests and singing all day long, particularly at dawn with the wonderful dawn chorus. Little lambs and beauty everywhere.  A little ladybird flew into the house yesterday, a sign of nice weather and a very welcome visitor in April.

"All in the April evening

April airs were abroad

I saw the sheep with their lambs

And thought on the Lamb of God".

I learned this lovely song in school from our wonderful singing teacher Miss Maireád Piggott back in the 1970's and each Spring I find myself singing it again and thinking of her.

♫Spring's the crown of all the year, 

No other season can compare

The violets bloom again

Refreshed by April's rain

The bluebells in the woodlands grow

The cowslips in the grasses show

Among the meadows green

So now we sing of the Spring, ah

Sing of the meadows in Spring

Sing of the flowers it brings

Birds fluttering on the wing

And every pretty thing♫

♫Birds sing so merrily

Telling us verily

Sunshine returns again

Winter is over

Now see the honey bee

Seeking so busily

Robbing each flower again

Spring is here once more.♫

Peter Rabbitt and Jemima Puddleduck Baby quilt.

I have finished the little quilt I made for my beautiful granddaughter. The Peter Rabbit quilt started at the end of January. I put pink gingham on the back and on the binding.  All it needs now is a label.

I decided to also make a little pram quilt from scraps of pastel material left over from another project. They are 2" squares and so pretty.

Pretty Patchwork Quilt Top.