Happy Spring

Spring has well truly arrived here in Dublin. The weather is lovely and the snowdrops, crocus, narcissi and daffodils are blooming to brighten our lives.

I found this sweet little spring photograph on the internet.

Changed the dresser for Spring, clean and bright.

I love to change my dresser according to the Seasons.  After Christmas, everything seems heavy, so to lighten the mood in the house and my mind, I make little changes around the house to bring a light and airy feeling ready for Spring.  It also motivates me to get started on the spring cleaning. I look forward to the longer brighter days, hearing the birds singing while they are busy building their nests.  In my opinion, one couldn't help but feel happy and hopeful.

Which reminds me!  I was introduced to Emily Dickinson's delightful poem "Hope" by my Son, while he was learning it at school, and it remains one of my favourite poems to this day.

Hope is the thing with feathers

that perches in the soul

and sings the tune without the words

and never stops at all.

And sweetest in the Gale is heard

and sore must be the storm

that could bash the little Bird

that kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land

and on the strangest sea

Yet, never in extremity

It asked a crumb of me.

Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck Quilt

Beatrix Potter created such delightful, beautiful little characters. I just love them, I particularly love the way they are dressed. So much so, that I decided to make a baby quilt using Peter Rabbit material.  Below are my two favourite Beatrix Potter figurines, standing proudly on my dresser for Spring.

Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck with ducklings, so sweet.

Quilt top finished and ready for quilting and binding.

Peter Rabbit Baby Quilt

My granddaughter was born prematurely (4 weeks early) on 11 January. We are all overjoyed. She is so petite and beautiful. The first grandchild on both sides. My daughter and her husband are over the moon and the other grandparents, like ourselves, are finding it hard to stay away from her. I feel that I have "fallen in love" again, as I have that loving feeling since she was born, and every time I see her, it gets stronger. It's wonderful.

I decided to try to make a quilt for our beautiful little girl. Following my surgery, I am doing very well, but had a set back when I over exerted myself.  I ache very easily, and am a bit frightened of over doing it at anything, in case I bring on or bring back the awful pain.  

However, this is one quilt I have to make.

So I started slowly to make a pretty little bunny rabbit quilt. I used Peter Rabbit squares, a four patch made out of delicate pink, kind of toile pattern peter rabbit material and a lovely Susan Branch material, I picked up both (in anticipation of having a future grandchild), at the 2012 Knitting and Stitching Show in Dublin.

The cutting and bending puts the most strain, so I have to take a lot of breaks. I am doing it, a little at a time, and in the words of Andrew Carnegie "all's well and all grows better". Here's how I am getting on :

Blocks of squares and 4 patch made for Peter Rabbit Baby Quilt.

Assembling the best design

Sewn together and ready for a border.

January

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom".  Marcel Proust 


January is the time of year when I go shopping for a new winter coat.  I think a coat is one of the most valuable pieces of clothing to have in your wardrobe. With the right winter coat and mine is and always has been either black or an elegant camel classic wool coat, one looks groomed and dressed for any occasion.

Camel is one of my favourite colours to wear at any time of the year, but particularly in Autumn/Winter.

Below are some lovely photos of my favourite camel clothing which I found on Pinterest and other sites.

The Classic Camel Coat

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in The VIP's
The Chemistry between Taylor and Burton in the film was magic.

1950's stylish Camel suit

Another lovely 1950's camel suit, very stylish with leather gloves and matching handbag.

Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, the Good Wife wearing a lovely camel power suit.

Count Your Blessings

When I'm worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep

I fall asleep counting my blessings.

Bhliain Nua Sásta 2014

Happy New Year - A year filled with endless possibilities.  Wishing you all the very best this coming year.

Image via Internet.

Auld Lang Syne - Mairi Campbell