Wednesday 10 April 2013

Happy Spring!

I think Spring might just have sprung here.......


 

the snow has finally melted and so has the ice on the loch.  Looks like the perfect spot to enjoy a take out latte and double choc muffin doesn't it.    Wrong!    Unwrap a muffin here and you become an instant bird magnet.    Dignity goes out of the window when you find yourself sprinting back to the car with a honking mob of chocoholic swans hot on your heels.    They may look serene and beautiful on the water but  those birds are huge and when they get a whiff of baked goods they are evil personified.  Trust me. 

I made it back to the car by the skin of my teeth.  Thank heavens for the new car and automatic door unlocking.     

Spring always makes me think of lambs and baby bunnies.     The first bunny of the year arrived early here......


isn't it just too cute!     It's stitched on the most gorgeous sewing pouch  made especially for me by Leanne and I love it to bits.  Makes me smile every time I pick it up.    I wasted no time putting it to good use.


Leanne made these for me too....


A lovely note book cover and mini cushion in the same beautiful Tilda fabrics.   I've a matched set  and I'm feeling so 'posh' not to mention lucky to have such gorgeous gifts.   I am debating over the mini cushion though.  I can't decide whether to keep it next to me as a pin cushion or attach some ribbon and hang it as a decoration.    It's so pretty it seems a shame to stick pins in it!  

There's more.....

buttons (I love buttons)... scrumptious variegated threads....  beautiful mini charm packs and some fruity tea bags.  

Leanne and I had our own little swap going on.   I made gifts for her too.  You wouldn't believe but on the way back from posting them I realised I'd forgotten to take photographs.   How about that for dumb!   Leanne's been a little star and sent me some pics after she unwrapped her parcel.  Here's the secret sewing that's been keeping me busy....


A more 'mature' Tilda doll to keep her trendy ones in check.......


A Natalie Bird hanging with a Tilda twist.....


and a little needle book.

Thanks for a brilliant swap Leanne.   I've loved getting to know you.   Friends eh! :o)

It's been a funny old fortnight here.    I've been battling bugs yet again.   Since I talked to you last I caught a horrible head cold then just when I thought it was beginning to get better I came down with Norovirus.  Yep... the good old Winter Vomiting Bug.   It's rampant around here right now.  Hard to find anyone who hasn't got (or had) it.    Honestly... I'm beginning to think that I've a target painted on my back to make it easier for bugs to hit me.    I've never had so many in my entire life as I've had this past winter.

Things started looking up last weekend though.   Kitty came to visit and I finally got some sewing done.....


everywhere was covered with 'bits' waiting to find their place in this....


The hardest part of this quilt really is laying out the pieces.  Can't tell you how much cussing went into this layout.... I'd be embarrassed.


The top rows aren't too short...... they've been sewn.   It's a really easy quilt to make up once you get over the headache of deciding what goes where.

Almost finished a bunny....


loved stitching it now I just have to decide what it's going to be.

OK.... I'd better head up to bed.   Got a busy week ahead.   Want to get the conservatory decorated and the greenhouse mucked out before I go on retreat.    Can't believe it's come around so quickly.... only 10 more sleeps to go.    Heck.... if I don't get get some ironing done I'll be going naked and that's a no go because even my birthday suit needs a good press!

Hope you are all having a good time
See ya soon
Hugs
Josie

15 comments:

Susan said...

Happy to hear your Spring has arrived. We are finally enjoying beautiful cool Autumn weather. Lovely swap gifts.....and that last bunny stitchery is gorgeous.

Leanne said...

Hi Friend
Glad you are feeling better and those horrible bugs are going. I'm so pleased you liked the gifts I sent you, You know how happy I am with mine, I love the cute bunny stitching you did, how clever is that design. Have a great week.

Raewyn said...

Wonderful swapping!! I love what you made and what you received. Hope with spring arriving those bugs go into hibernation. Great to see the busy-ness in your sewing room, and I adore your stitched bunny!!!

eva said...

HAHAHAHA you are funny!!
love your newly discovered blog..
xo
eva

Marilyn said...

Those are some seriously gorgeous swap gifts. Well done to both of you. Hopefully with the arrival of spring the bugs will disappear (but please not this way!!!) The quilt is looking good and the bunny stitchery is so clever.

Shirley said...

Get that ironing done, can't have you showing up naked you might appear on national TV. Mind you, The Naked Quilter does have a good ring to it. It might rival The Great British Sewing Bee. Some lovely stitching going on there Josie. Glad to see the snow is thawing.

Grethe said...

Your stitchery bunny is great, never seen one like it! Wow what a lot of gorgeous swap gifts:-) So glad to see the snow has melted, up here we still have a lot of it left; Happy Springtime!

Anonymous said...

what a gorgeous swap parcel you received from Leanne and i love what you sent too,funny story bout the birds and glad you made it to the car in time,lol.xx

Kindred Quilts said...

I love reading your post! I can't help but giggle! Wonderful swap gifts- my goodness! Your red rabbit stitchery is so darn cute! What will you be taking to retreat to work on? Is this the retreat near a lake in a cottage? Regardless, have a wonderful time!!!

Anthea said...

Josie all the sickness you've had, has not dampened your wonderful humour & entertaining use of words!
Beuatiful swap gifts there from Leanne, and OMG I l-o-v-e the Nat Bird hanging you made... now I will be too nervous about making it, as I have that design too.
Take Care & I hope the Spring sunshine blows away the ills x

marina said...

what gorgeous swap gifts! you are both clever girls.
Love your tilda doll and that bunny stitchery in the last pic is fantastic.
Hope you shake that bug and stop lining up for every free bug that they are giving away for nothing. :)

Denniele said...

So much eye candy! Is the bunny stitchery an original? Just love it!

Quilt Kitty said...

Josie so much loveliness I don't know where to start. I'm glad you are getting better. I've been similar, just get better & a week later twice as sick again, it gets very draining. You & Leanne have taken swap pressies to a whole new level, everything is swoon worthy. I also love the colours you used in your cussing quilt (quite understandable!) and that bunny stitchery is just delightful. Who is the pattern by, it is really tickling my fancy? Tracee xx

Lib said...

Just love your bunny stitchery and your quilt is coming together beautifully. Fantastic swaps, too

Brenda said...

I am so enjoying getting to know you. I just keep reading each post from the Friday With Friends that you posted today. You are such fun and the projects you are sharing are beautiful. I really love the needle book and the stitched bunny, have you made it into anything yet?