Stitching vs Housework...........

Hello girls, how's your week been?

Things are slowing down on the crafting front here and getting busy on the packing side of things......

I haven't been able to pack away my sewing machine yet as ideas still need to be explored to keep the creative me happy before I go.

I finished another little stitchery this week and was happy with the outcome.

A friend had asked me (quite some time ago)if I would stitch a tree for her. 

She wasn't specific and just said

 'whatever you come up with will be fine'

I find that's the hardest thing to do actually, as I worry what I have in my mind won't match up with theirs. Soooooo, I put it off and occasionally asked if she had any ideas......nope.

Ok, so I put it off some more as I do and put it in the too hard basket.

She wasn't in a rush it, was just one of those

 'when you've got time' orders and as it was something different for me (at the time)I didn't intend to ask for payment.

Ok, long story short here it is......

I hope she likes it. I love the texture, there's even a wee heart carved into it with a teeny tiny M & S in it.

Can you spot it?

I really love this saying by Ralph Waldo Emerson and I particularly like the way the yellow thread I used to indicate the last of fallen leaves actually has a golden glow to it.

You know I'm kind of glad I waited so long to make it as my sewing is constantly changing and evolving and I'm really happy with the finished piece.

We now have 7 calves in the paddock with only 2 more to be born.

Their antics are wonderful to watch and they are such good mates.

This little black fella is being very inquisitive and brave.

One little calf  (not in pic) has a white heart on it's forehead very sweet indeed......can't help but fall in love with them.

Something else I had been putting off was cleaning out Cluckingham Palace.

Our chook house isn't one of those cute little houses that you could sweep with a glance.

On no, this requires a wheelbarrow, rake and brooms.

Anyway, the girls must've read my mind and in appreciation of my impending efforts had laid an egg.

Now this may not sound very auspicious, BUT,dear reader considering they went off the lay around December this is quite a big event here.

One, perfectly formed, brown shelled egg lay in a mound of straw.

I glanced at it, looked at the girls in disbelief, then looked at the Magpie out in the yard, shook my head again then thanked them......

Thankfully, the job took less time than I thought and within the hour there was a lovely, cleanish chook house.

Now whilst I hoiked feathers and straw out, this Magpie was going around picking up beak fulls to line it's nest with.

It was fun watching it pick them up then put them down. Was it looking for a particular colour, degree of softness? 

It was quite a business and I was thrilled to witness this little nest making venture....

The first Daffodil has bloomed.

This season I ordered and planted some different varieties. so I'm looking forward to seeing them when I return from holidays.

Our adopted stray Mrs. Kafups likes to find little hidey holes around the house....makes it interesting when trying to put her outside!

Can you see her?

How she managed to squeeze in to that small space without sending DVD's flying?!!

 With her Winter coat on she's quite a substantial feline.....

 The Japonica (Flowering Quince)is putting on a show......

And another little nest that's been discovered.

 This time in the Wintersweet, not sure who it belongs to whether it's a blue wren or not.....

So there you have some snippets from my week......the day to day things that I've been up to.

I've also been busy posting purchases around the world which has been very exciting.

 Seeing little Sweet Birdy Love items finding new homes in different countries.

Thanks to everyone who made a purchase.

 I will have a few extra pennies in my pocket to take on holiday.

I've been making lists of things I have to do and organise before I go away.

Must remember to put Mrs Kafups out if I can find her!!

My boys have been keeping me up to date with what's been happening and I have to say I'm really excited about heading over to Canada.

Thanks to everyone who left a suggestion on my last post.

Oh, that reminds me if you'd like to participate in a swap.......songbird Mezz over at Mezz Makes Stuff is hosting a swap, so pop over and check it out and say 'hi'.

Righto, I better go and do some tidying up, cuppa first though!!.......

Thanks for visiting girls and taking time to say 'hi'

Have a fab week everyone,

Claire X

'tis one of life's mysteries

Ah success!!!

But it may be short lived, keep reading all revealed at the end of this post.

How are you all?

I've been missing my little blog, but have been travelling around Blogland visiting here and there, although less often than I used to.......

It's been busy here at Sweet Birdy Love, nothing out of the ordinary...sewing, gardening, work and more sewing.

It's also been very hot, last week in particular was a real scorcher with temps. nudging the high 30's.

 We came very close to 40deg...uggh!!

 ...

The air con was chugging away doing it's best, the garden was wilting under the unusually hot weather...it was technically still Spring, according to my calender.

Summer was announcing it's arrival in spades.

I had booked in to do a extra market in Beechworth last Saturday, Dec. 1st. so more tea cosies were needed.

People like their tea to be hot if not the weather!!

After making the same design 2 or 3 times, I'm ready for something new and obviously cooler weather was on my mind.

Daffodils, Tulips, Grape Hyacinths, I love them all....

A little row of cottages appealed to me and obviously someone else as it now has a new home.

I forgot to take my usual finished photos, so these are the work in progress pics...

A rather dark pic of my stall and the finished cosies......

Saturday bought some relief from the  high temps and the sun hid behind the clouds for most of the day, phew!!

There was a lovely breeze, a few drops of rain and lots of people out and about.

It was another great market, with lots of chatting and laughter taking place amongst stall holders and shoppers.

  

I made another 'Audrey' specifically for this market and was very pleased with how it turned out.

 Just before I wrapped it up, I realised there was a typo.....

a word missing and no, I couldn't hide it, fit it in or disguise it.....arrrrgh!!

Nothing for it but to start from scratch and here she is.

Actually, I am much happier with this one.

She didn't find a home this market, but will come to Bright with me in a fortnight.....

The first flush of roses have been beautiful and many bunches were picked and brought indoors.

The Camp David standards continue to flower their little heads off and I love them in with purple/blue Larkspurs and a sprig or two of Gypsophila/Baby's Breath.

After months of waiting the Globe Artichoke has finally opened up to reveal it's stunning purple centre.

They really are quite spectacular, though rather prickly scales surrounding it......

Next season I might use some of the flowers in the kitchen while they are still in the bud stage.....

Check out the grass, it's brown and crunchy, that's Summer.

 We live in the country and don't water the 'lawn'....it always greens up come the cooler weather and rain.

Lady of Megginch with more Larkspurs.

I picked this bunch before the hot weather arrived, I couldn't bear to see them fry in the heat.....they make me smile just looking at them. I love the colours....

I think someone was after some attention this morning!!

Couldn't lie beside the computer it had to be right on top of it.

Love ya Tigg mwah!!♥♥

Photos have uploaded.....success!!

Nothing terribly exciting girls, but like a lot of other bloggers recently.

 I have reached my storage limit and have to figure out what to do about it.

I don't want to pay for my storage, so have to keep my pics under a certain size apparently and go through my Picasa Web Album and delete double ups, which I have been doing.

It's all been a bit of a mystery to me, but hubby has been very helpful and although we haven't had time to sit down and get it sorted completely, I am working my way though it.

A big thank you to Alessandra and Trudy who have talked me through how they handled this issue, but if anyone else has some info on this I would appreciate hearing from you.

I blog on a MacBook, seems to be so many different brands of computers and each having slightly different ways of doing things.I will probably have to get some program to edit photo size, so any tips would be good.  If you don't see another blog post  for a while, you'll know why!!.....

On a completely different note...Have you seen

 'The Intouchables'?

Hubby and I went to see it Saturday night at the cinema.

What a wonderful movie.

 I haven't laughed so much for quite some time it was terrific.

It's  very touching based on a true story, it's in French so is subtitled, but don't let that put you off.

And if like me, you love the music of Earth Wind and Fire, you'll find it hard to sit still in your seat. 

Check out the trailer on Youtube and don't miss it if it's at a cinema near you......

Today is lovely and cool, well cooler, there is a beautiful breeze and I even had a blanket or two on during the night.

What a difference 10deg. makes......

Hope you are all well and not letting the Christmas Crazies get to you......thanks for stopping by to read my ramblings....

Take care,

Claire ♥♥

Surprise, Surprise........

Hello everybody...... late this afternoon I took a walk around the garden and found a couple of surprises.

It's been a somewhat chilly weekend here and a busy one to boot.

There's been coffee out with friends, soup making,a BBQ and a bonfire and No. 1's last gig before we head off at the end of the week.

It was nice to have some time to enjoy the beauty that is unfolding daily.

The Kale which I planted quite a few weeks ago, has started to put on some growth.

I thought the frosts may have finished it off, but it has survived..

In the 'plant pot graveyard' there are a few 

Grape Hyacinths bravely putting on a display.

This is the last year..... they're going into the garden by the Daffodils when they finish flowering.

I love the blue......

The Manchurian Pear is now in full flower and the leaves are starting to pop out here and there.......

On a sunny day a hum of bees busy themselves amongst the blossom.

It is a beautiful shape and quite a  size now.

I don't have the heart to chop off the lower branches.....

But it would certainly make mowing around it easier!!

The chooks enjoy scratching amongst the fallen leaves...

plenty of tasty treats to be found.

3 metres away there is another tree of the same variety and it has only just come into bud!

The flowering Quince is quite a tangle of branches and thorns but the beauty of the blossom seems to go on and on and on......

A skeletonized leaf...

delicate and beautiful in it's decaying state

The first surprise I found was this Hellebore.... a birthday gift to hubby.

 It was planted rather late and I didn't expect it to flower this season but it has settled in nicely and obviously quite happy living in the Wild Wood.

The markings are amazing.
 Next season we should get to enjoy quite a display from it....

Surprise number two...

What is this little plant?

From a distance I thought it was a weed but as I got closer I realised that it was actually a Bluebell....yes it certainly is.

 I  bought some bulbs some time ago and they sat on the laundry bench for quite a while.....till one day I managed to drag myself away from the sewing machine and out into the garden.

They were planted in the Wild Wood where I hope in time they will spread and create a carpet of blue.

Tough little plant that's for sure.

There are bunches of Jonquils yet to be picked and enjoyed before I go as they will have finished flowering by my return.

The pale, creaminess of the flowers and their perfume is divine. 

Surprise number three.......at first I thought the chooks had made a rather deep depression as they like to dust bathe in the garden, but on closer inspection I realised that some furry little critter has made itself at home right under our noses.

 I love cute, little, furry bunnies as much as anyone else BUT!! 

Now bunnies are not known for their cleverness.....just look at Peter, prime example....yes?

But this bunny must have  a death wish as this is one puddy tat

who won't put up with wabbits living on his patch...

So be warned bunnies!!

 And tigger lift your game!!

The burrow is to the left of the window

There's a busy week ahead of me and I'm sure the days will   merge into each other.

I'm finally packing up my Janome and all my sewing bits and bobs. The house has never looked so tidy, hehe.........

There are lists being made of things to do before I go and things to pack and take away with me.
Thankyou for all your suggestions of portable, crafty things to do whilst travelling...

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend, I would love to know what you've all been up to.
Any surprises?...

Thanks for visiting and take care,

Claire X
   

Inspiration is Blooming

Sunshine, rain, wind.....

A rainbow here, blue sky and sunshine over there and grey clouds looming

It's 9 degrees out, brrrr......

Surely it's Spring flexing her muscles....

Let's head indoors where it's warmer and....

SPRING

 is on my mind

Bright colours, 

polka dots, 

florals,

Snipping playing then stitching

Another WIP tea cosy.......

A little out of the usual for me.

 It needs a crocheted edging in blue and a polka dot lining....

The Manchurian Pear is in flower......

well one flower!!

If that's not proof that Spring is creeping up on us, I don't know what is!!

Better go throw another long on the fire.......

More projects on the go........

crocheted flowers blooming on my work table.

Reminding me of beautiful coloured Macaroons... yum

Sewing needle books.......more Daffodils and 

some stitched poetry.

Wild flower tea cosy....inspired by the swathes of wildflowers growing around the Olympic Stadium
(see previous post)

Views from outside

White winged Chough, looking for a tasty morsel in the chook run.

Chooks looking for a snack 

Japonica, it may be past it's prime, but it's still beautiful

Do the seasons inspire you to create?

Are they reflected in your work?

I'd love to know......thanks for visiting.

Joining in with other creative people over here and my tip for staying creative is:


Tuck a pen and book into your bag and when you're out and about doodle/draw/sketch something. 
It makes you take more notice of patterns, shapes, colours....
Have fun

Take Care,

Claire

☀☁☂♥

Words from William

 I was hoping for a lightning bolt moment!!

But the seed of an idea slowly appeared and grew from there.

Planning and placement of shapes and colours takes the longest time.

Stitching started and it slowly comes together.

Sit back take another look....a few more stitches.

Snip off the threads.....

Add some words from a favourite poem by William Wordsworth...

Slightly wonky, but then you know it's handmade and not churned out in the thousands!!

Later in the week (not much later to go really!)it will be turned into  a tea cosy....

My inspiration actually started earlier in the week.....

They're meant to be Daffodils but they remind me more of Jonquils.

 More practice needed....

Joining in with other creative people over here.

It's been a week of topsy, turvy weather.

Monday, sunny and gardening weather.

The fire brigade were called  to an out of control burn off.

  Who would've thought in Winter!!

 Long dry grass, with new green growth underneath and no, it wasn't me but someone down the road.....

Tuesday to Wednesday morning it rained, cats and dogs.

We had 79 mls.....it was wet....very wet.

View from underneath my umbrella....

Do you put your gumboots on and splash through the puddles.

Well, I had to check the mail and bring the rubbish bin in!!

Blurry pic or not I liked the effect.

Wednesday was 'fine ish' and today it's back to rain.....

Perfect for staying cocooned inside and being creative.

☁+☂= ☺

Time for a big bowl of warming soup and I'm off to visit some blogs.




Before I go, I just want to tell you about a lovely,


 Vintage Teaparty giveaway 
over at
Madelief

If you haven't visited her charming blog you are in for a visual treat, pop on over and say 'hi'

Take care,

Claire
❀❀❀