Tuesday's Tales

Hello everyone and welcome to a new week, well actually we're almost half way through.

Winter has reappeared in spades with the temp. back down to where it should be - 11deg.

Just as well I found this lovely crocheted blanket at the op shop to snuggle under...........

I couldn't believe it when I spied it in the back corner of the shop along with some other granny blankets.

The pattern and colour stood out and I held my breath as I unfolded it to have a good look.

The yarn used is quite fine, so I'm guessing it's reasonably old.

It's in excellent condition just a few ends need darning in.

I love the edging, a variegated green yarn has been used before the final crochet trim and it really gives it a lift.

Click on the pics to enlarge and see the detail...........

I think it was $8.00 well spent, don't you?

Another pic of the Rhubarb flower which has bolted.

It's shot up and really doesn't look all that interesting now

Apparently the older varieties are more likely to bolt and also more mature plants tend to do this.

After quite a wet weekend, today has turned out quite a mixed bag, weather wise.

Sunny, rainy, sunny, cloudy, hmmm, remind you of anything?!!

The Japonica in the pic is called Apple Blossom, a lovely salmon pink and white.

You don't see this variety very often, I love the combination of colours.

It only takes a couple of branches to make a very simple flower arrangement, but watch out for the spikes, ouch..............

With a little bit of sunshine the bees are busy at work.

I had to be quick to snap a pic of them as they didn't muck around getting pollen from the Rosemary flowers.............

With the warm weather last week, the Manchurian Pear has decided to push ahead and blossom a month early.

Love all those little black dots against the pure white petals.

I have to say I'm so glad the temp. has dropped back to where it should be.

It just seems so wrong to be out in the garden in Winter wearing sunscreen...........

Shall leave you with a gardening pic from last week.

My little helper was searching for nice, juicy morsels in the barrow load of manure I picked up in the paddock............

I was quite happy to reward her gardening efforts with a few worms.........

Like this fella...........now if you were a chook you would be licking your lips by now.....or not !!

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On the crafting front, I am finishing off the Sunflower tea cosy, so if you would like to see the finished item, pop back in a day or two.

I'm also working on things for my market stall on the 20th of August.

So the crafting wheels are turning slowly, but we're making progress.

Thankyou all for dropping by to say 'hi' and see what I've been up to............

I've actually been given an award recently by the lovely Cuckoo and I have to think of several interesting things to tell you about myself..........hmmm.

Shall have to sleep on that one.

Till next time, take care,

Claire X

Spring, Sprang, Sprung

Spring has sprung..........actually it did a little while ago, but I still had some Winter to enjoy.

This is my Japonica - Flowering Quince, it's called Apple Blossom, easy to see why.

I love the simplicity of the bare branches and blossom. Unfortunately, some little, creepy, crawly,critters have been chewing on the flower buds and when they open up , there are bits missing, but I still think they look pretty.

Anyhoo, my Japonica has been the inspiration for a new tea cosy order. I was searching for inspiration on the weekend, when I spied a vase full of Japonica on the coffee table. I thought a sprig of Japonica is just what I needed. Not too busy, I like the minimalist look and the colours.
Click on the photo to enlarge, the above photo is with a flash, the 'writing' shows up better.

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This photo is minus the flash, I'm pleased with the colours, although, I think I could've added a bit more pink. Oh well, there's always next time.

Close up of the blossom. Not exactly sure what I am going to do on the other side, let alone what colour felted jumper I will use.

I will have to do some surfing on the net for an appropriate saying and maybe some nice floral teacups will complete it.

The Daffodils are putting on a cheery display at the front gate, like sunshine on a stalk.

As I headed into town for a coffee last week, I stopped to pick a bunch, as they were all bowed down under the weight of recent rain. I shook the water off, thinking someone would like a bunch of flowers.

I walked into my favourite coffee shop and the owner, Julie, jokingly asked were they for her. I replied they were and she was quite taken aback. It was her fathers birthday , but he had passed away a year ago, tough day for her.

You never know when a small gesture on your part can make a big difference to someone else's day.

So here's to small gestures and they joy they can bring to others.

Stand back, here comes the rush, chooks heading for their run and dinner time. They look quite funny as they run.

I have one chook, who I think, must be deaf. No matter how loud or long I call, she keeps scratching away in the garden long after the others have returned to the yard. You can be sure that 'Mrs Rock" is the last to go back in the yard and you will always have to go and find her!

Ah, the Silver Birches or the Wild Wood as we call it. I just love the silvery, papery trunks. Standing out against the green and blue of their surroundings.

Spring is waiting in the wings, blossom buds are swelling on the Manchurian Pear, the Daffodils, Violets and Camellia are all flowering their little heads off.

The grass is growing slowly as the weather starts warming up and the days are getting longer. Come Spring, everything will go berserk particularly the weeds, which means mowing every week. Just as well we have a ride on mower, it takes an hour or so to go around the house yard.

This past week has been a rather unusual one for me. I have been out of sorts and am only just getting back into the swing of things.

We had visitors recently which meant we needed to use the dining table aka my sewing table. So I packed/chucked (ooh, my mum hated that word!) everything into the spare room.

The table looked wonderful, all that lovely old timber, the whole room looked tidier, but I felt things weren't quite right. I couldn't just sit down at the machine and play when I had a spare five minutes. I'm sure that's why I felt so at odds.

Anyway, the situation has been rectified, I have dragged it all out again (or most of it!) and everything feels as it should be now. So here's to creativity and the joy it brings.

I hope your week is full of creativity and joy and maybe a small gesture on your part will bring a smile to someone who needs it.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. If you have a minute to comment, I would love to hear from you.

Your small gesture, always makes my heart skip a beat and bring a smile to my face, I love mail.

Till next time, take care,

Claire X