Spring and Fabric

All of a sudden it's spring. The garden is still a weedy mess, but there is plenty happening. Bulbs such as species gladiolus are in full bloom, a few daffodils are still around and lilies are in bud. Roses are going crazy and the iris are doing their thing.

I love my garden. I just don't have alot of time for it right now. And I feel guilty about that. Sometimes so guilty I can't even look. But this afternoon, sitting in the sun watching Mr S play in his sandpit, the garden glowed. And I was in love again.

Earlier today I did a trip down memory lane. Mr S loves trains, so we caught a train to Bentleigh. I walked up and down Centre Road. An old stamping ground for me. First time for Mr S. He may have visited Amitie before (flying visit in the car), but it was his first stroll down Centre Road or visit to Benn's Books, one of the book stores from my childhood.

I really want to make a quilt for Mr S. I have bought some bits and pieces for a couple of different quilts, but not enough to finish anything, and no plan. Today I saw a quilt that I loved. Of course they didn't have the fabric anymore, but I bought something similar. It's easy, you just cut up 20cm strips and sew them together, edge them and hand quilt. It's the hand quilting that is really special. Waves, elephants, houses... you use the motifs from the fabrics. I think I can do this quite quickly. Tonight I washed the fabrics.

And I bought fabric for a pajama bag. Mr S saw the fabric. He let out a scream... "PANDA". The blue spotty fabric will be the lining.

The magic of the post

Love getting packages in the mail. Even when I know what's in them, it's terribly exciting finding them in the letterbox, carrying them inside and ripping them open. No delicate surgical approach for me, I want it open, and I want it open now!

I'm still a bit of a reluctant internet shopper - I like to touch and feel what I buy before I buy it, and security worries me too. But there are some really good internet shops and sometimes the temptation is just too great.

Superbuzzy proved just too much for my self restraint! And a nice little package has arrived.

I am going to make Mr S a pair of Robot pants later this year (for next summer - so need to wait to see what size he is) and a linen shirt to match, with Robot trim...

I also bought some more strawberry fabric for my quilt and some ladybird fabric that I don't know what I will do with

I realised this Christmas that virtually none of my current tree decorations will be usable for the next few years (most of them are German and Polish glass balls and figures). So during this year I am going to knit, crochet and sew a new collection. This fun book (yes another Japanese craft book) has some great little felt toys that will be perfect. Scaled up, some of them would make good play toys too.