As April Ends

 Last week, we had snow, because April in my part of the world is totally unpredictable. Fortunately the bulbs didn't suffer. This week, we have snow, and rain, and warm, and sun!

So, I have some lovely flowers.

A few daffodils are hiding under the forsythia. 

Some grape hyacinths are making friends with dandelions.

There are some regular hyacinths nearby.

Just in time for the Tulip Festival, the tulips are out. The tulip festival is a big thing around here and we are all encouraged to "Paint the Town Tulip" . This year out of town visitors will have to enjoy the tulips virtually. 

As you can see, we kind of favour an English country garden approach. So we plant bulbs in the part of the yard that is heavily shaded in the summer, but sunny in the spring. 

During the cold and snow, I was sewing and finished both my wallets.

The cork exteriors look very nice. I like the little sparkles of pink on the back one, and thought the rainbow hardware suited it.

The paisley wallet is blue inside.

The pattern said that the interior required 1/2 yard of fabric. Actually, it needs 1/2 metre of fabric, which meant I was short by about 2 inches. So, the inner linings are the polka dot fabric.

The pink splash has an equally bright interior.

I'm keeping this one for me.

The pattern for the wallet is Roxy, by Serial Bagmakers. The wallet frames are from Emmaline Bags. The cork is from MM Cork Supply.

I need to decide what I would like to do for my May project. I want to do everything at once, and I need to choose just one, for this month. Of course, if I finish early, I can make two projects in the same month.

A New Goal

 I have been cleaning, sorting and tidying my sewing stuff, and decided that I need to make some of the bag patterns, and supplies (zippers, I'm looking at you!) that I have collected. So, I have decided to set a goal of one bag project per month. I am going to try planning ahead, so I can make sure I have the supplies that I need. 

Last year, I was suppose to go to quilt retreat, in April. I had the supplies to make a wallet, so I am going to start there. This morning, I checked in my sewing room, and decided I had enough to make two wallets.

Wallet #1 (ignore the polka dots, they are next.) Very busy, but cut into small pieces, I expect it will be fine.

Wallet #2, with a bit of bright pink metallic sparkle. 

The outer fabric is cork. The interior will be quilting cotton. The clasp for #1 is gunmetal and for #2 id rainbow iridescence. 

I even have enough Decovil to make two wallets. I don't think it will take much longer to make two than it would to make one.

I have plans for the next two months. this afternoon, I will check my supplies, order what I need, and cut out the wallets. 

I'm not sure what I will do with all these bags and wallets. If you see something you like, we can talk!

Suddenly It's Spring

 The weather has been unseasonably warm.  So, my flowers have come on with a rush.

My incredible forsythia bush is covered in flowers. It has survived ice storms, frigid cold, and having the city dig it up, when the watermain broke. It just keeps blooming, year after year.

Gorgeous, isn't it?

The crocus have all come at once. I had some yellow and some lavender ones, but they have disappeared and I have only purple, this year.

There are tulips, waiting in the wings.

Daffodils that will show their sunny faces, shortly.

In the shadier spots, I have scilla.

There is bloodroot.

As well as hepatica.

It is such a pleasure to see it all again.

My friend, Lois, spent her winter making a couple of quilts to donate to charity. I offered to put the bindings one. This is the first one.

It is all hand quilted, because that is what Lois does. It is great that I can help with the binding.  I'll also put a label on it.

Happy Mail

 The lack of in-person Quilt Shows, and days at home, sewing, has meant that I am running short on Aurifil thread. I have used Aurifil for quite awhile. My machine likes it, and I never have a problem with it. 

So when Karen of Sew Karen-ly Created posted this great special on her blog, I decided to treat myself to some pretty threads. I love it when the seller takes the time to make my purchase special.

Yesterday, the box arrived, and as soon as I opened it, I could see the care that Karen had taken.

First, some pink tissue.

A cute little note.

The pattern ( I may need to buy some fabric.)

Aren't the threads pretty and spring-y?

More pretty tissue.

And the threads I actually needed along with the Aurifil box that will be handy for taking my thread to workshops and retreats.

Thank you, Karen, you brightened my day.

I finished another pair of socks.

Baby socks with a twisted cast on using the leftovers from my last pair of adult socks. I have already sent them to the grandma-to-be.

Spring has sprung!