Peter Rabbit and friends ....

Happy Easter weekend from us!  

This is the contents of my Easter Basket ...

 anything edible is long gone - pesky rabbits.

Our weather has warmed up slightly and we could hear the snow melting yesterday. We usually go to the cottage on Easter weekend but there is as much (or more) snow there as at home so there seemed no point in going.  
My blog seems to be mostly about x-stitching  lately and that's what I've been enjoying in the evenings along with some crocheting - the crocheted items are waiting to have their photos taken. It's also an indication of the weather ... I think I'm still cocooning.    I've done some sewing but my photos of the projects leave a lot to be desired; and I told myself I wouldn't make any more quilts ... just how many does a girl need?  
On the green side, the geraniums that I overwintered are looking very happy.  Considering the weather, I believe I won't start my tomato plants for at least a couple of weeks since planting will be late this year.   

look what was in the mail .....

This was in the mail just the other day .... I was am thrilled to bits!

The card and pouch were handmade by Valma and I am delighted and honoured to have it.  Can you see the charm on the zipper pull - it says 'handmade' ... that's so cute - and she's brilliant at sewing in a zipper!  Valma's stitching is beautiful and her signature is so tiny.  The card is beautiful and she even has her own business cards.  I neglected to show the fabric she used for the pouch but it reflects the same colours as the stitching.  I shall cherish this forever!   I think she knew that I like the Japanese designs.
Valma, I love it .... thank you so much!

just ducky and the cat has whiskers ....

This little duck is chasing a dragonfly although it's not easy to see the dragonfly.  The chart can be found here. 

This fella is a freebie from Lynn B.  I finished

him as a sachet filled with lavender and used

the tulip fabric for the backing.

These are the newest additions to

my Spring/Easter basket.

 I think spring is going to happen -

we've had some warmer temperatures

for a few days and no fresh snow - I'm

wearing my happy face!

  

SPRING!!!!

This is the first day of Spring

and I can't stop smiling!
Here's hoping warmer weather is on it's way ....
 it's been a long winter and there is
lots of snow. (It's official that it was a
record year for snow!) 

The Spring has Sprung design is from Blueladie Designs

and the Spring sign is from  The Stitcherhood.

St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the sun shine all day long

May everything go right and nothing wrong

May you always have the courage to take a chance

And never find frogs in your underpants!   


(Something strange happened when I published this post 
today - Blogger says it was posted two days ago ... go figure.)  

I turned this design from Coats & Clark
into a sachet filled with lavender.

This dapper fella looks
like 'a song and dance man' to me ......
He was a freebie from Lynn B.
(did you notice that he's had a close shave?)

This Celtic beauty is from
Blueladie Designs. 

on the go ...

Made a couple of 'on the go' mini clutch wallets - there is a pocket for cash or a debit card and room for a cellphone and other incidentals.  It's a design from Sew4Home.  It would make a nice gift bag, too.  This one is a gift and I forgot to take a photo of the one I'm using. 

 I quite like this pincushion design.  The chart included instructions on how to finish it, which I really appreciated .... and now I have a new method of finishing in my repertoire!

This winter has been a long one with lots of snow, with a lack of sunshine, and without the usual break of a spell of mild weather. The  good only good thing about this is that I did 

a lot of sewing and stitching throughout the winter.  

 To make matters worse Daylight Saving has arrived but our province stays on standard time year around.  With everyone else changing time, including the satellite tv schedule, 

we're always often confused . 

And I really question why DST has to start sooner and end later than it used to.

 

Look what I won.....

Back in February, Linda of Razzle Dazzle Quilter in New Zealand had a giveaway, actually two giveaways, to celebrate 100 followers.  I was lucky enough to win the International gift that was 30 charm squares of Kiwiana fabric ... oh my, this fabric is so gorgeous.  Thank you Linda for drawing my name for this gorgeousness ..... 

The parcel was here in a couple of weeks, which is remarkable considering the distance it travelled.  I was so excited when the package arrived and here are some pix .....

 This is what I found when I opened the mailing envelope - 2 ribbon tied parcels of fabric.

Inside was a notepad from Lake Taupo, NZ where Linda lives; two white chocolate fish (made by Helens Handmade Chocolates)  - 1 for each of us (the man of the house sends his thanks, Linda) , a fat quarter of luscious blue fabric with birds on it - the birds' tails remind me of scallop shells, and the gorgeous Kiwiana charm squares.  I am in seventh heaven to have such exquisite fabric in my possession.

Thank you again, Linda.

tickled pink .....

While using my pocket/purse calendar 
with the imitation black leather cover 
  I wondered if I could make a cover for it the same way I make journal covers.

 Hmmm, guess I can .....

I was 'tickled pink' with the end result!  :D 

 Don't you just love those butterflies!!!!!

finally ....

March finally arrived and

we're celebrating with

some sprouts ....

 

 Day 1

 Day 3

 Day 5  - the ones

on the left are ready to eat.