turkey feathers

Tulip Time!

I thought spring had finally arrived, but after last week, I wasn't quite convinced.  Following that short burst of warmth and sunshine, there was driving rain, wind and hail.  More hail than I've ever seen before.  Ever. Everything was covered in white.  It was an incredible scene.

Signs of spring abound though.  I see daffodils, crocus, grape hyacynth and tulips and am reassured.  Canadian geese are making their journey north as they pass over our house in formation with loud honking and flapping--music to my ears, along with the delicate song of the western bluebirds flitting from tree to tree.  I try and stay focused on the the beauty of nature, but sometimes it's hard. 

Because, we've been battling carpenter ants for weeks now.  Another harbinger of spring here.  They've found a place they like under the foundation of the house, directly under the kitchen sink area.  We've put out bait and called the exterminator, but they still find their way inside and wander all over the place.  On Sunday, as I stood at the stove stirring gravy, calmly chatting with Grace at the sink, one of these enormous black creatures crawled right up my pant leg and took a bite out of me!  I was a bit shocked to say the least.  And if that wasn't bad enough, earlier last week I encountered a snake in my sewing room.   It was stretched out across the threshold of the doorway.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing!  I think this crazy weather is confusing not only me, but all living things as they crawl and slither into my home to find shelter. No telling what I will come across next.  (My husband, my hero, wrangled the snake and took him back outside; way beyond the house...he assured me.  But I'm keeping my eyes peeled just in case he comes back.)  Here's the picture he managed to get (from his cell phone) as it slid away. 

Can you believe this?  I'm still reeling. 

But I don't want to leave you ladies all squirmy and squeemish, heavens no!  (giggle)  So here's a quick little sewing project to get our minds off this big, bad, cruel world for a while...

 Last week, as I was digging through my stash of vintage transfers hoping to find a particular flower pattern for a stitching friend, I found this cute motif for an apron pocket.  Thought it would make a sweet dishtowel, so enlarged it and got busy. 

Here's the result--and the pattern.   (Click pattern to open in Flickr.)  Enjoy! 

Time to go back on "watch duty".  Take care, until next time!

Out Like a Lamb . .

Well sort of.  It's a  beautiful day today, but the weekend was another story: cold and blustery, mostly.  With lots of rain.  Several roads had to be closed as creeks and rivers overflowed.  Again. I've never seen so many trees falling down either.  Winter just doesn't seem to want to go without a fight.  I've been enjoying the daffodils for weeks now.  Little bunches brought inside to remind us of Spring!  So pretty and cheerful, scattered here and there.  These are in the hallway.  I float on the scent of their perfume everytime I pass by.

Meanwhile, outside, bunnies are creeping out from underneath the bushes and the robins have returned, a sure sign of a seasonal shift.  In fact, right this minute, I am sitting here with the backdoor wide open for the first time in months.  The fresh air is wonderful. (Even made a new blog banner to celebrate.)  Tweet  Tweet. 

For most of the winter, I sort of took over this corner of the "playroom" to work on my new art project.  I love decoupage, and  woke up one morning with an irresistible urge to cut and paste...and this quest took me far and wide with endless possibilities.

But, in the end...it was embroidery transfers that captured my heart.  What else?  I love them so.  Most are between 50-75 years old, some even older.  I only used those that were already cut up or used, or beyond repair.   I like that these old vintage treasures will be preserved in a new way to celebrate their goodness.  These (above) were the first pieces I did.  They take quite a bit of time to do, but I find the process very relaxing especially with the {French} Baguette Quartette serenading and guiding my mood with Fleur de Paris and La vie en Rose. (Listen here).  Personally, I find this music transforming, even when a storm is raging outside.  It just seems to ooze sunshine and happiness that overflows onto the canvas here.

Each art piece is unique and carries a theme all its own, depending on the combined designs used. I've got more  in various stages of completion and may try and sell a few.  At the moment though, I just can't bare to part with them.  I'm thinking of hanging them en masse on a large wall over here in PatternBee headquarters--that little room at the back of my house.  Wouldn't that be grand?