Patchwork

Hello there! I'm joining in with Planet Penny's Happy Friday again. The sunny weather continues in these parts which cheers me no end - and I needed a little cheering when term started again on Wednesday. Over the holiday I had got used to E being around during the day and found that I really missed her now she's back at school. So, a bit of sun really helps matters along. 

This week I finally got around to organizing my 'Patchwork on the Go' tins. I had wanted to have a go at patchwork for a while and thought that little patchwork hexagons would be just the thing for carrying around in my bag for opportune moments - nice and light to carry, not too hot to work on, perfect for doing whilst sitting in the car park waiting for E to come out of school etc. I even borrowed Cath Kidston's 'Patch' this week from the library for a bit of inspiration.

Here are my Mother's Day tins from the girls, all set up and ready to go:

...... and here are some of my hexies:

I love everything about my new craft - from drawing round the cute, plastic template to cutting them out, pinning and tacking them and then finally sewing them together. I haven't yet decided what to make with them - there are a few possibilities: the piano stool needs recovering, maybe a cushion or a table runner or a seat cushion cover for the wicker chair in the bedroom. I'll decide at some point, but for the moment I'm quite happy just making them!

With exam stress cranking up, I had another little crafty moment this week. E actually asked me to make her another lavender bag - you can imagine how my little heart swelled with joy at the request - it's very rare that E actually asks me to make her something; mostly, I just inflict things on her! She picked out some scraps from my stash and a happy afternoon's sewing produced:

Ta-Dah!:

Apologies for the dreadful photo - the lighting wasn't great and I was trying to avoid the part where it says her name! Anyway, it's now doing sterling work in the relaxation department - either hanging on the end of her bed or sitting next to her as she revises. 

We've done rather well for wildlife this week:

We have a small brown duck that comes to the back door on her own to be fed (most of the others come in pairs or groups). This week, E was thrilled when she actually turned up with a friend:

 E felt she had to take its photo, along with this rather distant shot of a green woodpecker - look closely!

 Me trying to take a photo of the squirrel on the bird table without frightening him off:

 ..... and a peacock butterfly which R found when it hatched out in the garage. 

 Other happies this week include:

Lots and lots of blossom! 

 Bluebells:

 More blossom!

 The tadpoles developing legs - we're off to the pond this afternoon after school to release them.

 Finally, my new cake colouring pastes:

 

 Of course, I had to try them out! They're amazing and you only need the tiniest amount to produce really zingy colours - the green is actually much brighter than it appears in the photo:

 So that's it for happy moments this week. Long may this beautiful weather continue and have a wonderful weekend.
Toodle Pip for now. x