meeting Henry and other bits and bobs

Meet Henry, Henry has been made from a bear kit that I bought from The Old Pin Cushion on Etsy. You buy the pattern (Chopper Bear) and the kit separately, so if you wish you could make your bear in something other than bear fur material.

The pattern comes with very clear instructions and useful tips on how to distress your bear - in the nicest possible way!

Before I move on, I forgot to say in my last post that I had added to my felt stash recently from the wonderful Felt Fairy, great range of colours and fast delivery.

Spring feels like it is on its way today, we have a beautiful clear blue sky which is very welcome after the bitterly easterly winds that we have experienced the last couple of days. There are even a few touches of colour around the garden, although I have to admit the primroses were bought in from the local garden centre and so are a little earlier than normal.
It is always a joy to see the nodding heads of the snowdrop appearing and bulbs are pushing up all over the place. I made a big effort last autumn to plant loads, and I think it may have paid off. First crocus well on their way too, and yesterday the hens did me proud, with two eggs being laid including Edith's first egg. Looks like scrambled egg is on for lunch today! added later: The scrambled eggs were delicious and the most golden yellow I think I have ever seen!

the felt stash

Recently, whilst delving into the far corners of my bedroom/workroom/sanctuary, I came across a box of rainbow colours just begging me to stop whatever it was that I had been intending to do, and hold the colours in my hand, colour against colour, they were like jewels, ideas floated into my mind, and a seed was sown/sewn.... I had rediscovered my felt stash.
It was not as tidy as this when I found it, it was all higgerly piggerly, but a happy time was spent pulling out each piece and carefully unfolding and rolling into little sausages all placed together so that I could admire their colours next to one another. I wanted to make something there and then, something I had been toying with for a while and now it was quite clear to me what it was - a pin cushion. That most simple domestic tool of the needlewoman, but something that can be as plain as you wish or as decorative. I wanted mine to be like a spring posy, an early summer garden.

All pretty colours jostling together with little leaves poking through and buds half open.

This was my first, in a tiny round cardboard box, this is the one I will keep. Then more began to appear, like seedlings.

I filled tiny plant pots with felt and wadding and flowers blossomed.

Hope you like them as much as I enjoyed making them, there are some now in my Etsy shop.