Spring – Entropy Always Wins

Spring is showing herself in big ways. We are loving walks (when it is not pouring-Yay rain!) along our country road watching our neighbor’s newborn calves and soaking up all the flowers in bloom. It is SO green here which is a nice thing to see for this Seattle transplant as we will soon enter the dry, very warm part of the year in northern California.

Spring has inspired me to start some new projects. I have several in the works, some just completed and other fun plans in store. 🙂

First I must share this little beauty my crafty aunt sent to me. It was in exchange for a bag I made her several months ago. My picture is not the best but the lovely lady says “Beautiful Transparent Wings”. She will fit nicely in my sewing space.

I finished lining my recent Noodlhead Duffles and sent them off to my nieces with some other handmade goodies. I really like how the lining adds more heft to the bags and it was fun to find complimentary fabrics.

I also recently finished a sweater for a friend’s child. I made the five year old version in FrogTree Periboo Worsted in Grey and Pink. This yarn is dreamy and I will certainly knit with it again in the future. The pattern can be found here:

Ravelry: Colorblock pattern by Karen Borrel.

In the embroidery arena, I’ve been doodling a little with french knots again. Loving this handwork and I need to make time to do more!

I’ve also indulged in several new fabric purchases in the last few weeks. (I am such a bad girl as I am bursting at the seams in fabrics but fabric hoarding is a disease I suffer from). I especially treasure the handprinted fabrics from Leslie Keating and Umbrella Fabrics. Australia must have magic in the water that helps folks produce such lovely handprinted fabrics. I am hooked!

The last two pictures are of Umbrella prints trimmings. Every year the fabric company has a competition challenging people to use their trimmings in different ways. I have several ideas in mind but not sure they will make it to fruition. We shall see. Contest details here:

Umbrella Prints: 2014 Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition.

My favorite local fabric shop, The Tin Thimble is having a sale and I couldn’t resist these beauties today. This shop has THE best combination of new and vintage fabrics and buttons. It is run by a woman and her daughters and is located in part of an old produce warehouse. Every time I go visit, I am completely blown away by the lovely creations on display made by these gals and their customers. Good stuff and something that could never be replicated in an online store. I also purchased a few skeins of Madelinetosh Prarie in Jade from a local yarn shop. Swoon!!! (So happy to support our local businesses.) The whole combo has me dreaming of spring and I can’t wait to dig in to these treasures.