Things that made me happy today...

Sunshine....lots of lovely warm sunshine.
Different shades of green in the garden

Dicentra spectabilis or in Dutch "gebroken hartje" (broken hearts).

The Wistaria that is about to bloom

Hanging the laundry outside to dry. I love the fresh smell!

Plastic polka dot cups and plates for camping

A bit of spring cleaning, wash up all blue things in the kitchen

Paper roses..a gift from my mother

May's issue of Country living

And finally..my new swimsuit...what do you think, is it to pink?

Happy Easter

Sometimes life gets in the way of things i've got planned.
Plans to spend time on quilting. Plans to read all the wonderful blogs and leave comments to all of you. I'm so sorry but i'm way behind...seems I just can't drag myself behind the computer. I had big plans to do some stitching, finishing of projects........etc, etc.

We're going away for the Easter weekend to the seaside. Lots of fresh air and windy beachwalks so hopefully i can reload my battery.
Really looking forward to that!
Wishing you all a Happy Easter and see you next week!

building a nest and sunny yellow

A new month...a new calendar page!

A new color for inspiration.
Go check out flickr for many more amazing yellow stuff.


1. Yellow Daisy vintage fabric tote, 2. Yellow Squares Quilt Block 7, 3. yellow gingham lunchbag crafting 365 day 51, 4. aunt millies garden-2, 5. Yellow Squares Postcard - August Coloriffic Swap-O-Rama, 6. yellow rabbit and carrots - pincushion, 7. yellow canvas , 8. Yellow Fabric Roll, 9. Measure-Up Brooch, 10. Mushroom House: Yellow (side view), 11. ATC Traded - Trying to Stand Out in a Crowd - Applique and Embroidered Chick #2, 12. crafting 365, day 282, 13. vintage fabric hearts in golden yellow, 14. crafting 365/day 52, 15. Yellow Tomato Pincushion, 16. RJR Fabrics everything but the kitchen sink 1930s reproduction fabric

A new nest
Sorry, the photo is a bit blurry but I couldn't get any closer.

The happy couple finally made the decicion on which house they would move into. And as two real construction workers they fly in and out all day with pieces of straw and moss to build their nest.
And do you want to know what I do all day?
...Well I sit in the sun and watch those two busy birds from an appropriate distance. All that activity is a joy to see!
Untill next time!

squares will do it for me

As always... when i'm looking for something new to do, and i can't find what it is i want to do,...my eyes are seeing squares only.

They see retro squares.
photo from the book: creatief bezig zijn voor de vrouw
Squares to build an animal.
photo from the book: creatief bezig zijn voor de vrouw
Square paterns.

So guess what my eyes saw in these fresh fabric rolls...

Right they saw squares!

And nine squares make a nine patch.

My favorite patern... yes, squares are definitely do it for me!Have a lovely day!

not much going on

Although there is not much to blog about just a few words to let you know that I'm still around. Keeping myself really busy, not one day goes by that isn't packed with things to do. Unfortuanly non crafty things except for this stitchery from Lynette Anderson Noah's arc. It's far from finished there are a few more months to go. Take a look at this group, here you can see many beautiful (finished) noah's arks.

Thank you for the fine advice on the birds issue from last post. I bought a new birdhouse so now the birds have a choice on where they want to build their nest. Maybe another couple will move in the second house?

And to celebrate Spring I bought some primula's.
Now I only have to wait for Spring weather!

Have a nice day!

blogging again

Thank you for your expressions of sympathy. I want you to know that all your kind words and thoughts are very much appreciated.
After days of sadness it feels good to put all my energy back in crafting and blogging again. It also takes my mind of things. So does cleaning the house and bringing home new spring flowers!

We have nice weather that makes me want to go outside
while some birds want to come in. Like this little guy
..he is trying for three days now and still won’t give up!

If he's looking for a place to build his nest...just around the corner hangs the perfect house. Maybe I have to hang out a better sign!

Talking of birds..i can’t stop making these feathered creatures.

I also start making a new doll

And while browsing in some old Ariadne’s I spotted this lovely couple in typical Dutch costumes.

What a great cross-stitch pattern to use with the red- blue- white fabrics.

I hear ticking again. The little bird is back...could't be that my windows are so clean, so spotless that the bird thinks he can fly right through?
Spotless, my windows..yeh right!..haha

Just a few words to tell you that I'm not be able to blog or respond on mails en comments for now and the next few days because of very sad family circumstances.

What a little green can do!

Just a quick post to show you what all that green can do to me. It made me want to make green birds!


And a red/ pink one too!

Lets see of all that green can also let me do some domestic tasks around here!

March already!

February went by so fast...already we're into the third month of 2009! According to my calender March is the month that spring starts. Well I can't wait, i need some sunshine, some warm weather!
How i do love to see the colorful crocuses, tulips and hyacinths coming through again and green leaves and blooming plants and trees..oh, yes i do!
So if you also in need for some green inspiration, go check out Flickr. It already feels a bit like spring!

1. Green, Green, Green..., 2. New Leaves Brooch, 3. green and yellow, 4. Weevle, 5. Linen & Lace Matryoshka Bag, 6. Envy Cat, 7. my favourite apple, 8. 1019 (for brent), 9. three green corsages, 10. Patchwork skirt for Annie, 11. sage polka dot dachshund, 12. Virkat virketui!, 13. Plants for busy people: Cactus (the other side), 14. Ode to Maids In A Row, 15. Flower Garden Patchwork - 10, 16. mostly greens
Have a creative week!

best friends

Last week a friendship grew. First there was Lies.

Two days later came Lotte.

They met each other on wednesday and are inseparable ever since.


Friendship, who can do without?
Have a wonderful weekend!

doll parts and beautiful fabrics

This weekend the south part of Holland is going mad, it's "Carnaval"! Not for me though..I have celebrated enough of that when I was younger. This year I'll go see the parade and then go home again to work on this little girl.
Doll inspired me into making another cloth doll.
I'm planning on embroider her face with some floss and use cotton buttons to sew the arms and legs on the doll's body.

Also last week I recieved an unexpected lovely suprise true the mail. These most beautiful fabrics...a gift for me from Mary. Thank you so much Mary, I feel overwhelmed by your generous geste!

pillow versus pincushion

Look what the postwoman brought this morning!

Beautiful fabrics and ribbon and delicious maple candy send to me by my swappartner Stacey from "chickpea studios" She also made this cute gritter, isn't he lovely! Thanks Stacey for these wonderful gifts. Go to Stacey's blog to see my part of the swap.

Update: Doll is still recovering from her bath adventure. The stains came out... doll was perfectly shiny clean until Luca got hold of her. She putted the poor doll's arms in her little mouth right after she eat her fruitdish. Ahh, now doll is ready to take a bath again!
So to make up for all the inconvenience I made doll a pillow.

front

back
And if doll doesn't want this pillow I can always use it as a XXL size pincushion. Yes, I think that's what i'm gonna do!