May tulips and lilies take the place of April crocus

By on 5-11-2011 in Original photos

The sun is shining and spring is warming into summer…the crocus, sadly are gone, in their place are red and yellow tulips and white lilies.
E lily

These lilies are very delicate and will be gone in about two days. Rain, when first blooming decreased their life span substantially.

red tulip

This red tulip, almost in full bloom caught my eye with it’s yellow streaks throughout its petals.

yellow tulip

There is always one in the mix that is different. The rest of the yellow tulips are parrot tulips with big floppy petals. This one of a kind has a much lighter tone and reminds me more of a rose colour. It is growing right in the middle of the other yellow tulips and stands out as an individual.

An April Flower Bouquet to Embroider

By on 4-25-2011 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

Cover-McCalls-embroidery-book

An embroidery pattern to stitch from the McCall’s transfer book Vol IV, 1977. Whether you decide to stitch these flowers in bright, bold colours or pastels it will bring Spring and Summer into your home. If you have a cottage it would look right at home on a pillow or table runner. Seed beads would look good adorning the centers as well as decorating the butterflies.

cover pattern-McCalls-transfer

Two more collages, these two honour Spring

By on 4-19-2011 in Digital Images + Collage, Fabric Postcards, Original photos

While I have been waiting for the rain to stop and the sun to shine I put together two collaged cards. For the first collage I used the yellow crocus. I painted the background, added moss from one of our trees then created a crocus brush. A very interesting piece of work, my first attempt at using the Photoshop layers in this way.

yellow crocus spring card

I chose the purple crocus for the second collage. I painted the background in this piece as well, and created another crocus brush which I used in two different sizes and colours to add depth to the piece.

spring card
I like the way the crocus flowers seem to float on air in both these collages and the moss takes on a character all of it’s own. Both of the collages would make great fabric postcards, especially with added embroidered embellishments.

Easter Bunnies are everywhere

By on 4-13-2011 in Easter Patterns, Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

Easter bunnies

These Easter embroidery motives were published in the 1992 insert for the Cross Stitch and Country Crafts Magazine. Aren’t they cute? There are several to chose from. They would look great hopping over your own Easter bunny’s blanket and bibs or on a little crib quilt. They could be enlarged and appliqued onto a larger quilt as well. Wouldn’t the little bunny on the ball look cute painted on a nursery wall?

Crocus Flowers….a beautiful start to spring

By on 4-10-2011 in Original photos

crocus flowers

This spring’s crocus are breathtaking. Such a delicate purple with darker lines of deep colour.

crocus

I couldn’t choose which photo to post so I am posting all three. They look like they were painted onto fine china.

crocus

These yellow crocus glow with colour, reaching out for the sun’s rays. Stunning….I wish they could stay blooming for longer.

yellow crocus flowers

Again, I could not make a decision of which photo to post so I am posting both.

yellow crocus