Firstly, to those of you who are new to this blog, I'd like to explain that I used to have a number of blogs. A few months ago I decided to bring all my blogs together into this space. This little story about blossom is the kind of post I would previously have put on 'Kites Are Fun' blog. I just wanted to explain why it's a little bit different to my usual kinds of posts.
Also, there is a giveaway at the end of the page for a small celebration!
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I could feel that change was just about to happen. I could see it. Tiny little buds of green growth everywhere. It had been another week of wet, grey days. I knew that if I put some of those little buds in a jar of water I’d be able to have some spring growth on my desk. And so I went in search of blossom. I walked through the roads, in the rain, to my green space. I didn’t go my usual route along the canal; I went into the big open ‘woodland’ paths. It’s an industrial sort of area with old waterworks leaving huge slabs of concrete. But nature doesn’t mind and has made her home there.
I inspected trees and bushes to see which had the most potential within their buds. There weren’t any blossom trees, but I found a willow with big white fluffy buds covered in rain. Perfect. As I walked through the paths I could hear all manner of bird song. I stopped to try and see which birds where in the trees. I saw two woodpeckers flitting between the trees together, stopping to find grubs at each tree. I watched them for a little while with willow in my hand and then began my journey home. 
We got a sunny day. I knew that real change was underway. Those tiny buds I had seen around the streets would be turning into blossom. As I sat and wrote my essays, the sun shone outside. I’d been watching a blossom tree in the church yard. I’d seen the pink buds during the grey and rainy week. Pink buds hanging down like droplets. I knew that there would now be flowers on it now. I opened the windows to let the breeze blow through. The sun was getting ready to set and I couldn’t let that sunny day pass by, without taking a look at my blossom tree.
I walked over to the church yard and there it was. A mass of beautiful, delicate, pale pink flowers. I went back twice in the week just to look at those flowers. Those flowers which every year bring me so much joy, for when I look at them, I know that spring has arrived.
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***Update: I now have 30 addresses, thanks for your addresses, the list if full****
a big ugly cold
Similarly to the previous Tshirts the fabric has been heat bonded on with a raw edge and then hand stitched onto to the Tee.
For both babygrows (do people only call them that in Britain?) I've used a mixture of vintage and modern printed cottons.
I think they'd look good on boy or girl babies. I tried to keep the colour schemes unisex.
Where I am working at the moment is in an area of London full of fabric shops (Shepherds Bush for you Londoners). Today I went into one and found this fabric which I instantly loved. The shop was full of gorgeous fabrics that Nigerian woman use for their traditional attire. It's printed and embossed. I think it's perfect for my dress.
One thing that encourages this homemade wardrobe idea is that I have a small suitcase full of vintage dressmaking patterns. Fifties and Sixties are my preferred styles, so, having these patterns means I woud be able to make most of my clothes. Above are the patterns I've picked out for the blue and white fabric. I like the full dress in 4491, with one of those big underskirts in 8117.
I have the best book for dressmaking and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is learning how to dressmake. Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. It has step by step instructions for everything, including how to alter a pattern to fit you exactly. See? I'm all set with everything I need. I could make all my own clothes, but first, let's see how I go with one dress.
You can see the bunting has been sewn together by hand. I like the little coloured stitches standing out on the binding, and the way they aren't perfect.
All the bunting has been made with a mixture of modern and vintage fabrics and most of the triangles were sewn together by hand on.
They where a fun little project to do whilst travelling. They fitted into my little sewing pouch and I could just get it out and do a bit of stitching (as soon as I had a seat on the tube!). Each one is available here.
I decided the bedroom was the best spot and took photos of all three bunting in that spot. I hope to put all three in the shop tomorrow morning. Hope you are all enjoying your weekends.
and inside was her beautiful artwork.
See, I have been really lucky! Thank you for all the wonderful snail mail, friends! Recieving all these pretty pictures inspires me to think about the wall above my desk ~ I'm sure I could make it look much more inspiring now!
