April

After depositing the Little People at school this morning I strolled up through town to make my regular stops at the market :: into my shopping bag went Granny Singletons Mature Lancashire cheese, and this bunch of magnificently flouncy showy-offy tulips. Mr Plant Man did warn me that they were in fact last weeks flowers, that they might not last very long, and that was why they were priced at only £1. I told him I did not care if they only lasted one day, that I could not possibly pass them by and not take them home with me to flounce and show off in my living room.

Was having a little rootle around yesterday in one of my many many dangerously teetering, toppling, messy piles of papers and books, looking for a scrap of paper with a scribbled down address on it. I didn't end up finding the address (where can it be?), but did find this beautiful greetings card that I'd completely forgotten about. I cannot even remember where/when I bought it, but oh I do love it so! The image is a painting by artist Emma McClure and is called "Basket with Cyclamen and Fruits"....currently stood on my mantel and I am loving seeing it there next to my spotty red jug. Christmas snowflake fairy lights are still there too look.  

So...a fresh new month to spring into today, April is here, month of Spring showers and bright flowers. Turned my calendar pages today (on time for once), and ooooooooo they are lovely!! The images really lifted my spirits and made me very excited for this new month, for blossom and birds and pretty things, and for Easter of course, which happens to be my favourite favourite celebration of the whole year. Truthfully I love Easter very much more than Christmas.

Just look at the Bossy Calendar this month, isn't that a stunning image? Oh yes yes yes I will indeed be making a homemade seasonal wreath for Easter and yes yes yes, posies of fresh flowers too! I am soo excited! Of course I haven't started anything yet, haven't begun the joyous business of decorating for Easter yet, although have noticed some fabulous eggy birdy things  happening in Blogland homes recently that made me swoon...Bertie has been at it, as has Lulu look...will have to think how to fit in some Private Easter Creativity because Little People will be at home next week, which makes Attic-time slightly tricksy. 

The Ideal Homes calendar is as ever beautiful :: simple, elegant, understated and beautiful. This is one fabulous calendar and each month as I've turned the page I've found myself gasping with pleasure at the photographs. I think possibly Mondays evening meal will be a big frittata because I fancy having a go at blowing out some eggs to decorate, and frittata is the perfect egg-using recipe. I am still pondering the whys and wherefores of involving the Little People in egg-blowing and egg-painting activities. I know it sounds mean, but sometimes I just love to do these things all-by-myself (remember the halloween pumpkin?). We shall see. I may have to accept that Easter Creativity will have to be child orientated, unless I try and stay awake past 9pm and spend a few evenings making grown up birdy eggy flowery decorative things.

This mornings April view from the Attic is kind of disappointingly on the grey side, but truthfully it's not a bad sort of day really here in North Yorskhire. It's warmish and although still quite hazy as I type this at lunch time, there are signs that the sun is attempting to shine through.

Just before I go, a little bit of Crochet news....
Above photo was taken yesterday when i was finishing off some hooking and photography for the Granny Squares Joining-as-you-go tutorial.

Yes, that was my afternoon yesterday, sitting in that chair in the light of the bay window, surrounded by colourful yarny goodness, hooking and photographing, scribbling notes and pondering the joys of crochet for the umpteenth time.

For those of you have been waiting, I thank you for your patience, and am happy to let you know that the joining tutorial can be found over in the side bar in the usual place, or click here to find it.
Tomorrow, the Ripple Tutorial will arrive I hope...I've been a busy bee!! Hooking and clicking and typing, gosh, such hardship. Good job you are worth it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Andi]

The Granny Squares are looking gorgeous! Off to look at the joining tutorial now so thankyou for that. I am never quite sure of the best way to join and have tried lots of different ways so will now try the Lucy way! xxx

[Sarah Allen- McDonough GA]

looking forward to both tutorials!!! I have been pondering the tote bag for weeks- just rolling around the idea of trying it but as I am new to crochet the idea of changing colors so much has me a bit worried!! Happy early EASTER to you.. it is a wonderful time of year!

[thepiglady]

Woohooo! that's just fab! Thank you. Now there will be no excuse for leaving piles of granny squares about the place, which, although not perfect, have made great blankets for Miss A's sylvanian collection!!
Have a great day Debs x

[Kelly]

My, you have been busy and I look forward to my Saturday morning blog reading time to take a close look at that tutorial. You are so generous! ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

[Nathalie]

The ripple tutorial, yihaaa. I've been wanting to make this after the hexagons are finished. WHen they are finished that is. I'm halfway now and hoped it would be finished by end of March but well I can still work on it while waiting the ripple pattern ; ) I love the hexagons and am sure the ripple will be a great sequel. You turned me in to a crochet-o-holic !

BTW thx for all the eye candy

Nath

[Jennyff]

I agree Easter is miles better than Christmas. Your crochet bag is fabby, I am so fired up to learn how to do that, thanks for sharing.

[The Antidote]

I am totally with you in enjoying Easter more than Christmas, it is far more relaxed and sooooo much prettier! Did you see my little Easter wreath I blogged this week.
I too was on time this month in calendar page turning, and I must say David Tennant is looking particularly handsome this April! x o x

[Nina - Tabiboo]

Hi Lucy,

beautiful post I love the tulips - red is my favorite colour!!

Have a lovely day and hope the sun shines soon.

take care,

Nina x

[felicity]

Hi Lucy
did you see in the new crochet mag - 'inside crochet' the crochet sock pattern! It made me think of you with all your sock photos just recently!!,

i love the cushion in your chair, did you make it?

felicity xx

[simone]

I woke up this morning excited that it was time to turn my calender page! I wish I had 3 calenders like you!!! Thanks for the tutorial and one to come too. I am still plodding on with my huge granny square, it's pictured on my last blog post if you want to see it. I really want to finish it now and start something else! I am looking forward to Easter time too. Isn't it great that the evenings are ligher now? More time to spend doing crochet!

[susan]

wow. big deep sigh. the picture of your chair with all the gorgeous crochet is why I keep coming back every day to see what you're up to. that is just pure lovelyness.

[Julie]

The calendars never fail to delight (nor do you). A feast of colour in the crochet pictures. As inspirational and uplifting as ever. Thank you.

[PinkCat]

Sending you some sunny vibes! Although those beautiful hot red tulips must be making it feel warm and sunny inside your house.

I wasn't so happy with my calendar pictures for April - two had rather sad looking cats (I think one must have been manipulated as it's front legs were positioned very awkwardly - I've never seen anything quite like it) and the other had a bear eating chocolate eggs. Slightly bizarre! I think I liked the March pictures much better! x

[Wendy]

Oh! to snuggle up in that chair with such lovely hookyness around you - I'm SOOOO jealous.
We had your Lentil Bake last night yumm!! but your Lemon Cake we had after was scrummy!!! just off to have a slice of it now with a lovely frothy coffee and maybe an hour or so of crochet.
The 3 Cs - Coffee-Cake-Crochet - my favourite!!!
Love & Hugs
Wendy xx

[sumea]

This is definitly my favourite time of year too. A colourful, blossoming, hopeful time. I just can't wait to see your Easter decorations - you are going to show us??? pleeeeeese. I had a most scrumptious wool delivery today, it has been such a loooong time since I ordered new wool, I can't wait to get started on all manner of wooly projects, though like you my family expect me to make some eggy/bunny/chicky things first. Not that I mind I always so totally enjoy making Easter decorations. Your crochet looks dreamier than ever (if that's possible). I am trying to sound cheerful, but i am fighting back tears today. My sister has been rushed into hospital today for a biopsy as well as some surgery. I am so hoping that this month is going to be kind and gentle and hopeful. I love my sis to bits, she's a diamond/rock/star/flower and joy of joys.
Despite all this your post has made me smile, you are so magical.
xxxx
Sumea

[Zoe]

Such a lovely post with the tuilp photos and all that gorgeous crochet on show. Looking forward to the Ripple tutorial very much - got a pattern off Ravelry but I'm sure your one will be easier to understand. Can't wait - very exciting and just in time for my Easter break. Now to play around with the colour order.

[jenny b harris]

Oh thank you! The combination of seeing the beautiful colors of your work and the clever and helpful techniques you share add up to pure wonderfulness! (is that a word?)

[driftwood]

happy april.
looking forward to the ripple very much.
just getting out the easter decorations here, althogh my plan to hang them on branches of pussy willow was thwarted, guess I left it too late, none of the market plant men had any..... jewellry tree to the rescue.

[Kar]

Aren't tulips divine!!! Especially that beautiful, scrummy red color. Who could resist? Not I!!! :)

Easter decor is being thought of around here also. Just trying to decide what to do is the problem. Too many choices! But oh how nice the house will look with all the colorful, springy creations. :)

Your granny square throw is looking FAB with all of its scrummy colors. Isn't grand just to sit in a comfy chair with wonderful light flowing in and just hooking away at another yarny creation?! YeS! It's a tough life but someone has to do it! LOL!!!

Have a fun day!!! xxxxxx

[Vicki]

Oh Lucy, you are the greatest! I am so grateful for all your tutorials...just the best, great step-by-step and photos of color galore...so inspiring!

[Louise]

ooo Your tulips are lovely, I need to get some more flowers in this week as my Hyacyinths are just running out now.
I love the look of your chair with all your crocheting yummies on it it looks a lovely little haven.
Looking forward to the ripple tute now I have finished my bag I ahve a hook free!!
Thanks
Louise x

[bigbucketgirl]

I read your post with my little one...and I told him that you don't have sunshine today...he pondered that for a bit, mentioned that the sun was hiding behind clouds...pointed at the granny squares and said...."nevr mattur mumma. dat laydee got waynebows all the time"

LOL!

[Lorraine]

Your tutorials are fab and I have just finished my bag thanks to you! Looking forward to my next projects.

[Luci Sharp]

Ooooh can't wait for the Ripple tutorial. Yippee!!! Love the socks, I think crafters must all have a secret sock fetish!! When you take your shoes off and looking down at the cheeriest of socks is fab! You can own sooo many without spending the wool money!!

[alisonb2]

I don't normally decorate the house other than flowers for Easter, but I just might this year! Thanks for sharing your chair. So snuggly!!