Easter Blossom

Oooooooh I've had a happy, wonderful creative time with myself this morning! I suddenly got my mojo back after having an unintentional hooky-hibernation in recent weeks, and it's been really great to feel that old buzz of inspiration and productivity return.

Both Little People came down with The Bug on Tuesday, it's not been a great week. There's been lots of nasty mess, heaps of extra laundry, miserable offspring, and one worn out Mumma. It's also meant that I had kind of forgotten about Easter until this morning when it suddenly occurred to me where we were at. I really love to decorate for Easter, and I have an old shoebox labelled EASTER containing all sorts of decorative bits and bobs for the occasion. I was really excited to retrieve it from the Attic eaves this morning, especially as for some unknown reason I didn't do Easter decs last year (why ever not? I don't recall). The Little People said they couldn't remember a single thing that was inside the box, but when I opened the lid and got everything out, there were lots of excited shouts of recognition. It was a treat to watch them rediscover and reconnect with past memories.

I really wanted to make something new for this year though, especially as my decorative set up was going to be slightly different. Usually I hang my decs onto some fake cherry blossom in a jug on a side table (see here) but this year I have my jug and twigs already installed on the mantel. The twigs had remained bare after the Christmas Bauble treatment, so it gave me a lovely excuse to hook up a little Springtime colour for them. Inspired by my recent love affair with early Spring blossom, I got out my small stash of Rico Creative cotton and designed a simple six petalled blossom flower.

I used the pale yellow yarn with a darning needle to add some decorative stitching to the centre. I really enjoyed the simplicity of working the stitching, it was incredibly soothing to do this same repetitive thing twenty times over.

I left out the darker colours of Rico cotton and stuck with the mid and light colours....don't they look pretty all nestled together? Very satisfyingly springlike.

This flower is very quick and simple to make, I'm going to write the pattern out at the end of this post if you want to whip some up.

Before darning the end in at the back of each flower I made a small loop so that they'd be easy to hang straight onto my twigs. I did the same thing when I made the teeny tiny hearts and it worked a treat.

Ooooohh, there you go look.......................ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!

One decorated Easter Mantel.

I absolutely L♥VE it. 

I hung some little wooden painted eggs amongst the hooky flowers, and arranged some other bits along the mantel :: spotty wooden eggs, some rather odd looking squished up fluffy chicks, a little woven nest, and a fair few bunnies.

I also re-hung my heart garland as I've really been missing it of late. I took it down at Christmas then never put it back up as I intended to try and stiffen the hearts with some pva glue to stop them curling in on themselves. Needless to say I didn't get round to it so they stayed in my desk drawer. I did briefly wonder whether it might be time for a change anyways, but no, no change. Hanging them up again has made me realise how much a part of our home they had become. I love them as much as I did when I first made them four years ago (and yes, I know someone will ask...the pattern can be found here)

Something new and lovely hopped into the Attic for Eastertime yesterday, did you spot her perched up at the end there? I've called her Miss Fleur and she is my latest crush. Isn't she aDORable???? Such beautiful little flowery britches (with matching bag) and the cutest little granny square jumper to tie the whole outfit together. She is just lovely, look at her darling little face..............

......oh smoochy kisses to you Miss Fleur, I love you so much! She was made by my wonderful Talented Friend, the one who loves to stitch, stitch, stitch. She knits and crochets as well, but it's the stitchy-stuff of hers that just blows me away. Please do go and have a peek at her blog (Patchwork Chickens), you can see all of the other Easter Hares that she made, amongst many other gorgeous things. I keep trying to persuade my Talented Friend to get some of her wares into an Etsy shop, she would do well with them don't you think?

Aside from the germs and resulting yuckiness this week, it's still been a lovely, quiet, stay-home time. I do sooooo love my home. Most of it is in a bit of a mess at the moment to tell the truth, but my shelves are NOT messy, hooozah!!!! Lovely, lovely, lovely to have this one wall looking seasonal and hunkydory, it's making me very happy. I keep walking out the room, then back in again so that I can appreciate the impact of my new Easter arrangement :o)

Right then....before I finish and go and eat some chocolate, I'd like to share the pattern for my Easter Blossom. It's just going to be words as I don't have the time to do pictures, but it is very straightforward I promise you. First a quick summary of the stitches, I'm working in UK terms as follows ::

sl st [slip stitch] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)

tr [treble] :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)

 ❀ BLOSSOM FLOWER ❀

To begin, chain 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring.

:: Round 1 ::

Chain 1 (counts as 1 dc), then work 5 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st in first chain to close the round. You should be able to clearly identify 6 stitches to work out of for the next round.

:: Round 2 ::

Sl St into the first st, chain 2, work 1 tr and 1 dc into same stitch.

**Sl st into next stitch, chain 2, work 1 tr and 1 dc into same stitch**

Repeat between ** four more times until you have 6 petals in total.

Make a sl st into the base of the first ch-2 to close the round. Fasten off.

Don't forget to leave a long enough tail end to create a hanging loop if the blossom is destined for twigs!

Happy Easter my lovelies, have lots of blossomy, chocolatey fun!

☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀❀☀

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Sandra (Cherry Heart)]

Such pretty little blossoms Lucy! They look beautiful and very spring like on your Easter mantle - gorgeous!

S x

[barb]

Beautiful like always. Thanks for sharing, hope the kids feel better soon. Happy Easter.
B

[Ruthie]

So cute Lucy. Happy Easter! (And P.S, what a thrill to see that brooch on your coat in an earlier post, love you for that).

[Caroline Rose]

oh my ... Lucy ... absolutely blimmin' gorgeous!! I'm going to find my hook!!! I"m glad you are feeling better xxxc

[Deco Cat]

A visual feast of flowers!

[lynne at Textile Treasury]

And all this whilst wallowing in a sea of....no, rephrase that.......whilst shoring up 3 sickly children! Thanks for the floral pattern - I think even I could manage that one, photo or no photo! Have a relaxing Easter.

[Ana]

How beautiful, colorful flowers!! Thanks for showing them to us! Happy Easter!

Vintage Collages
.

[mrsthomasinatittlemouse]

These flowers are SO pretty! Not sure I can hook up 20 as quickly as you but a handful now Just Have To Be Made! Making the loop at the back before finishing off for hanging them is a great idea. Thank you so much for the pattern - beautifully clear and easy to follow, as always. Elizabeth xxx

[serendipity]

How lovely and cheerful. Hope the lurgy has gone now so you can enjoy Easter.

[Karen Hillier]

LOVE the little flowers - so sweet :) Had a quick peek at patchwork chickens and I agree with you that her work is very lovely!
love Karen
x x x

[Kezia]

Those are so cheerful! I wish I could crochet.

[carla]

Thank you, Lucy!
I'm going to try right now.
What a pitty my colours are not as bright as yours.

sorry for my English & Happy Easter!!!
Carla from Spain

[Caroline@puppydogstails]

So pretty! I love the idea of decorating your home for Easter. Here in Luxembourg people decorate their houses for each change of season and there's always lots of lovely decorations on display in the shops. I'm thinking maybe I'll pilfer this idea and have a little spot for each season...such fun :-)

[Resmi]

Hi Lucy,

The flowers are really pretty. As usual the colors are lovely. I recently saw something similar on the AccordingtoMatt blog as well. And was thinking of working on a pattern to something similar and you come up with the pattern. Thanks :-)

Resmi

[nicolette]

ho ! c'est très joli ! j'adore !!
et ce petit lapin est trop mignon !
bises
Nicolette

[GlitteryKatie]

Glad you got your mojo back- always a bummer when it goes walkies!!
The easter display looks wonderful!!

[Penny]

So fun!! I love your new little flowers- -now I know I will be dragging out my yarns and making some of my own!! And yes, your friend definitely needs an etsy shop- -her "hares" are ADORABLE!! So much fun. So happy you are free of the "ickys" that have been holding you back lately- -I've been missing your posts!

[Sue]

Happy Easter Lucy!

Thanks for the flower inspiration, I have some Rico leftovers and will try to see how many I can finish tonight!
I've made a Flora bunny much like yours already, although my Easter display has a long way to get to anything as lovely as you have.

Sue :)

[Gordana]

Hi Lucy! I have been reading your blog for some time now... infect for quite a long time and I have never commented. I just want you to know it's so nice and calming to spend time with you and your family in Attic, I feel so much welcomed and as if I were sitting with you and a cup of coffee, chatting. Thank you! Thank you for sharing your ramblings with me (us), thank you for sharing your craft ideas, your family moments, thank you for devoting a time to show us how nice it can be to spend time with someone so nice, like you! I enjoy every moment I spend with you in the Attic. Have a nice relaxing holiday with your family, have a great life! You look great with new haircut, I like it! Best regards, Gordana from Croatia

[Elsbeth Kleinbrahm]

I am a silent-reader from Germany, who admires your colorful crochet. I wishe you and your family a Happy Easter
Elsbeth

[tracy]

Oh Lucy, wow wow wow .I love your Easter display and Fleur looks so at home , she sooo belongs in attic 24. Also thankyou for being such a supportive friend ,your compliments and encouragement mean alot to me .
See you soon love Tracy xx

[Jenny]

So pretty, I love them! I didn't think I had enough decorations for an Easter tree this year, but a few of these beautiful flowers and I will be set! Will need to go forage for some twigs now though :D Jenny x

[Jo]

loving the easte rdisplay as always. i wish ur friend would open an etsy shop too. she seems to have an amazing range of lovely handmade stuff but nowhere to buy from. tell her want to buy her hares please xxx
jo xxx

[patricia stephenson]

thankyou lucy your great your so kind to share happy easter to you all have fun xxxx

[Sarah]

Your easter branches are beautiful and I love your crochet blossom. Hope everyone is feeling better and you have a good Easter.
Sarah