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

[melissa]

Loving this joinging method! Now I'm loooooking for a tote bag pattern.....do you have one for yours??

melissa
across the pond

[Madhu]

Hi Lucy :-) If you look back to your blog about carrot recipe. You wrote
"Ok, I am trying to think calm thoughts, to be quiet and calm and think straight so I can try and string words together coherently. But the truth is I am SO EXCITED I can hardly contain myself, can hardly type because I am brimming over with delight and happiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And the cause for such celebration, for such complete joy?
A recipe.
A simple, beautiful, old fashioned, no-frills, wonderful, ecsquisite recipe.
I can't begin to tell you how happy I have been this morning :: apron on, radio on, pottering around in my kitchen, baking this cake. Happy, happy happy."
You described perfectly how I feel everyday when I bake. Its a mad passion.
The carrot cake is in the oven right now too. Have made it into cup cakes and the house is mmmmmmmmm smelling glorious........Thanks

[Donna]

If I attempted to put colours together like you do it would look hideous, but yours are beautiful!

[frances]

Hello on April 2, and as always, many thanks for the generous spirit that can always be found in your posts.

The colors and talent inside your home (and that includes your mothering talent) just rings with optomism.

I also always enjoy those views from your attic window that show me how big and open the sky and landscape can be.

Best wishes!

[beck]

I just wanted to say THANKS THANKS THANKS for the granny square tutorial! Having looked in an old book which totally befuddled me I rememembered your blog and raced to the computer. Half an hour later I am sitting here with a very respectable square. Fantastic, easy instructions.It's so fun to be crocheting again after about 20 years. x

[lisette]

Love your work!! And your blog is sooo colorful!

[Ipu]

Thank you for giving me a lot's off new thoughts and brigness to my life. After putting these colours and thoughts of crochet I cannot been thinking anything else.
Now my kitchen will get more bright colours and yarn is on it's way to my adress. Lovely and cheerful greetings from Finland,

[Kristin]

All that yarny goodness is making me jealous! Your house must be wonderfully full of color. I do like that attic view. I've always wanted to visit Yorkshire and I'm so intrigued by the photos you show of your area. Beautiful!

[Debbie Halkett]

Dear Lucy,
Greetings from New Zealand. I stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago and have become a regular visitor. I'm feeling very inspired to dig out my crochet hook, treat myself to some lovely woolly yarn and crack on with some hooking. But which project to start with? Decisions, decisions. The season is changing here too. Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend, boo hoo. It signals the beginning of the end of what has been a glorious summer. Still, I am sitting typing this in a lovely sunbeam and I will enjoy these sunny late-summer days we are having and not think too much about cold weather. Having said that, winter has its good points too - log fires, long evenings, and more time to create. Tomorrow I'm going to buy some wool (won't be too hard in a country where the people are outnumbered by sheep!!)
Have a wonderful day.
Debbie H

[Sue]

Such gorgeous colours Lucy! Your work is always so inspiring. I'm practically squirming with anticipation for the ripple tutorial!

[Chars]

What stunning Tulips :) I hope that they last longer than a day but even if they don't they were worth it.

Looking forward to reading about your Easter activities :)

I am also REALLY looking forward to your ripple tutorial :)

Thanks as always for making my morning.

Hugs

[noelle]

lucy, its so lovely to visit your blog daily knowing what awaits will always be so colourful and jolly. Thanks so much! x noelle x

[Linda O]

Hi Luce,
Your tulips are beautiful, I don't think I could of left them on the stall,and only £1, what a buy!!
Eastertime always seems so fresh and bright, all those pretty flowers,and lots of chocolate too!!!
We decorated our Easter tree at the weekend, all yellows and green, lovely!!
You look so relaxed with your crochet all around, and those colours in the blanket on the chair, so vibrant!!
Linda xx

[Anne]

Fantastic tutorial Lucy - you made it so easy and clear to understand. Thanks a million!!

[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!!

[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!!

[Lorraine]

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

[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!

[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

[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!

[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

[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.

[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?)

[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.

[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