Easter Time

Ooooooh I've just recovered from having a bit of a hissy fit here in the Attic. It was not a pretty sight. I had made myself a coffee and tripped up the two flights of stairs all excited to be writing todays post because I'd taken some lovely photographs during yesterday and was really excited to show you. Push the ON button on the computer and nothing. None of the usual whirring of power. Complete silence. Ahhhrrrggghhhh!!! Straight on phone to J :: WHat HAs HApPenEd to the computer, it's DEAD!!! Try to control my voice, try not to sound panicky, try to hide the rising hysteria and alarm. He calmly tells me he Broke the power switch last night by Jabbing it too hard. JABbING?????!!!! What were you doing JABbinG at the computer, my photos are all on there, all my lovely Easter Decorating photos and now I can't get at them!!! He makes some sort of remark about HA thats stopped me from wasting time blogging today......so I ask him if he Jabbed on purpose, if he sabotaged the computer to deliberately keep me from my blog. Laughter. He laughs, and I feel very silly. I recognise the symptoms of Addiction, and I feel a little ashamed. I am truly addicted to my blog :: yikes, I am an Addict.

So what do I do??? I do what most Addicts do and take STEps to get my Fix that's what. I get my camera. I re-take photos of Easter Decs. I locate J's big laptop, the one he doesn't much care for me using. And I commandeer it. Upload my photos onto it, and here I am, getting my fix for the day, feeding my addiction. Phewwww, it was a close call.

Had a super-lovely day here at Attic24 yesterday. Ahhh it was really great! The weather was glorious, see the view from the Attic window yesterday afternoon, isn't the colour of that sky just perfect?

We didn't go anywhere, it was a stay-at-home day. The Little People played outside almost the whole day with various friends coming and going. I baked banana bread, supplied endless snacks, drinks, sandwiches, and many buckets of soapy water for car/scooter/bike washing. Wiped tears, cheered races, picked up, tidied up, supervised, cuddled, scolded. And in between all that I did Eastery Things.

I was mostly by myself this year, which was kind of bitter sweet. You may remember last years post about decorating for Easter? It was a full-on affair with me and the Little People doing it as a three-some. This year, they were too busy playing outside to want to stop and come in to help much. I was secretly quite happy to be puttering around on my own, arranging things, creating little displays, but it didn't hold quite the same level of excitement without the extra four Little Hands.

First up was my table display. On Friday last week I visited all eight of my town's charity shops, searching for a bowl to plant some narcissi into, but with no luck. So in the end, I found an old tin down in the cellar to use. It's a Christmas tin (with a reindeer on the lid), but the bottom of the tin, blue with white spots, seemed OK to use for Easter. Into the tin I popped a pot of spring flowers (narcissi, a primula and a hyacinth) which I'd bought for a few pounds from the supermarket. Stuffed the rest of the tin around the flowerpot with scrunched up newspaper and put a layer of white decorative stones all over the top.

It made the perfect place to put coloured foil wrapped chocolate eggs (already seriously depleted I might add), along with some beautiful painted wooden eggs and a knitted hen which I bought last week from the gift shop (the shop with the half price yarn). Isn't the hen sooo cute?

Next up I made an Easter Tree, using two stems of fake blossom which I bought a few years ago. Down to the cellar (again) to retrieve the Easter Box and unpack my collection of decorations ::little painted wooden eggs, felt birds and flowers, fluffy chicks and a cute nest.

Little Lady came in at this point to begin helping, so you can see the nest got rather overcrowded, as did a few of the branches...but it looks very sweet I think.

The fake blossom is quite delightful actually (it came from Dunelm Mill a few years ago, and was not expensive at all). And after reading Janes post last week about her collection of fake flowers, I am really seeing artificial blooms in a new light...might have to start looking out for more.

I had been hoping to make some new easter decorations for this year, but somehow the time ran out. I still really like these running ducks though (bought from ebay a few years ago), but would have liked to have made my own. I'm thinking on creating a permanent twigs-in-jug type display to keep up all year round, so that I can make some lovely little birds and flowers to brighten up a corner.

These little felt egg cosy's were also hiding in the Easter Box. I had forgotten about them actually, and was really pleased to see them again. Made them last year on a whim one night, after seeing them on the Yvestown blog.

Ahhh candy-coated chocolate mini eggs....so pretty, so yummy and so very very Eastery for me. I cannot contemplate an Easter season without them. I've been buying them for the last few weeks, popping one or two into the Little Peoples packed lunch boxes every day, and one or two into my own mouth every day too.

I made crispy nests yesterday too look...would like to tell you that like last year the Little People begged me to make them, joined in the melting-chocolate appreciation, scrabbled to lick out the bowl afterwards...but nope, sadly I did this all by myself. And that included licking out the bowl. Shame on me.

And lastly, I finally found time to do some eggs. We (Little Man and I) have been blowing them out over the last couple of days (using the egg to make Frittata, pancakes, banana bread, buns) and last night I sat down and painted a few of them ready for decorating. I used some emulsion paint tester pots to paint them with, which worked out great :: the tester pots (from Focus) are the sort that come with their own brushes attached to the lids. I love paint and paint charts, love the names of the colours. These eggs (clockwise, starting top left) are painted in :: Tea Tree, Raspberry Delight, Raspberry Smoothie, Seychelle Blue, Lemon Fizz and Ice Pink. Lovely.

Will show you tomorrow if I can get the Little People to sit down and apply themselves to decorating them. Or maybe I might just sit myself down and have a little quiet Creative Moment when the Little ones take themselves off outside to play.

Hope you're having fun this week whatever you are up to, hope the sun is shining, and hope you are happy. See you tomorrow...

xxxxxx

Comments

[Karen]

Your Easter decorations look lovely, Lucy. Boys and I spent this morning looking for the right shape hazel twigs in the garden for our Easter bunch. Stuck them in a blue jug with pebbles to hold them up then the boys decorated them with all the bits we have collected over the years. Even my just 15 year old enjoyed it until a delivery van arrived with the trampoline we had promised them two years ago and only just got around to buying. Childrens priorities are very different to ours but they appreciate our caring and creativity in their own way. I am sure J does too. Karenx

[kitschen pink]

When I was a kid that was the job I wanted - the person who re-named the paint charts every year at Dulux! Can you imagine the fun they have coming up with those names! I could eat them all! t.x (LOVE those runner ducks!)

[Lee]

I always get my hackles up when you say J has complained about your blogging time. What I read in your blog is a story of a wonderful, creative mother who is there for her children, feeds their bodies and their imaginations, and gives them the gift of a happy childhood. That is the real job! If you enjoy sharing all this on your blog he shouldn't mind!

[Kar]

Nice job with the decorating Luce!! Everything looks so bright a cheery. You have got more done than I have this year. I've put too much on my list again. :) Maybe the girls and I will make a few things before the week is over. Thanks for the inspiration and lighting a fire under me to get me going. :)

xxxxxxxxxx

[Danielle]

Hi Lucy - I suppose you've heard before but to me your blog is a little escape from the daily grind - thank you - it's always pleasant escaping to Attic24.

[Alison Hutchison]

Am laughing in recognition at your hissy fit and partner laughing...had a wee one of my own last night and partner laughingly said I was being too SENSITIVE...I'm a girl it's in the job spec I cried, before the tears came!! Loving the Easter decs xx

[Lizzie J]

Thank you for a lovely uplifting blog once again. After a truly horrible morning I'm now back to feeling all calm and 'Eastery' after reading about and seeing your fabulous decorations - I think I actually have some of those delicious Dun Elm blooms hidden away in the garage somewhere (I know how terrible of me) so guess what my new project for this afternoon is - yes a gorgeous Easter Tree!! I really hope your computer starts behaving itself - and thank you for your continuing inspiration
Love Lizzie J XX

[Kelly]

what lovely easter decorations, & i love that knitted hen too!
Kellyx

[Shelley in SC]

Had to laugh at the comments by "J." When I pulled out the camera while making dinner last night and made them wait until I got just the right shot, they all accused me of addiction!! Thanks for showing some Easter decor. I WANT that little tree!

[Quilting Mama]

I've just spent this morning making rag striped Easter eggs (strips of rags stuck around egg shapes - sounds wierd but they look OK) and love your bunny cozies - next year! Good luck w your computer malfunction.

[Linda O]

Wheww, glad you got your computer problems sorted!!,
Love your decorations and Easter nests, the flowers in the tin are a great idea.
We decorated our Easter Tree and made nests yesterday, hasten to add, will have to make some more before the weekend!!!
They were tasty though!
Have a lovely day, enjoy the sunshine xx

[Lorraine]

Lovely decorations Lucy. I've collected up a few, just need to clear a space to display them which I'm working on today! Thanks to you and your inspiration I finished my zigzag cushion last night! Picture on blog this morning.

[denise]

Hey Lucy, I get the whole addiction thing, I'm completely addicted to about 150 different blogs that I check out regularly, obviously, yours included.

I thought of you the other day, actually, on two occasions, two crochet things I discovered that I thought you'd enjoy. One was a crocheted throw that I unpacked that's been in storage. It's very old, in mint condition, and heavy! I believe all wool. Each granny has a flower crocheted on it/within it.

The other thing is completely colorful and crafty. I was at a client's house and on her table sat a very springtime colorful set of eggs in a basket. These were actually made about 20 years ago. I'll try to explain them....long chain crochet in a colored cotton yarn, you know, the really thin type. Each egg had it's own color but the yarn was variegated with the specific color. Then these chains were glued to and wrapped around blown out eggshells.

I meant to take a picture but had forgotten my camera the next day I was there. I knew you'd really enjoy the eye candy of it all! I'll try to get a picture now that I've teased you with this...

Have a great day! Glad you found relief by being able to use a different computer!! Lucky us.

[jeane]

colorful eggs, wonderful decorations.
im addicted to ur blog too, thank god u managed to get a replacement laptop, if not for sure we gonna miss u today.

[Jude]

Thank you Lucy, you've just given me a lovely slice of homely Easter. We don't celebrate Easter until the following weekend and it will be a bigger celebration for the locals than Christmas, presents etc. but not alot of choc eggs!!

[Cath]

Hello Lucy - perhaps you'll have to change your blog name to 'Addict 24' !!! I bought that cute knitted hen and posted it to my Mum in Australia - she has a bit of a chook obsession. Enjoy your Easter - Catherine

[Chars]

What lovely pretty decorations... I have never thought to decorate for Easter... but after seeing your efforts I might have to make plans to start... unfortunately it will be next year.. but hey I can dream :)

Thanks as always for the bright cheery post.. computer failure is always something to panic about.

[Courtney]

This little blog blows my mind, so much so that I have just finished a feature of this adorable nook over on my blog. You really inspire me to pick up my hook again and make utter lushness. Thankyou for your passionate blog, not just from a crafter, but from a mother aswell.
tea and yarn Courtney

[Nina - Tabiboo]

Hi Lucy,

wow all Eastery and very colourful 'as usual' I wouldn't expect anything less - mmmmm, colour lovely!!

I hate that when the computer just won't work I'm sure my hubby is jealous of my 'blogging' relationship 'oh well, I just don't care' he has the pub!!

Hope the sun shines again today, have a lovely one,

take care,

Nina x

[Wendy]

Hi Luce
I hope my email last night didnt jinx your computer!!!
Love all the Eastery bits, how I wish my family were still little and wanting all these lovely displays! I will now have to have a day of reminiscing instead. Mind you I don’t think they'd say no to the chocolate treats!
Have a lovely day
Wend xx