Making the Seasons :: February

It's the last day of February today and we're slap bang in the midst of a supremely wintry end to the month here in my patch. The freezing snowy weather which blew in from Siberia had been widely forecast and we were expecting it ("The Beast from East is coming!"), but it still felt like a bit of a shocker yesterday. The temperature dropped to -6° and the snow whirled in, bringing enough of the white stuff to lay down a 4 inch carpet, slow the roads to a near standstill and cause the schools to close for two days. Snow days home from school are such an excitable treat for the Little People, honestly, it's like their Birthdays and Christmas all rolled into one!

Here in the Attic, the cold, snowy weather has felt rather perfect for this exact time of year - it's precisely what springs to mind when I conjure up seasonal images of late February. So I am embracing it and delighting in these slow, lazy days when I can get away with existing for a while in my own creative bubble. During these times when the rest of the family is busy doing their own thing (Teenagers positively excel at this, don't they?!), I've either been crocheting or stitching. 

As many of you know, the Woodland Blanket CAL finished on Friday, although I actually finished making my blanket during the week before that. And so, well, you know, I erm.....well I may have started a new blanket in order to cope with my Woodland Bereavement. So far so good, it's working beautifully and I can report that I am coping with the loss of the Woodland Ripple rather well with a new set of stripes flowing off my hook. I'll show you what I'm up to once I've made a bit more progress.

In amongst the obsessive hooking I've been stitching, and I've been really, really enjoying it too. You might remember in my last MakingTheSeasons post I showed you the start of the Winterberry embroidery which came in the Winter Craftpod subscription box? Well I found a small window of time a few weekends ago to pick it up again and create some more berries......

....just look at those cute little blobs of seasonal scarlet! This embroidery was quite finicky to do (very fine and precise) but I found that the more I stitched, the easier it became. There were even a few times when I found myself gently lulling into that state of complete Mindfulness that can sometimes happen with repetitive, rhythmic crafting. I get this a lot when I'm crocheting, but it was a new thing to find it with stitching. It feels like a little bit of magic when it happens, it is such an unbelievably calm feeling where nothing else seems to register except for the gentle pull of the thread through the surface of the fabric. I've never tried meditation, but I guess this is what it must feel like. It's marvelous!

I finished my little embroidery hoop and just love the simplicity of it so much. It is perfect for this time of year. It's sitting sweetly on my mantel along with some other seasonal bits and bobs (which I'll show you more of in a bit) and making me very happy. Do you like the card too? This is actually a Christmas card, but as it seemed like the perfect partner for my Winterberry embroidery I decided to buy it for myself to celebrate February. The artist is called Clover Robin and is a recent discovery via Instagram. Oh, I love her work so much! You can read more about her {here} and find some of her delicious cards and prints in her Etsy shop {here}. Do go see, her work is a visual delight.

I really enjoy the inspirational nature of Instagram I have to say, and there is a heap load of creative talent to be found within those little square photos. I came across a stitchy lady a few weeks ago,  and boy was I in for a deep tumble down that particular rabbit hole.....crikey! I surprised even myself with how obsessive I quickly became when I decided to jump in to the world of Counted Cross Stitch with both feet. Who knew???? Certainly not me!! I've been embroidering and stitching since I was eight years old, yet I've never, ever been drawn to cross stitch. I've never in my life felt inspired by any cross stitch designs enough to commit to all those hundreds and thousands of repetitive little crosses. Far too boring. EH???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well I'm eating my words now, that's for sure!!! 

So this ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑ is the thing that did it for me - all that C O L O U R!!!!!!! This lady creates her (very un-boring) cross stitch designs using the most glorious, amazing palette of colours, and I  just could. Not. Resist. It took me a nano second to be convinced that this Cross Stitch malarkey would be a Good Thing for me,  and before I knew what was happening I had downloaded the pattern, purchased the required 22 shades of DMC stranded cotton (all those colours, swoon) and tracked down the black fabric with special little cross-stitchy holes. Yes, you read that right - BLACK fabric!!! I know!!! See how powerful that colour must have been to convince me to purchase black fabric???!!!

So I had to learn quickly about all this - the holey fabric especially designed for cross stitch? Well that's 14 count Aida of course! Yup, I'm all in the know about cross stitch now. I am desperate to show you the excellent progress I've made, but I took so many photos that they really do need to be in a post of their own. 

I've found the business of sitting and slowly stitching somebody else's design so enthralling, and it struck me that embroidery is the perfect activity for these stay-home, freezing cold winter days. I can't wait to show you - more about the little crosses very soon.

Back to Winter white - the above photo was taken yesterday at 5.22pm as we walked home through the park after Little B's swimming lesson. After a day of white-out snow blizzards, we were blessed with a truly beautiful early evening. The light was so glorious, and I loved the pinky-golden glow to the whitened landscape. The past few days I've been thinking a lot about seasonal colour palettes - well , I think about this sort of thing pretty much all of the time to be honest, but this week I've been thinking specifically about what would make up a perfect Winter colour palette. You might remember my Winter Wreath from 2 years ago...oh actually, it was three years ago, well I never!! You can read all about it {here}. The colours I chose for my winter wreath are a very pretty representation of Winter I think - soft frosty blues, pale greens, delicate mauves and pinks, with a smattering of pearly grey and a dash of cream. That says Winter to me, probably more than white does.

Inspired by the thoughts of frosty winter colour, I gathered a collection of yarn balls into my yarn bag in order to make a seasonal garland for my fireplace. I've really missed my Autumn garland, and decided I would like to have something for every season to hang along my mantel. I was inspired by Instagram again, this time it was the re-connection with an old friend from my stitchy art student days. I saw a picture of her fireplace with a simple garland made from little crochet balls and loved the look of it - then realised that she had used my Little Balls pattern! Isn't that funny, that we managed to inspire each other without realising it?! So I've spent the past two days feverishly crocheting a stash of Little Balls in soft, wintry colours.

The pattern for these Little Balls is very easy amigurumi style (dc stitches worked in a spiral), first making a little half sphere.....

....then filling with a weeny blob of toy stuffing before decreasing to close the shape into a ball.

They are super quick to make (six little rounds of crochet), and insanely addictive. It's simply not possible to make just a few - you need handfuls! Bowls full! A whole hoard of these darling little things!

I thought you might like to see my colours - these are all scraps of Stylecraft Speical DK left over from past blankets. It's pretty much what I would think of as a Winter colour palette, with a subtle nod to the beautiful colours of Hellebores which flower at this time of year. 

❄ Cream ❄ Parchment ❄ Silver ❄ Grey ❄ Parma Violet ❄ Mushroom ❄ (winter neutrals)

❄ Lavender ❄ Grape ❄ Pale Rose ❄ Vintage Peach ❄ Soft Peach❄ (hellebore flowers)

❄ Sherbet ❄ Duck Egg ❄ Cloud Blue ❄ Storm Blue ❄ Denim ❄ (winter skies)

❄ Sage ❄ Meadow ❄ Lincoln❄ (frosty leaves)

I started out with 24 balls, although quickly realised this wouldn't be enough - I think I ended up with around 40 in the end. I used Storm Blue to crochet a simple chain, picking up a single loop on the side of each ball and working a slip stitch to attach it. I spaced my balls 8 chains apart. And I do find myself smirking as I am talking about my balls!! Tut tut, so childish.

I love what I ended up with - the simplicity and the speed of it made  this garland the perfect project for me this week.

Ohh...........cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cutesome little Winter Balls to add a dash of seasonal whimsy to my fireplace......

......look!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What do you think?

My fireplace is very rustic and not very photogenic with its dark carved wood and brick effect surround (my friends fireplace is gorgeous, with a white painted surround and elegant ceramic tiles.) But I try not to be overly bothered by the brown and concentrate on adding prettiness instead. 

I'm so happy with my Winter fireplace, it really makes me feel all sorts of contentedness right down into my soul. When I think about Gillian and I going about our "Making the Seasons" creative things each month, it's not always the actual making that springs to mind. Often it's more along the lines of Creative Faffing that Gillian and I both love to do in response to the seasons. I suppose in posh designer terms you might label this activity as "styling". There is so much of this over on Instagram - styling has become such a trendy thing to do in recent times, creating visual content especially for the purposes of  sharing on social media. Huh. Well for me, it's more a case of gathering together a collection of small things that make me feel happy and in tune with the seasons, never mind how photogenic it all is. If it means something to me, then that's what counts.

Want to see some more bits of my Winter Mantel Faffery?

Let me show you!

Awwww, lets just take an extra moment to oggle those Little Balls - don't the colours look lovely (please pretend the brown wood is in fact a lovely painted white, just for now)

I mentioned earlier that I'm enjoying having seasonal cards on my mantel which get changed around with the months, well I think I am going to make this is a Thing this year. It's such an easy way to bring a little bit of handmade into the home and there are some fabulous artists out there making beautiful images that look great on cards. I think it's brilliant to support these small businesses even if you can't afford a print or an original, then cards are almost as good. Up above is another Christmas card which was given to me by friends, and I later found out that the artist is Claire Henley. The little snowdrop print is by Clover Robin. I've got a pot of hyacinths looking gorgeous too - the label said they would be white, but they are opening up to be a stunning buttery yellow colour which I've never seen before. The washed pottery and glass was gathered on a recent trip to Silverdale in Lancashire - I took some lovely photos that day, I'll share them here soon.

I've got a few twiggy stems of blossom on my mantel too this week, the buds were tightly shut little green bobbles when I picked them. Slowly they are opening in the warmth of the room to reveal the most delicate little flowers.......

......so, so very pretty.

I've no idea what blossom this is, it's from an overgrown tree on our allotment plot which the neighbouring house is desperate to have cut down as it's growing right into the side of their house more or less. The lady said she thought it was an almond tree, but I'm not sure. I'd love to know if anyone has blossomy knowledge?!

Hyacinths and twiggy blossom stems are all accompanied by twinkly little fairy lights and candles at this time of year. I bought a couple of inexpensive candles in glass jars from the supermarket - they were supposed to be scented but disappointingly they haven't really performed any scenting activity as yet. The glass jars were plain so I decorated them using stickers which came inside the Winter Craftpod.

These stickers are so lovely! They are printed on a transparent background so are perfect for sticking onto glass jars - the illustrations are by Ukranian illustrator Nastias Leptsova, oh you do need to go see her work, it's so unusual and extremely cosy! I've been captivated by her Instagram feed (@nastiasleptsova) which has almost no colour in it whatsoever - a world shown in sepia tones, which I find strangely comforting somehow.

I've spent a lot of time in this room during February, sometimes sat in the light of the bay window stitching (black fabric, oh my word, a true test for the eyes), or sometimes sat on a floor cushion right next to the fireside with my crochet. I've run out of tall candles for my candelabra ( I need a trip to that big blue and yellow shop!) but aside from that, my mantel is making me very happy indeed. Oh Little Balls, I do so like having you dangling there!

Hmmm.....I'd love to know what your Winter colour palette would be, do tell! Would it be chilly whites and blues? Would it have any pink or purple in it? White vs. cream?

I've just peeked out of the window and there is still a proper snowy blizzard blowing around the house, so I'm wondering whether tomorrow will be another no-school day for us, with some vigorous sledging followed by some gentle fireside creativity. Sounds rather good if you ask me.

I hope that you are enjoying the season you're in whatever the weather you've got, and that you might feel inspired to pop a few seasonal cards on a shelf or hook up a simple little garland in seasonal colours. A little seasonal making/faffery is very good for the soul and I can highly recommend it.

✿ All my Making the Seasons posts have their own category so you can find them easily - {Making the Seasons}

✿ I'm really enjoying doing these monthly posts alongside my friend Gillian - you can find her Making the Seasons posts  {here}

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Comments

[Gwen Holmes]

I love your site Lucy. It cheers me up no end in these dull winter days. And the photographs are wonderful - I was brought up in the country & miss it terribly. I'm searching your archive for my next project - I've done the hydrangea, raindrop & almost finished the log cabin. I usually make a matching cushion from the 'leftovers' but think I'll save them now for the little balls. Keep cheering us up - we love you.

[Miss Daisy]

I like your fireplace , it has an old world look , which is refreshing ! Love your pretties , they're not busy but pleasing to the eye . I'm almost finished with my autumn garland , used your pattern but switched it up a bit . What are you working on now ? I know you're making a new pretty for fall , looking forward to seeing and making it cause I Know I will just love it . Have a blessed day.

[Maqsood iqbal]

Wawo This is amazing

[Marionau4ème]

Hi Lucy from France ! Thank you so much for the inspiration and everything you bring to life, it's so joyful, colorful and lively. I suggest you to have a look on this russian artist, Vera Shimunia, who is just stunning with embroidery. For sure, you will love her work !!! She is on Instagram and Etsy, as a safe way to get her link on the internet. Let us know if your heart beats too for it (promise, I've no personnal interest in it, just the will to share some beauty). Take care !!!

[Kate]

You have inspired me with your funky cross stitch! Can't wait to see what you're working on! I am also thinking Satsuma Street...which I think you would love! I noticed you seem to be using quite a sharp needle. This might be your preference, but a tapestry needle with a rounded tip glides better through your fabric and doesn't split your thread on the back, which gives a better finish. Hope you don't mind a cross stitch tip, I have learned so much from your crochet tips!

[Margie]

Gorgeous. I don't have a mantle though. I wonder if my boss would mind a garland of little balls wrapped around my desk? (LOL)

I used to have a Bradford Pear tree in my front yard and the blooms look very similar. They're not indigenous to southern Indiana although they're very popular here. One of the first to bloom in spring and one of the last to lose their leaves in fall. They don't have long lives. Once they reach a certain age they tend to split in half and land on the roof of your house in strong winds. (Hence "used to have").

[Deb, Wisconsin, USA]

Where I live counted cross stitch was very popular in the 80's then it phased out but I've noticed lately that it's making a comeback with new fresh designs. I'm kind of getting the itch myself. I'm excited to see what you have found!

[Cathy]

Such a beautiful and inspiring post! I loved each and every image. My winter colour palette would consist of white, grey, pale blue, light brown (snow, sky and landscape) and cherry red (berries). Embroidery and cross stitch is such fun, but I must finish some of my WIPs before I think about those. Thank you for sharing your creativity.
Cathy x

[Mary]

Love the garland and the mantel. Where did you get that tree? I'm in the process of reducing my stash - but I've realised that the colours in your garland are MY colours - so here goes! Stash rebuilt!

[Teresa Kasner]

I adore your colorful ball garland! Your mantel is just divine. My mantel is in another room from our den so I do all my decorating on the dining room table. I currently have a small collection of St. Patrick's Day things on my table along with a pot of real life Shamrocks. I posted it all on my blog if you're curious. I'm still totally loving the Woodland blanket I'm working on. It's my "Lucy Blanket". ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Angela-Southern USA]

Love them! Such a lovely winter addition! Winter colors that come to my mind are the blues and white combo, not sure why when we rarely have the white stuff here. I just finish bringing out my spring hooky items to display, my mini bunting in pastels with tiny crocheted daffodils, along with my chicks and bunnies to pop into mini baskets and pots. (Since we've been in the mid 70's F of late.)It's feeling more like spring everyday. Enjoy the white stuff and embroidery!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Across the Pond]

"It feels like a little bit of magic when it happens, it is such an unbelievably calm feeling where nothing else seems to register except for the gentle pull of the thread through the surface of the fabric."

yep, that's meditation in a nutshell.

For what it's worth, My winter colors are both white and cream, with a heavy dose of grey, lots of green and splashes of red. Think Cardinal in pine tree.

Amazing cross stitch. You are daring using black. YOU GO GIRL.

[Zoe]

Is it Satsuma Street cross stitching designs? She was the first person who made me want to cross stitch too! I really love her patterns. :)

[Annette]

Lucy your mantelpiece is, as always, beautiful - I just love your new garland, the balls! This has inspired me and I may just have to rummage in my stash to find suitable colours. I was given a lovely bunch of mixed colour tulips a week ago and will be sad to see them go in a few days time, I may just manage to find similar colours for a "ball" garland. At the moment I am making a flock of sheep! This is just a fill in while I decide on what my next bigger project might be. I'm looking forward to seeing your cross stitch work, it certainly can become very addictive, I have been there in the past AND wouldn't take much persuading to pick it up again. Keep well and cosy. Annette x

[Susannah]

Lovely! I really enjoy decorating with cards as well. They are inexpensive, easy to change out and you can support and sample so many talented artists. Love the ball garland!

[cheryl]

I absolutely love your gorgeous mantel!! and everything looks so beautiful on it. thanks for sharing!

[Lynne Stankard]

Hello Lucy - there I was minding my own business having a peek at Bloglovin' - and a bit like Alice (you know that Wonderland kid!!) fell into Attic24 - OMG! Your fireplace is THE most gorgeous fireplace in the whole world - please, please, please never change it - it is beautiful. I love all your cute and pretty stuff - your balls (smirk!) go so well against the brown and those gorgeous colours convinced me Spring must follow this Beast from the East, as I sit watching my garden table being blown to the other end of the garden!! So after being so inspired I'm off to make birthday cards in spring type colours. Lynne x

[Miss Daisy]

I simply love your posts your patterns and just everything about you . I hope you do not change anything about your fireplace , it's classic. You have the perfect fireplace. Your little balls are just darling. Love the weather you are having , we have one season - hot. Stay warm and have a God filled day.

[HooksandNeedles]

Your embroidery looks beautiful Lucy. I love your ball garland. I often think how lovely your mantel looks, mine is usually bare except when it's laden under greetings cards. It's the dust from the fire, it's constant, I hate dusting so tend to keep it clear. Beginning to think that's boring. Thanks for the inspiration. Cathy x

[Winwick Mum]

You've picked lovely colours for your wintery balls (and I'm smirking as I write this too! ;) xx

[Tinke]

I don't have a gorgeous brown mantelpiece but I change the cover of my couch and chairs. As the winter denim colour is of and the spring china blue is on the couch I put bulbs and Azalea's on the tables and the scent of spring comes in with it. (I've got a bright pink summer cover XD)The crochet blankets change with it. Bonnie's cable pastels are up and Jen's Amanzi is throwing happy colours around. Your flower wreaths inspire me to make one in pastels for on my iron heart. So we keep our self busy do we! Meditation is pure alertness Lucy, all distraction is gone and full focus is there. In the old language, Sanskrita, of the yoga it's called Dhyana, pure concentration. Samadhi, contemplation, is pure oneness with All. But then no stitching is done ;>p

[Susan]

Your fireplace is gorgeous the brown carved surround looks perfect.Snow day for me in Uttoxeter so crochet by the fireside after dog walking in the park⛄️Bliss😊

[Susan Smith]

What a lovely wintry post. Love your balls decorating the fireplace & you are just so lucky have a mantel to play with, as we don't have anything like that. The flowers are going to gorgeous once fully out. Take care & stay warm.

[Aleta Randall]

Love your little balls Lucy.

[Helen Welsh]

Your winter mantelpiece looks lovely, beautiful colors in that sweet little garland! Lovely to see you finding the joys of stitching, there are some very different designers getting their fresh take on cross stitch out there now thanks to Etsy etc. 😊 cross stitch has always been my first crafty love & I have stitched on black and navy Aida many times. It helps show up the holes to put a white piece of printer paper (or even a paper kitchen towel) on your lap. Of course if you can sit near a power point then a laptop or tablet with a blank word document on the screen is even better! (I’ve found it really drains the battery tho’!). Anyways enjoy your stitching & the snow, I’m trying not to be jealous as we have had some this winter but right now have a bare dusting lol.
Helen