Winter to Spring

A couple days ago I spent some time faffing with my mantel and changing over my seasonal decorations - I can't tell you how good it feels to pack away winter! I know it's all inside my head really as the weather here is still pretty cold and winter-like, but nevertheless the Attic is now in Spring mode and I am majorly happy about it.

My Winter mantel was actually quite minimal, but I thought you might like to see what has now gone into hibernation. Some greetings cards, my Annabel Burton canvas, and my winter balls garland (thinking I might make something new for winter 2020, using patterns from my winter wreath - frosty leaves, snowdrops, snowflakes?) I admit I was quite sad to pack away my stitchy decs as I have loved having them on my mantel to cheer up the dark season.

In the above photo, middle left, you can see the Winter cross stitch I completed a few months ago, which I absolutely love. This is from a set of four designs by the very clever ladies at Cotton and Twine - Autumn and Winter have already been released and can be purchased as kits, and Spring and Summer are still to come. I'm going to write a separate blog post to show you more of these cross stitching projects (I've completed the Autumn one too), but in the meantime there are some lovely photos on their website ((here))

The two stitchy hoops came in the Craftpod subscription boxes which I am lucky enough to receive every quarter. They are such a treat, each one containing two projects as well as some beautiful and very thoughtful treats. The hoop on the right was part of the Winter 2017 box (which I completed in February 2018). The hoop on the left was a simple cross stitch designed by me (oooo, super proud of that!) for the Winter 2019 box. It was a wonderful commission to work on and I can honestly say I adored designing and stitching that little scandi inspired cross stitch.

Spring Craftpods plopped through the letterbox a few weeks ago, and I think this little serene embroidery is an absolute delight. I can't wait to get stitching - I find the slow, meditative qualities of embroidery and cross stitch are very well suited to these quiet, introverted stay-home days.

When I unpacked my Spring bag it seemed a bit sparse, but that's OK as I have plans to add more springy-inspired crafty things this year. The canvas is another original by Annabel Burton (I've collected quite a few over the years and absolutely love love love them). The two postcards are of Van Gogh paintings which I bought in the Van Gogh museum last year when we had a short Spring trip to Amsterdam.

Do you remember this Spring embroidery hoop I stitched two years ago? It was designed by the very talented Lolli and Grace as a "stitch-a-long" project for Mollie Makes in 2018. It was so nice to re-discover it again, to unpack it and bring it out into its rightful season once again. I really, really like seasonal crafting....can you tell?!

As part of my Winter-Spring faff-around, it was time to swap over my candelabras. I often get asked about these as I always have one of them on my mantel and light candles most evenings.  The one on the left is my Autumn/Winter one and came from the Swedish company Gudrun Sjödén. The one on the right is my Spring/Summer one and is from the Danish company Rice DK. 

I've had both of them for a good many years - they were quite expensive to buy, but the amount of pleasure they give me every day is huge and I really love them.

So this is how my mantel is looking at the moment - it's still a little bare, but I am definitely going  to be adding some more seasonal stitchy stuff this month.

The thing that is noticeably missing though is a garland of some sorts. I have my Autumn Garland and my Winter Balls, but so far nothing for Spring. So what to do? Well....................................

..............time to gather in some Spring colours and get my crochet hook on the job. Of course! The colours above are leftovers from making my Sweet Pea and Dahlia blankets, and I absolutely love them. I know the orange (Spice) is a bit bright for Spring, but I'll be mostly using this colour to add a little detail to my flower centres.

The greens are from the Sweet Pea palette :: Cypress, Pistachio and Meadow.

Then I've got Mustard, Saffron, Lemon and Cream.

Spice, Pomegranate, Shrimp, Boysenberry and Magenta make up the darker end of the floral palette.

Apricot, Fondant, Blush, Powder Pink and Clematis make up the lighter end.

I had in mind to make some Spring flowers and leaves, something quite simple which would look great against the dark wood background of my fireplace mantel.

The flowers that immediately came to mind were primulas and polyanthus - I wonder how many of you remember the PPP Project??????!!!!!

(that post is HERE, if you need reminding - goodness me, even I needed reminding, it was eleven years ago!!!!!!)

There are polyanthus in abundance around my neighbourhood at the moment, piled high at the supermarket and spilling out of front garden pots and planters everywhere you look. They are beautifully cheery and colourful, and I think the perfect inspiration for a bit of Lockdown hooky activity.

It took me many hours to perfect my design, which included a brisk walk through the woods where I managed to alter the design in my head, rushing home to immediately try out my new fresh-air improved version.

Want to see the end result?

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..........ta-dah!!! I'm so so pleased with it!! It was difficult to get the middle bit to look like a star, but I managed it in the end and love how effective it is. I already know it's going to be great fun trying out different colour combinations.

I'm also making a load of very simple little cream flowers, loosely inspired by Hawthorn blossom which is just starting to bloom up here in North Yorkshire. A little while ago I came across a marvellously ingenious idea where the designer had crocheted small yellow flowers, but instead of trying to crochet a different coloured centre she simply painted them in! How bloomin' clever is that?! Many, many thanks to Kate of "Just Pootling" on Instagram for sharing this idea, I can't believe how effective it is. Kate used water soluble artists pencils to colour/paint her little mini blooms which isn't something I had to hand. So I had to resort to using a less sophisticated option and raided the Little People's felt tip pen pot - oh, it worked a treat!

Hahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just so chuffed with these little beauties! 

As I only finished the design for these flowers late yesterday afternoon, I've not had time to make that many just yet.

Awwwwwwwwww, I already adore them! Oh, I forgot to mention, I also designed some rounded leaves to go with the flowers - in real life, polyanthus leaves are way bigger than the actual flowers, but I only wanted a little bit of simple greenery to poke out underneath.

So this is roughly the layout I'm thinking of for my Spring garland.... I think it's going to look very cute once it all comes together. Only another  30 flowers and 30 leaves to make.........I'll get right on it!

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ps, yes, of course I'll be making a tutorial for the flowers and will be sharing the pattern here on my blog. You're very welcome!!!!!!

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Comments

[Elizabeth Sawyer]

I love your mantel displays Lucy. I haven’t got a mantel but I do a seasonal display on top of a small cupboard in my lounge and it gives me so much pleasure. Thank you for your lovely post.💕

[Hettie]

This is so good to see. I’m making a spring window display for the people who pass by on my street and you’ve given me some new ideas!

[Anja]

Thank you so much Lucy for cheering me up. When I saw the pictures, I couldn't help but smile. Look after yourself and thank you for what you do for us.

[Kath Stephenson]

Thank you for your lovely bright post Lucy x x x

[Leah Lynch]

Oh how glorious those little flowers are! Go do you keep out doing designs that I think are so fab!

[Louise]

Ooooo I love Polyanthus flowers! Looking forwards to that tutorial! The more it heads into Autumn here, the more I yearn for Spring. Fortunately it's still beautiful and warm at the moment. Loving your blog posts at the moment Lucy. They're wonderful for helping us to think of nice cosy things!

[Pauline]

You are so clever, Lucy. Looking forward to seeing the finished garland and, eventually, the tutorial too.

[Kate]

I can see a beautiful Spring wreath made using those adorable flowers. I wish I knew how to crochet. I did teach myself to knit socks, thanks to you, Lucy.

[Beth in Maryland]

Thanks for the tour, Lucy, I remember so many of those projects and how I enjoyed reading about them. I think that new garland is going to be gorgeous - can’t wait to see it!

[Teresa Kasner]

I love your garland is taking shape. I am now thinking I need to make one to string across our TV cabinet in our family room. Unfortunately our lovely mantel is in our rarely used living room. So, the cabinet will be a good place. Take care my friend and thank you for the inspiration.. as always! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Carolyn]

Ooh I love pollys and primulas and primroses! We are going in to winter in nz so will plant some more. Will try this wreath looks lovely! I am going to try make those lovely pumpkins you made as its autumn here and I loved the colors. Can’t wait till this isolation is over so I can get out to the garden centre! Take care all.

[Patricia]

I really enjoyed your post again. I too “faff” changing ornaments etc for the seasons.
The flowers you made are gorgeous and I can’t wait to make some. Thank you for being so inspiring. xx

[Camcas]

So pretty

[Joanne mcniven]

I may have to make some of these flowers in a plant pot with dark brown crochet soil. Just like a pot of primulas for my windowsill. You are so clever. Your designs are keeping my depression and anxiety at bay whilst all the chaos is going on 🧶❤️🧶

[Susan]

I love seeing your mantel & how it looks each season. Something I don't have. Ooh, love those flowers & think the tutorial will be good for my long nights during winter, which is coming along now. I'm looking forward to seeing my lovely Yorkshire come into Spring through your eyes. Hope you can get a few photos occasionally at this trying time. Thanks for sharing, take care, stay safe & huggles from down under.

[Nancy]

Hi Lucy..Love your post..Look up LITTLE DOVE DESIGNS,they are right there in the UK.I am currently stitching (A stitch for all seasons - summer ) I really think you would love these patterns !!!

[Joanne Lavallee]

Such a welcome thing to see your posts. It is a dreary day in Maine, USA and it has been made brighter by your cheerful post. Sincerely Grateful ❤

[Kelly]

THank you, thank you, thank you! Just what I needed to see, and I can't wait to work on the pattern :)

[Lenore]

Gorgeous Lucy. As we pass soon from Autumn to winter I think these would brighten my day. Cheers from downunder.

[CJ]

Oh my goodness, gorgeous. And a genius idea to simply colour the centres, I love how the ink has bled out slightly, blending into the white. Fabulous. I shall look forward to seeing the finished garland. CJ xx

[kathleen price]

Lovely to see your newest project in its infancy.

[SUSAN JONSSON]

Lovely...just what need to lift my spirit into a "making" mode.. thank you♥️

[Alda]

They look very springlike and so uplifting! 🌸

[Geraldine Stroud]

They are beautiful, looking forward to making them. Thanking you in advance.