Spring is on the way…

Yes, it’s official, here in South Devon we have more snowdrops than we can count … great drifts of them across verges, banks and fields … I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many.  There are daffodils in full bloom, little splashes of sunshine on a grey day like today.  We have catkins festooning the hedgerows and all around my house the sparrows are fussing and squabbling, checking out every nook and cranny to reserve the best places once nest-building commences in earnest.  Even the rooks up by the old farmhouse are as noisy as can be, though I haven’t seen any spring lambs yet. 

The little family above are looking very spring-like too.  They’re all destined for my stall at the next Nostalgic Mix Fair in Totnes, on Saturday 26th March.  They’re waiting in a row to have their tails added (well, not the elephant, but he’s just keeping the others company!).  Although I don’t have primroses in bloom in my garden just yet, my cup, which last spring held a hyacinth bulb, is this year home to a pale yellow beauty …

And April’s magazine is well underway too.  In addition to guest tutorials and vintage patterns it will include three original Bustle & Sew patterns.  Just recently I’ve become very interested in the use of vintage illustration in embroidery design, and have also been rediscovering those iconic mid-20th century fabrics that were such a feature of my childhood.  I’ve combined the two to bring you two slightly different Bustle & Sew patterns.  One is a tea cosy …

… and the other is destined to be a cushion panel ….

Though it’s still a bit of a work in progress!!  Only 10 days till the next issue … better get stitching!!