It’s March, and today is the first day of meteorological spring, though there have been many signs of spring in our garden for a while now. The snowdrops are over, and now there are daffodils, pansies, periwinkle and crocuses to enjoy, whilst down by the hen pen there is a clump of tiny, and very beautiful violets peeping out from behind one of my planters.
The chickens are laying regularly again, and in two weeks time the new season opens for our huts, Rhubarb and Custard. This will be our third season so we’re feeling like quite experienced hosts now! The Engineer has been busy with some last minute repairs and upgrades, whilst I will soon be making up the beds and plumping up the pillows ready for our first guests.
Of course March 1 is St David’s Day, and I’d like to wish anyone from Wales a very happy national saint’s day…
As well as all the spring flowers now emerging, another sign that winter is coming to an end, (at least here in Somerset – I know that’s not the case everywhere) is the increasing level of birdsong in the garden, as birds pair up and establish their territories prior to the breeding season which will begin in earnest later this month or early in April.
One of my favourite projects in the current Magazine is the Garden Birds Needle Book…
Featuring two birds that live in our own garden. Last year we were lucky to have a couple of families of great tits in our nesting boxes, whilst there are at least two colonies of wrens that have made their homes in piles of cut logs we have left to decay as a natural habitat.
I had my previous needle book for probably nearly 20 years, and certainly since the earliest days of Bustle & Sew and loved it very much. The maker’s name was “Mud Rabbit” and though I’ve searched and searched online I haven’t been able to find her. So when Alfie decided to steal my existing needle book, tear off the button and nibble away the corners my only option was to make a new one for myself and the Garden Birds Needle Book is the result. The pattern is included in the current magazine, or if you’re not a subscriber and would like it then please just click here to purchase from my Etsy store.
The March Magazine was sent to subscribers on Thursday and if you’re a subscriber but haven’t seen your edition yet then please do let me know so I can sort out any problems. This issue is filled with gentle inspiration for the season ahead and you can CLICK HERE if you’d like to take a look inside.
I love putting the magazine together, as I find out so many interesting things that I’d probably never otherwise have discovered. As well as the Garden Birds Needle Book, within the covers of the March magazine is a charming Robin’s Nest and Blossom hoop design, perfect for these spring days, but pretty enough enough to enjoy the whole year through.
There are four more projects too, as well as seasonal recipes, a look at the enchanting world of The Tailor of Gloucester, exploring the story behind the tale and the beautiful historical needlework that inspired it. And, of course, March would not be complete without celebrating the golden glow of daffodils, with ideas for bringing their sunshine into your sewing and your home. There are recipes too to enjoy, and much more besides.
Although the Final Twenty Issues subscription list is now closed, both Annual and Monthly subscription plans are still available and please just CLICK HERE if you’d like to learn more.
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