Easter Flowers and Knitted Toys

The Easter weather has been kind to us. Plenty of gardening and some sitting on the bench in the sun enjoying a beer. The Pulsatilla, or Pasque flower to give it it’s Easter meaning, opened its first bloom right on cue for Easter weekend.

I used to have a few of these but the plants have faded away and need replacing. Such a beautiful plant with its purple flower and silvery , soft, feathery foliage. I must replace them as soon as I can.

The Spring show is in full swing now with plenty of colour rippling across the garden. I wish the flowers didn’t have to fade and yet the fleeting nature of them makes them seem more wonderful each year. Something precious to be enjoyed to the full while we can.

The fruit trees have swelling buds. The plums are always first and are beginning to open their white flowers.

So many lovely things to see. I often paint flowers because I love the colours and the way the light plays on them. Here’s a painting of daffodils I did a few years ago. Painted with gouache.

I fancied a bit of knitting and thought I’d try my new book.

Although I don’t have any little ones of my own now to knit for I thought it would be fun to try some of the patterns for small toys. They use up odd scraps of yarn and only take a couple of hours to make. Putting them together is great fun, seeing them come to life as I sew them up and stuff them. The toys are only tiny, hand-sized and so cute.

First I tried the monkey.

The hardest part was sewing his eyes. I’ve made him a bit googly-eyed. He’s still quite cute though and feels very tactile.

Next I made Humpty Dumpty. He was lovely to knit. An interesting and easy pattern with bright colours. I did a better job on his face and he looks very cheerful.

A lovely way to spend a few hours. Very relaxing and something to show for it at the end. There are lots of nice patterns in the book which I will eventually try.

It reminds me of when our children were small and I used to make things for them. I found a little pottery mug in a junk shop when we were living in Canada. It had the figure of a boy attached and was very appealing. I bought him for a few cents because the mug had a crack. I made him into a bedside lamp for my little son. Later, when he was older, I removed the fittings and kept it as an ornament in my kitchen.

Then I had a lovely surprise. Years later, back in Britain, I went to an antiques fair and saw the same mug with a little girl attached. I was amazed. I’d never considered there would be a matching pair. They are very similar to the Hummell figures but these were made in Japan.

The seller wanted £30 which I thought was excessive. But, of course, I just had to have it so I handed over the cash and they stand in my kitchen looking very pretty.

I hope you’ve all had a very happy Easter and been able to enjoy the sun, flowers and chocolate. With you again in a few days.