My friend Liz in Germany introduced me to this lovely book called "Sew Pretty Homestyle" by Tone Finnanger. Liz has a wonderful blog called, "Moments"! It was originally published in Norway back in 2006. There are many creations in this book I would like to make but first I decided to create the lovely "Roses"! In the book there is patterns for a large and small rose. I love to embellish everything so I added heaps of beads to the edges of my rose to give them a bit of sparkle. There was no pattern for a medium size rose so I made up my own. Above is the first three beaded pink fabric roses I made in the last couple of weeks. I think I will create a brooch from the medium size one.
The above photo is of the first and smallest fabric rose I created with lovely toile pink fabric.
This photo shows an up close look at the medium size rose. I think it will turn into a brooch. I used lovely fabric called "Posh by Chez Moi for Moda. It has lovely lace looking paisley through out it. Just my kind of fabric!!
Here is evidence that Springtime has finally arrived here in Michigan. Another true sign that Springtime has arrived in Michigan is our state bird the Robin and we have many investigating our yard at the moment for a place to nest. So "Crocuses and Robins" truly make me smile because I know that our long dreadful winter has now passed for another year.
More Crocuses!!
I also get very excited about Springtime for another reason and that is Easter. In Germany 4 weeks prior to Easter there are Easter Markets everywhere. At the school were I worked they would gave us a long list of Easter Markets not only in Germany but the surrounding countries so we could travel and explore these wonderful markets. I love getting out my "Easter Treasures" every year for several reasons. They bring back wonderful memories of my time living in Germany and they are so lovely and unique to look at. On my sofa table this year I decided to create a wee display of some of my treasures.
Here is my Easter Tree with lovely bobbin lace ornaments created by several ladies I met at the Easter Markets I attended and also by my good friend Ulla who was my neighbor where I lived in Ettingenhausen.
I love this Easter linen because it sparkles with lovely Easter Eggs.
On my sofa table I have displayed several Easter decorations from Poland, Germany and Italy. The ceramic weaved basket is from Italy and it holds my collection of "Polish Pottery Eggs" and two of them are hand painted by a German artist.
I have a wee collection of "Nesting Hen" and this one is from Poland. While living in Germany I made two wonderful trips to Poland. It was one of my favorite places I visited.
When my teacher friend and I discovered this treasure we both looked at each other and said, "A Half Baked Chick" and laughed and laughed. Yup we both bought one. I love my half baked chick allot. The wee linen it is setting near says, Happy Easter in German!!
Here is an up close look at my lovely "Polish Pottery Easter Eggs and the two beautiful hand painted German ones.
Another wonderful area I visited a couple of times was in the far Eastern part of Germany in a region called "Erzgebirge" which once part of Communist Germany! Here in a small mountain village called Seiffen you can find of the most wonderful wood carvers in the world. They are know for their beautiful, "Nutcrackers", "Smokers" which I bought several of and just truly lovely hand carved creations. Above, Mrs. Rabbit is sitting in her very comfy rocking chair knitting away and just as happy as can be. It reminds me of myself sitting in the evening stitching away and truly happy and at peace being near my sweetie in the place we call home!! Happy Spring! Happy Easter Everyone!!! Danke for visiting my blog, I always enjoy reading all your lovely messages.
Hugs,
