poking...

It's been gloomy weather here, so yesterday I took a walk around the yard with my camera. I thought it would be good to get some fresh air (and give the neighbors something to talk about). I went looking for signs of spring. My neighbor, Mary, who is a gardener of the highest quality, was also out looking for evidence of new growth...she calls it "poking about". I found some hyacinths emerging. Our forsythia is jam packed with buds, ready to burst with the first warm day. And our old Japanese pieris is laden with gorgeous pink blooms.

My sedum reminded me of little cabbages with droplets of water in them...maybe they're fairy cups? The crocus just shout, "Spring is coming!", don't they?

After I came in, my mind was cleared. I decided that since spring is definitely coming, I needed to get our bedroom looking less like winter and more light and "springy". A few days ago, I had found an embroidered piece that I had completed a few years ago and done nothing with, so I figured now was as good a time as any to finish it off into a pillow. The pillow is the perfect turning point in our bedroom. I changed out the pillowcases from brown to tan and our bed is looking a bit more like spring.

Before:

After:

The embroidery is a pattern from Crabapple Hill Studio. I didn't finish the pillow like the pattern showed...I just added a border and backed it. (I used an old sheet!) I was really inspired to finish this project from my friend Kristyn. She posted a few days ago, a challenge of sorts to create from what you already have. "Use up what you've got or do without..." is how she so simply put it. I've been mulling the whole idea over since her post and decided to accept the challenge. I have plenty of things here to finish up and just as many waiting in the wings to start. So, over the next couple of weeks...I'll be joining Kristyn in creating from what I already have. (I love me a good challenge and I love using things up! what a great combo) Let me know if you want to join us!

In the meantime, enjoy the changes that spring brings and take time to "poke about"! It's really quite refreshing.