Instead of doing all those many sorting out jobs I should be doing and need to do I've been crafting and crocheting pretty broaches.
I started out with good intentions sorting through my bookcase, but, then I found a few forgotten flowers in a heavy Atlas pressed between pieces of blotting paper. On top of the atlas I discovered last year's flowery printed calender. A cup of tea and a 'must look through the calender again before it goes to the recycle bin', and my crafting brain takes over. I just find it really difficult to throw pretty things away. In one of my many odds and ends boxes were a few old belt buckles and broach backs, and easy to find lace cloths, bits of felt, fabric and wool scraps in another, just waiting to be made into something. . . 5 new broaches. 

The belt buckles stabilize the card from the calender and pressed flowers were added with modge podge and a little varnish. The blue- tit is made from felt and fabric scraps, then free machined before sewing felt back and front together with very light stuffing. The original design for the blue-tit is by Emy Buxton.

And for no particular reason other than I love trees and like snapping the scenery outside in the frosty and misty early morning. . . . . Have a happy week!

 A huge thank you and lots of love to both Tracys':-
Tracy  from http://madaboutbagsuk.blogspot.co.uk for organising 'Send a Little Love' swap...
and Tracy fromhttp://sunny-corner-farm.blogspot.co.uk. If you get chance have a look at their wonderful blogs. You will be uplifted and inspired.

 After being without internet connection for a few weeks and a couple of technical hitches yesterday I am pleased to be able to now share my fabulous blog swap from Tracy of http://sunny-corner-farm.blogspot.co.uk in NSW Australia. You can also see my gift-swap to Tracy on her blog.

​ It was so thrilling to actually find a parcel from Australia on my doorstep this week. Inside was even more exciting - a gift wrapped in a vintage Butterick sewing pattern, tied with sewing tape and a gorgeous large wooden heart. Inside more wondrous goodies. A lovely tote bag made with the most endearing soft cotton fabric showing Australian animals and birds, I've photographed few details to show you. It's a real treasure. x The bag is reversible and has a very pretty floral pattern on the other side. It is beautifully sewn; very neat stitches.

And there's more... Australian afternoon teabags -, depicting little kangaroos, and bright orange knitted dishcloth. As it matches the teabags and is a sunny colour I'm keeping it as a teapot coaster for a while.

A little box of delicious Cuban spice chocolate that I am going to save as an Easter treat. . . B. has already approved of and sampled the tea! The floral notebook is so pretty; I can use it for ideas for more projects. The little Colin Thompson book mark, very useful as I have quite few books on the go. I'd not heard of Colin but his blurb states that he is a children's author and illustrator with a sense of humour. This super package was enclosed with a sweet red card with a beautiful tree print (yes, RED, Tracy -  you did remember!), sending a little love. Thank you so very very much Tracy. I have thoroughly enjoyed this swap, and getting to know Tracy through her wonderful blog.
                                           ............................. xoxo .................................

Below are a few photos of the handmade apron I sent Tracy. The idea of a pocket apron with  came from Debbie Shore's book, 'Half Yard Heaven' that  pictures someone wearing one with gardening tools in the pockets keeping their hands free for tending plants - Tracy is a gardener. The embroidered panel was made some time ago and seemed just right for Tracy with her cats, flowers and bees. From memory the design came from a book by Lynette Anderson. Coincidentally, Lynette is based in Australia. (Queensland)