Tulip Meets Daffodil

Happy Things and Thoughts

It's my birthday in a few weeks and I've been mulling the past few days over the events of the past year. I turned 40 last April and it's really turned out to be more of a pivotal year than I ever imagined. Lots of changes... both good and bad, but, being the pessimistic realistic person that I am, I keep dwelling on all of the bad things that have happened. I'm trying to change that pattern, though, and focus my thoughts on the all of the good, happy, and positive things in my life! (And there are a lot of those... I am quite lucky. :)

One good thing from the past year is that I started this blog... I've really enjoyed sharing things I make and see and am inspired by. Here are some shots I've taken recently of some bright, cheerful things in my life that have made me smile.

My new wine bottle candleabra:

I saw something similar at a party we went to a couple of months ago - the one I saw held taper candles and I thought it was such a neat idea. And a great way to save and re-use a nice wine bottle. I decided to get the tealight holder style, because I always have a ton of tealights in the house, and well, I just thought it was super-cute.

Ceramic bunny basket... candies... enough said.

We also still have a ton of these cute daffodils in the back yard. I was worried they wouldn't make it through the cold nights we've had lately but they seem quite hardy. They smell divine too.

~

Thanks for sharing some happy things with me. ♥

Williams Sonoma Wants - Alabaster Eggs

I received a Williams Sonoma catalog in the mail yesterday and while I usually just toss it (too many tempting things inside), something on the back cover caught my eye... these gorgeous alabaster eggs. I thought they were beautiful and happy and colorful and shiny and I wanted them. (Even though they seemed like a silly extravagance.)

They were still on the brain this morning so I went to their website (just to look, mind you) and they were ON SALE, with FREE SHIPPING.

Yes!

After some hesitation, I decided it was a sign and ordered a set of six (even though I really wanted 12, or 18...)

Very excited. 

***Edited to add: pic here!

Projects and Rag Rugs

I've alternated between being incredibly lazy and incredibly productive over the past couple of weeks. I think that's OK though.. I actually like having a kind of "off and on" balance to my days.

I have a couple of projects in progress at the moment. I mentioned my mini granny squares last week... well, the squares are finished, but when I started to assemble the end product - being the perfectionist that I am - I just wasn't happy. So instead of stressing and getting upset about it I put it away for while. Put a little distance between myself and the squares... a crochet 'cooling off period', you might say.

My other project is something that's been brewing in the background for a while. One of those projects/ideas that pop into your head and sticks around... poking you to read, learn, discover... try.

My current obsession: rag rugs!

I have to admit that I actually have an obsession with any kind of throw rugs... if I'm not shopping longingly for shoes online - I'm shopping for rugs. So there's something magical and thrilling about Making My Own.

Here's the start of my first one.

I actually started making a round rug, probably because it seemed more of a challenge to me; technically more difficult; more impressive. But you know what? I don't particularly care for round rugs! They're really not my style. So I tore it apart and started over with a simpler rectangular rug.

Who am I trying to impress, anyway?

I really do like how this is turning out, though, and am enjoying it immensely. I'm using an 11.5 mm (P) hook, and some cotton tops that I don't like and won't ever wear. (On a sidenote: when you grab shirts from your closet make sure they are actually ones you won't wear. I mistakenly grabbed the wrong one, and it was halfway cut into strips before I realized that (heartbreak) I actually LOVED this shirt and it was pretty much BRAND NEW. Lesson learned!)

Anyway, I actually have some old sheets that came from my grandmother's house - I suppose you could call them "vintage", but they were really just headed to my hubby's workshop to use as rags. These sheets were a large part of my inspiration to learn more about these rugs. I'd love to have a piece of my childhood repurposed, by me, into something I can use everyday.

Cherry Blossoms at their peak, Washington DC

I'm happy to report that spring is in full swing here! Besides some itchy eyes, I've been enjoying every minute of it so far. Weather's been spectacular except...

...for the one day we decided to go into DC to see the cherry blossoms! That's OK though, as they were still gorgeous and at their peak. It was quite cloudy, so my pictures came out only so-so, but given that it was a weekday afternoon and not very sunny, the crowds were kept at bay (which I was very thankful for).

We crossed the Potomac...

...then walked along the Tidal Basin under an umbrella of cherry blossoms...

...to the Jefferson Memorial.

The cherry blossoms really are breathtaking.

They were a gift to the US from Japan in 1912.

One hundred of the original trees still line the Tidal Basin, including the original two planted in 1912 by first lady Helen Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador. (I believe the original two are by the Martin Luther King memorial... I would like to see them someday as well).

Beautiful sight... even with the cloudy sky.

Weekends, Puppy Birthdays, Virginia Weather, and Mini Granny Squares

The hubby and I had a wonderful, laid-back weekend. Saturday was Patrick's (9th!) birthday so we took him on a special walk to the pet store... it was his first time there (it's been open for about four months, but I guess we are bad parents since he hasn't been there yet and it IS within walking distance after all!)

He was in awe of all the smells, bones, and toys...

~ Sensory overload. ~

We also picked up a special Five Guys hamburger (and fries!) meal for him, and of course - a bunch of new toys.

He was pretty worn out by the end of the day... with a full tummy and tired feet.

And thankfully, spring has sprung here in Northern Virginia. There are so many beautiful flowering trees out this time of year.

And temps have been in the 60s and 70s. (I think we're supposed to have a record high temp today of 75 F... whew! Pretty great for mid-March!)

I also stayed busy this weekend freshening up the house a bit - catching up on laundry, dusting, vacuuming. Opening windows. I hate being too hot or too cold... so it's a rare treat for me to be able to open the windows and enjoy some fresh air, instead of blasting the heat or the AC.

I was also feeling a bit crafty and started a quick crochet project.

How do you like my mini granny squares?

'Finished Project' pics to come soon I hope. :)

Crochet Ripple Scarf - Done, Done and Done

Finished Project Alert: my ripple scarf is DONE. Woo hoo! I probably could've made it longer, (I like my scarves very long), but I think it's fine how it is and I am quite ready to move on to my next project, (still TBD).

Ironically, you can't really see the ripples in the first pic below... but they are there and I love them. I used the Pacific Wave stitch found in Robyn Chachula's Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia (great, great book - highly recommend), my go-to LB Collection Cotton Bamboo yarn, and a size G hook.

Sadly, it is quite warm here this week in Northern Virginia, and hopefully I did not miss my window to actually wear the darn thing out and about. Perhaps there are still a few cool nights headed our way, (and if not, believe me, it will be worn regardless!)

The scarf is far from perfect, but I am happy with it - and since it's a 'for me' project... I'm not stressing too much about it.

You can see in the picture below that I actually do need to block the scarf... one side is curling in and I'm quite sure I can fix that.

On to the next adventure...!

More Mini Daffodils, and My Crochet Shamrock Garland

I admit I'm not the best photographer, but I do enjoy it - and I'm always learning... (and hopefully - maybe - getting better as I go).

Here's another shot of my mini daffodils, taken on a different day with more sun.

And at a different angle than the pic in my last post. I'm discovering just how important light is... especially really good, natural light. Like I said, always learning, right? :)

I had a lovely, quiet weekend with the hubby. I did some work on the infamous ripple scarf (no, not done yet! almost...) and made this adorable (well, I think it's adorable!) shamrock garland for St. Paddy's Day.

I hung it on the kichen window (please, just look at the garland and not my backyard... long, long story there... :)

I followed the cute pattern I found here, with a few changes, (including starting with a magic ring, and adjusting the stem a bit). I also used my favorite Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo yarn, with a size G hook.

I just wanted a bit o' the green in the house!

Mini Daffodils...

Happy Friday! Yay!

Hopefully by Monday I'll have something nifty and creative to post. Fingers crossed. Looking forward to relaxing and crocheting this weekend for sure.

I've been noticing these nifty mini daffodils in my neighborhood lately and this morning I found some in my own backyard. I cut all I could and put them on my kitchen window.

Aren't they adorable? Hoping more pop up soon... :)

Pink Tulips & Granny Square Pillows...

My first March post... March! Where is this year running off to?!

I've been quite busy the past week or so with work, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - it just doesn't leave much time or room for my creative side. And not being creative does wear on me and makes me a bit sad after a while, (if I'm being totally honest with myself). My basket o' yarn, my hook, and especially - my ripple scarf - have not been touched in, well, way too long. Never mind finished and worn.

Sigh.

Despite this, I've been trying to keep the house clean and happy. Pink tulips always, always help.

They are a beautiful shade of pink, and, according to Whole Foods - actually grown here in Virginia.

Today is sunny and much warmer than yesterday. I snapped this shot earlier of Patrick taking a nap on his granny square pillow.

I made this pillow last fall (using the wonderful granny square pattern on Lucy's Attic24 blog - I just love the flowery center!)

Anyway, as soon as I finished it Patrick adopted it as his.

Which is fine with me... whatever makes my pup happy. :)