5 Monday's this month!

The shortest month of the year!

 Hope your Mondays are doable!

The Dutch Hosta Society  was in Den Bosch

at the garden Idea Fair during the weekend!

 And on the way back yesterday, it just dawned on me that The Netherlands Railway has great lighting for handwork in their trains! You could really get a few stitches done if you had a ways to travel!

It's true!

 It's true if you read about it, isn't it?!

"Being a bit different than others

can be really good for your creativity."

 Dark skies and sunshine!

 one lone crow

So glad you are you!

Happy Thinking Day!

Around the world Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

 are Celebrating!

I'm in!

 Inside the conservatory(wintertuin) at  Cantons Park !

 The Friends of Cantons Park are celebrating the parks 

100th anniversary!

So it's open to the public a few days for a few weeeks!

 They've made a great presentation!

Including information from Cantons Park past

 and for the future Cantons Park!

 This is a big space that held many plants back in the day!

 This afternoon there was a presentation!

 Threatened gardens and Parks in The Netherlands

by Beline Geertsema! Member of the Dutch Garden Society

Shes one of the people that got me hooked on Hostas!

 A few stories were shared over plants!

 And locations! 

 An overview of  collection gardens history.

There are 2 more different presentations this Spring!

Outdoor living is....

the most entertaining, advantageous,  healthiest,

yes, and so often the most blessed life,

that you could wish for....

Jan van de Groen, 1669

A bit of Dutch garden history , 

Youtube School of Design and Technique!

 It all started with Macaroons!

macarons....macaroons...

 The start of Esther's Applique Along

sees us making and appliqueing Macarons!

Though I'd find a technique that works!

First I checked  Esther's applique by freezer paper

Then on to Youtube! 

Applique the Jillily way She uses 4 layers of freezer paper

Sew Easy Interfacing Applique tip: anti stick mat

Appliquick, the new easy way uses a few new tools

A new quick way to applique shares new glue thread!

There were a lot of great ideas, tips and tricks!

I just have to find out where I can get spray starch here!

I think I'll go enjoy a cup of coffee with a macaroon!

Creative Winter days....

 Frosty nights, beautiful mornings! 

 They'll be fine!

 Time for melted Snowman cookies!

And a good start to Gentle Domesticity !

I'll add the bling when all 12 blocks are together! 

Wishing you creative moments in your day!

Snowy Sunday Stitching!

 While going from blog to blog, as one does out in blogland, I came across one that mentioned Japanese knot bags. So I googled and found a pattern !

 I thought I'd give it a go!

 It's a good size!

My most used bag is on my bicycle!

I'll have to test this japanese knot bag 

when it's too warm to wear a body warmer

or anything with pockets when going out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here it's a Hot Chocolate and needle and thread kind of day!

Pixel Art!

 Starts with a team and an idea!

I didn't do this on my own!

Thanks Chantal! And Marlies from a far!

 Choose a few colours and get cutting out squares!

We used 5 x 5 cm squares as the base.

 Fill in the background!

 Sew three rows together then

Quilt as you go the three rows onto the fleece backing!

 Create a border and a frame!

 Take a few snaps!

 Gift wrapped!

And then it was time for the gift giving!

Pixel Art! Google that and a subject and give it a try!

It was quite fun to see this from start to given in 3 days!

The Fabric Stash

Fabric, Glorious Fabric

One day while in a quilt shop I overheard one woman say to another, "I just love this fabric, but I promised myself I wouldn't purchase any more until I used up some of what I already have." Her friend commented back, "Maybe I've missed something. Are we supposed to use it?" - from the book "Quiltmaking by hand" by Jinny Beyer

Fabric - Google Images

WISP

Work in Slow Progress!

 Red Brolly's Le Jardin  Stitchery 9 is completed!

Woohoo! Look at all those French knots! 

 These will be worked into Gossip in the Garden!

 There will be less gossip and more garden!

I like the some, not all, and will definitely change

the lay out and border! Yes, I did buy this pattern!

Quite a lot of tea in this pattern!

 This chain made with the new Foundation piecing technique that I just learned will look great  as the new border don't you think! Reminds me of a garden fence!

 I have a few pieces to get me going!

 The new hobby space is working out great!

There was just enough light left in the day to start this!

You can read more about it here at Elefantz

Happy Stitching!

Groundhog Day!

Hope your day has a bit of creativity involved!