April Showers will bring May flowers!

That's right! April showers brought lots of tulips that are going to last well into the first part of May! The Tulips are everywhere this spring! While I was out running errands in the afternoon, I passed by these on my way home........take a look........aren't they beautiful?


I wish these were in my garden but all we have is grass. These are in Ned's garden, a friend who lives down the hill from us, and he said I can take pictures of his tulips and flowers anytime I want! I love the pointed petals on these tulips. They almost look like they are daffodils! After enjoying a little walk around Ned's tulip garden, I headed home because I had picked up something delicious at the bakery that I planned to enjoy with a cup of tea.


And it was that yummy looking apple turnover you see on that pretty blue plate. I had my favorite cup of English breakfast tea and relaxed with a few pages of "Little Women". I've seen the movie lots of times, but thought I'd read the book. I don't recall ever reading it as a kid. Then again.....it's been awhile since I was a kid so maybe I did and don't remember it! :-)

I had been doing some stitching on some tea towels and finished up a couple that are similar to the one in the photo. I thought you might like to make one so I am sharing the little tulip pattern that I drew for a quilt block exchange in our Prior Lake Quilter's group back in 2003. Just right click on the pattern page, save to your computer and you can print from the file.
I prewashed my towels although I'm not sure that's necessary. I made them just for "pretties" but I like the feel better after they are washed. I used woolfelt that was white and then washed with red to get the mottled effect on the tulip. I want real tulips that color in my garden next summer! Perhaps next time I sit down for tea, I should grab my gardening catalogs and start shopping. :-)
So the question for the day is.........

are there tulips growing in your garden or will they only grow on teatowels and quilts?

Have a lovely relaxing day!

Sandi

I think it's high time for a cup 'o tea!

That's right. It's been too long! When I last wrote, my mom was having health issues and she is doing well now. Can't believe how busy things have been since then. However, today is St. Patrick's Day and I sat down for a cup of tea and a bit of a rest. No sewing, just rest and a little reading.

These were the books that I laid on the kitchen table to enjoy with my tea. My favorite of all the books is the one on the left........"Shamrocks, Harps and Shillelaghs". It's a relaxing read that covers bits of history and traditions of the holiday. I am fond of every holiday so I have every one of Edna Barth's holiday books. :-) They are geared more to children but they always provided just the information I needed when I wanted to do a project with my kids or as background for a library or community ed class. That's a new copy in the photo because I ruined my first copy when I spilled a glass of water on it when teaching a kid's class. I think part of why I like her books so much is that they remind me of when my kids were young! Plus, she's from my home state of Iowa!!!!
The newest book is the "Tour Ireland with Pat Sloan" book. I couldn't resist that beautiful cover photography and all the gorgeous pictures of her quilting tour to Ireland. Someday, I'm going to get there, too! I also want to make that little sheep quilt on the front cover. They remind me of sheep that we saw when visiting the Lake District in northern England. That was the same year that we visited Scotland so when I saw the next book "Clans & Tartans of Scotland and Ireland", I had to have it. While on that trip, we visited a mill and watched the tartans as they are woven and I brought home a wee bit o' wool and a lovely piece of Douglas plaid for my mom.
Now that last book is one that I found at the library a couple of weeks ago and I really did give it the "old college try". I wanted to know more about the history of St. Patrick's Day and I tried to read the book but it was just too "deep" for me. I do think I'd like to buy it, though, so I could read it when I feel like it and not under pressure because I need to finish it to avoid a library fine!
I expect to be here for tea in April. I think some spring tulips are in order then. Join me, won't you?
Sandi