This weekend, it has finally felt as though spring is beginning at last.
Even I, fair-weather gardener that I am, managed to spend an afternoon outdoors, pulling out lots of dead stuff and clipping back unruly and neglected shrubbery.
This is most welcome. To me, spring always signifies new beginnings.
I am what is known around these parts as “nesh,” which means I tend to avoid the cold, and going outside in winter whenever possible. Which actually isn’t that good for me.
Being outdoors when the sun is shining always has the ability to cheer me up, even if it’s just a stroll down the garden path to tut at how much work needs doing.
The fact that the days are lengthening, the greyness of winter is starting to shift and the sun is making the occasional appearance are all more than welcome.
And, as if by some strange spring magic, I have just been commissioned to undertake a new project.
For a proper magazine no less!
In aid of which I have been sent the selection of lovely new fabrics pictured…
It is quite an impressive collection of materials, all for rather a small item I am making. A rather small, old item, something I used to make a while ago.
But I am by no means complaining.
There are some very cute and springlike designs included in the selection…
And added to that, I am going on a trip in the not-too-distant future.
At the beginning of April it will be my birthday. A rather significant milestone of a birthday, actually.
I can’t imagine how so many years slipped away so quickly, but apparently they did.
So we decided, my partner and I, to mark the occasion by visiting a new city. One I have fancied seeing for some time.
A new destination – Copenhagen! How exciting!
I do love having new things peeping over my horizon.
Something old, something new.
It’s just a bit of a pity that the old thing these days seems, apparently, to be me. ♥
Ha ha – you’re only as old as your attitude; enjoy Copenhagen, a wonderful city. Have a hot chocolate outside, wrapped up in a blanket, overlooking the sea!
Might find somewhere with a view of the sea where I can sit indoors with a hot chocolate!
Oooh, lovely! I’m a bit envious, I love Denmark – my favourite city is Århus, a bit smaller and cosier than Copenhagen. Such a strange coincidence that today I received a secondhand book I’ve wanted *forever* by a Danish embroidery designer. I love the grey fabric with white, pink and aqua and bunnies on it.
We have only crossed paths briefly but I always enjoying reading your blog as I very often feel what you have to say I can so relate to. I to am a ‘Spring’ person and so look forward to my favourite month of April. Maybe it’s because we have birthdays at this time of year. I have just returned from a relaxing, indulgent stay in a boutique hotel in Wales to ‘celebrate’ my significant birthday. I fear my significant number is a bit larger than yours (50) and I had been quietly dreading its arrival as I have felt I have been ageing at a pace recently and to be 50 was confirmation. On the other hand I feel blessed as my mother died very young when I was only 7 and so to reach this milestone I am lucky. You will love Copenhagen, we went two years ago. Look out for the market that has a stall of only Bjorn Wiinblad pieces at very reasonable prices!
OOOh, thanks for the tip, Jane!
My significant birthday is the same as yours… and like you, I feel that I have been dreading it and ageing rapidly in recent years, having been a bit of a lucky Peter Pan during my 30s and early 40s. But thank you for reminding me that getting older is something to be grateful for. My mum’s mother (whom I never met) died when my mum was only 11, so yes, I should definitely see still being around at 50 as something to be happy about. Good to be reminded of that.
I have a milestone birthday coming up at the beginning of April too… It’s so difficult to decide what to do to “celebrate”, isn’t it? I don’t really like parties or being the centre of attention, and it’s right in the middle of the Easter holidays, so any day trips need to be surlyalmostteenager-friendly! Copenhagen sounds like a lovely idea – enjoy yourselves!
I don’t like parties either Katherine. Luckily I have a good friend who also has a surlyalmostteenager who is very kindly putting up with my surlyalmostteenager for a few days so that we can go away without ours!
What a lovely entry into spring – pretty fabrics, fun project for a magazine, a birthday trip to a beautiful city! You must be on Cloud 9 for real, not just because of the fabric label. As someone who’s already rounded 50 I can tell you that while its not “the new 40”, its not that bad either if you can keep your sense of humor. Enjoy your projects and your birthday!
I love your blogs, thank you very much (& I love some of those fabrics too!).
Happy birthday when it comes & I hope you have a wonderful time in Copenhagen.
Wonderful news re the magazine commission, wonderful fabrics and wonderful wonderful Copenhagen. And yes, very reasonable Bjorn Winblad available, design heaven. Enjoy!
How exciting! Can’t wait to see your work in the magazine and I’ve always fancied Copenhagen!
Have a wonderful time xxxx