Stitch Story - progress update

Hi Everyone

It’s almost time to start finishing my first Stitch Story. The project has been progressing slowly over the last few months in a gradual but enjoyable way. But, I’ve decided, it’s time to finish off this lovely experience. It’s a long time since I enjoyed making something so much. The whole thing has had ‘ups and downs’ but I’m very happy with how things have turned out. Read back for lots more about this project.

                       

I’ve added another couple of patches this week and think there maybe room for a couple more, maybe ? The new patches are experiments with stitching ideas and added to pull colours and textures together. However, I’d like to get the final arrangement of all the elements decided today. My plan is to tack down each element and come up with an attractive way to stitch all the pieces in place. I’m feeling a need to use embroidery stitches where I can. I’m not precious about covering every available space, it’s more that I like the balance and arrangement of each piece in its place.

The bag which I’ve engineered will be something I want to use, often. My idea is to use my bag to hold small knitting projects, specifically a sock project bag. I always have a pair or socks under development, so this will be perfect for taking my projects to Knit Group or just holding my knitting at home. I’m sure the bag will give me huge pleasure every time I use it.

I’ll know exactly what I need to do by the end of the day. I’ll share my final decisions and plans tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today.

Fibre Friday

Hi Everyone 

I’ve a couple of good fibre stories today. My first story is a rather long term project. Finally, I’ve managed to spin the green fibre, I talked about this last week ! It’s plyed, soaked and all caked up- ready for knitting. This fibre has been re purposed (for a friend) from another project so there was a little waste involved. Having weighed the fibre it’s coming out as 92gms. and I’ve managed to get approximately 120m of light sport weight yarn. The WPI is about 16, although it’s handspun so there are a few inconsistencies (hopefully not too many).Yarn thickness is measured using something called WPI, which stands for Wraps Per Inch. The idea is you wrap your yarn around a gap measuring 1 inch, and count how many strands you can fit in. I have a great little tool for measuring this on my spinning wheel (see bottom left photo). I’ve called the yarn Fils Vert (for obvious reasons, not very original !). I will be passing over the yarn to my friend tomorrow, I’m hoping she likes the result. I’ve enjoyed the spin and have managed to start my spinning routines again. I gave myself a target of 3 sessions each week. So far, it’s working.

                          

My next story is all about the second sock pattern in my Curious Handmade Sock Society. The pattern is called Magnolia. I’ve used Manos Del Uruguay:  Algeria yarn in the Manglar colour. It’s a lovely varied mix of greens, pinks and blues. There is a beautiful central lace pattern down the sock with cabling either side. Very pretty. My version, adds a pink toe and I’ll make a pink crochet picot edge on the cuff. I started the sock last Saturday as car knitting and finished the first sock yesterday. It’s quite an easy knit, although, I do need to pay attention to the lace part. I’m hopeful, I can complete the second sock this week. The Sock Society provides a new pattern every two months, if I manage to complete my second sock this week, I’m well on schedule to keep up. I think the next pattern will come out early June. This will give me time to make another sock from my list.

                    

I have made only a few rows onto my Coinneach cardigan yoke (read back last week for more details) by Kate Davies. I ran out of one of one of the colours (in the colourwork)mid week but have acquired another, so I’m ready to go. More on the Coinneach next time. Another exciting development on the WestHighland Way series of patterns (Coinneach is part of the West Highland Way pattern Collection) is delivery of the actual West Highland Way book. It’s such a lovely book. I love all of the patterns, which is unusual. I tend to like most of them but this time, I could knit every single one. I’m already choosing my next project from the book.

No crochet this week, although, I will probably use my crochet hook to make the picot edge on my Magnolia Socks. Does that count ?

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday.

Silver Day News

Hi Everyone 

Today, I’m having a Silver Day. It’s been a while since I used my dedicated Thursday slot for my Silver work. I’ve been completing silver work as and when I could over the Easter break but today it’s all about design and testing out some new ideas.

I have an old design with a prototype (which needs some extra work) and I’d like to develop a few more rings using the idea of adding tiny silver cups to a few ring designs. My prototype ring is an extendable design and this will feature in my new ideas too. I’m hoping to produce a mini Collection to include three items of jewellery and three designs per item. So, three rings, three earrings and three necklaces (a charm with chain idea).

Here’s a quick look at the original prototype ring which has inspired the Collection.

                       

Initially, I thought about adding semi precious stones to the little cups. However, I like the plain silver look. I would like to make another couple of rings which could be worn singularly as well as together as a stackable design. I’d also like to focus on small earring designs for this little Collection. My first job is to develop drawings. I always find inspiration from the drawing part and am looking forward to coming up with something exciting. I’m also keen to have a few new pairs of earrings for myself - an added bonus for me !

Thanks for calling in today.

Stitch Story Embellishments

Hi Everyone

I’ve another little addition to my Stitch Story Project today.Read back to learn more about the Stitch Story : Miss Mitchell Project. I’ve been adding final details to the Story and have started making mini embellishments. 

                 

My first new embellishment is a covered button. This is a regular odd button from my spare button box. It’s a button that I probably wouldn’t use (if on show) so what a bonus ! I’ve found a couple of very small scraps of fabric used in my project and covered both sides of the button. I’ve used a different fabric and used the contrasting red stitching around the edge as a design feature. I’ve also added a B letter to represent Bella, Miss Mitchell’s name. The other side of the button gets a heart and a little cross (kiss).

The second embellishment is a covered brass ring (handmade by me !). I’ve covered the ring with the same green embroidery floss used in the other parts of the Project. I used a crochet hook to weave a simple stitch around the ring but could have easily used a needle. I like the size of the mini frame kand I’m thinking about attaching something else in the form of a fabric tag-like piece which will allow me to pin the frame to the bag ? I’m not quite there yet with the plan. I’ll work on that today.

I think, I’ve probably got all the bits and pieces I need to complete my bag - other than some kind of written message for the back. My plan for the back is to embroider some little message on the bag, something Miss Mitchell would say ! Again, I’ll do some thinking work on that one today.

My next step, after completing the new embellishments is to sew down all my patches and develop some handles.

Thanks for calling in today.

More Stitch Story Tales

Hi Everyone

As mentioned yesterday, I had a little Stitch Story patch ‘under construction’. Happily, I managed to find some time to complete my patch. It’s ready for stitching in place.

                      

This clock will set the time for my Stitch Story: Miss Mitchell. Afternoons with Miss Mitchell always mean she is in the garden (there’s a whole range of little children’s stories in the Miss Mitchell world). The garden also sets the scene for lots of additional ideas and characters which ‘opens up’ more opportunities for Stitch Stories ‘to come’. I made my usual error of printing the clock too close to the edge of the fabric, so needed to add a complete back to the patch (stopping too much fraying). However, it’s turned out OK and will be a pretty addition to my patch collection.

More exciting news re Stitch Stories of the future - if you called in last week you will know I received a lovely birthday present. The present, a Jessie Chorley book and printed patches, has inspired me to plan my next Stitch Story. This time it will be a wearable item, a skirt. After reading my little book, ideas were bursting out of my head ! My planning approach is to create little paper patches with all my ideas recorded. At the moment, I have 10 little pieces of paper with an idea, a date and the working title of my project. This time the name is Friendship. My process is to allocate 10/15 mins to review and add to my paper patches. I’m hoping to have 3 or 4 little sessions each week until I have my firm plan. I’m probably, almost there !

                            

I have a vision  (in my head) of how my skirt will turn out. I think, it will be green and made of light weight fabric. Simple in design with lots of embellishments. The ideas I’ve worked on throughout the Miss Mitchell Story have been brilliant for preparing this next Project. It’s very exciting and I’m keen to enjoy the whole process. It’s not about making something very quickly but I would like to wear my skirt this Summer ! I will, of course, share ‘the journey’ here on the blog.

Thanks for calling in today.
 

Stitch Story Update

Hi Everyone 

I’m back with the Stitch Story today. 

I’m probably there with the elements of Stitch Story: Miss Mitchell. I have added an embroidered clock patch (not quite finished yet) for a specific place in the corner of the piece. The clock is important because I wanted a reference to time. Time as a concept is quite important to the whole Miss Mitchell story and provides lots of ideas for a ‘story within a story’. There are lots of little sub plots within the Misss Mitchell concept and a specific time is often key to separating each little tale. The Stitch Story on my bag will be representative of this idea rather than focusing on one particular time.

The other bit of Stitch Story news is my new (to me) vintage buttons. I love the style of these buttons and have spent quite a while finding the perfect example of the buttons. I have a couple of places in my Story where I would like to attach some of these buttons. 

I think it’s time to start finally stitching down the patches/embellishments in place. I think, I need an embroidered piece of writing on the back of the bag. I’m not sure what it should be at the moment. Something simple. I’m hoping inspiration will spring from somewhere ? Here’s a quick look at the new elements :

                     

The clock will get some extra blue and red embroidery and I’m thinking of adding a border of some kind. I’ll be working on the patch later so should have something to share tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today.

Fibre Friday Update

Hi Everyone 

This week my main focus re Fibre has been to develop a habit of making time for spinning sessions. I’ve mentioned my lack of spinning time each week for many weeks and finally, I’ve managed to fit in a few spinning sessions. I’ve been spinning some fibre for a friend, it’s a lovely combination of green fibres. I’m not sure how much Ive produced. I’m about to wind the 2 plyed yarn off the bobbin for soaking. More details next time. Hopefully, I’ve found a way to make sure I give spinning my attention. I’ve got lots of lovely fibre in my stash, just waiting for spinning and I’d very much like to find a way of splitting my spinning and knitting time each week. My ideal is to have 3 spinning sessions each week. This week has worked well and I find I can give myself a 30mins session most days, if I identify, a slot each morning. If I can’t find 30 mins every day, I know I can make 3 times each week.

Moving on, I’ve also managed to add some knitting into my week. My usual habit is to knit each evening and I’ve spent an hour or so (most days) working on the yolk of my Coinneach. Read back a few Fridays for more on the Coinneach. I’ve started to reduce the stitches on the yolk, so it feels I’m making good progress. I enjoy the colour patterns developing and can’t wait to finish. The Coinneach is a steeked cardigan, so that will be interesting ! More on the steeking next week.

                   

My last fibre story is about another pair of socks. I have a few patterns in my mind, both by Helen Stewart, I’ll  decide later today. I’ve identified my yarn (see bottom right image). I’d also like to use some pink yarn, left over from my last socks. I’m not sure where I want to place the pink ? - possibly the cuff and toe ? I’m currently knitting the Curious Handmade Sock Society Collection for 2018 and did think I would be working on the second pattern, Magnolia Socks. However, I also have the pattern published in the last edition of Laine magazine , Fragments by Helen Stewart. I don’t have a pair of socks on the needles at the moment so this decision needs to be made in the next few days. I’d also suggested dying some yarn myself for the Magnolia Socks so that’s a bit of a dilemma !

That’s it for my fibre news this week. I do feel so much better having started my spinning sessions again. So all’s good.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend, I’ll be back on Monday with more Stitch Stories.

Stitch Story Developments

Hi Everyone

Today, I’m sharing the progress of my Stitch Story : Miss Mitchell Project. I’ve made some major changes to the project.

 The most dramatic change is the overall size of the bag. Initially, the little drawstring bag was half the size. Look back over the last few weeks for images of the small bag and the first  attempts at telling my Stitched Story. The driving force has been to display my patches as a whole. I did, originally, display my patches on both sides of the bag and it wasn’t quite working for me. Somehow, I couldn’t split the story in two. It just didn’t work.

 My second plan was to turn the bag into a circular shape but the bag turned out to be very small and more like a tube. Finally, I had the idea to use the whole deconstructed bag for the front, resizing the whole thing. I’ve chosen fabric that I’ve also used for a couple of the patches and added a plain lining. I’m much happier with the size and it’s giving me lots more opportunity to include more elements of my ‘tale’. 

 

                       

I think, I’m almost there with my elements. I could go on forever, creating extra patches but the balance of patches, elements, colours, size, shape and aesthetic is pleasing to me - this, I feel, is the important thing. I look at my Stitched Story and I could talk about all the little stories within the bag. I feel I could share Miss Mitchell’s Story through my work. I now, need to stitch everything together and finish my project.

Thanks for calling in today.

Another Stitch Story

Hi Everyone

Breaking news ......... I just had to rearrange my post for today. Apologies but I will post today’s original post, tomorrow.

So, here’s my very important news, one of my lovely friends gave me the most perfect Birthday gift ever. If you are a regular reader of the blog, you will know I’ve been obsessed with my current Stitch Story Project. This Project was inspired by the amazing Jessie Chorley. So, when I received my birthday gift yesterday, I was overwhelmed.

                 

The gift is a Jessie Chorley book and a packet of preprinted patches. The whole package is beautifully presented and all the elements, including the packaging needs to be turned into another very special Stitch Story. I’m not entirely sure what I will create but something to do with friendship seems most appropriate. 

I know, I will get huge pleasure from thinking this through as well as spending time making whatever I come up with. I will, of course, be sharing how this projects develops. I’m beginning to think of the word friendship when I think about my ideas, so - I think I will name the new project Stitch Story : Friendship.

I’ve already read the Jessie Chorley book from cover to cover and am totally with Jessie Chorley and her working ethos. I love her approach and although, her aesthetic, is not necessarily (exactly)my own, I gain huge inspiration from making things from scratch. I need to make all the time, it’s simply a necessary part of my everyday. 

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with more news of the Stitch Story: Miss Mitchell.

Stitch Story Update

Hi Everyone

My first Stitch Story Project is possibly coming to a conclusion for me ? I think, I'm on the last phase. However, each time I have a break in the Project, I come up with another idea ! So, perhaps not. Read back on the blog for lots more chat about this project.

I’ve rearranged my little patches lots of times (these patches decorate the base fabric bag to illustrate my story) and I’m still inspired to make more. I’m running out of space to cover my little bag, so this will stop me creating more.

                         

At the beginning of the project, I had a definite small drawstring bag. My second phase involved deconstructing the bag slightly, removing the original drawstring and adding a ruffle element around the top. This idea has been replaced several times. One idea involved adding a round base at one point. I particularly liked this plan but the bag is small and the round base was tiny. I felt my Story didn’t work in such a tight circle. 

My latest development has involved a complete remake of the bag. I have added a new back piece and a lining (more images tomorrow on this one). My plan is to use the original bag fabric as a complete front section. I will use my patches to cover the whole front of the bag. I’m hoping my Story reads much better in this format. I’d like to keep the idea of a ruffle around the top and I have plans to make handles for the bag. 

I’d like to start placing and stitching the patches in their final positions soon. There are a few additional patches eg a felted patch and an appliqué patch to add but I feel as if this Stitched Story is almost there.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back with a further update with more images, tomorrow.

           

Back to work day

Hi Everyone 

As my blog title suggests, it’s back to work today and I’m starting with fabric stamping. This little project links to the ongoing Stitch Story Project - read back a few weeks for more on the Stitch Story. Today, I’m developing a stand-alone napkin project for a workshop tomorrow. The fabric stamping is the focus of the workshop and Makers can develop specific fabric for their Stitch Story or make a napkin instead. 

I’ve started by producing a 45cm square and turned the edges for hemming with some pretty little coloured, stamped houses? I’m not completely convinced with my initial napkin experiment ? I like the background fabric I’ve chosen and I like the printed images too. However, the point of the stamping is to use the outlines for embroidery and I think they are a little complicated, for embroidery purposes. I had thought about using embroidery on some elements of the image but I’m not sure I can make it work. Im also concerned that I need to make a neat job on the reverse, always a challenge for me ?

                  

I’ve not given up on this design yet ! I’ll have a go at some embroidery, keeping with the colours as per the images. I also like the idea of adding some embroidered lines running through the little houses. I’ve been inspired by something I’ve seen on Pinterest :

               

I especially like the different colours and styles of this stitching. I think I’d like to choose a couple of these stitches to add interest on my napkin, perhaps adding undulating lines around the edge ? I’m not sure how this will turn out ? - I may end up starting again !

Thanks for calling in today.

Holiday Photo Story 5

Hi Everyone

I think, I need to concede - it’s the last day of my very long Easter holiday. I’ve had a lovely time but it’s time to build up to work next week. My last photo story is in fact two photos, both linked to fibre news. The first photo is an update on my Coinneach.

                

I’ve been knitting this cardigan for quite a while but it was slightly ignored because of the Winter Rose Socks (look back earlier this week to see the finished pair). I’ve also had a range of mini disasters with the Coinneach. The sizing caused initial issues, it was much too big at one stage. I also managed to begin the yoke colour work in the wrong colours and missed the pattern completely. In addition, there have been many mistakes with the actual colour work pattern, especially at the beginning when it was a bit difficult to see any repeats. All these issues have meant I’ve not made as much progress as I’d like. I’m now on track, so it’s good news. I can genuinely say, I’m enjoying the project. I love seeing the colours coming together and I’m almost able to envisage the finished cardigan because I’m working up towards the top of the garment. Each row brings me closer to the completed look. I know it’s going to be great. However, I’ve got the ‘steek’ to worry about at some stage ! More about that, nearer the time.

My next photo story is a little something I got for my birthday. It’s a knitting journal from a company called ‘popcorn and crocodile’. 

             

I always get a book for myself on my birthday, so this year, it’s this one. I’m not sure how I’m going to use it yet ? but I will take some time to think about it and come back here to explain. Keep calling in on Fridays for that review.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday.

Holiday Photo Story 4

Hi Everyone

Even though, technically, I’m still on holiday, I’m almost thinking about starting work projects today. Not quite working, just thinking ! Recently, I’ve been experimenting with ideas for different ways of hand printing fabric. This idea is directly linked to the ongoing Stitich Story Project - read back a few weeks for lots of references to this project.

This particular idea will also feature as a Making Workshop which is coming up soon. 

                   

My photo story today is an example of one of my print ideas. I’ve used the little house and heart stamps with a previous experiment and wanted to find a way of creating something which could also take embroidered words and adapt to make a table napkin and possibly a piece of fabric wrap (gift wrap but fabric instead of paper). Each piece of fabric needs to be approximately 45cm square. This is quite a small piece but tricky to produce a neat and precise tiled image print (by hand). I like my sample and feel it can adapt and fulfil my brief. My plan is to go for a few different stamped images in this style.

Thanks for calling in today.

Holiday Photo Story 3

Hi Everyone

I’m finally organised to start spinning ! So, my photo story today is my wheel. I can’t quite believe it’s been so difficult to get back into a regular spinning habit. I love spinning but have allowed other things to take over. I had a great regime of spinning everyday when I first acquired my wheel. However, I’ve decided spinning is important so it’s definitely going to feature more in my life, regularly. 

                

I’m spinning today for an hour or so and will dedicate three more sessions this week. If I organise my sessions at the beginning of each week, at the same time I do my week plan, I’m hopeful I can manage my time better. I’m made aware of the lack of spinning every Friday when I review my fibre week here on the blog and each week, I wonder why there’s no spinning ? It’s simply bad time management. 

However, I’ve decided, spinning is important to me so three times each week it becomes a priority. I have so many new spinning ideas as well as a couple of important projects already underway. My wheel is always accessible, so I can also dip in and out for very short sessions. When I find myself with 10/15mins spare, spinning can benefit. Utilising these extra little sessions, will make me very happy.

Thanks for calling in today.

Holiday Photo Story 2

Hi Everyone

I have a heartwarming photo story (for me) today. Finally, I’ve finished my latest sock project.

                   

I’m still not sure why this project has taken me so long to finish ? I’ve genuinely enjoyed knitting these socks. The pattern, Winter Rose by Helen Stewart, has been a delight. The yarn, Natural Born Dyers in Seapinks colour, is beautiful. 

However, in total, I’ve knitted five whole socks and ripped out parts of the last. I can only put it down to my tight knitting gauge. I have tried to loosen up my gauge along the way and in doing so, I’ve messed up the sizing - several times. I think, I’ve learned lots about knitting lace patterns with my gauge, hopefully my next pair will be a ‘breeze’ !

No matter, I’ve now got my lovely pair of socks. I need to block them but can’t wait to wear them.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back with another photo story tomorrow.

Holiday Photo Story 1

Hi Everyone 

I’m still on my Easter Break this week, great news ! I’m still doing all the general caring/living stuff but my mind is on holiday. Each day,I will share a photo story to sum up the mood or theme of the day.

Today, my photo story is a lovely tub of Springtime Daffodils. 

                     

The tub has been reused from one of my Mothers Day gifts (the original was a lovely Hyacinth bulb). I picked up three little pots of Daffodils from the supermarket last week. They were being sold off very cheaply as leftover/rejects. I repotted the bulbs and added some moss from our garden and fed the bulbs for a day or two. How lovely they look now. The tub is bursting with colour and brightening up the whole room. Lovely.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with an Photo Story.

Easter Stories 5

Hi Everyone 

We are at the end of another week so my photo story today has to be fibre related. It’s been a lovely Easter holiday break this week and one more week to go before we are back to normal working days.

I’ve not done very much in the way of Making projects but I have been busy knitting. Last Friday, I mentioned the problems I was having with my current sock job and the problems have continued. I’m on my 5th version of the socks. The pattern is lovely, the yarn is lovely and I’m enjoying the whole thing. However, sizing has been an issue. I am a very tight knitter and whenever a lace pattern is introduced, I have an issue - especially with lace patterned socks. My feet are average in size but my ankles and lower leg seem to be out of proportion with the rest of my foot and quite ‘chunky’. I’m aware of this and as such, have avoided knitting too many lace patterned socks after several disasters. I decided, early on, that I wanted to conquer the problem, hence lots of versions of the sock.

                     

As you can see, I’ve made a well fitted sock for one foot. I’ve also completed 50% of the final 2nd sock. The gusset is completed and I’ve got the foot to finish. As I’ve made so many versions of the sock (5),I know the pattern well and can knit the lace without thinking too much. Knitting this lovely lace pattern without having to check the pattern all the time, is hugely satisfying and very relaxing.

There will be some of this lovely yarn (Natural Born Dyers - Seapinks) left and Im planning on dying some yarn myself to allow me to use the Seapinks leftover for heels and toes of my next socks. I’m thinking of adding orange tones to ‘speckle pinks’ at the moment. This may change, I’ll experiment in a few days time.

Thanks for calling in. 

I’ll be back next week with more photo story blogs. 

Have a great weekend.

Easter Stories 4

Hi Everyone

I have another photo story today and it’s all about Afternoon Tea, Cream Tea to be precise. This means fruit scones, jam and cream and coffeee (for me, I don’t like tea !). The rest of the family are quite happy to drink tea.

          

Over the last two weeks we have celebrated lots of significant little events and to celebrate we have eaten lots of Cream Teas. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Easter as well as just general family ‘get togethers’. 

I’m not a huge Cream Tea fan but I do like an occasional treat.  I think, I’m Cream Tea’d out now. I’m not sure I want another for a while. However, I have enjoyed all the Cream Teas and especially enjoyed all our family outings.

Thanks for calling in today. Bye for now.

Easter Stories 3

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing another photo story Easter gift today, a sort of replacement egg again. This time, it’s a Body Shop collection of little bottles and a scrunchy. The bottles contain Black Musk body lotion and bubble bath. Lovely and such a treat. Black Musk is one of my favourite Bidy Shop lines, I have the perfume already.

                  

I will look forward to using my alternative Easter Egg this week.

Thanks for calling in today.

Easter Stories 2

Hi Everyone 

My second photo story for the week is all about an Easter Egg Hunt. This little adventure happens every year at Wallington Hall, a National Trust property quite close to our home in Northumberland. We usually take part in an organised trail which results in claiming a chocolate egg. The Hunt is available on each of the Easter Days. Our day was Easter Sunday.

As the boys have grown up we add a walk into the activity. Most of the families taking part have very small children and the clues are very simple, however, our very grown up boys enter into the fun and still enjoy the chocolate eggs. This year there was a new trail involving ‘Bees’. I learned a few new facts myself !

                        

The weather was rather poor, very damp underfoot -  with a potential threat of showers throughout. However, no rain and we had a lovely time.

Thanks for calling in today.

Easter Stories 1

Hi Everyone 

This week, each day I will share a story from my Easter Holiday. We are holidaying at home but hoping to enjoy all the things we usually do while away on holiday. Nothing too exciting, little excursions, gifts, meeting up with friends and family and lots of foody treats.

Today’s story is about one of my Easter gifts. I’m not a chocolate fan ! I don’t mind a small square of chocolate cake with coffee but chocolate eggs (the usual Easter treat) are not my thing. I usually get something to replace the Egg gift while the rest of my family enjoy eating lots of Easter Eggs. My first Easter Egg replacement gift is a lovely bunch of flowers :

                  

Lovely Tulips to brighten the dullest day. It’s actually been snowing today !

Thanks for calling in. I’ll be back with another photo story tomorrow. Bye for now.