March came in like a lion, with heavy storms on March 3rd. which knocked out my power and broke several tree limbs in the yard. Unfortunately, it also blew off all the beautiful white blossoms from my tree in the front yard.
It did pass rather quickly, and I am now in full spring mode. There were lots of reasons to celebrate, especially St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. Several friends and I went to a nearby brewery, which is named to honor our local Blue Ghost fireflies. They are visible every summer on the Blue Ridge Parkway and certain places in DuPont National Forest. Many years ago we took a night tour with Park rangers to see that rare occurrence. They truly are blue!
Back to the brewery. We tasted Sheppard’s pie and Corned beef and cabbage from a local food truck and enjoyed some Irish music, performed by one of the regular bands. They also had a special IPO green beer, served in souvenir glasses with Irish lyrics on them. It was a fun celebration!
The following week I went to my favorite nature spot, the Biltmore Estate, to enjoy the Festival of Flowers. The tulips were at their prime and I can tell that the azaleas are getting ready to bloom. This was enough inspiration for me to clean away the fir greenery (harvested from my Christmas tree) from their copper containers by my front door. I replaced them with Gerber daisies and various sizes of pansies in shades of yellow, gold, orange and red. Not my usual spring colors, but they are different and work well together.
In the studio I was inspired to continue with my baby projects. Two of the five baby sweaters from last month will be displayed at the Appalachian Cultural Center in Washington DC, starting this summer and throughout next spring. Another rose and white design is now in the Gallery at the Folk Art Center in my baby corner, along with egg rattles, Baby Bottom Bundles, and my Victorian Playballs.
With Easter coming up I saw lots of bunny images and was inspired to create a bunny couple from some lovely beige suede I purchased last fall. Lulubelle was born first, and she looked lonely; I decided to made Leroy to keep her company. After refreshing the baby corner in the Gallery, my inventory of Playballs was getting low as well, so made several new ones in different sizes.
A few days ago, I read an article that in ancient Peru textiles were more valuable than precious metals. These days we can enjoy both! And how lucky we are to have such beautiful materials available to us to create our own designs. Like the soft suede material, which was originally set aside for something wearable, but turned out to be perfect for my bunnies!
This week I am excited to prepare for my next teaching gig – Crochet Secrets: From original Design to your Finishing Touches. This will take place from April 30 to May 5 at one of my favorite places, JC Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC.
My agenda for that week include: Adaption of other patterns, designing your own, hips up and side to side vertical designs, easy sleeves that fit, designing in the Round, Squares, to block or not to block and how? Finishing details and embellishments for a perfect finish.
Teaching there never feels like work; the location, accommodations, food and evening activities are always so special that I feel like I am on vacation with crochet friends! Spaces are still available, so check out their catalog or register at folkschool.org.
I can’t wait to see imagination and ideas come to life during that exciting week!
For now, I leave you with a lovely poem:
In what season do you rejoice?
Of the Four, which is your choice?
One makes you dance the Highland Fling,
It’s me of course, it’s Spring!
I hope Mother Nature gives you beauty wherever you are.
Rejoyce and be inspired. Happy Spring!
“I do what I love and I love what I do.”
New in the Studio:
Lulubelle and Leroy are ready for Easter!
Victorian Playballs
Feel free to let me know if you are interested in any of these designs.
Happy Easter!