It has been very mild (but very wet) in my part of the world. Looking outside, one could be fooled into thinking that spring is very close.
Pair of Blue Tits seemed to have already claimed a nesting box in our garden, and there are another signs that nature just can't wait to burst into spring.
Spending lots of time indoors, I decided to tidy my work room (again, from which you can tell I am bored,
although I have been reading a lot);
that is when you come across past projects hidden somewhere in the corner,
like this Crewel embroidery, long forgotten.
It is a welcome break from crochet and quilts.
Back to my quilt project ( "Cherry Picker's Garden")
shown in my last post:
I have now finished the last two 10 inch blocks,
it is time to choose border fabrics.
I am still trying to use my stash.
The final green border is actually much nicer colour in reality,
and it was the inspiration for this quilt.
So, back to Crojo Retro blanket.
I have now joined all the parts together, but because the flowers and leaves are different shapes, you can see what the problem is now - big gaps!
The solution to that are more flowers, small ones this time.
Many of them!
Yes, it will take some time to fill in all those holes!
-------------------------
As I do every winter, I made some orange marmalade,
enough to last us until next year.
But this year I have also come across Bergamot lemons, not seen normally in our local supermarkets.
They are very small and actually look more like very small satsumas.
Apparently used often for preserved lemons, so having only 4 of them, I experimented:
one small jar of preserved lemons,
and the rest to make lemon marmalade.
I made this marmalade before, using supermarket unwaxed lemons,
so I knew we would like it.
The recipe
( which includes a spring of rosemary - yes, it does work)
comes from this book.
Of course, the result was a very small yield, just one jar!
But it was worth the effort, it is very nice.
I have managed too buy some more Bergamot lemons,
so I will make some more,
and mixing them with normal lemons will surely work
and will make a larger quantity.
So, that's me for now.
I hope all is well with all of you. I haven't been very good blogger again - life just gets in the way,
I am sure you know what I mean.
Life does get in the way unfortunately and you are not alone. I'm trying hard to do at least one post a week but it is difficult when there is a lot going on. Love the photos of both the plants and your projects . I really like the crewel work you have rediscovered. I also realised reading your post that I haven't made any marmalade this year. I need to try and make time to do some.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like spring is settling in, in your garden, Radka. How exciting to see the flowers beginning to bloom. The crewel embroidery piece is gorgeous and as for the retro blanket, one can never have too many pretty flowers filling the "holes".
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to see a few bits of colour coming through in the garden. Your crewel work looks interesting, looks like you have a way to go. Your blanket looks lovely - good luck with all those little flowers! Where did you find the lemons? I found some Seville oranges for marmalade and made a few jars. Everywhere is so saturated isn't it - so squelchy, and more rain to come this week. xx
ReplyDeleteYour Spring photos give me some hope that Spring will one day reach us up here too! The dark background makes you tiny crochet flower pop out like a fairy light.
ReplyDeleteKrásně se u vás blíží jaro. Obdivuji Tvou pečlivou ručí práci. Posílám pozdrav za moře. Marie
ReplyDeleteDekuji za navstevu!
DeleteI may made many different jellies & marmalade s before but never lemon , beautiful progress on the quilt & blanket
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks beautiful. LOVE marmalade! Your crewel work is lovely and your crochet is gorgeous 😍
ReplyDeleteI also like to take breaks from blogging, it's tiring to always keep up with it and because so many nice things are happening or being done anyway, only a small part gets into the blog... I love reading positive blog posts. A hug to you... your crochet blanket is amazing and the colorful flowers you knit are just to die for...
ReplyDeleteyes, dream of spring - it's not far away.
Many greetings from Viola - I'm always happy to stop by and see you.
...p.s. I love homemade jam... for me it starts when the rhubarb is ripe and continues with the strawberries freshly picked from the field :-)) I've never tried lemon, it's definitely very tasty, I tink :-)))
Lovely photos and lovely quilt! Wow! Great work...
ReplyDeleteHave a happy Sunday & take care!
Titti
Hallo Radka.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to see photos from the Spring in your garden.
I hope the rest of the snow will go away in all the wet weather we have.
Orange marmelade is very tasty, but l have never did it myself.
Your stitchery/quilt and retro blanket are beautiful. Smart with all the small flowers at the blanket - you will never regret.
have you made a decision for the final border? l would take the green, it will be perfect.
Love from Turid
We do not get any type of bloom in February where I live. We often don't see much until May or later. I do love the signs of spring. Long winters get a little low if it were not for sewing projects.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of preserving lemons, but why not.
Your embroidery work is very detailed.
Loving your retro blanket so much ! I have some dahlias in my garden which look just like the flowers on your blanket . Ooh it's gorgeous ! Love Debbie 💐x
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, sorry for such a late reply, just catching up with my blog. Thank you and welcome to my blog!
Delete