Last weekend here marked the (official) start to spring, and
there are bursting buds, bright blossoms and beautiful bulbs everywhere I look.
These golden beauties are on the verge alongside the footpath in Sherbrooke - our favourite walk.
Hubby and I took a trip out to a local lavender farm with the excuse (on my part) to buy some dried buds. But honestly, it was such a pretty day, that no excuse was needed to take a drive up and over the mountain.
It's a month too early for the lavender field to be in full bloom, but I was happy to find one row flowering, with bees busily buzzing among the scented bushes.
It was hard to get a clear close up image, as the wind tickled the spikes amid a blur of bees. But here, one Mr. Beezly graciously posed long enough to be captured.
We ordered a pot of home made lavender tea under the old pepper tree. The liquid ambrosia, best taken black to appreciate the subtle, yet undeniable flavour.
Then, we ambled for a while and chatted away on this lazy day, as I snapped some images around the property.
Next month, we'll return to experience the haze of soft purple hues as these wonderful plants put on a show.
This Saturday is going to be a big one.
A three event day.
It will be my dear hubby's birthday. And, it'll be a very early start - the poor man has, once again, been roped into being by my side for the first of the large Spring Craft Markets.
Our son has promised him a couple of beers and a meal at our lovely local pub at the other end of the day. So, that should give him something to look forward to as we drive in the pre-dawn darkness to our destination, unload, set up, mingle, chat with, and sell to, our customers.
Then, break it all down again and drive back home.
I'm eternally grateful for hubby's help on market days. He's now a wiz at wrapping and packaging too :)
These markets herald a, "full steam ahead" for me from now on until Christmas and beyond into the new year, when many holiday makers come to the area, all in holiday and (hopefully) spending mode.
Saturday is also the day of the Australian Federal Election. Ugh. I don't think anyone I've spoken to is excited about it. There's not much confidence with either party, nor does anyone seem very clear on which to vote for.
What a mess. And, I won't go into the arduous political hoopla on here. But, we must do our duty, as it is compulsory to vote here in Australia.
So, we'll toddle off to the local polling place once we're back from the markets in the afternoon and be the up-standing citizens we're meant to be ;)
On a much nicer note, I want to thank you all for your good wishes that the latest glaze firing went successfully, after the previous non-event.
And, it did! I have a lovely batch of clocks, incense holders, jewellery and ornaments to grace my stall. Phew! :)
Not to mention, I now have a small assortment of lavender bags and sachets to trial as well.
It has been the loveliest of tasks, creating them. The past few days, I've been entranced by an array of soft textures and the gentle humming of my machine, as I sewed away contentedly.
The bags and most of the sachets are made from the beautiful natural European flax linen that I wrote about a few posts ago. And some are made from a small stash of dyed linen remnants from England that I've been keeping, "for just the right project".
Tiny textile scraps and many, many snippets of cotton threads from fringed edges, strewn all over the floor.
Creative chaos in action :)
And, the aroma, oh! What a joy it's been, working in a cloud of lavender.
A tiny crystal rainbow kisses the tip of a dragonfly's wing.
There is a clay connection too - clay gift tags. Made with a smooth reverse, so that a personal message can be written in an artline or gel pen. Sweet little keepsakes from a loved one.
So, what do you think?
I would appreciate your creative, constructive comments on how I can improve them.
How do you feel about the natural jute twine as ties for the bags?
I considered ribbon, but wanted to keep a more "rustic", handmade feel to them. It somehow seems more suited to the homespun textures.
I welcome your thoughts and will keep them in mind when I make more in the coming weeks.
I wish I could magically send the scented goodness through the computer to you, it really is divine and very soothing.
Now, I have the perfect source to return to whenever I'm feeling, "manic market induced stress".
I think this sums it up...
Ahhh, relax, breathe and carry on.
♥
