It's so hard to say goodbye...

Last night I rocked the baby in the pine chair, nursing him and gently stroking his soft, silky hair. I listened to the rain on the roof. Big drops made a hollow sound as they fell upon the metal of the patio roof.

Leaves rustled in the wind. Puddles formed.

Last night, after putting the baby back to bed, I fell asleep listening to the drip-drop of a small leak in the down pipe and hoped the rain would stay awhile.

This morning the sky was grey, over cast, cloudy. The grass smelt wet and fresh, the air was cool. I pulled on jeans and a cardigan.

I made coffee and ate Anzac biscuits baked last night. I started knitting a tiny scary for a small toy. The baby ate a banana and crawled after the cat with his banana hands sticky and sweet.

Soon, somewhere else, the first lilac will bloom. The first swallow will arrive.

I looked at the sky and bid Winter my farewell and welcomed Spring.

Eye Spy... something soothing.

It occurred to me...

while sitting with my legs up and library book in hand,

that I had found my 'something soothing'.

What's yours?

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'Eye Spy' is brought to you each week by the lovely Cindy.

It is with thanks to the imagination of the Aussie Waffler that we have this weeks theme.

A picnic and a swim...

Yesterday was one of those days where the weather was beautiful, the company was great and a picnic by the water was a fantastic idea.

We strolled alongside the broadwater before a swimming lesson for the babies.

Cohen was asleep by the time we got there, banana smeared on his clothes...

This was his first time in a pool.

He couldn't put his head under the water because he can't get his little ears wet.

He did however decide to taste the water...

Thanks again to the lovely girls and their gorgeous babies for making it such a wonderful day.

My Creative Space...

I have five pages of emails that I have not as yet responded to.

I have a baby who will only fall asleep in my arms.

I have a large pile of laundry waiting for me.

I have a doll quilt swap piece to finish.

And then Frankie arrives in the mail...

Must.finish.things.bofore.reading.magazine...

More creative spaces here.

Not third time lucky...

Take one...

Take two...

Take three...

Three false starts on this shawl.

Fourth time lucky?

Sunday...

It was so warm today that I felt sure Winter had forgotten that her time is not yet over. How to remind her?

Spring it seems has pushed her way to the fore and with her come blooms in our garden.

And while it is wonderful weather to wash the babies clothes (which just get dirtier and dirtier as he gets older!) it does mean I am already missing a few things, summed up wonderfully by Michelle here. I too want more time for scarves and soup, before prickles and flies.

But in the spirit of the weather I donned a Summer dress for my weekly trip to the Farmers Markets.

I love the atmosphere of the markets, the lively and humorous stall holders, the relaxed crowds, the fresh local produce...

and of course the price too. Today my calico bags were filled with bananas, strawberries, parsnips, two lettuces, mushrooms, broccoli, apples, capsicum, celery, onions, potatoes, zucchini and free range jumbo eggs all for $21. Do you go to Farmers Markets?

Road trip...

It's roughly two hours drive from the Gold Coast to Maleny.

Which gives you time to sleep,

or admire the scenery as you drive over the Gateway Motorway and look out over Brisbane City.

Once in Maleny you can admire to amazing landscape and wildlife,

lush colours,

the rolling hills and farms,

the surrounding mountains,

and the Valley.

Or you can just look super cute in a teddy hat and wish your friends a happy house warming,

and congratulate them on their beautiful home in this beautiful place.

The season is changing....

I discovered this yarn several months ago. A soft mix of wool, soya and mohair.

I ran my hand over the neat piles in their shelves.

I wondered what sort of delicate pieces would be made of such a yarn.

I thought of it once more upon finding a crochet pattern for a shawl...

Then balls of yarn lay strewn across the shelves, colours mixed, discarded balls of acrylic and feathery yarn lost from their own shelf.

Fossikers picked over the ruins, baskets laden with their gems.

It was here that each ball metamorphosed from extravagant to possible.

From $6 a ball, on sale for $2 a ball.

Hopefully I will have the beginnings of the shawl to show you soon.

My Creative Space...

Paper + fabric + needle + thread =

More hexagons...

New Mixtape + coffee =

More creative inspiration...

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More creative spaces over at Kirstys.

I love op-shopping...

Exhibit A. Wire rooster egg basket.

Exhibit B. Pale blue English Porcelain bowl.

(The H has since been removed with a gentle hand wash.)

Exhibit C. Unused butter dish.

Exhibit D. Pale yellow bag.

Good reasons to go op-shopping...

Sunday Stash...

Oriental panel, 'Sakura' for Red Rooster Fabrics.

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More stashes over at 1/4 of an inch.

Eye Spy... red.

I remember my Aunt had two Russian Dolls on her lamp table. As a child was absolutely fascinated by them.

Their colours, their faces, their story...

Perhaps Cohen will one day be fascinated by these too?

Perhaps I will tell him the story of how I was ill in Prague and Daddy snuck off to the markets to surprise me with these...

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Thanks to Ellieboo for these weeks theme and the lovely Cindy for the Eye Spy meme.

Join in over here.

Inspiration...

I missed the 'Eye Spy Inspiration' post, what with the death of our computer, but I have been thinking about it.

I must say that in terms of my crafty pursuits my Mother has been the major inspiration, as she is a dress-making, quilting, crocheting goddess.

Also on the list of inspirational crafters would be Christina of 'The Sometimes Crafter', quilting extraordinaire. It never fails to amaze me how much craft Christina fits into her days, especially given that she has a gorgeous distraction, little blue eyed Brice.

Today I was inspired to cut and assemble this quilt top for Cohen, using the aforementioned (Sunday Stash) 'Paint by Number' fabrics by Erin Michael in simple 8.5 inch strips.

Had it not been for the generosity of Christina and her friend Liz I would not have had enough fabric to complete the single bed top.

As you can see Cohen was rather intrigued....

PS. I swear I did not move the baby into any of these shots. It seems rather that if you are looking at something, or taking a photo of something, Cohen is curious as a cat...