Before the storm

I took my new Red Bear, Ralph, outside for a little bit.

I wanted to sit with the birds before another winter storm came in.

I spent an hour listening to the birds, reading my book and thinking about my next hand sewing.

When we came home from our afternoon walk
 I saw my first Crocus in bloom.

The herald of Spring in my gardens.

I finished another collar last night.
I had a tiny bit of shaping left to do this afternoon.

These look so nice with sweaters.
They are knitted wool scarves that I felted.

I used large coat buttons I found
 in my Grandmother's button box.

I put down my book
and needles.

I sat with Crocus.

I watched as she
 closed her petals for the night.

Hearts and Bears

Ruddy

and Rita

are Red Bears.

Ruddy and rose scented hearts
are sitting with Ann, my first little bear.

I shall continue to make
 hearts and bears.

I also am cutting out Red Dresses
from my red wool scraps.
I think I will sew up some cards!

Bears

I have fallen in love with the Teddy Bear.

I made a pattern and cut a Bear out of an old felted wool sweater.

In the evenings I am stiching Bear by hand.

Her body is finished and ready for stuffing.

I chose two buttons my Great Grandmother made for Bear's eyes.

Tonight I will begin making Bear's face.
I will give her a nose and a mouth.

I will sew up her ears.

She already has a heart.

I have requested a few books from the library.
 I need the patterns.

Learning to make stuffed animals
is very fun.

Right now I am head over heels in love with Bears.
As soon as she is finished I will take photographs.
I hope to make many Bears from old felted wool sweaters.
I do not mind Winter any more.
 It is Bear season.

Candlemass

The blizzard has moved east.

We received 12.3 inches of snow.

It is bitterly cold but it is sunny.

The forced bulbs bring cheer to the living room.
I am so glad I did pots of them for February flowers.

I checked on the birds first thing this morning.

They were fine.

We have had hundreds of birds at the feeders.
They are good at waiting their turn.

I think the birds are beautiful.

The groundhog saw his shadow
at my house.

I shall wait for Spring.

I made candles this morning
with the left over pieces of candle wax

I have saved this past year.

I am always making something.
My kitty pillow I made many years ago
from some pretty rose chintz a friend gave me.

I brought up the dress my Mother made for me
when I was 13 years old.
She painted roses on it.
I treasure her talent.