Flowers to Inspire

Are you tired of Winter?

Here are some inspiring images to remind you that Spring is coming!

These orchids were photographed at a garden center.

Image of one of my paintings: This is a photo of my climbing roses:

Tiny purple flowers from my rock garden last Spring. (I believe they are called phlox).

Take care!

Elephant Hat

My friend at work asked me if I could knit an elephant hat for her 2 and 1/2 year old son. After searching for a pattern, I noticed that most of the patterns online had a type of "carrot nose" trunk and ears that looked like a monkey or bear.

• First I knit a basic child's hat using bulky superwash merino yarn. Then in deciding how to make the trunk, I bunched the hat in the center, stitched and stuffed it with pillow stuffing.



• For the ears, I looked at elephant photos and cut them from a boiled wool sweater that I had felted. I then sewed them by hand onto the hat using grey yarn. They are stiffer and more "elephant-like."



• The tusks and eyes were crocheted and sewn onto the hat, the tail is wrapped with yarn, and the tuft of hair on top is a few yarn pieces tied in the center.

The hat fits the little boy and he was very happy. He's a bit taller than the average 2 and 1/2 year old, so even though it is a longer hat from top to bottom, my friend folded the ribbing and it fits perfectly. He can probably wear it next year too.

Thank you for visiting.

Extended Christmas

Dear All,

Christmas came so quickly this year! I decided to add some photos of my ornaments and decorations to extend it a bit longer.

Some antique Christmas ornaments (above and below). The next one rocks like a rocking horse.

Another Swedish/Norwegian ornament. It bends and can be shaped anyway you like! It also has little clay clogs. So cute. I've been displaying him for 28 years!

Norwegian woven wheat star ornament.

A Swiss angel on a chocolate base.

Window display in my small town.

Merry Christmas!

Frohlich Weinachten!

Joyeux Noel!