As the old song says ‘There may be trouble ahead….’ and it’s true that there are many things to unsettle our everyday lives and thoughts at the moment. A war many miles away can impact us here at home too. At such times I find there is comfort to be found in being in nature; just a quiet walk in fresh air and sunshine, focussing on the sounds and signs of spring all around us can help to still our innermost fears. Today I am planting a small patch of seed potatoes, each with their little...

Turning over the calendar page this morning feels like the end of winter! The ever-changing picture, the window to this room, is now full of signs of spring!  Bobbing daffodils, pale green shoots along the weeping willow fronds and pairs of canoodling pigeons. Stepping outside in the morning I am greeted by a rather shouty song thrush, who never stops singing! (Not as melodic as the blackbird, but he comes later).   Of course there will be plenty of cold days, gales and rain to come, frosts,...

February-Fill-Dyke a poem by William Burton beautifully describes what it’s like here at the moment, out on the Lincolnshire marshes. It has been very cold with a raw easterly wind and days of rain. This has driven me to spend more time beside the fire sewing, resulting in three new card designs: Firstly ‘Little Black Cat’ made with a pretty floral fabric by May Morris who was a talented embroiderer and designer, daughter of William Morris. Secondly ‘Sing a Rainbow!’ a bright posy based on my...