These springtime-fresh and dainty blossoms appealed to me on another blustery cold day in Norway.
The children keep asking what it will look like when all of the tulip bulbs they planted last fall come into bloom. Then I talked to mom yesterday and she tells me of looking at her hellibore and how it is growing and doing well. Mine is so very well covered with a thick layer of snow, but will be a most welcome sight when the time comes.
Another treat came in the mail to brighten my day even more. Isn't it wonderful how little gifts can appear when you need them most? This prettily quilled card really brightened my day! Simone sent me this card, above, and the button bookmark pictured below.
Simone, thank you so much! Blogging is incredible. Simone won my last giveaway and she wrote me the card telling me what a thrill it was to win, especially since it was the first time. How delightful it was that she would take the time to let me know and thereby spreading even more joy, because that really made me happy to know how much she appreciated it. Maybe you would like to see a bit of the Japanese book, Story Quilt? You can find it here on Amazon.co.jp with ISBN 4391133318 or 9784391133318.
I have never seen anything quite like these small appliquèd stories.
The author imagines children in every imaginable type of play, sometimes simply and other times with painstaking details.
I adore this little scene. I like how she has kept the faces so simple, but uses so many textures in her fabric selections.
There aren't detailed instructions for each figure, but she does step by step instructions for a couple of her figures.
The book seems like it will be a great source of inspiration. I hope this was a little treat for you?
We have a wonderful week now ahead of us. My two little cherubs have winter vacation and my husband is going to have a couple of days off to enjoy it with us! We certainly have a winter wonderland to ice skate, sled and ski in!
Beautiful little flowers. I love the book, I've seen the exterior before. Thanks for the peak inside, it is a wonderful as I imagined. It minds me of the style of Janet Bolton. Very inspiring.
Posted by: Cele | February 21, 2010 at 08:20 PM
What a fabulous book!!
enjoy the flowers, they are beautiful.
Posted by: heleen | February 21, 2010 at 08:32 PM
What a wonderful book! And the flowers!
Posted by: Petra | February 21, 2010 at 08:35 PM
so beautiful. We are eagerly awaiting spring here!
Posted by: joy | February 21, 2010 at 11:10 PM
The book is beautiful and you made me remember the tulips and påskeliljer we planted last fall. Seems like spring is far away right now with all the snow we had...but sooner or later the flowers will pop up :-)
Posted by: Anne Marie | February 21, 2010 at 11:46 PM
thanks for the treats. such lovely little treasures.
www.frescocreative.com.au
Posted by: Louise | February 22, 2010 at 01:09 AM
Love the look of that book. And the child wearing the hat and scarf, so cute. Hope you have a great week. :)
Posted by: Christina | February 22, 2010 at 01:55 AM
Lovely book and flowers...I can't wait to see my Helibore too!
Posted by: Faith | February 22, 2010 at 02:16 AM
what a beautiful book, such inspiration. we're heading into autumn here so knitting and quilting can start.
Posted by: pen | February 22, 2010 at 03:25 AM
What a great book. I'll be adding that to my "want" list. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: gretchen/juneatnoon | February 22, 2010 at 03:40 AM
I love blogland for the unexpected acts of kindness too! The book is really lovely. It is a cold, wet and windy day here in the UK too. Still- good for sewing in the warm.
Posted by: Christine | February 22, 2010 at 08:57 AM
That book looks divine. What a great way to use all your unusual scraps.
Posted by: Kristine | February 22, 2010 at 11:51 AM
what a great book!
Posted by: jude | February 22, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Wow! What a beautiful book.
Posted by: Fiona | February 22, 2010 at 02:40 PM
Love that book! And I'm so looking forward to the spring flowers but the cold has hit here again but hopefully for the last time this year!
Posted by: Julie | February 22, 2010 at 03:25 PM
Wow! That book looks amazing. It would be so pretty just to make a little applique figure and frame it.
Posted by: Whistlepea | February 22, 2010 at 05:01 PM
I can't believe that book, what a treat! It inspires me to keep appliquéing. The results can be so beautiful. Thanks for sharing. You're the best!
Posted by: theartisthouse | February 22, 2010 at 10:32 PM
I was browsing around Flickr and came across your group.. haven't been active there so decided to visit your blog. Long time no see!
Those dainty blooms are so pretty. I'm dreaming of spring but we're getting more and more snow. Hard to believe it should be gone in a couple of months... Be well Emily!
Posted by: karuski | February 24, 2010 at 01:36 AM
Gorgeous pretty treats! I adore those lovely flowers. :) Oh my that card is really beautiful and look at that book! So inspirational...i will need to check it out at my favorite bookshop! Thanks so much for sharing your treats with us sweet sweet Emily! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
p/s: wishing you a paws-perity year of the tiger! Happy chinese new year!
Posted by: Jacqueline | February 24, 2010 at 02:59 AM
oh that book looks fabulous!! you find all the good Japanese stuff!!!
I have another book to recommend to you... it's illustrated with "A stunning collection of embroidered panels..." called....MEMORIES OF SURVIVAL by Ester Nisenthal Krinitz and Bernice Steinhardt. I bought mine used from Better World books..(only 4 dollars per book for international delivery)
Posted by: jan in nagasaki | February 24, 2010 at 04:16 AM
those flowers are so beautiful! and that book....wow!
Posted by: katie | February 24, 2010 at 07:41 PM
Wonderful post. I love all the pics in this one .. the flowers, the bookmark, ...
And the book looks amazing.
Posted by: baahar | March 17, 2010 at 11:52 PM
that book is an absolute delight!!
Posted by: maisy | March 30, 2010 at 10:31 PM