Sunsets and upsets...

The sun at this time of year is weak, there are no rays of warmth to bask in, the ice on the ground remains all day as the strength in the suns brightness is just not strong enough to melt it all away. When you awake and throw open your curtains and your morning greeting is the sight of a pink and orange sky with jet stripes, when you get out in the fresh air and you walk with the crunch under foot, I think the lack of warmth can be forgiven and replaced with many layers of hand knitted sweaters, hats, scarfs and even mittens, only to return home to a warm and cosy home, light up the cooker, get the water boiling and indulge in some hot chocolate and marshmallows...oh the January diet!!!
Yes indeed, the weather has been sunny and crisp under foot so the Dotty Red family have been out and about enjoying the break from the rain. The rhythm of family life continues even though life keeps throwing those curved balls at us. Whilst the orders are quiet at this time of year I am busy upping my stock.
Its funny back in September when the sun was shining and the beach called, I found it very hard to work on Christmas goodies, all that red, green and gold. Yet here I am in the depth of winter, snow threatening to fall any day now on the moors and the fabric I am holding is beach huts, sailing boats and bunting, bright and light colours.
No I find no difficulty thinking about my spring and summer collection, even if I hand sew by the fire in the evening when the little ones sleep off their days business. When I cut out patterns on the table in the kitchen to get the warmth from the soup cooking on the hob in the day, or even sit in my sewing room next to the heater, which saves me putting the heating on throughout the day and warming my hands up on hot mugs of spiced tea just to keep my hands able to move...
...my head swims with ideas, of fish, boats, little houses, caravans and or course bunting!
Ah...did I tell you I treated myself this Christmas to a little pile of felt from the lovely Sarah at Paper and String. Just in case I managed to get a few moments to myself over the busy holiday to have a play, just for fun, just for me. So when it all got a bit frantic, a bit too emotional, I snook into my room and shut the door, threaded up Chloe (my sewing machine) in some black thread and changed over my needle and foot then I played...
I made houses, boxes, glasses cases (cases all sold over December) key rings and my completely new venture... bookmarks.
Due to the amount of books I have this is something that I can not understand why I have not made some sooner, I was given a bookmark years ago, you know one of the laminated ones with this design drawn (without the flowers) so I used it for my inspiration. One is being used and it marks my place in my storybook right here next to me now.
Oh and books, I have got some fabulous books over the holidays, brimming with ideas and lots of lovely pictures. I was also lucky enough to get a years subscription to the amazing Mollie Makes magazine. This makes me very happy indeed.
Of course with the decorations down now the house looks a little empty (surly not possible here) but this lovely vase of tulips is brightening my day and helping me hold on to the thought that spring is on its way so when those upsets and curve balls come my way, I can feel the inner glow that reminds me that its the simple things in life that matter...