Snowdrop walks, Slow-burn Projects and Seasonal Fairies - A Gentle Start to the Year

A seasonal studio update featuring handmade Valentine fairies, works-in-progress and creative inspiration from winter walks and exhibitions. A quiet, reflective, first blog of the year, as spring approaches.

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The first few weeks of the year really seem to have flown past once again, despite falling during the darkest, deepest part of winter. The constant rain seemed to give rise to an even greater urge to hibernate this year, but after an exceptionally busy festive period, some quieter days - and a few more attempts at some early nights - have actually been very welcome.

I've enjoyed the few bright days when the skies did clear, and especially our walks out to admire the snowdrops that always inspire that sense of the new year really beginning. The snowdrop fairies that I've made over several years always felt like a special annual ritual to mark the start of the year.

This year, other family events and milestone birthdays meant having a pause - however, I did manage to finish these delightful 'Valentine's Fairies' that I actually started working on at the end of last year. I love their felted puff-sleeves and stripy legs, and couldn't resist the pink & red colour combo! They are about 20-22cm in height, and have wide, expansive wings, and are adorned with hand-felted hearts and hand-sewn red-velvet bows. They were a joy to create, and went off to the Museum in the Park a couple of weeks ago...

Continuing February's theme of warmth, love-hearts and playfulness - I experimented with making some needle-felted pictures in small colourful embroidery frames... it didn't quite go to plan at first, as the pre-felt that I used to work into was a little thick for these particular frames. I found a work-around however, with this little fluttering heart by sitting the picture on top of the frame, secured to some stretched fabric underneath... it ended up being a cute addition to our seasonal decorations, along with a vase of bright, cheering daffodils.

This time last year, I also started the project below, which was a craft-kit, gifted to me at Christmas. It is to make a latch-hook cushion cover, with a bright, fresh botanical design. It is still not finished, but has definitely made progress - I would say I'm over two thirds of the way there - and I'm just so enjoying having a slow-burn, no-time-frame project on the go. It's really soothing to work on something that takes it's own time, when in all other areas of life, I'm keeping up with schedules and time deadlines... I would love to have it ready this spring... but on the other hand, it will be done when it's done, and that's OK too :-)

And, after a winter of endless bugs and viruses. I've really been trying to have a rest this half-term and enjoy catching up with friends, as well as a few planned 'no-plan' days amidst the outings and meetups.

We were lucky enough to secure tickets for the Marie Antoinette Style exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and came away inspired, uplifted — enchanted, even. Seeing so many exquisite garments and jewellery owned and worn by Marie Antoinette at such close range felt surprising and almost magical — at once theatrical, whimsical and unmistakably sophisticated in their detail and craftsmanship.

There was also something undeniably fairytale-like in the shapes and silhouettes, the richness of the fabrics and colour palettes, and the intricate adornments and embellishments — yet all of it grounded in extraordinary artistry and historical precision. I loved that my daughter could glimpse the enduring creative influence of such an iconic figure, more than 250 years later.

Pictures taken at the Marie Antionette Style exhibition at the V & A, London this February.

And now as the light slowly returns and the days get slightly longer and lighter, I'm hoping that natural energy levels gently awaken, and I'm looking forward to the inevitable unexpected adventures that each spring brings as we get out and about more.

I'll start working on fairies again soon - most likely flower fairies for the spring and summer with many impressions, colours and ideas already coming to mind. It can be tempting at this quieter time of the year to feel the pull to start rushing into making and being productive again (the autumn is always so busy!) - but it's so good, essential even, to have some downtime, in order for ideas to percolate and renewed creative energy unfold.

I hope you have had a good start to the year yourself, and are also able to emerge from the winter months feeling rested and ready to go again... and with spring on the horizon, ideas for new flower fairies already forming - inspired by colour, movement and the returning light - I’m looking forward to sharing them as the season unfolds. ♥

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