The Subtle Shift

Did you feel the subtle shift this weekend? We did in our small part of the world. When one season seems to ease into another. Focus moves. In reality, it is shifting all the time, of course, but there are moments throughout the year, that just seem marginally more momentous than the rest.  The inertia of hibernation being replaced with the yearning to see something grow, is one for me.

I’m talking seedlings breaking through the surface of the soil. Or at least the thought of seeing that process again, as we have none yet. The excitement of a tray of cucumber seeds erupting through a layer of compost. Like the slowest fireworks known to man. Leaving clumps of earth, like boulders, in its wake. Not to mention, looking forward to bringing homegrown food in from the garden for our meals, once again. Yum.

Some years, I am slower to remember and feel no urge to pull out my seed box and plan. Maybe it’s colder. Maybe it’s the thought of fighting my way through the shed to trowels and pots. Moving boxes and pots covered in cobwebs and evidence of other wildlife. Chewed cardboard where a mouse has procured nest material.

Not this year. My new recycled potting shed is still my favourite handmade project from last year. I looked in, at the weekend, and my potting bench was set up and ready for use. No shifting things out of the way to get to it, or searching for the equipment. It was all there. On shelves. Ready for use. And not a mouse in sight.

Soil? Check. Seeds? Check. Pots (of the right size)? Check. Job done.

I now have two pots of tomato seeds sitting on a windowsill. A small start you may think, but the first step nonetheless, and that is important. To help even more, I’ve written a list of seeds to buy, but otherwise, I am set up for the growing season. That was easy. I keep wondering what I have forgotten.

With the shift of seasons, it does mean that I’ll be outside increasingly. Sewing time replaced by exploring and gardening. It makes my latest sewing project seem more urgent to finish.

This weekend, I’ve been squeezing in every possible moment to churn out another patchwork star. My sewing room is away from the rest of the house and family, so I used the end of the kitchen table as my makeshift making area. It’s warmer too. My stars are pinned on an old quilt, which I’ve pegged to the back door curtain. Much easier to see how my scrappy quilt is developing.

I’ve been playing with the arrangement. Current thinking is that I’ll use a solid red inbetween and I need more stars. My original pincushion has grown beyond recognition.

I’m finding the process of this quilt interesting. Usually, I use the english paper piecing method. My first quilt took years to cut out and sew. Mainly due to it sitting in a bag for long periods, as there is only so long I can hand sew.

This time, it’s growing fast. I can see the progress and glimpses of the end product. I can imagine the quilt in use, in the near future. That notion alone keeps me going and looking for moments to create yet another crazy fabric star.

So the garden may be calling, but the quilt is yelling too. Even louder, but that will change. I can see that the balance will shift and I will find myself out more than in.

The race is now on. Will I finish the quilt before my finger nails are permanently clogged in earth again and wellies could be mistaken for my favourite footwear? We’ll see.

Hope you all had a good weekend. What did you get up to?

Linking up to Keep Calm Craft On link up


11 comments

    1. I hope you get your space in the next house. My sewing room has an area set aside for pinning up quilts,etc. which is so much easier. I can leave it up and the lighting works better, but it was nice spending being with the rest of the family, this weekend.

  1. Wow, this is going to turn out to be an incredible quilt. I’ve only ever done diamonds using EPP. Piecing them on your gorgeous sewing machine is going to make one speedy quilt!

    1. I was in the same position, before I started this quilt. Not much machine piecing experience of more than squares. I am enjoying the novelty of it coming together so quickly.

  2. Looks like you are having hints of Spring!
    The snowdrops are beautiful…my Sis has been searching for them, but has seen none in the Midlands yet.
    We still have feet of snow and ice and the temp was 4f this Morning….brrr…. but it is getting lighter and the days are getting noticeably longer
    Love the quilt ..it’s going to be beautiful!

    1. Thanks, Val. We have snowdrops in the hedgerows. Good display this year. I’m sure it won’t be long until the Midlands start spotting them too. Not much snow here this year. Just a flutter, so have to admit to being a tad envious of your snow. Good to feel the longer days.

  3. That is going to be a beautiful quilt. So pleased to find your blog. You have a lovely cosy, personable way of writing and your blog is a beautiful place to visit. Will vist again no doubt 🙂 Wow a craft room – how wonderful! And I love your potting shed all set up and ready to go! Yes the garden is calling, but I am also trying to finish some sewing projects whilst winter is still here. Best Wishes

    1. Thanks Anna! I’m glad you visited. It is a race, isn’t it? I sometimes need that kind of pressure to get more done.

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