Spring has Sprung

What an original blog title...

But it's true, the weather is reflecting my good mood. I have finished for the term - a stressful end, if ever there was one - and now I am home and enjoying a proper Sunday.

This was me at the end of term, I had my 24 hour translation to do so I made my work space as clear and productive as possible. The tulips and daffodils (inspired by my little sister) really helped. So did the Milka..

When the 24 hour translation was finished I had one more trip to town to make in order to hand in the paper version, and do my last errands before packing to come home. Despite the grey skies, I was in a very good mood, so I made my own blue skies. I got these sunglasses a while ago from eBay because I had a mad Janis Joplin moment, listened to her greatest hits album, and got a pair of these for £2.99.

Once packed, all that was left was for me to have a restless night's sleep (I don't sleep well when I have an early start.. like 05:30 yuck); then travel home for EIGHT HOURS the next day. The largest chunk of my journey was pleasant: a train from Durham straight down to London and first class no less - it was cheaper, when I booked, to go first! My friend Will lent me a book called 'Bonjour Tristesse' and I spent most of my 8 hours reading that or sleeping. It is a fantastic read so far, I highly recommend it.

Yes! I have started knitting again! I knitted this heart and sewed it onto the front of a card for a friend to wish them a happy Easter break. I forgot to take a photo of the finished heart, or the card, but I have one of it half-way there. My slippers are from Miffy's shop a couple of winters ago, the make is Haflinger and they do loads of these designs that go across both feet.
 Home! This is actually a photo that my brother took and sent to me, I love it so much. This is Ruby and she is such a queer sometimes. Wouldn't have her any other way though.

 This morning I had my first proper Sunday in ... 10 weeks to be precise (it has felt like a long term...). The dogs came and lay ontop of me in bed this morning and after a bit of fidgeting I took them for a walk. We went down to the beach nearest my house - living on a small island means there are lots of beaches - and we were only out for half an hour, but when we got home I played with them in the garden for a bit too. Our garden is looking the best it has ever looked this spring. I love these daffs around the base of the old apple tree..

And I love these pink flowers - I don't know their name.. I'm no horticulturist - underneath this romantic bench. We never sit on it, so why not make it a feature?

Looking at this photo has made me realise we (or perhaps just I) need to fill the bird feeders...

Knitspiration #5

 

The title of this post should be sung to the tune of Vonda Shepard's "Sweet Inspiration" (changing the word 'sweet' for 'Swedish'), I have provided a link for those unfamiliar with this song:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TVQB7oOsJ0

It has been a whole month since I last blogged, this Masters seems to have gotten in the way lately. Today I have assigned some time specifically for this blog, so sit back and enjoy the following Knitspiration post, which is a mixture of Christmassy, Swedish, colours and a pug.

 

 
I love these Swedish colours, they're a bit Christmassy, and they look very snug for this cold snap. I think it's the fact these colours are quite soft, and not bright like a lot of things in fashion lately. I love fashion, don't get me wrong, but I'm starting to find that with highstreet shops copying the big designers, the neon trend is looking a bit... plasticy and cheap lately. These soft colours are refreshing and sweet.

 
The same can be said for this jumper, I love the Christmas feel to it from the reindeer, and I think that softer scoopy neckline would be flattering on most people.
 
 

 

 
Here is a cluster of some more of this inspirational colour scheme (complete with hot blonde babe). I think those Christmas label ideas are stunning, and if you used a stamp then you could rustle a few up in no time. I'm also a big fan of ribbon, I definitely do not have enough in my life.

 

 
These photos are not very big today, so I am clustering them for more interest. Here we have some real Swedish Swedeness:
Beautiful waterside houses in amazing colours, an excellent pair of clogs and a stylish Swedish girl. I love the wholesome feel to these images, I'm feeling inspired for the January sales....

 

And here's the pug, why not?