The Art Exhibition

You are cordially invited

to our art exhibition,

all are welcome,

and we don't charge admission.

We are very hip,

in tune with the scene,

you really must join us,

it's the place to be seen.

Our art is so cool,

the reviews are just grand,

but we're staying humble -

because that is our brand.

.

(©handmade by amalia)

♡

Featured: The gallery is

recycled from a cereal box

and my brilliant nephew Ariel

made most of the drawings.

 

The Sleepover

I was so excited!

My good friend Clover

was coming for a visit

with a proper sleepover.

My brother would be barred

(he is such a horrid beast!)

and certainly not invited 

to our secret midnight feast.

Mother made us sandwiches

with butter and some ham,

a drink of fresh lemonade

and scones with lovely jam.

We set up our small party,

everything just right,

and settled in to wait

for the clock to chime midnight.

But, oh dear! What happened?

Without any warning,

we both fell sound asleep

and slumbered till morning. 

(©handmade by amalia)

♡

Featured: my father made

these darling beds for me.

Dawn and Dusk

 

Dawn and dusk

are both a delight,

they grace us softly

with their glowing light.

They chase the dark,

help the sun rise,

only to watch 

each day as it dies.

The very next day

they are at it again,

marking time and rhythm,

come shine or come rain.

Dawn and dusk,

both beautiful and sweet,

but also, a little lonely,

as they never ever meet.

(©handmade by amalia)

♡

Featured: Welcome to my

spring felt-embroidered garden

The Race

Two feisty turtles 

got into a fight,

and there was no telling

who was right.

To decide on the one

and also save face,

the two friends agreed

to have a race.

The first to the tree

would be the winner,

then off to the grass

for a spot of dinner.

So, who won this race

of grit and skill?

there is no winner,

they are at it still.

(©handmade by amalia)

♡

Featured: Two friends

enjoying the garden.

The Basket Case

 I put all my eggs in one basket

and went outside to play;

the basket fell down to the ground,

no omelette for me today.

(©handmade by amalia)

♡

Featured: A slow-stitched basket

made of fabric scraps.

Birds of a Feather

When the floods came,

a clever bee

told her animal friends

they had to flee.

The situation was hot

and becoming hotter,

so they built a boat

and took to the water.

The sailed on the boat

through rain and fog

when suddenly - trouble,

they got stuck on a log.

The animals were fit,

they’ve been to the gym,

but it soon turned out

none could swim.

It was getting hopeless

when a friendly dove

sent over a dolphin

to give them a shove.

It always works best

when birds of a feather

help each other

and stick together.

(©handmade by amalia)

♡

Featured: An ode to Flipper

and to our dear planet.

 

For the Love of Colors

Pink says to Yellow:

you're a cheery cup of Jell-O;

Yellow answers Pink:

you're my fuzzy, happy drink.

(©handmade by amalia)

♡

Featured: lavender sachets.

A Kind-Hearted Guest

It’d been a long day

but the bear felt fine, 

the nursery was tidy

and he was in bed by nine.

But then a small noise

filled him with dread -

was something hiding

under the bed?

It took all his courage

to look down and find

a tiny tooth fairy,

looking tired but kind.

The fairy looked up

and gently confessed:

“I have many deliveries,

I’m just taking a rest.”

(©handmade by amalia)

♡

Featured: my father made

these little wooden beds,

I made the soft furnishing

and kind-hearted bear.

French Cheese

 We opened the window
to let in the breeze
and immediately felt
the censure of trees - 

Even fresh air
cannot, with ease,
battle the odor of
a good French cheese.

(©handmade by amalia)

♡

Featured: A new turtle friend

living in a delicious

Camembert package.

A Five Star Review

 Five reasons I’m giving Five Stars to 

Down a Dark River by Karen Odden:

1. The stage - the year is 1878 and we are in Victorian 

London, a time of discovery and innovation, 

a time when people are still bound by their class and history.

2. The lead - Michael Corravan is an inspector in Scotland 

Yard, a young man with a prickly character and complicated 

history, in no hurry to share his secrets. 

3. The supporting cast - Corravan is surrounded by a motley 

crew of friends and colleagues who all add another 

dimension both to his character and to the story.

4. The plot - the book, the first in a new series, 

begins with the disappearance of one woman, 

the murder of another and a river that runs between them. 

Nothing more from me, this is a spoiler-free zone.

5. The summary - if you are in the market for a 

hard-to-put-down historical mystery with a different voice, 

plenty of atmosphere, plot twists, suspense, quality writing 

and a satisfying end, this could well be the book for you.

♡

Featured: I upcycled these bags

with a tea wash and embroidery.

The Footwear of a Bear

There once was a bear

who liked his feet bare

but found the cold hard to bear.

In the winter you wear

shoes everywhere,

you silly old bear.

♡

Featured: a little bear

hibernating in his

cozy new sleeping-bag.

Time for Bed

The time is late,

the shadows are deep,

and all little boys

should be fast asleep.

The house is quiet

except for young Ned,

who is tossing and turning

upstairs in his bed.

"Oh, why can't I sleep?

I feel so awake;

could it be that I ate

too much chocolate cake?"

♡

Featured: my dad made

this two doll beds,

guaranteed to provide

a good night's rest.

Hide-and-Seek

 

"I feel like a game"

thought the sun, as she rose,

and hide-and-seek

was the game that she chose.

The sun's a good hider,

that’s why I felt proud,

when I finally found her

there, behind the cloud!

♡

Featured: two friends hiding

in a knitted hanging basket

Hope Lives Eternal

Rico has measles

and he’s staying in bed;

his only hope is 

some sweets with his med.

 

♡

Featured: A spotty little puppy

A fish out of water

 A little fish was swimming

when suddenly there came a net

and fished him out of the water

all slippery and scared and wet.

The fish was in a panic -

he was sure that this was the end,

he closed his eyes and prayed,

wishing for help from a friend.

The fisherman was listening

and heard the murmured wish,

he threw him back into the water,

saving the little fish.

♡

Featured: Made these pencil cases

for my little nephews

Shame on You, Mindy!

 Mindy is a 

lovely-looking doll,

she is pink and pretty 

and rather small.

She has a smile 

as sweet as a daisy,

but it must be admitted 

that she is a bit lazy.

Each day the toys 

play in the yard,

but Mindy says sorry, 

the ground is too hard.

And when they all clean 

and tidy and cook,

you can usually find her 

curled up with a book.

The others are ready 

to raise quite a stink -

really, Mindy, you are 

very lucky you're pink!

♡ 

Featured: a pink softie with an attitude.

Spring is Here!

 The garden's in chaos,

things are quite bad,

and Spring slumbers on

snoring like mad.

A turtle goes over

and gives Spring a shake,

planning, if needed

to bribe him with cake.

"Wake up, wake up

you have to see reason -

Winter is leaving

and we don't have a season!"

Spring jumps and mutters:

"Sorry! Sorry my dear,

nobody told me

it's my time of year."

♡

Featured: A little turtle

and his bestie are

ready to enjoy the new season.

Three is Not Enough

Three little friends

are sitting on the floor;

one needs a snack

and hurries to the store.

 Two little friends

are staying, having fun;

one is late for class

and now there is only one.

One little friend

is alone, what a bore,

he gets up to leave

and now there's just the floor.

"This is very sad",

thinks the empty floor,

"three is not enough,

next time I'll sit four."

♡

Featured: you guessed it,

three little friends.

A Rabbit with a Bad Habit

My little rabbit

has a very bad habit -

he likes to tweet 

while crossing the street!

I am very vexed, 

why must he text 

and not mind the way? 

has he that much to say?

♡

Featured: A worried friend,

sitting by the window,

looking at the street.

Stay Out of My Room!

 They were really annoying,

they know what about,

I slammed the door to my room

and I'm NOT coming out!

♡

Featured: I made door signs for 

my little nephews' rooms.